Christmas

Jesus came! To save us!

These last few weeks thinking about the coming birth of Jesus have been great! I have enjoyed putting more into thinking about His birth and what that meant/means to me in my life. Ashley and I read through an advent book by John Piper, Good News of Great Joy, each day since December 2. This helped us start off our days thinking about Jesus and His coming. We really enjoyed the readings and doing them together as a family. This year was the first time we, as a couple, have done an advent something each day leading up to Christmas. I felt it was a great way to 'force' us to think about Jesus and not allow ourselves to get caught up in ourselves and parties and gifts.

Yesterday was a pretty quiet day (except for the fireworks - a tradition in Honduras). It was very nice. We were able to sleep in and spend quality time together (this included Lyssa, the intern who is currently living with us). We opened some presents and made a delicious meal - all together. It was a good time.

We really missed being with our families, but we know that our home is now here in Honduras and that the Lord has a plan for us here. We did get a chance to talk or skype with much of our family in the past few days.

Our 'fireplace'

Ritmo & his Christmas futbol

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 

One Year

On December 13, 2011, we arrived in La Ceiba, Honduras to begin the next phase of our life. About two and a half years after our first trip here, God had brought us back to live and serve full-time.

Ashley with our bags outside of the airport the day we arrived

One year later we are still here and loving it! Wow, this past year has flown by. Below are a few thoughts and some pictures from this past year.

God will always provide what we need (and often more than we could ask for or imagine). We have seen our Lord provide in so many ways this past year - in relationships, financially, a place to live, an awesome team, time with friends and family when we needed it.

Our first medical clinic in La Fe

Our puppy, Ritmo

God is good!

We live in a beautiful place! The area surrounding La Ceiba is filled with amazing places. The beach is just a few minutes away, as are waterfalls in the mountains.

Ashley's brother Chris was loved and is missed.

FUTBOL!

Both Ashley and I absolutely love living and serving in Honduras. We miss so many friends and family, but are certain that we are exactly where the Lord wants us to be.

Thank you for you love and support over this past year!

Teaching at Gringo Church

Every Sunday our team gets together for a worship service in English. We feel it is important to have the opportunity to worship our Savior in our heart language.

We sing, pray, and study God's Word. For the last month or so I have been teaching through Philippians. It has been such a great opportunity for me to dig into this letter and study what Paul was writing and how it applies to us. I have enjoyed the preparation because it 'forces' me to study hard, read what others have written, and listen to sermons so that I can articulate what the passage is saying.

As I prepare to teach each week I am thankful that it is not my skill or intelligence or way with words that will cause anyone to learn, but that it is the work of the Holy Spirit. So far, we have looked at the first chapter and about half of the second.

I have always heard from pastors that they learn WAY more than anyone in the congregation when they preach because of all the work it takes to prepare a sermon. Now I understand this a little bit.