Oral Roberts University Ministry team hit the floor running today. They opened up with their presentation at our largest school in Campana. We were outside and in the first morning session the children were very disruptive so it was difficult presenting, but had several kids respond. We returned for the second shift of children in the afternoon and it was a totally different group. Very attentive and listened and cooperated. The team ministered to the whole group and then went out into the poor area to minister to the poor. This so captured the heart of the team.
Tomorrow we have 2 school sessions, some of the team will be involved in our vo-tech classes, and then we end the day presenting the Gospel in the Landau factory. We truly enjoy the fellowship in the evenings when each team member bares their heart.
Jeffrey and I arrived Honduras on the 20th and picked up the team from Oral Roberts University yesterday. It was with mixed feelings that I came down without Gary. He will be missed but am relieved that he is with his sister in Colorado while I am here in HN. I am believing that Gary will be restored and able to come back soon.
These students are ready to work so we will go into six schools and a factory and minister to our own mission center students. Jeffrey is so glad to be with his fellow students. In fact when we got out of the van to pick up the team, one of Jeffrey’s hall mates, Ricardo, greeted him. Ricardo lives here in Honduras.
Do pray for this team as they minister here in the villages.
Our guard Marco, told of us of how their church was struggling to put on a much needed new roof. We told them that if they would put forth an effort to try to raise funds and provide the labor, we would also help them. This last week, the roof was completed.
In addition, Dr Rios attended numerous dental patients on Friday, April 27. Also on Friday, here in Tulsa Cheryl attended the meeting of Oral Roberts University Short term mission team. They will be at our mission center on May 21st to minister in the schools and impoverished areas.
Oral Roberts University student short term mission team is preparing to arrive at the mission center May 2st. They will be performing skits and presenting the Gospel to schools and our vo-tech students. We got a nice surprise today in that Mauricio Mayor, head of the Landau Company in Puerto Cortes offered to help house this team among his workers and also invited them to present in his company.
We continue to pursue medical care for Gary and are seeing several doctors. He is some improved but a long way to go. We covet your prayers.
Meanwhile work continues at the mission. I am in contact with Nicolas frequently and so appreciative of our workers and the devotion they have to their jobs and the people we serve.
Last week, Nicolas completed a project I had started by having gutters installed on the front porch. Also, two roofs have now been completed over some of the poorest families thanks to the Metro Christian Academy cross country team.
I can so see God’s timing in having FUMC team there in February as they worked with our teachers in enhancing their skills and this has continued in our absence; especially in the English as a Second Language Bible study that Ellen Lagrone did with the computer classes and Lisa White and Connie Presley did with the class. Then Stephanie Weckler and her girls came with the OSU team and brought in new projects for the school children and our sewing classes. All of this enriches our curriculum and strengthens our teachers.
Thanks for your prayers
Cheryl
Three years ago my husband began bringing groups of engineering students to Honduras to work on water projects in Seis de Mayo. As I learned more about the ministry of Gathering Hearts for Honduras I began to dream of a family mission trip. I was particularly interested in the sewing classes taught at the mission house....
When the opportunity came to accompany the group from OSU this year we were thrilled! We prepared several sewing related activities to share with a variety of ages… On our first day we worked with Norma’s sewing classes and Myrna’s children’s class… On Tuesday Nicolas took Susan, Karen and me, along with our translators, to a nearby public school… We had burlap sewing activities for about 45 students... My daughters performed a skit about being stuck in sin. I shared a message about how we can get stuck in sin, fear, anger or pain; and how Jesus can rescue us…
Tuesday afternoon we sewed another project with Norma’s class at the Mission House. Thursday morning we filled the church behind the Mission House with a group of fifty or more 7th – 9th grade students. I shared a message about choices we have in the midst of trials. I encouraged them to consider the consequences of the choices they are making at this point in their lives. I reminded them that no matter the situation they can always choose Jesus and the life He offers.
Afterwards the girls decorated personal information pages and we took pictures to match each one of them with an e-mail pen pal. The engineering education team conducted a water filtration experiment with the boys. Then Nicolas suggested we visit the worksite to show the students the water filters built by the EWB team.
Several students gave us hugs and thanks as we said “Good-bye.” ...Thursday afternoon we had an intimate Bible Study with Norma’s sewing class. They are a group of sweet believers…
In addition to our time with the people in Honduras, the girls and I were able to get to know the OSU students much more personally. It was the first time for most of the students to hear the testimony of God’s grace toward our family in the face of the loss of our son. I had many individuals share personal testimonies with me. I was encouraged to hear so many of them express a desire to serve the Lord, particularly through using their engineering training.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
- Ephesians 3:20, 21
Lourdes, who helps in the kitchen with the children's feeding program, passed out this morning and was taken to the government hospital. This hospital does not always give the best of care. Your prayers for her are greatly appreciated - please pray that an accurate diagnosis might be made and that she would receive quality care.
Hello, Gary and Cheryl,
We started the day with a great tour of Landau Apparel with Mauricio. They
treated us like celebrities and painted a great picture of their company.
In Seis de Mayo, the students had a very productive meeting with the
Patronato. They want to start building filters on Monday! They have a very
realistic plan for getting started, I think. A man named Manuel will direct
construction and they have raised enough money to pay someone for labor. It
is all very exciting.
We are now in Tela, which is beautiful. The students are really enjoying
themselves. And as usual, Nicolas is helping us feel safe.
Attached is a shot from our factory tour with our guide, Francisco.
Thank you again for your marvelous hospitality. It has been another awesome
experience.
Sending you best wishes for improving strength.
Sincerely,
Greg Wilber
I am in contact with Oklahoma State University Engineers without Borders team several times a day while they are there at our mission center in Honduras. The goal of the project was to put water filters in the villagers home and educate them as to why it is important to drink purified water. The team has had a very successful and enjoyable time. They feel they have accomplished their goals, and have also had a great time. They especially enjoy playing soccer with the local kids there.
Here is an excerpt from one of Eric Lam’s (student team leader) emails so far:
3/19 “Nicolas and Beto have been fantastic as facilitators and have been quite accommodating to our needs. Beto has talked up our project to everyone he passes. Alfredo has been around all yesterday and today, from morning to evening, helping us cut wood. I honestly think we wouldn't have progressed so much the pass two days without his knowledge. Joel was helpful with stormwater tasks.
“Speaking of the project, Brinny the secretary of El Patronado says they have collected down payments of ten people totaling about $100. They were under the impression that we would take the money. We are planning on letting them keep it to pay a wage for a worker to build the rest of the filters and get more payments. Hopefully this will build momentum to keep the project going.
3/22 “As weird as it sounds, I think the project is almost finished. Tomorrow we will talk to El Patronado and ask them about going forward with the project. Their foreman has come to every training we have had and we think he will be great as the person in charge. We'll share our report with you when we get it written up.
Much hope,
Eric Lam"
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