A friend of ours asked us to send him an update so that he could share with the deacons at church. Gave me a good reason to also update this blog.
Jordan's foot---She had surgery yesterday to remove a spot that had become infected. Down here there are a lot of different nasty bacteria that you have to be careful of. This particular place on her foot became infected and the concern was that it had started moving up her leg. She is on antibiotics and will go back Friday for a follow up.
Reagan's eye---His right eye is still crossing in. We have a patch that we are trying to use, which is impossible with a 2 yr. old. If this doesn't work, Reagan will have to have eye surgery, probably when we go back to the states for furlough.
Alan's Dad---My dad has been having some health problems recently. Its difficult with us not being there to help him and of course his grandkids here worry about PaPa. He is currently in Fayetteville with his daughter and is looking to move there so that they can look after him some. He is 78 and my mother died last December, and with us moving, and his recent health issues, its been a tough few months.
Spanish language---Pray as we continue to learn the language. The great thing is that we all desire to learn it so that we can become more immersed in the culture and by that be more effective in our personal ministry.
Our Support---Continue to pray that God raises up the support He has called. We are technically still below what is a recommended budget, but God has been incredibly faithful in raising up supporters and providing for all of our needs. We are blessed and humbled by the sacrificial giving of our supporters.
Praises:
The kids---They have been adjusting great. We didn't anticipate any problems with AJ adjusting and that is the case. He loves it here and all the new bugs and things he can find. Jordan was the least thrilled with coming here. But she has done great and I think if you pushed her, she would admit she "somewhat" likes it here. The younger ones have been fine and have become little Hondurans in no time.
Homeschooling---We have started the new year of homeschooling and so far the kids are doing very well.
Dana---She has gotten over the initial culture shock and is doing well. She is adjusting and starting to understand and enjoy the different aspects of life in a third world country.
Recent happenings:
---I had the opportunity to work with a brigade for a week in September. It can lead to tiring days and nights, but it is a great blessing to be apart of God's work here in Honduras. I love seeing how the Hondurans are affected, but also how the team members that come here are transformed during that week.
---Just last week I went to a bible conference in a little town called Siguatepeque for an exposition on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. It is an part of John MacArthur's Master Seminary and was an incredible 4 days of teaching.
---We are getting ready here at the mission house to have 4 teams in a row to finish out the year. Next year we will have 12 in a row to start the year, so be in prayer during that time for strength and endurance.
---WGO has been working on completing the upper grade school building at the ranch. With this we are looking at having all grades taught at the ranch with a bi-lingual curriculum. To do this one of the prayer request is for more teachers. I am in the process of trying to recruit at least 5 more for next year.
---I am also continuing to recruit more house parents also. WGO would love to be able to bring in more children into the ranch setting, however we can not do that until God raises up additional house parents.
---WGO recently donated over 500 bags of corn and $200,000 worth of medicine to the first lady of Honduras.
Verses:
1 John 3:16-19 16We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
Phillippians 4:6-7 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Galatians 6:9-10 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith
---Alan
