Saturday, February 3, 2018

January '18 Review: CHANGES

Back in the Saddle!!!

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.

Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

 -Philippians 1:3-6 (MSG)


Warming-up Nedo!

As a good missionary friend once said to us,
"Nothing changes, unless something changes!"


For nearly eight years we have longed to see the equine ministry of Rancho Oasis develop into a life-changing work of the Holy Spirit, but have been lacking a key ingredient: a horse!


Sure, we have a couple Honduran ponies, but we have been praying for a well-trained, well-mannered horse to lead us into uncharted territory.

Cue Nedo.


Nedo's Fan Club

After a fellow missionary's donation, a little "kick-in-the-pants" motivation and a lot of prayer, we visited the only professional riding barn in our region. (One of three in Honduras!) We made some contacts, met a horse, offered the funds and now have a horse!

Do you believe in miracles?

So, now what? 

Change!

In order to focus on Nedo and develop the equine outreach we need to adjust an already full schedule!



Marillyn will be training Nedo & getting back into shape herself. We plan to introduce our oldest kids to riding him, too. (They have brief experience / lessons in the US.) So, Marillyn will add trainer to her list of activities which include, but are not limited to wife, mom, cook, home school teacher and tradeschool director/designer/photographer/graphic artist.

PRAY for organizational skills!


Jon has decided to temporarily post-pone the children's Bible study outreach with a hope to reintroduce Nedo into the mix in the future. (Though well attended, the twice a day Friday Bible studies were burning him out with inconsistent support from Honduran volunteers and little visible fruit yielded from the life of the kids. Yes, it was fun, but we believe God has something better planned.)

Jon is also investing time into equipping himself as the "spiritual/mental-health" side of the equine outreach. We desire to increase our understanding of the needs of at-risk-youth and the baggage that they will bring to the Ranch. Prayerfully, Nedo and more like him can help tear down some walls & let the light of Jesus into their lives!

So, we ask for prayer as we narrow our ministry focus and prepare to offer something uniquely different to our community and beyond.


TRADE SCHOOL UPDATE:


Bienvenidos a 2018

We have briefly met with the students this new year. The sales over the Christmas season were tremendously succesfull! PTL! (Two-thirds of their earnings for the year were made in November and December.)

PRAY for us as we continue to minister to the faithful, as well as assimilate a small group of new kids into the school. Also, PRAY for God to open more doors for sales locally & abroad.

Gentlemen,
don't forget to visit our on-line store,
 Las Aguas Verdes. 


We have a new jewelry collection
& Valentine's Day is right around the corner!


FUTBOL UPDATE:


Pre-scrimmage Pep Talk with Coach Oscar

Despite a great start of the Boys U-12 season,
it ended with a fizzle. 

The coaches were never able to agree on terms for an official league, so no "official" games this school break. Thus, the boys stopped attending practice! Also, the call of a supplementary income hits most families pretty hard during coffee picking season. The "bean" won out over the "ball". Finally, the public school system starts in February and most students' educations will take priority over extra curricular activities. 

The U-25 young men's team has traditionally started their league in February, but work on the soccer field could post-pone the start. 

We've played two seasons in the men's league; an experiment to disciple the graduated U-12 boys into adulthood. However, last season the formal discipleship aspect was almost non-existent as almost no one would come to practice and game days were focused on the match-at-hand. 

Honestly, I'm not sure how to proceed: fold the team for a season or pursue a more traditional mandatory "pray-to-play" Bible study on a weeknight.

Your PRAYERS are coveted!


RO4Y WORK PROJECTS UPDATE:


New Kitchen, Pantry & Laundry Room Ceramic Tile

We hosted a whirlwind of small, but very capable teams in January.

The "Never-ending" T-shirt Rug

Jon's parent's, Dave & Marsha Beard; long-time supporters, Dale & Ruth Waterman; and returning short-term missionary, John Wilkes.


New Tracks for Sliding Doors
As John shared with friends, "My short-term mission is to help the Beards get settled and situated, so they can complete their long-term mission in Honduras."


D & D Flooring Co.

So, blessed to have you as friends & family!


BEARD FAMILY UPDATE:
(Pictures speak louder than words)


Mati is walking!!!

Keep these young disciples in prayer: Tobias, Poema, Tabitha & Naomi.

Las Barbas Baseball - bonding via family sports!

Belated Christmas Celebrating with Grandma & Grandpa:
UGLY SWEATER COOKIES!


Got puppies!!!
Sheba's 1st litter with Thor: all 6 are males!!!


RO4Y MONTHLY SUPPORT UPDATE:




Good news: Many friends and families have either started giving or increased their monthly giving to Rancho Oasis.

Great news: We were half-way to our goal of increasing our monthly support by $1,000!

Thank you & praise the Lord!

Not so good news: We recently received notice that our largest financially supporting church was reducing their support by nearly 90%!

Current status: The rise in support minus the reduction now puts our monthly need at $1,200 a month!!!

We have:

MANY PROJECTS WE DESIRE TO COMPLETE: 
perimeter & interior fencing, staff/guest house, riding areas

SALARIES WE DESIRE TO RAISE:
2 ranch hands, 2 domestic helpers, 2 night guards

ASSETS WE DESIRE TO PURCHASE:
4x4 truck, electric generator, new refrigerator

BILLS WE NEED TO PAY
electrical, property loan

RAINY DAY FUNDS WE WOULD LIKE TO SAVE!
family & animal health emergencies, vehicle issues & furlough plane tickets



IT'S TIME TO DIG DEEP, 
PRAY,
 FOLLOW THE SPIRIT'S LEADING,
& WATCH HOW THE LORD MOVES!!!


"Morning by morning new mercies I see"

We love you guys
& are excited to see what God does in 2018!

Thank you, Support Team,
for your faithfulness over the years.