What’s been happening? Well the rainy season is finally over and we are happy to see the sun shining again. Now we look forward to the wonderful Christmas season, our favorite time of year. We hope that you and your family will have a very Merry Christmas. Whether together or apart, we have you in our heart this Christmas. Here are some of the highlights of this last quarter of 2008…

October Women’s Conference “Times Of Refreshing” A Great Success!

We were very blessed to host a 3 day conference for women and teens.  Our special guest speaker was Elaine Olsen from Gateway (GTA) PAOC church in London, Ontario.  Elaine and her team of 7 young ladies were a blessing from the time they arrived.

Over 100 women attended this conference, free of charge.  Friday night, without hesitation, many flooded the altar hungry for God. Some came for salvation, others for healing and many for the power of the Holy Spirit to impact their lives. The altars were so packed it was very difficult for the prayer team to get through to pray with them. Many fell under the anointing of God.

Through out the conference, it was amazing to see not only the desire in the hearts of the women to receive a touch from God but the unleashed passion they had in their worship was also inspiring We had testimonies of healing that had taken place including one lady who testified of being healed from cancer. Another lady said her daughter had asthma and was having difficulty breathing, when she got back home the child was breathing normally and no longer needed the medicine. Another lady said God touched her eyes and another said her back pain was gone. One young lady who had been part of the ministry and had fallen away from the Lord came weeping at the altar, broken by what she had done, she spilled out her heart before the Lord. I held her as she sobbed in my arms; I knew God had done a healing and restorative work in her life as he did in the hearts of many others like her there.

Each speaker/ workshop leader had a special word from the Lord that tied in with the previous message even though it was not planned that way. (I just love it when God works like that) From inner beauty to outer beauty and how special God has created each one of us, the message rang loud and clear to each woman building them up in the faith and giving them encouragement to press on. I must admit, I myself really needed this desperately. When these ladies came, I was dry and thirsty for some “saturated life impacting word”. I received it and was totally blessed and encouraged and felt a new freedom in my spirit.

Elaine and team were very giving. They raised all the money to put off this conference so the women could attend free, have food provided at no cost and be blessed with gifts to take home with them. Not one lady left without a blessing bag. The sacrifice of doing this for our ladies here was so very much appreciated. Each one was truly blessed spiritually, physically and materially.

Thanks Elaine, Jackie, Ashley, Ange, Angela, Julie, Nicki and Brittany.

You have touched lives for eternity and the seeds you have sown here are already bearing fruit!!!

November

1. Ministry Brings Food Supply To People Living At The City Dump

The Ministry received a donation of food from the US which we were using in the Centers to help with the nutrition of the children. This was close to the expiry date when we received it and we were unable to use it before it expired.

The director of the ministry indicated that we should dispose of the remainder at the local dump, rather than dispersing it within the ministry in the event that someone might get sick.

BJ (fellow Missionary) and I loaded his truck and off we went. Driving into the dump I was overwhelmed by the smell and the number of people gathered around the dump trucks grabbing things as the truck was dumping the garbage out. They were crushed around the backs of the trucks; I am surprised that no one gets hurt. The driver and helpers on the truck do not get out for fear of being trampled by the rush of people.

BJ’s truck was not even stopped when it was crowded with men, women and children, trying to get at the boxes of the food we had in the back.  It was one of the saddest sights I have ever experienced. There were over a hundred boxes and by the time the truck was stopped and we were able to get out, the back was empty.  We had a few boxes in the back seat of the truck and could only roll the window down enough to get the boxes out. We were pushed to the side of the truck by the people trying to get some of the last remaining boxes; we were barely able to move.

This is not part of the regular ministry. Even though we felt deeply for the people, fighting over the food, it is definitely not my calling. Judy had asked me to take some pictures, but in a matter of a minute, no kidding, there was nothing left to take pictures of.  It was to say the least totally overwhelming. (Randy)

2. Major shopping sprees buying new clothes for the children

It took quite some time to gather all the sizes and measure the children. Then the fun of buying a new outfit for each child began. Going through the markets is quite the challenge. Trying to find all in one place is almost next to impossible. Then trying to get the child’s favorite colors is another challenge, but fun none the less. The boys received a pair of pants, shirt and a sweater. The girls received the same but had a choice of a skirt or slacks. All the clothes were sorted and delivered to the centers where we fit each child to make sure everything was ok. Now they will have a nice new outfit to proudly wear for the holidays.

December:

1. Prepared Christmas letter and photos for all the sponsors

It is interesting to see the children meticulously color pages to send to those who help support them. They are so careful, making sure they stay inside the lines and write their little notes thanking others for the help they give. If those on the other end could just see the smiles on their little faces that accompany those letters, they would be so blessed. But we have not figured out yet, how to mail a smile. So we are the ones who are blessed for now.

2. Preparing for Christmas Celebrations

The feeding centers will be shutting down for the Holiday Season. Most of the families go back to their home villages or they are spending the holidays with relatives. Every child has the wonder and excitement of Christmas in their eyes. They hope they will have some toys, they hope for new clothes, they hope to have a special meal they can enjoy. Whether they live in North America or here in the poorest areas of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, every child has that anticipation. This ministry is all about bringing HOPE. We do not want any child to not have a chance at being part of a special Christmas Celebration.

This weekend approximately 450 children will benefit from the kind and generous donations received from various sources to make this possible. Toys will be distributed and food to make a Christmas dinner for all the children has been purchased.  I can hardly wait to see the joy on their faces. In the midst of our current food crisis, we still need to consider making this special time of the year one to remember for the children. The need will always be there. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice to bring a smile to an expectant child. I for one do not want them to be disappointed.

Note: Pictures will be posted to the web space after the events at each centre. To view pictures go to www.moosegrip.spaces.live.com

UPDATE

In our last newsletter we stated “In the near future we are being directed to build the school and start training these precious little ones coming out of the Manos Day Care Programs so they can have a chance to fulfill their dreams.” That in fact is our hearts desire. However, before we can proceed to do any of that we have a lot of ground work to do including registering the PAOC as an NGO, doing land surveys, making application for capital expenditures etc etc etc. These were things we were not aware of as we have not been this way before. We are in fact “greenhorns” at this mission stuff. So our dream may be heavy on our heart but the bottom line is we can’t put the cart before the horse until we have all the paper work in order.

The land we are told, even though we put a stake in it, is now being released to those who can pay the $1.5 million dollars they are asking for the property. If it was not meant to be on that particular parcel of land, then God has another plan, that we are sure of.

Please continue to believe with us and pray for whatever God has in store. In the meantime some major bucks are needed for these lawyer and application fees. Again, as our friend Dave would say, “the Lord needs to sell a few cows”

Feliz Navidad y prospero año

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may we reflect on the fact that this is why we celebrate.  Jesus was and is the greatest gift of all.

Support Information

CAN YOU CAN HELP?

Your donations go towards basic expenses as well as the following:

1. Computers: We still need one and a half (we have part funds for 1) more computers. Approximately $1600.00

2. Spanish Lessons: We were not able to take any Spanish lessons in 2008. The funds were just not available. In order for us to effectively continue the work here, we must take Spanish lessons. Estimated cost for 2009 is $4000.00

3.  4x 4 truck for ministry work. We need approximately $17,000.00

4. World Missions Conference Jan. 2009. We need approximately $6500.00

5. Registering PAOC as an NGO and all the paper work to proceed towards application for Capital Expenditures and future development, our best guesstamation is $30,000.00

6. We need a boost to our budget just to try and make this years expenses

Contact Judy and Randy at hondurashope@cablecolor.hn

Or 905 228 1360 (Internet phone)