Thursday, February 12, 2015

2015 - February Photo & Prayer Review

Hello Friends,

God's faithfulness, despite the ups & downs of life and ministry is truly incredible... and humbling, to say the least. 

We've wrapped up a great season of ministry during the Honduran school vacations (December & January) and are gearing up for changes in the ministry because of public school classes beginning again. Mainly, we shift up our schedule to work with the kid's when not in school.

Join us in prayer for the following areas:

Dark-thirty AM on Friday, February 6th.


1. Oscar & I, Jon, depart for El Salvador, Friday February 6th. We are renewing our 90 day permission on the van. We are preparing for a 3 day stay in El Salvador, but are hopeful for a smooth, one day affair as we experienced back in November! PRAY for our travels and favor with the authorities and customs agents in both Honduras & El Salvador!

UPDATE: We were denied both an extension and a new permit. So, we hope to import the van with the help of our non-profit status. This paperwork is under process now, but could be another 6 month waiting period! There are other quicker and more costly means to import the van, but funds are "tight" because of all the work on the new property. PRAY for a miracle!

2. Continue to PRAY for the finalization of the recognition of our non-profit status from the US, here in Honduras. Once recognized, we can import the van, prayerfully, tax free!!!


Marillyn was given the opportunity to visit her parents for a few days in the States
and a friend caught her father's first embrace on film.
3. Continue to PRAY for Marillyn's parents. Wayne sustained a fractured leg and ankle in a freak accident while helping us complete the house on the new property in December. He is home in Iowa and his recovery is very slow. He is being cared for by Marillyn's mother, Brooke. It is both a physically and emotionally draining experience for her. The most demanding thing she's ever done! (That's saying a lot!)

Looking north from the new property. Just left of center, near the neighbor's roof in the distance, at the edge of our property stands the final electrical pole with our private transformer.
4. PRAISE for the completed installation of the primary electrical line and transformer to the new property!!! We are waiting confirmation from the electrical company that all was installed properly, so continue to PRAY for final approval!

Hola, transformador de Rancho Oasis!
We are also awaiting the estimate for the electrical work to be brought from the transformer located at the edge of the property up to the houses! PRAY for God's provision. We have some small, work teams lined up to complete the work at the property in three weeks and are hoping to have electricity in the houses by then!

UPDATE: The estimated cost of the remaining electrical is ~$4,000.



5. PRAY for our staff. We recognize that Satan often increases his attacks at the close of a great time of ministry (in our case, the end of school vacations) and during the transition of a ministry (start of school and preparation to move to the new property). Needless to say, the spiritual warfare has increased, but our weekly meetings, Bible Study and monthly one-on-one meetings have helped "nip these attacks in the bud".

This month the English speaking staff, The Beards & Lucinda, will be attending a annual missionary retreat. PRAY for a time of refreshment and connection with the Lord and other missionaries here in Honduras. Also, PRAY for the Lord's protection over both properties and for our Honduran staff, Oscar & Ilsy, while they have a lighter ministry week.


Here, Sarah, introduces a new game to the girl's Bible study:
they're making an "elefante"!

6. PRAISE: Our visit with potential RO4Y staff, Sarah Jones was great. She fit right into the mix of ministry here at the Ranch and could make a great addition to the team and the increase of God's Kingdom in this community.

PRAY for Sarah as she seeks God's direction and timing to serve with us at the Ranch. We gave her an open door to serve with us and are hopeful for her collaboration in the Gospel this Spring!


Cristina "cuts in" around the living room window.
The youth group Bible study has donated some time to help finish painting the house!
What a huge blessing!
7. PRAY for the completion of our home and preparation for our move to the new property. We have a few small teams lined up and are hoping to have the new property ready for us in mid-March!


8. Continue to PRAY for our weekly outreaches:

Oscar prays with the boys before the second semi-final game: we needed a miracle!
We lost the two games with a combined score of 5 - 2.
The U-12 boys soccer team finished in second place, but lost the semi-final matches. We are having our Appreciation Luncheon on February 21. We hope to restart the U-14 team with a weekend tournament despite weekday classes.


Who knew the Bible, popcorn and pajamas were a great recipe for fun???

The Girl's Bible study finished vacations with a bang! The first ever RO4Y Pajama Party. Though exhausted, Ilsy and Duna had a blast! To help accommodate the girls' school schedules, we might be having two Bible studies: AM & PM.


Keyla takes the trade school written exam covering work ethic philosophy and color combination theory. All students were required to take and pass the exam to continue with the school!
The trade school has been redefined and we are prepping the students to be more professional in the work with a signed contract to the school and godliness in their attitudes with a study on Biblical Stewardship. We are planning to sell some of their artisan crafts at the upcoming missionary retreat.

In all things, PRAY for the salvation of all the youth & children!!!


9. PRAISE for our support team and ministry collaborators!!

Weekend fun with the Beard kids: cardboard box-boat races!