I look pretty good holding this baby! We had a most successful trip in December as we completed the water system for the community. While the system is not in great need now by the community, it will be soon as Honduras is moving into the dry season. But the story of why I am holding this child is what I want to share. Fatherlessness is quite rampant in the community, as one pastor put it as we discussed the family situation in the community, “that’s not how God intended it.” Very true, but what are we doing to help change it? Do we build water systems, create jobs, feed people, build classrooms, etc. and not address the deeper needs of the human soul? We have prayed that God would raise up a Honduran shepherd to lead the people well in the ways of Jesus, but recently I have realized that prayer isn’t deep enough. And this baby was the catalyst to show me how better to pray.

On our second work trip to the community in June 2022 we hired Fredy to work with us. Apparently he was dealing with some substance abuse issues at the time but he was a great worker. Since then he has started to go to church and his wife said he has definitely changed. Not perfect, but changed. Last month we again worked with Fredy to finish the water project. He works hard, is a good thinker and he works well with others. In the mornings we would drive into the community and pick him up on our way to working on the water system. Fredy would be waiting for us with his older son. Before Fredy got into the truck he would kiss his son good-bye for the day. That is the first time I have seen any affection from a father to his child. On the last day of the trip we were working at the community school which is directly across from Fredy’s house. Fredy ran into his house and brought out his newborn baby son and handed him to me, beaming like a proud father. A father that is proud of his children and not afraid to show it, how this community needs more fathers like this! And before we left Fredy asked to pray for us, which of course we were more than happy to let him. I wonder what Jesus is doing in the heart of Fredy, not only for himself and his family, but also for the community.

Fredy and his sons have caused me to pray that God will raise up fathers such that the children in the community are loved by their mother AND father. And yes, that the Father would raise up a shepherd for this community, and that He would also raise up many shepherds to care well for their family, community and beyond. Thank you for joining with us in this prayer.

In our July 2021 exploration trip to Danli, we asked a number of people living in Danli about the people living in the trash dump community. They all agreed that neither the government nor churches were helping the people in the community. From that trip it seemed as the community knew their place in society, and society wanted the community to stay in their place. Out of that formed a prayer that Hondurans would become involved in working in the community. In March 2023 we were blessed with a Honduran doctor, Marlen, agreeing to work together with us in a community clinic. In the December trip I met her for the second time at the Saturday clinic. When she arrived for the clinic that morning there was already a line of people waiting for the clinic to open. As Marlen walked up, she greeted the group, and then she came up to one of the women in line and affectionately placed her hand on her head and greeted her. Since then I have been told Marlen will personally see to the care of people in the community who need help beyond what is available in the clinic. Jesus not only sent us a doctor, but a Honduran doctor who genuinely cares for the people in the community; and for that we are very grateful.