September Newsletter
Getting Settled In
Settling in is always the hardest part. We arrived in Honduras on
July 27 and had no issues getting here, except those traveling with a three
year old. All of our bags made it and nothing was stolen. For the first week or
so we stayed with Rina’s parents at their house. Andrew had some issues with the
food, mainly the beans. He also was not used to outhouse type facilities.
However, we were able to find a house to rent in the center of town with indoor
toilets. It is a three bedroom house so
we have room if anyone wants to come and visit.
We also have enrolled Andrew in a public Pre-K program. He goes to
school Monday thru Friday 8am to 11am. Andrew understands Spanish and we are
hoping that going to school will help with his speaking Spanish. He has made
lots of friends and seems to be enjoying it.
Getting started
Rina
and I (or anyone that has been to Honduras) has seen the need for the true life
changing Gospel to be preached. Our goal for S.H.Y.N.E is to see people come to
the reality that they are lost without Jesus Christ as their personal savior,
and the only way to do that is through faith in Him alone. Rina and I are
helping to minister to a small congregation right on the outskirts of town. We
are currently meeting in a home and have several members who have made that
decision to follow Christ with all their hearts. This community is comprised of
60 cinder block houses on the side of a hill on the side of the Pan American Highway.
This congregation was planted a few years ago but the pastor of this church was
called to be a missionary to two Hispanic
congregations in the Tuscaloosa, AL. area. We were approched by this pastor
friend of ours to help continue to grow this work, and are delighted to be used
by God in this capacity. The name of church is “Lighthouse Baptist Churchâ€.
There is also another pastor friend of
ours, Medardo Sanchez, who has planted a church in an area about an hour from
us and we are supporting his efforts as well. This area is on the outskirts of
a pretty large city and is very poor. They are meeting under a shed type
construction outdoors twice a week. You will learn more about this pastor and
his family in the next section of the newsletter. Please stay tuned to our quarterly
newsletters and our social media accounts for more info on these two church
plants.
Pastor Profile
I would like to introduce a very good pastor friend of mine.
His name is Medardo Sanchez. He and his wife, Teresea, along with their 5 year
old daughter have planted a church in a rather large “Barrio†or what we would
consider a subdivision in a town called Choluteca. The name of this barrio is
San Francisco del Palomar. This Barrio has approx. 150 houses and is connected
to another barrio with about 150 more houses. Medardo has been preaching for 12
years and loves serving the Lord with all his heart. He has been preaching in
this particular area for the last 3 years.
They have about 30 children and 20 adults that are regular attendees.
Medardo’s wife is a bilingual teacher and he drives a small bus taking kids
back and forth to school. The average income here in Honduras for a family like
Medardo’s is about $400 a month. The average American spends more than that at
Wal-Mart. I say that to say this they have dedicated most of their time to work
which leaves less time to dedicate to the ministry. Medardo has not asked for
anything other than prayer for him and his family that they would have the strength
to continue to share with others. Medardo and his family need our help and so
we are asking that you prayerful consider supporting his ministry which would
allow it grow. I am reminded of the passage in the Bible that says, “The
harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.†There are not a whole lot of
people in this world that would sacrifice their time, efforts, etc. in order to
help others know that true saving grace that only God can provide. Please visit
our website www.shynehonduras.com/pastors to read Medardo’s complete testimony.
Prayer Request
- Pray
that God would continue to us Rina and I as we minister to the people of San
Marcos de Colon.
- Pray
for a reliable form of transportation. It is very difficult to be as effective
as we want to be without transportation.
- Prayerful
and financial support that would allow us to continue to work here in Honduras.
Posted 2015/09/04 08:28:32
Think About This!
Americans gave $5.2 Billion dollars to overseas (foreign) missions in 2014! Wow that is a very large number RIGHT?
Well, let take a look at how much Americans spent on other things
$9.4 Billion on box office receipts (NOT CONCESSIONS).
The average American spent $80-$100 per week on coffee.
$19 Billion on video game sales.
$72 Billion on carbonated drink sales.
$179 Billion spent by teenagers between the age of 12-19.
(average of $102 per teen per week).
The average cost of a Hamburger from McDonlad\'s (w/tax) $1.12.
Instead of spending that $1.12 what if you gave that to foreign missions. 2 hamburgers a week x $1.12 = $116.48
Posted 2015/06/17 15:59:40
First Quarter 2015 Update
Over the past 2 years God has really sent us through a lot of tough and trying times. It has taken almost double the amount of time that it should have taken to get a response from the IRS on our non-profit status, and when it finally came through, only then did we notice that they (IRS) had transposed ONE number on our approval letter. We then had to submit more paper work to the error corrected. Finally, through a lot of prayer, the date has been set for Rina and I to return to Honduras. July, 27 2015 we will leave Alabama and begin work immediately.
My desire is to be used by God to be able to spread the good news of great joy that a savior was born, died and rose again to savior sinners like me from an eternity in Hell. Rina, being from Honduras, is looking forward to the opportunity God has given her to share with her own countrymen. Even more with her own extended family who have yet to experience that grace that she has through Jesus Christ.
We are still making efforts to raise financial support for the ministry. The annual support needed to maintain this ministry is $60,000.00 (which seems like a terribly high amount) but not when you consider that money would be supporting 6 families along with church planting efforts and the spreading of the life changing, true Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Honduras. Please be in prayerful support for SHYNE Honduras and ask the Lord to reveal how he would have you partner with us for the advancement of His kingdom.
Thankfully,
Zach
Posted 2015/05/05 09:52:02