Each year we divide the students into discipleship groups. Sunday mornings for Sunday School and Wednesday evening they meet to learn about the Bible and how to apply it to their lives. The last Wednesday of each month instead of meeting in the classroom one of the groups are in charge of the service in the church. The group decides what they want to do for their service. Usually groups have a time of singing, dramas, a devotion and a time of prayer. It is always a blessing to see the students apply some of what they are learning in their discipleship groups into the service.

Our discipleship class

For their Wednesday night our discipleship class sang and had a devotion about carrying God's light to others.

Day of the School is always a time the students look forward to each year. It is a time of celebrating. This year Escuela El Sembrador celebrated 55 years! The students were divided into four teams. For three days they competed against each other in various events. Some of the events were volleyball, basketball, wrestling, high jump, long jump, Bible memorization, drawing, dramas and obstacle course. All the teams competed hard but this year the blue team was the champions!

After the three day events we had a barbecue. All the students and staff were  served water buffalo, rice, beans, homemade salsa and tortillas.

Each team had representation for drawing the church.

Drama night!

Three point basketball

Eating contest

Fooseball

Soccer

Pulling the bus

Javelin throw

Start of the marathon

High jump

Long jump

Arm wrestling

Obstacle course

Obstacle course

Obstacle course

Obstacle course

Even the young ones are part of a team.

Barbecue

Jerry's team

Red team

Sherri's team

The champions!!!

When we had arrived in Tegucigalpa the political situation had just begun. We had to spend a few extra days in the city before heading to Escuela El Sembrador. It gave us a chance to be with the missionaries in Tegucigalpa and celebrate the 4th of July with them.

For this term in Honduras we decided to buy a truck and make the long drive of 4,000 miles from the state of West Virginia to Honduras. After ten days we were glad to finally arrive in Honduras!

Our traveling companions, Terry and Colleen.

Bill and Lydia Allshouse, WGM missionaries in Mexico.

We were thrilled to have an opportunity to stop and visit Pastor Dany, Carminda and Samuelito.

They are pastoring in Mexico. We served together with them in La Esperanza our first term in Honduras. 

These ladies were preparing our lunch at a restaurant. Gives a new meaning to outdoor grilling.

The mountain view while traveling through Guatemala.

View in El Salvador.

One of several checkpoints for us.

Finally entering the border of Honduras!!!

  It is hard to believe a year has passed since arriving in the states. We had an opportunity to visit with our supporting churches and meet some new people.  God has brought many special people into our lives to be a part of the lives of the people in Honduras.  We ask that you continue to pray for the country of Honduras. Pray that hearts will be softened to hear His Word and receive it into their hearts so that they desire to serve Him each day. We give thanks to our faithful financial and prayer supporters who have a heart for missions  and a willingness to allow God to use them.

With our daughter Allison.

We treasure the moments throughout the year with family. We are thankful for the time and continue to pray for the Lord to work in their lives.

Thank you again for ministering alongside us as we serve the people in Honduras.  

Many of you took part this past year by coming to El Sembrador and working on the boys' dorm which was being remodeled. The following are some pictures taken in November. (Thanks Wes!)

Plans are to finish the one side so the boys can live in it and then to begin work on the other half. Please pray for the financial needs for this much needed project.

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Dorm front

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Dorm side

Life goes on in Honduras while we are in the States.  In November there were several graduations of the vocation and education areas. The Bible Institute also held a graduation. All together there were more than 60 graduates.

                                         9th grade graduates

Industrial Mechanics graduates

Agricultural Mechanics graduates

                                    Woodcarving graduates

Woodworking graduates

Moises graduates from the Bible Institute

                   Luatany graduates from the Bible Institute

Bessy graduates from the Bible Institute

Two of the graduates of 9th grade which thrilled us were David and Alberto from La Esperanza. They were two boys from our youth group in La Esperanza. Both boys matured in their faith while at El Sembrador and have a new look on their future! Alberto will be continuing his education in La Esperanza this year so he can work to help provide for his family. David is returning to El Sembrador to continue his education and work in the project area learning masonry. Before the students left in November baptisms were held and David was one of the participants. God is good!

                                          David and Alberto

David's baptism

Two other students who were part of our youth group in La Esperanza were Sonia and William. Sonia will return for her second year at the Bible Institute. She is a great Christian influence on campus. William will continue this year in Industrial Mechanics and 9th grade. We have seen God give William the confidence to step out in faith and help others learn more about Christ.

It means so much to us to see some of the youth we worked with in La Esperanza seek Him and desire to change their lives for Him! What proud moments!

Sonia and William

We have seen God work in so many ways and in so many lives in El Sembrador. We love to see how He changes the students who come with many hurts and no plans for their lives to students who leave knowing Christ and a desire to know God's plan for their lives. In saying that there are some, sadly, who do not accept Christ while on campus but we know He has been a part of their lives for a full school year and the seeds have been planted. Please help us pray as the students return for another school year at the end of January. Our prayer is that they will allow God to work in their lives to transform them into young men and women who will leave ready to impact their communities and Country for Him!!

Thanks to Wes Eddy for the great pics!!

Our meetings have continued in Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. God has given us the opportunity to connect again with friends in each area. What a blessing to visit the people whose faithful giving and prayers allows us to serve in Honduras. Our meetings have also taken us to new churches and new friends who we pray will desire to be a part of our ministry.

November gave us a time with family for Thanksgiving and then in December we were able to be together for Christmas. Our daughter, Allison, was with us also. The joy she exhibits is always catching!!

When you are away from family any period of time you learn to soak in all you can when given the chance. That is the hardest part of living in another country...not being with family. However, praise God He always provides others to step in when we are not near our families. We have many friends and fellow missionaries in Honduras who have been those very people. We look forward in serving alongside them soon.

After three months of being back in the states we are all settled into an apartment in West Virginia. We are on HMA (Homeland Ministry Assignment) to visit our supporting churches to share about our ministries in Honduras. Most of our meetings have been in West Virginia with the exception of a camp in North Carolina. Our time with family and friends have been a blessing. We recently had an opportunity to be with our daughter, Allison, who lives in South Carolina.

We thank you for your prayers and ask you continue to pray for additional support so that we can return to Honduras to continue serving in Escuela El Sembrador.

We are not big fans of saying goodbye and it seems it happens more times than not while on the field. God has allowed us over the last three years to build some wonderful relationships with the people of Honduras. What a gift He has given us in learning the culture and language. We have enjoyed teaching and discipling but also can reflect on how God has used the people to teach us many things as well. We pray we are able to share effectively to the people in the states as we travel around on HMA how the Lord has worked in the lives here.

In Honduras as a person leaves an area there is a despidida given. Our first term in Honduras is drawing to a close the first week in June. Therefore, a despidida was given. It was a special night for us to hear encouraging words from the staff and students and their hopes of us returning soon. It has been so fun to minister in El Sembrador under the leadership of Travis and Lori Hawk. They do an awesome job! It has been also special ministering with Rhonda and Kent Harmless and two volunteers, Gwen and Amy. All have made us feel very special since our time began in January.

Lori and Gwen presenting a wooden tray to us that the boys had made.

Pastor David and his wife, Raquel, giving encouraging words.

The ladies group had prepared tutti frutti for us all to enjoy afterwards.

Alberto and Jerry

Evelin (on left) with her cousin Andy. Evelin surprised us with a song! What a surprise to see this timid girl grab the guitar and sing!!

Juan Luna, Jose Miguel and William

Some of the clean up crew afterwards. 

We look forward in returning to the states to see family and reconnect with our churches and church family. However, we know a huge part of our heart is in Honduras. It is hard to imagine leaving the people behind, even though for a little time, but we look forward in hearing how God continues to work in the lives of the people as they seek Him for the direction of their lives.

Goodbyes are hard to think about so instead we look forward to the next hellos when God allows us to return to serve in Honduras and see all the people we dearly love!