THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Real victory is not when we have simply endured a hard time and come out on the other side. Real victory is when we are still in the midst of it and can breathe a sigh of relief at the remembrance that all things do indeed work together for good. Rest when there’s trouble requires faith, not just the belief that it’s true.
I got this letter from Nicholas: “Today the parents and students arrived (at the Mission Center) in order to meet with the director of “Dias Felizes” and enroll in school. Books for high school are 650 lempiras ($34) and for grade school 600 ($31). Some can afford to buy them but at least four cannot, Lourdes’s children, and one from Rondon”. He also said some of the kids have ordered uniforms from the seamstress in Campana, but she ran out of fabric. She may have more next week.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Real victory is not when we have simply endured a hard time and come out on the other side. Real victory is when we are still in the midst of it and can breathe a sigh of relief at the remembrance that all things do indeed work together for good. Rest when there’s trouble requires faith, not just the belief that it’s true. I got a note from Nicolas and it looks like we have identified the 10 students who will receive a scholarship to “Dias Felizes” (Happy Days), the private school near the mission center. We are requiring that each of the students take one of their parents when they go to meet director. This has to be a cooperative effort. It's imperative that they go to school every day and without the parent’s participation that's not likely to happen. At the same time, this is a wonderful opportunity for these bright children. They will have an incredible chance at life which they wouldn't otherwise have had. The school needed desks for these additional children so Alfredo has made them. We also found someone in Campana that makes uniforms and sells that for less than the stores.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I decided to take something back to Wal-Mart. I had started to use it but I was almost sure it was defective—almost sure. When I got to the store I couldn’t find it though I was sure that I had brought it—almost sure. When I got home I went through every room in the house. I looked in the car; under the seats, between the seats—and it wasn’t there. I was extremely agitated; though I have to admit, I had felt a little uncomfortable returning the item because I wasn’t absolutely sure it was defective—almost, but not quite. That being the case, I said a short prayer, “Lord, I give up; I won’t take it back.” Only a few minutes later I walked into the boy’s bathroom and there it was, in plain sight, right on the counter. I’m not sure what to make of all that, but I do think He’s telling me never to compromise, even in a little thing. What timing; just as I’m doing my taxes. Nicholas called yesterday morning to say that the water heater had "exploded”. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but when I asked if anyone was hurt he sort of laughed a little; so I guess we have different ideas of what an explosion is. In any event, he wrote later on in the day to say that our air conditioner repairman came and fixed it, along with the pressure pump for the cistern… Nicolas had been to see Lourdes’s new place and said needed repairs are “complicado” (complicated). I told him to wait till we get there …. The pickup is down again. Dennis thinks he's found the problem; doesn't sound serious. Cheryl and I are having to pretty much focus all our attention on getting our taxes taken care of before we return Honduras.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When I get hit with something like the "exploded water heater" I want to get rid of the problem immediately and get it off my mind. It seems like I can't rest until I do. But the Bible says “all things work together for good”. That should bring some comfort; but then what good could possibly come from a messed up water heater? Well I don't know, but I do know that we are looking at only a small part of a much bigger picture. Who knows, maybe that repairman was praying for work. Or maybe God was showing me one more time that I don’t need to worry. I read today where the disciples were fussing because no one had brought along bread; and Jesus had to remind them too, “Don’t you remember the 5000 I fed with five loaves….? We need to come to a place of not worrying. This has been a busy weekend. Last night we had a board meeting where we acted on several items of new business and then brought the members up-to-date on current and future activities of Gathering Hearts. This morning we spoke to one of the Sunday school classes at First United Methodist Church here in Tulsa; and then this evening we had the service at Beacon Hill Baptist, our home church. It was really a great weekend. Last night at the board meeting I had to step out and take a phone call and it was Lourdes calling from Seis de Mayo. She and the kids got moved in to their new place but she needs help with the bathroom and the outdoor sink. She also wanted to let me know that school would be starting next week and the children are in need of shoes and all of their school supplies.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I suggested again this evening that a worthy goal for the new year might be for each of us to commit one hour each week to get away where we will not be disturbed; and spend that hour in prayer. If we were to do that, and then if we were somehow able to see ourselves five or ten years from today, I think we would be greatly surprised to see how mightily God is using us. The Tulsa World today has an article that says Honduras is “the world’s most deadly country.” Even though the Peace Corps volunteers have been pulled out, the State Department has not restricted travel. As we have often explained to family and friends, the killings in Honduras are almost never random acts of violence. They almost always have to do with the drug cartel or other acts of organized crime; or crimes aimed at the local wealthy. We have lived in Honduras for more than 12 years and with one exception, I don't ever remember a North American being murdered. Our main bodyguard, Nicholas, has served as personal bodyguard for two different presidents of Honduras and is very sensitive to these matters. If he were ever to feel we are in danger, he would ask us to leave the country.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Today I was going through some old papers from the 1980’s and I came across this message scrawled on an old sticky note: "Israel's progress was never stopped for lack of money; it was often stopped for lack of obedience". I was having a flash of insight. The financial pressure I was feeling wouldn't be relieved by getting more money; but only by getting back under God's authority. Today I met with Larry Voight's Tuesday morning group and brought them up to date on what is happening with Gathering Hearts for Honduras. We talked, ate breakfast, and then had some prayer. That meeting is always very refreshing. We were invited to another meeting tonight but neither Cheryl nor I were feeling well so we stayed home…. This evening I got a call from Laurdes in Seis de Mayo. She said the little house that they were living in had so much water coming through the roof and the windows that they had to move out. Her landlord wouldn’t make repairs, and wouldn’t allow us to make them either. She has moved into a house in Los Portales, very close to the mission center. She said they aren’t even going to charge her any rent. She wanted to make sure the move sounded good to us.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Yesterday Cheryl read Psalm. 14:1 where the psalmist wrote, "The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’….” We would label such a declaration a deplorable, appalling, and despicable thing to say. But on those days that are filled with worry and without any prayer or study, aren't we acting as if there is no God? That's not exactly what David is talking about, but couldn't this be an application of the same principle? Today we had a meeting with the group from First Methodist Church in Tulsa that will be coming to the mission center in February. Among other things, we discussed activities that the group will be involved in. Since there will be a physician we will have a medical clinic. There is also a veterinarian and a vet tech. Three of the ladies have experience in Teaching English as a Second Language (one actually has a Masters degree in TESL). Other activities will include door-to-door evangelism, Bible studies, sewing and computer classes, children’s ministry, and construction. They will also be bringing equipment that will enable us to begin doing eye examinations; as well as an inventory of eyeglasses. And, they will continue to give us more glasses as we need them! This is a real answer to prayer… Yesterday I received Alfredo's estimate for the sliding doors on the north side of the warehouse -- $250 for wood; $600 for metal.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A fellow Christian whom I’m sure would say he believes God still heals was telling about a terminally ill family member. He ended the discussion indicating he felt the man would likely be dead in six weeks. I’m sure I’ve done the same thing; but such statements reveal a troubling dichotomy between our affirmation that we believe God will intervene; and our sometimes obvious lack of expectation that it's really going to happen. Such inconsistency gives a poor testimony. Furthermore I think praying without expectation will continue to weaken our faith. I got the second flight out of Miami yesterday morning; made it through Dallas and into Tulsa by noon. I started right in on the list of things we have to do before returning to Honduras the end of this month. There’s a lot to be done; also, I’ve found that dreading is more draining than doing. First on the list was a meeting regarding ministry taxes. Nicolas participated via internet as he has collected and formatted much of the information we will be using; and has it stored in his computer. Actually he really enjoys this part of his job. Tomorrow is payday; God has provided.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Yesterday someone directed my attention to Mark 10:51 where Jesus asks blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The bind man said, “I want to see”; and Jesus healed him. Suppose Jesus were suddenly standing directly in front of you and asked the same question, “What do you want me to do for you?” If you could make only one response, what would you say? Yesterday I signed diplomas for 18 students graduating from the sewing class. There were three graduating from level Il and the rest were new students completing the first level. Norma showed me dresses, blouses, bags, etc. that the students have made this year. I was very much impressed with the quality. For the first time in a long time we have a gentleman in this semester’s class… We are in the process of identifying the rest of the children who will get one of the 10 scholarships to the private school. Since I will be in the States the rest of the month I will rely heavily on Nelson and Sonia…Nicolas has been working toward getting his passport; I think he got it today…I left Honduras for Tulsa this morning, tonight I have made it only as far as Miami.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Without even searching I have come across several references to life without living. Henry David Thoreau explained that he went to Walden Pond, “…because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Edward Young cautioned, "Less base the fear of death than fear of life." In his book “The Incredible Christian”, AW Tozer talked about the "…healing action of faith … to destroy the fear of death, and what is more important to you at the moment, the fear of life." I think such fear begins to wane when you let go with the other hand and begin to walk by faith. We began the day in a meeting with the director of the Dias Feilzes (Happy Days) private school. They are the ones arranging for the new roof for the family up on the mountain; we settled on the final details. They are also awarding 10 full scholarships for needy kids in the village. In connection with that, please put on your prayer list the husband of the director, José Vasquez. I'm not sure of all the details but he's facing serious health problems and will be having surgery in the near future… After that meeting we went to San Pedro to visit the physician that performed surgery on Oscar's throat nearly a year ago. He wasn't there, but I had a good discussion with his assistant and the doctor will be expecting us the first part of February... I have to make a quick trip back to Tulsa to handle some year-end tax matters. I will be traveling standby; it’s much cheaper, but can also involve delays. Tomorrow we will have a staff meeting where I will inform employees of all the teams that are coming the first part of 2012… I'll be glad when Cheryl gets back. Dinner tonight was leftovers: an enchilada, a hot dog, corn, green beans, and potatoes and gravy.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If you should ever become proud of your spirituality, there is one good way to get your feet back on the ground. As a New Year’s resolution consider applying the theme of Charles Sheldon's book "In His Steps” and begin the habit of asking yourself, "What would Jesus do?" To illustrate, imagine being in the crowd the day Jesus had His encounter with Zacchaeus, chief tax collector for the Roman Empire; traitor, thief, and hated by the Jews. What would you have said to him? I can't even imagine what I would have said. But it would have been in stark contrast to Jesus’ show of undeserved love and acceptance that so perfectly fit the needs of Zacchaeus’s heart that he publicly repented; vowed to give half his fortune to the poor; and to repay four times over if he had cheated anyone. Then he held a feast in his home that resulted in the salvation of his household. What would Jesus do? Much of the time I have no idea; but it’s a worthy goal. |