For He is faithful…….

Wow!  What an awesome God we serve. His love for us is so beautiful, so real, so precious and so faithful….Oh, how He loves us!  At this very moment, I am so overwhelmed by His love for us.  That He would love us the way that He does, without conditions, without regard to our response or actions toward Him.  He chooses to love us anyway and He first loved us.  Oh, how He truly loves us…..

I know it has been a while since we have posted to the blog.  Let me apologize now for that and let you know that we ARE going to do a better job of keeping you up-to-date on the happenings with Voyage of Hope Ministries.

I want to begin by letting you know that I am WELL!  Praise the Lord for His healing touch!  After returning from Honduras, I was dealing with joint pain, fatigue and horrible migraines.  For the next several months, I would visit doctor after doctor and try several different medications to see if I could get any relief.  After CAT scans on my brain, echocardiagrams on my heart, pulminary function test on my lungs and a host of other tests, there was NO SARCOIDOSIS found active in my body.  I was put on several medications to control the migraines and they are working.  I haven’t had a migraine in about a month and I thank the Lord everyday for that.  I want to thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support.  It means so much to know that there are people lifting you up in prayer even in those times when you think that you can’t.  

Even in the midst of sickness and pain, it amazes me how God continues to use us for His glory.  Over the past several months, He has opened doors for Grant and I both to minister to many people in several different capacities.  Grant is leading worship at our church on a part-time basis and he is co-sponsoring a Bible study at the college for the students.  There has been so much positive response from the students as well as area ministers who are eager to give their time to help lead the study and sponsor meals.  We continue to see growth each week and praise God for His faithfulness.  I have had the opportunity to speak to several groups about missions and I began teaching a Women’s Bible study just a few weeks ago.  I have also had the opportunity to start a prayer group at my school with some students who are involved in an organization that I co-sponsor.  Grant and I both had the opportunity to minister to some precious women who are living with HIV/Aids.  Grant led worship and I spoke to the ladies about the hope that is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It was such a sweet time to share the love of Christ and to love on these ladies as He would.  We are so thankful that He chooses to use us and allows us to be a part of His work.

Our hearts are so burdened for our missionary friends in Trujillo, Honduras.  As you may remember from our post last summer, there were several North American families working in that area.  There has been an attack from the devil like you wouldn’t believe on these precious families.  Three of the five families are in the States right now, dealing with funding issues, sickness and other atrocities that keep them from doing the Lord’s work.  Please join us in lifting these families in prayer as they seek to find their way back to the place that the Lord has called them to serve.

We are planning a trip to Honduras for this summer, but are not certain of the dates at this time.  With things in our economy the way that they are and our missionary friends in turmoil, we are waiting for the Lord to guide our next step in our planning for this trip.  We know that He uses us here as well as He does in a foreign land, so until He calls us there, then we will continue to serve Him faithfully right here in our own community, state and nation.

We are very excited about what the Lord is going to do through Voyage of Hope Ministries during 2009.  We are so thankful for your continued prayers and support and want you to be a part of our journey.  Please let us know if you are interested in serving on a mission team, becoming a prayer partner or financially supporting our work.

Continuously thanking Him for you,

Hope & Grant Staples

Rise and Shine – What Now?

Well, I gotta tell ya, I never thought it would take us over a month to come home and actually update the blog!  There are so many things I thought this update would be, but it seems it’s gonna be different than I thought.  That’s probably the first thing I will say I learned from Honduras: things are usually NOT going to happen like you imagine.  Our Voyage home was so very different than we expected.  From actually being able to communicate and understand those we came in contact with, to a very RANDOM ride from the bus terminal to our hotel in San Pedro Sula, it was obvious that WE were different in many ways.  One thing is for sure, this summer in Honduras changed our lives, our marriage, our way of life and the eyes of our hearts!  You know the worship song “Open the Eyes of My Heart?”  Well, we are living the lyrics!

There’s not ONE day that goes by for me that I don’t realize how blessed we are to live in a country designed to allow us the privilege of freedom, to protect us from those who would harm us, to provide us with opportunity to prosper and even allow us to balk at the way it’s all managed!  Our worst day here is FAR better than many whose lives touched ours in Honduras. 

Just to give you a brief synopsis of our “NOW,” it’s 5:20 in the morning here in Ridgeland, MS, and like always I am awake at the crack of dawn.  One thing that has changed for me is that I rarely sleep the entire night since we returned home from Honduras.  It was easy to go to sleep at night when you walked everywhere and produced gallons of sweat everyday.  It wasn’t at all difficult to wake up to sunrises that looked like the one above, but it’s just different here.  I can honestly say that I asked God this morning why I was awake and here I am typing!  It’s good to hear His voice in the morning.  I hope everybody will have this experience soon.  It really is a great way to wake up.  You surely don’t need an alarm clock with God.

Like I said, life is different there.  One thing that hasn’t changed about this update is that I wanted to include the people of Honduras.  It’s so funny how you go to be a blessing and to make an impact for the Kingdom of God, but with Him it always seems that you get WAY more than you give!  As you can see from the pictures, we live very differently here in the good ‘ole USA!  Riding in a car (and owning one) is a privilege.  Power, A/C, gas, phones, product accessibility and safe streets are all a luxury these folks aren’t promised.  But if you’ll look a little closer, the faces will tell a deeper story.  They live as best they can.  We didn’t go to Honduras to give them finery, we went to put them under the lens of Christ’s love and see how we can be used to reach them in a more permanent way.  Sure we went to school, learned the language and made some paramount connections with people who are now like family. The deeper story is that we would both admit we’re changed more than the level of change we produced.  Some in Honduras might disagree, but God did a work in us as He did a work through us.  WE CAN’T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO THOSE WHO GOD DIRECTED TO HELP US MAKE THIS VOYAGE.  IT IS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE LIVES.

So what now?  Don’t we all want to know that?  Now that school has started and things are beginning to look more like normal,  life has taken a new turn for Hope and I.  After two doctor visits last week, it seems Hope is dealing with a flare-up of an auto-immune disease which we battled about a year ago.  Her doctor isn’t sure exactly what is causing the problems, but Hope has struggled with muscle/joint pain as well as some migraine and fatigue issues.  There have been many tests, and a few new medicines to try thus far.  Our pastor reminded us yesterday that “setbacks are set-ups” and that the enemy will surely try to pull you away from God’s purpose.  Since the name of the problem cannot be clearly defined, let me assure you that we both know the name of the solution!  His name is above every name.  He took our sickness and disease before He even died on the Cross for us.  Jesus gave us a covenant promise for healing.  We are standing on these promises right now, and giving God the glory for what He is going to do.  Please pray with us that Hope will remain strong (me too) through the medical processes and that the Hand of God will do what medical practices can’t.  We will keep you posted on the progress of Voyage of Hope (the ministry) as well as on Hope’s progress. 

Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Grant and Hope Staples

 

It’s Gonna Be Worth It!

Galatians 6:9-11
So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

This was our second trip to Trujillo and Sunday morning some old, dusty, Spanish Bibles became a child’s first experience searching diligently through the Word of God.  Are there some things on the shelf of your heart that you need to dust-off and put into use? 

Something I have discovered about myself, is that I have a heart for people in the ministry.  I grieve when people get burned-out and then fall-out of ministry.  Whether it be a bible study leader or a pastor…..it hurts my heart!  As a result of these feelings, I have been reasoning with God about a very simple reality….. I have a pastor’s heart.  One of the people who supports our ministry back home always calls me pastor when we talk, especially about ministry!  This trip has forced me to talk to Father God about this, and in doing so, I have finally accepted that God has made me this way.  Even though I NEVER wanted this to be true, I am called to be a pastor.  At this moment, mostly people in Honduras and my brother have actually heard me admit this, but let this be my way of saying, “OK God, I’ll do it, whatever that means.”  For many years now, I have carried a burden for people who work in ministry.  I have seen so many ugly happenings in churches and with church-people who are expected to know better.  I carry within me a longing to see people succeed in their endeavors for God.  The hard thing is, that along the journey, there WILL be failure.  Failing in ministry is NOT defeat, quitting is!!!  The above scripture is so true, don’t ever get tired of running the race for God, because you might not see what’s on the other side of all that planting!  There’s something in store for those who press on. 

What you are seeing at the top of this page is a harvest being planted in the hearts of children.  The man who started this work recently picked up his sword from the shelf and got back in the battle.  Can’t you tell just by looking at that picture up there that “it’s gonna be worth it?”  This post is aimed at you.  Most of what we’ve written has been about us, because of what we’ve seen since we’ve been here. Today, I am moved to ask you if you are tired?  Have you lost your sword?  Have you stopped moving forward with God?  Have you ever even started moving?  Wherever you are in this journey, please know that you can’t do something for God that will ever be bad for you.  If you seek Him and take steps to serve Him, He will guide you.  Just step and let Him take care of the road under your feet.  That doesn’t mean step on glass barefooted or try to walk through hot coals literally. It means seek Him, and move towards Him, and He’ll take care of the glass and the coals or He’ll give you a great pair of boots to stomp on through!  When you get tired, and you WILL, simply do what God did after He made this world….rest.  Find your rest in Him.  Whether that’s lunch with a person that loves you with His love, or a time of worship.  Rest is OK….just don’t get dusty. -Grant

More from Trujillo…

During this trip to Trujillo we were finally able to meet Beth, Ken’s wife, and they are the precious couple who have opened their home to missionaries.  When we arrived on Friday evening, we were welcomed by twenty or so friends from the Trujillo area.  Beth had invited old friends and new, to have dinner and fellowship with us.  We were so humbled by this and are so thankful and grateful that the Lord has given us the opportunity to meet such wonderful people.  People who serve tirelessly to help others and love like they’ve never been hurt. The missionaries and the Honduran people are blessed because Ken and Beth have chosen to live and serve in Trujillo!

We were tagging along on Saturday with the Bilodeau family to see how and what they do.  They work with Little Hands, Big Hearts which is a ministry that helps children with disabilities and their families.  We visited a family that they assist and were able to see some of the work they have offered.  Rabine is a four-year-old, little boy with Cerebral Palsy.  He is not able to hold his head up or even walk.  He has three other siblings which makes it difficult for his single mom, Santana.  However, with the help of people like the Bilodeaus, their life can be a little easier.  Since the start of this relationship, Santana has received Christ and has been baptized.  Little Hands, Big Hearts has been able to provide them with liquid meals for nourishment, a customized stroller, a play chair/tray for Rabine and a new bathroom with a toilet and a shower.  Brian, Sara, Jonathon, Rachel, Faith and Andrew are bathed in love and compassion for the people they serve.  They have a precious family who just stole our hearts the moment that we met them.  We praise the Lord for such special servants in His field!

We were invited on Sunday afternoon to have lunch at the home of Scott and Diane Karper.  I mentioned this couple in a previous post about Trujillo and how we weren’t able to meet with them at our last visit.  This time we got the chance.  If you remember correctly, Scott is a vet working with the animals in the area and Diane has helped about 80 people start a craft business.  Well, the picture to your left tells a success story.  Maria, is one of the crafts people who collects sea glass from the beaches of Trujillo and wraps colored, copper craft wire around it to create necklaces.  Her husband, Alexis, is also an artist who makes thumb drums from calabash, which is a gourd-like fruit as well as wooden puzzles.  Both of them sell their wares at the Made in Honduras store in Trujillo.  With the money that Maria makes, she is able to send her oldest son, Samuel, to school and Alexis has just purchased a boat so that he can do some fishing in order to generate more funds to care for his family.  This family has hope and it is all because the Karper family decided to say, “Yes Lord, we will go!” 

We had a very busy weekend trying to visit with those we had missed on our last trip.  We went to the church service at Ken and Beth’s church Saturday evening, we ministered to kids in an open-air basketball court on Sunday morning with Mateo, fellowshipped, worshipped and prayed with our new missionary friends.  There are so many hurting people in Trujillo whether it is from physical illness, poverty, broken relationships, drugs or the lack of Christ in their life.  But, there are several missionary families in Trujillo who are serving and loving with all they’ve got to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to bring hope to a hurting world.  We believe that the Lord has confirmed to us on this trip that Trujillo is the place that He wants us to focus the efforts of Voyage of Hope at this time.  We will come along side those working in the area to bring short-term teams, resources, needed supplies and other assistance as needed.

As we’ve mentioned before, we really have a heart to minister to those in ministry. God has really made this calling clear during our time in Honduras, as well as our time in Trujillo.  Ministry can be tough work and being a missionary in a foreign land can be even more difficult.  It is our heart’s desire to lift-up, encourage, motivate, strengthen, excite, reassure and energize the hearts and minds of those working in the field.  The apostle Paul says it best in 1 Thessalonians 5: 

 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are already doing.”

 

Continuing the voyage…..

One of the coolest things about being here in Honduras is getting to meet all of the people who are giving, loving and serving…..just as our Creator has instructed us to do.  One of those couples are Jason and Sarah Furrow who are the directors of Give Hope 2 Kids in the Urraco and Rio Viejo area of Honduras.  Their project is located about an hour up the mountain from where we are here in La Ceiba.  We had the opportunity last week to go up and see what they have going on.  In December, they were blessed with 100 acres to begin building children’s homes that will house the orphaned, abandoned and abused children that live in and around their area.  On this same property, they have many fruit trees and timber that will one day be harvested to provide a sustainable income for their work.  They began building the first home in March and now have four buildings nearly completed that are only lacking roofs.  They are definitely running the race and putting their faith into action. 

While there, we also visited a Christian high school, Instituto El Rey,  that allows young people the opportunity to obtain an education greater than the sixth grade.  This is a great opportunity in this mountainous area, as most children in Honduras only receive a sixth grade education, if any at all.  We also met Dr. Martin and Wendy Williams with Healing Hands Ministries.  We were able to tour the hospital and the nearly completed volunteer dorms that are being constructed on their property.  This ministry provides health care and health education for the people of this area, which includes about 30 different villages.  We weren’t able to spend much time here, but are hoping to get the chance to go back up and see how VOH might assist with this ministry.

You are looking at another interesting creation that lives in Honduras called a Weaver Bird.  Of course, I don’t know the “real” name for this guy, but if you notice to the right is how he gets his name.  This bird actually builds (weaves) its nest to hang from a branch.  If you’re like me, you’re looking for the hole in the center for the entrance.  You won’t find it, because this bird actually flies in from the top.  It seems the weaver bird is just one more of the many unique creatures here in Honduras.  Sorry the picture is a bit fuzzy…the fuzz is the rain that was falling while we were visiting.  It was a great reminder that Gods creation reflects His splendor and wonder.  It’s awesome to know that God delights in our uniqueness!

These two little fellas were just a couple of the 27 children that live in La Ermita near Talanga in the orphanage of Helping Hands Ministries we visited last week.  Bobby and Juanita Gibson are the directors of this ministry and have a great heart for helping children who need love and support in a place that has left them with none.  The Gibson’s and their family who live nearby work and serve the children of Helping Hands.  We had a great time sharing with Bobby and listening to all his wisdom from serving here for over 8 years.  It is certainly a joy to see those who are literally investing their lives here for the sake of others.  You can’t hang out with these kids for long and not just want to take them all home with you!  The great thing is that we left there knowing that these children are exposed to the love of Christ daily, and that their lives are enriched far beyond what their circumstances would have ever allowed because of people who said “YES Lord, I will go.”  Wherever you are, don’t be afraid to say these words to the Lord.  You will be blessed and you will surely be a blessing!

We returned to La Ceiba very late on Saturday evening to get some rest, wash some clothes and prepare for another week of business.  On Sunday evening we went to church at, the Evangelical Church of Intercession, which is the home church of our teacher, Oscar, where Grant led worship in Spanish as Oscar played the keyboard for him.  It is such a joy to see how the Lord is using Oscar and opening doors for him to be able to minister to others as he grows closer to the Lord and His calling.  We are so blessed and thankful that we have been allowed to be a part of Oscar’s journey.

Last night we were invited to dinner at our neighbors house, Mike and Erin Pettengill and their daughter, Madison.  Erin is a pediatric nurse and Mike is a church planter and youth worker.  They have come to serve the people of Honduras with Mission to the World by providing medical mercy ministry, church planting, disaster relief and children’s ministry.  They have hit the ground running as they have just moved into their home and have a team arriving next week to do some mission work in a nearby village called Armenia Bonito.  We had such a wonderful time visiting with this family as well as their guest, Anne Boyd, who has come to help them prepare for the upcoming team.  After dinner, Erin pulled out her keyboard and Grant led everyone in some worship songs and Mike shared some scripture from the Word.  Everyday we stand in amazement at how the Lord orchestrates our every step.  We are thankful that He is our leader and humbled that He allows us to serve Him in such a special way.

Last week while we were visiting other parts of Honduras, the second floor of our school caught on fire.  The second floor was a total loss and the first floor sustained electrical and water damage.  So, the school has now moved into a house in the Colonial El Sauce area which is about eight blocks from the original school. This is our last week of Spanish language classes as we wind down our time here in Honduras.  We are headed back to Trujillo this afternoon to visit some of the folks and places that we didn’t get to visit on the last trip.  We will return on Sunday evening and prepare for another full week of last chance visits, meetings and goodbyes.

As always, we covet your prayers for our travels, protection, direction and the hearts of the people here.  We couldn’t do any of this without all of your continued support of us and the work He has called us to.  Thanks so much for your continued words of love, support and encouragement.  You have no idea how much fuel it is for us when our tanks are empty.  We praise God for you!

An Unusual Week at School…..

Weddings are always special!  What I am about to write will actually encompass the last two weeks of our experience here in La Ceiba, but it has taken two weeks for God to bring it all to completion. 

I will begin by explaining the title of our blog…an unusual week of school.  A pastor friend of ours explained one Sunday that if something doesn’t look “normal” then we usually question it or turn our nose up.  What is unusual to most might just be normal for the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit.  He explained a quote from someone else that went something like this: “If you can explain ALL the things about the God you serve, then your God is too small.”  This statement has stuck with me….and I am always reminded that the Bible says that God’s ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9) .  Needless to say, an unusual week of school here turned out to be a very normal/supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

This week began with a new instructor, and a very normal, tired couple of American students (us).  As the Monday morning progressed along and Hope and I began to wake up, our interaction with one another increased.  I should also mention that we have been going to class together for the last month.  This causes our classes to move a bit slower for various reasons, but it actually has allowed us to take our time and LEARN what we are studying rather than just blazing through the information.  A very normal marital chuckle and smile occurred between Hope and I and our teacher commented with a very interesting observation.  Our teachers name was Oscar, and he was genuinely impressed by my relationship with my wife.  Oscar had not only noticed us in class on that Monday morning, but had apparently been watching us during our normal interactions at school these past several weeks.  His comment sparked a very divine conversation that has changed his life forever!  His observation was simple, and here is what he said.  “You guys really love each other.  I have taught many couples in my time working here, and they don’t act like you.  I can tell that you have the love of Christ with you.”  Oscar saw JESUS!  How humbled I am to type this, and how thankful I am that we were able to shine the light of Christ without even knowing it.  The next hour and a half in class was not so much about the Spanish language, but rather about a higher purpose that God had for Oscar’s life.  He shared with us about his past experience with Christ and how he felt a calling to serve God.  It was one of those times where God genuinely opens a door and allows you to be a part of something special.  Oscar had so much inside him that he literally walked us through what God was doing right before our eyes.  I don’t want to go into great detail here, as much of what was shared was personal, but I will say this….Oscar was about to make a great change in the direction of his life.  We shared Christ with Him, talked with him about ministry, and prayed with him for direction, and the fulfillment of his calling from God.  Then the bell rang for break, which really didn’t matter, because at that point, the whole school was merely a divine place God was using….and it didn’t matter to any of us who heard our prayer or who came into the room.  God was doing something….and it was beautiful. 

Break ususally lasts 30 minutes, then class for another hour and a half.  Upon returning from break, Oscar shared with us that he had really been contemplating asking his girlfriend to marry him.  This situation is sort of normal in Honduras, but I will just simply say that Oscar knew if he was going to serve God, he needed to make a commitment to his girlfriend, Julie, so God could truly bless his family.  When Oscar first suggested he was thinking about marriage, I was thinking in a year or two….not so!  Oscar asked Hope and I if we would be witnesses at his wedding.  In Honduras, you must legally have two people who stand with you and validate your relationship in order to be married.  Of course, we said no problem.  The next few days of school were semi-normal for Hope and I, but it seemed as if we had a new teacher.  The truth is we had a very, new teacher….one that had a renewed sense of purpose and a fire for the Lord that makes me smile just thinking about it.  After school we helped him shop for rings, and July 4th, 2008 we stood by he and Julie and their family and witnessed God joining them together in a beautiful way.  I never thought that a “normal” day of school could turn into this.  God’s ways are higher, man!  So, now scroll back up there and look at that picture again.  I am sure you can figure out which one is Oscar and which one is Julie.  If not, look left!  There’s some joy on their faces.

Today is Saturday, July 5th and it began with some pancakes for our Trujillo friends who came down to see us last night.  We were so excited when Brian called on Friday morning to say they were passing through and wanted to get together if we had time.  Then 30 minutes later, Andy calls and says they are passing through and want to know if they can stay with us.  So, on Friday evening we all had the opportunity to go to the mall for dinner and then back to our place for ice cream and fellowship.  We had such an awesome time just sharing about what is going on in our lives and ministries, both the good and the bad.  We are thankful that the Lord has allowed us to meet these folks and has given us an opportunity to minister to them just as they have to us.  So, Andy and his family stayed the night and as we scrambled out the door this morning,  we headed over to the prison here in La Ceiba and they headed for the border to renew their visa.  Oscar, his pastor, Hope and I were going in to minister for a church service at the prison, as well as, some one-on-one ministry with the prisoners.

The prison was very different than what you might expect, but if you look closely here you’ll see me singing, but you’ll also see my teacher, Oscar, playing the keyboard.  I can tell you this wouldn’t have happened two weeks ago, as he held a very strong opinion that this prison was not a safe place.  Truth is, it’s not, but God’s plan makes us do things that aren’t normal by many standards.  Oscar and I did the worship part of the service, then we all went out to talk to a few folks in the prison.  I really struggled with how to talk to people who are imprisoned.  This is a place I cannot identify with, but God spoke to me about how very similar we all are and how He sees us not as prisoners or free.  His eyes don’t look at me any differently than the most vile criminal in that prison.  He sees His creation, in need of a Creator’s love.  What makes me think my wrongs are any different.  Sure, the consequences are different, but the need for redemption is the same.  We ALL need God’s forgiveness, love and mercy everyday.  The pastor really had a heart of mercy for all in the prison, and it was a beautiful testimony of what I believe God was trying to teach us today.  Needless to say, a very ordinary week of school had turned into a very extraordinary experience.  I really had no clue two weeks ago we would be witnesses in an “official” Honduran wedding for our teacher, or that we would be going to a prison with him and his pastor to minister together.  We are truly thankful that God is showing us where he is working and allowing us to be a part of it.  We are blessed beyond measure!

We only have about 3 more weeks in Honduras and our days are jam packed.  We will be doing alot of traveling within that time to try and visit a few more ministries and organizations.  Tomorrow (Sunday, July 6), we are headed up the mountain about an hour north of La Ceiba to visit with the directors of Give Hope 2 Kids, which is a ministry doing work within the Urracco area there.  We will spend the day with them and then back home tomorrow night to prepare for school on Monday.  Then on Wednesday, we will get on a bus to Tegucigalpa for about 6 hours to reach the La Ermita area.  We will be visiting and touring the Helping Hands Ministry, campsite and children’s home there.  We will be in that area for 4 or 5 days and then back to La Ceiba.

Please continue to pray for our safety and protection during our travels.  We are SO excited about what the Lord is doing and we can’t wait to begin bringing teams next summer.  We can never thank you all enough for your continued love and support of us.  We also are very appreciative of the encouraging emails and comments from you all.  We will post again as time permits.  Much love and many blessings!!

The happenings in Trujillo……

Yippikayay!

Well, obviously we were on the south end of a north bound train here, but it’s a realistic picture of a little town known as Trujillo.  I have to say that I thought of my dad when I saw this scene and I was reminded of some times in my childhood that I spent either chasing one or many wayward cattle! 

The trip to Trujillo began with one of the most memorable bus rides of my 33 years of life.  I truly believe the man who drove our bus has a unique calling from the Lord.  This man is responsible for more prayers on the roads of Honduras than any other person behind the wheel.  If you haven’t spoken to Jesus in a while….you will when you ride with this guy!  I have never been on a bus (much like a greyhound) that passes other vehicles on the road.  Seriously…hills, curves and bridges mean nothing to this brother when it comes to passing cars.  He made me pray….ALOT!  For those who wonder…this is Grant – writing for now.

Our first acquaintance on this trip was a little guy by the name of Jose.  When we first jumped on the bus and sat down I noticed this little guy behind me.  Of course, I said hola!  I also spoke to his grandmother who was sitting right beside him.  She immediately let me know “he speaks some English.”  He asked me for my name in English, and that began a conversation that would reveal an interesting circumstance.  As we traveled along, we communicated (mostly in espanol) what we were doing, where we were going and various other small-talk about our lives.  All was normal, until I mentioned that we were from Mississippi!  Upon the mention of the word Mississippi, the lady shockingly exclaimed that her son lived in Jackson, Mississippi. No way!  Certainly this woman was surprised, as were we, to hear that such random people could have something in common like this.  We talked about my job at Holmes Community College and the work her son does in Mississippi as well.   Before our trip was over, she reached for her cell phone and the next thing I know she handed me the phone.  A voice in English came across and I could tell she was so excited to be connecting two strangers who were worlds apart but travel the same streets of home.  We will certainly have a new friend when we return home, and it will be nice for Jose, Sr. to hear about his son, mom and grandmother on a bus ride to Trujillo, Honduras!

I am sure Hope will be more detailed about the people and events of Trujillo, but I wanted to bring everyone into the new update with an introduction.  God Bless You All….and thanks for caring about us so much.  gs

                

There is just so much to say that I am not sure where to start!  There is one thing for sure and that is…..our time in Trujillo was absolutely amazing.  Grant says that I can never just give the “meat and potato’s” of a story; I always give way too much detail.  I will admit that this update is probably going to be very long, but I hope that you will be blessed and receive a better understanding of those that we desire to serve.

The coolest thing about being in Trujillo was getting to meet the people that God has brought together to serve this precious place.  In my previous Trujillo post, I told you of our meeting both Andy and Brian in the grocery store in La Ceiba.  Well, once in Trujillo, we were able to meet their families and other missionaries who are there to serve the Lord. 

 We were welcomed into the home of Ken, Beth and Tyrece Nauss who are from Canada.  We were unable to meet Beth as she was in the States during our visit, but we hope to return soon.  They followed the Lord’s direction earlier this year to Trujillo to serve other missionaries.  Their call was to buy and open a large home for missionaries who may need a place to stay for work, rest or pleasure purposes and that is exactly what has happened.  They allowed us to stay in a beautiful casita while there and enjoy their beautiful home and its grounds.  Their home/ministry is called “Casa Nuema,” meaning Breath of Fresh Air House and that is certainly what it is. 

 Andy and his family with Rio Negro Missions are also staying at Casa Nuema for now.  They are in the in- between stages of having a home-base in Trujillo and seeking God’s direction as to where He wants them to be.  Andy, Lori, Andrew and Ethan are an exceptional family and are full of energy…ALL the time!  They are a very driven, hard working family who love the Lord and have a heart to serve God’s people.

  Macki and Tess McDonald are a mother/daughter duo who are also being blessed by Casa Nuema.  They moved to Trujillo to serve the Lord by serving those less fortunate than they are.  They have purchased a home, but repairs had left them homeless until they met Ken and Beth.  GLORY!  How good is our God!  Both of these ladies have such a sweet spirit and a heart for people, it is exciting to see what the Lord will do with and through them. 

To see how the Lord brought all of these families together was so beautiful.  Even though they are all from different cities, countries, backgrounds, beliefs and denominations, they have come together to serve the Lord and His people.  Serving His people is exactly what this entire crew is doing and many are being blessed by these servants who have chosen to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

On our first evening in Trujillo we were able to attend a youth church service.  Trujillo Christian Youth Group is a group of kids ages 12 to 24 that have been working as a group in Trujillo for over 8 years. The group is made up of a wide cross section of kids from street kids to former gang members. They have learned that God loves them and they worship him with real intensity!  It was amazing to see these kids loving on the Lord and at their own free will.  Grant was able to share a few words with the youth pastor and spend some time teaching new songs to the worship team.  This is definitely a place that VOH would like to plug into and help in anyway that we can.  God is doing some great things in this place and has much in store for His willing servants.

Our next outing was to a children’s home called Jardin de Angelitos (Garden of Little Angels).  At the current time, there are only four children in the home, but these four can be a handful.  The owner, director and house mom is Serena Lopez.  We were able to spend about an hour just talking with her about the children, needs, desires, future plans, and etc.  She is blessed with a really large home for the kids, but there are many repairs that need to be done.  They also need bunk beds, shelving, tables and many, many other things.  All of these children seemed to be filled with so much love.  They were excited to see us and just happy little children in general.  One of the coolest things is that ALL of these kids speak English and Spanish!  Serena is doing a great job of being a mom to these kids and it really shows. 

We were able to go out to a little village with Lori to check on baby Carlos.  Apparently baby Carlos was very sick at birth and needed an operation, however, the hospital sent him home anyway.  He was able to finally have the surgery and is now doing much better.  When we were there to check on him, he was moving his head alot and Lori says that he had grown so much.  Many praises to the Lord for His goodness with baby Carlos.  As you can see from the picture, this village consists of homes that are made from mud and thatched roofs.  They have no power or running water in this area, so the levels of disease and bacteria are really high.  Please pray for a full recovery for baby Carlos and pray that his family is able to give him all that he needs to survive.  Glory to God for these wonderful missionaries in Trujillo!

Now for “the rest of the story” from our time in Trujillo. 

    

Our new friends (Andy & Lori), took us to this fantastic place called MADE IN HONDURAS.  MIH is a group of 80 craftspeople who make their wares with the tourist trade in mind.  The artists are people who have no other way of making a living in Honduras.  They include people from barrios and villages near Trujillo and also indigenous people from the Mosquitia Region.  They support their families with the money they make from selling their crafts and the artist actually makes the ENTIRE profit from the sell.  After years of selling from suitcases in hotels, the group was given a beautiful building of their own to sell their products from.  This blessing has given these folks an avenue with endless possibilities.  Please visit their site for more information or to purchase items www.hondurastreasures.com

Much appreciation goes to Diane Karper for helping these folks to feed their families and make a living for themselves.  Diane and her husband, Scott, are missionaries with Christian Veterinary Mission in and around Trujillo.  While Scott, the vet, is working with the farmers, Diane is working with the wives and others who want to learn new craft skills.  Unfortunately, Scott and Diane were in the States when we visited Trujillo, so we weren’t able to meet them personally.  However, we have heard about and seen the good that they have done in this area for the Kingdom of God and it is glorious!  Our hope is to connect this ministry with the love and skills from the Caring Hearts Ministry in Ridgeland, MS.

Nothing like walking out the front door to find these two guys peering down at you!  We wanted to introduce you to some friends that we became very close to while on our trip to Trujillo.  YES, this is a REAL TARANTULA and a great little gecko.  You see, we have geckos in our apartment in La Ceiba and actually are quite fond of them because they eat other insects.  BUT, we aren’t in ANY manner fond of huge, fuzzy tarantulas.  I will say that there was much prayer going on when we were trying to catch this thing.  We just let our new missionary friend, Andy, handle this one.  It most definitely was a comical evening, so say the least.

God is doing some great things in Trujillo and we feel that there is a place for VOH to assist these existing ministries by providing short-term teams and resources.  We weren’t able to visit all of the places and/or people that we had planned as our schedule was pretty packed and groups were working and we couldn’t connect.  Specifically, the Little Hands & Big Hearts Ministry that I had mentioned in a previous post and the church and pastor of our missionary friend, Ken.  We hope to go back to Trujillo during mid July to see how VOH might assist these ministries.

We have been very busy with school and ministry opportunities and have a very busy schedule for our last 4 weeks here.  We will be in a wedding for our teacher and will be headed to do some prison ministry this weekend.  Stay tuned for the post about the wedding and the exciting things that God is doing with our teacher, the groom!

Off to Trujillo…….

Hi All!  We wanted to give you an update before we head out on a journey to meet potential partners in ministry in an area called Trujillo.  We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon after school and will spend about four days in that area.  The above map just gives you an idea of where we are now (La Ceiba) and where we are headed.  Before I go into great detail about all of that, I want to fill you in on what’s been happening this past week.

School is coming along nicely, but beginning to get a little harder, yet more interesting.  We now have the same teacher, as we thought that it might help us, help each other.  It has worked out nicely for the past week, but within the next few weeks we will probably go back to separate teachers.  They switch teachers as you progress into the next level, so this week we got a new teacher.  She is a little older and really pushes us to do more.  Last night we had more homework than we have had our entire time here thus far.  Oh well, it is good for us, but it sure has been a long time since we had to buckle down and study!  

Grant never ceases to amaze me with his ease of sharing the gospel with people.  Even though he doesn’t speak fluent Spanish, he is constantly using what he does know to talk about Jesus.  Every time we take a taxi, he uses that time to find out if they know the Lord.  He is most definitely a good steward of the time that he has been given, especially when it comes to the time spent in a taxicab.    We both have had numerous opportunities to share our faith with the teachers at our school and share the vision for Voyage of Hope Ministries.  We have established a good relationship with the director of the school and he is willing to assist us in anyway that he can.  Good relationships with the locals are a must for a successful work!

The Lord tends to work in mysterious ways and sometimes in the most common of places.  Take the supermarket for instance.  Last week as Grant and I are standing at the end of an aisle trying to decide what flavor Tang to buy, we hear a voice speaking English.  We look around to see a northamerican gentleman at the meat counter with a great big smile and a “hello.”  Andy is from Memphis and is working as a field missionary in Trujillo.  He and another missionary friend, Brian, “have come to town” to buy groceries.  As we began to talk, I realized that I was familiar with their work and the area that they lived.  Just several weeks ago, I had been surfing the internet for missionaries working in and around this area and came upon the blog of Brian’s wife. 

Brian and Sara are missionaries from New Hampshire working with a mission called Little Hands, Big Hearts in Trujillo.  LHBH serves special-needs children and their families and shares the light of Jesus Christ with villagers in the area.  They spend their time, along with short-term teams, in construction efforts, teaching children, providing food to impoverished families, and encouraging the local people to follow Christ.  Andy and Lori are missionaries from Memphis and are the directors of Rio Negro Missions in Trujillo.  RNM  is a Christian mission effort .  Their mission is to provide opportunities for others to grow, heal and give in ways that you never dreamed possible.  They are working with many ministries and organizations within the Trujillo area to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ. 

It was such a joy to listen to these men talk about the unity among their ministries and other organizations in their area.  They were excited to hear about our plans for VOH and how we might partner in the work that they are doing.  They have invited us to come and stay in an apartment and visit the works going on and to also visit with a short-term team coming in from the States.  We are very excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us.

Please continue in prayer for us and especially protection during our travels.  We won’t have internet or phone capabilities in this area, so we won’t be able to post until we get back next week.  We look forward to sharing with you our experiences during this time and greatly appreciate your continued prayers and support.

 

 

 

 

For the past week or so……….

Hola Amigos y Familia!  We wanted to give you an update of what’s been going on with us in Honduras for the past week or so.  We are still attending classes everyday and were able to attend afternoon classes last week as the school needed to change some things around.  That was a good change for us, as we really enjoyed being able to sleep a little later. However, it doesn’t leave much time in the evening to do much else as school doesn’t get out until 5:30 and it was usually raining by then. 

We were invited to have dinner at a Honduran friend’s house on Tuesday night and enjoyed the best Honduran meal that we have had thus far. I (Hope) met Andy Chirrinos when I spent some time in Honduras in 2005.  He is a nice, Christian, young man who loves the Lord, serves in his church, attends the local university and works as an appliance technician.  We were able to meet his entire family (photo above, minus his siblings) that evening.  He has two younger brothers and one younger sister and a precious mother and father.  We spent the evening conversing in SPANISH as Andy is the only one who can speak English and his vocabulary is limited.  Andy has recently started playing the guitar and singing at his church and has been eager to meet Grant so that he could learn more about music from him.  Grant was able to show Andy and his brothers some chords on the guitar and we all sang a few praise songs in English and Spanish………..it was a beautiful time.  I was certainly awestruck when during our visit, the mother, excused herself from the table to go and pray.  Andy told us that everynight she goes into her room at 9:00 p.m. and prays for one hour.  The boldness that this woman had to leave her company at the table and choose to go and sit at the feet of Jesus should be an example for us all.  I know that I was changed from the experience!

This past weekend we celebrated Grant’s birthday on Roatan Island, one of the Bay Islands off the coast of northern Honduras.  It is a very beautiful Caribbean island and has been called “the up and coming Hawaii.”  However, it is still pretty primitive and not as commercialized as most Caribbean islands.  We did have a great time and were able to enjoy a few days of R&R before heading back to school.

Even though Roatan has some beautiful scenery there still lies a very dark side to this island.  Behind the crystal clear waters, the white sand beaches, and the tropical foliage live some very poor, sick and lost families.  As in most of Honduras, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and the same applies in Roatan.  We were able to visit an orphanage and a very poor area called “The Swamp.”  Our driver, Omar, is a Christian and is eager to help us with any transportation needs that we may have for traveling to Roatan for future mission trips.  The owner of the resort that we stayed in is from Idaho and has much experience with housing, feeding and transporting mission teams in Roatan.  We were able to discuss with him plans for mission work in the area and he is more than willing to help us with whatever ground work is needed for our teams.  We are very excited about the relationships made during this weekend trip and look forward to seeing what work the Lord would have us do on Roatan Island.

So, now we are back in La Ceiba and are attending morning classes again.  Above is a photo of where we live.  We live on the top floor and the bottom is the home of the family that owns this complex.  It is a very beautiful place and we are enjoying our stay.  We are progressing fairly well in our Spanish classes, however, the real key to learning is practice, practice and more practice.  The more that we go into the community and communicate and associate with the people the more we actually learn. Practicing within the community is most definitely the best teacher. 

As of today, Grant is not feeling well.  It seems as though we go a few days with a good stomach and then something happens and we are back to square one again.  We have decided to be MORE careful about what and where we eat and drink.  It is very difficult sometimes to know what is safe and what is not safe and usually our stomach lets us know real soon.  Please pray for healing for Grant and for continued protection for us.  We know that Satan is lurking to steal, kill and destroy anything that we might do for the Lord, so intercession on our behalf is very important.  We also covet your prayers for open doors for ministry and for the hearts of the people here.

Thanks again to you all for your continued support and prayers.  We would love to hear from you so please email us at voyageofhope@gmail.com  You may also leave comments on this site if you would like.  It would be great to hear from folks back home.  Lots of love and blessings to you all.  Hasta luego!

One Week in La Ceiba, Honduras!

Hi Everyone!  Well, we made it to Honduras safe and sound without any big issues, mishaps or blunders.  We have spent this first week settling into our apartment, scoping out our surroundings and attending school.  It has been a really busy week along with all of the adjustments to living in a third world country.  Needless to say, we have also experienced the beloved upset stomach that most get when traveling too or living in a country such as this.  I am VERY pleased to announce that we are on the mend and doing very well! 

We have been so blessed with a very nice apartment in a really nice, clean and safe neighborhood.  We have all of the modern conveniences except for the fact that our water gets turned off around 8:00 every evening.  We have internet access most of the time, but it has it’s moments and usually cuts out right about the time you start to press the send button on your email.  But, we certainly can’t complain as you see from the photo above the view from our patio is absolutely beautiful.  Actually, behind that rainbow and the smog, lie the Pico Bonito Mountains.  The rainy season just started here and we have certainly gotten to witness it first hand.  It has rained everyday and sometimes all day and all night.  I just happened to take a break from studying one afternoon and looked out the patio window to see this glorious sight!  

Our days are filled with walking, speaking and studying Spanish!  It is about a mile to the school and 3 miles to the mall or to the grocery store.  Our classes begin at 7:30 and end around noon everyday.  We both have a seperate, private teacher, so it is a pretty intense 4 hours of one-on-one.  In the afternoons, we spend time within the community strengthening our speaking and listening skills and building relationships with the people.   It is a great experience for full immersion learning.

Within the next week or so, we will be finalizing our plans to visit some orphanages, children’s homes and other ministries.  Please be in prayer as to how Voyage of Hope may assist these groups with the work that the Lord has put before them.  There are many orphaned and abandoned children here in Honduras and the task to help these children is great.  We will post information about these meetings and partnerships as they come to fruition.

We want to thank you all so much for your continued support of us.  Please continue praying for protection, direction and guidance and as well for the hearts of those in Honduras to receive the Word of the Lord.  We will post updates on a weekly basis and more if necessary.  Until then………..Adios!