Our Market Burned

On Wednesday evening, May 21st, our local market burned in the evening hours, close to 10PM. Days before there was a dispute about a truck which had pulled some wires lose. An electrician was called but those who it affected didn't want to pay the $11 bill for the new cable and electricians fees. The electrician then disconnected his work. Officials say this was the area of the source of the fire. Out of the close to 330 booths in the maret area, 141 were damaged. This has been the talk of town since Thursday morning. Our city is mourning over the large loss as this affected 141 station owners and all of their workers and families. This will affect their current income and future income. One market station owner alone lost 1,200 sacks of corn, all of it was burned. This sadness has brought forth a lot of sadness. This is when our local church will be able to reach out to those who have lost. Please keep the city of Catacamas in your prayers.

Jerry & Sherri's Farewell Party

Jerry & Sherri Murphy had been serving in La Esperanza (at another station in Honduras). They shared with us in January they were feeling led to come to El Sembrador for their next term of service. Since they were leaving the field in June of 2008, they came out for their last five months to see how they could fit in at El Sembrador. I think God has showed them how. They have helped us so much. They work hard, have a lot of love, and best of all a lot of spunk. They've been a wonderful addition to campus! They are now packing up to head back to the States to raise funds. We're praying God multiplies quickly so they can get back by the next school year in January of 2009. Sherri has taught Anna for the last four months and Anna just finished the second grade. She has been a huge help to Lori with the sponsorship program and will be taking it over when she returns next year. Jerry has been working with our group projects and helping with the sports program. They will be MISSED dearly over the next several months. The boys have fallen in love with them too. Lori and Amy Helt (a volunteer) worked hard at organizing a special party for them. All of the campus ladies helped us cut fruit all afternoon so we could offer everyone a fruit cup for a refreshment following the party. The farewell party began with fun songs, then a special reflection from one of our Bible school students from La Esperanza. Travis shared special words about how they've been a wonderful asset to campus and how they will be missed. Lori had to share the funny stories about the "trouble and fun" Sherri has brought to campus. The boys and employees laughed hard as they heard the stories of Sherri hiding Travis' truck on him when he left it running and when she stole (hid) our educational directors bike on him. The employees and boys were invited to share special memories and goodbye messages with Jerry & Sherri. Many passed forward and their housekeeper even surprised them with a spontaneous song. It was so special. Please pray for Jerry & Sherri as they return to the states and spend time with their family, home church, and support team.

Horeb Mother's Day

We have a second high school on campus which is run by the Central Church in town. They use our facilities each day and bus in 170 youth, boys and girls. We have eight internal boys who attend their school (and all eight are graduating this year). The majority of this group of boys have been with us since 2004, so they have been at El Sembrador as long as we have. They each hold such a special place in our hearts. Their school's Mother's Day event was at the central church in town. We took them in as we had in March for the Father's Day event. But, we didn't know the special events in store. When it was Alfredo's turn to take the stage, he asked Lori to come up and represent the eight boys as their mom. He said she has been the mother to these boys all these years and has been the one there to help them with homework and whatever other needs they have and gave her three roses from them. Then, when Osmel took the stage, he called his mom to the stage too. He asked Lori to come up as she has been his second mom. She was the class elect mom for the year and was given a wonderful gift from the class of thirty-two students. They gave her Victoria Secret lotion and perfume. The class all went together to pay for this special gift. It was a special night when they all hugged her to show her how much they love her and what a special mom she is. HOW CAN SHE NOT JUST MELT WITH THESE SPECIAL GUYS????????? We took them out to eat afterward and had a great time.

Zip Line

When teams come, if they sponsor a student, we allow them to take their sponsor student with them on our outing. Since our team this week was smaller and time allowed, Lori had fun zip lining and horse back riding with two of the boys.

Mother's Day Lunch

After the morning service, the boys invited their families to join us in the boys dining room for lunch. It is a pleasure to be able to get to know the boys families more and fun for the boys to get to know each other's families.

Mother's Day

May 11th is the biggest holiday of the year in Honduras. Hondurans take appreciating Mother's seriously on Mother's Day. Church was very special today. The Bible school students put on a beautiful skit about Solomon deciding who was the "real" mother of the baby. The Bible School girls did a great job playing their part, it almost felt real. Rigoberto did a great job being King Solomon. Anna was asked to be in the acronym Moms (Mamas). She memorized the "M". She does such a wonderful job with her Spanish and makes us so proud. Each year the school purchases a special gift for the boys to give to their mother's. This year Lori, with the help of her friend Lixa, chose to have tortilla basket linens made. They lined the alter for the boys to come and get for their moms. Needless to say, Lori ended up with quite a few as she is Mom to many boys on campus. The boys cards and special gifts mean the world. Mother's Day is always a special one with so many precious sons.

Josias' Birthday

We don't lack children's birthday parties on campus. This is the second one is just a couple weeks time. Josias is the son of our nurse and teacher/counselor on campus. He just turned one year old. His birthday was May 6th and it was celebrated on May 8th. Anna was chosen to be in one of the games. She had to put funny teeth in, along with her good friend Katy and two other little boys. They had to put funny, ugly teeth in and say God is good. The children love to attend birthday parties, especially when a piñata is involved.

Honduras Labor Day

Labor Day in Honduras is on May 1st. Travis and I wanted to thank all of our Honduran staff and missionary staff by inviting them to lunch to show appreciation for all they do. I hired three ladies to help me put the event on. Everyone was very appreciative. We thank God for the employees He has given us to work with.

Fast Soccer Tournament

Since there was one free week after the soccer season ended, Travis wanted to put on a fast soccer tournament and allowed the boys to pick their own teams. After one week of battling it down to the final two teams, I made a prize for the top two teams. They received a cake, 3-Liter bottle of coke, cups, and ice. They were able to enjoy it together as a team directly afterward. They had bragging rights tonight.