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Valerie and I are back in Honduras for several months!  The trip to the US was good.  God blessed us in that often for communication/fundraising/conference trips, the fruit from seeds planted come months if not longer down the road.  But God was gracious as always to give us several opportunities to see Him working right before our eyes, which is a huge encouragement to doing these trips.

What's that?  Yes...there are many things about being in the USA that are easier than Honduras (driving, errands, security [sometimes], shopping for example) but it is still work for us, and brings its own challenges and changes to our normal schedule, what we do, etc.  

All that to say...seeing how it helps the mission to grow, that is why we do it, because overall having our place, our routine, and doing what we know more everyday here in Honduras is overall easier.  But we aren't called to what is easy, or comfortable, or known.  We have been so blessed though so far in these trips, and already have a bit of a handle of what the schedule for 2024 will be like...just as busy as 2023 probably!

In Honduras, things are growing, things are going gangbusters, but also presenting challenges...what else is new right?

Seen on the left, baptisms in Las Botijas.  But, as there is growth, there is also push back.  There have been rumors slung at the pastor recently, which have been weighing on him a lot, so much so he has thought about giving up and leaving.

Add to that, for other reasons, both our Milk Project staff will be leaving at the beginning of the year...growth, and now even greater challenges.  

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And there have been a string of kids in the Milk Project, with illnesses, bike wrecks, and more. 

Plus, the more we grow, the more we also get to see how hard life is for so many, especially in the rural areas.  Stability, staying in school, just being able to get to the Milk Project sometimes is hard.  

Dian here came down with some stuff that required heavy duty meds.  His parents work...when they can find work, and are barely keeping fed.  Fortunately, we could help out to get the meds he needs for now, and make him some special food for his VERY strict diet.  

What else?  Things on the farm in Cantarranas have not been going as well as we would have hoped with the young pastor we were giving a shot to prove himself, so we will have to make a change there beginning soon.  

The construction in Danli is going well...still a lot to do, but pastor Edwin has been working hard when they can get the materials they need (they waited weeks for the second floor metal to pour the concrete into)

We are still praying we can find the right person to help us on the farm direction/management.  We need someone who can drive, a go-getter, and that speaks English (to also help with teams) and have been looking/asking...but just haven't found the right person yet.  Plus, Carlos will be leaving us at the beginning of 2024 up on the farm in Sampedrana.  Pastor Juan has a new candidate we will be trying to see how he does, overall but also if he can drive up there as well!  

And of course in Sampedrana, with the rains subsiding, we are hoping to start getting materials up there to make more road and bridges during the dry season.  Pray that all comes together because it is time consuming, and takes a lot of planning to make that happen, along with everything else going on especially.

And the other big thing...the office building.  Fundraising has not been bountiful for that...but we are 100% convinced it is actually a bigger priority and need than a lot of what can be seen...primarily because it is where we hope to have the most impact in what can't be seen...the faith and outreach success of all we are doing in the churches, Milk Project and farms.  So, we press forward as much as we can.  Have to put some plans and meetings/conferences/teaching on hold though until we can get that fully built out and finished.  

So...we are coordinating end of the year activities, getting materials, closing out well...and also planning and budgeting everything for the year to come...December will be just as busy as every other month for the mission for sure!  

Say a prayer for us to see how God would have us prioritize, and to help us cut ourselves a break when not everything gets done quite as timely as sometimes we would like.  God timing not our timing!