First of all, I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last update… I actually wrote one a few weeks
ago but never got the chance to post it.
A lot has been going on here in the past few weeks… We finished the womens bathrooms, the
kitchen, the pulperia (corner store), and got everything else spic and span ready for the squad. The squad is now here, all 52 of them now occupy the buildings we spent so much time preparing for them. It is a great feeling to see people everywhere, tents perched all over the lawn, and sleeping bags and hammocks filling a building that was once used for sin and is now being used to praise God. Wow. The squad has only been here a few days but I have already made some new friends and met some amazing people. I feel so blessed to be apartof this ministry. Nat, Kay, Tony and I finally got the pulperia all ready- named Tres Gringas (three white girls) after us haha. It seems to be quite a big hit and has helped break the ice. Yesterday we had giant line ups of people waiting to buy things!
On a sad note, a few weeks ago our dear friend Jimmi was killed in Los Pinos. Only 16 years of
age, he was beaten to death by 6 guys. The story is that Jimmi and his friend were super high and the 6 guys didn’t want them in their neighborhood so they picked up anything they could find, rocks, sticks and pipes and started throwing it at the boys. Jimmis friend ran and Jimmi was beaten to death. My heart broke with this news. While in Honduras last time I’d gotten the opportunity to spend time with Jimmi on the farm. He was a quiet but sweet kid. This
time, every time we drove into Los Pinos he was there to greet us. It is strange going there now knowing he’s dead. A week after it happened we had the opportunity to bring dinner for his family and a photo album full of pictures and bible verses. When the photo album was presented to Jimmi’s mom everyone swarmed her trying to see it. Sobs broke out. It was heartbreaking. After looking through the pictures his mom said that they were the very first pictures they’ve ever had of Jimmi. I cannot even imagine that. Please keep this family in your prayers! Pray also for Jimmi’s friend that got away. I can’t imagine what he is going through right now. We are asking God to turn this into a wake up call for the boys that do drugs and hold people up for
money.
We have about one month left here… it’s going to be so hard to leave. I love being apart of the
life here. I love serving and going to bed knowing that I worked hard for Jesus. Despite all of the challenges we face every day, despite all of the ways satan tries to pull us down, there are breakthroughs and miracles and God is moving in so many ways. I wouldn’t trade this time here for anything.
Prayer requests:
Healing for me, I haven’t been feeling well the past few days… fever, aches and pains,
exhaustion. I don’t want this to keep me down any longer!
Josue one of the boys that used to live with Tony and Nidia (Carlos’ and Fernando’s older
brother) is living on the streets doing all kinds of drugs. He has been on Tony and my hearts a lot the past few weeks… Today he was crying and telling Tony he wants to come back and live on the farm. This might not be an easy decision to make. Please pray for God to continue moving in his life and that God would tell Tony and Nidia what they should do.
Blessings upon our time with the squad, that God would just do incredible things through everyone.
THANK YOU so much for all of your support! :)
ago but never got the chance to post it.
A lot has been going on here in the past few weeks… We finished the womens bathrooms, the
kitchen, the pulperia (corner store), and got everything else spic and span ready for the squad. The squad is now here, all 52 of them now occupy the buildings we spent so much time preparing for them. It is a great feeling to see people everywhere, tents perched all over the lawn, and sleeping bags and hammocks filling a building that was once used for sin and is now being used to praise God. Wow. The squad has only been here a few days but I have already made some new friends and met some amazing people. I feel so blessed to be apartof this ministry. Nat, Kay, Tony and I finally got the pulperia all ready- named Tres Gringas (three white girls) after us haha. It seems to be quite a big hit and has helped break the ice. Yesterday we had giant line ups of people waiting to buy things!
On a sad note, a few weeks ago our dear friend Jimmi was killed in Los Pinos. Only 16 years of
age, he was beaten to death by 6 guys. The story is that Jimmi and his friend were super high and the 6 guys didn’t want them in their neighborhood so they picked up anything they could find, rocks, sticks and pipes and started throwing it at the boys. Jimmis friend ran and Jimmi was beaten to death. My heart broke with this news. While in Honduras last time I’d gotten the opportunity to spend time with Jimmi on the farm. He was a quiet but sweet kid. This
time, every time we drove into Los Pinos he was there to greet us. It is strange going there now knowing he’s dead. A week after it happened we had the opportunity to bring dinner for his family and a photo album full of pictures and bible verses. When the photo album was presented to Jimmi’s mom everyone swarmed her trying to see it. Sobs broke out. It was heartbreaking. After looking through the pictures his mom said that they were the very first pictures they’ve ever had of Jimmi. I cannot even imagine that. Please keep this family in your prayers! Pray also for Jimmi’s friend that got away. I can’t imagine what he is going through right now. We are asking God to turn this into a wake up call for the boys that do drugs and hold people up for
money.
We have about one month left here… it’s going to be so hard to leave. I love being apart of the
life here. I love serving and going to bed knowing that I worked hard for Jesus. Despite all of the challenges we face every day, despite all of the ways satan tries to pull us down, there are breakthroughs and miracles and God is moving in so many ways. I wouldn’t trade this time here for anything.
Prayer requests:
Healing for me, I haven’t been feeling well the past few days… fever, aches and pains,
exhaustion. I don’t want this to keep me down any longer!
Josue one of the boys that used to live with Tony and Nidia (Carlos’ and Fernando’s older
brother) is living on the streets doing all kinds of drugs. He has been on Tony and my hearts a lot the past few weeks… Today he was crying and telling Tony he wants to come back and live on the farm. This might not be an easy decision to make. Please pray for God to continue moving in his life and that God would tell Tony and Nidia what they should do.
Blessings upon our time with the squad, that God would just do incredible things through everyone.
THANK YOU so much for all of your support! :)
Hi Ashley.
ReplyDeleteIts so good to hear from you. I was just praying for you that your health would improve and protection over the rest of the families. I lift you , Kai and Nati up in prayer too.
I felt so sad when I heard about Jimmi. I have also been praying for his family and forgiveness for the boy that ran away. That the pain he is facing GOd will bring to his Glory in his timing. I hear your heart break Ashley and God is giving you the strength, wisddom and guidence to get through each and every day. What a blessing you girls are to Jimmi's family by putting together the photo album!!! They saw God that day whetHer they know it or not. A seed is being planted in the lives of everyone that you and your sisters are touching. What a beautiful gift. Being and doing Christ's work is never easy. I'm reminded of Paul how he suffered greatly but had so much Joy doing the work that was set out before him. He never loss sight of the goal. I will continue to pray for all of you and I will add these other prayer requests too.
The Holy Spirit is in you Ashley and even as you are feeling sick God will use that also to further his kingdom through you at this time. Rest in him knowing that he can work in you while you are ill. The fruit of the Spirts living out in you and your sisters is so clear. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I am currently doing a bible study Living Beyond Ourselves by Beth Moore. That title brings to mind exactly what you, Kai and Nati are doing!! Its not an easy place to be. The harvest is coming Ashley so keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!!!
Love you lots!!!
Auntie Emme xo
Please pass on my prayers, love and hugs to Kai and Nati too!!
Hi Ashley!
ReplyDeleteHope that you are feeling much stronger today.
Our love and prayers are with you.
Bighugs X
Auntie Terri and Uncle Tony xx