A Huge Blessing!

Will here!

I've had a pair of glasses for the last 3 years. My eyes are pretty bad so I had to use my glasses while drilling. Over the last 3 months, they got scratched up pretty bad and towards the end of March it become pretty difficult for me to read or drive. I planned to use the $1500 I was receiving from my tax return (which still hasn't come in) to purchase some new glasses when I returned to Honduras. God had another plan! I returned to the states on the 30th of March. That Friday (the 1st of April), I visited Zad Tomberlin (One of the three men that God used to really shape my walk) and his wife Tory just to see how they were doing. I told them about my glasses and Tory wanted to help me. She tried to clear out some of the scratches but they were so bad that she accidentally made it worse. They immediately contacted the head deacon of their church, Larry, and asked him if there was any way that he could set me up with an emergency replacement with Zad and Tory covering the cost (which I did not like).

The next Monday (the 4th) Larry set me up with Jack Raby Opticals. They couldn't copy my prescription in the right lens because it was so scratched up. I had to go to the Wal-mart vision center in Madisonville and have the optometrist fax in my prescription to Jack Raby Optical. They received the fax and said they would try to have my new pair of glasses in by that Thursday (the 7th) which was really pushing the envelope.

Wednesday night I received a phone call from Tory. She had some news for me. Turns out, that Larry paid for my frames (yes I said "frames") and that Jack Raby (the owner of the optical store) paid for my lenses. I had new glasses for free! Plus, I had TWO NEW PAIRS!!!! They gave me a pair to drill with and a pair to wear when not working!!! Is God not GREAT!!!???

It blows my mind! Because of His love for us, He promises to meet our needs. Not just today or tomorrow....but ALL OF OUR LIVES!!! Like a friend of mine says...."God will always blow your mind". Boy is that true!?

Thank you Larry and Jack!

By the way.....here is a photo from yesterday that Bob did not show you guys!

Birthday pics...

Rosa, 11, and Mauricio, 12, show off some of their 'haul' from today's birthday party.

Rosa, 11, and Mauricio, 12, show off some of their 'haul' from today's birthday party.

Family Reunion...

Andrea is the 15 year old sister of Fabi, Mauricio, & Angel and she is currently living in an orphanage outside of San Pedro Sula, El Refugio. Until a month ago 'our 3' had not seen their sister in over 3 years and today was a great reunion for them. We celebrated Mauricio's twelfth birthday (and Rosa's eleventh) and we gained permission from Andrea's orphanage to take her with us. It was awesome to watch them bond again, particularly the two girls. Throughout the day as we talked with Andrea we learned that she had a abdominal surgery a year ago at the 'free' hospital here and has been having a great deal of trouble and pain since then. She is on medication, but doesn't appear to be getting any better and we suspect a botched operation in a hospital that routinely doesn't have needles for injections or IV's.

The Lord impressed it upon us that we need to try to help Andrea get relief from her constant pain and after that who knows........ When we took her back to her orphanage after the party we asked the caretaker to ask the director for permission to obtain her medical files and a record of the meds she is currently taking. We also ask for permission to take her to the doctor who operated on Joyce and get his opinion on what this on-going problem is. If permission is granted we will try to contact the doctor tomorrow and move forward from there.

We feel strongly that God brought this girl and her medical problem to us so we could help her; and obviously, the family reunion is a very good thing. Please pray for God to continue to speak clearly through this as we take the next steps.

Thank you for your prayers........Joyce, Will, the Kids, & Bob

The picture below is of: First row: Angel, 2nd Row: Fabiola & Mauricio, 3rd Row: Andrea

Back In Honduras!!!

Today I arrived back in Honduras. It was fun getting to see everyone back in the states again but I would be lying if I said I wanted to stay. In my last update, I stated that I felt like an alien in my own country...and boy did I! I've driven through highways 360, 411, and 68 numerous times and this past week I just knew in my heart that I did not belong where I temporarily was. I yearned to be back in the place that God had turned into my home and to be with the children that God had placed in my life. I missed hearing their laughs and seeing their faces. I now know how it must feel for those of you who have children and have to spend time away from your families. There is quite a bit to talk about, including a HUGE, HUGE BLESSING! So, I'll throw some updates your way the next couple of days!

Thank you all for your prayers!!!

Effects of the broiler...

The heat is taking it's toll on all of us...two of the kids, Fabi & Mauricio, came home with horrendous test scores this week...not because they didn't know the material, they simply weren't focusing! Antonio has decided he isn't going to eat breakfast...he just sits there with his mouth full, staring at you, claiming he can't swallow, and Cesar came home with a test score of 4 out of 18!

Then yesterday the air conditioner on the truck went out! It's 100 plus everyday and it's tough riding in traffic with no air.

The good news is: everyone is healthy! Sunday we celebrate two birthdays, so maybe that will give the family a new outlook...a cheerier one!

In the broiler...

The heat wave continues here in San Pedro with temperatures for the week forecast in the 104-106% range. Literally, at 6:00 a.m. you begin to sweat just sitting still.

We checked up on a waitress to whom we had recently given a Bible and she excitedly told us how much she was reading and how much she enjoyed it. She told us one of her co-workers saw her reading and asked her if she could get a Bible for himself.

Tomorrow is a sad day for us; our friends the Meltons will going back to the states for 15 months. We're happy for them, but we'll miss them. Then in June another couple who are good friends heads back to the states for a year, as well. Who among you will be coming down to replace them?

2 birthdays coming up this week...Mauricio & Rosa both have their birthdays on the 11th of April. We'll celebrate on the 10th as Mauricio turns 12 and Rosa turns 10! It's a good thing they have 'young' parents!

The Power of the Word...

This morning I preached on Christian behavior from Romans 12:9-21 and one of the points is that we are to distribute to the needs of the poor and be hospitable. I mentioned that we have a shack/pulperia at end of our street w/a very poor family w/ young children that we have given lots of food, clothes, toys, etc. to; but we have never invited them to swim in our pool or eat at our table. NOT HOSPITABLE!

Fabiola was listening and after the service she said, "when you mentioned that we never invited them I felt like I needed to go home and ask them to swim with us." She did just that and this afternoon we had 3, 5, & 8 year old girls enjoying the refreshing of the pool all because Fabiola was listening and the word penetrated her!!! Now, we expect that the love Fabiola showed them will bring a ray of hope into their lives and crack open the door for Jesus to walk in.

Cool stuff!