The Tabernacle Community

Dear Friends and Family,

First Birthday Parties

Do you remember your first birthday party? I don't remember mine because I was one year old. Don Victor remembers his very well. He was 95. And so does Joel who turned 29 this last month. They both had their first birthday party on February 16.th We decorated with colorful ballons, made and decorated a cake, lit candles and sang, invited Doña Maria, Nelvin and Elida and family and presented gifts to these two whom we love so much. It was an amazing evening to watch these two men enjoy their first birthday party like any child would. The next morning at breakfast Joel, wearing his new shoes, rehearsed every last detail of the party, singing "Feliz cumpliaños..." and especially recounting how he blew out the birthday candles because Don Victor didn't know how to. Don Victor has worn his new shirt at least three times. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of such wonderful experiences.

Latrines Project

What does it take to build a latrine on the mountain side of a small farming community in Honduras? Four hundred pounds of cement, three thirty-foot re-bars, 150 board feet of lumber and 270 shovel-fulls of sand hauled up the mountain trail by each family is just the beginning. We dug eight foot deep pits, lined them with rocks, poured the concrete slabs to cover them, poured the foundation for the outhouse and finally built the outhouse itself. During the month of February we spent a lot of time with the families of La Muralla building latrines. It has been hard work and a good time to move forward with the people towards a good and single goal. Through this project the people of La Muralla have witnessed the love of God through each other and through us who are working with them. During the last week of February a group of ten friends from Minnesota, who raised the funds for the latrines, came and lived in the community for six days. They helped us build the outhouses, had meetings with the children, and community meetings in the afternoons where we spoke about Jesus. We also provided dentristy services to anyone in the community. Pablo, a leader in the community, said that they had never had a group of people stay in their community to be with them and to work along side of them. I believe that God revealed himself through us, the person named Immanuel, which means "God with us." Pray with us that the people of La Muralla would hear God's call to them, turn to him and by faith walk the new life through Christ.

Duani

Do you remember what I wrote last month about the young man named Duani?
God has allowed our path to cross with an eighteen-year old young man named Duani. Duani was a bright hopeful of IER but struggled to focus his efforts. His behavior became more and more disruptive until he had to be expelled for drug and alcohol use. To make a long story short, Duani has spiraled into deeper depths of darkness until he now steals to support his cocaine addiction. He has stolen from us various times over the last year and I have confronted him face to face. This month he broke in and stole items from the Gordon College students and Tim English and I had a long direct talk with him about the consequences of his actions. Duani knows the truth of God's love inside. He has witnessed it from myself and others. But he has suppressed the truth with cold, hard, dark bitterness, unforgiveness and unleashed anger. Please pray for Duani to repent and give in to God's mercy. If he continues in his current path he will not live long.
In February Duani came to us asking for work. After speaking to him openly of his destroying the trust between us and his need to seek restoration of that trust if we were to be true friends, I offered him work on a week by week basis. For two weeks he worked hard, treated us respectfully and seemed to enjoy the new direction in his life. We enjoyed his humor and intellect, although continued to see footholds of darkness in his soul. But last week the campus was broken into again. Several items were stolen including our notebook computer. After the police made an investigation most of the evidence pointed to Duani, and so they arrested and held him in jail for twenty-four hours. Afterwards we spoke with Duani and urged him to return to the path of life found in Jesus. We are all sad for this turn of events but please continue to pray with us for Duani's surrender to God's love. Pray for us that we would follow God's leading with wisdom and love in further relationship with Duani.

The English Family

We enjoyed the return of Tim, Jenny, Cara, Emma, Jether, Linea, Joel and Philip English for the months of December and January. The English family made it possible for Allison to visit friends and family in December by carrying on the various outreaches of love here. They also were a significant part of the staff in hosting the Gordon College class. Tim, Jenny and all, thank you for your love for Jesus and the way you loved him here by serving and with joy. God blessed so many of us through you.

IER Begins their 8th School Year

Instituto El Rey (IER) began its eighth school year at the beginning of February with about 170 students. Please pray for administrators Earl and Sharon Washburn, Principal Ester Ramirez, the rest of the teachers and the students that they would grow in knowledge, faith and love through the knowledge of Christ.

Discipleship Group

We have also begun meetings with the Discipleship Group. Carla, Jensi, Lilian, Eric and Levi will continue meeting with us even though they are attending University or working in La Ceiba (Eric). Allison and I want to love God so fully and listen to him so that our lives, attitudes and words will lead the group to Jesus. Pray for spiritual, emotional and mental transformation.

Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and your support of all kinds. It is a privilege to represent Jesus among the people of Honduras with and by your involvement. Thank you.

Praise the Lord for:
1. his faithfulness to include us in his life and draw us to rest in his love
2. the good news that was proclaimed in La Muralla through the latrines project
3. Jonathan Zoba's enthusiasm for the kingdom of God and help in the work
4. the opportunity for the Discipleship Group to keep seeking the kingdom together

Pray to the Lord for:
1. his Holy Spirit to guide Allison and I as we continue to prepare for our wedding and marriage
2. God's kingdom to come among the people of La Muralla
3. the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of the Discipleship Group youth
4. work in Duani's heart and the youth of this area as we love them with Christ's love

to know and love Jesus,

Larry

"Love never fails."