July 2016 Update

Hello Everybody!  We are here down-on-the-farm on another day that Environment Canada has called for a “heat advisory”. For us, this reminds us of a beautiful Roatan day - not too hot, not too steamy, gentle breeze blowing – just right.  But, we are also aware that for many here in North America, this type of day is just too hot.  And, in July, this type of day would be welcome in the tropics where the sun is now beating down and it is really sizzling! It’s all relative, I guess.

We are three-quarters through our long stay here.  In one month, we’re off again for a short stay in Roatan before the farm harvest here calls us home again.  What a fantastic time this has been with times of productive work and times of relaxing. The crops are looking lush and hold good potential. What has been so good is the many opportunities we have had to spend time with our kids, grand-daughters, (I have pictures….) family and friends. We have been able to touch base with many people who sponsor our Roatan students and update them with progress reports.  We have prayed over plans for our return, and are ready to return.

Because classes in Roatan depend on online resources for research, we decided to leave some of our students with a computer.  We can pay for the internet online from here (amazing!).  Not only are the kids keeping up with their school needs, we are receiving frequent reports of successes and sometimes struggles. This also allows the kids to practice and receive instruction in writing in English. We have other families that send us text messages on their phones when they have worked and can pay for the internet time.  All in all, while we are here – we are also very much in touch with some of our there responsibilities.  

One of our “there” responsibilities was to continue the bus service we had introduced in May.  Several of our friends from the Colonia were not attending church unless we gave them a ride to the church we attended in West Bay.  With many asking for a ride and our friends Don and Jeanette who had assisted with the driving, returning to their home in US, we arranged to provide a bus from the Colonia, to church, and then home again. Reports and the picture show us that the minibus that was contracted is meeting the need.

We continue to be convicted that there are many people who are missing out on opportunities to worship and also study and learn to be disciples of Jesus. When we return in August we hope to prod these seekers to discuss options.  We’re not sure where this discussion will lead.  There are some that we know that have strong leadership potential. It could be these people are just waiting to be asked their opinions.

Finding full time work is a goal for many of the people we serve.  Not only does a

permanent job mean that the family can count on eating every day (yay!) but creates a boost in self-esteem and allows for planning beyond today.  This has been the case for Janneth.  Janneth has had a two-day-a-week job at a resort restaurant for as long as we have known her.  She depended on tips to pay her rent and power bill.  During low season at the resort there were no tips and the rent payments could not be made.  We would try to employ Janneth as a translator or find day jobs but that was difficult too. Happily for Janneth, a friend opened a restaurant – a really great restaurant! – and found that he was getting too busy for the small staff he had employed.  He needed a shebang waitress/kitchen organiser and Janneth fit the bill.  Janneth is now at The Salty Mango 4 days a week, and still works her 2-day-a-week resort job. Janneth can now pay rent, power, and extras for her family.  She can also look forward to hosting friends for birthday parties and plan outings for her Saturdays off work.  She makes plans.

During January through April, we focused on school start up and getting school students off to a good start.  When we return in August we hope to spend time  looking into some other needs. 

We have heard from one of our families that they face eviction from their property at the end of the month. The house they live in is theirs, but because they have fallen behind in paying, they are required to restart payment on the property where they have built their house.  As we understand it, the property owner has pocketed the $2250 the family has already paid. Now the family needs to restart payment on the property, ($4000) or move the house to another location. We’re definitely needing some wisdom here on how or if to assist. If a new property is needed, where is it to be found?

So, that brings us to our prayer requests.  If you have persevered through this update, you will find a special reward in our Praise Report on the page following.  You can rejoice as you read about God’s intervention resulting in a changed life. 

Please pray:

1.        For Chris and his family as they continue to live their lives serving Jesus. Also, for how God would have you respond to his needs.

2.        For wisdom for us – when should we step in, when we should not.  Particularly, should we assist this family with their property needs? Can this need be tied into the needs of others who also need property?

3.        For Janneth, that she continues to see all provision as God’s gift.

4.        For our students, that they can find the resources they need for their studies.

5.        For good health for Larry so that he can do his work without pain.

In turn, we would like to pray for you.  Please send a note, call, or stop in and let us know how you are doing. We do look forward to hearing from you.

God’s blessings on each of you.  We are praying that this season is a time of refreshment.  As I finish this - two days since beginning (I’ll never write a book....)  – the breezes have picked up and the heat advisory has been lifted – a time of refreshing.

     ~ Larry and Susan -  roatancampbells@gmail.com

~ Praise Report and Opportunity ~

We are so excited to share with you a special praise report. We can see God’s hand in this and it gives both of us such encouragement and JOY!

We have asked for prayers over the years for Chris.  We met him when we lived on the beach where he was the guy who stole whatever wasn’t tied down to sell to support his drug habit. Larry had always said, “He’s a good guy” but his addiction caused him to get into continuous problems.

In September, 2013, with assistance from Peggy from the Clinic, Chris agreed to enter a

Christian rehab in Zambrano on the mainland. (see freetheoppressed.org )  Knowing that a return to Roatan would put him back in the same position he had been before, he has stayed on at the centre assisting as needed.  Chris now assists with leading a Bible study and discussion time with people in the program in Zambrano.  He joins the ministry team in serving at a jail. He supervises program participants in work at the facility.

While this in itself is a miracle – truly! – the story continues.  In February, Chris invited his pre-teen son to come join him at the centre to go to school. In March, Laura, the mother of Chris’ two sons, travelled with her other son to Zambrano and entered the rehab centre.  Following completion of her six month program, Chris and Laura plan to be married in September.  Woo-hoo!!  Are you cheering with me??!  All of you who have been praying for Chris should be encouraged with this.

We requested and received a character reference for Chris from the pastor at Zambrano.  The reference concluded:  “I have been privileged to witness the transformation in Chris’ life as a result of his relationship with Jesus and the favor of God in bringing Chris to a place where He is restoring his family.  After his one year process, Chris has gone on to serve full time in the ministry fulfilling his obligations faithfully; he has shown himself to be a blessing to the work of God here in Zambrano.”

Chris and Laura will be doing God’s work at Zambrano, receiving housing and a $50 per month allowance.  This amount will not allow Chris to support his family.  We are convinced we want to encourage Chris in his positive life changes.  With this reference from his pastor in hand, we are hoping to be able to find support for Chris, Laura and the two boys by providing monthly sponsorship.  We are asking our supporters to pray over this request.  If you feel that God is leading you to assist in supporting Chris and contribute to sponsoring this family, please let us know and we will put this into place.