Bajio Christian Mission

Honduras

July, 2004

At the Institute...

In March, our student, Sergio, and his wife, Elena, had their first child. His name is Sergio Josue. He is a beautiful little boy. Elena and Sergio Josue returned to the Institute in May.

In May, Mark and Bill took the students to Pulhapanzak, a nearby waterfall. Bill taught the students how to baptize. Everyone enjoyed a cool swim and hot dogs on the grill. It was a great day!

Construction is again underway at the Bible Institute. Missionary, Tobin Hill, has said that there is a great possibility of a larger number of students for this next term. Many of those prospective students are married. We have begun the second married student apartment building that will house four more families. The current group of students will graduate this November, and we will begin again with a new group of students in February. We are working towards getting this building done by then. We are open to anyone that would like to come down and help complete it.

Steve and Kim Ranson's Trip...

In March, Steve and Kim Ranson came to visit. They have ministered at Joy’s home church, Hazelwood Christian Church, for 25 years. It was a very special time to have them here with us. We enjoyed sharing our lives with them as they took part of many of the ministries God has given us to do here.

Steve encouraged the students in three morning lessons at the Bible Institute. Kim brought smiles to the faces of Sylvia and Elder (student wife and son) each morning.

Two of the afternoons we went to the Missionary Kid Camp that was being held for 1st-6th graders. They are a delightful group of kids to be with. We all enjoyed watching the children play the slip-n-slide and hiking up a mountain with them.

The day before they went home, we went to Copan, the Mayan Indian Ruins located about 3 1/2 hours from town. We enjoyed the tour through history and a typical meal, but mostly we enjoyed time spent together in conversation.

Steve and Kim took part in our Sunday worship service at the International Christian Fellowship. They shared in some special music and Steve brought the message.

It is hard to put in words what a great encouragement it was to have them here. They have played an instrumental part of our lives and ministry. It was a treat to be able to have them in our home, play with our dogs, and see the various aspects of ministry that the Lord has graciously allowed us to be a part of in Honduras.

National Family Camp...

Each year, the Christian churches of Honduras gather together for a family retreat held at a Bagope, a camp near Lake Yojoa. In May, nearly 220 people gathered together to share with one another and to worship together. This year’s theme addressed the very real problem of HIV/AIDS in Honduras. It is estimated that one in four young people in Honduras have HIV. This is a problem that may resemble the problems in Africa within the next ten year. Speakers addressed prevention and also how we can minister to people who test positive. It was a good time of education and prayer about the situation.

El Eden...

While we were in the States last winter, we spoke of a church in the mountains that was in desperate need of a building as their building was falling down. We presented that need to many of you. The Lord has met that need. In March and in May Mark and Bill traveled in their two pickups, pulling 2 trailers, and delivered block to the people in El Eden. These two trips were quite adventuresome as mechanical failures occurred on both trips. Pictured is our solution to the problems on the first trip.

Each time we returned home safely was an answered prayer. Despite the adventure in travel, we were happy to supply the church with the supplies they need to build their church. The church family is enthusiastic and doing the work of building the church on their own. This will give them a sense of pride and ownership. Pictured here is how the building looked when the second load of block was delivered. Mark and Bill may need to return once more, but do not plan on pulling trailers next time.

Missionary Kid Events...

In March, we were able to attend a couple of days of the MK Camp for 8-12 year olds at Lynnell Field’s house. This was a first annual camp for these kids. It will be an event that the kids look forward to all year. It was a fun time of games, crafts, worship, and learning. Missionaries from all of Honduras chipped in to make this a great time. The theme was “Survivor” and many Heroes of the Faith were introduced to the children. Joy was able to teach a lesson on Svea Flood from the top of the mountain.

In April, we attended the 2nd annual MK Retreat for 7th-12th graders. We love to spend time with this group of young people and learn and grow with them. A group from the States returned again this year to organize our time together. The theme was “Spiritual Warfar.” Everyone was able to grow in their walk with God and enjoy rich fellowship together. (It doesn’t hurt any that the retreat was held at a hotel right on the beach.)

International Christian Fellowship Events...

We enjoyed a nice Valentine’s Day with the church youth group. The girls cooked dinner for the boys, and the boys planned the activity. Everything was a surprise. We had a nice spaghetti dinner and a fun scavenger hunt in the mall.

The church hosted a lovely Spring Banquet in April. Guest speakers were Bob and Eddie Fields, Todd Fields parents. A hotel catered the banquet. It was a nice time for the adults of the church to fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere.

We took Joy’s Sunday School Class to the bowling alley in April. We had three 5th and 6th graders. We all had a very nice time.

Prayer and Praise...

Prayer Praises...

We praise God for the new building and the prospective students for next year.

We praise God for Steve and Kim Ranson’s visit.

We praise God for a good family camp this year.

We praise God for the church in El Eden that has worked so hard to have a building.

We praise God for the area missionaries and church leaders who are willing help in the teaching.

We praise God for the missionary kids and the opportunities He has given us to spend time with them.

We praise God for the new life He has given to Sergio and Elena.

We praise God for His protection and His grace.

We praise God for our church family at the International Christian Fellowship.

Prayer Concerns...

Please pray for the students as they complete their studies at the Bible Institute.

Please pray for Bill and the other teachers as they teach the Word.

Please pray for the wives and children as they have made many sacrifices to be able to come and support their husbands in this way.

Please pray for Mark as he works to maintain the facility and assign work-study to the students each day.

Please pray for the completion of the new building and the preparation of new students.