We have mentioned before about the struggle we've had in getting our building permit for the dorms. We thought we had it last month; then when I went to pick it up I was told more information was needed. So we engaged the services of an engineer in Puerto Cortes. We were not very optimistic about getting the information quickly and I had to leave Honduras no later than May 9. Well, as it turned out, the engineer had the information ready at four o'clock on the afternoon of May 8. Nicholas and I met him along the highway, got the documents, and took them to the municipality before they closed. Next day I left Honduras and Nicholas returned to the municipality. He was given the amount that we would have to pay in order to get a permit. We discussed it over the phone, and since the amount was not entirely unreasonable we paid it; and we now really do have our building permit as of May 16th.
A couple of weeks ago we boldly announced that we had our building permit for the dormitories and that we had received it without the usual difficulties. I was a little uneasy at the time making the announcement as things can change so quickly here. Well, sure enough, when we went to pick up the permit they said there was some information missing and that we could not get the permit until it was provided. With that, we had no choice but to engage the services of a local engineer. He says he thinks he can do the job, but will need the assistance of another type of engineer supply what the municipality has asked for. Gary has to leave Honduras no later than May 9 and we are praying that we can get the permit before he leaves. While we are gone this engineer will also do the drawings that we will use to stake out the lot where the footings for the dormitory will go. The intent is to have the footings in by the time the construction team from Christ Presbyterian Church arrives in July.
We also continue to work on our personeria juridica, the Honduras equivalent of a 501(c)(3). This is another process filled with complications and delays. We actually began our application at the end of 2007 and almost had it when the insurrection occurred in 2009. At that time, all such processes pretty much went back to their starting point. We were not entirely satisfied with the lawyer we had at that time, so we have changed to another. She is an experienced lawyer and knows our ministry quite well as she was the vice mayor of Puerto Cortes when Oklahoma State University began their widely publicized water filtration project. I think she will do a good job though she, too, says it can be a very long process. She also said it is expensive. However, it's something we really need as the ministry continues to grow. Since we will be away from Honduras several weeks for church visitation and Michael's wedding, Gary is getting as much done as possible on the personeria before he leaves. We got our BUILDING PERMIT for the dorms ! After all this runaround, they just gave it to is. Now, we are still working on getting our tax exempt status, but for now, we are rejoicing that we were granted permission to build the dorms.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that Mauricio just happens to be bringing out his contractor/engineer tomorrow to help us mark those footings so the locals could start digging. This coincides with the team from FUMC that was just here feeling called to help get our “dorm” story out. We serve such a mighty God. Do pray with us that once we start we will be able to continue. Mauricio is also bringing his electrical engineer to go over the electricity demands for the production center. As you know we have been trying for a long time to get that connected. Mauricio’s company will stand as a sponsor for us to get the permit. This, along with the prayer walk with the FUMC team a little over a week ago is the first positive thrust we have had for the dormitories and a long time.... This noon we had Nelson, our computer teacher, and his wife Sonia, for lunch. It is amazing how much more ministry oriented Nelson has become since their baptism a couple weeks ago. Thirteen years ago this week, Gary and I and four of our five children arrived in Honduras to start work with a ministry that was to build an institute south of San Pedro Sula. That ministry left that year, but as God would have it, we remained and begun a work in a “jungle” like area north of San Pedro where we have developed a ministry to the impoverished campo people. Looking back we marvel at God’s goodness to us in building a mission center that houses vo-tech schools, Bible/English classes, a feeding kitchen, children’s program, medical and dental clinics and twelve employees. And it is also our home. There is now a church, and we are close to filling the pulpit with a trained and called pastor. This gives us faith to look forward as we hope to build dormitories, finish construction on a production center where the very poor can earn a living, and continue building houses for the homeless. Between these lines are numerous obstacles to all of the above. And we have and do now face fierce warfare, but we would have never seen this side of God if we had remained in our comfort zone. Our work is prayer. We pray and show up and we look to God to manifest His Glory. Please continue to pray for us as we meet the challenges.
Gary and I enjoyed being with other Honduran missionaries during the Missionary Conference last week-end, Sept. 27th-29th. . A Pastor Steve Johnson, president of Latin American Mission, was the speaker and his messages focused on forgiveness. It is great fellowship to join with such kindred spirits of missionaries from all over Honduras. Many of the missionaries that we started with are now gone and we miss them; but we were encouraged that there are several young couples that have started mission work here in Honduras. Today we are to meet with the leadership of the water filtration system who have been part of the Oklahoma State University Engineers without Borders engineers water filtration systems. Water filters are still being constructed by the locals and we are encouraged that this is an ongoing project. Also today, we are to pick up our Ford van that broke down on us last week. With putting in so much money in repairs, we feel it is time that we pray for God to supply a pick-up truck and either sell or donate this Ford van. We were able to finally get the government issued license plates and use the newer van to make the trip to the capital for our residency legal work and then on to the missionary conference. After several adjustments and some unexpected cash, at 4:30 we lacked only $12.42. We can cover that…I spoke with the mayor of Rondon yesterday and we agreed upon July 18 and 19th as their clinic days…. Alfredo and I made up the list of industrial tools he will need in order to do production work. I will publish those later on to see if anyone might have a tool they're not using that could be put on the container later this summer. He said with those tools he can turn out some of those items in 20 min…. I spent a couple hours with Louise Paz this afternoon and they are very excited with the potential of the new church …The builder came by this evening with some questions about the second floor of the dormitory. He appears ready to move ahead…. Carlos, age 10, has been working for us about two months. Yesterday he hit me up for a raise so he can buy more snacks at recess. Mike and I leave at 430 tomorrow morning to return to Tulsa for a couple weeks.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: “God is dead” ------ Nietzsche; “Nietzsche is dead” ------ God I continue to see the immediacy of the need for the dorms in order to provide opportunities for those who want to come down and stay for a few weeks and get a better feel for missions. Also, the manufacturing project. Thursday night we have a dinner meeting with several couples especially interested. As important as these are I can see we have to be careful not to put all of our attention there at the expense of winning the lost and making disciples. As we read and prayed today we were reminded of Jesus' final words to all of us to go into all the world and make disciples.
Thought For Today- If we are going to pray more we have to be more creative. We need time and a place. First of all, a place, and there are many. In fact, there are prayer rooms all over town.... college campuses; hospitals; the bigger churches; even airports. Secondly, on most any day we have at least a little discretionary time. Often it's not hard to plan your schedule so you have your free time near one of these prayer rooms. You'll not be bothering anyone; hardly ever will you see anyone else there. I got a call from Marlon in Honduras yesterday. I hadn't heard from him or seen him in months. I'm not exactly sure why he called, but I suspect that he would like to come back to work for us. I hope the dorm project moves forward so that we can have him back. I called Nicholas this afternoon to make sure he got pictures of Dr. Rios's students doing their dental clinic. They had already left the mission center. As it turns out, it has been raining the last three days and is cold and only about 20 people showed up. With five students seeing patients, they were finished by mid day. Dr. Rios did say that they will be coming back at another time.
I told Nicholas today we are ready to purchase the first load of blocks for the dormitory. I asked him to get the best price from among the vendors that are there in our area. Sometimes we can get them cheaper from the larger companies, but I would rather give the business to our own people. This is just a start, but even a single step changes our perspective and we see things we never saw before. Also it gets us moving. It's hard to to be led when we have decided to stand still awhile longer. Nicholas wrote yesterday and said that he had gone to the bank and cashed the check for the worker's salaries. He ended his memo saying "...thank you for all that you do for us." Many people were praying for Cheryl's surgery and it did not go well. It is tempting to walk away empty-handed and discouraged. However, God is still in control and has a plan. We need to stay connected, continue praying, keep expecting. ____________________________________________ With regard to our prayers, how often have we walked away in the middle of a conversation with the Lord when we didn't get what we expected?
We are in the countdown now, as we will be leaving in just a few days; on Wednesday. As always, so much happens these last few days and we have trouble keeping up with everything. Last night we were invited to a fish fry with old friends from years back who have maintained an interest in Gathering Hearts. We certainly are grateful for all of them, their friendship and their prayers.
This morning I wrote Nicholas and told him to get Marlon back on the job as we will need him to help us with installing the satellite. Also, we have received some starter funds for construction of the dormitory that will allow us to at least break ground. It's not a large amount, but at least it's a start, and hopefully Marlon is available to begin and continue on the project. I also communicated with Jerome Garrett this morning regarding installation of the satellite and told him that Jim Redyke has just installed one. |