THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Why would some believers have been reluctant to set aside that one hour for prayer this week and thereby position themselves to be used by God in a way far beyond what they would ever have expected? I think it has to do with the fear of change (so common there is a name for it; it’s called metathesiopohobia).
I tried to call Amado today to see if he is still interested in being our welder. I got his voicemail, but Nicolas said even though he has a job he’d like to work for the ministry…. Dr. Thurman sent me information and pictures on a number of tools he is considering donating to the ministry. Last night I forwarded the info to Alfredo and already today I got his response. I’d say he’s excited…. Mike and I ran errands nearly all day yesterday, including City Hall for documents to renew our residency. We also made a trip to the Harvest Project in West Tulsa (Clark Millspaugh, Gary Edmondson, etc.). Their health clinic set up is very impressive. Today I got a copy of the national Engineers Without Borders report of the OSU project in Seis de Mayo. Very encouraging.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Why would some believers have been reluctant to set aside that one hour for prayer this week and thereby position themselves to be used by God in a way far beyond what they would ever have expected? I think it has to do with the fear of change (so common there is a name for it; it’s called metathesiopohobia). Last night we were invited to participate in Beacon Hill Baptist Church’s “Dinners 8” at the Briscoe's house. It was great having fellowship with them, the Wards, Dan and Jamie Mallard, and the Acheson's… Thursday is payday again. Thankfully, I was able to write Nicholas today and tell him to go ahead and cash the payroll check. I don't know if I mentioned it; someone has donated a lawnmower to the mission center. No longer does Joel have to cut the grass with hedge shears and a machete. He feels like he's close to heaven.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Our problems are so complex; the solution is so simple. Nick wrote back yesterday with the quote from George on the cost of a new roof for the “rent house”. He also explained what the repair shop said was wrong with the red van. If correct, serious; I’m suspicious….We had a delightful last evening with the Dave and Claire Paulson and others who attended classes we taught at St James Methodist years ago….Cheryl (and I a little) has been unpacking boxes of dishes and putting them in buffet and china cabinet; turning a house into a home.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: if you were to make that “major change in your prayer life right now”; and if you were then able to get a glimpse into the future, you may be greatly surprised at how God is using you, “….exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20. Tonight we met with two couples from Tulsa First Methodist who are also involved in mission work. We had a great time sharing what God is doing through our efforts…. Nicholas has had so much trouble cashing checks at the bank in San Pedro we opened an account so that we can transfer money to a bank in Puerto Cortes. We gave it a trial run yesterday; we'll see how it works. We are trying to help Junior Arita, the young Honduran medical student who has helped us so much, to attend a conference in Houston. He is having a real struggle with the embassy getting papers in order.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A minister said to a group of students, "Unless you make a major change in your prayer life today, in five years your spiritual life will be no further along than it is right now." I would urge everyone to right now set aside at least one hour this week. Nickolas called yesterday and told me the air conditioner is down in the computer room so Nelson was unable to have classes as usual. Thanks to the generosity of many I was able to tell him he could go to the bank for enough money to make the needed repairs. Tonight Bob Villareal invited me to meet with his Bible study group to talk about prayer. It was a very blessed evening. Jen was here for dinner; Jeff is getting good experience working with Joe Esposito's gardening project; and Mike will be taking a test tomorrow that will hopefully get him a data entry job at the hospital; and both Amy and Marisa called to wish me a happy Father’s Day and happy birthday. It's a red letter day when I've heard from all the kids. Cheryl continues to work with various churches in Tulsa orchestrating the packing of 1000 Christmas gifts for our children in the villages.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: There will always be more to learn about prayer, but most every believer knows enough to take the next step. On the way home from the airport my cardiologist's office called to set up a follow-up appointment for July 21. I won't be here then so I went in that afternoon. Glad I did; good report…. Here is the list of tools that Alfredo is needing in order to begin production: 8” jointer; 10” band saw; 3 hp industrial lathe; 20 inch disc sander; 21/4 hp router; track and stop system (24” or 16“); 10” table saw. Anyone who can help with this should write to [email protected] or [email protected] (918-361-1996).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The more I pray the more I see the need to pray; the less I pray the less need I see this for it. Mike and I left San Pedro early yesterday morning flying standby. We missed several flights out of Miami and didn't arrive in Chicago until 9 PM so we spent the night there. Caught the 4:30 shuttle this morning (same as yesterday) and got to Tulsa around 10. …Wednesday we spent several hours at the bank and with lawyers getting all the papers in order to transfer the Chevy van to Marcus. This afternoon Nickolas called; they were ready to hand it over and started having engine trouble. So near yet so far.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If you don't have time to pray because you're too busy; maybe you're too busy because you don't have time to pray. 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 Our trip to Tegucigalpa took us six hours to get there and seven hours to get back. It was worth it, a beautiful wedding, and it was great having fellowship with some of our old missionary friends that we hadn't seen in a long time….Mark Bullard has continued to work on the air-conditioner in the van and today got it pretty much finished. It works great! He has now begun to work on the air-conditioning in the pickup. …Enselma came by today. Many of you have been praying for her during her serious illness. She still has a catheter, but is doing much better…. Also today Lourdes (Carlos and Perla's mom who's been in depression) scolded me for getting her the wrong cleaning fluid. This was a great stride forward; she hasn't shown that much emotion on a long time.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: We can begin regaining the faith and expectation of the early church by praying like Oswald Chambers who said, "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work: prayer is the greater work”; with the willingness of Betty Stamm who prayed, "Lord I give up all my own plans… and accept your will for my life… use me as you will… at any cost, now and forever" The conference "Honduras: Open For Business" held in San Pedro last month was a success. A number of worldwide investors attended and showed interest in the country. There is another similar conference scheduled in the near future. The bad news is, Mel Zelaya, would-be dictator from 2009 was exonerated from his crimes and has returned to Honduras and appears to be up to no good. Word has it he paid "supporters" 500 lempiras plus bus fare to show up for a “show of support”….
Carlos and Perla are going in with their classmates tomorrow for an outing in Puerto Cortes. This noon Carlos told me he needed a pair of flip-flops as today he was wearing his sister’s. Mark (Bullard) has been working on the A/C in the van all day and is still out there tonight. Making good progress. Six am tomorrow Mike and I head out for Tegucigalpa for Anthony Gilen's wedding THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If so, what then? (If the faith that fostered great expectation in the early church has been weakened to the point we don't really expect, what can we do to regain what was lost?) |