January 19, 2010:  There were three things on my heart as I start this year: (1) to teach the new discipleship book, (2) to teach them how to pray, and  (3) to invite them to accept Jesus as their Savior.  I knew in His timing it would happen.  I've been praying for the words to say and the opportunity to speak into their lives.  I started the Child Evangelism Fellowship devotional booklet a week or so ago, and the students loved it!!!  They beg me to teach the "Wonder" book, and cheer when I announce that it's time to pull it out.

Yesterday, we had a great discussion about sin, how we are separated from God, and how Jesus is the only way.  The Lord had been really working on their hearts, and the fourth graders have been very excited and sincerely listening during our discussions.  Their hearts were open and sensitive.  Today I took them outside to sit under the trees.  I started by praying as we most always start, and then explained what the devotional had been about yesterday.  I explained how some people think that if they are "clean" on the outside, then they are good with God.  (I don't remember their exact words, but it went something like this)

                "What would happen if I filled my water bottle with bleach and said, 'Here, Carlos, drink this!'".

                "What's bleach?"   

                "A chemical to clean with".

                "Ohhhhh.....".  "I would die".

                "But what if I washed the outside of the bottle with soap and water?"

                "I would die, Ms." 

                "But what if I washed all around it really, really clean, and dried it perfectly?" 

                "He'd still die", said one of the other students.

                "You mean that even if the outside is perfect, in your perfect school uniforms, that it doesn't matter if the inside is dirty?" 

Next, we discussed the difference between believing that God exists and having a relationship with Him.   "I can know that Carlos Javier's mom exists, but I'm not friends with her.  I don't have a relationship with her like I do with Ms. Stephanie." 

Finally, I explained how Jesus came and took our punishment. "What if Carlos stole something from the school?    And just as he was about to get an Incident Report in school, Dario would say, 'Give me the Incident Report instead of Carlos."  Their eyes got big.  "Because Dario loves Carlos so much, he will take Carlos' punishment.  That's what Jesus did.  He came and said, 'Angie, I love you.  I'm going to take your punishment.  Sara, I love you.  Jireh, I love you.  I came to this earth for you.  David, I love you.  Cristian, I came to take your punishment'."   

I ended with stating that each person has to make a decision to accept God's offer of cleaning and forgiveness.  "When we stand before God, he will say ‘What did you decide?'  We will either spend eternity with him or without him."  Miguel said, "I want to choose God!"    I led in prayer, and some of the students repeated after me.  Later, I asked each student individually if they wanted to have God be their forgiver and helper, and four students told me it was the first time to ask Jesus to forgive them.   David (his parent's are Lenca Indian missionaries) was happy when I told him that some of his classmates had accepted Jesus for the first time.  We made a deal that we would pray for his classmates and we would help them grow to know Jesus more.  We even shook hands on it!      

"Jesus, did you see Miguel's face?"  Of course you did. His whole heart was seen in his eyes.  As I talked about Jesus, his whole being was intently listening.  You could see his heart in his eyes.  He knew this was serious.  It was the answer he needed.  He was ready for it.  Here was the hope his heart wanted.   His sincerity was evident.  Afterwards, I asked him, "Miguel, did you ask Jesus to forgive you?"   "Yes." "Was it your first time, or had you done it in the past?"  "It was my first time."  Daniela Ordonez said, "It was my first time."  Marco Antonio commented, "I think it was my first time...(thinking, thinking)... it was my first time." 

Vale la pena!!!!   It is SO worth it!  I get so frustrated, and discouraged with teaching.  But when I'm in my right mind, I realize that all the stress, uncertainty, changing of classes, misbehavior, everything is worth it!  WORTH IT!!!!...to have these three students choose Jesus.  And to have all the other seeds planted in each students' heart.

Carlos Javier is so excited about you, God!!  He was my shadow today.  He is always talking about choosing you.  I sometimes say, (after someone uses your name in vain) "Don't say that please, that's my best friend."   Now Carlos says "Don't say that, that's my best friend."  He's matured so much, and taken on a strong leadership role in the classroom.   He disciplines the kids for me.  "Miguel, don't complain.  Sara, be quiet!  Ms. is talking!  Daniela, can you please be quiet?  Sit down, sit down!!" 

Thank you Jesus!

Visiting, teaching and encouraging are all a part of Jesus' call to go and make disciples. 

Carlos and Rafael took the lead in teaching a discipleship section on how we got the Bible. 

But you know that where there are youth there are activities!

Let's have some fun!

Let's play "One lemon, five lemons and half a lemon!"

Let's sing...Un pollo, un pollo, un pollo con una ala.

A chicken, a chicken, a chicken with one wing...two wings...a foot...two feet..

Oh boy Kathy, you are probably saying, you've gone too far!  Well, just remember missionaries are real people and love to have fun as much as anyone!

Bob had a blast helping the kids with their soccer game.

The youth of this community had started to attend our church's Saturday night youth meeting and Sunday church.  When school ended in late October they all went home (four hours away).  So the leaders and youth of the More Than Conquerors Church invaded their community in early December with our antics. 

The parents enjoyed our sharing as much as the youth.  

Our group slept in the rooms pictured above, their grade school.  We ate on the porch of one of their homes and enjoyed the view towards El Salvador.  The River Lempa creates beautiful clouds in the early morning hours. 

Before leaving for home our troop took time to visit Antonio and family, an ex-resident of the Samaritan Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center.  The cold soft drinks that they served us were very refreshing as we suffered the heat of this sea level area. 

It was only natural to take time to pray for this family.  They all work together to earn their living making hammocks.

One of God's promises for Antonio and family says, My God will supply all your needs acording to his riches in glory.  Pray with us for this family and those we encouraged in their faith.

Discovery.  All of us need to learn and grow, gaining knowledge of new aspects of life and its meaning.  

Our group of quality young adults, Erica, Tyler and Sarah, Volunteers in Action with World Gospel Mission, had the pleasure of taking a leisurely four hour trip from our house to the Mayan Indian Ruins in Copan, western Honduras to discover history up close and personal.  

The history within these ruins provides evidence of how God has placed a void within the human species that can only be filled by Him, our Creator.  The Mayan people worshipped the things God made but seem to have lacked understanding about the reality of God's world.  The Bible says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" Romans 1:20.

Copan Ruins is a city with an identifying emblem glyph of a bat.

Information from the actual ruins say it was the Cama Zotz, killer bat: a bat associated with the underworld, death and sacrifice.  Gargoyles throughout the ruins depict a reverence, if not worship, of created things: parrots, fish, birds, and large cats.

Their renowned "ball court" is clouded with worship, escape from death and attempts of victory over the enemy who could destroy. 

The Rosa Lila Temple has been escavated since Bob and I moved to southwestern Honduras.  Its distinct red colors set it apart from all the other stone buildings. 

A life-size replica stands in the center of Copan Ruins Museum. 

These young ladies of present day Copan need to know the Truth.  All people need to understand the way of salvation from the guilt of sin through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Our ministry team in Honduras thanks you for your prayers for the people that we serve daily.  May God be glorified by our lives.

 "For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.  How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!"Psalms 92:4-5.

With hands raised and hearts full, our congregation have thanks to our God for this year of life and its blessings.

The special service of thanksgiving to our great God was held November 22, 2009.

As always, the proclamation of God's Word is a central part of our worship time.

As missionaries we are very thankful for the excellent pastoral care that Raul and Nolvia bring to the More Than Conquerors Evangelical Holiness Church.  Pray with us for the process of building strong spiritual leaders for our congregation.

Over these twenty years of ministry in Honduras, Bob and I have been the recipients of World Gospel Mission's helping hands ministry called "Men With Vision". 

WGM Missionary Mark Dunbar is working now with the Honduras Evangelical Holiness Church (IESH) to promote this ministry in Honduras. 

Today we ask you to join us in praising God for men of faith that want to assist others of the faith.  

The men of the More Than Conquerors "Men With Vision" traveled four hours on rough roads in order to help the Magdalena IESH build their parsonage.

River sand and rock had to be harvested.  

Most all the construction work in Honduras is still done by hand. 

Tyler, our WGM volunteer, got a piece of the action!

The objectives of going and serving were met.  Unity among our men increased and their talents were shared in order to increase the Kingdom of God.

Check out these precious faces!  These are 1st grade and kindergarden students, eight of our eleven scholarship students. Kathy and Volunteer in Action, Tyler Fraizer are pictured here with Samaria, Michell, Karla, Noelia, Javier, Johan, David y Daniel. 

Honduras is experiencing some difficult political times.  Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, fills our daily news with political problems. 

Recently, presidental candidate, Pepe Lobo, visited La Esperanza, landing his helicopter on our church property.

Even though our world would prefer to tell us otherwise, trying to keep our eyes focused on the bad or evil, our God is still worshipped and adored!

Since 1989, the last Sunday in September has been celebrated as the "Day of the Bible".  Honduras' national congress decreed the Holy Scriptures as a principal guide for Christians in Honduras. 

On September 27^th, 2009 our "More Than Conquerors Church" families left the daily norm...

...and took to the streets to express their love of God and His Holy Word.

Our church joined many other churches of La Esperanza to declare our faith to the whole city's population.

Our voices rang out praises as we walked the one and one-half miles from the entrance of town to the downtown city square.

The moms and youth of our church worked hard to prepare Noah's arc.

 Several of our church members walked the parade for the first time.  Church leaders Ronney and Claudia, picured to the right of Bob, testified their faith to the La Esperanza community as they marched in the parade.

 "Of my 37 years of being a Christian, this is the first Day of the Bible parade that I have participated in", said Fatima (dressed in black and white).                   

Community members leaned over their home or business balconies allowing us to greet them and encourage them in their faith walk.  

The men from our church's drug and alcohol rehabilitation program carried high the banners of Jesus.  Many of our city's police force observed the parade as they assisted us.  Others had a bird's eye view from the walls of our city's prison. 

Contemporary Christian music, Biblical encouragement as well as the preaching of God's Word rang through the downtown area as all the parade participants shared in a street service. 

God is very clear in His word. He says "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" Psalms 2:8.  Join with us in asking God to give us all of La Esperanza for his inheritance - salvation from sin now, and eternal life with Him forever.

  Since 1997 the Gospel Message to the youth of La Esperanza has been a key ministry.   These youth chose to intentionally seek a deeper commitment to Christ during their Independence Day (weekend) retreat, September 2009. 

Youth leaders took time to communicate one-on-one with many of our group.  Felecia (photo above) and Tyler (below, top left) are World Gospel Mission Volunteers that are directly working with the youth.

Awesome teaching was provided by Pastor Raul, Pastor Noe Antonio and Kathy over topics that really mattered: Maturing Spiritually, Inner Healing and The Teen's Behavior as He Confronts the World. 

One teaching looked at distorted perceptions of the real God - or Impossible Expectations.  The objective was to help the kids know that God is available...not allusive or absent. Bob played the part of God. In distorted perceptions, God can never be reached... always allusive.  Many youth without fathers are inclined to believe this.  But in Biblical truth we know and teach that God is always available.

The character and nature of God, what He is and does, absolutely define what is good and what is bad.  He is pure! 

The youth looked at their purity in a world that is bombarding them with hazardous waste.    

And... we added a LOT of fun to the weekend with an obstacle course!!!!!! 

Dunia lost her shyness and repeatedly took the challenge on the slip and slide!  Tyler recived the medal for quality of form on the slide!

As you have seen, down hill water slide, agility in tire stepping, throwing yourself through the tire hoop and over the head ladder crossing were followed by the belly crawl!  Fernanda (pictured above) still came out smiling!  All the kids were covered in mud!!

A race across our fish pond and rope climing finished off the course!

There is no doubt, kids love to have fun!

They love to be challenged!

They love and need to be heard!

Pray often for these young people's spiritual maturity. 

Let us walk you through our weekend marriage seminar held in Punta Gorda, Roatan.

"Matthew 19:4 tells us ‘the Creator made them male and female' (NIRV); in other words, very different."

". . .a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. . . . each one of you ...must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:31,33 NIV).

"The good-willed husband is ‘concerned about . . . how he may please his wife' and the good-willed wife is ‘concerned about. . . how she may please her husband' (1 Corinthians 7:33-34)"

"The Bible teaches unconditional respect: ‘Show proper respect to everyone. . . . not only to those who are good and considerate. . . but . . . harsh' (I Peter 2:17-18 NIV)."

"No matter how hard it gets, ‘husbands, love your wives' (Colossians 3:19)."

"In a marriage especially, ‘thoughtless words cut like a sword' (Proverbs 12:18 NIRV)."   The above are timely quotes from Dr. Emerson Eggerichs' book, Love & Respect. 

The weekend seminar was blessed with four AWESOME cohorts in ministry.  Their stories go something like this....

"After a four hour plane ride, three hour car ride and a rocky boat ride that almost made me lose my lunch, I was thankful to be safe on the island of Roatan" (Erica's Honduran Adventure, blogspot.com).

"It has definitely been a crazy few days!....I have been hot, sticky, enlightened, and enjoyed my time immensely. Punta Gorda is a fairly small town consisting primarily of Garífuna people....Besides being stared at a little more than normal, I mean we stick out quite a bit,...

...all the people we've come in contact with have been friendly.  Yesterday we did some touristy type things in the morning when we went down to a waterfront community called Oak Ridge (that's the actually name no translation needed).

Most of the people build their houses right on the water because it's the only semi-flat part around" (First couple of days, Tylerjfrazier.com). 

"...there are some absolutely amazing things about living here...like being close to the ocean; I love the ocean!  We get to see really cool things like thatched roof huts...

...We can walk down the beach and pick up conch shells and coral...

...The people on the island are wonderfully nice and friendly. We can't always understand or communicate very well, but they are willing to try to talk to us and are eager to include us...

...There are a variety of church activities to attend and we are greeted by a chorus of greetings everywhere we go" (sarahmay86.travellerspoint.com).

A visit to West Bay was the grand finale!  It is the further most west point of Honduras' Island of Roatan.  Our La Esperanza brother in the Lord, Carlos, emmensly enojoyed the trip!

God blessed us greatly allowing us to see two sea turtles among the beautiful coral, fish, white sandy beaches and blue ocean waters!  We praise His Holy Name!

Bob and Kathy Owen serve God because they believe that the Biblical salvation message and eternal life in Jesus Christ is a reality!

THE OWEN STORY

It was harvest time, November of 1985, when God called a Missouri family out of the grain harvest into a spiritual harvest in Honduras, Central America. In obedience to this call, we prepared ourselves in His Word and now share the Gospel message in southwest Honduras.

In 1986, we took our children, LeeAnn and Joshua, and spent 2 months as volunteers at Escuela El Sembrador (School of the Sower) in Honduras http://www.escuelaelsembrador.org/history.htm. During this time, we sensed a need for God to be in complete control of our lives. As we gave Him control of our family, farm and future, He began to lead us to a career in missions. We spent the next three years at Vennard Bible College to prepare to serve God in Honduras.

From 1990 to 1997 we served at Escuela El Sembrador. Bob worked with the crops as well as evangelism and Bible teaching. Kathy taught Bible to the elementary students and music to the Bible Institute students.

In 1997 God led us to move to La Esperanza in southwest Honduras.

Owen Christmas dinner, 1997, La Esperanza, Intibuca, Honduras.

Our basic ministry is friendship evangelism (for an example of what God has done see "God's Grace Has a Ripple Effect" http://www.hondurasfield.org/blog/owen.php ). Through those contacts, God has opened many doors to new and exciting ministries. Many youth have come to know Jesus as their Savior through youth meetings held in our mission home http://www.hondurasfield.org/blog/owen.php?blogid=11&archive=2008-01 . Women's and men's Bible studies have impacted and changed the lives of many adults in the mountain town of La Esperanza. The salvation of one couple opened doors for us to teach Bible in a secular bilingual school http://www.southwestschoolhonduras.com/indexENG.htm and also a high school (http://www.hondurasfield.org/blog/owen.php?blogid=11&archive=2009-04 ) . Bible has been taught since 2002 as a regular academic subject, exposing thousands of youth to the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time.

In 2003, God directed our group of 50 youth and a few adults to start a church in our neighborhood. Just two years later, over 150 adults, youth and children call the "More than Conquerors Church" home http://www.hondurasfield.org/blog/owen.php?itemid=534 .

People of all walks of life have come together and are seeking to obey God as a church body in Christ.

We encountered many personal and emotional needs of the people in Honduras.  During ministry during the spring of 2005 we meet with families that were on the edge of destruction.  God helped them through our meager attempts at counseling but we knew we needed more preparation.  God made it possible for us to receive our masters in counseling at Mid-America Nazarene University, in Olathe, Kansas.

Marriage Seminar with More Than Conquerors' Church couples.

Where are our kids today?  LeeAnn was married in January of 2009 to Tim Daniel http://www.hondurasfield.org/blog/owen.php?itemid=544 .  She spent four years as an MK (Missionary Kid) in Honduras and was the first El Sembrador Academy (MK school) graduate. She graduated from Circleville Bible College in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in management and ethics and from Mid-America Nazarene University in 2005 with a master's degree in Organizational Administration. LeeAnn spent a year as a volunteer missionary in 2001 at Escuela El Sembrador. In 2007 LeeAnn was asked to serve with World Gospel Mission in Uganda, Africa as their interim treasurer. http://africaleeannowen.blogspot.com/

Joshua lived 9 years as an MK in Honduras and also graduated from El Sembrador Academy. In 2004 he obtained a bachelor's degree in Aviation Science from College of the Ozarks. In October 2005, he married Erin Reber, also a graduate of College of the Ozarks. They reside in Missouri and blessed us with our first grandchild, Jackson Joshua, in November 2008 http://www.owenongoings.blogspot.com/

We serve God because we believe that the Bible's salvation message and eternal life in Jesus Christ is a reality. We believe that all people need to hear and understand the story of Jesus' life and work.