Week 48
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| Some of our check-in luggage for 5:30 AM departure. |
Our return to Honduras was good, but harder than expected. The travel day went relatively smooth both in the US and in Honduras. However, what was unexpected was the cultural shock in returning home.
PRAISE the Lord for his faithfulness in extending travel mercies.
Our house was in good order (and clean, thanks to Ilsy), but absent was the "new" routine that we developed in the States. Some things we can only experience in the US; like the kids spending time with their Uncle Steve and Auntie Mel.
PRAY for us as we continue to re-adjust to life at the Ranch.
Our newest intern, Lucinda, went through her initiation travel experience quite well. Her help was immediately noticed (and a blessing), as Tabi got sick on the plane a few times.
PRAY for Lu as she adjusts to her new home and to her new family!
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| Ground work with Nyssa; teaching her some manners. |
An extra bonus to our return home was the addition of Marillyn's long-time friend and horse buddy, Michele. She worked with the horses every day and was excited to report their intelligence and progress.
PRAY for our horses and how we can incorporate them more into the ministry. Also, PRAY for an assistant to help Marillyn.
Lu helps inventory books for our new library.
Tobi and Mare give Poema a bath in the kitchen.
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| One of the many fix-it projects that awaited me upon our return to the Ranch; the shower valve leaked and fried the GFI outlet above the sink. Thankfully, damage was minimal. |
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| Ilsy leads the girl's Bible study in some acapela worship |
Jon was unable to attend the girl's Bibles study because of errands in Tegus, but he was blessed to return to the Ranch in time to see Ilsy closing the study with some worship. It was awesome to know that the kids were still receiving Bible teaching in our absence.
PRAY that God will continue to raise up Ilsy & Oscar as well as other local leaders.
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| Filipenses F.C. U14 team in orange play to a 1 - 1 draw in Ojojona. |
Again, it was a blessing to watch Ilsy and Oscar lead the two boys soccer teams during our games on Saturday. Both teams played well, as the day presented many teachable moments. The U12 team scored a goal to tie in the closing moments!
PRAY for this outreach to form not only skilled futbolistas, but men of God.
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| The crew on the coach |
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| RO4Y Sunset... it is good to be home. |
Week 49
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| Traditional Nativity Scene displayed at a Honduran mall. |
This Christmas season we've been reading through a daily advent and craft. It has been fun to see the girl's interest and talent in helping them to know Jesus. (An additional bonus is the use of the material for the Ranch Bible studies).
Below: Mare and the girls work on a craft of a kings crown based on Isaiah 9 and the girls re-enact Mary's visit to Elizabeth.
PRAY for the Beard kids to know Jesus as savior
and wisdom for all the adults in parenting them!
We say good-bye at the airport to our first short-term team of one, Michele.
Marillyn watches on to gleam some of Michele's skill at "ground work" with Zoeva.
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| Oscar, Aylinson and Jon wait at the registrars office for 21 original birth certificates, required for this year's players in the local soccer league. (5 boys were discovered to have been lying about their age last year. No surprise, but still disappointing. Needless to say, most have not returned to the team.) |
Lu's Spanish has been improving leaps and bounds as she is forced to work with Ilsy and the kids in the only language they know.
PRAY that we will all communicate clearly (both speaking and listening)!
Jon and the girl's tried to attend the local elementary school 6th grade graduation ceremony, but we ran late. (Jon had to run an urgent errand to get gasoline for the generator because the power was off.) We fortunately made it at the end to take a few shots with some of Jon's English students and Rancho Oasis faithful: Daniela on the left and the beloved Nexser on the right. (We joined Nexser and his family for lunch!)
PRAY for wisdom in knowing how to work with these graduates. They must wait until they are 14 before they can start high school (if they even go, most don't because of increased cost). This presents a unique window for Rancho Oasis to work with these kids.
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and
justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
Isaiah 9:2-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
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