Manuel Antonio and Delmer Josué have moved in with us. Josué
is one of Marvin’s younger brothers and Manuel is related to them as well.
These 2 boys have grown up in Las Flores, a village in Honduras near the
Guatemala border. Electricity was just brought to the village a few years ago.
Both of their fathers work hard harvesting coffee, cardamom, beans, and corn.
The work of their mothers never ends. They are constantly taking care of
children, making tortillas, cleaning, doing laundry, feeding chickens, cooking,
etc. Manuel is one of 6 children, his
oldest brother is 19 years and his youngest is 9 months. Josué is one of 11
although 2 have passed away. The oldest is 32 years and the youngest is 7
years. Now, we are a 5 member household. Our son Thomas is 20 months and the
boys are both 15 years old.
Most children that grow up in Las Flores study up until 6th
grade. Some continue on to 9th, but that is where their studies
typically end. Manuel and Josué love to learn and want to continue their
studies to complete high school and possibly attend a university as
well. We saw their love for studies a few years ago when we gave Josué an
illustrated Children’s Bible. He immediately invited his friend Manuel to read the
Bible stories with him. The next time we made it up to the village, they told
us they had already finished reading it once and were starting it for a second
time. We have also heard Josué tell his younger sister not to study for a grade
but to study in order to learn.
We are excited to see them continue in their studies but
more importantly hope to see them grow in their love of Christ and their
knowledge of truth. In Las Flores, Manuel is nicknamed Chito and Josué has
always gone by Delmer. Since they are starting a new chapter in their lives,
they have also asked us to call them by different names. In the Bible, name
changes often come with incredible promises and significant changes. We are so impressed with the maturity that
both boys exemplify and are overjoyed to be a part of these significant changes.
“For I know the plans for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you; plans for hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11
