April Update and visit from the Hicks

If you were to come to our house in the evening, there are a few things you are likely to experience. You are likely to see Manuel and Josué studying. You will also hear Marvin playing guitar. You may even catch me eating a late-night snack. Joanna and Thomas are in bed by 7pm at the latest so you would not see or hear them. You are guaranteed to hear dogs barking and would likely meet a young girl named Karen that stops by to ask for food every few days. The other thing you would get to experience is our nightly Bible study. We are currently reading through the book of Ephesians and amazed at the depth we are each growing in our faith through this study.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” -Ephesians 1:16-17

We really do give thanks for our friends and family and feel so blessed to have so many encouraging people in our lives. The Lord is meeting our needs and opening doors for us to meet the needs of others. We have been able to contribute to the local church to help them put in a ceiling. Now the evening rains won’t stop church services from occurring. We supported a friend through a depression crisis and covered 2 home visits from a psychologist. We have been able to share food and love to others in the community as well. God calls each of us to meet the needs of others. We cannot ignore the needs here. They are often right at our front gate. Where are the needs in your community?

“ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:8-10

We are so thankful that the Hicks family came to visit us this past month. Heidi Hicks is my cousin. I admired her when I was little, and I still do! She actually grew up in Honduras while my aunt and uncle were missionaries here. This was her first time to return with her children. Her husband Daniel is the pastor of Scenic City Church in Chattanooga. It was such a great week to reconnect with family. Together, we spent time with the girls at Eternal Family Project, led worship at a home for the elderly in a nearby town Las Vegas, and helped prep lunch for children at the Home of Blessing. In addition to outreach, they also gave us and the boys some wonderful experiences, from spending the afternoon swimming in a pool to ziplining over waterfalls. They also worked hard to care for our children and help keep up with the house work. Marvin and I were even blessed to go out on a date, just the 2 of us! Then we managed to squeeze in a double date with Heidi and Daniel before they had to leave. It was an amazing week together!

Isabel Hicks with Paola from Eternal Family Project serving at a local nutrition center

Kylie Hicks playing with Giselle and Nahomy from Eternal Family Project

Marvin and I on our romantic date :)

Singing after snack time in Las Vegas at the home for the elderly

Hicks and Ramos families playing uno and trying to stay hydrated

Swimming!!!

Josue going over the falls

The ziplining boys

Can you spot Manuel?

Thomas and his favorite buddy Carson Hicks

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” -Ephesians 4:22-24

The process to transfer Manuel and Josué to a new school was much more complicated than we expected, but thankfully they were able to start at the new school this past month. We feel confident that this school is the right place for them. They are learning about universities in Honduras and making progress in their other classes, Physics, Chemistry, Ethics, Literature, etc. The school where they now attend is very structured and professional. These two qualities are hard to find in Honduras.

View of Lake Yojoa

Neighbors let us enjoy their pool, Gracias!

Ready to cool off!

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” -Ephesians 5:15-17

We don’t know where the boys will decide to go to university or what career path they will choose. We don’t know if we will stay in Honduras or move back to the states. We don’t know who we will see on our walk to the church Sunday morning. There are many things we don’t know in regards to God’s plans for us, but we do know that his will is for us to be more like him, for us to be sanctified. As we consider our hopes for the future, please pray the following prayer for us, as we also pray it for you.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:16-21

Josue, Thomas, Marvin, Karen, Joanna, and Manuel at Pulhapanzak Waterfalls