BE STRONG and TAKE HEART
November was our last full month in
Honduras. From birthdays to final exams, hosting visitors to taking trips, a
postponed graduation to riots throughout Honduras, yes, this has been an eventful
month.
I’ve had expectations of how our last
weeks in Honduras would unfold. I even created a detailed calendar to keep
track of our daily events, ha! I imagined the boys dressed up for their
graduation, the nice road trips our family would take together, and a peaceful
environment as our time here wound down. As usual, things have not gone as
planned. We were able to take some road trips to visit friends in Balfate,
Puerto Cortes, and Las Flores the first half of the month, but over the last
week, many roads have become impassable due to demonstrations reacting to the
results of the presidential elections. The riots required Manuel and Josue’s
graduation to be postponed until the 16th. Our flight is scheduled
to leave on the 12th, so we won’t be in Honduras for their
graduation. Despite the challenges and change of plans, God is providing for
our needs. The boys have a place to stay up until their graduation. Marvin and
boys were able to get furniture to their apartment in San Pedro Sula where they
will attend university. Our family has remained safe, and we have not suffered a
shortage of food or water like many other areas. God is also opening doors for
us as we return to Chattanooga that help to remind us that He is calling us
there. God has given us sweet time with friends here in Honduras as we say “see
you later,” and we are so blessed that we will soon have time with many friends
and family in the states.
This scripture has reminded me that I
must put my hope in the Lord, despite failed expectations, changing plans, and
political unrest in Honduras.
“Praise be to the Lord, for he showed
his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, ‘I
am cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to
you for help. Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope
in the Lord.” -Psalm 31:22-24
