Honduras Hope

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)

What’s been happening?

The summer months were spent in Canada intenerating as usual.  We had an unexpected trip to Newfoundland, due to the death of Randy’s brother. Regardless of how hard that was, it was a blessing to see our family. We spent the latter part of May-July visiting 8 PAOC churches and the Rotary Club in Sudbury. We were delighted to renew old acquaintances and make new friends and connections.

The last 2 weeks of July we settled in at Spring Bay Camp. It was a special time, as always, to be refreshed and also spend time with our loving family and friends.

Our daughter Stacey and granddaughter Emily returned with us to Honduras on August the 8^th and stayed for almost 2 wonderful weeks. It was good for them to see the ministry we are doing and be able to participate in the work here.

Emily’s Special Project

Emily decided that she wanted to do something very special for the children when she came to Honduras. Without any coaching whatsoever, she came up with the idea of selling lemonade. Her thoughts were that these children never get to do anything special. She wanted to do something they would remember as many of them never get this opportunity. So she asked Pastor Lorrie Gibbons (Spring Bay Camp Director) if she do this to raise money for her little venture. Obtaining special permission, she set up her lemonade stand one hot sunny July afternoon and raised, enough money to bring 90 people from Manos Extendidas here in Honduras to McDonalds!

After church one Sunday morning in August we piled everyone into the borrowed vehicles. Some kids were hanging out of the back of the trucks, typical for here, and off we went. The kids were ecstatic and many of them hovered around Emily wanting to hold her hand and be her special friend. The language barrier did not exist in the land of Mc Donald’s time.

What a treat it was, and the amazing thing is, she came within $1.00 of paying for the cost of this! Many of the children are still talking about the adventure and they still ask for Emily.

Pastor Alvin had a word that morning that went something like this… “Who knows what future impact a 9 year old girl can have for God’s kingdom purposes, just by reaching out and taking these precious little children to McDonalds?”

Hey, she even made the newspaper!

The article is in NIAGARA THIS WEEK dated September 26/08. See http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/208696

Visiting homes of children we care for

Stacey and Emily had an opportunity to visit the child they sponsor and bring them much needed items. When the ministry first came across this particular family some 12 months ago, they were eating one bowl of uncooked rice and sharing one bottle of juice. Now 2 of these children are sponsored and the family is getting the help they need for school, medical needs and other necessary items.

One sunny Saturday afternoon we climbed up the muddy hill to the house where the family welcomed us with open arms. Our hearts were touched as we observed the surroundings. The house was made of scrap wood with many cracks in the walls. When the rains come, the water pours in. There was a kitchen area with a fire pit made from stones and cement. There was a small living area that was wide open. The floor was earth and there were no chairs to sit on, not even a wooden bench. They have no sanitation facilities which are common in this area, and no place to even wash their clothes. If they have enough money, they could buy the occasional bucket of water from the delivery trucks. However, the trucks are rarely able to get up to this area. Water is also collected in barrels when it rains. In the dry season water is hauled in buckets from a polluted stream a few miles down the road. Chickens were running around the house and they had a dog and several puppies that were also given free roaming privileges. There were no dishes, pots or pans to cook with, not even food in their cupboards that we could see. (The children come to the center to be fed). The only furniture in the house was 2 beds, one with just a bare spring and no mattress just a piece of cardboard. We were told this is what the girls sleep. The older 2 sisters in this family share a blouse to go to school. These people are some of the poorest in the program. The father has tried to find work for this family of 7, but to no avail. What little work he does find is minimal. We prayed with the family before we left and were deeply humbled by their love for GOD despite their circumstances.

Stacey and Emily were so impacted by the many needs of the children here. Many of the stories are the same, no work, no food, no way to educate the children, no medical help.

Emily is already planning her next trip and she wants to bring others with her. Funny thing is, she is doing chores around her house and wants Nanna and Poppy (namely us) to pay her for them so she can come again…interesting concept of a 9 year old J LOL!

Potential Missionaries

The day after Stacey and Emily left, a couple from Quebec arrived for 2 weeks to check us out and see what we are doing hin the ministry here. They had heard about us on the PAOC website and we have been contacting one another through email, phone calls and a divinely appointed visit during one of our itineration assignments. They have the anointing of God on their lives and we are praying that God will use them as HE sees fit and in the area where they can best be utilized. Please pray for them as they prepare to follow God’s leading for their lives. They are presently preparing to go through the PAOC approval process and also need to learn Spanish. Who knows what God will do through them here in Honduras? They are awaiting God’s direction as well as timing.

Children’ health improving

Medical examinations have resumed and the children in the Feeding Centers are doing well. We have seen many go from Grade 2 malnutrition down to Grade 1 or no signs of malnutrition at all. We would like to see every child in the Feeding Centers well nourished and malnutrition a thing of the past.

Water

We have been trying for the past year to get clean, parasite free water for the children to drink. We installed 4 Bio Sand Filters with no success. The problem was identified as the water source and that the sand itself had been contaminated. Even with new sand, the filters have not worked properly. Water for the centers does not always come from the same supply so it has been very hard to regulate the filters. We cannot get to a place of the children not having parasites until we get good clean water.

With Pastor Alvin’s blessing we have been working on alternate solutions with the Rotary Club here and there is a good possibility that the Rotary Club in Sudbury will be partnering with us in this venture as well. The options may be to look into digging wells at each feeding centre. We have someone here trying to connect us with others who have the experience to do so. The other option we are told is some sort of UV ray system that can be purchased. This is what they use in the hospitals here in Honduras. As the water passes through the light filtering system everything is purified.

Nothing happens in a day here in Honduras, everything takes time, a LOT of time. It means many follow ups and constantly trying to keep on top of things. The language barrier does not help as in most cases we have to depend on others to get information for us. We would appreciate you continuing to keep this in prayer…They say patience is a virtue, well God has certainly allowed me to learn more of that in our time here.

Change is Coming

We are sensing a shift in our direction here as we have shared with some of you already. Our vision is to open a Christian, hopefully bilingual school. For the past 3 years we have been giving medicines, toys, clothing, school supplies, paying tuition fees, buying uniforms and shoes so the kids can go to public school. It has been a privilege and honor to run the Child Sponsorship Program for Manos Extendidas. All glory to GOD; we are blessed to have been able to bring the program to a place of self sufficiency and running fairly smoothly. However we cannot keep giving without finding some way for the children to grow up self supporting and successful. They don’t need to depend on handouts; they need to have a hope for the future.

The Lord is clearly saying to us “stop giving and start training” and we have to be obedient to that calling. 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.

We are presently trying to get information on land that we think will be suitable for the school. This seems impossible in the Natural, but in the spiritual realm, GOD is still on the throne and nothing is too hard for HIM.

“Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

In this particular chapter (Jer. 32) it deals with buying the fields. God is telling Jeremiah to go in and buy the Land! We have also been studying Joshua and God told Joshua repeatedly to go in and possess the land. Then came Nehemiah which I am presently studying. He had a heart for the people and he sought God’s favor for success and instructions on how to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which had been destroyed. He wept before God and asked God to give him what he needed to accomplish such an impossible task. He left a good position to do so. He followed the heart of God. We need to be released to do the same. Every word we have been reading has jumped out at us, confirmation after confirmation.

Since I was hospitalized in April, I have been strongly impressed that this is the next step. Before that it was only a thought. Now it has made a deep impact in my heart (and Randy’s as well.)  Alone, on my bed, God ministered to me in ways that no one else could. He instilled dreams and visions into me that I know only HE can fulfill. I know we cannot possibly do it. There is no way on earth that we even have the first clue how to go about this.. I know it is all in God’s timing.  He will give the marching orders and provide the ways and the means to do the work.

Note: See more, including pictures of Emily and Stacey’s visit, the land we are looking at,

Day of the Child etc. on our web space at www.moosegrip.spaces.live.com

Are we nuts?

Our present assignment here is coming to an end January 2009. Yet we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God is not done with us yet. We still have much work to do for the ministry of Manos Extendidas. They too have dreamed of a school and we want to help them fulfill that dream. Our focus may be changing, but given the excellent relationship we have with the local ministry here, they are at the heart of why we are taking on this new venture. We want to see them succeed. We want to make this school happen, for the sake of the children.

In the natural, all things point to us going home. My health as you all know has not been the best. I have found I must pace myself now much more carefully than I had in the past. I was caught up in keeping up with the paper work and meeting the practical needs of the children. I have learned my lesson the hard way.

Note on my health. The Doctor had said there was no way I could return to Honduras without an MRI, due to the symptoms I was having. She also told me there was a year waiting list. Well, God got me in, the night before we packed up to come back to Honduras! PTL! My symptoms have lessoned and I am doing much better. I still covet your prayers

Another factor is the funds are not coming in; we have not met our budget since November 2008.

I miss my family and long to be there for all the special occasions we seem to be missing. Yet we have this burning desire inside to keep on going here. To press on and do more for the children who otherwise may be without hope for their futures.

The loneliness factor is there as well. It is hard to admit, but not having a social life outside of the ministry does put a huge strain on us. Our relationships are important but let’s face it, we all need friends.

So are we nuts? Maybe so…but in the spiritual realm

We would rather be in God’s will than out of it, so we are choosing to stay here in Honduras and press on until God tells us otherwise

But we can’t do it alone…

Will you help us? Please pray for us and support us so we can do what we are called here to do. We are counting on you. We are all in this together. Let’s see what Great things God has in store for Honduras. Hand in hand we can make this happen.

Dream with us. Dream big dreams for God.! As James Guskjolen, our Regional Director said to us lately,” Get ready to say a few WOWS!!!” We already have!

Donating Items

We received many donations again to bring back to the children. Thanks to those who contributed back packs, toys, medicines etc.  Your donations were greatly appreciated.

However, due to airline regulations and the increasing cost of shipping items, we are no longer able to accept any donations to carry back with us. We used to be able to take two 70 lb. bags each with us. Then it went down to 50 lbs. each bag. Now we pay for every bag and although we greatly appreciate all the efforts, it is just costing us too much money to bring the items with us. Not to mention, we usually have to leave personal items back home because so many donations come in and it is hard to say no, we can’t take them.

We will only be accepting donations now through teams incoming. That way the weight can be evenly distributed amongst team members. We will however gratefully accept all cash donations to buy the needed items here

Thank you for your

Prayerful   and

   Financial    support

God bless each and every one

“I  was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, a stranger and you took me in, naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to me…insomuch as you have done this unto the least of these you have done so unto me.”

Matthew 25:35-40 

Contact Judy and Randy at hondurashope@cablecolor.hn

Or 905 228 1360 (Internet phone)

Chuck was a very dynamic, down to earth speaker and very warm, open

and receptive to the people. Most importantly, he was obviously anointed and guided by the Holy Spirit. Alvin Anderson (head of Manos Extendidas) had decided he wanted Chuck to minister in the down and out places where no one else from the outside goes. Some of the places he went into were way off the beaten path and they certainly don’t get visiting Pastors in there to speak. He went into oppressive areas that were cesspools for drug addicts and prostitutes, and everywhere he went the people received him. There were open-air services held at both Feeding Centers during the weekends. Center 2 was on fire for the Lord. Center 1 was cold and oppressive, a reflection of the demonic strongholds that are in that area, which is gang dominated. Chuck’s heart broke over the hardness of the people there. The Lord gave him a different strategy for the second night and there was breakthrough with several young men and women asking for prayer afterwards.

During the course of the 2 weeks, some eighty people, (conservative estimate) gave their hearts to the Lord and dozens of others experienced restoration or rededicated their lives to God. Overall, he has definitely made an impact on Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Praise the Lord!

Back to back with Chuck Price’s Evangelistic Crusade we were honored to have the New Sudbury Pentecostal Church Missions Team come to Honduras. Several people from other PAOC churches in Northern Ontario joined them. We had looked forward to the team’s arrival for months and were excited to have them here. They were a tremendous blessing to us and to the ministry. They brought so many things with them that the list would be endless to print. They had apron smocks made for all the Day Care children and teachers, including us. (Thanks to Jocelyn Fournier and team). They brought gift bags for numerous people in the ministry including our teenage girls in the sewing classes and vocational school. They gave away clothes, toys, medical supplies; school supplies, backpacks and even brought “goodies” that we can’t buy here. Yummy! They laid tile in Feeding Center # 2, fixed the outside walls and gate at Center 1, placed razor wire around the exterior, painted, renovated and even gave our little medical clinic a major overall. We are still counting the many blessings they left behind. The biggest blessing of all was having them minister to the people here and show the love of Christ. Thanks to all of you who helped and sent much needed items.

My heart goes out to many areas here in Honduras. We do not usually work with the teen girls, but I was feeling particularly drawn to do something special for them. They seem to be left out, although not intentionally. This is such a critical and impressionable age for them. We organized an afternoon with their sewing class teacher and brought pizza and pop and special gifts for them. Our program Doctor gave a lecture on sexual education and Katie Epperson (fellow missionary) gave a biblical talk on “purity”. Afterwards she invited the girls to ask Jesus into their hearts, two girls came forward.  Then she invited the class to take a stand for purity. The whole class responded! PTL! It was a wonderful opportunity to see God move! The NSPC team also brought gift bags for these teen girls from SEW ON FIRE MINISTRIES

Manos Extendidas Day Care Programs resumed mid February. We now have about ninety 3-6 year olds. Most of the kids this year are all new which meant we had to gather their personal information and add them into the system for assistance. This is always a very time consuming task as the information needed to enroll them in the program is not always readily available. For example, children are required to present their birth certificates for verification of identity and birth date. Some of these children are not even registered as being born, there are no records. It is as if they did not exist. Some are living with grandparents or aunts, some of them were abandoned by the parent(s) when they were quite young, even days old.

Some of the children suffer physical and sexual abuse.  Our hands our tied. Although these cases are few, one is even too many. Our hearts wrench to be in this country and not be able to do anything about such atrocities to God’s precious little ones. While most of these children are receiving the food we give them at the centers, the 2 days the centers are not open each week, these children have no food at all and go to bed hungry.

Recently, the ministry came across one family that had four children sharing one small bowl of uncooked rice and sharing one small glass of juice. There was no other food in the house. The father has abandoned the family and the mother tries to make ends meet, but fails to make enough to provide for her family.

Time and again we are reminded of the need for a children’s home. The stories are sad, yet we know that our FATHER in Heaven knew these children in their mothers womb, in fact, the word says, He was intimately acquainted with them even from the time of conception and He definitely has a plan for their lives. (Psalm 139 & Jeremiah 29)

This Year (Feb. – March) we purchased supplies for some 70 public school children who are part of our programs. Thanks to all of you who donated backpacks and school supplies to help make this happen. The school system here in Honduras, as many of you have heard us say, leaves a lot to be desired. Children go to school up to grade 6. Truth is they don’t even supply a pencil. We were even asked to buy toilet paper for the kids! My heart goes out to these kids here in Honduras. Unless they are well to do, they stand very little chance of getting a good solid education. Many times parents will keep their kids from going to school to send them out on the streets to make money to help feed the family. We are increasingly thinking of what we can do to make things better for the children here. The dream of a Christian School for these children is strong upon our hearts.

Every Child Deserves The Chance To Go To School And Get A Good Education!