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July 2009: A Request from Evangelical Leaders in Honduras

Like most of her Latin American neighbors, Honduras suffers from severe underdevelopment in the economic, social, educational, cultural, and political arenas. Notwithstanding, in recent days this small and disadvantaged country has shown incredible fortitude worthy of great praise.

In an unprecedented event, the National Congress, the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Attorney General, and the National Commission for Human Rights unanimously acted in defense of the Constitution of the Republic against a real and present threat. As a result of his refusal to abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in the Constitution, Manuel Zelaya was legally removed as President of the Republic of Honduras on June 28, 2009.

The removal of President Manuel Zelaya cannot be considered a "coup d’état" because it does not comply with two fundamental characteristics of this political phenomenon: the seizure of power by the military and the breakdown of the rule of law. The action taken by the Armed Forces of Honduras was based on a court order and its purpose was to restore the rule of law, which was being consistently violated by President Zelaya.

Even the Catholic and Evangelical churches previously urged Zelaya to walk on the path of reason and to desist from his illegal activities to no avail. After the intervention of the Armed Forces, the Constitution is still in force and is being fully respected by the succession of power established by the Carta Magna, which appointed a new Constitutional President.

Unfortunately, this courageous act by governmental agencies, in defense of true democracy and done in a spirit of unity and patriotism, has not been well received by the international community. Quite the opposite is true. The OAS, the UN and even the United States have pressured this small nation to the point of threatening sanctions and total isolation. Up to the time of this writing, Honduras has been categorically denounced by them without the benefit of an objective investigation of the events that ultimately led to the citizens deposing its President.

There are tough days ahead for Hondurans; days where their true convictions on democracy will be sorely tried. Many will begin to doubt that the right thing has been done; others will bow before the terrible pressure of the International community. Still others will be shaken by the attack against the moral conviction of their decision. Who knows, maybe Chavez will make good on his threat to invade the country? Few were aware until now of how pervasive are the tentacles of the New Totalitarianism in the 21st century!

God, who raises and casts down kings, is not unaware of the dilemma facing Honduras. He is there, waiting for His people to cry out to him with intense, sincere faith. Let us pray that the new authorities in Honduras find grace before the rest of the world community, that they remain firm in their resolve to complete what they have started and for the Honduran family to remain united.

We are praying, but we also ask that you to share this letter with as many people possible and advocate for our nation Honduras before your church congregation, your local radio and news Media, your local Chamber of Commerce, with your State Governor, your State Representative, your State Senator, and your President.

We, as a people, are asking that the OAS and the UN listen to our Congress, our Supreme Court, our new President, our civic organizations, and our Churches in order to better understand what is happening in Honduras before passing judgment on the events.

Nelson Guerra, Director

Great Commission Latin America

Viva, Honduras!!!

Early on in the political events unfolding in Honduras, Honduran friends communicated that the action was not a coup but a legally-sanctioned action to preserve Constitutional democracy in Honduras. President Zelaya (who is quite friendly with leftist dictators Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and the Cuban Castros) was illegally attempting to change the Honduran Constitution to allow him to serve longer than one four-year term as president. This term limit is a designation within the Honduran Constitution which cannot legally be changed. The Honduran Supreme Court ruled former President Zelaya’s actions illegal and authorized the military to arrest and exile him. The Honduran Congress then appointed Roberto Micheletti as interim President (following procedures in the Constitution). President Micheletti will step down after the national elections in November legally elect the new Honduran President. Our Honduran friends indicate interim President Micheletti is fighting for Honduran freedom while former President Zelaya was attempting to set himself up as a leftist dictator. We are unable to understand why the U.S. government is supporting parties with close ties to socialistic dictators and not supporting those fighting to maintain democracy. Please pray with us that Honduras will remain free and that our friends/mentors will be able to safely remain in Honduras. Also, their passports need to be returned to them soon – the government has them for visa purposes and our friends/mentors would be unable to leave without them. Please pray that God’s peace and purpose will reign in Honduras and that He will be glorified. Thank you for your prayer!!! ~ P

The Adventure Begins...

This blog originated for the purpose of communicating where God is taking us in His process of calling/sending us to Honduras.

While patience is not necessarily our strong suit, it’s amazing to see where we have come in the many months since this process began. The dream occurred in February, 2008 and His process continues. Not in a direct path, which we had anticipated, but in a seemingly wandering manner where we have learned much about His love, His grace, His mercy and (most importantly for us) His patience.

We are on the brink of the adventure God has set before us. While opportunities for service abound in Honduras, there is a significant lack of funding (in proportion to need) to feed the starving, provide medical care to the desperately ill, shore-up dilapidated homes that will not withstand the current rainy season – let alone care for the innumerable orphans infected with/affected by HIV-AIDS. God is providing a means for us to serve Hondurans while stateside by our presenting the hope, born of tragedy, which is Casa Hogar Vida.

Please pray with us for invitations to speak within churches and organizations throughout the United States. An exciting aspect of His strategy is that 100% of all contributed funds will be sent to Casa Hogar Vida as God’s provision is currently providing for all of our needs using other avenues. EVERY CENT of any contribution for Casa Hogar Vida projects will be forwarded to Honduras through our home church, CedarCreek Church in Perrysburg, Ohio. The leadership there has also committed to forwarding all Casa Hogar Vida Project receipts to further CHV’s work.

We return to Honduras for a time in late July this year, and will enjoy time spent with our mentors Ian and Julie Fawcett, friends and “family” in Honduras ~ deepening relationships and increasing our knowledge of CHV’s present needs. As usual, we will work alongside them during long, rewarding days within CHV projects while in Choluteca. After returning to the U.S., we hope to begin presenting the hopeful, life-changing story of Casa Hogar Vida to any/all who will listen. Will you pray with us that God will provide the people with whom He wants us to speak? Will you listen? ~P

Wait and see...

Knowing something and understanding something are two entirely different levels of existence. Understanding is the application of knowledge...proof that we have assimilated truth.

During these past several months, life has been sweeter and more difficult than I could have imagined. Details are irrelevant. Pain deeper than I’ve ever experienced accompanied by the deepest, tangible love from our Father have taught me much. Days cycle between pain and wonderfulness but His Hand always holds my heart...I better understand His Presence – ever Faithful!

Earlier this week was a painful valley when He brought to my attention (through Rebekah and some tuneage) an encouraging, comforting Truth. It’s not a new concept, I have heard it for years and know it well. In His lovingkindness, He reminded me that nothing is beyond His redemption, events occur that He will transform to glorify Himself. We are not to be ignorant, He will be glorified...we just need to wait and see. Understanding is a welcomed friend...and Jesus is so very good! ~ P

Bothering God

Not long ago, we started attending, what I imagine would be called, a mega-church. On our first visit, we were shown around the building by a volunteer who told us that it wasn't really that big once you get used to it. (That's like saying a toothache doesn't hurt, once you get used to it ~ it still hurts!) By our standards this place was huge, and besides who was she to tell us what is big and what isn't?

The reality that we found is that she was right. While the facility is huge, you still end up with a small group of friends ~ except, each of those people has a small group of friends, and it goes on and on. We never had a desire to attend a mega-church, in fact I still don't, we just have a larger group of friends now. Actually, the logic of not wanting to attend a mega-church because there are too many people, defies itself if we want to be Christians. As Christians, we are called to meet with the brothers and sisters in Christ. In the end, with heaven as our goal, that will be the mother of all mega-churches ~ so maybe what we have is just practice.

I now look down the halls of our building and it no longer looks so imposing. Perhaps this is similar to how we look at things as children and when we go back as adults ~ what we remembered as huge is now very small. This can also be true of issues that we confront daily and try to handle ourselves instead of allowing God to have control ~ if we think about them from an individual point of view ~ but in the grand scheme of things, where do they rank?

Do we look at our relationship with Christ as one in which He is too big or busy to bother with my issue? When we first come to realize our need for a Saviour, we can't fathom how a God so big as to create everything that we can see from the Hubble telescope and beyond, can be small enough to hear or care about our issues. How often do we say something similar to "Well, others have bigger problems...." or "God has bigger things to worry about than....." The truth is that my relationship with Jesus should be more open and honest than the relationship I have with Penny. God wants to be involved in our lives and He wants us to trust Him in all things ~ He already knows all of the dark secrets.

Reach out to Him, no matter how big or little the issue seems to you ~ let Him enter into the decision making. I don't recall ever hearing someone say "I wish I hadn't bothered God about that".

Small churches are used by God in the same way that large ones are. I have not read where we need to be several thousand to hear from Him, but ~ "where two or more are gathered in My name...". Jesus often went off to be alone with God. We attend the Creation Festival in Pennsylvania each summer. The pre-Festival time is great because I can be out in the fields alone with God ~ the Festival can be great because of the thousands joining in during Praise and Worship to our God.

Sorry this is so disjointed, it is just the way I think sometimes. I guess in the end, I don't believe that God has a preference and maybe we shouldn't either. ~ K

Plans

Finishing up a quilt for an aunt at the Childrens’ Home in Choluteca, Honduras I was thinking about the fabric being incorporated into the quilt. The plans I had for the fabric (which I bought two years ago) had gone by the wayside long ago...yet here it was becoming part of a quilt which would comfort, warm and protect an adult who chooses to serve children who have been infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

While piecing the quilt-top, I could recall where each fabric was purchased and for whom the original quilt was intended. My initial plan was worthwhile and well-made but circumstances led to a different result. How much is that like my plans versus God’s plans? We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16.9). We plan for graduation…college… career…marriage… children…retirement – the list continues on and on. How many of my life plans resulted the way I planned them? Looking back, very few! Yet, looking at life’s events, I can see God’s hand – before and after I surrendered to Him – orchestrating my life. Taking the “fabrics” and arranging them according to His plan – how thankful I am!

Not only did He arrange my life, I can see where he took the heartaches, the sadness, the frustrations and pieced them into the quilt of my life. He didn’t leave holes or ugly places, He took the hard times and created a masterpiece of His design – flaws and all. How can we not love God? He takes the difficult, devastating times and transforms them into an integral part of His design for our lives – ultimately, an opportunity to demonstrate His power and relentless Love. Oh, what a Savior!!! ~ P