Journey to Honduras

Sometimes there are no words............

2012-01-23T15:25:00.000-08:00

We have been on this journey now for almost 3 years. It is so amazing to see just how far that God has brought us during this time. Now, that we have finished the cottage and the beds are all made and ready for little ones we are just waiting. We have talked with some people that we know and even recently a young mother of 4. She has two boys and 2 girls. Our first meeting with her we simple explained to her that we were here if she needed us. She is trying very hard but she is pretty much doing it alone. She works 6 days a week and about 12 hours each day. As we began to explain what our ministry was about there were tears in her eyes. I can not even begin to imagine what the thoughts were in her head the other day. We ask that you simply pray for her and her children and that God will give us all wisdom in the future of these little ones.

She is going to be facing many difficulties this week as she ponders on what to do. I am sure that she is afraid of what her family, friends and neighbors are going to say about her putting her children in a childrens home. However, we all only want what is best for the children. She also has a husband at home that is unsaved and not very supportive.....please pray for her as she talks with him about the options that are before them. He only works to support his drinking habit for the most part. Now, is the time that we need your prayers.....somedays there will times when we can not share all of what we see and face each day. We are going to see many mothers shed tears and have children do the same. We will have a probation period where they will not be able to have contact with their parents, this is so that they can become adjusted to their new home, the 7 of us and new rules. Please pray that the parents and children will have an easy adjustment period.

We hope to find out this week whether or not we will be placing kids next week. This is a time of sincere prayer. We are so thankful that even though we can not share the more specifics with you that you all are willing to pray for us....and even more thankful that God knows our heart when there are no words.

It is a delicate situation that we are about to embark upon.....not only for us but the mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers of these children. I am however, thankful that God can give comfort and peace and healing to those in need. In Psalm 34:18 the Bible says "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." How comforting to know that he is there for the broken hearted. There are going to be many that are broken hearted about seperating themselves from their children....please pray that God will grant them peace if this is his WILL for them to be in Esperanza

We look forward to keeping you all posted.

Cooking 101 in Honduras

2012-01-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

We have had some fun times the last few days in the kitchen. Karla has taught us to make 2 very popular foods here in Honduras. The first, is the good ole corn tortilla. This is a staple.....people eat these like we Americans, eat rolls. They eat them with everything; breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. So, it is only right that we learn how to prepare these ourselves. First you need a good "masa" or corn flour.

You then add your masa and water to a bowl to form a soft dough. Using a circle cut from a ziplock bag you form the ball into a flat round circle. It is a little more difficult than you might think and takes a little practice to get it right.

Then you must cook it over a hot eye. We tried to use a griddle but it was not hot enough....so we used the flattop stove eye. In the future we plan on buying a flat cast iron pan.

When you are all done....you can have a nice stack of your very own homemade corn toritlla.....

The second item Karla taught me to make is a compliment to every meal....it is called "encurtido". Really it is just pickled veggies......if you eat out....they will put this on your table...like we put out salt and pepper. It is really rather simple.....onions, jalepenos, carrots, salt, pepper, water and vinegar. First, slice the onions and carrots into thin strips. Then add as much jalepenos as you desire for the heat factor......In a pot pour about 2-3 cups of vinegar and equal parts of water. Then generously add salt and pepper. Place all the veggies in the pot and boil for about 10-20 minutes or until the onions have turned a little orangish yellow. Then allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

We hope that one day you will try these to things if you have not already.

!APROVECHA!

Enjoy !

Ready and Waiting.......

2012-01-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

Well, 2012 is off to a great start. We have been waiting for this time to come and now it is here, the time that we can open the doors to Esperanza de Honduras (Hope of Honduras Childrens Home). We have been able to meet and talk with a few local people here about donating food and services to the children...please pray that we will be able to influence these contacts and that they will help us in our endeavors to rescue these sweet children who other wise would have nothing. This week Mark was able to visit a local childrens home here about 25 minutes from where we are currently. He said the chidlren were so sweet and ranged from 6 months on up. He even said that he saw a sweet little boy that had been in a crib for so long he had no use of his legs. How sad is that.....his mother left him in a crib...never held him, placed him on the floor or let him move and now he has no fuction of his legs. We pray that we can rescue these children before their life gets to that point.

We were also able to go and visit with a sweet grandmother of 2 little girls and let her know that if she chooses her granddaughters are welcome to live here. Please pray that we all have wisdom in the days to come and that we are ready when God sends us "who he" desires to be our first children. There are so many kids we see everyday that are just a step above poverty.

Yesterday, we went to the mall to get a few things....mainly because it is the only place there is an "ACE Hardware"....while there we let Josiah ride the kiddie train that was inside. A young boy about 9 or 10 kept following me around...everywhere I went he was 2 steps behind me or beside me. Finally, I had walked off to go to the grocery store...I turned around and there he was again. He was walking around and looking....looking at what we had....he even went up to talk to the ladies in the meat department. Mark saw him pick up a Burger King cup that someone had sat down to see if there was any drink left inside. MArk handed Hunter a few limpera and told him to go and chat with the young boy. How sad it is that a child has to do that...follow around people, look for someone elses....trash to fill their hunger pains.

We are so excited about the future, not only to be able to fil their bellies with warm food but to give them what they all need love...and not just our love but to point them to that "God shaped Love" that everyone of us long for and need in our lives. It is our desire that the children we care for will accept Christ as their Savior and grow spiritual and phycially. We want to help educate them and make them a well rounded individual. Please pray for us as the roads ahead are going to be tough and we are going to need help and wisdom from the Lord. We look forward to keeping you all posted as we move forward.

2012-01-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

Tonight's blog is a little different than others that I normally write about. Today, we read devasting news about one of our dear dear friends in North Carolina. Her name is Lalania Hall. When we lived in N.C. I had the priviledge of teaching 2 of her 5 boys in kindergarten. Through those 2 years I learned alot about my dear friend. She truly is an inspiration to all that she meets. In 2007 she was given the news that no-one wants to hear....the news that contains what we would say is the "C" word....the "You have cancer" news. Not only did Lanie find out that she had cancer but her cancer was already stage 4. Lanie is the strongest women I have ever meet. Not only does she show physical strength, but mental and spiritual stength as well. I have never once her heard complain about having cancer.....she has always kept on going...she truly is "the little engine that could". She has friends all over the world who are praying for her. I know that it is her faith in the Lord and his grace that has kept her alive for the past 4 years. As I sit here tonight many the miles away from her.....all I can think of is that if God were to rewrite the part of Hebrews "Hall of Faith" I can not help but think that he would include her name in it. She has been such a testimony to so many...she has touched people that I know she has never met. Some of the hard times about being on the mission field is that you can not reach out to those who you love....those who are hurting....those who you simply want to hug and tell them that you love them. Today is one of those days....she received the news that she is going to just get worse....the tumors in her brain are causing her brain to swell...the radiation that she must take only causes her weak and frail body to ache even more. Her thoughts are ..."do I take the radiation which seems to kill me with pain and agony"....or do I let the cancer beat me....She has always been a fighter...she served our country and is a veteran. She has decided to take the treatment which her doctors said could buy her 6 months. I know that God is the greatest doctor in all the world. I know that he has a plan....I also know that HIS will is not always our will. However, tonight I ask that all of you who read this please take the time to pray for her....I know that God hears our prayers and he answers those prayers of his people. God has kept her alive this long..he can do it for as long as He wants to.....the Bible says in James 5:16 " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. You see right now...not only is my dear friend Lanie in need of prayers and a touch from the master but I have a dear Uncle...my uncle Jack who is also in the hospital with an illness....and a dear friend of mine Catherine....her doctors have failed to determine what is causing all of her pain. You see we are human....doctors are human....we don't have all the answers....there is only ONE who has all the answers in the world...His name...Jesus...Prince of PEace, the great Physician, Comforter, and I could go on and on....I can not be there to see my loved ones and to hug them and give them comforting words....but better than that...I can lift their names up to heaven so that the one with the answers might heal them. I know that there are many of you who read this and have problems that are similar.....please know that if you ask...I will pray for you as well.....That is what we are suppose to do for one another.

her 5 boys......

Lanie and her 5 sons

God listens to my every request with HIS whole heart. I will expect the unexpected, greater than all I ask or think. As I pray, I learn to pray, to believe, to trust, to expect with increasing boldness. If I pray and ask the Lord for something...I should not doubt that he will not hear or answer my request...for if I doubt...what is the purpose of prayer. i should only ask God to do something if I beleive that it is HIS WILL...he will do it. The key here people is it must be GOD's WILL....sometimes we forget to say that when we pray...Lord if it be YOUR WILL please ......______________and you fill in the blank. I prayed that prayer when we were hoping for another baby....and we got Josiah......I just never would have imagined that HE would bless me again with MICAH....God is so good...and not just some of the time...but all of the time. I again know that this is a blog of many emotions.....but hey....even missionaries have trials...just look at all of Jesus' disciples. He never said that being a Christian/ a servant was going to be easy....but I am glad for the valleys...because it makes the moutains look so much more magestic. I must also say that this really is not a trial......just a time of saddness for us as we do not want her to suffer....we know where her heart is and we know that when she leaves this life she will have a new body FREE of cancer and pain. It's just one of those tough times in the ministry...when you are away from your friends and family....So, on a happy note I am going to leave you with this....today at church in our 6-9 year old class Mark was teaching on Zacchaeus....after the lesson he went through the Romans Road and had a mini-invitation. Well, God was moving and working and he was able to lead a little boy to the Lord tonight. So...there is a reason to sing...."There's a new name written down in glory".....

Last thing.....please again take the time to pray for Lanie....and for others..and when you pray...you should pray EXPECTING an answer....

Sincerely Serving Him....
The Coats Family

Just Some Highlights to 2011

2011-12-31T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought that since this is the last day of 2011 we would share some of our blessings, favorite things, crazy things, and just fun facts of 2011. There are so many....we could not possible name them all....

(These are in no particular order)

1. Birth of a healthy (Honduran) baby boy: Micah Alexander 5/12/2011
2. Packing up 3 kids and 2 adults with 24 bags and a pack-n-play to get on an airplane
3. Praying all night long that God will give us a helpful person at the airport so we would not have to pay $900 almost for our extra bags. God answered that prayer with a baggage person who helped book us first class and we only had to pay $300 for the upgrade. BLESSING
4. Seeing how faithful people are to the Lord and the ministry by not only filling 1 (40ft) container but 2 (40ft) containers.
5. Getting stopped by the police.....just to have them jump in your truck with a prisoner as you escort them to the station. (This was Mark and Hunter).
6. Driving for the first time in a foreign country....by myself...(Amy)
7. Never leave HOME with OUT IT....your passport that is......
8. Sharing the Gospel and seeing people get saved inspight of our bad Spanish.(Proof that the Bible speaks for itself all you have to do is be willing to share.)
9. Singing in the choir...in Spanish....Mark, Amy, Taylor and Hunter
10. Seeing Fireworks on Christmas Eve
11. Hearing gunshots at all hours of the night
12. Going into a store with a little baby....only to have every female worker run over to see him and say "oh que lindo su bebe....el es mi blancito...(my lil whitey....)
13. Sitting in a restaurant eating when your 3 year old see's a bus pull up and says "Hey look at all those Gringo's".....white people getting off the bus /possible youth groups
14. Successfuly ordering through a drive-thru in Spanish
15. killing snakes in your front yard
16. killing a large rat with the weed-eater (Both of these are Mark)
17. Fishing in the old baptism almost everyday after daily chores and school (Hunter)
18. Waling to the pulperia for cokes and a snack
19. Visiting the beautiful beach in Tela....and having the whole thing to yourself.....literally
20. Giving a few spare limps to the handicapped man at the stop light along with a tract
21. Having a child ask you for the rest of your drink that you were about to throw away
22. Seeing children dig through the trash for food or eat off of the plates that people left on the table
23. Getting to go to Disney World and see Woody and Jessie (Josiah)
24. Getting to fly back home and spend Thanksgiving in Flordia with our families
25. Finding Cherry Coke in a store here
26. Living in our new home...cottage #1
27. Seeing how much Josiah loves working outside with his daddy. ( he asked for his own tools and boots)
28. making new friends here in Honduras
29. Seeing the Mayan Ruins in Copan
30. Going to the waterfall and jumping in (Taylor and Hunter)
31. Looking outside everynight as the fireflies light up everywhere on property.......hundreds at a time
32. Saving a rabbit...a.k.a Coco from being eaten ....yep...our new pet..THANKS Choy!
33. Hearing Josiah after he met Santa Clause here in Honduras...."Momma he is not the REAL Santa Clause"...me: "What makes you say that Josiah?".....Well, momma he doesnt speak any English.....LOL
34. Getting pulled over by a police man for a routine check.....just to hear him ask me if I was from Spain?....he has my american passport in his hand....I ask him...why do you think I am from Spain...(plus my spanish is not that good)....his response....well you have blonde hair and green eyes and you are very kind you must be from Spain...nope I am from North Carolina....
35. Going to the bank to pay your water, electric, car tax and other bills.
36. Winning the make your hubby into Santa Clause at the adult Christmas party game...(becasuse he has a bald head....cotton balls stick better with no hair...hehehehe
37. Parking beside a car at the grocery store that had an OBX sticker on the back
38. During the delivery of Micah ....my doctor is listening to old school 80's music...after he is delivered and the stitching begins....(no-one else is in the room but me and the doctors.....the song "And another One bites the Dust...)...yep just what I wanna hear during an operation.....lol
39. Going to our first Spanish wedding.....
40. flying home to Florida to bring Karla back to Honduras

There are so many more wonderful and crazy things to tell you all about but well....it would simply take to long...So with that said......HAPPY NEW YEAR.....may we not dwell in the past but take a step forward and keep our eyes on the Lord in 2012....for we know not when the Lord will return.......

Happy New Year,
Love,
The Coats Family
Mark, Amy, Taylor, Hunter, Josiah and Micah

Our 1st Christmas in Honduras........

2011-12-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

Josiah, Woody & Jessie

The last 3 years we have been in 3 different countries. We spent almost one year in Tampa, Florida before we headed off to language school. That was our first Christmas away from family and friends back home in North Carolina. The following year we were living in Costa Rica for our year of learning Spanish. However, we were blessded with family tickets to fly back home to NC to spend that Christmas with family and friends. What a blessing that was to be able to surprise everyone. This year we spent our first Christmas truly away from our families back home. It was bitter-sweet. We know that while we missed a NC Christmas with our sibblings and parents we are where God wants us to be. We also know that if you are out-side of God's Will you will never truly be happy. We have had our first Christmas here in Honduras but next year will be another first as well.....you see next year we will hopeully have a full house (12 Honduran children) with us celebrating the reason for the season. They will become our new family. We had a great time here celebrating a Honduran Christmas with Karla and her family on the 24th. We enjoyed a great meal of pork, chicken, rice and salad. Topped off with cake and fireworks....I don't think I could have been anymore nervous than I was that night...lol.....The reason...you might ask.....every child that was old enough to walk had a sparkler in their hand and the others 6,7,8,9+ were lighting them with matches and throwing firecrackers. It was fun however...just a new custom for us. So, our Christmas was explosive ....you might say. I have included some pictures for you to see the fun we had.....We hope that you all had a Very Merry Christmas as well. As we head into 2012 we are going to try and carry the gospel to the children and people of Honduras we pray that you all will try and do the same state side....remember it is all of our jobs to share the gospel with the world.....He is the Reason for the Season....so lets start out with HIM in 2012.

Sincerely Serving Him,
Mark, Amy, Taylor, Hunter, Josiah and Micah

our dinner

Me, Genesis, and Tatianna

Add caption

Back Home in Honduras......

2011-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

Micah's 1st time out of Honduras

Sorry that it has been awhile since our last update. We have been very busy here lately. Well, actually we just arrived back home here in Honduras. We were able to fly out of country and visit family in Tampa for Thanksgiving. While we were not able to see all of our family we were able to share some quality time with part of them. They also ate up the fact that they could see little Micah for the first time. It was crazy to think that...that was his first trip to the states. He has a US Passport but had never actually been there.

While we were there we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with the works......and let us not forget Black Friday shopping. Taylor and I along with my sister-in-laws and Alyssa my neice were able to introduce Karla to her very first Black Friday. (I think that SHE LOVED IT)....she was so excited it was like seeing a kid in a candy store.

The Lord Blessed our trip there and we were all able to go to Disney. Thanks to the people who made that possible. Dreams can come true. I will never foregt the look on Josiah's face for as long as I live when he saw Woody and Jessie. You know that childlike faith...believing in something that you really have never seen. It all was so real that moment that passed by on the float. Seeing him get all excited about those two made me think of how we will react to seeing Jesus for the first time. Will we wave our arms and shout out HIS name in disbelief that it really is him standing in front of us. Will we get teary eyed at just his presence? As I watched Josiah and his sincere reaction....I want my christian life to reflect that same kind of love for Jesus and my family.

As we packed up and headed back home here to Honduras....I was able to witness again that same kind of excitement.....the moment that Karla's momma saw her for the first time after 11 and 1/2 months. Tears flowed and hugs

Micah is Official.....

2011-11-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

WOW! It is so hard for me to believe that 6 months ago I gave birth to my 4th child. It is also amazing to me that I gave birth to him in another country. Having Micah in Honduras has been well...lets just say an adventure. You know there are so many things that we take for granted but so me many more things that we just don't even think about. I know myself, I am truly amazed at how much my eyes have been opened.

Micah was born in the country of Honduras which automaticly makes him a Honduran resident. However, he was born to two North Americans which you think would automaticly...no questions asked make him a U.S. citizen as well. It really amazed me at the amount of documentation and evidence we had to show to prove he had the rights of a U.S. citizen just like his sister and brothers. We had to show ultrasound pictures of the pregnancy, doctor bills, proof that we had been in the states ourselves for so many years, pictures of Mark and I together while I was pregnant, pictures of his birth. It was kind of crazy. It made me think about how when we get saved......God does not care where we came from...he does not care where we were born.....he freely accepts us as we are only with one condition.....that we ask him for his grace and mercy and to forgive us of all our past. When we put our faith and trust in him...we have become official in the family of God. We do not need to show proof of who we are...however we need to show proof of a life that was changed. If after trusting Christ our life has not changed....not only through our eyes but to those who see us.....sometimes we are just back-sliden and really meant business with God and the devil trys to convince us that we did notmean business. Dates are a very important thing when you make a decision in your life, make it official by writing down the date. When you do this...you can also go back and say ...yes, I remember I accepted Christ as my Savior on --------(whatever date) and I was at --------You can have that peace to fight off the devil.......Well, November 16th, we received Micah's birth abroad certificate and his U.S. passport.....he is now official. We can leave country.....for the 1st time with him.

Our new Cabinets....

2011-11-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

We have been waiting many months for our new kitchen cabinets. Like everything here, you have to have it custom made. Sometimes, you get things you were not expecting and other times....well lets just say even the best translation can be misinterupreted. Anyway, last week the guys that were building our cabinets came to install them. Honestly, I was a little nevous at first...wondering what they would look like....did he understand the design and vision that I had for the kitchen. Well, thankfully he did and they turned out just beautiful. We had to wait much longer than we had thought but in the end it was worth it.

With that said, it made me sit back and reflect on my life as a christian and my walk with the Lord. Sometimes, things don't always go the way that I want them too. There are days when I wish that I could just rush through to finish something or maybe even skip a step so that I can move forward. Well, just like the cabinets above that needed to dry, then cut, then dried somemore and put together and so on....this is the same as our christian walk. Sometimes, we are in such a hurry that we rob ourselves and the Lord of a blessing. Many times, we do a project or service for the Lord but we rush through it.....just think about how beautiful that " YOU FILL IN THE BLANK" could ave been had you taken the time you needed too.

For example: Saturday soul winning and visitation. One~ do you attend ? Two~ If you do.....do you rush through and hand out a tract and invite them to church and move to the next house or person?? Or do you take the time to sow some seed........ask them a few questions....lead them into "Do you know where you will spend eternity when you die?" Then depending on their answer.....you could end with a much happier ending to your start...especially if you are able to share the gospel. I know myself, that I have this fault with trying to be in a hurry and make sure that everything is accomplished. But, really in the end......what is the most important thing....

Again, back to the cabinets.....the builder could have rushed through...nailed some wood together....stained it and then brought it to us.....but "NO"...he took his time....followed each step of the process and made sure that he delivered a well constructed, planned out product. That is what I want my life to be like for the Lord. I want to offer HIM my best.....

Mozart, Mountains, Machetes and Meds

2011-10-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Well, life has been super busy here so sorry that it has been awhile since my last blog. We have finished the inside of the cottage except for the kitchen cabinets which should be installed tomorrow. Sometimes ....well all the time really ...life flies by so fast that we hardly know what day it is. We have been back and forth a number of times in the last 2 weeks to San Pedro Sula to work on Micah's documents as well as extend our Visa's here. We have our residency papers in but not finalized as of yet. We are also waiting on Micah's birth abroad certificate as well as his US Passport. These are high on our prayer list at this time. Also, please pray for our little guy as he has an ear infection and bronchitis right now. He really is a little trooper.

Micah is growing so fast and is easily entertained. We do not have any baby dvd's but I did discover a few baby Einstein clips on youtube. He absolutley loves watching it. He is such a good baby and really hardly ever cries. We are thankful that God has given us our little Micah.

We recently were able to start back-up with our homeschooling and Josiah had his 1st day of k4 last week. He is really enjoying school and cant wait to wake up and go to the living room for class. However, please pray for our little buddy as he has had a double ear infection now for almost 3 weeks. He will have to see an ENT here in Honduras to see if he has to have surgery to remove the tubes that he had put in before we went to Costa Rica.

Okay, so we have read about Mozart and meds. Now, it's time for moutains and machetes. We recently as a team had a staff retreat to plan for the upcoming year and reflect on 2011. We all visited the city of Copan to see the Mayan Ruins. What an amazing drive to see God's creation then we were able to walk the cobblestone streets of Copan. We have a wonderful team here and it is so amazing to see how God is guiding us all. We are excited to share with you all that Nathan and Jennifer will be extending Team Honduras into the city of Santa Barbara as they start a new church plant here. Praise the Lord for how he has blessed the team here and the church as well as the congregation over the last 6 years. Please keep them in your prayers as well as they will be moving out away from Progreso in January. OH yeah, bet you are wondering about the machete.....well, when leaving Copan we were parked beside 2 taxi buses when the one behind pulled the bumper off of the one in the front. When the driver realized what had happened he jumped out of his bus and went to the passenger side and grabbed a machete. He then started to run after the other driver. When, the other driver was out of distance he began hitting the other bus with the machete. You just never know how someone is going to react.....so...our lesson...don't try to park next to a microbus...the driver could have a machete....hehehehe

Until next time.....thanks for reading, praying and giving......

TEAM HONDURAS

The story of 2 containers......

2011-10-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

WOW....a lot has happened in the last few weeks. It is so hard to believe that after much planning and many donating and buying items off of our wish-list we have finally received our container. Wait, that is not the best part....you all gave so generously that we had to have a second container. That is right we received not 1 40ft container but 2 40 ft containers. THANK YOU all so much. We had chills as we finally saw them rolling down the dirt path to our house and not to mention just about in tears when we cut the locks off. We were so blessed that the conatiners were not opened or inspected on the Honduras side. Not one thing was missing or broken during shipping. In fact, it really was a miracle. You see every item that comes into port must be opened and inspected by the border. We were expecting to have to go the port to be there when it was inspected. We were also not able to get tax free status for this container due to a new change in process, so we just knew they would kill us in taxes.....well all I can say is GOD IS GOOD! We received the call that our container was to be delivered unopened on Thursday without border review. Our broker said this statement..."somebody must be praying for you all" and we know that you all were praying for us. The very next day, they changed the law and every container from here out must be inspected. WOW! what provisions he has for us. We had 55 people present the day we unloaded those 2 containers and what a blessing it was to see all of the things that were inside. It was just like Christmas for us. We started the very next day decorating "Esperanza de Honduras. What a blessing this home will be for little boys and girls. You all have helped us created a beautiful home to live in....and Mrs. Chris and Many Higgins from Hope in Tampa did a great job decorating and putting it all in order. I have posted a few pictures for you to see just what it looks like with the things that you all helped make possible. We love you all and are pleased to say this is now: Esperanza de Honduras.

Our living room

unloading the container

boys dorm room

older girls bedroom

play area in the living room

drawing and game area in the living room

little girls bedroom

Hope that you all enjoy the pictures....we will be posting more soon!

Never a dull Moment.......

2011-09-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well, life has been very busy here in Honduras.....we have moved into the cottage and hopefully this week we will receive our container. While we have moved in we are still living out of suitcases, but only for a short time longer.......makes life a little difficult with 4 kids laundry. But, we are hanging in there. Last night, I could not sleep so I decided to do some work in the office. After, I had done all that I could do...I decided to go ahead a go to bed...it was around 1 or so. I had just laid down when I heard a motorcycle that sounded like it was really close to the house. I got up to look and just when I had walked to the front in Taylor's room...I saw a guy slide on his bike. I ran to get Mark so that he could help see what was going on...(he was alseep along with the rest of the family). The guard began to tap on the window and say that we had a drunk guy wreck in the front yard adn that we needed to call the police. We went outside to see that he was only a car length away fromn Taylor's room in the front yard. We called Alexis so that he could help us with talking to the police. Once they arrived they took the man off to jail along with his bike.What a crazy evening....Even stranger is how he got on the property. With that said we need to put a brick wall around the property here. Not only could he have hit the house or a car....but this means that anyone can get in on the property. Please help us about praying for the funds to build a wall. We have 10 acres of land here so that is going to be a big wall but we need to start on the childrens home side of the property first. We want to be able to protect the cottage and the kids that will live here along with our own family. PLEASE help us pray for those funds to start this project.

5 Loaves and 2 Fishes......

2011-09-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

Since we have been on this journey we have been making a list of all the items that we need to have here in Honduras. Many have given and bought items to be able to be sent over here for the home. We ordered a huge 40 foot container and each day the staff at Hope would collect items we needed to be shipped. We have been worried that we would not have enought to fill the container especially with a ship cost of $4,000. Well, Praise the Lord he has supplied. This week we taught the lesson on the 5 loaves of bread and the 2 fish. We taught the children here how God used one little boys lunch to feed 5,000 men, not including women and children. We even had a visual lesson with 5 little loaves of bread and 2 fish (sugar cookies that I baked and shaped into large fish....)(I know I should have taken a picture...but I forgot). We had 41 in class on Sunday and they all had bread and some cookie...even with some left over. We began to explain how God will supply our needs and how he only needs something to work with.

Well, I am happy to tell you that we have been blessed yet again. Not only do we have the container full and ready to ship....but we need a second container. PRAISE THE LORD. We do ask that you help us by praying for those two containers. We even ask you to pray specificly that they will clear customs with no problems, we will not have to pay any taxes on any of the items, and finally that no one will tamper with the locks and steal anything.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN IN EVERY FORM, WHETHER BUYING ITEMS, DONATING FUNDS OR GIFT CARDS. ALSO, A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS......WELL REALLY THEY ARE OUR FAMILY AT HOPE CHILDRENS HOME IN TAMPA FOR LOADING IT ALL UP! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

We will Never Forget.........Reflections on 9/11

2011-09-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the 10 year anniversary of the attack on our nation, I think about how the world moved in slow motion that day. That day started just like any other day. People woke up and headed off to work and school. I know exactly were I was and what I was doing. I worked for IBM at the time, in the office for out-sourced HR departments of large companies. My co-workers and I heard of the first plane that hit the world trade center and we all pulled up the news feed on our computers. Mark was working at the fire station that day. I was able to witness the second plane crash on the live news of WRAL. Shortly afterward I was talking to a man in D.C. about his medical benefits when suddenly we got news of the pentagan attack. He quickly shouted that his dad worked there and hung up the phone. That very day people all around the world were in shock of the events that had just happened. As a nation it seemed as if we grew closer....putting God back at the center of our lives. Hebrews 13:6 "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

As I reflect on the past and how the world responded and was shocked at the attack on our country, I also think to the future. Can you imagine how people will respond will Gabriel blows his trumpet and the Lord returns to gather those who have put their faith and trust in him? It will not be an attack on the country like 9/11 but planes will crash and buildings will burn. People will be standing below in shock of what they are seeing. Some will think that we have been attacked yet again and then those who have heard the gospel will know that this is the end. I am glad that I will not have to worry about facing that day. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ and know that without a shadow of a doubt when that trumpet sounds I will ascend into Heaven.....if I have not already passed away before the Lord makes his return. Today, I want to share with you that you can have the same hope that I personally have, along with millions of others who are saved. You don't have to be one that is "left behind".

Tonight, I was reading in my Bible and came to Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises,but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." I think alot about the generations after Christ was born and died. We have never met Jesus, we have never seen him on t.v., we have never heard his voice....yet we know he is real. We have a book of his promises and still some do not believe.

We can have eternal life in HEAVEN when we die. First, we must acknowledge that we are all sinners...Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We must then recognize that there is a price for sin. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of son is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." In Romans 5:8 it says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." I am happy to say though we have hope....if we confess our sins (Romans10:9-10) then he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. I know that this seems so easy....but friends...that is all there is to it. Repent of your sin, place your trust in Christ and ask him to live in your heart, and he will forever change your life.

Where will you be in 10 years.....? I want to be serving the Lord...whether here on earth or above in Heaven.....either way.....I know that my soul is secure and my name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. Just like the faith we have have in "Old Glory"......we can to have faith in the "Old Book, the Bible"

When you think your late.....God has perfect timing.....

2011-09-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

Wednesday evening Taylor and I along with the little boys went to the grocery store before church. I had plenty of time....like 40 minutes actually. However, while standing in line to pay the people in front of me decided to make things alittle difficult for the cashier. After, 20+ minutes in line it is now my turn to pay. I get my few little items and run with a cart in heels to my car. My phone begins to ring....it is Elsey wanting to make sure that I am picking her up for church. I let her know that we are just across the street and on the way. When I get there...thinking that she is going to be ready...she runs to my car and with excitment asked "can my mom change" I said sure. We waited and a few minutes later Elsey and Maria both walk to the car and get in. We were able to take Maria to "our" church for the first time. She is still however, waiting on that door but that night she decided to come along anyway. God is so good and we hope to see her again soon.

No Water, No Internet.....No Problem......HA!

2011-09-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry that it has been awhile. One we have been really busy and two we have not had internet. Talk about feeling a little disconnected from the world. No, really we have been 4 days or so without internet and wtaer is on and off for the last 5 days. However, even with that we have still been able to move forward. Many things have been going on here the last few weeks with the cottage and church.

First, we would like to say that Elsey has adjusted well to her new glasses. She has a constant smile on her face and we continue to visit her and her family. She was not in church on Wednesday night so I went to see her on Friday. She expalined that she had been sick and did not have the money for medicine. I then went to get her some medicine and a bottle of shampoo. Once, I returned her mo m asked me if I could go and see her other daugter who is 20. She had been very sick and they wanted me to talk to her and see her. (I was like "ok" but you understand that I am neither a doctor nor a nurse. I talked with her and watched as the listened to my advise. We saw that Elsey and her family had a new house but the door is still not there. We had heard that she had one but it did not work out. So, we are still praying for a dooe so that Maria can attend services.

The same day that I went to see Elsey, I decided to go and see Catherine. She was the young lady who had asked to use my shower the day she had her baby. I am happy to say that Isaac is growing like a weed and is already a month old. I had such a wonderful visit with her and her family. In her house lives Alba(Catherine's mom), Ana (Not sure how she is related), Catherine and Isaac, Genesis(Catherine's little sister), Abram(Catherine's brother), Dora(Catherine's aunt) and Catherine's grandma, That is a lot of people in one little house. Taylor and I along with Josiah and Micah had a sweet time of fellowship and I was able to share a few more clothes with her. I then invited her to the ladies meeting that we had at church. I am happy to say that they both attended.

We are also preparing for the shipment of the container. We are so very excited about all of the items that are just waiting to be packed in. THANK YOU TO YOU ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN TO THE HOME!

The house is now fully painted inside and they are working on the outside. We will keep you posted on the days ahead.

Things You Do Today Are An Investment For The Future........

2011-08-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about how what you do today will impact what the future will hold? Remember the parable of the sower? This parable is mentioned in the first three gospels; Matthew, Mark and Luke. It talks about how the sower planted seeds, some seeds fell by the way side and the birds ate them, other fell into the rocks and grew but because they had no soil they were scorched by the sun. The others fell onto good soil and grew and became productive. It makes me think of how we spend our time and days. Do we carelessly throw out seeds. What I mean is that do we plant seeds without thinking......for instance...by having an impatient attitiude in a store or bank line? Do we plant seeds of bitterness because someone has somehow wronged us in someway? Do we plant seeds of anger or unkindness becasue we are inconvienced or bothered by someone elses actions? I have to step back and think about these things myself. I remember when we lived in the states and I hated being in the line where I was behind the person with 2 carts of groceries and the there was no-one else working. Many times we take it out on the poor cashier just doing her job. I also remember in the states when the kids were small and I did not want anyone to touch them because of germs and sickness and such. Here, it is very different....the people love children...and they love American children....they call them little dolls. It is not uncommon for a women in a store to take Micah out of my arms and cuddle him like he was there own. Does this get to me sometimes....yes....but what I have thought and thought about this and the fact is.... they have a deep love for us....if I refuse to let them hold him or touch him...what kind of message am I sending them? I am suppose to be sharing the Lord with the lost. If I refuse, I could cut off the ability that I have to share the gospel. For, I am no different than they are...I just have Christ in my life.

Today, we had a play date with Elsey and Angie. Angie is a 12 year old from our church. She is a prospect for the childrens home. (please help us by praying that her grandma's heart will be sensitive to the idea and will allow her to live with us when we plan to open in October). Taylor and I set off to go and pick the girls up for our day of fun. We stopped by and ordered pizza so that it would be ready after we had picked everyone up. Our first stop was at Elsey's house. When she saw us she came running and with her little nephew Daniel. She wanted to know if he could come as well. Sure, I replied and he climbed right on in. Next, we headed over to Angie's house. I love that I am learning where everyone lives and where what road leads where. On the way we saw 3 of our children from our childrens church class. I rolled the window down and they came over. We sat and chatted for a few minutes and I loved that we could talk. tI took a few minutes to talk to each of them. (an investment...yes).

We were able to get Angie and head to the house. We had lots of fun today. We ate pizza and made cupcakes. Played outside, climbed some trees, drew pictures on the walls surrounding the property. We chased each other, hit volleyballs, caught tarantulas....and laughed. Was this an investment, YES, was it worth it yes.....will we see the benefits....already have in their smiles.......see if you can plant a seed and make an investment today...you will be glad that did.

Elsey and Taylor

Are you using your talent for the Lord?

2011-08-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone has been given a talent. Some of us have the talent to sing or play a musical instrument. Some of us have been given the talent to speak to others through teaching, preaching or simply words of encouragement. Some of us have the crafty skills, the cooking skills or even the hospitality skills. No matter what it may be we all have been given a talent. But the question is "Are you using your talent for the Lord?" Many of you who know us know that we are apart of Team Honduras. The team started a church plant here almost 7 years ago. With that first church plant we now have Iglesia Bautista El Faro. We average over 200 in attendance and have a wide variety of people who attend our church. Tonight, I would like to talk about a young lady who truly is using her talent for the Lord. Ester is a member of our church, a wife and a mother to a 3 year old. She always has the biggest smile on her face and she loves to sing. She helps by serving in many areas of the church from the choir to the nursery. However, while she uses all of those she has a special talent. She has the art of painting nails. I know, I know you men do not care anything about nails but please finish reading. You see in the states.....and I hate to admit it...but we pay anywhere from $18-$28 for a really good pedicure. Well, being that we are in another country where gross income is no where even close to what the average person makes, you can get a pedicure for around ....are you ready.....$2.50. Well, Ester does a WONDERFUL job. She is very particular about her work and takes the upmost care. She will spend at least 2 hours on one person easy. Right now we have an area in the church that will one day be the kitchen. However, first we need to have tile put down. With that said there is the area of money. We all know that God will provide the funds that we need but before we can start we have to have the money. Since this is the kitchen, the ladies of the church are trying to raise money to have this part of the kitchen complete. One day Ester mentioned to Dallita that she wanted to help with giving money to the tile fund. She decided that she would dedicate 3 Saturdays in a row to painting nails and all the money collected would go to this fund. She worked hard and had many people lined up for each day. She was able to give L1,000 (limps) or $50. While to some that is not alot...... to her it was a HUGE sacrifice. She spent many hours cutting, filing and painting nails and never kept any for herself. She gave 100% to the tile fund. She just gave up 11 days worth of wages. Have you ever given up anything for the Lord? Have you used your talent for the Lord? I know that God will provide the money needed to put the tile down and to complete the kitchen($5,000). I just wanted you all to know what a sacrifice she has made for the Lord. With great sacrifice comes big blessings in return. I hope that through the children's home, my own children and also in my own giving...I can be an Ester and help to also raise some Ester's for the Lord.

This is Ester w/ the necklace on her sister Yadira and their mom.

When things don't go our way.......

2011-08-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday morning Mark leaves to pick-up some people for church. Taylor, the little boys and I are left at home to leave a little later. We all pile in the car and Taylor goes to get the gate......but my car will not start. I have been having some trouble with the battery. We try to wiggle the connector...no luck...so we call Mark. He tries to tell us over the phone what do.....not working....not only am I dressed up for church...but we are sweating like pigs under the hood of the car. I was so frustrated. We are apart of the choir and we were suppose to sing that morning plus Mark and I teach children's church for the 6-9 year olds. WHAT IS GOING ON?????? After many attempts to get the car to crank, I ask Mark just to come and get us.

While waiting for Mark my cell phone rings....it is Elsey. They have a cell phone that you have to buy minutes for. She said "Hola Hermana Amy" and then the phone hung up. I thought maybe she was at church and could not find me. Then, I get a text message asking if I could come pick her up. I thought to myself, what in the world, why did she not ride the bus? Anyway, that was just part of my frustration for being late to Sunday School because of the car. So, I call her back and tell her mom that we are on the way to pick her up.

We pull down the dusty path to her house. There are many children walking down the street and Mark says, "those children need to be in church". We pull to the corner of her street and there stands a cute little girl and boy.....then from around the corner runs Elsey. She goes over to the little girl as to give her a hug but instead picks her up and motions for the little boy to follow her. We were like, WOW! Here she has just trusted Christ as her Savior and she has already started to change. I asked her about the two little kids and she said that they were her sisters children. She wanted them to be able to come. I asked her about the bus and she replied that she went to get Daniel and on her way back she had missed the bus. Praise the Lord that my car would not start. You see, I leave my phone in the car during church, so had I left we would have already gotten to the church and she would not have been able to come or those two little kids. (Which by the way are 1 1/2 and 4 years old). This is to say that when things don't go your way.....it is because you might just need to help someone out. We were excited to see the new light in her eyes....behind the new glasses.....she wants to share with others the change in her life.....

PAID IN FULL.....

2011-08-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well, when we went to the eye doctor on Monday with Elsey we knew she was going to need glasses. When the exam was finished and the doctor gave us the results we knew this little girl and her mom could not afford them. We also knew that without the glasses she would one day go blind. We decided to order the glasses and pray that God would provide. Well, we are happy to say...that her glasses were PAID IN FULL. You know who you are...to the one who gave. We are so thankful, as is Elsey and her momma.

Elsey and her new glasses!

You have helped this little girl to have a better future. She has received 2 gifts in 2 days. Last night she received the greatest gift of all....that was PAID IN FULL by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as she put her faith and trust in him. Today, she received a much needed pair of glasses that were also paid in full.

We also want anyone who reads this tonight who has not put their faith and trust in Jesus...that you too have a debt that has been paid in full. We are all sinners, it says so in Romas 3:10 " As it is written, There is non righteous, no not one" we all have sin and for this we have a debt. Romans 3:23 states " For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 states "that the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The word "death" in this passage is talking about your seperation from God foever. I am happy to share Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He paid our debt in FULL. Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God have raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnessand with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 states "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If tonight as you read this and you have not trusted Christ as your Savior and you would like to please continue reading:

First, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner (we are all sinners)
Second, You must acknowledge that there is a price for sin and that is death/seperation from God
Third, You need to acknowledge that Jesus paid that debt for US ALL through his death on the cross and he rose again on the third day and reigns in Heaven today.
Fourth, ask HIM(Jesus Christ) to forgive you of your sins and live in your heart.

You can say this prayer to yourself:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that I am a sinner. I know that the price for sin is death. I know that you died on the cross to pay for my sins and rose again on the third day. I do believe that you are the only way to heaven. I ask you tonight to forgive me of my sins and come live in heart. Tonight, I put my faith and trust in you Lord. Thank you for paying the debt that I could never afford to pay. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

If you read this tonight and in fact said this prayer. Please email us at mark@teamhonduras.com or amy@teamhonduras.com so that we can pray for you. Also, if you do not have a local church that you attend we would like to be able to help you find one in your area.

Es un Nombre Nueva en la gloria.......

2011-08-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight was an awesome night here in Honduras.....por es un nombre nueva en la gloria....for there is a new name written in glory. On Monday, Mark and I were able to visit with Elsey and take her to the eye doctor. I then also reminded her that we were going to come pick her up for Wednesday night church. When we arrived tonight she was not ready. I opened the door to talk to her about church, she had forgotten but asked if she could change. She quickly ran back inside to change her shirt and put on a skirt. Once we arrived at church she wanted to be a big help and she also had started to chat with some of the other girls her age. She sat with me during the service and copied my every move. If I crossed my legs she did the same, If I folded my arms, she quickly followed. If I tugged my dress to make sure it was covering my knee....she tried to do the same. I knew her little eyes were watching everything that I did. I was praying that tonight would be the night she would receive Christ. Pastor Matt preached a wonderful message. Time came for the alter call. I personally had some things weighing heavy on my heart tonight with family in the states. So, I walked to the front to pray. When I returned to my sit....she was gone....I was worried that she had wondered to the nursery or was outside somewhere. I began to pray and ask that she would not be a distraction to those on the alter...if in fact she was somewhere she should not have been. I lifted my eyes to see if I could see her. She popped to her feet...she had been on the far side of the alter praying. Once she had returned to her seat I could tell there was something different. As Pastor Matt began to conclude the invitation and pray...I could hear mumbling....it was mixed with sniffles. I bent down lower and could make out these words..."yes father" yes father". Tears started to flow and she began wiping her face. After the service we sat for announcements and she squeezed my hand. We sang a fitting song to end the service..."When the roll is called up Yonder". After church I quickly pulled her aside and asked why she was crying? She replied, "I just want someone to help me...I want Jesus to help me." I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart? She said yes. My heart swelled with excitment. I then called Mark over and we began to share with her. Mark was able to lead Elsey to the Lord tonight. What a wonderful day it has been ....now maybe she will go home on fire and tell her mom all about her new life. For when the roll is called up yonder...her name will be called. Please pray for me and that the Lord will use my mouth as a tool for him. I plan on going over there tomorrow to talk more with her mom. Praise the Lord 100x for the New Name Written Down in Glory Tonight!

What If..................

2011-08-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

I know that by know you all are very familiar with our new friend Elsie. We have been trying to be an encouragement to her. She has a desire to please and to make others happy. We recently told you all that we suspected that she needed glasses. So, Mark and I asked her mom if we could carry her to have her eyes examened. The cost for such an exam is rather inexpensive, however it is the cost of the glasses that the people here can not afford. Today, Taylor and I went to pick her up and Mark and the boys were going to meet us at the mall. When we arrived at her house, she was a little saddened because she was not ready. She asked if she could change and freshen up. I watched as she ran in her house and quickly changed into some clean clothes. She then went over to her outdoor bodega to use a bowl to begin washing her arms and legs off. Her momma quickly brushed her hair and pulled it back so we could leave.

We are not very familiar with eye doctors around here but Gabby had told us about the one at the mall, so we were off. Mark kept the boys out in the lobby and Elsie and I went in the examing room. As I sat there listening to the doctor ask her questions and hearing her replies, I knew that this check-up was not going to be good. The letters on the back wall were very large.....however she had trouble with them all until he adjusted the lens on the machine. She never could read the letters in the bottom row. Bless her heart she had to hold the paper almost at her nose to be able to read. The doctor asked her about school and how she was doing, she said that she had not been since the 2nd grade. She told the doctor that she could not go back to school because she did not have the money to get glasses. Therefore, she is 13 with at best a second grade education, b/c she could not see while she was there. After the exam, she went out to sit with the other kids and Mark and I talked to the doctor.....He began to say that she needed glasses, but she would never have 100% vision. The only way to help with that was possibly with surgery in the future. WHAT IF......you were 13 and could not SEE!...better yet what if you could not see at all......God does everything for a reason.....who knows how much longer she would have the vision that she has had God not allowed us to meet down on that dirt path. The glasses that she needs have to be specially made for her, b/c she was pretty much blind. The cost for the new glasses is $130. Please help us by praying that she will be able to get the glasses that she so desperatly needs. Her mom tries hard and only washes clothes by hand for people in their area. She has no running water or electricity and they already eat day by day. What if......these beautiful green eyes lost their ability to see??

August Newsletter

2011-08-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

What keeps you from attending church?

2011-07-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today I had a very nice visit with Elsie and her mom. Talking with them today sparked the idea for tonight's blog. Since, this is summertime and the time of year where church attendance is down, I ask you the question...."What keeps YOU from attending church"? Ponder on that thought while I tell you about our visit. For the past two Sundays Elsie has been attending our church, and it is awesome to see how excited she is when she is there. However, her mom has not attended any services as of yet. I asked my friend Gabby(from our church) if she would go with me to visit them, and to help me out in my speaking. We pulled up to Elsie's house where there seemed to be 2 other ladies. It is not uncommon for other religious groups to visit as well and teach incorrect doctrine or doctrine that is contrary to the WORD of GOD. Because the people are so hungry for the answers and hope they are easily persuaded. It is scary and is a major reason why we need good bible believing, preaching churches on the field here. Elsie came running to our car and I asked her what she was doing? She said that they were teaching her to read and to write but with a specific book. Her mom came over to the car and I explained that we wanted to stop and visit but we would come back in a few minutes. So,we drove around the block and waited for the ladies to leave before we got out.

Once we returned Maria(Elsie's mom) asked the two ladies to leave. She greeted us and pointed us to a shady area under a tree where there sat two plastic chairs and a hammock. We sat down and began to talk. I began to talk about how excited we were that Elsie had been attending church. We talked about how many children she had and who all lived with her in her little home. (by the way...she also informed me that SHE built it all by herself). Elsie does have 11 brothers and sisters however she is the youngest of them all. In her little home she lives with her mom and her mom's boyfriend.

I knew that Elsie did not attend school, so I asked her mom about it. She said she was not sure but the school would not allow her to attend. So, Elsie only has a 2nd grade education. I explained to her that in the states I was a teacher and I was willing to help her with her reading and writing. I also explained to her the importance of a good education. I then began to explain to her mom why Mark and I had moved to Honduras. She just smiled. When our friends Dave and Laurie were here they told me that during the service Elsie looked as if she had trouble with her "beautiful green eyes". I asked her mom about it and she said that she in fact did have a problem and needed glasses but she could not afford to buy them. I explained to her that if Mark and I could take her to the doctor to see how much glasses were could we take her. She smiled and exclaimed, yes that would be wonderful. We plan on taking her one day this coming week, hopefully on Monday. Please pray that we will be able to get her the glasses that she needs.

While we were talking I wanted her to know that we cared about her well-being just as much as Elsie's. We talked about the gift of salvation that the Lord has given all of us, if we only receive it. She knodded her head as to agree but never actually gave a firm answer. Please pray for her. I then asked her if she would attend Sunday's service. She began to explain why she has not attended. It is not because she has to work, or she is on vacation, or wants to go to the lake for the day. It is not because she is sick, or her car is broke down, it is not because she has a headache or a sporting event is coming on.......(have any of you said any of these before.....????????

Well, I know you have never said her reason.....she sweetly replied, I do not have a door to my house. If I leave, she said, I will be robbed. I can never leave my property unattended or kids and others will come and take the few things that I have. How sad it is that she can not attend church....because she has NO DOOR to protect her belongings. Please pray that some how it will work out that she can have some kind of door put on her home so she can attend chuch.

Never Be Afraid to Be Used By GOD.....

2011-07-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

Since we have been living in Honduras we have had the pleasure of driving past the public hospital daily. (since it is right beside our rental house) The maternity ward is also on the side street that our house is actually on. We were blessed with tons of little outfits for Micah and truth is...he will never be able to wear them all before he out grows them and we had some duplicates of others. So, I seperated them and placed a few in a bag. I even put them in my car and took them out again many times hoping that I could share them with someone. I had even thought about walking up there but how would I decide who gets them.....being that there are always 3-5 women sitting on the bench outside.

Earlier this week Mark was giving our family devotion, in that devotion he was talking about being kind one to another. We talked about how we can reach people with Christ if we show kindness. That night I prayed that God would put someone in my path that I could reach out to and help. Never, ask God to do something if you are not truely willing to follow through because HE will in fact answer your request.

the road to our house

On Thursday we came home and as we were pulling into the gate we saw a young lady with child walking down the street. I quickly ran in the house to get the bag of clothes. I started to talk to her and asked her what her name was. She replied, Catherine. She was walking with her mom. I then asked her if she was having a boy or a girl and she said it was a BOY....wahoo...I was able to share with her a few baby boy items.

Later that day she walked back down the small dusty road to our house with her mom. You could tell that she was wore out and in a ton of pain. Her mom asked if she could possibly take a shower to cool off. You see here the women have to wait outside on a bench until they are dilated so much and then they will be placed in a room...also they do not get to reap the benefits of pain medication here...totally natural childbirth. I thought to myself....hmmm I just had a baby and while I had a c-section I still was able to be in a hospital room with a bed. If that were me, I would hope that someone would at least allow me to use their restroom. So, I led her in to the shower and gave her a clean towel. She came out clean and refreshed to walk her way back up to the waiting bench, but not before her mom reached in her purse and extended 50 limps for her daughter's shower. I pushed her hand away and replied that there was no need to pay for that shower. She again tried to hand it to me. (by the way 50 limps is half of what the people here make in 1 day.....at that was a whole $2.50) (the average person only makes $5 a day here). I merely, expressed that it was my pleasure and that one day another lady or person may need their help and they could lend their services or that 50 limps to them.
We chatted a few more minutes with smiles of gratefulness on each of their faces. Again the mom asked how she could repay me for my kindness so I replied with this....after Catherine is well you will have to bring that baby boy by so that I can see him. Well, at around 9 on Friday evening a handsome baby boy named Isaac weighing 8 lbs was born. His momma (Catherine) were at my front gate knocking at 8:45 Saturday morning..not even 12 hours later. She was so excited to be able to share her little one with me. He was a cute little guy with a head full of black hair. They turned to walk away and I expressed that I wanted to give them a ride home( they didnt live to far from us). So, I packed them in my car. That day I was able to express love and kindness not only to Catherine and her little baby, but her mom, aunt and brother. When we arrived at their little white house her mom ran inside. The next thing I know her grandma came out to greet me and tell me how grateful she was that I had helped her. She said that she would be thinking of Mark and I and praying for our ministry. Then as an expression of love and friendliness, she kissed me on the cheek, and this was followed by the same actions from Catherine and her mom and aunt. God placed Catherine in my path along with her family members. I was able to invite them all to church. Please pray that just like Elsie a seed was planted and God will mature it. Hopefully, I will be able to get a picture of Isaac and share with you all. (by the way this young girl is only 17 years old). Please pray that we can be a good influence in her life.

There are no coincidences in life....God has a purpose and plan.....

2011-07-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is Elsie's house

This story is a follow-up to a follow-up of the "little girl with green eyes". As you all know we crossed paths again on visitation the Saturday before last and were able to invite her to church yet again. I was a little saddened when I did not see her on Sunday morning. I just knew she was going to be there. I was even hoping that she would come in after Sunday School for the start of the regular service. God has really put a burden in my heart for her and I know that he in fact has a plan.

Those of you who know me....know that I am directionally challenged. (I fully admit that)...however once I learn a place I will never forget it. That Saturday afternoon we walked the slender street to her house God burned that image in my mind. I believe it was Tuesday or Wednesday morning I wanted to drive by for Mark to see where this beautiful little girl laid her head every night. We both were just heart broken.

I went to bed thinking how sad it was for her and her family. But at the same time they had a kind of peace on their face that just showed happiness. See they do not know any other way of life so the one they have they live to the fullest.

Elsie and her momma Maria holding Micah

I prayed that night and asked God to show me what I needed to do or put something on my heart for her. When Dave and Laurie arrived we shared again with them about Elsie, of coarse they were familiar with her from reading the blog. I shared with Laurie how the Lord had placed on my heart to buy her a few groceries and so Dave and Laurie chipped in and helped. We went to the store and bought some corn flour, shortening, rice, beans, Zuko(drink mix), milk and a treat for her and her sibblings. When we pulled up to he fence it looked as if she recoginzed the truck and put her hands up but she was just playing around. I had pulled a little passed the house but decided to back-up so that Taylor and Whitney could see from inside the car. I knew that they would love to see Micah so I used him as an excuse to stop. I did not want them to think that we were just driving by to see their house.

When I opened my door and walked to the front of my car, I greeted her with .."Hola mi amor" (hello my love") she shouted "Hola Hermana" and ran over to me like she had not seen me for 5 years. It was so sweet! Then her mom came out to greet us as well. They both held and loved on Micah and kissed his little head and feet. We chatted for awhile and then we shared how God had pressed on our hearts to help them with a few groceries. We pulled them out of the car and you could see just how thankful and grateful "Maria" (her momma) was. I began to compliment her on her nice looking garden of corn and squash. She relpied with this, "in 4 months the corn will be ready for harvest please come back and get the first fruits of our garden" That just broke my heart. One it takes a long time to grow corn and you need a lot of water and a ton of plants to receive a large enough yield but she was offering me not just what was left over but the first from the harvest. What a gift she was extending to our family. What little she had to offer she was willing to give up.

(That makes me think about our lives for Christ...do we offer him the first fruits of our life or do we just settle for giving him what is left over. I know that I fall short here sometimes not giving God my best.)

We left that day excited to see that God does in fact have a plan for them and invited them to church once more.

Laurie and I both had tears in our eyes as we drove away and Whitney asked if that was their garden shack? Laurie replied: "No Whitney that is her house." Her eyes were opened that day to how life is not the same for everyone.

Sunday morning we head to church and start to prepare for the service and I see a glimpse of a pony tail that looks familiar. The girl was standing by the nursery door so I went over like I was checking on Micah to find that Elsie had washed her hair and bathed that morning and put on her very best dress. I was so happy to see her and she hugged me and held my hand. She did not want to let go at all. Mark and I teach children's church and so she sat with Dave and Laurie as well as Taylor. It was probably her first time in church because she did not know that you sit still, and don't talk etc. However, she has never been taught any different. There is no doubt that God has placed her in our lives for a reason. We are very thankful that she was able to come to a church that preaches the Gospel. After church, she ran into our classroom and hugged and loved on us both until it was time for her to catch the bus. Please pray for Elsie; pray that she will continue to attend services, come to know Christ as her Savior, and for us to see God's plan.

Lights, Camera and Action......

2011-07-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Wednesday nights we usually eat dinner after church. However, this past Wednesday night we decided to have dinner before church because Mark had to head to the airport to pick up The Eatman Family. So, we went to Wendy's for dinner. While we were waiting for our food...we saw lights....police lights....then all of a sudden we saw a camera crew come in. It was the local news station. After we had some serious action while the police stormed the store and surrounded the restaurant with men. We were like .."What in the world is going on?" We never found out what happened but it was some "Lights, camera and action." This was something that we had never experienced before. How crazy it was to see all of that. Everyday is a different day. In the words of Forrest Gump..."life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are gonna get."

Take Another Sip.....a follow up blog

2011-07-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Recently, I posted a blog about two little girls and their sweet efforts to help the children of Honduras. They made signs and pitchers of lemonade to help raise money for the cottage. While they worked very hard to sell their lemonade they made $7. I am sure that to some it is little but grateful that God can use any amount, any talent, and any person to fullfil HIS work. God is true to HIS promise about taking care of his people and blessing the fruits of their labor. I can say that I know this for a fact. I have seen God's hand of provision many times since we took the step to become missionaries. Today, I want to share with you to keep the faith and run the coarse because your work is not in vain.....Miriah and Crosby...the Lord has seen your gift and your heart and HE has placed it on someone else's heart to help increase the fruits of your labor. A few days after I posted the blog about the lemonade stand I received an email from a lady whom I have never met. She said that her boss was touched by the girls hearts to give to others and serve the Lord at such a young age. In fact he has multiplied the gift by 70. God will never cease to amaze me at how he puts people in your path when you need them. It is so comforting to know also how those people move and respond by giving or helping when God presses on their hearts. Since we have been on the field..not just here but in Costa Rica as well, I have prayed for God to put someone in my path so that I could be a blessing to them....each time he did. However, I ended up receiving just as much or more of a blessing than the ones I wanted to help. Final thought before I close.....Have you ever asked God to put someone in your path?.....has he? did you respond or say I will do it next time?.....you never know until you take that step or say that first word just how your life can change with doing something for someone else.

It may just be you who can stop or continue "The Pay It Forward for THE LORD".

Update on the Little Girl With Green Eyes

2011-07-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is a follow up to a blog we did a few months ago. One day while heading back and forth to the property we saw a young girl on the pathway to the church. She was standing beside a pile of thin and short sticks while her brother cut them from fallen trees in the field. We stopped and talked to her and she told us her name, Elsie. Our heart was touched by Elsie and we left to buy her and her brother a bottle of water and a pack of cookies. They were working hard to help their family.....not in school...working...gathering the much needed wood that their mom would use to cook their meals. After that day we thought we would never see those two children again.

On Saturdays we have a church wide visitation day. We go in pairs and knock on doors to invite people to church and share the gospel. The short path that myself and a teen had only had a few homes so we went walking on other streets to find people at home. After walking and talking with people we covered a small and short 5 extra blocks of road and houses. The last little stretch of road that we got to contained a young girl gathering the chairs and putting them away in her families yard. This area was a tiny yard with a hammock between two trees, a wood fire burning close and a short fence made of different sizes of tree limbs with barb wire wrapped on them. When the little girl approached the fence my heart was filled with joy.....I knew those eyes....the most beautiful green eyes on a tan little face with a few light freckles across her nose. I called her by her name....and her smile covered her entire face....she then ran out of the fence and hugged me....announcing "you remembered me." The last time she saw us I was still pregnant with Micah. Her momma came out from the back of the house and Elsie began to tell her momma about us and how she had met Mark and I and how when we met I was pregnant. It was so sweet. I then mentioned her son Miguel. The momma had a smile just as big as Elsie...and proclaimed "you know my children?" I told her again how we had met and how sweet they were and she ran over to me and hugged me also and kissed me on the cheek. It was such a sweet moment. At this time Elsie and her momma were the only ones that were at home at this time. However, when I saw their home my heart broke for her and her family. Like many people here they do the best that they can to take care of their own. They did have a little plot of land....however I am not sure if they own it or not...I have posted a picture similar to the house that they live in...however this is much larger than their actual house.

If you divided this house into 3's they would have just 1 part of that for their whole family. No indoor plumbing and I do not remember seeing a power line. Please pray for this little girl and her family. Also, don't take for granted your nice warm bed, the times you gather around your kitchen table or even when you step into your warm shower or bath your children in a clean bath tub. I know that Elsie knows no other way of life than the one that she lives. When I think of her I think of the story of the rich man and Lazarus. If she puts her faith and trust in Jesus Christ she will one day be clothed in righteousness and have riches beyond measure.

First Work Day

2011-07-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Oscar worked hard

Saturday morning we held our very first workday with the people from Iglesia Bautista "El Faro". The Sunday morning before we put out a sign up sheet to see how many volunteers we would have. By the end of service we had 27 signed up. When Wednesday came around our list was up to 33. On Friday Mark and I went to buy all of our supplies such as brooms, mops, buckets, etc. We also purchased ingredients to make banana muffins for a breakfast snack and had lots of fresh fruit. Mark and I both had many pick-ups that morning so that those who wanted to help could get to the cottage.

We started by preparing the plates with muffins, watermelon, pineapple and papaya. Then we could see the people walking the paths in all directions coming to what will be our new home. Very few people in our church have a car or truck so they walk or use a bus. It was so exciting to see them all coming.

Teens helping

No matter the job they helped

After we had breakfast we divided them all into teams and gave them their supplies. They all worked so very hard and the building looked great. Now we are just waiting to get the remaining donations so that we can call for a container. Once we have all that we need or can fit in a 40 foot container it will be shipped to Honduras. The people were so very excited about helping and being in the cottage. I know that they are just as eager as we are to see the cottage decorated and opened.

The Whole Group 31 with our family

Lemonade Anyone?

2011-07-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Back when we lived in North Carolina I had the pleasure of getting to know a sweet family through teaching at Hilltop. I had their son Michael in my class and his sister Mariah was a grade ahead. We have kept contact with them as our journey has taken us to Florida to train, Costa Rica to learn Spanish and our final destination Honduras. Their mom sent me the sweetest email today. She had told me how Mariah and her friend Crosby had decided to make their very own "Lemonade Stand". This was not just a summer time stand to have some extra change, this girls had a plan. They had made a lemonade stand to help the children of Honduras. Jessica, Mariah's mom asked "How much are you going to charge per cup?" They replied, with $1.50 it is organic lemonade. So, these sweet two little girls who live in an area with not much traffic managed to earn $7 for the children of Honduras. They told each person that purchased a cup what the money was for. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my hear knowing that even children want to help children. We pray that GOD will multiply their $7 7x7. After all (7) is God's perfect number. I have posted pictures of the girls and their efforts to help the childrens home.

Please join us in Prayer.......

2011-06-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

I know that this is not a new request but we really need prayer in the area of donations for our container. There are so many things that we need and it would be more cost effective to get those things in the states. We are so close to being able to move into the cottage but without our container it just would not be possible. We have many things purchased and have received some very important needs for the children. However, if we can not get enough to fill the container it would not be cost effective to ship it over. This is going to be a sad thing for us for it will greatly delay the shipping of the container until September or October. We do have all of our personal things there waiting plus our own furniture for our bedrooms. When we moved here we only packed the things that were necessary until we could get our container, with that said our family memories, books, and such are all waiting in storage in Tampa at the children's home. If we can not move in ourselves it will only prolong when we will actually be able to take in children. We are asking that all of our friends and readers join us in prayer to fill this container. If you would like to help you can visit our WISH LIST on http://www.wal-mart.com/ (you will need to type in Amy Coats) then click on my name as the link and a list of items will pop up. There are all kinds of items that we need from bedding to toys that range in price starting at $5. The wonderful thing is that no matter where you live or what you purchase you can have it shipped to the local store in Tampa FREE of CHARGE. You just NEED to list our helper Mandy Higgins as the pick-up person and she will pick it up and put it in storage for us.
If you do this please be sure to LIST our EMAIL ADDRESS amy@teamhonduras.com so that we can ensure you receive a tax receipt for your giving. Thank YOU ALL AGAIN for everything that you do for us.

again the link is:
http://www.walmart.com/
type in Amy Coats
select my name when it pops up
remember to use site to store option with STORE # 5036
Tampa Walmart Supercenter Store #5036
6192 Gunn Hwy
Tampa, FL 33625
Phone: (813) 968-6477

When it ask for email address please use: amy@teamhonduras
and make pick-up person: Mandy Higgins

Thanks Again ...We know that God will provide the things the home needs and the container will ship in time to be here for August. So that we can help the children of Honduras.....there are already many that need the home just within the church here. Please help us HELP the CHILDREN of Honduras.

2011-06-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Pastor Fain, with his group and our kids

Sorry it has been awhile since our last blog but things have been very busy around here. We have had tons to do with the building and getting our documents for residency. We worked hard to get all of our papers in the states and had everything we needed.....just one small problem...they are all in English. So, I spent about a week or so translating all of the documents. That was a large task to conquer between caring for 2 little boys. But Praise the Lord it is finished.

We also had a small team from Ketucky help out with the building. Pastor Jeff Fain from Immanuel Baptist Church in Kentucky along with 5 young men from his church came down to spend a week here with Team Honduras. They were able to sand all of the walls in the cottage to help prepare them for the painting process. Thanks GUYS...you were a huge blessing to us. Having a 4,000 square foot building means lots of walls and they all helped Mark and Hunter knock it out in a day. Next step...Paint...Wahooooo!

The cottage is getting closer and closer to being down everyday. This week they have installed the lights and put up light poles around the property. They have also been working on the back staircase to the bodega or storage area above the house. Another very important thing..... the guys have been welding the bars for the windows. While no-one really wants to have these on their windows they turned out very nice. They will also help to keep us safe. The cottage should be ready by the end of this month. Then it is just a game of waiting for our items to be purchased and put on the container. God has put so many people in our path and you all have helped us out so much. It has been a HUGE BLESSING to see all the things that have been purchased for Esperanza de Honduras. Thank YOU...we have just a few more things we really need to have before it is ready to ship.

We have some other exciting news for you all. Micah is now an official Hondureno. We went yesterday with help from Juan Carlos (a member from our church) to get his birth certificate. We started by going with Bro. Matt to the Register of Deeds only to find out that when they gave us his paper at the hospital they forgot to stamp it. So, we headed back to the hospital in San Pedro to get a stamp/seal put on it. Having a "gringo baby" here means that people are always looking at you and loven on the baby. We walked right in to find the same young lady who had helped us the day he was born. We walked out with 3 copies of the paper we needed and headed back to get his birth certificate. Now, MICAH is OFFICIAL...next step..passport and birth abroad certificate.

Two New Adventures Here......

2011-06-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week here in Honduras. The cottage is almost complete. They are only working on small things inside such as hanging the lights. After that, we will have to wait until our container arrives. The next phase will be to paint and to decorate the cottage. We will have some odds and end things to take care with the help of work groups that come from the states. We recently, went to check on ceiling fans as well as large appliances. This is a very costly group of items for the home. We were going to purchase them here in Honduras, however, it looks like it could cost a large amount more than if they were purchased in the states. Please help us by praying for the funds for these items so that they can be put on the container.

We had a very interesting day on Tuesday. Mark was invited to speak to the local fire station just above where are new home will be. There are only 2 fire stations in El Progreso that serve over 200,000 people. They also only have 5-6 people working at a time and sometimes have to repsond to calls an hour from the station. Here there is no paging system, so that means that someone must man the office phone 24 hours a day. They receive calls from 112 (or as we know it 911 dispatch) along with calls made from personal phones for emergencies. While Mark was talking with the guys from the station he noticed that they only had 1 airpack. That means that the guy holding the nozzle of the hose gets the mask while the others behind cover their mouths and nose with their hand. Please pray for these men, what a dangerous job it is to begin with and here they do not even have the proper equipment to help the citizens of their city. We are praying that this can also be an area of outreach for us along with the children's home. I know that Mark hopes to go back and encourage the men with training in the future. Please pray for him because this is an awesome opportunity to witness to these men. They put Josiah up in the trucks and let him try on a helmet....he thought he was in Heaven....

Something very interesting happened to me this week as well. I had my very first driving expereince in a new country. Some of you may be thinking what is so interesting about that? Well, let me clue you in a little....see when we lived in Costa Rica for language school neither of us drove for an entire year. We took a public bus or a taxi when we could not go where we needed by foot. So, I was already without a car for a year. We headed back to the states before we moved and I drove some in Tampa when mark would let me....lol...he missed driving a lot.....plus it is a man thing to drive....lol.....anyway when we moved here I knew that I wanted to have a little bit of my independency back and the only way to do that was to get behind the wheel. Here you have to be a defensive driver. You have to not only be aware of the other cars on the road but also the people walking, riding horse and carts, mopeds, bikes, and motorcycles. Here, people pass on both sides of the road and cut you off in a quick moment. However, Taylor and I ventured to the grocery store and we had a successful trip back to the house.

We also were excited that we have now had our little Micah with us for 1 month as of Thursday. It is so amazing at how fast the time has flown by, as well as how much he has already changed.

The Start of Something New......

2011-06-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, was the very first Sunday for Sunday School here at Iglesia Bautista El Faro. Mark and I have been given the opportunity to teach children's church during the preaching hour. As we entered the doors of the church on Sunday morning you could feel the excitement in the air. The people were there with smiles on their faces ready for a new dimension of learning God's word. The classes were broke up and everyone had a classroom. We have two nurseries, a class for 3-5 year olds, 6-9 year olds, 10-12 year olds, Teens, singles and then the adults. It was such a great Sunday morning to start new spiritual growth for the people of "El Faro". Quickly, after Sunday School Mark and I headed over to the classroom where one of our teen helpers along with 37, 6-9 year olds sat waiting for the start of class.

We started by taking them to the restroom and then we proceeded with the class. The kids were great. It reminded me of my teaching days at Hilltop. Even though it has only been two years since I have taught it seems like forever since I was in front of the classroom. Mark did a great job of teaching the lesson and I introduced and taught the Bible verse and led some songs. While, I must say that it was a challenge because we still are babes in the area of Spanish...the children were great. They were well-behaved and very attentive......now don't get me wrong you always have those two or three kiddos that you have to keep reminding to listen, not talk and be still. However, the kids really acted like they enjoyed the class and responded well to our questions and activities.

Please help us by praying that Mark, Christian ( our teen helper) and myself will be able to witness to this young group of children. This age group is the largest in the church and at this stage of their life they are like sponges. They all had our memory verse memorized before the end of class. We are very excietd about the future of this class and look forward to seeing this class grow.

Almost Home......

2011-06-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

front porch

WOW!!! That is all that we can say right now. We were told last night that the very first cottage...our new home will be done in 15 days...YES, you read that correctly 15 DAYS! We are so close to being able to move into our new home. It has taken on a new transformation in just a short month and half. However, even though we are almost home we still have so many needs. We know that PRAYER is the KEY to helping us make this happen. We know that God will supply these needs but we can not open the home until it is furnished and ready. So, today we have a PRAISE..."WE ARE ALMOST HOME".....but we have many PRAYER REQUESTS.......please help us by praying that we get those items on the list. If you contribute an item or funds to purchase items you will receive a donation slip to use on your taxes. If you do make a purchase to be shipped please use my email address: (amy@teamhonduras.com and list MANDY HIGGINS as the pick-up person). She is the daughter-n-law of our director and is in charge of our things in the states.Thank you all for the prayers and support. We are excited to show you the most recent pictures from today's visit to the property.

office door entry

living room and new door frames

It's the Little Things.......

2011-05-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

The days here have been very busy and we hardly seem to have a break. There is much to do and lots to help oversee with the building not to mention having a new baby. However, we were excited to receive Christmas in May here. Hilltop Church in Fuquay sent us care packages with little things from home that we can not get here in Honduras. Some things we might be able to get but they are very expensive. It was such a special time for our family as we began to unpack and sort through the boxes. We discovered tons of "TO GO" drink packets for our water bottles, along with Lance Cracker's, muffin mix, Mrs. Dash, Taco seasoning and so much more. Each box contained a new surprise for us and we were all so excited especially with the chocolate and the "PEEPS". We will savor each bite.

Then Mark and I began to talk about the men that are working on the property to help build our new home/cottage for Hope of Honduras. We also thought about how hot it has been here lately. The temperature has been in the high 90's and the heat index at times feels like 118 degrees. These 15-20+ men work out in the heat everyday except for Sunday's. The work is so different than the work that men in the states would do. Meaning this.....they do not use all the modern equipment that we have in the states. Almost all things are done by hand; digging ditches, mixing concrete, even using a machete to cut the tin for the roof. It is a long hard, hot day for these men and most drink the water from the spicket, which we don't do here. We thought that it would be nice if we treated these men with lunch. So, today we went and bought pizza, watermelon and gallons of fresh cold water. They all came in and sat down on benches made of wood and cement blocks. It's the little things that we sometimes take for granted.....like cold, clean and fresh water. They were very excited and grateful for a hot lunch and nice fresh ice cold water. Most of all they were just excited and grateful to be able to be working on our home. They are making so much progress and it will not be long now. They were working on placing the tiles in the bathrooms along with placing the tiles in the kitchen. (You can check out more pictures on my Facebook page) God is so AWESOME and it will not be long now. Please help us to continue to be a godly influence on the men working on the home and that they will know that the little things are worth sharing with others.

From a Mother's Heart.........

2011-05-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

I write this blog from my heart, the heart of a mother. One week ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. God entrusted us with this wonderful human being that is so dependent on both Mark and I for his every need. He can not feed himself, change his little diaper, or even really communicate his needs other than with a soft cry. As, I sit here and admire my little bundle of joy, tears also begin to fill my eyes. I sit here and think about the mother's here in Honduras who may not be able to provide for their little ones. How they long to be able to give them a better life but can not. I think of the many mother's who are forced to give their babies and children to other family members or even friends to take care of and raise so that they can go out and find work. Then you have those that are lucky enough to stay with their parents but are forced to work to help provide for the family. They start the cycle all over again. This is a cycle that seems to never end. A young girl has a child, they grow up in poverty, they are walking the streets looking for work or picking up plastic bottles to take and sell to recyclers.

These children will never know a different way of life, for many they will never get to experience the days that we as parents long for...for our children. Those days include shopping for school supplies for the first day of school. It may also include something as simple as having a birthday party. My momma was always big on celebrating the holidays for myself and brother and sisters. Whenever, there was a holiday with the exception of Halloween we always had a gift of goodies. My momma made an impact on my life in that way that I try really hard to do the same for my children. I love to have parties for my kids and celebrate their birthday each year. However, I look at some birthday parties that my friends have given their children in recent days and even the party that we gave Josiah and think about how the kids here in Honduras might not even have such a grand celebration on their wedding day. I am saying all of this to say that the days are approaching for us to provide a loving home for some of the children of Honduras. Mark and I need you to pray that God will lead us to the right people to help us start the process of taking in children.

We also ask that you help us pray that the hearts of the government officials will be softened and we will have no problems starting the process. Another very important request is that God will make it very clear and give us wisdom in electing and placing the first 12 children in our care. There are so many children that need help but God knows that there are 12 who desperately need to be in the home. This is from my heart the heart of a mother. God has paved the way for us to get here and now the road is getting shorter and shorter. The days to come will be a challenge for us. We will begin the process of many meeting and trying to make our contacts. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you ALL.

We are also in need of many items to help complete the home please take the time to check out the Wal-Mart wish list and prayerfully consider helping the children of Honduras.

Not a Typical Day After All.......

2011-05-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning we woke up like normal and got the kids started on their homeschooling. At 10 we were headed with the Massey's to San Pedro for a day at a new store, Pricesmart and then out to lunch. We headed off and got to check out Honduras' version of a Wal-Mart. Afterward, we went to Pricesmart to prepare for the upcoming arrival of Micah who would be born by c-section on Tuesday or Wednesday. We knew that Mark's parents would be coming in and we wanted to get the fridge and freezer stocked. We headed one way and the Massey's headed the other way. We did our shopping and I started feeling bad...not sure if it was just tiredness or weakness because we had not eaten lunch yet. We headed to El Progresso to grab lunch and then go to the house since we had all of our groceries. After grabbing some burgers we headed home.

Then, something that we had heard all about but had not yet experienced happened. Guess what....we were pulled over by a policeman. After using some mangled Spanish we were able to drive away. However, the whole event was stressful. See, the Police here often pull people over ....especial Americans for money. Once you pay you become a TARGET. Luckily, between the 2 of us we were able to use enough Spanish to either frustrate him or make him realize that we were not gonna pay.

We left with our heads in a whirl and headed home to eat and put away our groceries. We were not home long before Mark needed to go and meet with Jose from church who is helping us with some of the materials for the building. Also, the plumbing in the kitchen started to act up so we were going to go see if we could find someone to fix it. Alex was not available so after talkign with Jose we headed for home. I told Mark that I was not feeling good and we headed back home. From that point on I started having contractions and constant pain. Also, to our surprise our phone services had both went out. So, there was no phone in the house and the cell phone minutes were out.

We drove Josiah to the Massey's and left Hunter and Taylor at home and headed back to San Pedro to the hospital. Which is about 30-45 minutes away depending on traffic. Which by the way at this hour was cRaZy!!!! We had just made our turn to exit and go to the hospital when the truck started to act funny. What in the world was the devil doing to us today??

Luckly, Nathan was able to call my doctor and let him know that we were on our way to the hospital. Once we arrived we were greeted by doctor Abud. He is such a sweet man and what a wonderful encouragement to me as he also spoke English. He began to examine me and advised that I had not dialted but Micah's heart rate was low and we were gonna go ahead with a c-section tonight. With tears in my eyes, the nurses started to get me ready for the operating room. Mark had gone to check in me into the hospital and I did not even get to pray with him before they started to wheel me down the hall. I was nervous.....okay that is a lie.....I was scared to death....I know enough Spanish to do the things that I need to do but I don't know any medical terms, nor have I ever had a c-section before. I started to think about the message that Brother Nathan had just preached the night before....PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!!!!!.....(thanks Brother Nathan for that message)(It is true that God gives you just what you need ...when you need it and he uses other people to deliver) I began to pray, I prayed in English and in Spanish. I prayed for my nerves, for Micah, I prayed that there would be someone to help me in the absence of my husband as I ventured on new territory. The doctors began to come in and one of my nurses who came in, who was also in charge of anesthesia spoke English. There was one answered prayer already. Second, Dr Jaar came in who I can understand but have some trouble was there and advised that Doctor Abud would be coming in to assist with the delivery. This was also another answered prayer...he speaks very good Englsih and just has a way of making you feel at ease. (but he had also recenlty retired form "OB"). When doctor Abud walked in he grabbed my hand and and advised me that Mark was on his way down and that he could stay with me. Yet, another prayer that had been prayed and answered. Mark entered and sat down at my head, I thought all about how this was going to be....no pictures to have as keepsakes to welcome little Micah into the world, but as Mark sat down I saw the camera in his hand. God is so GOOD, not just some of the time but all of the time.

It was not long before the doctor started to perform the c-section and we were able to see our new little man that we had been waiting for. The doctor pulled him out and we heard him cry. We were overwhelmed with tears of joy. After, the doctor had asked if I had, had any prior surgery before. We explained that I had my tubes tied and reveresed. He was astonished. He could not believe his eyes. He basically said "this boy is a miracle" (which we already knew) But he kept wanting Mark to see that the tube was like a thin piece of silk. He called Mark to look 4-5 times ...just because he could not believe that he made it through. We knew it was all GOD. Thursday night at 7:15 we added baby Micah to our family, weighing in at 7lbs 7oz and 20.5 inches long. Thank You Lord we are now a family of 6.

A Mother's Day Special Event

2011-05-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a special day here in Honduras as well as many other places all over the world where we celebrated the lives of all mothers. This was our first holiday here in Honduras but definitely not our last. We were able to call and speak with our mom's and let them know how much we appreciate them and love them for their godly example.

We had a wonderful service on Sunday morning with a ton of mother's present in the service. Pastor Matt, presented the ladies and the men with a wonderful message from God's word about how important it is to be a godly example and how that you can accomplish that goal. First, off he made it clear that you need Christ in your life to be able to effectively be a godly example for your family and for others.

Jenny & Angie

After church on Sunday morning we began to decorate for the "Mother/Daughter Banquet" that we were having that night in honor of Mother's Day. We had a wonderful turn-out and many ladies came with their daughter's and other family members. However, there were a few that came with friends because their moms were either not present in their lives or they were not around. I began to think about how "Mother's Day" would be for next year.

Taylor and I sat at a table with 3 other ladies and their children. Next year, it might just be Taylor and I along with many little girls from the Hope of Honduras Children's Home. How exciting it will be to be able to share such a sweet and special time with them. It is so amazing to see and to think that we are getting closer and closer everyday to having children in the home. Please help us pray that after Micah is born we will begin the process of learning all that we need to know to be able to accept the first child in the home once the cottage is complete.
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, and we hope that ALL of our friends, supporters and followers who are mother's had a WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY......You are all special and God has given you all a special role in raising up the children his has put in your care.

All the Mothers that attended the Banquet

2 weeks here and going strong.......

2011-05-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well....it is so hard to sit and think that we have only been in El Progresso for 2 weeks and 1 day. We have been running since we arrived. We have been attending our new church which is a huge part of our ministry here as well as just learning the ropes of living in a new country.

Last week we were able to go and pick out lighting and tiles for the house. We were also able to meet with the man that will be making all of our wood doors and sign a contract with him as well as the man who will be working on putting in the windows. It is so AMAZING at how this cottage is coming together. God is AWESOME and worthy to be PRAISED.

Hunter working the machete

Mark, chopping away.....

This week we have met with Alexis...which Mark does on a daily basis to talk about other areas of the cottage. We also went and talked with a very kind business man named Jose from our church to talk about other things that we will need for the cottage. We needed some machetes to help cut the weeds/grass at the property. Mark and Hunter went out and began chopping it by hand.....hard work for sure. I have included a picture for you to see.

generator at Wal-Mart.com

Yesterday, we had a day pretty much full of rain. It was nice as it kept the day kind of cool. We were suppose to Skype with Hilltop's AWANA's group but 10 minutes before we were suppose to connect we lost power. We have learned that having a generator will be a must. Just like in Costa Rica, you are never sure when you will lose power or water so it is very important to always be prepared.

Today, we went with Jose and another gentleman from the church and job site to pick out all of the door knobs, locks, hinges as well as tubs, toilets, sinks, and other things for the house. We are so excited that things are continuing to run smoothly here and things are starting to really come together. The men are having to build the truss frames by hand and then prime them. So, this is a process but they are doing a great job. Hopefully, by the end of next week or so they can start to put up the roof. Please continue to pray for good working weather as well as funds and the furnishings that we will need to complete the home. We are so excited and can not wait to show you the building once it has been completed.. Much love to you all.

You can see the difference in the primed side and the other side

From MILES to TILES............

2011-04-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

On the way to San Pedro

Well, the journey has brought us to our first complete week here in Honduras. It has been a wonderful adjustment so far. We have been very busy over the past week with just getting familiar with the area and driving in a new place. We are so grateful though that it is becoming second nature very fast.

The people here are very friendly and we love our church family. They have greeted us with open arms and hearts. I think that they are as excited as we are to see how the Lord's plan will unfold for the children's home.

Tiles for the cottage

kitchen tiles

Pastor Mike, Mark, Alexis and Al

We have already had guests here with us this week which was a blessing and help to us. Pastor Mike and Al Schaffer from the home in Tampa came to see the progress on the building as we walked room by room looking over all the details of the plans. We made some great accomplishments on Wednesday as we went out to pick out tiles for the floors, bathrooms, and kitchen. It is just like when you are buying or building your own home and you go to pick out all of the inside furnishings....it is so exciting to see how the cottage will take shape. We also went to pick out lights and ceiling fans and such for the rooms. We need ceiling fans and free standing fans because the homes here do not typically have air condition. With that said, Wednesday was about 103 degrees and that was the (temp.)not the heat index. We can not put A.C. in the cottage because when the children leave the home many will not be able to afford to have that luxury so it is best to not have them get use to something like having air in the house all the time.

Also, on Wednesday we become members of our local church here, "Iglesia Bautista El Faro". We are so excited to see just what the Lord has done in the lives of the people here and how they are so faithful to serve and to be in the services.

Today, we had our first doctor visit here for the baby and also got to check out the hospital where he will be born. We are eager for his arrival and the doctor informed us today that he is 6lb and 5 oz as of now and we still have 4 weeks to go. Looks like another "BIG" boy in our future. Please pray though that he will turn and even come early so that there are no complications.

We are still in need of many items on the Wal-Mart Wish List, everything from silverware sets to a good camera for pictures to keep you all updated with. The one thing that we really like about Wal-Mart is that no matter the amount of the purchase you can have it SHIPPED to the STORE in TAMPA for FREE and we will have someone pick it up for us and load it in the container. We are looking at a container and the cost is going to be around $3,000. It will only be worth it to ship if we have it FULL. Again, there are items on the list from sippy-cups, bunk beds (7 sets), to mixing bowls. We just ask that you prayerfully consider helping us. When you partner with us by helping to purchase an item, you are not just helping 6 people (the Coats family) you are helping all the children that will stay in our care over the next.....well only the Lord knows that number. Just know that we don't ask for ourselves but we are asking so that we can help those boys and girls that are here in Honduras that may be sleeping on a card-board box tonight, or ate dinner from a trash heap, or that had to bath in the local river to get clean. God will bless you for helping to reach these boys and girls no matter what or how you choose to help. Thank you to you all and we know that many of you have already helped us out greatly. Just know that we are so grateful and we can't wait to place the first few kids into a nw safe, clean, and new house, that they can CALL HOME.

The Journey Continues.....Here at Last......

2011-04-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

WOW! It has been well over 2 years since God put the burden on our hearts to help start Hope of Honduras Children's Home. After a period of transition to live in Tampa to train and work with the staff and kids we moved to Costa Rica. We spent almost a full year in San Jose, Costa Rica preparing ourselves for living in another country and learning the Spanish language. Then, a short stay back in Tampa to tie up loose ends and get stamps for paperwork ....now we have finally made it to Honduras.

The Lord has been so good to us and we had a wonderful experience in the airport. We traveled with 20+ bags and were expecting to have to pay close to $800 for the additional baggage due to the new rules with the airlines. However, Tuesday night when I finally went to sleep I asked the Lord to please give us a nice person to work with at the airports and that we would not have any trouble with our luggage.

As we arrived at the airport on Wednesday morning at 5 am we were greeted with a nice gentleman who helped us load all the bags we had on 2 pull carts. He looked at us and pulled us into a line that was much shorter. He began to count bags and said, "you are gonna have to pay alot for those bags". We said yes, we know but we are moving and have no other options. He said if I could save you some money would you be willing?.....we replied with " OF COURSE". So he upgraded our flight from Tampa to Miami to first class tickets for $225 and with that we each got 3 checked bags for FREE. So, we ended up only paying $100 for the extra bag. WHAT A BLESSING!!! We saved close to $400. It is so amazing how God works and puts people in your path.

We arrived in San Pedro Sula around 1:45 on Wednesday and again were greeted with very friendly and kind people here in the airport who did not question us or our 20+ bags that we had come with. Brother Matt and Brother Nathan picked us up from the airport and helped us get settled into to the home that we will be staying in until the cottage is complete or at least livable.

front of the cottage

With that said 20 bags did not get here ALL of the items that we will need for the home or our family here. We do have a contact for a container but we need your help. Because of the cost of the container it is very important that we get it filled to the max and the only way that we can do that is through people like you, who give. The longer it takes to fill the container the longer it will take to ship. We need to have this container by the end of June so that we can be ready to move in the first of July. Please, PLEASE, PRAYERFULLY consider checking out the 2 WISH LISTS that we currently have. We have one at http://www.wal-mart.com/
and one at http://www.target.com/ we are also asking for IKEA gift cards to help purchase bunk beds and shelving items for the bedrooms. (they make them more compact and easy to fit in the rooms). I do know that you can purchase items from Wal-Mart and have them sent to the store in Tampa on Gunn Highway FREE of charge and we have a contact person to pick them all up for us. We can not do this alone we need your help and you will receive a tax receipt for you giving. Please help us see the children's home doors open with a nice and complete home for the children to live in. Thanks Again for all of your help. We love you all and look forward to sharing many more updates from HONDURAS!!!!!

Meet Karla........

2011-04-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have read that we have a young lady from Honduras training here in Tampa. Her name is Karla. Karla lives with her mom and dad and 2 brothers in El Progresso, Honduras. She was born on June 28th and is 20 years old. She has lived in El Progresso her entire life. Karla started to attend "El Faro" in 2006 but become a faithful member in 2008. I asked Karla if she remembered when she accepted Christ as her Savior and she said "yes, it was June 14, 2006.

Some of her ministries in the church included helping to keep it clean and working with the children. She said that she really loves working with the kids. When the need came about for helper in Honduras she said she knew it would be a great opportunity. However, she wanted to pray about it and see where God would lead. She said after she prayed "HE" opened all the doors for her. She is very excited about the future.

I asked her what were her hopes for the children's home in Honduras, she replied with this :
1) she wanted them to learn about the Bible and to change and grow Spiritual
2) she wanted them to learn the right ways to live and not to get involved in gangs like many young people in Honduras.
3) that the home would take care of their physical needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

Karla has been in the states for 2 months now and has never been outside of Honduras until she came here. So, I asked her what her first impression was when entering the states. Her response was this, " the states are very fast....everyone is always in a hurry." Wow! do we even realize that this is how others see us as Americans? I can say that from living in Costa Rica, everyone here lives a very fast paced life and food included in that.

I then asked her what where some of her favorite things about living in the states. Karla responded with "I Love TACO BELL and MT. DEW.....how funny is that. But neither of those two things are available in Honduras.

Karla asked that you keep the following prayer requests in mind when praying for her:

Prayer Requests:
That she can learn English well and quickly
Pray for her family in Honduras
For Hope of Honduras and the construction of the cottage
For the church in Honduras
For the Pastors of "El Faro" and their families

Karla is a sweet young lady and we have enjoyed getting to know her and practice our Spanish. We have a long way to go but with God's help nothing is impossible. Also, it is funny to see how Karla has already picked up on some of the American humor of what we call "picking". She is a joy to be around and we look forward Please help us by praying for her and for our family as we prepare to leave for Honduras. to when her studies are complete and she can help us in Honduras.

Happy Birthday Blessings......

2011-04-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

When we were in Costa Rica we had talked to Josiah about having his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. We had thought about the fact that this would be his last birthday in the states for a very long time and we wanted him to be able to remember it. Well, at least the best he could for a 3 year old. We asked him what kind of party he wanted....meaning what kind of cake...? He went back and forth between Scooby-Doo and Spider-Man. He finally settled for Scooby. The last 2 months or so of our stay in Costa Rica, all he could talk about was his "Scooby-Doo" party and everyone he saw he invited. It was really sweet. He was at the age where he really understood....my baby is growing up. We decided to have his birthday party on Monday instead of Thursday so that family and friends could attend. Not all of our family was able to be there but they were there in our hearts. He was so excited about the whole evening and you could see that on his face and in his eyes. If you know anything about Chuck E. Cheese you know that...that place can be a mad house of parents and kids running around. However, Monday night it was nice and peaceful and we were the only big party there. Way off to the side was a small family party of about 6 people or so and well there were not many other people in the building. We had a run of the whole place.

We were also able to have Karla attend the party. She is the young lady from Honduras that will be helping us after she trains and studies here in the states. She started talking to me in Spanish and we chatted back and forth. Our hostess started to talk to me and asked me about Spanish. She was actually from Nicaragua. So, we talked about our time in Costa Rica and how we had visited her home country. It was a blessing and she was so sweet to Josiah. She loaded him up with extra tickets.

After the party it was time to pay. Mark started to carry the gifts to the car and I was left to pay. I was surprised with yet another blessing. Someone had paid for Josiah's party. The Lord never ceases to amaze me at how he works through others to give out blessings. Words can not express how many blessings that we have received just in the past few months. From little things like a sweet lady at the airport paying for one of those luggage carts, to a many who have purchased things off of the 2 Wish Lists for the children's Home. Not only has God provided for Josiah to have a wonderful state-side birthday but he he uses people that we have met along the way on our journey. We don't know who ALL have blessed us because many have chosen to stay silent....however....Dios Sabe!!!! God Knows!! and We pray that HE BLESSES YOU as MUCH as WE have BEEN BLESSED BY YOU.......

Welcome Home at Hope.............

2011-04-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

Ms. Becky & Josiah

Thursday, we were able to see all the kids and staff here at Hope that we have not seen since we left for Costa Rica, almost a year ago. It was so exciting to see how the kids have grown and changed within that year. We visited with a few of the staff early that morning. Then we headed off to the Sheriff's Office here in Tampa so that Mark, Taylor and myself could have our fingerprints done in order to receive a background check for our residency in Honduras. Please help us by praying that this papers are processed rapidly and that we can send them to phase 2, which is the getting them sealed with the Secretary of State. Once we receive these papers back we can head to the Embassy in Miami.

Karla & Ms. Chris

That afternoon we were able to go out to eat with our directors here and Karla. Karla is from Honduras and will be our assistant once she finishes English classes and training here in Tampa. It was so encouraging to know that we could actually talk to her in Spanish...and better yet, we understood her and she understood us.

After dinner we headed back to the boys dorm where all the kids and staff had planned a "WELCOME HOME" party for us. It was so nice to be able to hug and fellowship with them all.....We were also able to see our friends from back home Kim and Jeff Huff who are now in full-time ministry as house parents here at Hope. God is so Good. It is truly amazing at how he uses us and leads us along the way.

Almost Home..........

2011-04-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Well, Wednesday March 30th we put all of our belongings into Fernando's van and headed to the airport in San Jose. It was a bitter-sweet time for us. Another chapter in our lives has closed and a new one is about to begin. I am so thankful for our time that we spent in Costa Rica and for all the friends that we have made along the way. We have many new missionary friends around the world as well as many Costa Ricans that have become dear to our hearts. We are so thankful for the teachers and staff that God put in our path to help us and encourage us in our Spanish skills over the past year. Not only our teachers but our neighbors and many that we met along the way. We will surely miss them all.

Argentina Soccer Player(white shirt)

Our first flight was interesting as we noticed that many people (AA employees kept coming on the plane before take-off). Costa Rica had played Argentina in a soccer game the night before and 2 of the players from Argentina were on the plane. Then as we were trying to get ready for our second flight in Miami we were in line behind a group of women....not really sure what kind of cult/group they were in...it was nothing like we had ever seen before. They were in long skirts and had different types of scarves on their heads. One of the ladies were not able to pass because she did not have a photo I.D. so the lady checking passports, tickets and I.D. let us go ahead while they figured out what to do with her. Anyway, she had a bag that was on the x-ray table ready to go through. Well, we knew it was not our bag and so we put all of our stuff in front of it and left it there. I thought to myself..."I am not pushing someone else's bag...I have no idea what is inside". Behind us was another gentleman with a Hispanic background and he did the same thing, he was not gonna push the bag either. Come to find out, those ladies had a bunch of knives and liquids in their carry-on. All stuff which a normal person would know is not permitted on a plane. So, needless to say it was very interesting but thankful for how AA security handled the situation.

Once we arrived in Tampa, we met another really sweet lady and she paid for us to get one of those carts to help with our 14 bags. It was not long and we loaded all of our things up in Pastor Mike's van and we headed home. However, not before we made our first gas station run....lol. We stocked up on sodas, chips and American candy. Most of which we could not buy in Costa Rica. We sat around and chatted for awhile and were just overly excited to finally be in our "Home Away from Home".

Our Last Trip to "La Feria"

2011-03-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

One of the wonderful things about living here in Costa Rica has to be the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. Every Saturday there is a small "feria" or Farmers's Market just a few blocks walk from our house. We wake up early and head out so that we can get some of the freshest produce available. We also usually end up spending an hour and half just chatting with all of our ILE friends that we run into coming and going. Not only is this a time to get most of our shopping done but it is a nice time to fellowship with others we know. Many "MK" (missionary kids) kids are there hanging out at the playgrounds while one or both parents do the shopping. It is just a nice morning out and has been our routine now for almost a year. It is so amazing to see what we can buy for so little. No taxes, no perservatives and so much variety to choose from. Now keep in mind we do not have the same selection that we would back home, such as butterbeans(which I miss), sweet potatoes, blackeyed peas, yellow squash and such.....but there are more benefits such as fresh pinapple and mango. I am going to give you a sample grocery list that we would get on a weekly basis and the price and see how it compares to things in the states. Sometimes, yes being in another country is tough and we miss out on things that we are so use too. However, this is one thing that I LOVE about living in a tropical country.

cilantro and herbs

Grocery List/Feria

1. Head of Iceberg Lettuce @ $0.20
2. Head of Butter Lettuce   @ $0.20
3. Large Stalk of Celery     @ $0.40
4. Lg, bunch ofcilantro       @ $0.20
5. 2 pints strawberries         @$1.60
6. 2 Mango                        @ $2.50
7. Pineapple                       @ $1.40
8. 5lbs Tators                     @ $3.00
9. Plantains  (5)                  @ $1.00
10. 10 Bananas                  @$1.00
11. 4/5 Cucumbers             @$0.60
12. red/green peppers(5)    @$0.80
13. Chayote(4)                   @$0.40
14. 3 avacados                   @$2.00
15. 2lbs Tomatos                @$1.80
16. Fresh Garlic                  @$0.40
17. Head of Brocoli            @$1.00
18. 2.2lbs baby string beans @$1.00
19. 5-6 Carrots                    @$0.60
all of the above for               $20.10

That is a ton of food......I really hope that we have one close in Honduras....at least for the fruits. We plan on having a garden on the grounds to take care of most of the veggies and fruits that we can grow on sight. Please pray with us that the "Tiller" we have on our Wal-mart Wish List will be purchased so that we can put it on the container to be shipped to Honduras. One of the big things that we desire for the children's home is to become self-sufficient in the area of fruits and veggies. Not only will this help out with the expenses that we will have but we will be able to teach the children that they can take care of themselves once they are on their own one day. we hope that you all have a wonderful day and our Tampa count down is now 3 1/2 days.....May God Bless you all....

My Little Helper with Cilantro

our shopping

Aprender una cosa nueva/ Learning a new thing

2011-03-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

When we first moved to Costa Rica almost a year ago we tasted a typical Latino food called "Empanadas" for the very fisrt time. Empanadas, usually consist of chicken and cheese, refried beans and cheese or just cheese. Our empleada Etelvina makes the best empanadas and she makes a pico de gallo to go with it. I have watched her make them many times to see how she makes them but today I watched the entire process. As much as I wish we could take her along with us to Honduras she will be staying here in Costa Rica, which means after this week...no more homemade empanadas by Etelvina.

So, with that she proceeded to teach us how to make everything. Starting with how you cook the chicken and with what veggies and spices to get a good broth. Then after the chicken has cooled you cook it again in onion, butter, garlic, cummin, oregano and some other things. Then you set that aside and start to work on the "masa" or the dough. It is a very long process that takes a lot of work and yet there are devoured up in no time at all.

While having my hand in the dough making part, Mark thought it funny to laugh at me for how slow I was going. I proceeded to explain to him that it is not as easy as it looks to shape this dough into a perfectly flat circle ready to be stuffed with cheese and chicken. So, I suggested that he give it a whirl....we laughed....he tried....and we laughed some more...he agreed that it looked easier than it was but he did manage to make a few to be cooked. We both enjoyed learning how to make a yummy treat that we have become acustom to eating here during our stay. I must say though,it is a time consuming job but they are very yummy. Maybe one day if you ever come to visit us in Honduras...we will make you some of our "empanadas".

The Tattered Shoes......

2011-03-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Before we arrived in Costa Rica we all went shopping to purchase the much needed items that we would not be able to afford to buy here. With that, we all purchased a brand new pair of shoes. We have put many the miles on some shoes here and well, needless to say have worn some out. However, none of us have worn out our shoes as much as Hunter has worn out his.

This pair of shoes was Hunter's first pair of shoes. They lasted all of 3 months before the soles were gone. With thinking on how he wore out his shoes.....makes me stop and think. Hmmm....if he wore out a pair of shoes in 3 months from constant use.....how many of us have worn and tattered Bibles. We all have a favorite book, cookbook, shirt or even a pair of shoes that we run too, to use all the time. Do we take that same approach with the Bible? Are our Bibles, tattered and worn with notes in the margins, or special verses that spoke to our hearts underlined? Have we written down special sermon dates or times were we have made an important decision for the Lord? Or is our Bible a book of perfection...meaning that there are no wrinkled pages, the are crsip when you open them, or maybe they even have that "stick together" feeling because it is like new? Well, if you have a Bible like that then what will people say about your Christian Walk with the Lord? Will they know how much you really know about God's word and how much you study His promises? I want my kids and others to see how worn and tattered my Bible is and know that I used it and studied God's word. I do not just want it to be a pretty book on a shelf. I do want my Bible to last more than 3 months unlike the shoes.....but I do want others to know that it is being used.....what about YOU?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

Home Sweet Home......well......in the works....

2011-03-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

As you all know, our time is coming to an end here in Costa Rica. It is bitter-sweet but we are excited and ready to go. You all have been helping us through prayer and added extra support to help with different things concerning the cottage. We want to thank you all for that. This blog is to share with you some recent photos and other info concerning the cottage.

We will leave here on March 30th and while things are going great on the construction end of the cottage and the men are doing a great job it will not be ready when we arrive. We are hoping to arrive in Honduras by April 15th and if not that day no later than April 20th. With that said, we are going to have to rent a house for about three months. Our fellow team members are already hard at work to help us find a home to rent once we arrive. Please help us by praying that they can find a house that is safe, reasonable and will be close to the others. We also need to pray that we raise the remaining $5,000 that we will need to purchase a van there once we arrive.

Many of you know what it is like to furnish a new home or at least you remember when you were first married and had to purchase a bunch of things to make your home livable. This is the same case for the first cottage. We have many things that we still need to have to be able to open and run the home. We actually have two lists. One is a list of specific items on http://www.target.com/ and the other is on the http://www.hopechildrenshome.org/ page listed under Hope of Honduras Urgent Needs. All of these things are things that we need for the cottage. Some are basic like hair dryers, hair clippers, lice kits(b/c all the children will need to be treated).

Other things are important things such as linens, and cooking accessories. Some things you may have that you can donate if you live in the Florida area. Others are things that you can purchase and have sent to Hope Children's Home in Tampa with a note saying that it is for the Cottage in Honduras. We know that God will provide all of the needs that we have for the ministry but we do ask that you help us by praying. Thanks again for all that you do for us and our ministry.

100 Things About Language School

2011-03-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

In honor of our 100th blog....I am going to tell you 100 things about language school. Some are sad, happy, funny, crazy....but one thing is for sure they are all true. So I hope that you enjoy reading it and thanks for sticking with us on our journey. We have 23 days as of tomorrow before we head back to Tampa to gather our belongings and move to Honduras. Here goes and they are in no particular order.

1. Flying to a new country, with 3 kids and 13 suitcases
2. Kids that have more stamps in their passports than most average adults
3. Not having a car
4. Going to the pharmacy to get a presciption without a doctors note(wow what a blessing that is)
5. Bread store around the corner (open 24 hours)
6. gates and walls everywhere
7. Living in a beautiful country
8. Sharing a gospel track with a taxi driver, bus drivers and other people
9. Learning to navigate a city with no street signs
10. an entire season of non stop rain
11. Hunter...literally walking his shoes to death
12. Loving Saturday mornings for the "feria" farmers market
13. having no heat or air condition (it can be done folks)
14. washing your dishes in cold water
15. Sharing a plate of food with a homeless man
16. Walking to the post office to get your mail
17. Wondering if you will ever see Wal-Mart again or the special end cap clearance sales at Target
18. NO BLACK FRIDAY
19. Turkeys that are $35 each (b/c they don't celebrate Thanksgiving)
20. Walking past a sleeping homeless person laying on a used pizza box
21. Looking out our window observing the beauty that God has created
22. Hearing our children speak in Spanish
23. Making friends with people from all over the world and will end up somewhere different than they came.
24. Meeting people in Costa Rica from our hometown in NC
25.Learning to count in Colones......starting with 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 and then it gets to the paper money
26. Gallo pinto/ famous beans and rice
27. wondering how I can make my own cheddar since it is $11 a block
28. watching Josiah greet people on the street with a sweet smile and Buenas Dias
29. Not being able to sing in the choir
30. Buying strawberries for $1 a pint
31. buying Christmas presents on-line and having someone bring them to us b/c they are to expensive here
32. Not being able to make a lunch date with a dear friend
33. Having tons of family fun nights playing games that include; scrabble, clue or cards
34. using public transportation
35. losing water or electricity for no reason and wondering when you will get it back on
36. loving Care Packages
37. not being able to console a hurting friend in the states
38. Missing out on weddings and baby showers of friends and family
39. paying almost $40 for Tide or Gain laundry detergent b/c your spouse is allegic to everything else
40. Buying eggs from a man on the street selling them from his car
41. Wishing that Burger King and McDonalds here had a "Dollar Menu"
42. Learning to create new recipes
43. Excited to get mail, or email or any news from home
44. Conversing with SKYPE
45. Kissing people on the cheek when you meet
46. Getting calls from telemarketers in SPANISH
47. Arroz con pollo (chicken and rice)
48. Buying cleaning products and soap in a plastic bag (so you can refill the bottles you have)
49. Loving that you can always get fresh fruit and veggies
50. Watching out for holes in the road or sidewalks
51. Having some of the best teachers to help us learn Spanish
52. Waking up in the middle of the night b/c we just had an earthquake
53. Family Time with SMORES using Costa Rican Chiky cookies
54. Excited to have friends and family come to visit
55. Going shopping and loving the Costa Rican BOGO....it could mean buying a blender and getting a soccer ball for FREE
56. NO carpet anywhere
57. Learning to read the Bible in Spanish
58. Hearing birds and chickens awake at 4:30 in the morning
59. First Sunday here....sitting in church....wondering if we will ever understand Spanish
60. starting a new tradition of our Missionary Christmas Tree....by putting up our friends prayer cards
61. Forgetting how to read and spell in English b/c we think so much in Spanish
62. being 34 and 39 and having homework
63. there is still pressure in taking a TEST
64. Cafesito
65. Following the Chile Miners story with friends that are from there
66. Not missing the rising gas prices in the states
67. having to watch UNC football and basketball on the CPU but being thankful that it is on there
68. walking in the store seeing an Aerospace shirt that cost more than the Aeropostale shirt in the states
69. Taking the term "Window Shopping" to a whole new level
70. Walking in the rain with an umbrella and still getting soaked (Forrest Gump Rain....lol)
71. Showing your family around...that has not yet learned the money exchange and they think that they saw something for $25 but in fact it was 2,500 colones or $5
72. Having geckos on your ceiling
73. Keeping your windows closed during dinner so moths don't dive bomb in your plate
74. Having moths land on your wall the size of a small bat
75. Homeschooling Taylor and Hunter for the first time and trying to do our own school work
76. Taking Visa Trips
77. Disliking the border of Nicaragua
78. Potty training your child and teaching him to put toilet paper in the trash can
79. Having a cat come in your house b/c you have no door
80. Happy that we can hear sermons in English online
81. Having a security guard each night on our street
82. Walking to church
83. A family who loves Flip-Flops
84. POPs Ice Cream
85. Our greatest find here was the day we found A-1 Sauce
86. Learning to enjoy hot tea and for Mark...good coffee
87. Cooking Chayote
88. Missing Bojangles and Chick-fi-la
89. Steps, steps and more steps...we have 32+ steps in our house
90. Praying in Spanish
91. God giving us another miracle....a new baby to be born in late May early June
92. Being Blessed by faithful people who support our ministry
93. Being humbled by the fact that we are still in the baby stage of Spanish
94. But grateful that our friends remind us that it will come once on the field
95. Going to miss all the friends that we have made over the past 11 months
96. Thankful for the oppotunity that God has given us to live and learn in Costa Rica
97. Seeing how excited Josiah gets when it is time to go to school...his class is all Spanish
98. Josiah asking me to sing him a song in Spanish
99. Enjoying warm sunny days and not having a winter
100. Making at least 100 New memories here in Costa Rica

Chayote.....what is this funny green thing..............

2011-03-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

When we moved here to Costa Rica we saw a funny looking green fruit/veggie that we had never seen before. It is similiar to a pear in shape and texture but yet also kind of has a taste like a seedless cucumber. This veggie/fruit that belongs to the squash/gourd family is very cheap here. We noticed that it really has no flavor, but can take on any flavor that you add to it. They use it alot here in soups and stir-frys and such. Some people even half them and stuff them with meat and cheese and cook them until the chayote is tender.

chayote root

We have become fond of it because it can be a "filler" food and again is cheap and takes on the taste of anything that you cook it in or with. When I say cheap....I can get 4 for around 200 colones or 50 cent and no that is not each that is total. However, we recently learned that the root of the chayote plant is a special treat and a very expensive one at that. A kilo or 2.2lbs of chayote root sell for 3,000 colones.....that is $6 a kilo. However, joking with the vender in the feria a few weeks ago about this "special find" and how good it was he proclaimed...we decided to buy a 1/2 kilo just to see what all the fuss was about. When we asked a bunch of different people they all came back with the same answer...."este es muy rico"......it is so good....and they boil it then slice it or cube it and fold it into scrambled eggs. Others said that you can slice it and fry it like chips....so guess which one we did? We chose to slice and fry. I actually liked it but to me it was no different than a potato...maybe a little sweeter. Mark did not really care for it. However, then we wanted to see what the fuss was about why it was so expensive if it was so similiar to a potato. Well, you see a chayote plant may or may not have roots that are big enough to cut. What I mean is it needs to be as big around or bigger than a softball. This process could also take up to 2 years or more. So, once they cut the root of the plant.....there it goes...no more chayote.

On another note, I love to cook and well, I watch t.v. shows and pay close attention to the produce in the grocery store. However, when we were home for Christmas we were down at Mark's parents house in Surf City, N.C. and as we were loading up on flamming hot cheetos and chex mix. I looked over and saw what I thought was a chayote. I turned around and sure enough...I had to show Mark....not only did a little grocery store at the beach(of all places) have chayote but they were like $3 each. To me I was just blown out of the water.

My favorite thing to do with this new favorite very inexpensive veggie/fruit is to cook it like yellow summer squash. I cook 2 slices of bacon in a pan and then remove it and add in 3-4 peeled and chopped chayote along with 1/2 an onion diced. Cover and let it steam cook. Stirring occassionally. Once it is tender, i season with salt and pepper and then add in 1 tbsp of brown sugar and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon. YUMMMO....so reminds me of living in N.C. and picking fresh squash from the garden.

This was just a fun little peice of info for you to learn about the local produce that we have here in Costa Rica and will have in Honduras.

Prayer......A Powerful Medicine

2011-03-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

Today, I sit and think about many friends and family members that are heavy on my heart. We have friends back in the states that are battling cancer. We have family members that are facing trials of their own. We think of our parents and how they are doing in everday life. We also think about how they must feel with their children and grandcildren living in another country. We have so many people that we pray for and we pray for friends and family of friends that we have never met. Prayer is an amazing tool that many only use as a form of communication when things go wrong or a trail arises. But we should have prayer as a daily routine to talk with the Lord in good times and bad times.

Some people think that because we are in full time ministry or serving as missionaries that we are somehow different than everyone else. Well, let me just say this.......we are not any different. We have just been given a call that we chose to obey. (Not everyone is given the call to go to another country but we do all have a call to be a witness for Christ.) However, we are still human and the devil attacks us just like he attacks you. Our life did not just "with the snap of a finger" become perfect and burden free. In fact, those who are doing God's work are put in the hot seat and the devil is trying his hardest to bring us all down and to get us to throw in the towel.

I can say that we have seen that first hand here, living in Costa Rica. Almost, all of the students that walk through the gates of "ILE" are here because God has called them to the mission field. It is sad to say that some will not make it to their field of calling. Some have been hit with sickness, lack of support, or emotional strain. Last week, the devil had us ready to leave very early beacuse of all the contractions that I was having. However, we prayed and turned it all over to the Lord and he gave us peace that everything was going to work out and that would take care of Micah and myself. Things here are great and we only have 28 days to go.

This week we have a dear friend here who has a very heavy heart. She is a sweet lady and a dear friend and at this time I am not going to give her name because I have not asked for her permission to use it. However, I am asking that you all please lift her and her family up in prayer. (God knows her name and so if you earnestly pray he will hear you). Since she has been here studying Spanish she has lost her mother, sent one of her children back to the states for college and is preparing for her other 2 children to return to the states after classes finish. Her and her husband will head to their field by themselves. I can say that there is much stress in trying to learn a new language. Some days are great and others are days where you.....well wanna go home and cry or pull out your hair. With that said who needs anything else thrown your way? Well, this week she ventured to the doctor because she has been having some joint pain and her body hurts....you never would know by the sweet smile she carries on her face. She has been an encouragement to me and I know many others here. I am asking that you help me by praying for her and of coarse the many others that need prayer. Just becasue we are a missionary does not mean that again we do not go through trials and have burdens. I know that God answers prayers and he hears his children.

I am thankful to know that we all have a comforter. It says in John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; butye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shll be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The Bible also says in 1 John 5: 14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:And if we know that he hear us, whatsoeverwe ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

I know that there are many of us that have special needs and prayer request. I can say that we have a family prayer board to help us remember special prayers and needs. We did not always have one of these, we learned of the prayer board when we moved to Tampa to train at the children's home. Pastor Mike told us that if the children or staff needed something or had a special need it had better be on the board and they should be praying for it. God can not answer prayers if we do not ask HIM to answer. While we lived in Tampa we saw just how God supplies the needs of his children through prayer. The children were very involved in prayer and they prayed for things that were on the board and when God answered a prayer they would remove it. We do the same thing with a white board. We plan on continuing this tradition once in Honduras. I challenge you all to have some form of a prayer board to help with prayer request and erase them once God answers them.

The Coats Family Prayer Board

Invited to Breakfast......

2011-02-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

Last week Mark and I were in a whirl-wind so to speak. With the contractions not stopping and having to go back to the doctor thoughts to leave much earlier had entered our minds. The doctor had told us that if I were to dilate at all here, he would put me on bed rest in the hospital until Micah was born. So, with that said; we quickly started to think that maybe we should just go ahead and leave.

Mid week, I received an email from a friend here named Esther. She had invited us to breakfast/brunch since we were getting ready to leave. However, after the invite Mark and I really did not have peace about leaving and prayed and asked God for guidance. He layed it on both of our hearts that "Micah and I" would be okay and that he would take care of things. Plus, after starting the new medication I have been contraction free "PRAISE the LORD".

Well, Saturday approached and I was excited to go over to Esther and Adam's house for many reasons. One they are a very sweet couple whom we have become friends with and second I was so ready to see something other than the four ways of my house. (Bed rest is not my cup of tea....lol)

Adam came to pick us up....(they have a car...something only a few people have here, Gringos anyway). so that I would not have to walk. Once we arrived Esther greeted us at the door and led me inside and much to my "SURPRISE" there in the midst of her living room sat 20 ladies /friends from ILE or the language school. I know that there are many who wanted to be there but could not. They had organized a surprise baby shower for me.

This actually was something that was weighing on my heart...not being with my friends and family from home to share in this wonderful occassion. Being on the mission field and well.....this is really a transition field before Honduras it is often hard to do things like this because people are always coming and going. However, my new friends here blessed me beyond belief. Not only did we hear from God's word and pray but we just had a wonderful time of fellowship together. We received a few items and cards for baby Micah and the ladies all chipped in to buy 3 things off of my Target Baby Registry. One of those things we really needed which was the pack and play to use as a bassinet until we could get a crib. It was such a blessing to be able to share this time with new friends.

The one really exciting thing is that each of these ladies will go off with her family (and there are a few single ladies) that will start a new ministry sharing God's word in another Latin American Country. We will be able to keep in touch and pray for one another as we begin a new chapter in our lives. God is so wonderful at putting people in your life just when you need them. There have been many ladies here at ILE that have come and gone that have been a part of my life here for this year. But, for me it is so exciting to think that I really do have friends "ALL OVER THE WORLD". Thank you to each of you that made Saturday possible it was such a blessing and a time that I will never forget.

Listening......The Invisible Work...........

2011-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today, Mark came home from school during the break to check on me and see how things were going. We have an empleada by the name of Etelvina. She helps in our home 2 days a week and what a blessing she has been. She has become part of our family. She is like a grandma to my children and she loves us enough to not only care for us but to pray for us with her "whole" heart. Mark offered to make a pot of coffee and while waiting we started a conversation on "thank you cards" of all things. You see here like in other Latin American countries once you say "Thank you" that is it the end of it. No need to send an extra "thank you card" in the mail. We were chatting away back and forth about the difference in culture, not that either is bad just different. Then the tables were turned.

Many of you know that her daughter Carolina is a missionary to Africa and we have ben praying for her to receive a ticket back to Costa Rica. Well, that prayer has been answered and she should arrive on Monday or late Tuesday. With this conversation we began to talk about her family. She began to share many things with us. It was amazing at the amount of Spanish that we understood. What was even more amazing was the information that she was sharing. As, Mark and I just sat and listened for about 20-25 minutes we were doing an "invisible work".....the work of listening. Sometimes, people just want to share. We all have trials and burdens and many times we don't want advise, we don't want anything from the other person...only to be heard to share what is on our heart. We now have a better understanding of her family and we can pray very specific for their needs. However, had we not taken the time to just listen we never would have learned this information and the burdens that she has carried for so long. Sometimes, the people in our lives only want to share and to be heard. I sit here thinking.....what else have I missed out on because I did not take the time to listen. How many people could I have been a blessing to by only taking the time to stop what I was doing to open my ears? I know that if we are all honest we could ask ourselves the same questions.....sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is to just be silent and let them share their hearts.

In the Bible it says in Philippians 2: 4-5 " Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also Christ Jesus".

James 1:19 says " Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath":

Many times we say we are listening when in fact our ears are closed, many times we say we are listening when our eyes have gone astray. Show how much you care today by looking into the heart; open your eyes and open your ears for a freind who may need it today. Just remember that when you call on God "he is never far away". Sometimes we say we hear when in fact we only heard a sound....we never really heard what was on the heart of the one standing right in front of us. Try to be more like Jesus who in fact answers when we call....for he never sleeps nor strays and hears ever word we pray.

My challenge to you is do an invisible work today...open your ears and your heart to one who may be calling out that just needs you to Listen.

Time for Bed

2011-02-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

Each night before we go to bed we have a time of family devotion and prayer. We have been studying the book of Daniel and we have also been reading through the minor prophets. Currently, we are reading in Joel. After, we read and have our time of devotion we take prayer requests and pray as a family.

Since, I am on bed rest I am in the bed all the time. :Last night I was not really tired but I had my head down. Josiah said, "Mommy are you sleepy?" I said "maybe a little." He replied with, "Mommy we can not go to sleep .....we have to read the Bible". My head lifted and I started to talk back with him. "You are exactly right, Josiah, we have to read our Bibles before we fall asleep". Josiah will not be 3 until April however, it fills my heart with JOY in just knowing that he has already grabbed a hold of the concept of spending time in God's word and in prayer.

Shortly after that he said these words..."open your Bibles"....made me think of many pastors who say those words on a regular basis. Could Josiah grow up to be a great preacher....sure with God anything is possible. I remember when I was pregnant with him and everytime we were in our home church and Brother Jeff would preach....Josiah would jump and kick and move as if to say he was "Amening from inside." It was just sweet to hear him say those sweet words. He watched until we all had our Bibles open ready to start.

While we all take turns reading one after the other Josiah wants to read as well. He usually looks at his Bible and throws out something about the picture that is in his little Bible book....something like God made this...or God loves me....or sometimes even random funny stuff. Never the less he feels apart of what we are doing.

Most nights he stays awake to hear the story and to pray...(which he wants to lead.) We let him start and then one of us follow after. Very sweet, becasue he talks about his friends at school, "Bena" (our empleada) and many others. But last night he was so tired that he fell alseep on his Bible.

I challenge you all that have small children or any children living in your home (or even grandkids) that you set up a time when you all can fellowship together in God's word. It will make a differance and they will pick up this habit and when they are raising their own children they will have a gift to share just like you shared this great gift with them.

"Train up a child in the way he should go:and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Brewing up Some Great Relationships......

2011-02-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

You know I am no coffee drinking by all means. I love to smell it. I just never developed a taste for it. Which I find a little funny to be honest. My momma, daddy, and my sister LOVE some coffee. Me, I would rather have water or if I could a nice cold "Mello Yello"(but they are not sold here or in Latin America). Anyway, some people say that I don't like coffee because I have NEVER had a GREAT cup of coffee. We are currently living in one of the best places in the world to get coffee and I still have not tried it again. One reason is b/c I am pregnant and don't need an addiction(LOL), if I do suddenly start to like it.

In with thinking about a great cup of coffee one who drinks coffee and has a true love for it would NEVER.....use a tablespoon of instant in a hot cup of water. The perfect cup of coffee takes time...time to brew. (Unless you have one of those fancy machines). Even then you still buy the best coffee or at least what you consider to be the best anyway. In brewing the perfect cup of coffee I thought about how we form relationships with others. It takes time and attention to have a satisfying relationship with someone. You can't just add a little here and there and expect to have a great relationship. You need to add some flavor. You can add the following to your relationships by showing Christ love and you are sure to have one of the best flavored relationships around.

1. HELLO.....Talk to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word or a greeting. (I have really learned that here) Just saying hello and asking them how they are brings a smile almost everytime.

2. SMILE......Here is something that we all learned in school. It takes 72 muscles to frown and 14 to smile. You do the math....smiling is a lot easier and well....more fun....(:

3. Call People By Name......Some of the sweetest music to anyones ear is the sound of their own name...and they know that you care because you remembered....

4. Be FRIENDLY and HELPFUL.......there are many ways that you can show these two actions. People do pay attention and they notice if you take the time.

5. Be Cordial. Speak and act as if everything that you do is a pleasure.....your heart will be glad that you did.

6. Be Genuinely Interested in People.....you can like everyone if you try.....(this is the most challenging)

7. BE GENEROUS with praise..........and cautious with criticism. (another tough one for us, I know)

8. Be Considerate......think about others feeling...it will be appreciated.

9. Be thoughtful of the opinion of others.....we might not agree but we need to be respectful (unless it goes against the BIBLE) but even then be respectful in your responses.

10. Be Willing to To Give Service......what counts is what we do for others.......

The Bible says in Proverbs 25:11 " A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver."

All of these things take time. You are not gonna do all 10 everytime you see someone but 1-4 for be an automtic. Just like when you sit down to take the first sip of that perfect cup of coffee...you will also find how worth it it was to brew the perfect relationship.

One of the greatest things a man can do for his HEAVENLY Father is to be KIND to some of HIS other children.

Me and Valerie....

Uncle Ronnie, Josiah, Aunt Myra

There are so many photos that I could post but then I would have no more room. So know that I love you to all of my friends and family.

Seeing With The Heart......

2011-02-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know that I have already blogged once today but I just had to share this with you all.
Here in Costa Rica there are many homeless men and women who walk the streets and ask for food, toothbrushes, soap and other small things. We have become acustom to one man by the name of Oscar. He comes by our house and rings our door bell once or twice a week. He usually has dirty and torn clothes worn out sandals and well....he looks like what he is "homeless". When we know that it is him, we usually prepare a little bag of food for him. The bag may include; some fruit, cookies, crackers, a sandwich or anything that we have at that moment that we can share with him. Wendy, Mark's sister recently brought us some new T-shirts so that we could give him a new shirt every other week or so. Sometimes, we throw in a toothbrush, travel tooth paste and maybe a pair of socks. He is always so grateful for what he receives and is normally eating on something in the bag while he is standing there talking to us. He has even offered to help us by practicing Spanish with us. Mark talks to him about his salvation and he assures us that he is "saved". The last 2 months or so he wants to always show his gratefulness and appreciation for our time with a handshake for Mark and Hunter.

Well, today was no different. The door bell rang and Hunter exclaimed that it was Oscar. Mark hurried to the kitchen to prepare the bag of goodies for him and Hunter ran it down stairs. Once Hunter was down there Oscar asked "Donde esta su mama, aqui en la casa?' He asked if I was at home and Hunter replied with a "yes". I could not go down because of being on bed rest and for those of you who know me know ...that it is killing me to not be able to do anything. Well, anyway Hunter locked the gate and quickly ran upstairs full of excitement. He said, "Momma, look , look what Oscar got for you today." It was a beautiful little potted plant. It was just what I needed. Now, I am not sure how he obtained this pretty little plant but I can say that he was wanting to show his appreciation for what we do for him. We show him everytime he comes that we care for him by helping him with food and small items that we have around the house. Today, he wanted to show us how much he cared for us and for our wilingness to help him out. We see Oscar with our heart, as a person who needs help, a second chance, a person who longs for friendship. In the Bible it says in Galatians 6:9-10 " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

While handing out a little food here and there is really no big deal to us, it has made an impact on his life. With that said God can use the seed that has been planted for something good. Who knows if Oscar will ever get his life on track and have a home again. But for now at least he can say that he has people that care about him and think of him in prayer. Please help us by praying for Oscar and that he will want to change his life and live for Christ.

Kindness is a language the dumb can speak, the deaf can hear, and the blind can see.

A House Full Of Clowns........

2011-02-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, Taylor went over to a missionary couples house here in Costa Rica. Like us, they are headed to Honduras to work with children. They will just be in another area. Around Christmas time we had a party at the school for a local children's home. The Zell's had set up a booth where they made balloon animals and they also did face painting. The kids LOVED IT. They had all kinds of balloon creatures.

Taylor went over to their house becasue we are going to have a "VBS" here in a few weeks for all of the missionary kids while the parents are in services each day. They taught her and a bunch of other folks how to twist and turn those balloons just right to create something wonderful.

The night she came home, her arms were full of the creations that they had made. She had a hat, dog, turtle and Josiah's favotite his SWORD. He loved it. I had a house full of clowns. They were running around and sword fighting and laughing. The sound that every parent wants to hear. Their children having fun.

As I sit here today and review the pictures that I took that night and watch the video clip of Taylor having so much fun with Josiah it made me think of the verse in Colossians 3:23. The Bible says "and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men". Taylor will be 15 in a few weeks and I started to think about this new talent that she now has. She can bring JOY to those who might have lost it, she can recapture a smile on a sad little face of a child that has been abandoned. She can use this trait as unto the Lord. He can use this trait to help her be a witness in a whole new way. You know sometimes we may think that we have useless traits that mean nothing...but wait what does the Bible say again...."and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." As long as we use the gifts that God has given us to glorify the Lord, he will use it, in a way that only HE can.

So, while I look at my house of clowns....I see a girl that God has given another gift too....a gift that she can now use in a way that others can not. She can twist and turn a balloon into a new creature while sharing the Gospel that will infact twist and change a person...a child's life forever...by sharing love the LOVE of Christ!

Hidden Blessings......

2011-02-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

You know as I sit here on bed rest today...I started to think about "why in the world do I have to be on bed rest". We have less than 6 weeks left in Costa Rica. There is so much to be done. I have to finish learning the rules to "subjuctive", start to sell the things that we don't need and pack. Wow! So much to do. But then I started to think about the "Hidden Blessings" in the bed rest. One of coarse the health and safety of baby Micah. We want so much for him to be born in Honduras. With the other 3 children, I never had Braxton Hick contractions until like 8 months and then they were either on-time, late or in Josiah's case induced. So premature labor is all new to me. For those of you who really know me .....you know how independent I am. But, today has been a good time to reflect and think about all that the Lord has planned in my life. I am so thankful for the "Hidden Blessings" that he has put in my life. Things that you just don't think about everyday. I have written a list of things that I am thankful for that we don't always think about. I challenge you all today to look for "Your Hidden Blessings and see how God has blessed you.

1. Thank You for my wonderful husband who wants to "care" for his family.
2.Thank You God for kids who step up to the plate.
3. Thank You Lord for allowing us to have another baby....(those of you who know there was only a 20% chance of ever having another baby after Josiah....God is SO GOOD!!!!!
4.Thank You God for friends that are so caring and want to lend a hand and most important PRAY!!
5. Thank You Lord for a Good Doctor(here in Costa Rica)
6. Thank You Lord for my Empleada "Etelvina"
7. Thank You Lord for allowing me to be able to see my children everyday.
8. Thank You Lord for Your HAND of protection.
9. Thank You Lord for showing me how much I have to be "THANKFUL FOR"

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning YOU".

Someone once said: "The finest test of character is seen in the amount and the power of gratitude we have.

No Meyor Amor/ No Greater Love........

2011-02-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

With today being Valentine's Day I thought that I would share a little of the devotion that I did for class today. I started out by sharing how Valentine's Day originated. St. Valentine lived near Rome around 269 A.D. He was a priest that was known for his Christian believes. It was said that during this time the Roman emperor did not want young couples to be married because he thought that the men would not want to join the army. So, St. Valentine started performing Christian marriages in secret. So other sources say that he help others escape from prison. Once he was caught and placed on trial he was asked why he chose to marry couples and go agaisnt the Roman emperor. His answer was that they serve a false god and he only served the God that called Jesus His Son. While in prison it is said that he befriended the guards and one of the guards daugters(who was blind) through his continued testimony of faith. Once the emperor heard that he was not silent in the prison he ordered him to be beheaded the next day. Days before his execution he prayed for the girl that she might receive her sight. It is said that on the day of his death the girl was healed and due to this miracle the jailor and his entire family of 46 placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and were babptized. This is all history and from different sources online. However, 98% of all that I have read repeat the same information listed above. Valentine's Day was not started for romance and gifts of chocolates and flowers but to honor a different type of love. This man had supposedly placed his faith and trust in Jesus and was willing to die for his believes. When researching for my devotion today I found that the word LOVE with all its forms...(loveth, loved, loving, ect.) were mentioned in the Bible more than 550 times. For me when a word is in the Bible that many times it must be important to the Lord.

Today, I shared that the word LOVE is mentioned in two major ways in the Bible. The first is the love that God has towards us as people of the world. The first verse I shared was Psalms 86:15 "But thou. O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
John 3:16 (we all know this verse)
John 15:13
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:35-39 I love these verses. The first phrase in vs. 35 says "Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ"

I am so happy to know that God chose to love us all inspight of our shortcomings and failures. He knew before he ever created the world that we would fail HIM, yet he created us all anyway and thus sent HIS one and ONLY son Jesus to die on the cross to save us all. Further, more there is no man, tribulation or sword that can seperate us from Our Heavenly Father. The only way that we can be seperated from the Lord is if he choose to reject HIM. He will not reject us but he gave man the free will to choose or reject. I am so thankful that I have put my faith and trust in my Lord.

The second area of love mentioned in the Bible is that of the love he wants us to show towards others. I could go on and on with the verses that he has given. Talking about our love for our children in (Proverbs 13:24) To verses on showing love towards our enemies (Proverbs 25:21-22). I have listed some other verses that you should read during your own time.
Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:9, Luke 6:27-35, John 13:34-35, Romans 12:9-10, Philippians 1:9-11. Then in 1 John 3:14 and 4:7-21.
In John 13:34 it says " A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

The Bible is very clear in that we should show love to all people. We may have disagreements, they may be enemies but our duty is that we show and express the same kind of love that Christ has shown us. It is a very difficult thing to do sometimes but whenever you have a tough situation and showing love seems almost impossible remember that God sent his son to lay HIS life down for us.....the least that we can do is show love and compassion toward others.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL and I Pray that this week there will be a person placed in your path that you can show Christ Love too....

Our Top 20 List of Unusual Things..................

2011-02-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

This is just a "For Fun" list of our top 20 things we had to adjust to here in Costa Rica. I thought that this would be fun to share since we only have 7 weeks left here before we move. Some of you will probably not get some of these but to us it was pretty strange at first to get use to. The kids had a part in helping create this list too.

#20 Seeing mopeds deliver Pizza, Burger King, McD's and other fast foods
#19 Ice Cream made from vegetable oil
#18 Taking a taxi, bus or walking everywhere we go
#17 Not having a big yard to enjoy
#16 Milk in a box
#15 Not being able to walk places at night
#14 Listening to preaching in Spanish
#13 Being woke up by cats fighting on your roof when you think that it is someone trying to break-in
#12 Watching for "Gringo traps" or open storm drains
#11 Earthquakes (our biggest was a 6.2)
#10 No Hot water in the kitchen or any sink
#9 Rain ALL THE time
#8 NO RAIN AT ALL
#7 Watching your step..so you dont step in dog poo on the sidewalks
#6 No Front Door on our house
#5 Having to take keys everywhere you go to Open and Lock all the gates behind you

#4 A Man in his car driving down the road selling eggs, screamming Dos Mil por 30 huevos

#3 Cat poo on your roof.....everywhere...,

#2 500 colones =$1US

#1 No toilet paper in the toilets

These are just a few of the things that we had to adjust to living here in Costa Rica...We thought that we would share them with you to give you a little laugh and an insider view of our daily lives. Hope that you enjoy reading.

A Little Seed...with BIG Rewards.......

2011-02-06T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here is Costa Rica we have a local "Feria" or "Farmers Market" as we call it in the states. Every Saturday venders line both sides of the narrow street near the park where we live. It is about a 10 minute walk or so and we take the same path everytime we go. One Saturday in early December Mark and I were walking and noticed a tomato plant growing beside a light pole near the street. Mark said, "Would you look at that". Someone must have tossed a tomato by the road or a dog tore into a trash bag. Never-the-less a nice tall tomato plant had begun to grow. Mark has a love for outdoors just like his momma and could spend all of his time working in something whether it were a garden or just moving leaves a debris to burn. A few weeks later we saw that someone had chopped the plant down leaving only a tiny little sappling. After we finished our shopping, Mark said, "I am gonna pick it and try to root it and see what happens". So we came home and he put it in a glass with water and placed it in the window of the kitchen. It was less than a week later that we noticed it had roots and was ready to be planted in the ground.

While Mark's parents were here his momma started a compost pile in our back yard. This was a great idea for us since we had a lot of fresh fruit and vegetable peels that could go in it. She worked everyday on it while they were here and even had Josiah and Hunter cutting the peels into the dirt to make a nice rich soil. When they returned to the states we went for a surprise visit ourselves sad to go beacuse there would be no-one to care for our little tomato plant that had started to grow.

We were so surprised and excited to find the little plant had doubled in size while we were away. Now the plant is at least 3 feet tall and has "5" little green tomatoes on it. WOW! How exciting to see. I do however hope that we get to eat them before we move in 8 weeks. Not only do we have the nice tomato plant that he started but we have "5" new baby ones, as well as "5" potato plants that just popped up from the peels that we threw out. All, because we put them in the ground and watered it trying to make compost. Had we tossed those things out with the trash we would only have the one little plant that Mark nutured back to life.

This story is much like our role as a Christian. When we pass out a track or visit someone to share the Gospel we are planting the seed. However, sometimes many of us let those seeds like that little tomato plant grow by the wayside and forget that they are there until someone "cuts" them down. The important job that we have is to continue to share with others and let them know a tiny peice of our testimony. Just like in my last post about putting verses to memory this will help in the process to continue to share the Gospel. We may not always be able to see the end results of planting that seed but I know that the Bible says we will all have rewards in Heaven if we continue to share our faith. You see, the person who tossed out that tomato has no idea that we have a large plant with baby tomatoes ready to mature but we will reap the benefits from it. In Galations 6:7-8 it says: Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Also in Psalms 126: 5-6 the Bible says "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Once we are in Honduras we not only plan to have a garden with tons of fruits and vegetables to help with the food supply....(plus the weather permits us to have a graden year round) but we plan on planting the seeds of the Gospel within the hearts of the little children that will be in our care. Once we are more established we will teach "our kids" to go and plant seeds within our community by passing out tracks or holding Bible clubs on local soccer fields. It all goes back to the verses of the Bible "You will reap what you sow" and I don't know about you but I want to be able to say that I reaped for the Lord.

Some of our little "potato plants"

Reglas, Reglas, Reglas...........

2011-02-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Who knew that there were so many "reglas" or rules in Spanish. I thought that English was tough. We are currently working on subjunctive and there are like 15 different rules each with their own rules and exceptions. We have now learned reglas 1,2, and 4. At first we thought "what is up with all these different rules?" I have no problem going out on the street and communicating my thoughts and needs with the people that I meet. I can ask for things, and go places and even talk small talk in a taxi. But after talking with one of our teacher's she explained that what we know now.....without subjunctive is equal to "Tarzan's Language".....lol.....For example it sounds like this..."Me Tarzan and you Jane". The words come out but you need the connectors to help everything flow and make you sound a little more educated.

As, I was sitting and thinking of the importance of how we speak and sound to others I began to think about my daily life as a Christian. It also made me think about the lives of others that claim to be Christian. Do we sound educated when we talk about Jesus? I know that we are not gonna know and have the entire Bible embedded into our memory but do we have key verses that we can share with others on the spot. If an issue comes up with a friend or co-worker do you know your Bible well enough to guide the person in the right direction. I can say that I have had times where I have verses and "I know what the BIBLE" says about that topic but I still need to get all the passages written down to go back and share with the person later. We need to be more educated in God's Word and the only way that we can be more educated is to study it and put it to memory. I am going to try to memorize one verse a week but I am also gonna try to memorize it in English and in Spanish. I challenge all of my readers to do the same thing but in 1 language(LOL). It only makes sense that I learn both....but if you are feeling a little more inspired then you can try one in Spanish as well. :) I would love to hear what verse you have decided to memorize this week and with sending me a note about it...I can help hold you accountable for that verse...to see if you are holding to your decision to become more educated in God's Word.

I am gonna to work on Philippians 4:7.....

Purpose in Your Heart

2011-01-30T18:32:00.000-08:00

A week or so ago Mark was listening to one of Brother Jonathan Blankenship's services online and he was talking about picking a book of the Bible and reading it over and over again. So, during one of our family devotion times Mark made a challenge to us all that we would pick a book and read a chapter every week. But we were to read that chapter every day and at the end of the week we would discuss what we had learned. The kids picked the book of Daniel and so we started our study. Tonight, we had our first discussion on chapter one of Daniel. One of the key things that we all learned was that even before Daniel was offered meat from the king's table....he purposed in his heart not to defile himself. WOW! Even before he was offered he made up his mind. You know this brings up the thought to us Christians today.....do we purpose in heart not to conform to the things of the world. Do we already have in our hearts and minds what our standards are on Biblical truths? Do we know and stand true to our feelings on music, dress, and other areas of controversy? If we know what we believe and we purpose in heart to hold true to those things then the Lord will help us and our testimony for HIM will be easy to let others see. We challenge you to do this same study and see what you can learn from God's word.

Thought of the Day

2011-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Mi vecina en su jardin

Today as we were walking home from an enjoyable time at the park I noticed two of our elderly neighbors in their yard. We stopped and chatted with them and watched to see just what they were doing. Many times I had noticed them from my "high rise" bedroom window(LOL) and saw that they were sitting on the ground within the gates of their yard. However, I had no idea what they were doing. Today as we stopped and chatted with them, I noticed that they were single handedly plucking each weed from their beautiful carpet bed of grass. It may sound funny to refer to grass like that but here in Costa Rica you rarely see grass other than on a soccer field. With that said when you do see grass it is nothing that you would wanna take your shoes off in and run barefoot on. Each lady looked hard to find and only pick out that which was not grass. When we expressed how beautiful we thought the yard was and admired their hard work they had this to say....it helps to take their minds off of things and gives them something to do with their time. Also, they take pride in their lovely yard and want to keep it beautiful. As we walked on just a few shorts steps to our house I started to think about just how content those two ladies were with sitting on the ground and taking extra special care to only take out what was in fact not a grass seedling. How many of us would have done that? I know for a fact...that I have seen many people with a bottle or two of good ole "Round Up". However, the problem with that is you can kill the grass just as easily as the weeds. When I first started thinking about those two ladies the first thing I thought of was how content they were to do this time consumming job. However, now that I have put much thought into it....it really comes down to how much care and nuture they are willing to put into making their patch of grass be the most beautiful grass on the block. That triggers the thoughts of how much Jesus loves us and cares for us. Everyday he has to pluck away the bad(sin) in our life, but yet he is so willing. While we still must ask for "forgiveness" he is there eager and ready to pluck it away and tend to our hearts and minds just like those two ladies in their yard. We should take the same steps towards "cuidar" or care that the Lord Jesus does for us for others that we know. If we see our brothers and sisters in Christ struggling we should be the first to lend a hand, stop and pray for them or simply have an ear to listen. Of coarse we should do those things for our brethren but we should also be willing to share the gospel and hope for those who have not put their faith and trust in Jesus. So, with that said, don't be content in your ways if they are not productive but reach out and be willing to help pluck one "weed" or in this case a "soul" from the flames of destruction. I challenge you all this week to seek out someone who made need a little extra care, whether it be extending a hand to a fellow Christian or sharing the Gospel with a lost soul.

Joy in the Simple Life

2011-01-09T18:58:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful surprise trip back to North Carolina. While there we were able to spend time with family and friends and visit with Hilltop our home church. It was so nice to be able to see all the faces that we have missed for over a year. When we moved to Florida to train at Hope Children's Home the last time we were in N.C. was December 2010. So, while on this visit we were able to eat at some of our favorite places including the most famous "Bojangles" for some chicken and biscuits. While this is a place that brings us much JOY.... we all quickly found how much we missed our new life in Costa Rica. God was preparing our hearts for the mission field by giving us JOY in other things. We love the simple life of no cell phone and at times even a car. It was weird to have a phone, which Wendy let us borrow. First, of all it took forever to learn how to use it and make a call. Second, we laughed at the fact that we had spent more in gas in 1 week than we had on bus and taxie fare in 9 months. WOW! How we love the simple life. Walking into stores where people don't greet with a smile while on the same shopping aisle or are always in a constant rush. I must say that on our first trip to Target, we felt like we were foreigners and that for once people were starring at us as if we should not be there. WEIRD!! However, in reality , no-one was even paying attention to us as we just walked the aisles in awe at all the things that were around us. I am thankful that when God calls you to do a certain job or go to the mission field he changes your heart and fills your longings with new kinds of JOY! The Bible says in: Psalm 126:2 "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue filled with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. While we were sad to say our goodbyes to friends and family we could find comfort in another verse. In Psalms 30:5 "......Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning." I am so thankful for the JOY that the Lord has given me. Not only the joy that I have from knowing that I am bought with a price and have an enternal home in Heaven, thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ but also the joy that I have in my heart for doing and obeying HIS WILL. Please remember us in your prayers as we go back to school on Tuesday and finish up the 2 and 1/2 months left here before we make our home in Honduras. Until next time...may you find Joy of your own.

Mark and the kids sitting on the porch of Nanny Bugs old barn.

A Reflection on 2010

2010-12-31T15:05:00.000-08:00

As we look back on the year of 2010 God has allowed us to have and see many blessings. First, of all we started out the year living at Hope Children's Home in Tampa Florida where God really laid upon our hearts the ministry of children. We fell in love with all of the kids at Hope and staff that we shared our daily lives with. Not to far into the new year was a time where we needed to pack up our belongings and start to pack and prepare for one of our biggest moves in our lives. In late April, we packed up 13 suitcases and 4 back-packs and headed to the airport. We would begin our new life in just a few short hours in a new country. A country where we had no friends, could not speak the language and had no clue what to really expect. However, with bad weather somewhere in the US...lol the Miami airport canceled many flights out of their airport and we had to stay the night in a hotel. But bright and early the next day we made our way to San Jose, Costa Rica. We were greeted at the airport by our "big brother", Carla Ackerman and her daughter Madie. I can honestly say that I do not remember much about the car ride to our new home other than it was raining. The next few days and weeks we would get adjusted to our new home and it's surroundings. Now for us it seems as if we have always been there, and we actually miss our small little world of Costa Rica.

In August, we had the pleasure of guests when our director Pastor Mike and his son Ryan came for a visit. They brought with them some comforts from home and we were so excited to see the contents of the four suitcases that they brought along. In late September, we took our second VISA trip so that we could renew our 90 day Visa's. We packed up and headed out with the Ragland Family to the country of Nicaragua. It was only a few short days after our return from that trip that we discovered we were expecting BABY # 4. God has allowed us so many blessings and also allowed us to make many new friends. One of the most important things is that we have been able to pick up the language. We are now more than ever ....ready to hit the ground in Honduras. Due to the arrival of our little one in late May we are leaving Costa Rica in late March instead of late April. We also had a wonderful Christmas gift from a couple that supports us...they purchased airfare for us all to fly back home and spend Christmas with our families. It was a surprise for them all because no-one knew that we were coming home. We were also blessed with many care packages and many special monetary gifts this Christmas. It is such a blessing to know that we have many who not only take the time to pray for us but send our family and our kiddos gifts. They have enjoyed them all.

While in North Carolina we have enjoyed many comforts from home including some Bojangles Chicken and Biscuits, Chick-Fil-A, Max's Pizza and other places. We were even able to see SNOW!!!! Josiah had a blast playing in the snow and did not even want to come back inside. We say goodbye to the year 2010 and welcome 2011 and pray that we are blessed with another great and wonderful year. We want to thank you all for reading our newsletters and updates, supporting our family and most importantly praying for us.
We love you all and WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sincerely Serving Him,
The Coats Family

Merry CHRISTmas To ALL

2010-12-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we are so thankful and happy to be blogging from the great state of North Carolina. A huge "thank you" to a couple that supports us for buying our family tickets to fly back home to N.C. to spend with our families. After much planning and keeping secrets we managed to surprise all of our friends and family with out them ever having a clue that we were here. This is going to be a "Christmas to Remember" for our family. We get to spend time with family and friends and visit our home church "Hilltop" and celebrate the reason why we are doing what we are doing. If it were not for Christ coming on that first Christmas to save a world of lost....we would never have been called..."TO GO"...and "TELL". We hope that you all take time to remember and reflect on what truly makes Christmas..."CHRIST". While being with family and friends is so wonderful without Christ we would not have this season to gather together. So from our family to yours....

WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Sincerely Serving Him,
Mark, Amy, Taylor, Hunter, Josiah and Baby(BOY)

Visitors, Surprise Care Packages (Doctor Visits) and Sugar Cookies

2010-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

WOW! It has been a busy time for us here in Costa Rica. We have had fun showing Mark's parents around San Jose and getting their feet ready for all the walking. Then, we had three more guests to arrive. Mark's sister Wendy, her husband Terry and their daughter Alyssa arrived to spend a few days here with us as well. It was so nice to have some family here with us. The kids loved it and already hate that the time was no longer. But with that said we all ventured to downtown San Jose with look a little like the streets of NYC on a normal day. People everywhere.....They got to experience their first ride on public transportation and we ate a 2 story Pizza Hut that I am sure was against Fire Code with all the heads that were inside(LOL). While they all were here we received 2 Christmas Care packages from the States. Josiah received a Thomas the train set that he is in LOVE with. He plays with it everyday. The kids have been playing "catch phrase" and we have all jumped into to the game for some great laughs. I think that we know every phrase in the game now....b/c we have played so much. Then we received another goodie box....with the ingredients to make HayStacks....the kids have loved eating them. It is the little things that make you feel like home. On Monday of this week it was a bitter sweet day....we had to say goodbye to Wendy and her family....but later that day we discovered that God has Blessed us with ANOTHER BOY!!! WOW 3 boys....whatever will Taylor and I do????? I guess that means we will both always be the "Princesses" of the house. Then on Wednesday night we listened to a wonderful sermon from Brother Jeff (our Pastor in NC) and made wonderful homemade sugar cookies. We searched and searched but could not find cookie cutters so we made ornaments and candy canes by hand. The kids had a blast. Thanks to all of you who have kept supporting our family through this Christmas Season. This is always a time that is difficult as funds become low or people have other obligations. Thank the Lord for how HE always Provides. Until next time...which is only a few days away...I promise...:)

Nanny and Papa come for a Visit

2010-12-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

Well, for the first time in 8 months other than seeing family via Skype we got to see family in person. Mark's parents arrived Thursday, December 2nd for a visit. However, not just a short trip, they get to spend an entire month with us. The kids were so excited as we all anxiously waited at the glass window outside the airport. It has been so long since we have seen our families. This is one of the most challenging things about the lives of missionaries. Sure, we have different customs, food, and climates to get use to. But the biggest thing of all is being away from our friends and family back in the States. "Pero Gracias a Dios" (but thanks be to God) they were able to come and see us. We are so excited as Christmas is rapidly approaching and we only have 3 more days of school left in our second trimester. We also, have many other exciting things happening this month. One big item on the agenda...finding out whether or not we will be having a girl or boy...We find out this news next Monday. So, many things to be thankful for and yet some how the Lord continues to find more and more ways to Bless our family. May God Bless you all and until I blog again happy reading.

Gracias a Dios por TODAS COSAS.......

2010-11-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL. We have had a very interesting week. We had all of our things ready for Thanksgiving until we woke up early Tuesday morning to discover that our freezer and fridge were broken. Everything in the freezer EXCEPT for the 16lb turkey we had bought for Christmas had defrosted. So, needless to say we had to cook all of the meat in our freezer on Tuesday. However, it is amazing how everything works out for God's glory. We tried to find another small turkey breast for Thanksgiving but no such luck. We are, however, thankful for the turkey we already had in the freezer.

The Twins from the Children's Home

Early in the month we adopted 5 kids to buy presents for Christmas that are in a local Children's Home here in Costa Rica. This home had over 100 kids living in it. They were all so sweet and there were even a few that had special needs. Seeing those kids made our hearts eager to hit the field in Honduras so that we could care for the same kind of children.....children who need a home, a family, and just to be loved. It made me tear up many times seeing the happiness in their eyes while they played games in the gym and then opened their presents. All but one of the 5 we had adopted were there that night. One of the boys I believe was sick. A quick story if just how the LORD works. We picked a name off the wall...a 5 year old little girl plus 4 others. Mark and I were shopping for our groceries in Pricemart when I saw the cutest little baby. She was like a really nice baby doll you would buy in the States...complete with a diaper, P.J's, booties, dress and a pillow. That day at the party my friend Tricia and I were talking about which little girl could possible be ours. She had chosen a 5 year old as well. Then, she proceeded to tell me that she bought a doll from Pricemart. With a "Really, We bought the same doll for our little girl too". You see Tricia and I are in the same class and we see each other everyday but never discussed the kids we had picked or the gifts we had bought. It was not until later when the kids were opening their gifts that we realized that the little girls were TWINS.....it brings tears to my eyes even now.......thinking that God lead us to that doll and we each bought one and the girls are twins and can have playtime together.

We had such a wonderful time sharing our "thanks" with two of our teachers from the Institute Graciela and Lissette and our wonderful empleada Etelvina and her daughter Rachel. I so enjoyed cooking ......a huge meal...it reminded me of home. We had a wonderful lunch and it was almost all in Spanish.....Gracias a Dios....we can now talk and carry on a conversation.....who would have every thought that we would have had 4 Ticos(Costa Ricans) at our table for Thanksgiving and we could actually communicate with them. We are so thankful for so many things....our salvation, our family and friends, our ministry, our health, our new baby, our supporters and our list could go on and on for miles. We hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we love you all....

I am not cheating....lol

OKAY Time to announce the WINNERS of our Costa Rican Coffee Give-Away. Josiah was the drawer and we have a picture of him drawing with his eyes closed. We were so thankful that we have many readers, followers and those who read and leave comments that we picked 2 names from each group. We picked 2 from the Followers Group and 2 from the list of Comments. So to the people below I need to get your address so that you can receive your coffee. However, because things don't make it out of here in the mail very well....it will go home with friends back to the States and get mailed from there.
The WINNERS ARE:( In Random Order)
Lalania Hall
George Miser
Stephanie Ulm
Sarah Duke
Thanks for reading and being followers. I may do another one before we leave so be sure to keep reading and leaving your comments.

Sincerely Serving Him in Love,

The Coats Family

Oh There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays

2010-11-21T16:31:00.000-08:00

You know with the Holiday’s approaching the thought runs through our minds “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holiday’s”. It is not just true of our family but the thousands of missionaries around the world. For us this year has been very different. We really do miss family and friends back home because we have not yet planted our permanent roots in Honduras. Costa Rica is merely just a year in limbo so to speak. While here though we have made some wonderful friends and just like us they are in their year of limbo…not with family and not yet put in the field they will be living and working in for many years to come.
I mentioned a few blogs back about starting new family traditions. We have very few ornaments on our tree this year. We bought a few red and gold colored balls, 3 sets of lights and a matching ribbon. The remainder of empty spaces are occupied with prayer cards from Missionary Friends that we have met through our home church in NC as well as many friends that we have met here in Costa Rica. All of us have the same purpose to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. While we do not have a prayer card for every one of missionary friends we are going to write their names on slips of paper so that we can remember them just the same. Every night after our family devotion each person in our family will pick a different family to pray for personally. We will do this every night until we put away the tree for the year and then….all the names and cards will return to their home in a photo album that we keep on the coffee table.
Please continue to remember not only our family during this Holiday Season but all of the missionaries around the world who are away from their families as well.
Thank you all for everything and your continued prayers and support. Just a quick update on the baby…all seems to be going well and my baby bump grows a little more each day…lol. I will be 14 weeks this week. Praise the Lord my sickness has now come to an end. We are very excited we found out what the baby is in about 24 more days. We can not wait.
Also, this is your last chance for the current Costa Rican Coffee Give-Away. Be sure to leave a comment or join our Blog Followers for a chance to WIN. It is very possible that I choose 2 winners. 1 from the comments side and 1 from the Followers Side. So be sure to enter.
Sincerely Serving Him in Love,

The Coats Family

A Much Needed Day of Family Fun.....

2010-11-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

On Friday the Spanish Institute was closed so that those students in need of getting their VISA's stamped could leave country. Considering, that Mark and I are always studying and the kids have been working super hard to finish up their first 9 weeks we decide to take a "FAMILY DAY". This was a much needed day for us just to relax and be a family. Our wonderful grammar teacher told us about "El Parque de Diversiones"...or Costa Rican Disney World. Well, it was no Disney World but it was a ton of fun. With no charge to enter the park I was able to walk in since I can not ride any rides anyway. Mark, Taylor, Hunter and Josiah bought the special pass that let them ride everything for as many times as they wanted. . Even better the wrist band was on $13. The above picture of Josiah was of a leaf bug he tried to squish before I saved the little critter. Then I noticed that he only had one back leg so I convinced him to hold it and he loved it. The other picture is of Mark and the kids riding a disk ride. Pretty cool, we have never seen such a ride before. If you look carefully you will notice that there are people with their hands up...Yep...that is all the Americans...a.k.a "Gringos"...seems that holding your hands up is a little much for the locals. We said that some of those kids would leave a ride with wet pants if they rode a giant roller coaster in the states. Some of the little things that we never even think about. Most of the people in the park that day will never venture to another place let alone visit the states....so to them this is a really big deal and a really big and exciting place.

Not bad at all. They had a small roller coaster and the park is set on many acres of land...similar to our state fairs back home without the hassle of "carnies". Plus all the proceeds go to fund the local children's hospital. With the N.C. fair just a few short weeks ago reading all about my family and friends back home eating fair food left a real sweet tooth in my mouth. Searching through the park to see if they would even have anything close to real fair goodies......and to our surprise.....I saw a small booth with two teenage boys making "Cotton Candy". Yes, you read correctly COTTON CANDY.....

and even better I got each bag for $1.20......not the $3-8 in the states. Needless to say we bought 4 bags. We are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with a beautiful day as well as great friends and classmates here at the school that went with us. If you are ever here in Costa Rica check it out but not on New Year's Day....(expected attendance this day is over 10,000 people). Our family had many laughs and found a new refreshing spirit to get us through until our family arrives on December 2. Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

We love you all.

When the Flood Waters Rise......

2010-11-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to say sorry for not posting an update sooner. My morning sickness has shifted from the morning to mid afternoon and the evening. However, tonight I am feeling pretty good so decided to take advantage of this time and give an update on what’s going on here in Costa Rica. For starters, we only have 23 days of school left in our 2nd trimester. Wow! That is so hard to believe. We have been away from family and friends for so long. We are so blessed though to have the wonderful inventions of great minds....like whoever invented the computer (for use of internet and FB) as well as the wonderful creator of SKYPE. We have been blessed by many emails and care packages and Skype calls. Things to those things we can keep up with what is going on back home just as you can keep up with our family.

Second, I am only a week and few days away from my second trimester with this new baby. Things have been rough with sickness and Mark has been such a blessing. Bless him for being willing to cook. In the last 5 1/2 weeks I have only prepared dinner 3 times. Smells are still hard for me but praying that as the 2nd trimester approaches I will be doing better. I am so thankful for all who have been praying for me and the baby during this time. Believe me there are times in my daily routine that I feel them and have peace that the Lord hears you and gives me peace.

Taylor and Hunter are working hard on their homeschooling and are just about to finish up their 1st 9 weeks. They are both doing well despite the new arrangements. It can be challenging at times but thankful that at least one out of the two really enjoys school and keeping up with their studies and work. (I will not say any names but sure that you can determine who I am talking about).. :) Josiah well he is a ham just as normal. He is such a people person and just loves to talk. He is picking up a good amount of Spanish and really understands alot more than he can speak. It is amazing how much they absorb at this age. He is just the sweetest. He truly has a loving and compassionate heart and I know that God has big things for him.

Well, here in Costa Rica we have had a ton of rain...so much rain in fact that it has rained for 36 hours straight. Due to all of this rain we have had floods beyond belief. Our area has not been filled with the rushing waters but areas very close to us have not been so lucky. So far, there are more than 20 dead many missing and more than 1,400 living in shelters. Many have lost all that they owned. Today was so bad that there was no school for children or high school and college students. We were told that more than 750,000 people including ourselves were without water. Mark and the boys made a mad rush to a local store to buy water while Taylor and I ventured to Price mart (similar to SAM'S Club). Mark was only able to buy 15 20 oz bottles of water. Taylor and I were able to buy almost 7 gallons plus a 24 pack of 20 oz bottles. We were afraid for the worst. Not knowing when in fact we would get water again but at the same time we did not want to buy it all for fear that someone might not have the opportunity to purchase any at all. When we returned home we realized that the Tico lady who helps us with our chores and cooks lunch for us 2 days a week did not have water our hearts were heavy. We knew that not would she not have water....but she would not even have the extra money needed to purchase what she would need. Mark filled her bag with bottles...we could not give her as many as we would have liked because she has to travel by bus and she had a long hike to the bus stop. She did say something to Mark about the days events though....that had us both thinking.....she said..(and she is a believer)..I think that this is it....what they talk about in Revelations...the end of times. While yes, she has a point....today might not be the day the Lord comes back...but he is making it known that it is not far away. You know we can prepare all we want for hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes and such....But are we prepared for what Revelations has to say about the end of times. Do we treat everyday like it could be our last or do we take for granted that the Lord will allow us to wake up and take in a deep breath in the morning. Have we made a witness of ourselves for the cause of Christ? Just like today we prepared ourselves for not having water......are we prepared for the day God makes his return? This is not only to our readers but for total reflection myself included. I want to know that I am doing all I can for the days to come....not just looking at the side...well, I can do it tomorrow. To survive the storms of life, we must be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

The primary reason for living in this world is to reflect the likeness of Christ.

6 months Down and 6 months to GO.....!!!!!!

2010-10-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! It is so hard to believe that we have been in Costa Rica for 6 months. We have learned so much already and sometimes we feel as though no more information could possibly fit inside our heads.(LOL) However, we keep pushing on. It is even harder to grasp that it is October. There are no pretty red, orange and yellow leaves on the trees to signal the season change here. The only season change here is dry to wet. We have been blessed though...the rain has eased up and we have not needed an umbrella everyday. It is so different in that area...because for us...the rain determines what we will wear. Here it is just the norm and the people do not adjust for the rain they simply go with the flow. So, to see ladies wearing heels on slippery, moss covered, and soaking sidewalks blows me away. As for me, not so much I break out the flip-flops or tennis shoes and try not to break my neck walking to school.(LOL)But God has been good and we have had some beautiful days to enjoy rain free weather.

As in my last post we are expecting Baby #4. I have had to go for blood work twice to make sure all is good and so far everything is going great. I have my share of "morning sickness" but I know that as long as I am sick I have a healthy baby. We have to go back to the doctor on Thursday so please be in prayer for that appointment.

The kids are doing great in their homeschool and while it has been a difficult adjustment for them Mark has come up with some clever ideas to give them some fun. Last week Mark decided to roast marshmellows and make homemade SMORES while having a devotion outside in our little courtyard. The kids loved it and Josiah ate 3....it was the first time he had ever eaten a SMORE before and I am sure he is now addicted.

Those will be memories to last a lifetime....................

An Unexpected Blessing

2010-10-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well, after a trip to Nicargua for a Visa renewal we came home to find that I was sick. I just assumed that it was from the water that the cook at the Hotel used to make tea. However, after three days of feeling sick we decided to take a home test. To our surprise and an "Unexpected Blessing from God" we will be adding a little one to our family. This little was is in fact a miracle from God. You see after having my tubes reversed in Feb. of 2006 the doctor said that my chances of getting pregnant would decrease drastically. So, the fact that I have been pregnant 4 times prior to this time was amazing and the chances now of having another baby was very slim. However, we are in fact very excited. We are praying for a healthly baby that may in fact be born in Honduras June 2011. Please keep us in your prayers as we have lost threes babies before and this is a critical time. The wonderful news is that we went to the doctor today and saw our little bundle of joy and "she" (I can hope) has a heartbeat already. Praise the Lord for that. I go back in 15 days for another check up. So we again are excited to share this news with you all.

From Porridge to Homemade Remedies....

2010-09-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, this week has been very interesting. Taylor, Josiah and myself have been sick this week with sinus and head colds which I believe turned into sinus infections. Thank goodness we can just go to the pharmacy and ask for an antibiotic here...that's right...no need to go to the doctor. She can even give shots if we needed them. One more thing that is very different than in the states...but I kinda like it.

This week in class we have had some very interesting homework assignments. Mark has had to go around and ask five of the locals what kind of home remedies do they make in their house and what they use them for. He got all kinds of things from stomach cures to sinus cures. Well, guess what? That is right he tried one out on me because I have been so sick. He was to take fresh ginger root and boil it in water and make a kind of tea out if it. After it is done you add in fresh lemon juice and honey. (I personally do not like ginger other than in a gingersnap cookie but I was willing to give it a try).

So, he brings me this nice and hot cup of ginger tea that does not smell too bad. He made himself a cup as well so he could try it. I take the first sip trying to be grateful for his kindness.....my mouth is tingling and my throat is burning. He swallows a sip...and thinks the same thing. We keep drinking until I have drank almost half the cup and tell him I can not drink anymore or I am going to be sick. He laughs and agrees. The next day at school we ask our teacher if she drinks it and she says," yes it is very good for you." She then explains that you only use a "TINY" piece of ginger and you only drink a tiny amount at a time and then repeat every hour or so.......Mark and I both laughed as I told my teacher he tried to kill me with ginger. It was a sight for sure. Now time for the porridge.

One of my assignments for the week was to retell a children's story in Spanish. Me of coarse being the K5 teacher that I am needed some visual aids...plus I thought if I messed up the Spanish part...at least I have the creativity part.( LOL) That proved to be much harder than I thought. You see you tell a story in past tense and that was the current subject that we are studying. I thought English was tough...so many different kind of conjugations. It is amazing to think though that we are getting closer and closer to be being able to speak and write better in Spanish. Another, lesson that I had that I really enjoyed this week was to pick a person from the Bible and interview them and then write what you think their answer might be. This is actually a good topic for a devotion time in your house. You can write names on a slip of paper and have everyone draw a name and then they have to study that persons life and ask them 5 questions and give 5 possible responses. I chose Rebecca, for my person. I asked her "what she thought about being the first women to have twins?" (my answer was a little comical but hey we are all human and just because they lived way back then does not mean that they were any less human than us) So my answer was this: "Yes, having two boys at one time was a Crazy Blessing, but THANK GOODNESS for handmaids.....Try this activity in your house and see what you can come up with. I think that you will find in very interesting. We have a special prayer request before we leave you for the day. Our family along with one other family of 4 from the school will leaving at 5am tomorrow to head to Nicaragua. We all have to get our VISA's stamped so that we can stay here and study for another 90 days. Please pray for our safety while traveling as well as a swift and easy move through crossing the border. We have heard that sometimes people have waited at the border as long as 6 hours to get through. Please pray that with a 2 year old we will get through safe and fast. We will not have phone or Internet until we return on Sunday evening so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks to you all....

School in September......A late start......

2010-09-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

I don't think that our kids have ever been happier to start school. We finally received all of the materials for them to start home schooling yesterday. Thanks to some friends here at school for each taking a box with their name on it...we were able to have all 6 boxes shipped at the same time. They were suppose to arrive in Tampa back when we had a visit from Pastor Mike however, they missed the delivery by like 30 minutes of his departure time at the airport. (Taylor was really bummed). But, then Mr. Dave at Hope had them all placed in different boxes and shipped out. However, the gentleman working at the airport in Tampa did not even prepare the packages correctly and Dave received a call a week or so later saying that the packages were in the Post Office and needed to be pickup....Thankfully he found a man that knew what he was doing and sent our packages out. Taylor and Hunter have both finished 2 days of school so far....YEAH!!!! They are eager to get the ball rolling and catch up their work....Thanks for those of you who prayed for the safe arrival of the boxes.

Feliz Dia de Independencia and a trip to the Dentist....

2010-09-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, we picked Josiah up on Tuesday to find that he had chipped his front tooth. That would be one down fall to a house in Latin America...no carpet. We knew that we would probably not be able to see the dentist until Thursday due to the start of the Independence Day Celebration here in Costa Rica. In the evening of the 14th at exactly 6 pm everyone in the country starts singing the National Anthem. It does not matter where they are; school, store, bus or in a car.

After they finish singing their beautiful song it is time for the children to parade their drums and lanterns. Here the children try to create the most unique and beautiful lantern to earn a prize. I believe our teacher said that prize is like 5,000 colones or $10. Some of them had candles inside while others chose a safer form of light with a flashlight or Christmas lights.

We went to a local public school about a 5 minute walk from our house. It was amazing to see and hear all of the drums beating in tune. There were even fireworks off in the distance. The next morning we left the house to see the children of the entire school parade down the street. This day it reminded me a little of home because almost all of the people here were wearing some form of RED, WHITE, and BLUE. It was nice to see how everyone came out for the parades and show how much they loved their country.

Well, today was a day of going back to school and also a trip to the dentist for little man. Thank goodness she was able to fix his little tooth. He was not to happy with the process because of the way we had to hold his poor little mouth open. I told him if he would let us finish we would go buy him a Buzz.....lol....so that will be the adventure for the weekend. The wonderful thing was that while sometimes you never know what things are going to cost the dentist visit was not that bad only 12,000 colones. (for those of you who don't know the conversion it was $24) Please pray that he does not have any damage to his permenant tooth. Thank you all for the prayers that you send up and have a wonderful day.

It is well with My Soul.......

2010-09-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

This has been a very interesting week here in Costa Rica. Classes are going well and the work load has more than doubled from last trimester. However, the assignments are really pushing me to think and use my vocabulary. This week Mark was able to give a 20+ minute devotion in Spanish in his class and discuse the differnce between our church here and our church in the states. As for me this week I had many assignments but 2 of my favorite were describing a famous persons biography and if I could interview someone who would it be.

When thinking of a biography we were told that the person had to be a writer, actor, sports fiquire ect. So, I began to think of who I could write about and Horatio Spafford came to my mind. For those of you who may not know he is the one who wrote the words to the timeless hymnal "It is well with my soul". He was an excellent lawyer who also loved to study the word of God. It was amazing to read the life of Horatio and how those words to that song were born. Here is a man who lost his son, he had recently purchased real estateand it was destroyed in a large fire in Chicago. First, a son and then all of the property that he had invested in. Two years after the fire he planned a family trip to Europe, however due to a last minute job he was unable to travel with his wife and 4 daughters.

Horatio received word that the boat his family was in had been hit by another and sank and his daughters had drowned. However, he looked to the Lord and never lost his faith. What a testimony he had. I love the words to the song as well.

When peace like a river attendeth my way
when sorrows like sea billows roll
what ever my lot thou has taught me to say
"it is well, it is well, with my soul"

The other assignment that I had was to interview someone.
I thought about who I would choose. There are so many options people of today and people from the past but I finally concluded on Moses. My three questions for him would be:
1. Describe for me what you saw and how you felt when you crossed the Red Sea.
2. How did you feel when the Lord told you that you could not go to The Promise Land?
3. How does it make you feel to know that the Lord loved you so much that he had Michael the Arch Angel fighting with the Devil over your body?

I was able to study these topics in English and then translate my thoughts and opinions and of course the facts in Spanish. I challenge you this week to think of a song you love or a person that you want to interview and find out some information on them. As for the song, it may just give more meaning behind the words that the writer wrote. Happy learning!