Home Sweet Honduras

We are back in Honduras after three weeks in the States.  It was, as always, a whirlwind but a blessing.  We spent the first week in Wellington, Florida and the remaining two weeks in Dallas, Texas.  While I have so many thoughts about the last three weeks, I will give you the highlights of God's faithfulness in list form (because we just learned yesterday in the second grade curriculum that lists can be an effective method of collecting and organizing our thoughts! Ha ha).  We saw God's hand in many ways:

-We (by "we" I mean Adam) were able to serve alongside brothers and sisters in Christ in preparation for Hurricane Matthew that eventually, by the Lord's mercy, passed by Wellington further out than was projected.

-We (this time I mean both of us) participated for the fifth time in Christ Community Church's missions conference and got to see what the Lord is doing near and far.  This church is like home. We shared the happenings in Honduras in the last year without reservation and received much encouragement.  This included the resignation of the pastor with whom we were most intimately working, which was still a fresh wound.  

-Through many a pastor and friend, God gave us a gracious reminder that ministry is hard and that we should not grow weary in doing good.  We know this but to have it affirmed was a help to keeping our eyes on Christ and the Lord's work in La Ceiba.

-As missionaries, we have learned to hold our plans loosely.  We had planned on spending our entire three weeks in Florida but God sent us to Texas.  Just before we left Honduras, a church in Texas contacted us about partnering with them.  We were excited to meet them and worship with them.  We are pleased God provided another supporting church! He is so good!        

-God provided free missionary housing (a cute little cabin) with gracious hosts and lots of room for the boys to gallivant about. The boys made themselves at home with the owners, their dogs, and the acreage with lots of climbing trees and hiding places. We had some lovely family games of baseball and hide and seek. We are always amazed by the kindness of others and how often if only we remember to ask, we will receive.  Just like we love giving our children good gifts, God does too! This was evident in the hosts' compassion and desire to bless missionaries. We made new friends!    

-We were able to see my (Michelle's) sister, brother-in-law, and nephew and spend some sweet time with them while they packed for their new adventure in Virginia.  We last visited them while on our six month furlough just after my nephew was born.  He is a mover and a shaker now and Jacob and Asher had a blast playing with their cousin!

-Adam's parents flew in for a brief visit and we enjoyed every minute of it!  The boys got some alone time with Grandma and Grandpa Cain and haven't stopped talking about it!!

-Because of the lack of (or cost of) certain medicines and supplies in La Ceiba, we completed our annual restock and it all made it back to La Ceiba.  It may seem like a little thing but we are thankful even in the little things like liquid Tylenol and Star Wars band-aids!

-Most of all, we are blessed and thankful for people, people, people! God is a relational God and He shows His image through people! We are blessed by the familiarity of our friends and church family in Florida, by our new relationship with our brothers and sisters in Dallas, by biological family, and by a team to return to who loves us well when we are in Honduras or away.    

1 Thessalonians 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

           

Hurricane Days

This is our fifth year participating in Christ Community Church's mission conference. Formerly known as Wellington Presbyterian, this church is located in Wellington, Florida just west of West Palm Beach. Their congregation is so dear to us as they always welcome us as part of their church body and have a real heart for missions. They are truly partners in the Gospel. 

This year, our reception has been no different but the circumstances certainly are.  Hurricane Matthew is on schedule to hit us tonight in the early morning.  If we had to choose somewhere to be in a hurricane, with these seasoned (hurricane) veterans who are like family, is where we would choose to be.  We are in good hands! And ultimately, we are in God's hands. 

We Skyped in from Costa Rica in 2012

Finally meeting the congregation face to face in 2013

Impassioned presenting in 2014

Reconnecting with friends in 2014

Sharing with the children in 2014

Construction funds presented to us in 2015

Hanging with our sweet friends in 2015

Wellington Mission Conference 2016

Storm shutters in place in 2016

Adam got to help put these up on a few houses of church members

Please pray for those whom have already been affected in the Caribbean and pray for those on the coast of Florida (like us!) that will be affected in the next few days.  Pray that we will find our rest and trust in Christ amidst circumstances that make us feel anxious and unsure. 

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.