Things You Do Today Are An Investment For The Future........

 Have you ever thought about how what you do today will impact what the future will hold?  Remember the parable of the sower? This parable is mentioned in the first three gospels; Matthew, Mark and Luke.  It talks about how the sower planted seeds, some seeds fell by the way side and the birds ate them, other fell into the rocks and grew but because they had no soil they were scorched by the sun. The others fell onto good soil and grew and became productive. It makes me think of how we spend our time and days. Do we carelessly throw out seeds. What I mean is that do we plant seeds without thinking......for instance...by having an impatient attitiude in a store or bank line? Do we plant seeds of bitterness because someone has somehow wronged us in someway? Do we plant seeds of anger or unkindness becasue we are inconvienced or bothered by someone elses actions?  I have to step back and think about these things myself. I remember when we lived in the states and I hated being in the line where I was behind the person with 2 carts of groceries and the there was no-one else working. Many times we take it out on the poor cashier just doing her job. I also remember in the states when the kids were small and I did not want anyone to touch them because of germs and sickness and such. Here, it is very different....the people love children...and they love American children....they call them little dolls. It is not uncommon for a women in a store to take Micah out of my arms and cuddle him like he was there own. Does this get to me sometimes....yes....but what I have thought and thought about this and the fact is....  they have a deep love for us....if I refuse to let them hold him or touch him...what kind of message am I sending them? I am suppose to be sharing the Lord with the lost. If I refuse, I could cut off the ability that I have to share the gospel. For, I am no different than they are...I just have Christ in my life. 

Today, we had a play date with Elsey and Angie. Angie is a 12 year old from our church. She is a prospect for the childrens home. (please help us by praying that her grandma's heart will be sensitive to the idea and will allow her to live with us when we plan to open in October).  Taylor and I set off to go and pick the girls up for our day of fun. We stopped by and ordered pizza so that it would be ready after we had picked everyone up. Our first stop was at Elsey's house. When she saw us she came running and with her little nephew Daniel. She wanted to know if he could come as well. Sure, I replied and he climbed right on in. Next, we headed over to Angie's house. I love that I am learning where everyone lives and where what road leads where. On the way we saw 3 of our children from our childrens church class. I rolled the window down and they came over. We sat and chatted for a few minutes and I  loved that we could talk.  tI took a few minutes to talk to each of them. (an investment...yes).

We were able to get Angie and head to the house. We had lots of fun today. We ate pizza and made cupcakes. Played outside, climbed some trees, drew pictures on the walls surrounding the property. We chased each other, hit volleyballs, caught tarantulas....and laughed. Was this an investment, YES, was it worth it yes.....will we see the benefits....already have in their smiles.......see if you can plant a seed and make an investment today...you will be glad that did.

Elsey and Taylor

Are you using your talent for the Lord?

Everyone has been given a talent. Some of us have the talent to sing or play a musical instrument. Some of us have been given the talent to speak to others through teaching, preaching or simply words of encouragement. Some of us have the crafty skills, the cooking skills or even the hospitality skills. No matter what it may be we all have been given a talent. But the question is "Are you using your talent for the Lord?" Many of you who know us know that we are apart of Team Honduras. The team started a church plant here almost 7 years ago. With that first church plant we now have Iglesia Bautista El Faro. We average over 200 in attendance and have a wide variety of people who attend our church. Tonight, I would like to talk about a young lady who truly is using her talent for the Lord. Ester is a member of our church, a wife and a mother to a 3 year old. She always has the biggest smile on her face and she loves to sing. She helps by serving in many areas of the church from the choir to the nursery. However, while she uses all of those she has a special talent. She has the art of painting nails. I know, I know you men do not care anything about nails but please finish reading. You see in the states.....and I hate to admit it...but we pay anywhere from $18-$28 for a really good pedicure. Well, being that we are in another country where gross income is no where even close to what the average person makes, you can get a pedicure for around ....are you ready.....$2.50. Well, Ester does a WONDERFUL job. She is very particular about her work and takes the upmost care. She will spend at least 2 hours on one person easy. Right now we have an area in the church that will one day be the kitchen. However, first we need to have tile put down. With that said there is the area of money. We all know that God will provide the funds that we need but before we can start we have to have the money. Since this is the kitchen, the ladies of the church are trying to raise money to have this part of the kitchen complete. One day Ester mentioned to Dallita that she wanted to help with giving money to the tile fund. She decided that she would dedicate 3 Saturdays in a row to painting nails and all the money collected would go to this fund. She worked hard and had many people lined up for each day. She was able to give L1,000 (limps) or $50. While to some that is not alot...... to her it was a HUGE sacrifice. She spent many hours cutting, filing and painting nails and never kept any for herself. She gave 100% to the tile fund. She just gave up 11 days worth of wages. Have you ever given up anything for the Lord? Have you used your talent for the Lord? I know that God will provide the money needed to put the tile down and to complete the kitchen($5,000). I just wanted you all to know what a sacrifice she has made for the Lord. With great sacrifice comes big blessings in return. I hope that through the children's home, my own children and also in my own giving...I can be an Ester and help to also raise some Ester's for the Lord.

This is Ester w/ the necklace on her sister Yadira and their mom.

When things don't go our way.......

 So, yesterday morning Mark leaves to pick-up some people for church. Taylor, the little boys and I are left at home to leave a little later. We all pile in the car and Taylor goes to get the gate......but my car will not start. I have been having some trouble with the battery. We try to wiggle the connector...no luck...so we call Mark. He tries to tell us over the phone what do.....not working....not only am I dressed up for church...but we are sweating like pigs under the hood of the car. I was so frustrated. We are apart of the choir and we were suppose to sing that morning plus Mark and I teach children's church for the 6-9 year olds. WHAT IS GOING ON?????? After many attempts to get the car to crank, I ask Mark just to come and get us.

While waiting for Mark my cell phone rings....it is Elsey. They have a cell phone that you have to buy minutes for. She said "Hola Hermana Amy" and then the phone hung up. I thought maybe she was at church and could not find me. Then, I get a text message asking if I could come pick her up. I thought to myself, what in the world, why did she not ride the bus?   Anyway, that was just part of my frustration for being late to Sunday School because of the car. So, I call her back and tell her mom that we are on the way to pick her up.

We pull down the dusty path to her house. There are many children walking down the street and Mark says, "those children need to be in church". We pull to the corner of her street and there stands a cute little girl and boy.....then from around the corner runs Elsey. She goes over to the little girl as to give her a hug but instead picks her up and motions for the little boy to follow her. We were like, WOW! Here she has just trusted Christ as her Savior and she has already started to change. I asked her about the two little kids and she said that they were her sisters children. She wanted them to be able to come. I asked her about the bus and she replied that she went to get Daniel and on her way back she had missed the bus. Praise the Lord that my car would not start. You see, I leave my phone in the car during church, so had I left we would have already gotten to the church and she would not have been able to come or those two little kids. (Which by the way are 1 1/2 and 4 years old). This is to say that when things don't go your way.....it is because you might just need to help someone out. We were excited to see the new light in her eyes....behind the new glasses.....she wants to share with others the change in her life.....

PAID IN FULL.....

 Well, when we went to the eye doctor on Monday with Elsey we knew she was going to need glasses. When the exam was finished and the doctor gave us the results we knew this little girl and her mom could not afford them. We also knew that without the glasses she would one day go blind. We decided to order the glasses and pray that God would provide. Well, we are happy to say...that her glasses were PAID IN FULL. You know who you are...to the one who gave. We are so thankful, as is Elsey and her momma.

Elsey and her new glasses!

 You have helped this little girl to have a better future. She has received 2 gifts in 2 days. Last night she received the greatest gift of all....that was PAID IN FULL by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as she put her faith and trust in him. Today, she received a much needed pair of glasses that were also paid in full.

We also want anyone who reads this tonight who has not put their faith and trust in Jesus...that you too have a debt that has been paid in full. We are all sinners, it says so in Romas 3:10 " As it is written, There is non righteous, no not one" we all have sin and for this we have a debt. Romans 3:23 states " For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Romans 6:23 states "that the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The word "death"  in this passage is talking about your seperation from God foever. I am happy to share Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He paid our debt in FULL. Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God have raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnessand with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 states "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If tonight as you read this and you have not trusted Christ as your Savior and you would like to please continue reading:

First, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner (we are all sinners)
Second, You must acknowledge that there is a price for sin and that is death/seperation from God
Third, You need to acknowledge that Jesus paid that debt for US ALL through his death on the cross and he rose again on the third day and reigns in Heaven today.
Fourth, ask HIM(Jesus Christ) to forgive you of your sins and live in your heart.

You can say this prayer to yourself:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that I am a sinner. I know that the price for sin is death. I know that you died on the cross to pay for my sins and rose again on the third day. I do believe that you are the only way to heaven. I ask you tonight to forgive me of my sins and come live in heart. Tonight, I put my faith and trust in you Lord. Thank you for paying the debt that I could never afford to pay.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

If you read this tonight and in fact said this prayer. Please email us at mark@teamhonduras.com or amy@teamhonduras.com so that we can pray for you. Also, if you do not have a local church that you attend we would like to be able to help you find one in your area.

Es un Nombre Nueva en la gloria.......

 Tonight was an awesome night here in Honduras.....por es un nombre nueva en la gloria....for there is a new name written in glory. On Monday, Mark and I were able to visit with Elsey and take her to the eye doctor. I then also reminded her that we were going to come pick her up for Wednesday night church. When we arrived tonight she was not ready. I opened the door to talk to her about church, she had forgotten but asked if she could change. She quickly ran back inside to change her shirt and put on a skirt. Once we arrived at church she wanted to be a big help and she also had started to chat with some of the other girls her age. She sat with me during the service and copied my every move. If I crossed my legs she did the same, If I folded my arms, she quickly followed. If I tugged my dress to make sure it was covering my knee....she tried to do the same. I knew her little eyes were watching everything that I did. I was praying that tonight would be the night she would receive Christ. Pastor Matt preached a wonderful message. Time came for the alter call. I personally had some things weighing heavy on my heart tonight with family in the states. So, I walked to the front to pray. When I returned to my sit....she was gone....I was worried that she had wondered to the nursery or was outside somewhere. I began to pray and ask that she would not be a distraction to those on the alter...if in fact she was somewhere she should not have been. I lifted my eyes to see if I could see her. She popped to her feet...she had been on the far side of the alter praying. Once she had returned to her seat I could tell there was something different. As Pastor Matt began to conclude the invitation and pray...I could hear mumbling....it was mixed with sniffles. I bent down lower and could make out these words..."yes father" yes father". Tears started to flow and she began wiping her face. After the service we sat for announcements and she squeezed my hand. We sang a fitting song to end the service..."When the roll is called up Yonder". After church I quickly pulled her aside and asked why she was crying? She replied, "I just want someone to help me...I want Jesus to help me." I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart? She said yes. My heart swelled with excitment. I then called Mark over and we began to share with her. Mark was able to lead Elsey to the Lord tonight. What a wonderful day it has been ....now maybe she will go home on fire and tell her mom all about her new life. For when the roll is called up yonder...her name will be called. Please pray for me and that the Lord will use my mouth as a tool for him. I plan on going over there tomorrow to talk more with her mom. Praise the Lord 100x for the New Name Written Down in Glory Tonight!

What If..................

I know that by know you all are very familiar with our new friend Elsie. We have been trying to be an encouragement to her. She has a desire to please and to make others happy. We recently told you all that we suspected that she needed glasses. So, Mark and I asked her mom if we could carry her to have her eyes examened. The cost for such an exam is rather inexpensive, however it is the cost of the glasses that the people here can not afford. Today, Taylor and I went to pick her up and Mark and the boys were going to meet us at the mall. When we arrived at her house, she was a little saddened because she was not ready. She asked if she could change and freshen up. I watched as she ran in her house and quickly changed into some clean clothes. She then went over to her outdoor bodega to use a bowl to begin washing her arms and legs off. Her momma quickly brushed her hair and pulled it back so we could leave.

We are not very familiar with eye doctors around here but Gabby had told us about the one at the mall, so we were off. Mark kept the boys out in the lobby and Elsie and I went in the examing room. As I sat there listening to the doctor ask her questions and hearing her replies, I knew that this check-up was not going to be good. The letters on the back wall were very large.....however she had trouble with them all until he adjusted the lens on the machine. She never could read the letters in the bottom row. Bless her heart she had to hold the paper almost at her nose to be able to read. The doctor asked her about school and how she was doing, she said that she had not been since the 2nd grade. She told the doctor that she could not go back to school because she did not have the money to get glasses. Therefore, she is 13 with at best a second grade education, b/c she could not see while she was there. After the exam, she went out to sit with the other kids and Mark and I talked to the doctor.....He began to say that she needed glasses, but she would never have 100% vision. The only way to help with that was possibly with surgery in the future. WHAT IF......you were 13 and could not SEE!...better yet what if you could not see at all......God does everything for a reason.....who knows how much longer she would have the vision that she has had God not allowed us to meet down on that dirt path. The glasses that she needs have to be specially made for her, b/c she was pretty much blind. The cost for the new glasses is $130. Please help us by praying that she will be able to get the glasses that she so desperatly needs. Her mom tries hard and only washes clothes by hand for people in their area. She has no running water or electricity and they already eat day by day. What if......these beautiful green eyes lost their ability to see??

August Newsletter