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Lots of Love for Valentine's Day - Update Feb. 2017

Happy Valentine’s Day! (February 2017)

     Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.           ~1 Corinthians 13:7-8

 We are amazed and in awe as we celebrate our first trip to Roatan eight years ago this week. God has allowed us to continue to live, learn, and love some people who have become dear to us. Our joy is in loving the people God has called us to work with. Our love is shown in our protection of their dignity and personal needs, and sharing in their hope and perseverance in our walk with our Lord. We pray that you find this joy in loving the people God places you with too.



In these eight years we have learned many things about people, poverty of different kinds, ourselves and so much about relying on Jesus’ direction. However, it seems the more we learn, the more we find we need to learn. There have definitely been many times we’ve wanted to say “Enough!  I don’t want to know more!” We’ve had lots of times of doing it wrong but hopefully not as many times as when we do it right. 

We’ve also seen investments of time and money in people we have trusted seem to be for nought. And then -ta-dah- we see answers to prayers and a changed life.  Waiting patiently, praying, and doing nothing is something we are finding we need to learn. That’s pretty hard for two let-me-do-it-now type people. Praying for wisdom to know when to step in and when to wait. Always.

 This isn’t to say we’ve been sitting on our hands during the past month. January is our busiest month for school needs. School began last Monday, and even last Friday we had one last family with needs to sort through. Our assistance for public school students has become more focused trying to provide more for fewer children. We are also being led to assist with more high school students. As always, what had been designated for back-to-school matched the needs. Hurray!  Numerically, we provided complete uniform needs (2 shirts, 1 or 2 pants or skirts, shoes, socks, and undershirts),as well as a backpack and school supplies for 14 elementary kids and 9 high school public school students. Some high school students require assistance with busing for the year and specific school supplies. We also have 4 fully-funded private school kids. The numbers aren’t large, but for each of those kids we hope we provide more than a one-time connection. The message we want to send is that education is important for you and we want you to succeed.



**FYI: We spend approx. 1500 lempiras per public student for back-to-school -a person earns approx.1500 lempiras per week if they have work.

It was great to have Pauline and Garry here for two weeks. We had fun with our extended breakfast coffee time, special suppers and evening game time. Today we had such an encouraging visit from Winston and Nancy Smith from one of our home churches.  It’s always such a fun time sharing with friends from home.









Praise Reports
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;   none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.                       ~Psalm 40:5
1.Chris and Larry continue to correspond frequently.  Chris tells us that he and the mom of his kids, Laura, will be married in March. And we’re invited to the wedding. Woo-hoo!
2.While we are disappointed that Franklin and Mayra are still separated, Franklin has used this situation to seek God.
3.Our friends, Don and Jeanette, needed documents for a student on the Mainland. Several things came through “just in time” so that this student will be able to return to school on Day 1- this Thursday.
4.Juan continues to be employed! Sixteen months of independence. Big woo-hoo!
5.I delivered a children’s Bible to a family at Christmas. The oldest of the three girls agreed to read the stories to her sisters.  And she does!  She reports she likes to read about Jesus!  Got goosebumps?


Prayer Requests:
               

1.  For Jimena, the little girl receiving treatment for leukemia and her family as mom stays with Jimena in hospital in the mainland, while dad and brother are here.
2.  For our students as they begin the school year that they are able to focus on lessons and apply what is learned, and for their teachers to provide lessons encouraging thinking.
3.  For us – wisdom to know when to step in and when to wait.

 For those who are wondering, we return to the farm in early April.


When I asked Larry what to include in this update he said, put in lots of pictures of the kids heading back to school.  So, I’ve included a third page for those of you who, like me, read pictures.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Love to all of you.
Blessings – Larry and Susan








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