Sometimes there are no words............

We have been on this journey now for almost 3 years.  It is so amazing to see just how far that God has brought us during this time.  Now, that we have finished the cottage and the beds are all made and ready for little ones we are just waiting.  We have talked with some people that we know and even recently a young mother of 4. She has two boys and 2 girls.  Our first meeting with her we simple explained to her that we were here if she needed us. She is trying very hard but she is pretty much doing it alone.  She works 6 days a week and about 12 hours each day. As we began to explain what our ministry was about there were tears in her eyes.  I can not even begin to imagine what the thoughts were in her head the other day. We ask that you simply pray for her and her children and that God will give us all wisdom in the future of these little ones.

 She is going to be facing many difficulties this week as she ponders on what to do.  I am sure that she is afraid of what her family, friends and neighbors are going to say about her putting her children in a childrens home.  However, we all only want what is best for the children.  She also has a husband at home that is unsaved and not very supportive.....please pray for her as she talks with him about the options that are before them.  He only works to support his drinking habit for the most part. Now, is the time that we need your prayers.....somedays there will times when we can not share all of what we see and face each day. We are going to see many mothers shed tears and have children do the same.  We will have a probation period where they will not be able to have contact with their parents, this is so that they can become adjusted to their new home, the 7 of us and new rules.  Please pray that the parents and children will have an easy adjustment period. 

We hope to find out this week whether or not we will be placing kids next week.  This is a time of sincere prayer. We are so thankful that even though we can not share the more specifics with you that you all are willing to pray for us....and even more thankful that God knows our heart when there are no words.

It is a delicate situation that we are about to embark upon.....not only for us but the mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers of these children.  I am however, thankful that God can give comfort and peace and healing to those in need.  In Psalm 34:18 the Bible says "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  How comforting to know that he is there for the broken hearted.  There are going to be many that are broken hearted about seperating themselves from their children....please pray that God will grant them peace if this is his WILL for them to be in Esperanza

We look forward to keeping you all posted.

Cooking 101 in Honduras

We have had some fun times the last few days in the kitchen.  Karla has taught us to make 2 very popular foods here in Honduras. The first, is the good ole corn tortilla. This is a staple.....people eat these like we Americans, eat rolls.  They eat them with everything; breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  So, it is only right that we learn how to prepare these ourselves.  First you need a good "masa" or corn flour. 

You then add your masa and water to a bowl to form a soft dough.  Using a circle cut from a ziplock bag you form the ball into a flat round circle.  It is a little more difficult than you might think and takes a little practice to get it right.

Then you must cook it over a hot eye. We tried to use a griddle but it was not hot enough....so we used the flattop stove eye. In the future we plan on buying a flat cast iron pan.

When you are all done....you can have a nice stack of your very own homemade corn toritlla.....

The second item Karla taught me to make is a compliment to every meal....it is called "encurtido". Really it is just pickled veggies......if you eat out....they will put this on your table...like we put out salt and pepper.  It is really rather simple.....onions, jalepenos, carrots, salt, pepper, water and vinegar.  First, slice the onions and carrots into thin strips. Then add as much jalepenos as you desire for the heat factor......In a pot pour about 2-3 cups of vinegar and equal parts of water. Then generously add salt and pepper. Place all the veggies in the pot and boil for about 10-20 minutes or until the onions have turned a little orangish yellow. Then allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

We hope that one day you will try these to things if you have not already.

!APROVECHA!

Enjoy !

Ready and Waiting.......

Well, 2012 is off to a great start. We have been waiting for this time to come and now it is here, the time that we can open the doors to Esperanza de Honduras (Hope of Honduras Childrens Home).  We have been able to meet and talk with a few local people here about donating food and services to the children...please pray that we will be able to influence these contacts and that they will help us in our endeavors to rescue these sweet children who other wise would have nothing. This week Mark was able to visit a local childrens home here about 25 minutes from where we are currently. He said the chidlren were so sweet and ranged from 6 months on up. He even said that he saw a sweet little boy that had been in a crib for so long he had no use of his legs. How sad is that.....his mother left him in a crib...never held him, placed him on the floor or let him move and now he has no fuction of his legs. We pray that we can rescue these children before their life gets to that point. 

We were also able to go and visit with a sweet grandmother of 2 little girls and let her know that if she chooses her granddaughters are welcome to live here. Please pray that we all have wisdom in the days to come and that we are ready when God sends us "who he" desires to be our first children.  There are so many kids we see everyday that are just a step above poverty.

Yesterday, we went to the mall to get a few things....mainly because it is the only place there is an "ACE Hardware"....while there we let Josiah ride the kiddie train that was inside. A young boy about 9 or 10 kept following me around...everywhere I went he was 2 steps behind me or beside me. Finally, I had walked off to go to the grocery store...I turned around and there he was again. He was walking around and looking....looking at what we had....he even went up to talk to the ladies in the meat department. Mark saw him pick up a Burger King cup that someone had sat down to see if there was any drink left inside.  MArk handed Hunter a few limpera and told him to go and chat with the young boy.  How sad it is that a child has to do that...follow around people, look for someone elses....trash to fill their hunger pains. 

We are so excited about the future, not only to be able to fil their bellies with warm food but to give them what they all need love...and not just our love but to point them to that "God shaped Love" that everyone of us long for and need in our lives. It is our desire that the children we care for will accept Christ as their Savior and grow spiritual and phycially. We want to help educate them and make them a well rounded individual.  Please pray for us as the roads ahead are going to be tough and we are going to need help and wisdom from the Lord.  We look forward to keeping you all posted as we move forward.

Tonight's blog is a little different than others that I normally write about. Today, we read devasting news about one of our dear dear friends in North Carolina. Her name is Lalania Hall. When we lived in N.C. I had the priviledge of teaching 2 of her 5 boys in kindergarten. Through those 2 years I learned alot about my dear friend. She truly is an inspiration to all that she meets. In 2007 she was given the news that no-one wants to hear....the news that contains what we would say is the "C" word....the "You have cancer" news. Not only did Lanie find out that she had cancer but her cancer was already stage 4. Lanie is the strongest women I have ever meet. Not only does she show physical strength, but mental and spiritual stength as well. I have never once her heard complain about having cancer.....she has always kept on going...she truly is "the little engine that could". She has friends all over the world who are praying for her. I know that it is her faith in the Lord and his grace that has kept her alive for the past 4 years. As I sit here tonight many the miles away from her.....all I can think of is that if God were to rewrite the part of Hebrews "Hall of Faith" I can not help but think that he would include her name in it. She has been such a testimony to so many...she has touched people that I know she has never met. Some of the hard times about being on the mission field is that you can not reach out to those who you love....those who are hurting....those who you simply want to hug and tell them that you love them.  Today is one of those days....she received the news that she is going to just get worse....the tumors in her brain are causing her brain to swell...the radiation that she must take only causes her weak and frail body to ache even more. Her thoughts are ..."do I take the radiation which seems to kill me with pain and agony"....or do I let the cancer beat me....She has always been a fighter...she served our country and is a veteran. She has decided to take the treatment which her doctors said could buy her 6 months. I know that God is the greatest doctor in all the world. I know that he has a plan....I also know that HIS will is not always our will. However, tonight I ask that all of you who read this please take the time to pray for her....I know that God hears our prayers and he answers those prayers of his people. God has kept her alive this long..he can do it for as long as He wants to.....the Bible says in James 5:16 " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  You see right now...not only is my dear friend Lanie in need of  prayers and a touch from the master but I have a dear Uncle...my uncle Jack who is also in the hospital with an illness....and a dear friend of mine Catherine....her doctors have failed to determine what is causing all of her pain. You see we are human....doctors are human....we don't have all the answers....there is only ONE who has all the answers in the world...His name...Jesus...Prince of PEace, the great Physician, Comforter, and I could go on and on....I can not be there to see my loved ones and to hug them and give them comforting words....but better than that...I can lift their names up to heaven so that the one with the answers might heal them.  I know that there are many of you who read this and have problems that are similar.....please know that if you ask...I will pray for you as well.....That is what we are suppose to do for one another.

her 5 boys......

Lanie and her 5 sons

God listens to my every request with HIS whole heart. I will expect the unexpected, greater than all I ask or think.  As I pray, I learn to pray, to believe, to trust, to expect with increasing boldness. If I pray and ask the Lord for something...I should not doubt that he will not hear or answer my request...for if I doubt...what is the purpose of prayer. i should only ask God to do something if I beleive that it is HIS WILL...he will do it. The key here people is it must be GOD's WILL....sometimes we forget to say that when we pray...Lord if it be YOUR WILL please ......______________and you fill in the blank. I prayed that prayer when we were hoping for another baby....and we got Josiah......I just never would have imagined that HE would bless me again with MICAH....God is so good...and not just some of the time...but all of the time.  I again know that this is a blog of many emotions.....but hey....even missionaries have trials...just look at all of Jesus' disciples. He never said that being a Christian/ a servant was going to be easy....but I am glad for the valleys...because it makes the moutains look so much more magestic. I must also say that this really is not a trial......just a time of saddness for us as we do not want her to suffer....we know where her heart is and we know that when she leaves this life she will have a new body FREE of cancer and pain. It's just one of those tough times in the ministry...when you are away from your friends and family....So, on a happy note I am going to leave you with this....today at church in our 6-9 year old class Mark was teaching on Zacchaeus....after the lesson he went through the Romans Road and had a mini-invitation. Well, God was moving and working and he was able to lead a little boy to the Lord tonight. So...there is a reason to sing...."There's a new name written down in glory".....

Last thing.....please again take the time to pray for Lanie....and for others..and when you pray...you should pray EXPECTING an answer....

Sincerely Serving Him....
The Coats Family

Just Some Highlights to 2011

Well, I thought that since this is the last day of 2011 we would share some of our blessings, favorite things, crazy things, and just fun facts of 2011. There are so many....we could not possible name them all....

(These are in no particular order)


1.  Birth of a healthy (Honduran) baby boy: Micah Alexander 5/12/2011
2. Packing up 3 kids and 2 adults with 24 bags and a pack-n-play to get on an airplane
3. Praying all night long that God will give us a helpful person at the airport so we would not have to pay  $900 almost for our extra bags. God answered that prayer with a baggage person who helped book us first class and we only had to pay $300 for the upgrade. BLESSING
4. Seeing how faithful people are to the Lord and the ministry by not only filling 1 (40ft) container but 2 (40ft) containers.
5. Getting stopped by the police.....just to have them jump in your truck with a prisoner as you escort them to the station. (This was Mark and Hunter).
6. Driving for the first time in a foreign country....by myself...(Amy)
7. Never leave HOME with OUT IT....your passport that is......
8. Sharing the Gospel and seeing people get saved inspight of our bad Spanish.(Proof that the Bible speaks for itself all you have to do is be willing to share.)
9. Singing in the choir...in Spanish....Mark, Amy, Taylor and Hunter
10. Seeing Fireworks on Christmas Eve
11. Hearing gunshots at all hours of the night
12. Going into a store with a little baby....only to have every female worker run over to see him and say "oh que lindo su bebe....el es mi blancito...(my lil whitey....)
13. Sitting in a restaurant eating when your 3 year old see's a bus pull up and says "Hey look at all those Gringo's".....white people getting off the bus /possible youth groups
14. Successfuly ordering through a drive-thru in Spanish
15. killing snakes in your front yard
16. killing a large rat with the weed-eater (Both of these are Mark)
17. Fishing in the old baptism almost everyday after daily chores and school (Hunter)
18. Waling to the pulperia for cokes and a snack
19. Visiting the beautiful beach in Tela....and having the whole thing to yourself.....literally
20. Giving a few spare limps to the handicapped man at the stop light along with a tract
21. Having a child ask you for the rest of your drink that you were about to throw away
22. Seeing children dig through the trash for food or eat off of the plates that people left on the table
23. Getting to go to Disney World and see Woody and Jessie (Josiah)
24. Getting to fly back home and spend Thanksgiving in Flordia with our families
25. Finding Cherry Coke in a store here
26. Living in our new home...cottage #1
27. Seeing how much Josiah loves working outside with his daddy. ( he asked for his own tools and boots)
28. making new friends here in Honduras
29. Seeing the Mayan Ruins in Copan
30. Going to the waterfall and jumping in (Taylor and Hunter)
31. Looking outside everynight as the fireflies light up everywhere on property.......hundreds at a time
32. Saving a rabbit...a.k.a Coco from being eaten ....yep...our new pet..THANKS Choy!
33. Hearing Josiah after he met Santa Clause here in Honduras...."Momma he is not the REAL Santa Clause"...me: "What makes you say that Josiah?".....Well, momma he doesnt speak any English.....LOL
34. Getting pulled over by a police man for a routine check.....just to hear him ask me if I was from Spain?....he has my american passport in his hand....I ask him...why do you think I am from Spain...(plus my spanish is not that good)....his response....well you have blonde hair and green eyes and you are very kind you must be from Spain...nope I am from North Carolina....
35. Going to the bank to pay your water, electric, car tax and other bills.
36. Winning the make your hubby into Santa Clause at the adult Christmas party game...(becasuse he has a bald head....cotton balls stick better with no hair...hehehehe
37. Parking beside a car at the grocery store that had an OBX sticker on the back
38. During the delivery of Micah ....my doctor is listening to old school 80's music...after he is delivered and the stitching begins....(no-one else is in the room but me and the doctors.....the song "And another One bites the Dust...)...yep just what I wanna hear during an operation.....lol
39. Going to our first Spanish wedding.....
40. flying home to Florida to bring Karla back to Honduras


There are so many more wonderful and crazy things to tell you all about but well....it would simply take to long...So with that said......HAPPY NEW YEAR.....may we not dwell in the past but take a step forward and keep our eyes on the Lord in 2012....for we know not when the Lord will return.......


Happy New Year,
Love,
The Coats Family
Mark, Amy, Taylor, Hunter, Josiah and Micah

Our 1st Christmas in Honduras........

Josiah, Woody & Jessie

  The last 3 years we have been in 3 different countries. We spent almost one year in Tampa, Florida before we headed off to language school. That was our first Christmas away from family and friends back home in North Carolina. The following year we were living in Costa Rica for our year of learning Spanish. However, we were blessded with family tickets to fly back home to NC to spend that Christmas with family and friends. What a blessing that was to be able to surprise everyone.  This year we spent our first Christmas truly away from our families back home. It was bitter-sweet. We know that while we missed a NC Christmas with our sibblings and parents we are where God wants us to be. We also know that if you are out-side of God's Will you will never truly be happy. We have had our first Christmas here in Honduras but next year will be another first as well.....you see next year we will hopeully have a full house (12 Honduran children) with us celebrating the reason for the season. They will become our new family. We had a great time here celebrating a Honduran Christmas with Karla and her family on the 24th. We enjoyed a great meal of pork, chicken, rice and salad. Topped off with cake and fireworks....I don't think I could have been anymore nervous than I was that night...lol.....The reason...you might ask.....every child that was old enough to walk had a sparkler in their hand and the others 6,7,8,9+ were lighting them with matches and throwing firecrackers. It was fun however...just a new custom for us. So, our Christmas was explosive ....you might say. I have included some pictures for you to see the fun we had.....We hope that you all had a Very Merry Christmas as well. As we head into 2012 we are going to try and carry the gospel to the children and people of Honduras we pray that you all will try and do the same state side....remember it is all of our jobs to share the gospel with the world.....He is the Reason for the Season....so lets start out with HIM in 2012.

Sincerely Serving Him,
Mark, Amy, Taylor, Hunter, Josiah and Micah

our dinner

Me, Genesis, and Tatianna

Add caption

Back Home in Honduras......

Micah's 1st time out of Honduras

 Sorry that it has been awhile since our last update. We have been very busy here lately. Well, actually we just arrived back home here in Honduras. We were able to fly out of country and visit family in Tampa for Thanksgiving. While we were not able to see all of our family we were able to share some quality time with part of them. They also ate up the fact that they could see little Micah for the first time. It was crazy to think that...that was his first trip to the states. He has a US Passport but had never actually been there.

While we were there we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with the works......and let us not forget Black Friday shopping. Taylor and I along with my sister-in-laws and Alyssa my neice were able to introduce Karla to her very first Black Friday.  (I think that SHE LOVED IT)....she was so excited it was like seeing a kid in a candy store. 

The Lord Blessed our trip there and we were all able to go to Disney. Thanks to the people who made that possible. Dreams can come true. I will never foregt the look on Josiah's face for as long as I live when he saw Woody and Jessie. You know that childlike faith...believing in something that you really have never seen. It all was so real that moment that passed by on the float.  Seeing him get all excited about those two made me think of how we will react to seeing Jesus for the first time. Will we wave our arms and shout out HIS name in disbelief that it really is him standing in front of us. Will we get teary eyed at just his presence?  As I watched Josiah and his sincere reaction....I want my christian life to reflect that same kind of love for Jesus and my family. 

As we packed up and headed back home here to Honduras....I was able to witness again that same kind of excitement.....the moment that Karla's momma saw her for the first time after 11 and 1/2 months. Tears flowed and hugs