New projects! New blessings!

A move to a safer part of town

We were living in a very nice home with a beautiful yard, surrounded by good neighbours, about 25 minutes walk from the town centre and 20 minutes’ walk from our church. However since Lise had been held up at gunpoint in broad daylight last May just a minute away from the house, walking in the area was becoming stressful. Even taxi drivers were nervous about driving us home in the evenings.
When Oswaldo Melgar informed us of his plan to work in a new church plant in the islands, we inquired about his house. It is quite a bit closer to town, and, while there is no absolutely “safe” place, it is certainly an improvement in that area. The apartment itself is quite a bit smaller, and we have no yard. We moved in to the apartment on February 2nd, just a few days after Dan Baetz’ visit with us.
We were grateful to have pastor Hector's help in our move. It was our 30th move in 39 years of marriage!

Introducing the First Principles course in Iglesia Bautista Hermón with half a dozen potential leaders, or facilitators for the course.

Our pastor, Hector, has been very busy, not only as president of the national pastors association, but also teaching BILD courses to the regional pastors.  So far, no one in the church had caught the vision to follow the First Principles course (an excellent discipleship series, a prelude to the BILD leadership courses). In January, we met with a group of leaders and potential leaders in the church. Josué Claros came from Tegucigalpa (the capital) to give an introduction to the First Principles, and we followed that up with some training in facilitating these courses.  Lord willing, on February 25th, we will begin a group with these leaders and a number of others, going through the series. Some of the leaders will take turns facilitating as we go along.

Introducing the First Principles course in Atitlan, Guatemala. 

Possibility of getting it translated into Tsutujil.

In the beginning of February, the day after we moved into our new home, and the same day we got our new dog (Muki, a 2-month old husky), John had to leave on a trip to Guatemala! Lise was left alone with all the problems.  The trip to Atitlan, Guatemala was eventful. Slept in San Pedro Sula Sunday night, and left Monday morning at 7:00 am.  We arrived in Chimaltenango, Guatemala, at about 5:00 pm, and met with three groups who are using the First Principles courses that evening. The next morning, at 6 o’clock, we left for San Pablo in Lake Atitlan. What a beautiful region! And what a wild ride down the mountain roads! Celso drives carefully (for a Honduran), but those roads were awfully hard on the brakes. (He had to change them before going back). At 8.30 am we met with a group of leaders from San Pablo, San Pedro de Atitlan, and other surrounding towns, to introduce the First Principles course and start doing some training in their use.  I found that I was not the only person for whom Spanish was a second language. It was the case with all of them, even the pastors. They spoke Tsutujil as a first language, and many of them really struggled with Spanish. After a while we realized more time was needed explain even the basic concepts.
These people can all read, but many of them have had no formal schooling at all. In fact the church in which we were meeting had a partially outdoor primary school for 52 children who otherwise would never go to school. The seven teachers are all volunteers. (The physical education teacher was having them run up and down the church stairs!)
At the end we came to the conclusion that, rather than teach “How to Teach First Principles”, this group of leaders and pastors would have to be taken through the First Principles themselves, as disciples, and later on learn how to lead groups in these.
They are a keen, dedicated group, however, and we have high hopes for them.  We have hopes that First Principles will eventually be translated into Tsutujil.
Late Thursday afternoon we drove back to Chimaltenango, and Friday morning, left for San Pedro Sula, in Honduras. We arrived in San Pedro a little after 6:30 pm Friday, which was too late to take a bus. So I stayed overnight and took a bus back home on Saturday.  Absolutely exhausted, I slept for 12 hours!  Today, Wednesday, I’m just starting to feel like myself again.

Beautiful Scenery!             

John, presenting the material

Celso, teaching                

Introducing the First Principles course to a group of churches in Lempira South

In January, John spent a week at BAGOPE, the Baptist camp, for the annual Pastors’ retreat and business meeting, followed by the Convention.
It was a very interesting experience, primarily meeting with pastors from around the country. As it turned out, there are several areas in the country where the ETBIL courses (First Principles and BILD leadership courses) have not been introduced. A pastor in Copan showed interest, and I will probably be travelling to meet with his church, along with Josué Claros, the national coordinator for ETBIL.  Another group that has already had some preparation is from Lempira South.  Arturo, the man designated as being the leader for pastoral education and discipleship, asked me to go and motivate the churches regarding the First Principles series. I would spend one evening with each church, and spend the day on Thursday with all of the pastors. I am supposed to leave this Saturday morning.
I’m told it is an exhausting all-day trip in an old rickety bus along very bad roads.  However I understand they have not yet ordered the material they need. If they can’t have it for when I am there, I will postpone the trip (which, from my point of view will not be tragic: it will just give me a bit more time to recover from my Guatemala trip!)

Arturo examines the First Principles series

Baptist Convention 

End of Convention, with pastor Hector and 3 delegates from our church

Translating for the evangelist Tony Anthony during ten very busy days in Guatemala

From March 14th to March 24th, I will be involved in a different kind of ministry.  A church in Quebec is coordinating with churches in Guatemala City to hold an evangelistic campaign with international evangelist Tony Anthony. I’ve been asked to do the translation. We will be busy, often morning, afternoon and evening. One day it will involve both a television interview and a preaching service on television. This program is said to reach eleven million people in Guatemala.
I’m sure it will be an interesting experience. One priority of mine at the time, as you can imagine, will be to get plenty of rest so I can be alert in my translating.

Lise with AWANA, and  Sunday School 

This year Lise has been put in charge of an AWANA class, with two trainees under her. She is enjoying her relationship with them. (Here in Honduras, AWANA starts at the beginning of the school year, which begins in the beginning of February).
She is also sharing the teaching with another Sunday School teacher, for one of the classes in the church. They also have a trainee.

Prayer requests:

1. Strength, health, energy for the travelling
2. Alertness while translating for Tony Anthony
3. Unity in the work
4. The hundred or so children who attend our church AWANA program, ¾ of whom come from unchurched homes.
5.     Lesbia and Indura, two girls from the Children's Home, now studying at the university in Tegucigalpa

Thank you for praying