September Update

I have a hard time believing that it is starting to feel like Fall in the states. As I communicate with my family, they tell me about the cooler days, and I am certain that I will soon see pictures of beautiful trees with red, yellow, and orange leaves. Here, the days continue to be very hot and humid. We are entering into the rainy season which currently means frequent evening thunder storms that leaving us with no electricity, but chillier mornings.  

I wrote last month about Josué and Manuel’s integrity and hard work they displayed during their exam week at school. We are SO thrilled to share with you this month that BOTH boys are on Honor Roll. To celebrate, we brought them home their favorite kind of chips and introduced them to Coke Floats. They are both worth celebrating, and we are so proud of them!

September is a month of celebrations in Honduras. One holiday celebrated here that we don’t have in the states is El Día del Niño or Children’s Day. We celebrated this day with the children at the Home of Blessing. We all went to a large park about half an hour from Peña Blanca and celebrated with games, a Bible teaching, piñatas, gifts, and tres leches cake. A lot of time and effort went into making it a special day for about 75 children, and despite the challenges we faced that day, it was definitely worth it!

The Home of Blessing health classes continued this month with teaching on respiratory illness and care of newborns. The moms had a good laugh as they watched me squat on a stool and cover my head with a sheet with a pot at my feet in order to teach about breathing hot water vapors to help loosen mucous. An opportunity also opened up for me to teach health classes to 1^st through 8^th graders at the bilingual school associated with our church. It was a lot of fun to play games and do an art project that will hopefully remind the students about how germs are spread, preventing cavities, etc. The following week one of the teachers had to go back to the states for a week for her grandmother’s funeral, and I actually got to teach 6^th grade Math, Science, and Language Arts for 5 days. This was a special time for me to be out of the house, and Thomas and Marvin had a lot of quality time together too. Marvin has been great at including Thomas in projects, and I have no doubt Thomas will be a talented, hard worker just like Marvin.  

Marvin, Thomas, and I were extremely blessed this month with the opportunity to go to a missionary conference in Siguatepeque. We had our own room at the conference center and didn’t do any cooking or cleaning for about 48 hours. A team from the states came down to provide childcare so that the adults could participate in worship, listen to the speaker, and pray with each other. It was such an amazing time to hear God’s word (in English) and fellowship with others who are facing similar challenges and joys as they serve the Lord in various ways throughout Honduras.

The Bible Study and Sewing Class with some girls from Eternal Family Project have continued this month, but will likely come to a close as my due date nears (November 8^th, just 5 weeks from today!). It has been such a privilege to get to invest in these girls’ lives and get to spend time with them each week. Marvin’s trips to support a home church on Tuesdays with our Pastor will likely also cease for a time since there is no way to get in touch with him for about 4 hours while he is in the mountains. We live an hour and a half from the hospital where I hope to deliver in San Pedro Sula. Please pray for our family and especially for the delivery and health of our baby girl as we await her arrival. Although, we face many circumstances that drive us to be fearful about what is to come, as we look back over the last 9 months of living in Honduras and our almost 6 years of marriage, we are confident in one thing- GOD IS FAITHFUL! So we are choosing NOT to live in fear but to celebrate each new day with FAITH!

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:22-25

August Update

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”            Romans 5:1-5

Best bananas ever!

We returned to Honduras from a brief visit to the states on August 1^st. We hoped for a smooth transition back to Honduras and as stated above HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Manuel and Josue are finishing up their third quarter exams now and have continued to amaze us with their integrity and commitment to studies. While everyone else in their grade worked together to steal a copy of an exam last week, Manuel and Josué refused to participate. We are saddened by the cheating, dishonesty, and corruption so prevalent in Honduras and heartbroken to see that it is happening even in their small high school. We are, on the other hand, very thankful that these two young men are different. Despite the many struggles they face, they work very hard to honor God. We are also thankful to be a part of a church where we can all hear the word of God and discuss and reflect on the teachings throughout the week. In the evenings, we also share a time together to check in, pray, and study the Bible. We have finished James, John, and Philippians since the boys moved in with us and are currently reading through the book of Acts. We have all been encouraged while reading about the apostles’ boldness in sharing the gospel, caring for others, and speaking truth. How amazing that Manuel and Josué are also willing to stand up for truth despite the pressure that surrounds them.

Josue studying hard and smiling big

Manuel and Thomas on the back porch studying

Marvin has been traveling a lot this month. Some with the boys and some on his own. We are just 10 weeks away from my due date so we are taking advantage of the more manageable lifestyle now, while also looking forward to welcoming a baby girl into our family soon. Marvin traveled about 6 hours away to Balfate to weld at Hospital Loma de Luz while I stayed home with the boys. He enjoyed the work and fellowship there. We both appreciate each other more after what felt like such a long time apart. Marvin also got to take Manuel and Josue to Las Flores so they could share a weekend with their families. They enjoyed stopping in Puerto Cortes to visit friends from Heart to Heart on the way there and back.

One of the many welding projects Marvin completed at Hospital Loma de Luz

Looking forward to meeting welcoming Baby Joanna into our family this fall

 It has been a privilege to teach 2 health classes this month in the series I began in July with the moms of children that participate in the Home of Blessing Ministry. We work with the children each Saturday while serving a meal and teaching Bible lessons, but getting to know the moms is extra special. This month we discussed dental care, water purification, nutrition, and skin care. Some of the mothers enjoyed winning prizes that will help them care for their families. They (almost) all enjoy playing games and answering questions that reflect their new knowledge after participating in the classes. My hope is that they will be encouraged in the incredibly difficult task of raising children and meeting their families’ needs with the very little that they have.

Some of the moms that won prizes at the Home of Blessing health class

There were many other exciting things this month- finishing 1 Timothy with the youth Bible study, beginning to teach Gaby, Ruby, Sarai, and Paola (girls from Eternal Family Project) sewing lessons, our neighbor Yolanda, who started Home of Blessing with her husband Dennys, gave birth to a healthy, ADORABLE, baby boy, we celebrated our neighbors’ son Oliver’s birthday, went out with the boys for ice cream, got our internet working again after 3 weeks of little to no connection, Thomas switched from diapers to underwear with very few accidents, Marvin is going with our pastor Jeremiah to a mountain village to encourage a home church each week, friends from Heart to Heart staying on the property, going on walks with the boys, and so much more!

Despite the suffering you are facing in your own life or the joys that you are celebrating, I encourage you to continue to hope and persevere. HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!

The boys enjoy our Saturday morning walks

Marvin getting to hold Matias Santiago for the first time

Happy Birthday Oliver! So glad we got to celebrate together

Heart to Heart boys enjoying a retreat on the property

July Update and a Visit from the Lelands

Josue, Marvin, Thomas, Karen, & Manuel at Lake Yojoa

What an amazing month! We had a great time with our friends Adam and Kelsey Leland here in Honduras and a wonderful two weeks in the states. Now we are back in Honduras and trying to remember that toilet paper has to go in the trash can and the water out of the tap is not safe to ingest. The month of July started with a power outage that lasted one week on the property where we live. Thankfully since then, there have been no major issues with any of the utilities here. Thank you for your prayers!

Manuel and Josué were thrilled to get to participate in their school’s science fair. Although they did not win the grand prize, we were especially impressed with the hard work and creativity they put forth to complete their project. A big thanks to Tom Rybolt (my dad) for the many experiment books and for helping me to love science as a child. 

Manuel and Josue presenting to the judges at the science fair

Adam and Kelsey Leland were a great support to our family during their time here as well as to Eternal Family Project (EFP) and Home of Blessing. Their first night was the most adventuresome because we took them to Las Flores where Marvin grew up. The long drive on rough roads and over a few creeks in addition to the heat and insects was a great introduction for them to see what life can be like in Honduras. Once we returned to Peña Blanca, Kelsey spent one day at the EFP learning center and did one on one reading lessons with some of the girls while Adam and Marvin hung a more efficient clothes line at the EFP home. The Lelands also helped serve food and love on children at the Home of Blessing. Thomas quickly fell in love with them during their time here as he is always looking for people to run around outside with him. One afternoon while Kelsey and Adam babysat Thomas, I had the opportunity to teach a health class to a group of moms whose children come to the Home of Blessing. It was so great to connect with these moms and begin discussing ways that we can care for our children and live up to the challenging calling of being a mom.

Visiting with Marvin's mom and sisters in Las Flores

Kelsey and Adam kayaking out to Lake Yojoa

Kelsey serving the youngest children their food at the Home of Blessing

Adam playing with the kids at the EFP learning center

Estefani working on her reading skills

Marvin setting up the clothes line at EFP home

Health class with Home of Blessing mothers

Adam and Kelsey enjoying the porch swing at the casita

Marvin and Adam cooking breakfast for dinner

Ramos and Lelands after church- THANK YOU ADAM AND KELSEY for your time and sacrifice!!!

While we were in the states, Josué and Manuel were blessed to always have someone at the home with them. They were spoiled with homemade tortillas (a rare occurrence when I am the one cooking) and less chores. Marvin’s grandmother Marta stayed for the first half of our time away and good friends Oscar and Cristelia Vasquez stayed for the second half. Marta had a big scare when she saw a man on the back porch with a ski mask attempting to steal the propane gas tank that we use for cooking. Thankfully, he ran off when he realized someone was home and had no intentions of harming anyone. Please pray for the Lord’s protection and provision for the property and the home that we live in. We are so blessed to be here! 

Late night watercolor "party" before we left for the states

Abuela Marta and the boys

While in the states, we had a quick trip to Royston, GA where we were able to visit with some of my mom’s side of the family. I also got to go to Knoxville to help my sister Megan begin to unpack in her family’s new house there. We enjoyed two Sundays worshipping at Scenic City Church and the opportunity to share about our family and outreach in Honduras at Hixson United Methodist. The rest of our time in Chattanooga was a wonderful whirlwind of visiting family and friends, packing, organizing, and outings with Thomas. We didn’t get to visit with everyone we wanted to but hope that we will have enough time on our next visit to reconnect with more friends. 

Grandpa took Thomas to the zoo

Thomas loved seeing friends at Coolidge Park from Scenic City Church

Marvin and Thomas playing outside the TN Aquarium after a fun visit with my Aunt Terri, Uncle Wesley, their kids (my cousins) and grandkids

In the last week of our time in the states, we had the privilege of joining my family at Lake Junaluska, NC for a vacation. It was so wonderful to see all of my siblings, nieces, and dad’s side of the family. As a child, I looked forward to spending a week at Lake Junaluska every summer, but I don’t think I ever enjoyed it as much as I did this year. Playing tennis, swimming in the pool, running around the playground, dinners together, evenings on the porch overlooking the lake are just a few of the highlights from our trip. 

Thomas loves the water!

Cousin time: Olive, Harper, and Thomas

Beautiful Roses on the walk around LakeJunaluska

MY FAMILY!!! Love each and everyone SO MUCH!

Thomas with his "Gann Gann" and "PA." He loved playing with them but was not excited about taking a picture.

Now that we are back in Honduras, we are beginning to realize that Baby Joanna will be here in just about 3 months (due November 8th). We know that having a new baby will change our focus so we are trying to make worthy investments in relationships and ministries in the meantime. Please join us in praying as we seek God’s will for how our time should be spent here. The days seem to fly by and there is always more than enough to fill up each 24 hour day, but we want to be intentional, we want to be used, and we don’t want to miss out on opportunities that God has for us. 

Josue, Thomas, and Manuel coloring after our return to Honduras. Brings me so much JOY when they all enjoy time together.

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. - Acts 4:29-31