In the middle of our move from San Pedro Sula to Siguatepeque, our car broke down. We sat on the side of the mountain road until a tow truck came for us. In Siguatepeque, the car sat for over a week until we found a mechanic who had time to fix it. As soon as it was fixed, our other car was put in the shop because of weird noises it was making. After five different major repairs between our two old cars, we are thankful for God’s protection and provision.
August was a transition month, settling into a smaller house and city. We are enjoying the cooler weather, the nice neighbours, and the country-like atmosphere. We wake up to the crowing of the roosters and the cows mooing as they walk down the dirt road in front of our house. The kids enjoy the new youth group and church where we are attending, complete with other missionary kids their age. Juli quickly made friends with the next door neighbour and they play almost every day.
Roxanne flew to Canada for two weeks to get her Canadian drivers license, in order to have a second Canadian photo ID. Before she left, we spent three whole days getting the necessary paperwork done to validate her Honduran license. Once in Canada, the process was quicker than expected, thank God. She was also able to find someone experienced who will be able to guide us through the immigration process. It was also a blessing to be able to see her family.
Now we are adapting to the new school year. David is with an on-line middle school, which is a new and exciting experience for us. He is also taking karate lessons. Juli continues homeschooling with mom and is enrolled in ballet classes.
One of our new friends up here is a forestry engineer and a professor and dean at a local college. He is eager to get Robert into the loop, teaching English to the professors. This would be a blessing for us financially, as well as an opportunity to befriend the professors and share Christ with them. This little forestry college has just signed a cooperation agreement with a very large university in Granada, Spain, of all places! Hmmm… A coincidence? We’ll see where this might take us! Our professor friend wants to introduce Robert to the Spaniard professors who will be visiting later this year. Please pray that God would open doors that would glorify Him.
Meanwhile, back in San Pedro Sula, things are going well at the library. Please pray, though, for Oscar Noé’s health and for him to find a part time job that will supply what they lack in their income.
Rivera Hernandez, the shanty town where our church plant is located, is getting all the more dangerous. In an attempt to reach out to the youth of the community through playing soccer, Kevin and Isaac (Pastor Manuel’s sons) and Victor now have death threats from some local gang members. Needless to say, having already been shot at before, they are terrified. The police are powerless against this heavily armed gang of about 200 kids. Juana, a little old lady from the congregation, lost her son to gang violence just four months ago. Melvin was shot in the back and now attends church in his wheelchair. Patricia was mugged & robbed as she left church last Sunday (right after Robert preached) at the street corner, and another member of our church had her door busted down Sat. night and, at gun point, had all their possessions removed from their home. As Christians, we are not exempt from dangers. Please keep Pastor Manuel, his family, and the congregation in your prayers. Pray that God would send His angels to watch over them and us, whenever we go there to minister.
This Thursday through Saturday we will be attending a conference for missionary families here in Siguatepeque. As part of the organizing committee, Roxanne arranged for her dear friend, David Howard, to be the guest speaker, while a missionary friend, Karen Shogren, will fly in from Costa Rica with her team to minister to the children and youth. Pray for a time of refreshing for the weary missionary families who will be participating and for God’s anointing on Dave, Karen, and the rest of the kid’s teachers. Pray, too, for us as we lead worship at the English church in San Pedro Sunday morning, where Dave will also be preaching the message.
Thank you for your prayers for us in this time of adjustment in Siguatepeque. Though there are many changes for us, the Lord is forever constant, our Mighty Fortress. May He be forever praised!
Standing on the Rock,
Robert, Roxanne, David, and Julianna
