Friendships

Over the last 2 weeks, we have had our time divided between 4 cities. Many past friendships have been strengthened and new friendships have been made.

Tegucigalpa

In Tegucigalpa, we were blessed to stay with the Coello family who have been friends of my aunt and uncle for over 25 years. Lazaro Coello was an amazing driver and guide in a city that is so packed you can hardly breath. We went to the capital to apply for a Honduran marriage certificate so that I will be able to receive my residency when the Lord calls us here permanently. Although we went for just paper work, we were blessed with deep relationships with the Coello family.

Reminder of God's promises

In Siguatepeque, we attended a missionary conference where more relationships developed and a wealth of knowledge was gained. It was so amazing to hear of the work that God is doing all over the country of Honduras. Our speaker was extraordinary, and we especially were drawn to one image he pointed out to us. He compared God to a surgeon that had a lot of work to do on a patient. As this surgeon began his work, he selected a tool. The tool he chose was sharp, clean, and available. No other tool would work. We must be those things for God to utilize us in His work in Honduras.

Heart to Heart preschool class focused on a video

In Puerto Cortes and Tegucigalpita, we have been working with Worldwide Heart to Heart Ministries. Last night, we stayed out at the children's home in Tegucigalpita to spend more time with the children that we love so much, but most of our time has been in Puerto Cortes where the church and school are located. It has brought us so much joy to maintain so many of the relationships that were started long ago- 10 years ago for Marvin and 5 years ago for me.

Continue to pray with us as we seek direction over the next few weeks. God led us to be here for five months, and we look forward to him continuing to light our path.

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws." -Psalm 119:105-106

The Dump

Have you ever been to a dump? Years ago, I went with my cousin Erin in Atlanta to take some junk to the local dump. The place was full of worthlessness. Nothing there had value and very little could have been re-purposed.

A few days ago, I traveled to the dump in La Ceiba, Honduras. In the shadow of the dump lives a community. A few concrete houses were there but the majority of homes were made from wood slats reinforced with string, cardboard, and rusted sheet metal. It is in this community that Lisa Bradley ministers. She took another volunteer and I from house to house introducing us to families in the community. Everyone knew who she was and why she was there. She loves the Lord, and she loves the community. As Christians, we are not meant to shy away from the needy nor avoid the poor. Christ calls us into these areas to be a light to a dark place and to bring healing to brokenness.

Walking to a home to visit a sick boy near dump

 Where is God calling you? Where is God calling me? I am challenged with this question and thrilled by it at the same time. God calls us to places of worthlessness and He brings His worth. Where there is no value of human life, God gives value to each individual. And when we have little left to give, God re-purposes us so that we may be a healing light to the world.

Lisa loving on little boy in La Ceiba dump

Waiting in line for a feeding program at a local church

Enjoying the meal provided by church

Glory to God

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"-Psalm 115:1

It is not always easy to give God glory. Our human nature desires credit, accomplishment, success, but the glory should not be for us, but to the Lord, our magnificent Savior. We are meeting many people in Honduras, some Hondurans and Americans and even a family from Scotland. Each person and family is unique, but they have one thing in common. They are using their skills or talents to glorify God. My uncle (a physician) treating physical pains and praying for spiritual healing, Brent Chitwood painting canvases for the children's ward, teenage girls dancing in a church in La Ceiba, the Fields family sharing coffee with volunteers, welders, mothers, IT workers, prayer warriors, teachers, children, surgeons, musicians, nurses, mechanics, pastors, and so many other people have given up the earthly measure of success and are giving the glory to God. No matter what skill, talent, or trade we may possess, we can use it to honor God if we just let go of our earthly desires.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:17 

Brent using his artistic talent to bring joy to families in Barranco Chele

Women that cooked and showed great hospitality to us during a visit to their home

Marvin and I with my uncle who is a physician, a missionary, and a light to all who he encounters

 "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." -Philippians 1:9-11

Getting Settled

We have been in Honduras 7 days and have been traveling since day 1, but we are finally getting settled. We enjoyed a couple days in Las Flores last week with Marvin's family. The relationships that have developed in this village are strengthened the more time that we are able to spend there.

Avacados are in season and the harvest is plentiful!

Life in Las Flores.

It is not an easy path to take, but it is definitely worth it!

After our time in Las Flores, we enjoyed visiting Heart to Heart children's home. We participated in their last summer outing trip to the river!

Kids playing in the river...what a great day!

After a long drive Saturday, we arrived in Balfate with my Uncle Wesley and his friend Brent. I am serving in the hospital and Marvin is working with the maintenance and construction crew with Cornerstone Foundation for this month. We are getting to know our way around here and meeting lots of new people. This organization is very active in the community, and we know we will learn so much from them.

Mango tree near volunteer housing.

Walk up the hill by the hospital and this is the view!

Father and Mother

Time to leave my father and mother as I have been united with my husband and go where God is calling. My parents are not easy people to leave, even for 5 months. They are so kind, hard working, generous, and funny that Marvin and I enjoy soaking up every moment with them. We have enjoyed bowling with my father, sewing with my mom, and many dinners, vacations, and discussions together.

My father shared these words of wisdom with me years ago, "We cannot judge God's love by our circumstances, by our friends or lack of them, by our job or lack of it, by our wealth or poverty, or by our health or illness. His love stands like gravity - a part of the reality of our world and yet even beyond our physical world...Believe it, feel it, and live it, and it will be a part of you - with times of sadness and happiness, hope or despair - always there."

My parents have been willing to share their wisdom when asked and have shown constant love for others because of their love for Christ. Thank you Mama and Daddy for accepting, encouraging, and loving us in our journey with Christ. We love you and look forward to seeing you soon.

Blessings and Love,
Karen Ramos

What's next?

Marvin and I are often asked "What's next?"

August 5- December 27, we will be in Honduras volunteering with various mission organizations. We will be back in the states during 2014 to discern what God's next step is for us and to continue learning and serving through work and church. We do not have a set itinerary for our trip to Honduras and are open to going where God calls for our time there. We hope to improve our skill set and knowledge so that we'll be able to meet the spiritual and physical needs in the community, to serve our neighbors and demonstrate Christ love to them, and to support and learn from local ministries that are sharing the gospel in Honduras.

Lord willing, we will be working with the following mission organizations:

Cornerstone Foundation: http://www.crstone.org/

Worldwide Heart to Heart Ministries: http://wwh2h.org/

Eternal Family Project: http://eternalfamilyproject.org/

We will also spend time in Las Flores to get to know the community, culture, and needs of the families and individuals where we feel called to serve.

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." -Proverbs 16:9

Map of Honduras showing the areas where we hope to serve in GREEN

Thanks to Hixson UMC

It was so great to see how the church family at Hixson UMC united to supply donations to families in Honduras. From homemade totes and soap to hundreds of pens and pencils, we were overwhelmed with the incredible support. We wish to offer our sincere gratitude to all those who gave and prayed. God truly used you to be a blessing to us and to those in Honduras. THANK YOU!

Packed the luggage strategically to get it to the mountains

Wil, Marvin, and Jane waiting with the some of the bags at the Atlanta airport