February Update - Lots of 💗 From Roatan

Hello for February!

Happy belated Valentine’s Day! It’s never too late to send love, right?

When we return to Roatan each time, we always expect to see some changes. We have no say in the changes and for the most part they are always part of the excitement of returning. But, this recent return was a challenge - at least for the first week or two. There were people-things that just plain seemed overwhelming and we were actually ready to pack it in. A few people we have spent much time with caused us to be disappointed and discouraged. It seemed wherever we went, people just wanted to squeeze out whatever stuff or money we might have, but were unwilling to resume relationship with us.

I think some of our prayer warriors stepped up their petitions. Thank you! Whew! After a week or so of sloshing through the junk, encouragements began to come. To us these are big encouragements! We’re praising God for helping us to lift our eyes out of the messiness and showing us what He is doing and allowing us to have a part. It’s these encouragements we want to share with you at the midpoint of our time here for this season.

One of the biggest encouragements to us during January and February is to have

Jessie at work - yay!

seen a few of the students we have invested in find employment. Karla and Jessie both graduated in November from grade 12. Both are already employed! Jessie had applied for work at Clinica Esperanza (Peggy’s Clinic). In mid-January, she began work as the receptionist. Her competence in organization as well as being bilingual makes her especially suited to this position. And – she loves it! While visiting our new local grocery store, we were excited to see Junior working. He has been a year looking for work and for him this is great as it is near his home (no transportation needed) and he gets paid!

We were encouraged with the provision of resources to meet the needs for the back-to-school season. We were able to work co-operatively with some great parents this year in placing the kids in a variety of schools. This year two students remain in ALFA, the private bilingual school we have known in previous years. Both these students are sponsored by friends/family of our partners the Gartners who also personally support two girls in other schools, who will graduate this year. We were able to register Jessie and Josian in university, something totally new to us. Two other students were registered in a technical school that should provide hands-on training in electrical work. One grade seven girl is attending school on Sundays only, with much online homework during the week to meet the hours required for a school year. Another young boy is attending a private school in the Colonia. Finally, we have four students travelling into town for high school. We praise God! We always have enough to support those He puts in our path.

Today five new Believers from Son Rise church were baptized. The three young girls – Jisely, Merlin, and Daniela – come to our classroom for English/homework/ computer work. It is always a joy to be a part of the group witnessing this.

In our December update I wrote: This year we want to return with expectant hearts. We want to look to God so that we don’t miss His goodness, His kindness, His love, and His “with-us-ness”. As we do, we need to remember to expect to see Him and expect that He is in it all.

With these good reminders, we are seeing God’s goodness, kindness, and particularly His with-us-ness. As with all things, it is the teacher, the mentor, the worker, who gets the best opportunities to experience the best of these things. We just need to change our focus. I read somewhere “mentoring is messy”.  Oh yes!

We will be here in Roatan for another month and a half. During this time we ask for your continued prayers. Please pray:

-      For a family with many decisions to make – for wisdom and safety

-      For the pastors at Son Rise church, that they find joy in their service and resist discouragement

-      For the students we have committed to support that the education they receive meets their present and future needs

-      For us that we keep our focus upward.

💗 Many blessings to all of you. Send us a note to let us know how things are with you.

And – we’re sending LOTS of LOVE to all of you!