When I wrote yesterday I thought it was a side window that was knocked out on the pick-up. Actually that rock took out the windshield, right in front of Nickolas's face! He was spattered with glass but had glasses on so wasn't injured. Surprisingly our Honduras car insurance covered it. He has gone to San Pedro this am to get the winshield replaced. We also have road service and the 3 or 4 times we have used it we had a wrecker in less than half an hour. A couple weeks ago in the States I waited nearly 2 hours for AAA...????
After classes today we went for a walk through Seis de Mayo and I showed our guests the different places we held classes after we left the "jungle". First there was Hector Garcia's front porch; then the huge tent next to the food store; and then the rent house. Lots of memories, good and not so good. As we walked along kids came out to greet us that weren't even born when we first came. Tonight we had come free time on our hands. We finished dinner anound 7; we don't have TV and for security reasons we can't go out after dark. Seemed like "there was nothing left to do but pray" (I've heard that one before). So we adjourned to the living room and spent the rest of the evening praying. It was an enriching experience. Once when I was speaking to a young adult Sunday School class a young man asked, "Are you saying that sometimes our lifestyle here in America makes it harder to live the Christian life?" I had the feeling he was answering his own question.
As I sat in the office this afternoon catching up on some work the book Prayer, Key to Revival by Paul Y. Cho caught my eye. In the preface he says, "I have had pastors and evangelists ask me how they can experience the same growth in their church as we are accustomed to in Korea. Yet, after meetiings , they go out and eat and spend many hours in fellowship. In the morning they are too tired to pray. Having experienced this all over the world for many years, I decided to write this book. I hope men and women of God will get serious enough about revival to get serious about their prayer life." * Back in 1984 Cho's church was adding 12000 new converts each month. Today is payday and up until last night we didn't have enought to cover that and all the other expenses. Other expenses are things like when Nickolas called me a few minutes ago to say that as he as driving through Chaloma someone threw a rock through his window. He was shook up but thank God not hurt. Anyway, as I was saying, we didn't have enough until I received an email from Donna late in the afternoon showing she had made a deposit (unexpected) that should cover most eveything.
Yesterday was another busy day. Bill and Cynthia Briscoe arrived just in time for our monthly staff luncheon. Victorina fixed fried chicken, rice with vegetables, and some of the best ppotato salad--for 20 people. After lunch I shared with the staff all of the exciting things that are happening with the ministry. They are greatly encouraged because they feel part of the minnistry of GHH; and also because this is their livelyhood in a place where there are almost no jobs.
Also today we (Alyssa and Jeanette Marshall) went to Las Palmas School--2 classes in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. They did a great job. I am always impressed by the respect and good conduct in these schools that don't even have enough books and supplies for their students. There is a badly disfigured boy that often comes to the gate to the schoolyard and watches the students. Someone has gven him a walker which enables him to drag himself along. I reminded him of the several verses in the Bible that say, "...many who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (e.g. Matthew 19:30). Today he is asking me for help. There may very well come a day when I ask for his. As I look around and consider the many ideas for new projects that have come forth even within the last few weeks I have wondered when we will come to an end of what God plans for us to do here The thought came to me: His love for this people is endless. He can do everything; He owns everything. Why would He ever say, "This is enough"? Gathering Hearts will continue to grow and develop and involve more people and yield more fruit as long as we continue to pray and do what He asks; not what we think best. How much more does God want to do here? The answer lies with us, not with Him.
Both vans are broken down. Bill Hoff finally found the needed part to fix the Ford somewhere in Alabama. But it will take several day to reach OK and several more to get it to Honduras--so today we rented a car and it is very expensive. I think the time has come for a change. It probably makes more sense to sell the pick up and one van and get a newer double cab,4 W/D pickup. We have started praying in that direction.
After this last trip I see a real need for us modify our method--same goal expanded approach. Travel, at our age and health status takes allot of time, energy and is rather disorienting. God has provided good workers here in Honduras and is drawing others from U.S. I think we should begin to concentrate on, for example, reporting back to our supporters how God has so exactly answered their prayers for us. Doing so encourages their faith and ours.
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