Greeting from Honduras
hola, ¿Cómo está usted? (Hello, How are you?) Esperamos que usted bien (We hope you are well), nosotros está bien (we are fine).
We’ve had a busy time since we last wrote you. September was the end of our first quarter, summer term, of language school. September was also the end of our tourist visa permit. When we entered Honduras on July 3 we received a stamp in our passport giving us permission to stay in the country legally for 90 days. To get a new tourist visa we had to leave the country for 72 hours before the 90 days was up and then come back in with a new stamp in our passport. Fortunately we had a week break at the end of the summer term so that we could leave and get back without missing any school time! Unfortunately, Honduras has an agreement with all of the countries touching its borders. Because of this we cannot go to any of those countries for visa renewal. So, for our short stay out of the country, we flew to the closest island, Grand Cayman (just a little over an hour flight). We were out and back in exactly 73 hours. God is so good, things worked out perfectly. It was a time of much needed rest, a walk on the beach, good food and lots of sleep.
When we arrived back in Honduras we spent a few days with missionary friends in La Ceiba, Honduras. We were able to help minister to the children there and also help with some “end of the summer” cleanup work at the campus. It is called work but when we are working for the Lord it is a joy. We made it back to our apartment with a few days left to rest and prepare to return to school.
Back in the books on Monday as we continue to learn new words and are now asking and answering questions in Spanish and carrying on short conversations. We are now here for school until December when we will return to US for Christmas with family and friends.
On the next Saturday we attended El Festival de Flores (Festival of flowers). There were cultural dances and music most of the day. Vendors were selling food and crafts all around the town square and in the park. In the afternoon there was a parade with women dressed in flower covered dresses, floats decorated in tropical flowers, marching bands, men on stilts and wheelbarrows of colorful flowers being pushed down the road, it was a very beautiful parade. The days event was capped off by releasing 1000’s of balloon lanterns made out of bags with a candle inside. After the candles were lit the heated air lifted them up into the night’s sky. It was an amazing sight. This is symbolic of worries and cares floating away. These cultural events show the closeness of the families here and the love they have for their heritage as they pass it on to the next generation.
As part of our language school, we receive a personal counseling session each quarter with an American pastor/counselor who lives near the school. Since most students don’t understand enough Spanish to attend church and understand the full teachings, it is important to have someone to talk with and to remind you to keep your focus on God. We students are now very fortunate to have internet and most of us “live stream”
services on Sundays, not the same as being there but a great way for us to hear the Word and stay close to God. We also have a Tuesday night dinner and Bible study at the School, our focus for now is the book of Romans. Our directors know the importance of helping students in all areas of life here in Honduras so that we can serve God with excellence. We are very blessed to be at The Spanish Institute of Honduras.
This November is a very important month for us, we are seeking the Lord for specific and detailed directions for the next step in our lives. We have been following His leading over the years, poco a poco (little by little) and it is our desire to continue following Him. We feel God is faithfully preparing us for a great future and we want to be obedient.
With our six months of language school ending in December, we want to ask you to pray with us to hear His specific directions. We plan to come to the states for Christmas and will need to make plans for next year at that time.
We appreciate your prayers and support as we study and continue to adjust to living in Honduras. We are in need of additional funds to cover our December tuition. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We have about two more months of school before Christmas. If you feel lead to help support us financially, all
gifts are tax deductible and should be mailed to:
Heart of the King Ministries, P.O Box 4018, Woodland Park, CO. 80866-4018
Checks should be made payable to Heart of the King Ministries.
If you would like to use a credit or debit card or your PayPal account, PayPal is available on our website at this link (https://heartoftheking.org/donations-multi-currency/).
Click this LINK to view our Honduras language school photo gallery (newer photos appear toward the bottom of the gallery). We will continue to add photos to this gallery while we are attending school.
Blessings
Gene & Robin Willis
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