|
| Home | Newsletter Archives |
Cheves Ministry
We've returned to Guaimaca and are enjoying the beautiful weather and friends who have been dropping by all day to welcome us home. We especially want to thank you for your prayers for our travels and time in the States. Our travels this year were especially good because we saw many of you who pray for and support us faithfully to do His work here in Honduras. We are very glad to be back, though, and are looking forward to a great 2012.
We've been welcomed back in such special ways already. This afternoon, for example, fifteen young boys and girls, ages 7-11 from Iglesia Bautista Agua de Vida, came to our front door to sing several songs and welcome us. One young lady recited a beautiful welcome to us in English after the same welcome in Spanish by another. JoAnn started crying with joy and I was about to as well, but was able to duck behind the front door to wipe away a stray tear. Then we hugged all of them and told them how proud we are of them, and we really are.
We've had visits by Pedro, Leo, Iris, Dennis, Neptali, Glen, Rosalyn, Hilda, Yolanda, Isoura, Camilo, and others all day. It seems the word is out that we are back. They say the Deacons want to report their plans for the coming year to us before adopting them. That will probably happen next week, but I have been asked to attend another meeting with church leaders tonight. It sure is great to see the church growing and involving so many of His folk, both young and old. They're all really special to us.
We want to start this newsletter with a special prayer request for a dear friend, Rev. Jerry Haas. Jerry underwent surgery this morning to remove a tumor from his brain that was thought to be benign and encapsulated. It wasn't benign and was found to be a very aggressive type cancer. We ask you to pray for Jerry and his family as they go through this difficult time. Jerry is Missions Pastor for Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. We have enjoyed serving the Lord with Jerry and PABC for many years and have just begun a new ministry through that partnership to provide potable water and a church for many poor communities in this area and eventually in other areas of Honduras. Please keep Jerry and his family in your prayers.
This year will start with two surgery teams in mid February, who will also be doing some construction and evangelism. In March there will be two evangelism teams and a medical team as well. For the year we are expecting at least twenty two teams. It is definitely going to be a year of evangelizing the lost in and around Guaimaca and all of Honduras with patients coming from all over the country for surgery. We are so thankful to be a small part of it all. You can see the calendar of teams coming by following this link. http://bmdmi.org/calendar.php
Since returning to Guaimaca we have learned that all of the churches are doing well. Our main campus church, Iglesia Bautista Agua de Vida, is exceeding all expectations. Nine more families have joined the fellowship and the youth group has grown from forty five to more than sixty. As the church grows more are hearing the good news and coming to see what it is all about that their neighbors and friends have found. Please continue to pray God will be glorified through His churches and that many more will follow.
During our visit to the States we received commitments to purchase a generator for Iglesia Bautista San Jose de Guayape, begin building a church for Iglesia Bautista Agua Fria, begin building a church for Iglesia Bautista Quebrada Grande, continue construction of Iglesia Bautista Agua de Vida, and to help with other churches' needs. We praise God for wonderful folks, like you, who see the needs and respond with generosity and love. Thank you so much.
We want to say a special thanks to those of you who welcomed us into your homes and set up meetings with friends and church groups to talk about God's work in Honduras. We are just sad that we weren't able to see everyone. Now we are looking forward to seeing those next year. Know you are a special blessing to us and that without our partnership with you it would not be possible. God bless you.
Please pray for us often. Thank you for your prayers and financial support in 2011. We pray you will continue to pray for and partner with us in 2012 that many more will come to know Christ this year. Thank you for all you do for the Lord. |
