2025 Q3

Our third quarter started off slow but we are thankful!  We had just returned from a visit in the states and most of our missionary friends that we help were in the states or heading out to the states.  Summertime is the best time for missionaries to visit family, churches and to travel.  Still there was work to be done in Honduras. We were able to catch up on a few things from the time we were gone; cleaning the yard & house, sorting supplies we brought back and dividing it for distribution, catching up on emails, paying bills for the month, checking in with our friends and getting some rest. God understands when we are tired and does provide time for rest. 

A couple of years ago the street light by our house burned out.  Our landlord, Christobal, talked with the electric company several times trying to get them to fix it; to no avail.  Finally, after all this time the person at the electric company told our landlord that they would not repair the street light so we would have to do that ourself. A bulb was bought and an electrician with a tall ladder was hired to replace the bulb. He climbed the pole with spiked shoes and a safety belt.  When he reached the top, he replaced the bulb…but it blew immediately. So, Christobal took off to the store to buy a replacement light fixture & bulb, he returned quickly and the repairman had it installed in no time.  Believe me this was a good thing because when it gets dark here, it is dark.  Many of our neighbors were thankful because they walk home at night so the light made a big difference. Our hope never failed and we did and still do rejoice that we have a street light!

During this time, we also helped several friends get to and from the airport. The airports are in the bigger cities so we enjoy our visit there by going to buy groceries that we do not have in our small town. Also, we get to eat at Burger King, Gene’s favorite hamburger place. It’s a nice change from our norm.

For the 4^th of July we missionaries gathered to celebrate the birth of our home country, the land that we love, USA. We had hot dogs, chips, delicious desserts and lots of fun talking. It was encouraging to share stories and dreams and just be together.

Team Solheim

This is a very good team and a great ministry we get to be a part of! Kelly & Steve, the leaders, went to the states for a couple of months to raise support and visit friends, family and churches but left Club Aslan in good hands with Sandra and her volunteers! The Saturday teen club continued on and we were able to assist with transportation and programs they had planned.  We praise God for the hope, joy and peace that is being developed in these young teens.  They are stepping up by asking questions about God, taking on leadership roles among their peers, some even teach some lessons at club. This is a blessing from God since at the beginning many would not even look you in the face and they didn’t know it was a good thing to help others. Please continue praying for these teens, that they will have a future and a hope!

A new Church in process.

Our friends Steve and Raquel went back to the states because he got very sick. Praise God he is well now and back in Honduras. They began building a church in a small community on the outskirts of La Esperanza. With the walls up and the roof on they had to leave.  We were able to help by keeping a check on the church and property while they were away, praise God there were no problems.  They are back now and the windows & doors are being put in. Soon that neighborhood will have a church to attend. We believe this church will open doors for many souls to find Christ and the hope of heaven.

Hospital

Our friend Sharon returned from the states and we visited a lady that she knows in a small village.  She was told that she has cancer but they were not sure what type of cancer. We have prayed with her and let her know that God loves her, he will forgive her and heal her. The doctors gave her no hope but we assured her that she can have hope in Christ! She did accept Christ as her savior and we are believing that she is healed and will be home with her family soon. Join us in prayer for Gloria.

Sharon and we are continuing our hospital visits to the children’s ward.  We had been going for several months but had not seen or heard many positive results from our visits. This did not deter us from going but I had a question for God, “Is it your will for us to visit the hospital? If you have something else for us to do, we will go in another direction, please let me know.” We went on a Friday and prayed for each child; many were there with respiratory issues. Sharon decided to go back later that afternoon and take some blankets for those who didn’t have one. The hospital does not provide flat sheets & blankets to cover up with; the family has to bring them. Many families that only have 1 or 2 blankets cannot take the covers from the other children so they may only have a sweater or jacket for the child to use as cover.  Well, when Sharon went back to take the blankets, one of the little girls that was motionless with a fever, that morning, was sitting up smiling, talking and playing. Glory to God, that was my answer! God heard and answered our prayer for this little girl!

Over the past few weeks, we have heard reports of other healings, miraculous healings.  In another area of Honduras four 13-year-old girls were challenged to drink poison and they did. 3 of them died. The 4th girl was brought many miles to the “free” (government) hospital in La Esperanza with very little hope of living. Her mother is a Christian and just wept as she told us the story but we know that the mothers’ prayers guarded her daughter and she was still alive. We talked with the head nurse who told us her lungs were solid black it was a hopeless case, but God didn’t think so. In a short time, we received a video of this girl standing in front of her school assembly singing!  Glory to God! Never give up on your children, pray and then pray some more. Joy comes in the morning!

Amor Que Redime

Our church did not meet during the summer as Pastor Jon & family went to the states but services resumed in late August. It was good to gather together in our new church building and rejoice in the Lord. One lady & her son moved into their new house so several of us went to dedicate it to God. Another lady had surgery and is recovering quickly. One man lost his job but we are believing with him for a better job. Our church is one big family and we bear one another’s burdens.

We started planning our December outreach for a needy village by collecting warm clothes, blankets, toys and will purchase some food for distribution.  It IS more blessed to give than to receive.

A wonderful lady at our church was promoted to “nurse” for the school she works at. Since she did not have the training needed, they sent her to school on the weekends to become certified. She is smart & sweet with a perfect personality to be a nurse – she did it!  She graduated ready to take care of the basic things the children at school would need.  One of the student nurses last projects was to go to a very poor village and check blood pressures, distribute meds for colds & fevers, dress wounds and whatever else was needed. She called and asked if we had any of the Mana rice packs that she could take and distribute. Praise God we did have some and got them to her. Hope comes in many ways; a bandage, a pack of rice and a hug can make a person’s day and change a life!

La Esperanza Bible Study

Some of our missionary friends asked us about an Andrew Wommack video they watched. Andrew Wommack is the founder & director of Charis Bible College, the Bible college we attended.  This question led to an interesting conversation and developed into a Bible Study group meeting once a week with several of our missionary friends here in La Esperanza. We watch a short video then discuss it. This is so good; we are all learning and growing for ourselves and for those we lead and teach.

Prison Ministry

In our last newsletter we reported that the prison we have been ministering at for several years here in La Esperanza was closing. Praise God and thank you for your prayers, God has opened the doors for us to go to another prison about 30 minutes away to speak to and encourage the men and women there! We met with the director, completed all of the background checks and paperwork and were approved.  We will begin this mission in a few days so please be in prayer for us. There may be a few prisoners there from the prison in La Esperanza that was closed down. We are excited for this opportunity!  Spreading the hope for true freedom.

TM2L

Teach Me 2 Love Academy School was out for the summer while Jon, Alicia & Austin went to the states to raise finances, visit family and spend time with their son who is now a junior in college. He was able to travel with them and assist in the driving! The TM2L kids really missed school, several of them made calls just to talk with Mr. & Ms., that is names the kids use for Jon & Alicia. School started in September.  Once school was back in session everyone was excited.  There are now 14 students learning and growing together.  There is great hope for these children! In just a few weeks some have already begun speaking words, sitting still and working on their own and they all bring so much joy each day.

Laguna Erendique school & family

Our friends John & Elizabeth gave us a call one day asking for our assistance. She had been contacted by a friend asking for help for a family of 22, living together in a small house, and for the local school. This was located in Laguna Erendique about 1-2 hours away. Elizabeth gathered clothes, food, a water purifier, toys, and other items and committed to go. The school was small but the children were sweet and had a song ready to sing for us. They were very well behaved and listened to a Bible story, played games and had a fun time.

We drove a little further down the road to the family home, it was down a big hill so they walked up to meet us. Grandmother, grandfather, mom and her sisters and lots of kids.  It was a joy to give out toys, food, shoes and even a baby carriage. They were all so sweet and thankful! The gospel was presented and we all prayed together.  The word was planted, hope was given and all the glory belongs to God!

Dia de Niño

Celebration time for all the children of Honduras! This is a day to let kids be kids; there are parties, gifts, pinatas filled with candy, cake and more. This time is much like Christmas in the states.  We joined with several of our missionary friends taking joy to several schools in the area.

Elizabeth took a bus and stayed a couple of days in one of the larger cities about 3 hours away purchasing toys, candy, cookies, pinatas and more because prices are much cheaper there. We drove down and brought her and all her purchases back. On another day we met and wrapped the gifts, stuffed bags with candy & balloons and prepared for Children’s Day.  Heart of the King was able to go to 3 of the 4 schools and be a part of the fun.  Oh yes, there was Chinese rice, Kool-Aid and cake for all, many of the moms were in attendance along with teachers and school staff. 

A mission group from La Ceiba Honduras with a few people from the states came and presented the gospel story, had games ready and presented each child their own Bible. Several hundred children received Bibles throughout this week, praise God. Since most children here do not own a book of any kind, not even school books, the Bible was a treasure!  Our prayer is that as they read the Bible the Spirit of God will guide and teach them more about God. Hope is alive in Honduras!

HFMM Retreat

We ended this quarter with a missionary retreat.  We are members of HFMM, Honduras Fellowship of Missionaries and Ministries. With about 1000 members, counting children, this group exists to assist in all that we need to know about Honduran laws, getting residency, finding items needed or wanted within the country, connecting people and more while serving and focusing on sharing God with others. This retreat was held at a resort on the beach with a focus on relaxing, fellowship, eating good food and worshipping God. HFMM holds 2 of these conferences a year, this one had an attendance of around 250 missionaries and children from all over the country. Three days of letting go and being refreshed. We met new friends from several other cities, reacquainted with old friends and had a great time.  We are now back in La Esperanza fired up and ready to server our Lord.

Elections will be in November for Honduras, all offices. We are praying for the right people to be elected into office, those who will honor God and put the needs of the people first. Is there such a person running for these offices? We have not heard of one but we know God can change a life and change a heart for the good of the country and the glory of God.

There is so much more but we will stop here. With all our heart we say thank you for allowing us to be here.  Your prayers and support keep us going and growing in His grace.

We love you,
Gene and Robin Willis
Heart of the King Ministries
La Esperanza Honduras

Just to let you know, 100% of what you give goes to helping others; Hondurans, fellow missionaries and churches here.  We had good lives and great jobs in the states and were very blessed.  Our personal needs are covered with personal funds and we are very thankful for God’s blessings!

Acts 20 ³³ “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. ³⁴ You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. ³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”