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December 1, 2006
Living Faith Church
A group from Living Faith Church from Indiana visited us
Nov.11-17.
They ministered through drama, puppets, testimonies and
preaching.
They plan to come back in 2007.
Pech Indians
Earlier in the year, Darrell Dakin, Bobby Jr., Dr. Jorge and
I
visited the Pech Indian tribe in Culmi, Honduras. They are
about 100 miles north of us. I had heard that they were very
poor and had no churches. When we arrived there we
found that they were poor but they had some Christian
churches, although they appeared not to be very active. We
plan to stay in touch with the pastors there and help them
evangelize and disciple their people. There are about 2,500
people in the tribe.
Dove Outreach Ministry
Norman and Melody Crumpton, and Larry and Dana Sampsell
from Dove Outreach Ministry in Florida were with us
recently. They ministered through preaching, prayer,
food for poor children and construction projects.
While here they put a new tin top on a house in Terrero and
gave a generous gift that allowed us to continue work on the
medical clinic.
Trip to Yoro, Honduras
On Saturday, November 18th, Dr. Jorge and I
attempted to contact the Tolupan Indian tribes in
Yoro, Honduras (that is where the fish rain from the
sky). They live in the high mountains about
120 miles northwest of La Ermita.
The trip is about a four hour drive in the van, just
to reach that part of Honduras. Then it is
another two hour, very rough ride, in a four wheel
drive truck to reach a small community where a trail
starts that leads to the first Tolupan Indian
village. To reach that village, it is a three
hour walk up the mountain.
The community where the mountain trail starts is a
Ladino (persons of mixed European and Central
American Indian ancestry) village.
Br. Bobby, Dr. Jorge, Br. Luis & his wife
Some of the people there appeared to be full
Tolupan Indian. One of them is the church
pastor there in that community (see photo below).
It is
estimated that the Tolupans now number fewer than
1,000 people. They are scattered over a large
area in the Montana De La Flor. They are
thought to have migrated to Honduras from the Sioux
Indians in the southwest United States. Their
language is closely related to that of the Sioux.
During the Spanish conquest, they refused to convert
to the Roman Catholic religion. Because of
that, they were persecuted and enslaved. Many
were killed. In 1864, some decided to flee to
the unpopulated raw forest near Yoro, and their
descendants are the ones there today.
I went with Dr. Jorge and Br. Luis Orellanes.
He is a missionary who ministers near that area.
He had made contact with one of the Tolupan chiefs,
and led him to the Lord.
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Br.
Luis had sent word for the Indians to come
down the mountain to meet us, but they were confused
about the day. We were there on Sunday but
they planned to come to meet us on Monday. Dr.
Jorge and I had to return to La Ermita on Sunday
night so we missed that meeting. The other
missionary stayed behind to minister to the Indians.
We pray to return to that area at the first of next
year and spend a week going from village to village.
We are believing our Lord for a four wheeler for our
travel in that rough terrain.
October 18, 2006
Greetings Friends! God is truly blessing...
We have put the foundation in for the church at La Branza.
Gene Bendall and group will build it when they come March 2
- 9, 2007.
Bobby Jr. has returned and is working on the security fence.
This group from Faith Church visited us last week.
Pastor Eddie Lawrence, Leif Hetland , Mark Jordan, Lenny
LeBlanc, Mike Clinger
Mitchell Reed, Floyd Spivey, Ross Smith. (not in
order in photo)
The other gentlemen are my sons Bobby Jr. & Caleb
Last Tuesday morning we had about 300 come to a meeting at
the public school in Ocoto. We gave free hotdogs to
everyone. Later that night we ministered at Terrero.
Group from Faith Church with handicapped children.
This was the first time to minister to them at the
compound.
Inside kitchen in mountains.
Poor mother in the mountains. Maria and daughter.
Maria is expecting another baby soon.
This little girl was saved from death three years ago by
some food and care.
Sarah Davis and friends.
Juanita & Keyla
I looked at some baby beds in Tegucigalpa last Friday but
they were expensive and did not look to be strong.
Then on Saturday, Sarah Davis, my family, and I went to
Guaimaca to visit the orphanage there and we ate lunch at
the Mennonite restaurant. There I discovered a
Mennonite workshop that custom make furniture at a good
price. I will buy most of our beds and other woodwork
there.
In His
service,
Bobby
September
27, 2006
I want to
dedicate this update to my mother who left this life
September 10, 2006. She died at peace with her God
and her family and friends. She was almost 92 years
old. Before she went to sleep in Jesus, I was able
to tell her how much I loved her, thanked her for
being my mother, and thanked her for all the hard
work she did for me and the family. She said, "I
just did what I was supposed to do." She was a part
of "the greatest generation".
I had
returned to Alabama September 4th, and was with my
family until I returned to Honduras September 19.
I want to personally thank all of you for your
prayer, kind words, flowers, and for the total.
This
photo is my favorite. I was at mother's house
cutting up a tree and she came out with an ax to
help me. This is how I want to remember her until I
see her again.
Well, I
am back in Honduras. The ministry continues. We have
had to cut back on some projects because of lack of
funds, but we trust our God to "supply all our need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". I
must ask for forgiveness from all those connected to
this ministry. During these last two years, I slowly
started to worry about how to increase the support
for this ministry. then the worry grew until I had
lost my faith and peace of mind. I have repented of
and receive pardon for the sin of anxiety. God is
still in control.
Some missionary friends visiting us and an official
with the Honduras government
that will help us receive children when we are
prepared to receive them.
Ministering to the handicapped.
Feeding the children.
Ministering in the mountains.
Family Photos. Like father, like son...and
daughter.
In His
service,
Bobby
September 3, 2006
We continue to
work at the compound. The new kitchen is almost complete. We
use it all the time. It is used for most of our cooking, and
when we receive the orphans (when the children arrive
here-they will be known as "family", because the will be
family) the new outside kitchen will be used to cook their
food.
As you can see, I have staked a claim on the kitchen
territory. It is now the United States of America
soil. Only those with a US passport can pass through
the door, although we do allow "guest workers"
inside.
Bobby Jr. has been working on our security fence. We
do not have enough chain link fence wire, so he is
using electric fencing.
We have
not been able to do anything else with the orphanage
except build the outside kitchen. The door is locked
because we do not have funds yet to furnish it and
hire workers. We cannot receive children until we
have these in place.
Last
Friday night we went to the mountains to have a
meeting there. We have tried to work with a local
pastor there for almost six years. Because of some
of his unchristian teaching, and teaching traditions
of men above the word of God, he only has about ten
members. After all the work we have done there, I
cannot see a change in the people, and their living
conditions that we have seen in Terrero and La
Branza. We had been invited by one of the families
there to have a church meeting in their house. About
fifty people attended the meeting.
Three
adults made professions of faith in Jesus that
night. When we arrived for the meeting, it was time
to locate the house. I don't know why I thought it
would be near the road. We had to walk some distance
and carry the electric generator.
During
the meeting, it started raining. We has to walk back
to the truck on slick mountain trails. I find that
if you turn your toes down inside your shoes, you
can hold on to the muddy ground better and not slip
and fall. Also, the road up and down the mountains
is very rough. It takes about one hour to drive
about four or five miles.
God is
faithful,
Bobby
July 27, 2006
We've been busy
since the last update ministering in the mountains, La
Branza, Terrero, through the children's programs and other
places. We have had some make professions of faith in
Christ. PTL!
We are currently working on the outside
kitchen and dining room:
Outside Kitchen (although not
finished) is already being put to use!
I pray to visit the US August 2nd -16th. I'm
trusting God to raise support
to complete all five unfinished projects on farm.
Church needs walls finished,
top, floor, windows, door, elect. Medical clinic needs
inside finished.
Orphanage needs
furnished and personnel.
Security fence needs
finished, more wire, etc. Kitchen needs top, screen
wire, door, sink, elect.
The children's program here in La Ermita and in San Ignacio
are going well.
We are expecting the ministry to grow and prosper in future
because God always blesses what He plants.
Some of the children in the program.
Workers at the children's program at San Ignacio.
Latest technological advances
in Honduras...and the latest addition to our construction
crew!
Darrell Dakin is
with us now. He is ministering and working on his house. His
wife and group will be here July 31st - August 7th.
Bobby Jr. has been busy working on the yard. It is the
rainy season which means grass grows very fast.
A Word From Dr. Jorge...
7-22-06
God bless all my
brothers and sisters in Christ. I just want to thank
you for all you are doing to bless the Honduran people, and
also for blessing me. Thank you for sending me
support. You are a blessing to me and my family.
We love you.
Dr. Jorge Ponce
July 9, 2006
We had three ladies from Living Faith Fellowship, Elkhart,
Indiana with us June 27th - July 6th. Two of them work with
handicapped adults and children in Indiana. Lynette Slaubaugh works with children,
Evelyn Reese works with adults and
Brooke Hill teaches in the intercity schools.
Lynette Slaubaugh, Evelyn Reese& Brooke Hill
They
ministered at a orphanage in Tegucigalpa (that has about 25
handicapped
children), in La Charcos and in Talanga. They taught the
Honduran parents and workers new methods of exercise,
education, games, etc. Most of the methods had never been
taught here.
We have over 100 children with "special needs'
in our area. Many of them have been exploited by the
government. (They
take photos and make promises that they never fulfill).
Most
of the parents have given up and choose to just keep their
children at home. God has put in our hearts to start a
ministry to these parents and children. The officials in Talanga who are in charge of this program want our help.
Dr. Jorge & Bobby Jr.
with Nelson Omar Gonzales & Elena Cabsera. They
work with the program for children with handicaps in
Talanga.
We want to finish the medical clinic and church building at
the compound, buy the
equipment we need and bring the parents and handicapped children here
once or twice a week to minister to them with exercise,
education, games, and hope for a brighter future. With God's
help we will be able to help these very needy families!
Medical Clinic (has roof) and the church building
The
orphans building (Helping Hands Family Home) is ready to receive children.
All we need are the funds to furnish the building and hire
the workers.
Helping Hands Family Home
Our plan is
to have one Honduran Christian lady take care of five children,
and another five until we have five workers and 25 children.
Also, we will need cooks, workers to clean the building, wash
clothes, etc. We continue to minister in La Branza and
Terrero. Last Wednesday night we met at a blind lady's house in
La Branza. Several lost people were there. One very elderly lady
made a profession of faith in Jesus.
30000 watt diesel generator given to Helping Hands by World
Baptist Missions!
(World Baptist Missions website:
www.wbmonline.org)
Darrell Dakin plans to join us July 12. Thank all of you
for your prayers and financial support.
In His service,
Bobby
June 26, 2006
Here is information about the groups that came and ministered
with us during the month of June.
*June 6-12 Charlotte Cramer. She worked with Dr. Jorge.
Charlotte Cramer
*June 9-16 Norman Crumpton and wife Melody. Norman and Melody
are the founders of Dove Outreach Ministries. Norman
installed the roof on our medical clinic at the compound,
built a small house for a family in the the mountains, gave
food to the poor and preached in several places.
Norman and Melody Crumpton
Dove Outreach Ministries
*June 16-23 Gene Bendall and a group from Faith Church in
Florence, Alabama came and finished a house in the
mountains, worked on the orphanage, painted inside of the
clinic, put a roof, doors, and windows on a small house and
gave food and clothes to the poor.
Gene Bendall and group from Faith Church
Br. Gene and the group from Faith Church have rented about 30
acres near Terrero. They plan to help the poor grow
food for themselves and to sell for income. They
bought seed, fertilizer and hired a farmer with a tractor to
disk the ground.
The orphanage "Helping Hands Family Home" is almost completely
finished. Just like a few minor details are left. We need to
furnish it with beds, a stove and refrigerator. I pray
to find someone next week to work with the first children.
When we are ready, the Honduran government promises to send
us orphans. Once we receive them, they will never again be
called orphans...they will be called family, because they
are family.
Regarding the medical clinic, the walls are up, the roof is on
and the inside is painted. It just needs the floor,
partitions, electricity, water, door, windows, etc. We will
continue work on the clinic as funds come in.
Inside Medical Clinic
The church walls are about half-way up. Again, we will
continue work on the church as funds become available. The
security fence is under construction. We plan to put up more
wire next week.
A group from Living Faith Fellowship, Elkhart, Indiana will be
here June 27-July 6. They will be working with children with
afflictions.
God is blessing,
Bobby
May 23, 2006
Work continues on the orphanage and security fence. On
Thursday and Friday we will be ministering in the churches
in La Branza and Terrero.
On May 23, 24 & 25 Pastor David Cofield from Crossroads
Baptist Church will be conducting leadership training.
Pastor David cofield crossroads b/c elgin al. with us
this week for three day leadership training.
three pastors from the dept. of colon (9 hour bus trip
from us) came to attend leadership training. other pastors
walked three hours to catch a ride to attend training.
On May 15th we were blessed with a beautiful six-pound baby
girl. We named her Keyla (kay lah) Lee Gibson.
Gene graves, Pastor John Raulerson and a group of twenty-three
from Mission Builders International is with us this week
building a church in Tegucigalpa.
We plan to name the orphanage "Helping Hands Family Home".
May 15, 2006
Praise Report
- Br. Bacilio Ramos who was pictured in our last update is
recovering well. His foot and part of his leg was like a dead
man's. He actually had a casket ready beside his bed so when
he died his body could be placed in it. On Saturday, May 6th,
we sent two strong men to pick him up in our 4wd truck. When
they got to his house the odor from the foot was so strong and
putrid that both men vomited. Some of the family members had
to help put him in the truck. The doctors at Tegucigalpa
removed the foot and part of the leg. Last Thursday, Dr.
Jorge picked him up at the hospital and carried him to his
daughter's house in Tegucigalpa. He is praising Jesus
that he is still living.
Bobby Jr. and I
continue to work on the orphanage. Bobby Jr. has built all of the
inside doors. We pray to finish this week. Please pray that we
will find favor with the government office that is in charge
of the children in Honduras.
Bobby Jr. building doors for orphanage rooms & kitchen
cabinets in orphanage.
We also continue to
work on the security fence, church and clinic as funds are available
Men finishing concrete base for security fence on east side
&
men starting base for fence on west side.
Unloading blocks for church and clinic at compound.
We are preparing
for pastoral leadership training next week. Pastor David Cofield from
Crossroads Baptist Church will be with us and lead
the training sessions.
Br. Gene Graves and
a team from Mission Builders International will also be
visiting us next week.
God is blessing,
Bobby
May 7, 2006
The photos are of a
sick man named Br. Bacilio Ramos. He is from Terrero. He came
to the Lord about two and one half years ago and was one of
the first converts in that community. When we first saw him,
he was very sick with high blood sugar. Dr. Jorge has
ministered to him through the years. A few weeks ago, he
injured his foot and the infection turned to blood poison. The
foot and leg was actually dead. Dr. Jorge said, "I have seen
better looking corpse". When Jorge cleaned it with hot water,
many worms came out. The odor was almost unbearable even from
several yards away. He had refused to go to hospital, but on
Friday he agreed. Dr. Jorge took him there.
There have been
some very unusual things occurring in Honduras. There is a man
who calls himself, " a great prophet' making his rounds to
some of the churches in the mountains. He preaches a false
gospel. he has some of the people in great fear.
On Friday, May 5th, a
man flew into Tegucigalpa from Miami accompanied by two beautiful
young women and several guards.
His name is Jose Lewis de
Jesus Miranda, 60 years old. He says he is Jesus and the Holy
Spirit. He plans to destroy both the Roman Catholic Church and
the Christian church. After that, he plans to install the
government of God in all the world (with himself as the head I
am sure). We know that he is a false prophet and a "nut case"
but many people follow him. He has several "churches" here.
I
understand there is one in Talanga. We have seen an
increase in demonic activity here in recent weeks, but I
believe the enemy thinks something great is coming...like a
great Holy Spirit revival in all of Honduras, and he is
seeking to oppose that spiritual transformation.
We had meetings in
La Branza this week on Monday and Friday night. On Friday and
Saturday
night there was a great Christian crusade in the national stadium in
Tegucigalpa. The evangelist is from Guatemala. I have not
heard the results yet, but I know they are great. PTL
Dr.
Jorge treating a child with asthma
God is blessing,
Bobby
May 3, 2006
We have had guests
with us for almost three weeks. Darrell, Darlene, and Mary
Ellen Henry (April 13-May 1.) Leon Mosley (April 14-May1.)
Brad Payne, Chad and Daniel Crick, Kiona Rector, Matthew
Watkins, and Daniel Witherspoon (April 27-May2.)
Bobby & Pastor Brad Payne in Terrero.
Pastor Brad Payne with children.
Painting the Dakin's house.
How to prepare a green coconut for food.
Children's program in La Ermita.
Caroline and daughter inside their new house.
Thursday night we
went to church in La Branza. A lady gave her testimony of
deliverance from oppression. A man gave Testimony of physical
healing.
Friday night we
went to church in Talanga. There was one profession of faith.
Saturday, the group
visited the mountains and gave food, shoes, candy to children,
and visited the sick.
Br. Chad Crick changing a flat tire on trip to mountains.
Br Leon Mosley & group giving food, shoes, and hope to the
poor.
Sunday morning
Pastor Brad Payne preached in Dr. Jorge's home church. Sunday
evening we visited some missionaries in the Valley of the
Angels.
Work continues on
the orphanage. Brad and Chad built kitchen cabinets.
The young people helped paint inside of building.
How to paint the inside of a kitchen cabinet.
Group with Pastor Payne working on kitchen cabinets in
orphanage bldg.
Brad Payne is
pastor of Living Word Christian Center and School. Daniel
Crick is a teacher there. Kiona Rector, Matthew Watkins, and
Daniel Witherspoon are students in the school.
God is blessing,
Bobby
April 24, 2006
Br. Darrell Dakin,
Darlene Dakin, Mary Ellen Henry are here now working on the
Dakin's house. They came down April 13-May 1. Br. Leon Mosley
from Texas came down April 14-May 1 to help the Dakins work on
their house. Darrell plans to move down in July of this year.
Once the Dakins are settled in, they will help with the
ministry in the mountains.
Br. Mosley & group headed to mountains
Bobby Jr. worked on
the orphanage last week. The building is almost finished and
we are just about ready to receive children.
Thursday night at church in La Branza.
Friday we held a
clinic in the mountains. That night we went to church in
Terraeo.
Please pray for
Sister Letsbi de Orellana. She is the wife of Pastor Nelson
Orellana (Dr. Jorge's pastor). She is in the hospital in San
Pedro Sula. Also, for Brother Joe Eddy, a member of Crossroads
Baptist Church in Elgin, AL. He was involved in a truck
accident.
The
Great Chicken Roundup of 2006
When the group from
Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville was here in February
they felt compassion on a cripple man named Marco Lopez, so
they bought him a horse. When Bobby Jr. and I visited that
family later, we discovered that the family only had two hens
and one rooster. They depend on them for food. Bobby Jr. said
he wanted to buy them more hens, so we had a chicken roundup
and took them five more hens today.
Maria Lopez & Bobby Jr. view The Great Chicken Roundup of 2006
Winners!
While there, we met
Jose Lopez. He is the brother of Maria Lopez. He lives with
her and her son Marco. Jose is blind. We want to continue to
help that family, but we do not want to create dependence.
They must continue to trust our Lord and do all they can to
make a living.
Bobby Jr., Jose Lopez, Marco Lopez, Maria Lopez
Sunday morning we
went to Dr. Jorge's church. Then we had lunch with two more
missionary families in Tegucigalpa.
Getting corn ready for freezer.
(Just look at that knife!)
We've updated our group schedule. Please click here to
see a list of the groups that will be visiting us during May,
June and July 2006.
www.hhmmission.org/2006missiontrips.htm
God is blessing,
Bobby
April 17, 2006
There is a man,
Jerry Lynn, from Kentucky who was greatly loved by this
ministry and planned to come with Br. Darrell Dakin's group
that came down Thursday, but was unable to come. He planned to
come later, but we received word on Friday a.m. that he
suffered a massive stroke and went to be with the Lord. This
week's update is dedicated to his memory.
Jerry Lynn
We continue to work
on the Dakin's house. Darrell and Darlene and their friend Sue
Ellen Henry are here and working to finish their house. They
pray to move down in July.
Bobby Jr. continues
working on the orphanage building. Another group from
Kentucky led by Pastor Brad Payne plan to visit next Thursday.
With all the good help we have this week, I pray to finish
some of the projects around the compound.
Thursday we went to
the church service at La Branza. Saturday night we went to a
wedding in the mountains at the "Church of Mountains of
Blessings" in the community of Majada. We got there at 7:30 at
night. Dr. Jorge preached.
We departed at 9:00
p.m. because
I was to preach at a "Vigilia" (an all night church
service starting around 6:00 in afternoon and ending more or
less at 6:00 the next morning) at the village of Palo Verde
(green tree). The trip to mountains is about one hour in four
wheel drive truck. The trip from mountains to Polo Verde is
about one and one half hours on very rough roads. We arrived
at Palo Verde around 10:30 that night. I preached on John
3:16. When I walked to the front of the church, I noticed
something hanging from the ceiling. Most of the church does
not have a top, so we could see the stars and the moon during
the service, but the place where I stood did have a semi-roof
because the pastor and his family live in that end.
They also have a
small store there. I discovered that I was standing under a
dried rattle snake skin. They sell small amounts of the skin
that (they believe) when boiled in water helps reduce a fever.
I told the church that that is the very first time I have
preached while standing under a snake.
We got back home at
about 12:30 Sunday morning. Today we attended
church with Dr. Jorge at Cofradia. This week we will continue
work on buildings at the ministry center.
God is blessing,
Bobby
April 9, 2006
Sarah Davis
returned to Alabama this past Monday. What a great
blessing it has been to have her minister with us here in
Honduras! While in Tegucigalpa we picked up some supplies for
Br. Darrell Dakin's house that is under construction at the
ministry center. He and a group will visit us beginning
next Thursday (April 13 - May 1). They will be
ministering and working to finish his house so he and his wife
Darlene can move down in July 06.
We continue to work
on the clinic and orphan's home. At this time Bobby Jr. is doing most
of the work on the orphanage and helped run electricity and
water to the Dakin's house.
We continue to
minister in Ermita, in the mountains and with the children's
programs. We pray to have our own church building here
in the compound soon. It will be used for Sunday a.m.
worship, leadership training, children's ministry, etc.
We have three walls
up on the clinic building. Br. Jorge & Br.
Ronnie ministering to a lady.
Joshua Caleb hard at work.
Thank you for your
support and prayers.
In His service,
Bobby
April 2, 2006
Sarah Davis
completed her English classes in Talanga on Wednesday. She
will visit Alabama next Monday, April 3rd. She is always
a great blessing and was able to cook for the group from
York, Alabama this week.
A group from York
Baptist Church and LED Free Ministries was here March 24-30.
Br. Eddie Davis and others held four medical clinics and put a top on a small house
for a very poor man and his young son.
The young ladies
ministered to the children with drama, singing, and puppets.
There were twenty-five professions of faith in Christ during
the week!
Pastor David
Wilkinson led the men as they worked on the clinic and church
at the compound. They made a good start and now all we have to
do is finish. We have groups coming down that will be able to
help.
Pastor David and I
went up the mountain to a house we are working on to look for
one more piece of tin to finish the top on the small house.
While we were there, we visited an old man that we have been
ministering to for several years. He made a profession of
faith in Christ several months ago. He was outside lying on a
truck tire, and he was very sick-almost dead.
He says he does not
want to go to the hospital because he does not want his dead
body placed in a cold morgue. I will visit him tomorrow and
pray for him and minister to him.
Bobby Jr. is working
on the inside of the orphanage. I pray to have time to help
him finish the work soon.
Please pray for us
and the ministry here amongst the poorest people in Honduras.
God is blessing,
Bobby
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 27, 2006
I spent most of
this past week preparing for the group from LED Free
Ministries & York Baptist Church, York, Alabama.
On Tuesday Br. Ed
Taylor departed for Alabama. We took him to the airport and
went grocery shopping and also bought more wire for the
security fence.
On Wednesday, Bobby
Jr. and I worked on the Orphanage Building.
Thursday I went to
Nicaragua to renew my visa. I'm supposed to leave the country
every three months, according to law, to renew it. It has been
that long since I arrived here in the new school bus. Bobby
Jr. and I departed Ermita early in the morning and picked up
Dr Jorge in Tegucigalpa. We drove through the town of
Danli to the frontier town on Las Manos on the border of
Honduras and Nicaragua. I checked out of Honduras, checked
into Nicaragua, checked out of Nicaragua and back into
Honduras and thus fulfilled the requirement. The process took
about one hour. On the way back home we stopped at the
agriculture school and bought several tree plants and some
fruit trees. The trees grow rapidly and will help shade the
yard.
On Friday I picked
up Br. Eddie Davis and the group from LED Free Ministries &
York Baptist Church consisting of about thirty members. It was
a special blessing that Pastor David Wilkinson was able to come this
year. He is also a block layer.
On Saturday Pastor
David and men in the group started laying the blocks on the
new medical clinic at the Helping Hands Ministry compound. Honduran
workers had put in the foundation. Br. Davis, Dr. Jorge and
members of the group went to Terrero and held a medical clinic
and other ministry. That evening the entire group returned to
Terrero. Pastor David preached and the group ministered.
On Sunday (26th) we
went to the Valley of the Angels and attended church at the
Church of the Christian Vision. Young adults ministered to
children's church, and Br. Jake Duke, the BCM director at
University of West Alabama gave his Christian testimony.
Afterwards we ate lunch, went shopping, and visited the
orphanage there in the afternoon. We went in the older bus
because of a challenge with getting the license plates on the
new bus. Honduras does not have any more tags now so they
can't give them to us, although we have paid all our taxes,
fees, etc. They say in another month. They just don't say what
month. On the way home the old bus ran hot several times. We
stopped for water often but made it home safely later that
night. God manifested His faithfulness several times on this
trip.
Today (Monday 27th)
we held a medical clinic in La Branza. About 130 people came. Others
worked on the new medical clinic building. Tonight we will be at the
church in La Branza.
God is blessing,
Bobby
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March 19, 2006
Comings &
Goings...my son Bobby
Jr. returned to Honduras on March 14th, Ed Taylor will depart
March 21st and Eddie Davis from First Baptist Church, York, AL
will arrive here with a large group
on March 24th.
Bobby Jr., Br. Ed
Taylor and I worked on the security fence this week. We
continue to work on the new water well. Our plans are to build
a water tower soon. We've also been working on the church and
the medical clinic located at the compound. Sarah Davis
continues to teach English in Talanga.
Br. Taylor, Bobby
Jr. and I visited several families in the mountains last week.
We visited the cripple man for whom the members of the team from
Crievewood Baptist Church
had bought a horse back in February. The man's name is Marco
Lopez and his mother's name is Maria Lopez. The man contracted polio when he was 9
years old. He has been walking on the sides of his feet for
almost 36 years. His father, who later abandoned the family,
suggested that since he was "no good" to the family and "a
burden to his mother", he should be "knocked in the head with
a garden hoe." His mother loved her son and was determined to
spend her life caring for him. I have worked with
groups building that mother and son a small house. I have
also spent the entire day there more than once and only saw them
eat one or two small pieces of bread and one egg. That is all
they had. They have only three chickens. Bobby Jr. plans to get
them several more.
The mother has been
a Christian for only three years. She told me she spent one
month fasting and praying for her family. She drank only water
that month. When I made the
photos of the man on the horse, I think he was weeping. Before
he could barely walk, and had to crawl some of the time. Now
he is mobile. He is a Christian, and he rides his horse to
church. We will continue to help this family, and we are
always looking for other poor families that need some help and
hope.
God is blessing,
Bobby
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March 12, 2006:
Brother Ed Taylor
(a member of Helping Hands Ministry's board of directors) came down on
Tuesday March 7 and will be staying with us for two weeks. My
son Bobby Jr. is scheduled to return on Tuesday March 14. Most
of this week we worked on the water well. We poured concrete
in a trench dug around the well to prevent surface rain water
from getting into the well. We finished the job on Saturday.
We continue to dig the ditch on the west side of the property
to build a security fence. Tomorrow we will start work on the
clinic at compound. We hope to have it ready for Gene Bendall and the group coming from Faith Tabernacle to put the
roof on when they visit June 16-23.
Thursday night I
went with Dr. Jorge and a group to the church in La Branza. A
man from another village visited the meeting. He wants us to
start a service in his community on Saturday night. He said
the men in his community cut sugar cane for a living and earn
60 Limperas a day ($3.17). Because of their work, they can
only meet on Saturday night.
We continue with
three children's programs each week in three different
locations each week. They have prayer, praise singing, bible
study, and a good meal. On Friday Dr. Jorge and Brother Ronny
had an all day and part of the night clinic in La Branza.
Saturday Br. Taylor
and I went to the mountains and La Branza to check on the
Christians to see how they were. They asked, "When will you
build the church building at La Branza?" I told them, "as soon
as possible." I often have sleepless nights when I
realize that many of the opportunities that we Christians have
are slipping through our fingers. Many people here in Ermita
are truly "like sheep without a shepherd." Just last night,
there were two "fiestas" near our compound. They have very
loud "music", dancing, drinking, partying, etc. into the early
hours of Sunday morning. I understand that the local "witch
doctor" sells a special magic tonic to the revelers. He says
it makes them attractive to the opposite sex. Some of the
churches here in our community have lost their joy, power and
testimony. I realize that I must "cast all your anxiety
on him because he cares for you". 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
We cannot "make it happen"-only God can. We are here in
Honduras to represent Him. We must continue to pray, trust,
and support what He is doing. He will give the increase in His
time.
God is blessing,
Bobby
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March 6, 2006:
We worked on the
new water well this week. We're digging a trench around it to
prevent surface rain water from draining into the well. Next
week we will pour concrete into the trench. We've also been
working on the fence with the cement wall on the west side of
the property to help security and prevent the creek from
flooding our front yard. Of course we continue each week
with the children's program in three locations.
Thursday night we
held a church meeting in La Branza. On Friday we visited
several sick people in different areas. That trip in the 4wd
truck is a lively experience. In one house we saw a rattle
snake skin hanging from the ceiling. We were told that they
sell small pieces of the skin, that when boiled in water, they
say, makes a wonderful medicine that they drink. I contacted
men about helping with construction work on clinic.
I was re-reminded
about the urgent need to help Dr. Jorge get a better truck.
Yesterday a small car from San Ignacio, a village near us, was
traveling on the road through our community. A Baptist pastor,
three men and one woman were in it. Apparently something broke
in the steering and they lost control and flipped end over
end. All of the people were seriously injured and were taken
to the hospital in Tegucigalpa. At this point I do not know
their condition. As we all of know, Dr. Jorge's truck is
almost completely worn out. It is a hazard for him to
drive. At least he drives slow.
A pastor from the
Department of Colon, about five hours away, whom I have known
for several years, visited me this week. He wants to join our
ministry. In about two months he will leave the church
he is pastoring. He is waiting for another pastor that will
take his place to arrive, then he wants to move himself and
family to a new unchurched community and start a new church.
He wants that church to be a part of Helping Hands Ministry.
He said he also knows other pastors in that area who want to
join us. We will pray about this. Br. Ed Taylor is scheduled
to arrive next Tuesday. We will work on the buildings and
fence.
God is blessing,
Bobby
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February 19, 2006:
MY WEEK IN TEGUCUGALPA
Feb. 11-17, 2006 reported by Sarah Davis
My trip this time is for 2 months and I had opportunity to
spend a week in Tegucigalpa visiting Dr. Jorge and family and
helping in the ministry of their church, Iglesia Amistad
Cristiana. Their church is one that Helping Hands Ministry
works with by supporting Dr. Jorge and helping build 4 of
their mission churches and even now 2 more churches are asking
for a building. There is a mission team of young men under Dr.
Jorge's leadership that go to these churches regularly to
preach, teach, and worship to strengthen the body.
They have a ministry to 250 poor children weekly that are
from an area we would consider an inner-city ministry. This
week was the first day of school for the year and they filled
250 school bags, had Bible classes for each child. Each child
has a medical record and Dr. Jorge has a clinic as needed for
them. Parents came on Thursday to receive the bags and heard a
message on Salvation from the pastor. The children are fed as
they come for classes also. At Christmas, they are given new
clothes, which is a tradition here.
On Wednesday evening I had opportunity to visit one of the
mission churches at Cofradia. Mission Builders International
of Florida helped build this church which already has 120
members and at least 75 of them are under 20 years of age.
Bobby Smith, Eva, AL has helped build a nursing home there for
street elderly that have no family to care for them. Dr. Jorge
will have a clinic there also.
On Thursday evening we went to a mission house church at
the foot of the mountain near Talanga. One of the team
preached and we prayed for 3 sick people. Last week a new
family came with a sick child and both parents received Jesus
as their Savior. They already have the foundation dug for the
church building that Faith Tabernacle, Florence, AL will build
in June. Last night the room was filled and also the porch.
This home has no electricity and I didn't even realize the
porch was full until the service was over.
Friday the team will go up into the mountain to see several
elderly that need medical care weekly and have discipleship
training at one of the mission churches. On Friday night there
will be service at the mission church in Talanga, a small town
near Ermita built by Living Faith Fellowship, Elkhart, IN.
Monday and Wednesday of next week I will begin English
classes in Talanga for 6 weeks and on Saturdays, English at an
orphanage near Talanga. Bobby also helps with transportation
of volunteer mission groups and other needs as they arrive at
this orphanage.
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February 13, 2006:
Blessings from
Honduras!
Good News! We will
soon have children in our (Orphanage) Family Home. That
is as soon as we can get ready for them. We must finish
building the home, build a security fence, build an outside
kitchen, etc.
Also, we need to
buy more land. The ministry is growing rapidly and will
soon need the extra space. The price of land here in
Ermita is increasing each year. We have made an offer on
some land that joins us on the east side. They are
asking $15,873. We offered $14,000. It consists of two
or more acres and a good house. We pray to receive an
answer soon from the owner.
Dr. Jorge needs
more monthly support. Everyone loves him, but last year only three
people sent monthly support for him. He is
too valuable to the ministry for us to lose him. He must
have enough support for him and his family.
Here is what we are
praying for:
1. That God will
raise up people who know about what God is doing through
Helping Hands Ministry in Honduras and they will send a large
financial gift to the ministry. We are believing for
$150,000 to buy property, finish construction on buildings,
finish security fence, build outside kitchen, and prepare to
receive orphans.
2. That God will
raise up at least 250 people to support the ministry on a
monthly basis. If you believe you are one of these
people please send us an email at
support@hhmmission.org.
Tell us your name, address and the amount you would like to
give each month. All who commit to monthly financial
support will be mailed an information packet and twelve self
addressed postage paid envelopes.
You know that I do
not like to ask for help. But, I had rather ask you for
help than tell a needy person, especially a child, "Sorry I
cannot help You," "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled."
(James:2:16).
We are at a place
where we can either advance or retreat as a ministry. WE
MUST ADVANCE! We want all of us to hear our Lord say,
"Well do | 