Representing Honduras at Lee University

Paul had a great experience in the States during the second week of November. He flew back to be a part of Missions Week at Lee University as they were highlighting the ministries of the Deaf Center and the Hope House located here in San Pedro. Cheryl Humphries and Angie McIntyre, the founders and directors of those ministries were there as well, and they all received the honor of speaking during the Chapel services. Also they were presented with several opportunities to speak in various classes across the campus. Paul really enjoyed this time at Lee University. While he was in the States, he also spoke at several churches, two in Illinois, and a joint service in Tennessee. He was glad to be able to share the ministries of the Church of God here in Honduras with all these people in the States. He has returned home now and we are in the process of preparing for a mission’s group of thirty from Lee University. They will be with us for ten days in December. We are so excited about all the ministry that will be accomplished with their help. The students from Lee are bringing hygiene packs to pass out to the impoverished and they will be giving the people bags of food as well. Children services are being planned as well as help with the painting and cleaning of various ministries here in the city. We are looking forward to this time and anticipate many great things.

Keeping up with the Children

We completed our month of immersion class at Our Little Roses Bilingual School. All the information is still trying to find a place in our brain, but the class has helped immensely. Now we will continue with classes three times a week for four hours a day. Our children are also progressing with their understanding of Spanish. Agape school moved Anna to a different Spanish class so she can begin with the basics of the language and maybe be next year she can rejoin her grade in Spanish class. They have several classes that are taught in the English language, but Spanish, Social Studies, Music, Computers and PE are totally in Spanish. The teachers of these classes are beginning to try to help Anna and Wesley catch up to their classmates in these subjects. Eli and Jaden are in the preschool classes where Spanish is primarily being spoken and English is being introduced. We overhear Eli singing a song in Spanish or counting to ten in Spanish instead of English while he is playing at the house. JJ calls his shoes “patos” and his ball “pelota”. We, as parents, have to study hard so our children won’t surpass us in Spanish! It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of these classes even though they can be overwhelming at times. It is so important to us to be able to learn the language as quickly as we possibly can. The people here are gracious to us as we are learning and give us respect because we are trying to learn their language. Our desire is to impact the lives of the people and the best way to do that is to communicate.

The Center and the Family are doing well

The center is looking great! We are very proud of our director, Cheryl Humphries, in all her labor and effort to prepare the new facility for its opening. She has labored diligently and her efforts will prevail. The play equipment for the children which was constructed by Mt. Olive's group is adorable. The children who come to be ministered to at the center will enjoy it immensely.
As far as our family goes, the children are doing good in school. Wesley was named class manager of his class due to his achievements in behavior and responsibility. We are very proud of him. Anna's teacher is holding a meeting today with the Spanish teacher to ensure the best possible Spanish education for her. Wesley celebrated his seventh birthday yesterday with cake at school with classmates and later more cake at home with family. Eli is adjusting well to his new school schedule. There is no longer tears at the door when he is dropped off and he always has plenty to talk about when you ask him about his day. He is really having a hard time waiting for his birthday since we just celebrated Jaden's and Wesley's. He was convinced that both of their birthdays was his as well, and you just can't argue much with a three year old. Jaden is well taken care of at school by his teacher. She is very loving and always has him in a change of clothes when we pick him up because his uniform got "a little dirty". We are thankful for our children's education and really like their school. It has been challenging for them in many ways, but we have seem them grow as a result of those challenges. A very special thank you to everyone who prays for our children and we ask that you will continue because it does make a difference. Also, thank you to everyone who has helped to finance their education and those who have blessed our children in other ways. Here in a place far away from family it makes a world of difference in their lives.

Liberty Brought LifeTo Many

What an awesome ten days with a wonderful group of people. We saw many lives touched and changed as Liberty Full Gospel Church from Maryville, Tennessee opened their hearts to the people of Honduras. We were honored with the opportunity to provide food for about 200 plus families through mission churches planted right in the middle of poverty-stricken areas. One night we saw a six month old baby who due to malnutrition was about the size of a scrawny newborn. We gave her mother 3 bags of food as she herself was not much more than a walking skeleton and she had other children back at her house. Her husband had left and she was left to provide for the family with little or no income. This is just one example of what we were faced with this week, but the love and generosity of Liberty impacted many. The need is still so great with so many in similar circumstances. Donnie Morton did a great job preaching at several different locations with powerful alter services to follow with 14 receiving Christ in there hearts. We pray that God will continue to work in the lives of the people who attended the services.

We were amazed at the difference a fresh coat of paint made at the deaf center. Liberty worked hard for 3 days painting, scraping, scrubbing and repairing at the deaf center and the results are very much appreciated. Today there is a group from Mt. Olive building sound proof rooms and installing ceiling fans at the deaf center. God has blessed the center greatly with all the support from mission teams in preparing it for a quick opening. Two people were saved yesterday as the group from Mt. Olive was repairing a roof. Isn't God amazing!

We are enjoying a few days of no school for the children. Monday was Honduras's birthday as well as Jaden's and Kim's birthday. They got to celebrate with parades and all sorts of festivities. Of course the day was not complete until we had smoothies and ice cream cones. Again, we are so thankful for all the ones who left family and friends behind and came here to help in so many ways and thankful for those who continue to support the ministry prayerfully and financially. You help make all of this possible. We love you and pray the Lord will bless your obedience.

Shutting and Opening Doors

Things have been great since returning here to Honduras. The kids are adjusting back to school schedules, and we have discovered the locations to all the many stores involved with purchasing their school supplies in the process. Eli and Jaden have began half days at Agape and are enjoying the day in spite of the tearful goodbyes to mom in the morning. Kim and I will begin an Spanish Immersion Class at the beginning of October. It will be an intense four hours a day but is so necessary for our ministry here. Right now we are enjoying the presence of a group of ten people from Maryville, Tennessee, Liberty Full Gospel. They have come for ten days to be used of the Lord in many different ways. Already lives have been touched as a result of their willingness to come here to Honduras. They have visited the orphanage, feed and ministered to children and preached at a local church. Today they are cleaning and painting at the new deaf center. Yes, I did type new deaf center!!!! As of last Thursday we were able to sign a contract on a place that will house the early intervention program of the deaf center. Cheryl has received the equipment she needs to begin and is very excited about the help she will bring to these children at an age that can make such an impact in their language development. We are so thankful to have Liberty Full Gospel here with us to assist in the preparation of this facility. As you may remember, the deaf center was asked to relocate in July due to the owner of the facility needing the house for her family to live in. It was a sad time having to pack up the center, but the Lord is always at work and when He shuts a door, He opens another. So thanks be to our Lord for providing this new facility in such a good location. We anticipate the center opening soon as a result of the help from the States. Thank you for your prayers and support!! You ARE making a difference!

Unified Force in Ministry

I have talked about joining with a Deaf Ministry in Tegucigalpa, the capital city, over the last several months. Well that is starting to materialize. Christy Owen the executive director is meeting with Cheryl and Lee University on the 14th of Aug. We will be discussing how we can work together on the continued effort to develop curriculum and the Language of Lesho.

Also we will be meeting with World Missions to see how we can connect as associates with in the organization.

The possibilities are amazing. Because of our inability to acquire the licensing as an independent organization our school is not recognized by the government. With us working with Happy Hands in Tegucigalpa, we will be a stronger force and we will be together in licensing.

"how good it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity".... That is God's word and how true it is!

Servants of the Kingdom, Paul

Provision for the Vision

I have had the joy and privilege of preaching in several churches over the past 6 weeks to raise our budget. This is not my gift. However, I love to preach and love to be around good people so that is what I focused on. God gave us some wonderful services and we were able to meet and spend time with some wonderful people. Here is a list of Churches that we have visited:

Cleveland COG in SC, Manchester COG in TN, The Haven Church in TN, Liberty Full Gospel Fellowship in TN, Green Meadow Church in TN, Grace Covenant Church in SC, West Anderson COG in SC, Cross Point Church in SC, Christ Family Church in TN, Living Word Church in TN, and Westmoreland COG in TN.

These churches blessed us and we are so honored to be connected to them. Six of the Eleven plan on bringing a team down with in the next 18 months. This is wonderful news in the wake of all the changes and needs.

Thank you for allowing us to continue in the work that God has called us. Please pray about supporting us monthly. This would help us stay for longer time frames, building consistency in the ministry.

I look forward to keeping in touch with you all,

Your Missionary to Honduras, Paul