Since moving to Honduras January of last year, our plans have changed...a lot! The plan for Marvin to attend mechanic school for 3 years changed (he attended 3 weeks and then the Lord used him in other areas). The plan to wait a LONG time for another child changed (and we are so thankful Joanna became a part of our family). The plan for the boys to attend a particular high school in the area changed (and instead, they were transferred to a school that brings greater education, consistency, and accountability). We continue to make plans, and we know that they often change. Ultimately, we are just walking with God, discerning His will, and following with obedience, but I wanted to write to share some of our plans, desires, and challenges.
Manuel and Josue have continued to excel in school despite the challenging transfer to a new school in April. They hold the two highest averages in their class and have remained on honor roll. So what's next for them? They take their college entrance exam on October 22nd! Depending on those results and the status of the public university, they will continue application process to 2 schools- the public university in San Pedro Sula and to the private catholic university. There are pros and cons to each, and we are praying for wisdom and open doors where the Lord wants them. Currently the public university is on strike, and students will lose their credits for most of this semester. Benefits to the public university are that it is more affordable, and there are more majors available. Major benefits to the catholic university is that it is well organized and government issues and strikes don't affect the education. We invite you to pray with us as we move forward with entrance exams, applications, and also as the boys consider what career path the Lord is leading them to.
When we invited Manuel and Josue into our home last January, we were not inviting them to become dependent on us for the rest of our lives. We have been and continue to love them, disciple them, struggle with them, pray with them, grieve with them, celebrate with them, counsel them, do life with them, but our desire for them is that they would be independent young men who love and serve the Lord. This means that as they start college, they will be living in an apartment in San Pedro Sula. It will be another hard transition for them, but a necessary one to encourage their maturity and independence. As we get ready to push our little birdies out of the nest (I can't wait to see them FLY!), we have been asking where the Lord wants us.
Our plans (you know how those go...) are to move back to the states in December. We hope to use the skills that God has given us to work, raise our children, and serve the community in Chattanooga, TN. We have lots to look forward to over the next few months before the move- the boys have this week off of school, my sister Leah is coming to visit at the end of October, Joanna turns 1 in November, and Manuel and Josue graduate the 2nd of December.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support.
