Mario

In Honduras over the weekend I saw our God in action!
Imagine if you can living on a rock......not rocky soil but, a mountainside that is solid rock. If you were in a house (American style) then, it wouldn’t be too bad, but this was in Honduras and the living conditions were not anything like we are accustomed to.
Living on the rock was a little family – The family of Mario, his wife & their three beautiful children. The Mario family had a shelter that was three sided – it had a stick frame and was covered in plastic sheeting. The cover for the front of the “house” was a blanket. Inside was the rock floor, an old thin mattress, a couple of extra pieces of clothing, not much else. The obvious missing element for life was food – this family had absolutely no food.
I was able to see all of this because I was there on the day that Mario and his family were getting a new house. Mario had somehow met someone from the Tupelo, MS TORCH team and told them about his current bad situation. Mario needed a house NOW because if he couldn’t improve the living situation for his children, the government was going to come and take them away. I think that it was on Thursday that he told the Mississippi folks about his situation and he only had until Tuesday to get a new house. Mario had been making adobe blocks for about two months with plans to build his own place. Since Mario owned basically nothing, he was able to only make one or two adobe blocks a day and at that rate, it might be a year for him to get the one room house built. Mario’s situation became desperate when he was told that he didn’t have a year to provide shelter for his kids – he was down to days.
Well, Mario prayed and our God delivered! He used the arms and legs of the TORCH team form Tupelo to answer Mario’s prayers. Mario got a house and his kids can stay with the family.
The really cool thing about this is that Mario knew exactly who delivered his house and he gave credit to our God for bringing he & his family a new place to live.

A Month Away

This morning we are waking to a hot day - at least here in Memphis. The predicted high temp in Memphis is 97 and I gotta tell you, that isn't a dry heat! 97 degrees in Memphis, TN is as hot as you ever want to be. I'm just happy that I'm able to adjust the a/c setting down to 72 and stay comfortable - because comfort is what it's all about isn't it? Well.....isn't it?
I guess it really depends on how you choose to look at it. If making others comfortable is what you are thinking - then you are on the right track.
As we spend this last month preparing our hearts to serve the people of Honduras, I'd like to tell you a story of what happened a few years ago. A story that still makes me tear up every time that I think about it.......
My first experience with TORCH was in 2001. My group was about 17 and we joined another 21 or 22 people from Florida and the experience was awesome. The next year, my group had grown to about 45 and that was the first year I really led a TORCH team. If you have been with me from the beginning, you all know that I place a very heavy emphasis on raising money for benevolence - my experience in 2002 is the reason why.
In 2002, we were not any different than any other TORCH team, we built houses, packed food, taught VBS, worked in hospitals & orphanages, and took the good news of Jesus to people on the mountain. One thing that was different though was the fact that we used all of our house building money in about 6 days. Our little team had built a record number of houses but, that didn't change the fact that we had no mas dinero por nuevo casas (no more money for new houses). Well, it seems that everybody on our team wanted to go back into an area where we had built a lot of houses that year - to say good-by to the friends that they had made on the mountain. While we were on the mountain, a young woman came to me and she was holding her 8 or 10 day old baby. She asked me to help her buy milk for the baby - I agreed and we walked together to the pulperia (a neighborhood market). I bought milk and some food for her and told her that I would help her carry the load to her house. When we arrived at her house, I saw that it was built on the slope of the mountain - because of that, there was an open space under the house. I noticed a mattress and other things in the area under the house and that is when this young woman told me that her home was the space under the house. She lived there with her 10 day old baby and her 2 year old.
I cried. There was nothing that I could do because I was out of money for a house. I left the mountain that day haunted by the fact that a mother and her 10 day old baby and her 2 year old were left to live in conditions that we wouldn't allow a dog to live in. I made a promise to myself that I would never be on the mountain without the resources to build a house.
We have remained true to that promise!
Remember, this mission isn't about you. It isn't about making yourself feel good - because you went out to help somebody. It is about serving Jesus through serving others. It is about being his hands and his feet. It is about bringing glory to the God we serve.
Get ready for a great day in Honduras!

Pray!

Many of you are going to be so far out of your element in Honduras that it would be impossible to describe the sights, smells, and the atmosphere of the extremes that you will encounter. Even if you have been to other third world countries, you won’t understand what you are about to encounter until you are there. You will be blessed more than you can imagine as you work for Jesus in a land that doesn’t seem to have much hope. You will discover that even in this land, there is much hope, but the hopes are different that those that we’ve become accustomed to. You will meet a people that are happy with simple things and that don’t have an attitude that life owes them something. They will be very grateful for the work that you are doing – even if it is for their neighbor. They will recognize that the service that you are doing is form God and they will give God praise for what you are doing. We need to remember that everything we do is for the glory of our Savior and every person we serve is really Jesus himself. He said so in Matthew 25.
It is very important in the weeks leading up to our work together that we focus daily on a period of prayer – specifically for our work. Following is a daily prayer list that is certainly not the totality of what we should be praying for – but, just a starting point. Share this list with your friends & family so that they can pray for our work with us.
June 13 – The rainy season is in full force right now. Pray that the poor people living on the mountain can find a dry place to sleep.
June 14 – There are hungry children in Nuevo Oriental that will wake up with nothing for their stomachs today. Pray that they will be filled.
June 15 – There is a sick child in the poor hospital – Hospital Esquala. This baby is hurting and alone because the mom has many other children to care for and no one to care for them. Pray that Jesus will comfort this child.
June 16 – Karen & Jen are missionaries working at Casa de Esperanza – the House of Hope – a new children’s home. Thank God for them and pray that He will uplift them.
June 17 – Pray for God to soften hearts for hearing his word.
June 18 – Noel Aragon & his wife live & work in Santa Ana. Noel is the preacher in a new church there. Pray that the seeds that he sows will be on fertile soil.
June 19 – Pray for the Tupelo group traveling to Honduras today.
June 20 – We are 30 days from leaving. Pray that God will pour out blessing on us and provide the resources that we will need to do the work that he has planned for us.
June 21 - Pray for Mark & Joe as they provide assistance to our teams.
June 22 – Today there are people in areas that we will work that are praying for a new house. Pray that we will be God’s tools in answering their prayers.
June 23 – Pray for the Mi Esperanza program that trains women in the skills they need to get a job and support their kids.
June 24 – Pray for the children that are left alone on the mountain while their parents work or look for food.
June 25 – Pray that there will be clean water for the people on the mountain.
June 26 – Pray that our eyes will be opened to the needs of the world around us.
June 27 – Pray that God will be glorified by the work of our team.
June 28 – Pray that our evangelical team will be ready.
June 29 – Pray for the children at the Special Needs Orphanage.
June 30 – This morning there are more than 50 people going through the garbage at the Tegucigalpa dump looking for food. Pray that they will be fed.
July 1 – Pray that water trucks can get into the community of Los Pinos. Sometimes the roads are washed out and the people have no water for weeks.
July 2 – Pray that Casa de Esperanza will be a place of refuge for children.
July 3 – Pray that God will send workers year round and that we will learn to become year-round servants.
July 4 – Pray for the USA. Pray that we will be a Godly nation.
July 5 – Pray specifically for everyone you know that is going to be on our team. Pray for them by name.
July 6 – Ask our God to help all of us to get “out of our comfort zone”.
July 7 – Pray for the churches in Mololoa, Los Pinos, Santa Ana, Nuevo Oriental, Valle de Angels – all are plants that are less than 5 years old.
July 8 – Pray for the kids on the mountain that are infected with some sort of parasite. (FYI, every kid on the mountain has some sort of parasite – it comes from bad water)
July 9 – Pray for unity on our team.
July 10 – Pray for the students at Baxter Institute in Tegucigalpa. They are dedicating their lives to becoming ministers.
July 11 - Pray for the children at Good Shepherd & Jimmy Hughes children’s homes.
July 12 – Pray for the Baxter students that are teaching in the prison ministry program.
July 13 – Pray that we will follow when God reveals his will for us.
July 14 – Ask God to provide food for the hungry of Honduras.
July 15 – Thank our God for using us to answer prayers. Ask him to help us remember who our Father is as we work.
July 16 – Ask our God for strength to do more than we can imagine.
July 17 – Ask God to help us to all remember the feelings of the people that we are going to serve. Help us to be the hands & the feet of Jesus.
July 18 – Ask God to help us to leave our worries behind and to focus entirely on the work before us.
July 19 – Today I thank God for mom & dad Tindall. They were new parents 50 years ago today (me). I will pray for them as they prepare to travel & work with our team in Honduras.
July 20 – Pray for the safety of our team.
Feel free to add your own prayer request to the comment section of this report.
I’m looking forward to great days in Honduras!
Marc

June Planning

Everything is shaping up for an outstanding mission. Here we are - just a little over a month away from our departure. We will be a little over 60 strong and our plans will include working with children's homes in several areas. We will be working on the completion of a playground at the Jimmy Hughes home, painting at the new Casa de Esperanza home, and having a pizza party at another home. We'll be working with the new church in Santa Ana - where we will also build some houses. There will be a couple of days of dental clinics and daily teams at Hospital Esquala. There are plans to build at least 15 houses and more if we can. There will be great periods of devotion, and smiles & tears of joy. You will meet some of the best people that you can imagine and it is likely that your heart will be broken by what you see and from thinking about the conditions of the people that you are going to serve.
Get your stuff together and start stashing away a few goods that will be well used by the families that we will be working with. Go to the dollar store and buy aspirin, generic tylenol, and generic advil. We need children's chewable vitamins, antibiotic cream, anti-itch cream. You can get all of this at dollar tree and the people on the mountain will really appreciate it.
Pray every day for our mission and ask your friends and family to do that too.
Remember to ask God to bless us with the resources that we'll need to serve the people that have incredible needs. A house will cost $1,000 to build, we can box up food for 100 families for the same $1,000, we can buy a truck load of food for a children's home for about the same $1,000. You will be amazed at how people will welcome the opportunity to help others - all you gotta do is ask.
As always, please feel free to call or email any questions.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you.

LIst Of STUFF

List of Stuff
TORCH 2006

Following are a few of the things that everyone needs to bring.

· MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR PASSPORT! (Do not pack your passport in luggage to be checked)
· Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original.
· Bring a minimum of $75 to $100 spending money. Also, you’ll need to budget $30 for departure tax from Honduras. BRING YOUR MONEY IN $20 INCREMENTS!
· Church clothes - guys need slacks and a collared shirt, gals need a dress.
· Work gloves, hammer, hat(s), sunscreen, & shoes or boots for work.
· Snacks for lunches. Peanut butter, granola bars, & power bars all work well. Think portable & think about sharing.
· Be sure to bring your Bible & a notebook to keep a daily journal.
· Canteen, backpack, and knee length shorts, (no tank tops)
· Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Imedoium, & small first aid kit. Insect repellant , & (personal hygiene – ladies)
· pillow, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, & toiletries.
· Bags of hard candy to give to kids
· Camera & Film – digital is at your own risk!
· Maximum of 2 checked bags (50 pounds each) and 1 carry-on.
· NO WALKMAN/ CD PLAYERS / MP3/ I-Pod/ etc.
· No expensive jewelry & no hoop earrings.

BORGER, Texas

Last year the “Borger Girls” showed the rest of us how to get things done. (See the reports form July & August of 2005)
Well, I am happy to report that 4 of the 6 Borger Girls are returning and they are bringing another 8 people with them. I am excited about this because this is the church where I grew up. Borger, Texas is excited about missions and especially what TORCH is doing in Honduras.
I was able to be with my friends in Borger over the weekend as the church where I grew up was having an 80th anniversary reunion. It was really special to be with people that I haven’t seen in a very long time. I haven’t seen many of these folks in more than 20 years.
While I was in Borger I was able to meet with the team to talk about what to expect and to answer a few questions. The excitement there is contagious.
One more thing about the Borger Team that is going to make this year one of the best ever for me and my family – my mom & dad are going with us. Yep, Ma & Pa Tindall are gonna hop the plane to Hondo to build houses, feed the hungry, and to do the work that God planned for them before time began (Ephesians 2:10). This is awesome because both of my parents have been wonderful supporters and encouragers for this work and ministry for a long time. My mom is a champion of missions in Honduras and she is going to be amazed when she and dad get to see that their investment of time and money in a land that they have never seen is paying bigger dividends than they could have ever imagined. It is always a blast to go to Honduras to work with people that have never been there before but, working side by side with my parents, my wife, and my daughter will be the best ever. I can’t wait!
Looking forward to a great day (or 10) in Honduras!
Marc

Tic Toc

If you read the title of this post and think of a clock, well, you are pretty perceptive! The clock is ticking and time is running down to our Summer 2006 Mission.
Next Monday is May 1 and that is the due date for your airfare. As you all know, gas prices are through the roof and that means that the airlines are also looking for any way they can find to increase revenue - even if it means raising prices on a bunch of people going to Honduras to help others. If we are late in submitting our airfare to the airlines, they will gladly ask for and expect to get more money for our tickets.
I need everyone to understand this. You need to be putting a check for $650 in the mail to our TORCH address ...about NOW!
Have you forgotten the address? Not to worry your happy little self - here it is -
TORCH MISSIONS
7948 Winchester Rd
#308
Memphis, TN 38125-2311
There you have it. Airfare needs to be in the mail this week.
Thanks,
Marc

Early Reminders

Early Planning will make your Honduras experience much better. Today I’d like to give you a few tips on what to expect and what you should be doing to get ready for a great mission to Honduras.
1) We don’t run the airlines and that means we can’t guarantee that your luggage will follow you from the point where you check it to the airport in Honduras. Luggage almost always shows up on time but, I’d recommend that you bring a few essentials in your carry-on...just in case.
2) Speaking of carry-on luggage, a back-pack is an almost essential piece of equipment. If you don’t have a good one, I highly recommend getting one. I have seen some that are monsters with wheels and those just don’t work as well as the traditional ones designed to be carried on your back.
3) You still have plenty of time to learn a few words of Spanish before you leave. We will have interpreters but, the Hondurans would like to hear you stumble a few words in their own language......especially if you are from the south. There is nothing that can describe how funny it is to hear “donde esta el bano” with a southern accent.
4) While you are out and about, pick up some of the trial size Purel at the dollar store. This is really good stuff that can keep you from getting sick. Remember what your mama always told you about keeping your hands clean and away from your mouth and you are about 98% there on keeping the bad bugs away.
5) I’ll send a list of all the things that you’ll need so don’t worry too much about that. Just make sure that you are able to travel by keeping up with your passport and making sure it has at least 90 days of validity after our scheduled return of July 30th. You will not be allowed to leave if you don’t have the required days of a valid passport. This isn’t my rule, it is the airlines interpretation.
6) Are you working to raise some of the benevolent funds that we’ll need?
7) Try to find a English / Spanish version of the Bible.
8) Don’t plan to bring an I-Pod, a CD Player, a portable DVD, or any other distractions. We will sing together and I promise you won’t miss any of these things.
9) We will open a bank and keep your money safe while you are in Honduras.

As always, feel free to give me a call or an email any time that you have questions.
My email is marclt2003@yahoo.com and my cell is 901-598-0356.
Thanks,
Marc

Noel Aragon Update

Last week I posted this -
Noel Aragon
If you were in Honduras last summer - with this TORCH Team, you would have met my friend Noel Aragon. Noel was the guy in Santa Ana that was always smiling. He is the preacher in the new church that was planted in that community.Noel is married and has two beautiful children.This past week, Noel emailed to let me know of some difficulties that he and his family have encountered. They have a 2 year old daughter and over the Christmas holidays, she fell down a flight of stairs at the apartment complex where they live. She landed hard on her face and the initial consultation with Dr's made them think she would be okay - no eye or brain damage. Now, after almost 3 months, there appears to be continuing problems and the Dr's are thinking that little Karina has broken 3 bones in her face and will require surgery. We won't know till she is able to secure more scans and see's a couple more Doctor types.Noel doesn't have the money to pay for surgery and our TORCH Team is going to do whatever it takes to take care of this child. I will keep everyone posted on what is happening and will post some pictures of little Karina as soon as possible. In the mean time, pray for her healing.I am travelling to Honduras this week and will be scouting areas for our work this summer. Please keep me in your prayers as we are planning for our mission this summer.
Marc
Here is the update -
Karina was able to go to the Doctor on Monday of this week. I will hear back from Noel shortly and know if she is going to have surgery. It appears from seeing Karina this weekend that she has recovered well from her injury and we all need to pray that she will get a great report.

March Is Here

Well, March 1 has come and gone and that means two things - first, if you haven't sent an application, you are late. Let's get 'em in as soon as you can. If you plan to be a part of the July group and you haven't contacted me - DO IT NOW. The second thing that March means is that we are only 41/2 months away from our mission. WOW - this year is rapid!
Planning for this year is well under way and we - as usual are going to be right in the middle of some pretty amazing work. Our group will be a little smaller - about 75 or so - so we won't be going to 3 mountains at the same time but, that doesn't mean that the work will be any less rewarding. Our plans are to build - several houses as well as a Sunday School building in Santa Ana, we'll pack tons of food and distribute it to very hungry people, we'll be working in several days of medical clinics, the children's home- Casa de Esperanza will be open and we will have teams working there every day, Hospital Esquala will be part of our ministry, and every day we will send teams of people out to teach the Good News to the people in the communities where we are working.
I have had several questions about our work and how everything will be done - well, the best way to describe it is to outline a typical day -
We'll all get up to a beautiful morning- some of us have coffee about 6:00 and talk till breakfast at 7:00. At about 7:45 we meet for devotional and following that I make announcements about the ministry opportunities for the day. Most days we will have a construction crew that will be working on the Sunday School building and one person will be in charge of that. We'll probably average 2 houses per day and there will be crew leaders for those teams. We will have a VBS program and one or more evangelism teams. We'll send people to the hospital for ministry with the kids and we'll send a small team to Casa de Esperanza to work. There will be a food distribution team as well as medical teams. Once you know all the opportunities, you choose your work, meet up with your team leader and we all leave the mission house about 9:00 for our work. After a day of service, we all return to the mission house at about 6:00 for showers & dinner. At about 7:30 we have devotional and then we are off to bed so we can go & do it again the next day.
It always seems to come together.
If you are wondering about what shots to get - here is my answer - the most important shot is tetnis - make sure that you are up to date. Some folks get Hep A&B all good - if you plan to travel in your life, it wouldn't hurt to get those anyway. We have never encountered Maleria so I wouldn't go out and pay for those pills unless you just want to go and blow away extra money.
Please feel free to call or email anytime you have a question - and send your stuff to me ASAP.
(Pics of work from last year- the church in Santa Ana where we will build classrooms.)
Now that we are getting close, I will be updating this BLOG more often. Feel free to post comments and let everyone know about your plans, etc. Let's challenge each other to raise the bar. We all need to work together to raise the dollars that we will need to do the work that God has planned for our team. Never be afraid to ask people to join the team by supplying the funds to build a house, buy food, or send out a missionary.
Get ready for a great day in Honduras!
Marc

TORCH 2006

The time is here for moving beyond planning and taking action to be a part of TORCH 2006. As you know, we are big enough that we are taking 2 teams this summer. The first team will depart on June 20th and return on July 1 and the second team will be in Tegucigalpa from July 20 till July 30.
Each mission will continue the work of previous summers – building, feeding, healing, teaching, caring, loving, and growing. Jesus said to “Go and make disciples” and that is exactly what happens. You can find an application right here – on the December 1 post – it’s easy to cut & past to a word document and fill in the blanks. Attach your check and mail it as soon as possible. There are only going to be about 75 slots on the June trip so you will need to get your application to me as soon as you possibly can if you are going to go in June. The July trip will probably be more like 100 however, you can’t wait too long or you will be faced with the uncertainty of rising airfares. Get me an application before the end of February (with a deposit) and you can lock your trip in at $1250. Wait till March and I can’t promise you a fixed price.
Here is the payment timeline for June –
Applications & deposits due in my hands by February 28th.
Airfare of $650 due in my hands by May 1.
Balance due by June 1 – (including the $200 pledge for benevolent work)
The deadlines for July are the same except for the final payment & benevolent dollars – the July trip deadline for those are on July 1st.
All checks need to be made out to TORCH and mailed to the address on the application. Please understand that all payments are non-refundable – if you change your mind at the last moment – tough! The money is spent and we can’t get it back.
Get ready for “another great day in Honduras”
Marc

2006 Application

TORCH APPLICATION FORM ’06 Cost of trip is $1250.
TORCH MISSIONS
7949 Winchester #308
Memphis, TN 38125-2311
Choice TORCH trip Dates June 21-30____ OR July 21 – 30_____
Email address___________________
Name_________________________________ Date of Birth_____________ Age______
Street Address______________________________________________
Home Phone______________________
Cell Phone_____________________________
Social Security Number_______________________
Passport Number_______________________
City Issued_________________________
Date Issued____________________________
Expiration Date_____________________
Are you a Christian? Yes____ No_____
Name of Church you attend_________________________________________________
Address of Church you attend_______________________________________________
Male____ Female____ Adult____ Teen____ Child____ Single____ Married______
If married are husband and wife on the trip together?? Yes_____ No_____
Do you prefer staying with your spouse on the trip? Yes_____ Will Chaperone______
Adults occupation__________________________________________________
Students academic classification & name of school____________________________
Languages you speak__________________________________________________________
Foreign Countries you have visited______________________________________
Are you in good physical condition? Yes_____ No______
Are you taking prescription medication on a regular basis? Yes____ No_____
If yes, List medications and conditions being treated _________________________________________________________
Allergies___________________________________________________
Adult T shirt size Small_____ Medium_____ Large_____ XLarge ______ XXL_____
I have read and accept the conditions listed in the information section of the TORCH Program AND I commit to raising a minimum of $200 over and above the cost of the trip to support the benevolent work of my team.

___________________________ _______________________
Signature Date
IMPORTANT
Everyone traveling must fill out an application
This application is due February 1st & must be accompanied by:
$150 deposit
Spanish Parent consent form, signed and notorized
Copy of your passport
One Passport sized photo
Letter of recommendation for TORCH trip (if it is your first trip)
Essay: Why do you want to participate in this trip

November News

TORCH 2006 -
WOW , in a month we will be in 2006 and we will be counting down to the annual team(s) travels to Honduras. This year we will be travelling in two groups - one in late June and the other in late July. This part is pretty much a done deal and I will be getting applications out as soon as this week. I plan to post an applicaiton right here but, you can email me and I will attach a copy to your response - marclt2003@yahoo.com
Some of the details for 2006 -
Airfares are WAY up and that means that we do some things differently or make the price go way up. I have chosen the - do things differently side of the fence and that means that we can still have a very effective mission for about the same price as last year - about $1250. That will include all of your travel & most meals but, new for this year, it will not include Roatan. The time working in Tegucigalpa will be about 10 days. Going to Roatan would add at least $350 to that total and the needs are so great in Tegucigalpa that I (and I am sure that you too) would prefer to see those dollars spent on helping people with food and housing. s
So -
Another difference that you will see on your application is a comittment for raising money above the cost of just going to Honduras. I am asking 2006 applicants to committ to raising an additional $200 per person for the benevolent work that we will be doing. If you are part of a team or a group, your team will be making the committment together.
And -
Your application will need to be complete and in my hands by the end of February 2006. (an application won't be considered complete without a $125 non-refundable deposit)
If you are past the end of February with an application, you will be subject to the ever increasing airfare proce increases.
Right now I have the following reservations for the July group -
Memphis, TN - 40 seats
Dallas, TX - 25 Seats
St Louis, MO - 15 seats
Houston, TX - 10 Seats
Miami - 15 seats
I need to hear from Charlotte and to confirm that they want to be part of this team. Please let me know.
Please email or call me with any questions.
Thanks & Love,
marc

Construction Progress

One week makes a lot of difference! The walls are up and we are well on the way to really becoming the House of Hope for a bunch of kids that need some hope in their lives!
This photo was take on Saturday the 5th of November - big change from the previous picture.
Please continue to pray about the construction funds. We have made big strides in the past two weeks but, the fund is still about $17,000 short of the target.
Please consider becoming one of the team that has comitted to raising $1,000 or more.
(or just send a check)
marc
ps: TORCH applications will be out before the end of November!

Casa de Esperanza

Progress is rapid on Casa construction.
Please pray for the dollars to complete this project.
Here are construction pictures from Saturday the 29th -

An Open Letter

This is an open letter to everyone and anyone that has an interest in TORCH and the ongoing work that we all love.
Dear TORCH’ers,
I have been involved in TORCH for more than 5 years now and am more excited than ever about the work that God has planned for us. TORCH 2006 will be here before we know and we will be able to continue our work.
As we end 2005 and look ahead to 2006, I would ask all of you to examine where we have been and what we can personally do to make our work better. One area where I am convinced that we all need to apply more focus is really answered with a question – What happens in the communities where we work – after we leave?
Our whole team and our supporters focus hard to make our 2 weeks in Honduras one of the most incredibly productive 14 days of the year. Our productivity is blessed with an amazing harvest and we leave feeling great about what we were able to be a part of. Here is the dilemma that being so productive creates. We plant churches and we find preachers to work in those areas. We need missionaries on the ground in Honduras and we get wonderful people like Tim & Gena Hines and Joe Merrilat to devote their lives to this ministry. We build clinics and church buildings, we build children’s homes and all sorts of other great works – and all of this is wonderful and we are blessed to have been a part of it. We come home and we give reports to our sponsors and our home churches and we start planning for the next years work. On the surface all of this is great however, we need to think about what it takes to keep all of the work that we do in our 14 days – working for the other 351 that we are not in Honduras.
Quite frankly, we need your financial help every month.
We planted a church in Los Pinos 2 years ago and there are 4 men that are Baxter graduates working full time in that community. The Los Pinos church is now one of the strongest in all of Central America and we are not helping any of these men with their living expenses.
We planted a church in Santa Ana this summer and asked Noel from the Los Pinos team to move out to the community to work there and so far, we have only 50% of his needs covered. We still need another $200 per month for Noel.
Joe Merrilat needs a raise and we are short by about $300 per month on his support.
Tim & Gena could probably use a raise.
We are still not 100% funded for the construction of the children’s home and we are going to need monthly support for the kids that will live there.
We need you and your support.
Here is what I am asking everyone that reads this to do – pray & sacrifice.
Thanks & Love
marc

TORCH Update

Planning for 2006 is slightly stalled. Almost all of the TORCH and IRC leaders are involved in hurricane relief and there will be time to plan for TORCH when the clean-up from Katrina is in a little better shape.
There are teams of people heading to both New Orleans and to Gulfport almost every week and weekend and that will continue for the next couple of months. The needs are changing almost daily but, one thing will be constant for the next few months – help is needed! If anyone is interested in making the trip to either area, we can help you find work. Just give me a call or an email and I will make sure that you get a place to stay and a job to do.
I do not have any firm dates for our team – but, you can count on the last week of July as one of our times. He other team – yes, we will have 2 teams in 2006 will be in June or perhaps directly prior to the last trip. Either way, the trips will be about 9 days each and the cost should be in the $1150 to $1200 range – depending on where you will be coming from.
I will get applications posted to the blog before the end of October and we can go from there.
We have a group going down to the opening of Casa de Esperanza – opening on December 10th and you are welcome to join us – let me know and I’ll help you with reservations.
Keep on praying for the people hurt by Katrina and for our team members that are working for them.
marc

Casa de Esperanza Needs

List of Needs
Here is a list of needs for Casa de Esperanza. The plan is to load a container in mid November for shipment to Honduras.
We all need to encourage our donors to follow the “No Junk For Jesus” policy.
Washer & Dryer – This pretty much looks done
Deep Freeze (2)
Refrigerator (2)
Ice Maker
Twin Mattresses – tops only (20)
Baby Beds (2)
Computer Desk
Office Chair (2)
Twin Sheet Sets (20 to 30)
Towels & Wash Cloths (lots)
Tricycles (3 or 4)
Small Bicycles (3 or 4)
Microwave Oven (2)
It would be nice to have a Big Screen TV (anybody upgrading?)
Stereo
DVD Player
Cookware (Big pots & pans)
Deep Fryer
Sofas (good condition 2)
Room Size Rugs (2 or 3)
Blankets (20 to 30)
Dishes & Eating Ware

I will be adding to the list as we see needs.

TORCH 2006

It is really hard for my fingers to type 2006. That seems like it should be years away but, the simple fact is, we will be in 2006 in a short 125 or so days. That means that it is already time to begin thinking and planning for TORCH 2006!
We don’t yet have the trip dates for TORCH 2006 but, you can be assured that planning is already in full swing. The MS TORCH family has grown so much that one of two things must happen – we can stop the growth where we are and fix the number at somewhere between 150 and 170 or, we can divide and conquer. Personally, I like the idea of dividing.
SO –
My current plan is something like this –
I will plan to lead two 9 day trips in 2006. The trips will be sometime in June and we will keep our place for the second trip in late July. We will plan our arrivals in Honduras on a Friday and our departures on the second Sunday. The Roatan retreat will be an optional addition and will no longer be included in the cost of the trip.
Our 2006 cost will not be finalized until sometime in October however, I expect the total of the 9 day mission to be in the neighborhood of $1150 to $1200 per person. (It looks like airfares will be 4100 to $150 per person more than in 2005) In addition to airfares, we all see what the rapid rise in fuel cost has meant to our own budgets – our team alone spent almost $10,000 for bus and truck fuel when we were in Honduras.
Please feel free to share your comments here or email them to me at marclt2003@yahoo.com

PRAY!

I just had a call from my friend Les Ferguson. Les is the dad of my other good friend Cole and Les called to let me know of some of the difficulties that Cole has experienced since he returned home ffom Honduras.
Cole developed what was thought to be a case of the revenge in Honduras however, even with meds, the problem didn't go away so, he has been through several tests and now knows that he has contracted E-Coli. He is pretty sick and could use our prayers and our encouragenment.
Please feel free to use the comment section of the blog to send Cole messages of encouragement. I know that he will get every message and will like hearing from everyone.
Also, If you have a CD or DVD of all of your pictures and video, would you please burn a copy for me?
Please send copies to me at 124 Spyglass Ct., O'Fallon, IL 62269
Thanks & don't forget Cole!
Marc

Robin White's Comments

**** Reflections from Robin****

Hello Team!
Wow! We did it - we went to Honduras and are back and it almost seems like a dream to me!
I know there is so much that happened - oodles of fantastic memories were made; so many people were helped - physically and spiritually. We built houses! We played with lonely babies and children at orphanages. We prayed for and brought smiles to those children who were really sick at Hospital Escuela. We were a part of Bible studies that brought people to the Lord, not only in baptism but then also to a changed life of hope - of walking in the Light and then of Eternal Salvation!! How rich!! We got to witness weddings!! I loved making the cross necklaces with the children - boys and girls alike and well, women too, because each time it was telling a Bible story - The Story of Christ's Love! Thanks, Lowell, for once again buying those special gifts! And Jacob gave out lotsa cars - what a hit! And he made friends and friends and more friends!! And all you girlies -- what nice necklaces and bracelets you made for/with the children and beautiful pictures you colored, 'juntos' with the little ones. Kyrystal, you were so tough! Thanks for putting up with 'pee-pee' on the pant legs - not once but several times. Cuddling those babies was worth it, huh? And "my girls" thanks for looking out for 14 year old pregnant Jaimi and buying her groceries and just for loving her - you made a difference!! (you know that song "Let the Beauty of Jesus be seen in Me." ? well, you did! I saw Jesus and you were beautiful!) Ethan -- do I have it right? you have been a part of building 25 houses in Honduras?? You're the Man!! Also, Laurie fell down the steps in the rainy dark but, talk about attitude!! - bless your heart, girl, for being tough - those bruises were bad but you just kept on going and going, like that everready bunny! even with that rotten headcold! Jessi W., in spite of downright yuckiness with being sick, you were a leader and helper, thanks - again and again and again. Jessi Y., you're a 'roofer' girl! is that your new chosen profession? Honestly, isn't it soooo cool that you're helping keep the rain off those babies in the cold, dark nights? David, I saw you help nail down that floor, and you made some Honduran friends - great going!! Nancy, among other stuff, helping with that food assembly - what an awesome chore! (and it wasn't easy!) Allison tried to stay well and smiled even when she felt rotten - you done good, girl! Russ McC actually turned into a builder by the end of the 2 weeks - and before that, stayed soooo busy with evangelism! and my Lowell - forever the humble, hard-worker - was busy with whatever was given him to do...making kids smile, hammering, putting up lofts, fellowshipping with Hondurans and team members wherever he went...
I actually wouldn't change anything - even though I never knew from day to day how I would be used, I let God just kind of lead me and He always surprised me. At first I sometimes had to work on my attitude if it was something I wasn't expecting (which like was almost everyday) but then, after "sucking it up" and getting over my selfishness, I let God have His way and it was great! I am soooo glad I had exercised beforehand and been on vitamins and was ready because we never stopped! Yeah, echinecea and zinc! And I praise God for giving me the health and fortitude I had...
We had some "not so good happenings" too - so sorry for the several who got sick - Jessi White, Laurie, Allison and Nancy -- but Praise God! we had doctors with medicines available and that we had a comfortable campus if we had to stay out for a day (like about 20 + did various days, including our Allison) - but hey guys, you were in a safe place, there were real beds, water, showers, food, a roof over the heads, and plenty of people coming back within hours, includung 3 doctors with more meds if needed so, even staying behind you all were blessed... while allowing others to be out serving those who did not have doctors available normally, or their own roofs over their heads, or ever, ever water enough for showers, much less hot showers, or electricity, or beds - just pallets on the floor and the beds we built - they were wooden platforms! -- and never, ever enough food and some who had never been taught the gospel...Praise to God that there were those still able to go out and Praise God that they did!!
Well, everything wasn't perfect but it was Perfectly Amazing!!
My challenge to each of you is this: if you have to remember anything negative about our trip, write it down, take it to the Lord, and then tear up that paper in put it in the trash with the devil and his workings - don't give satan a stronghold in your hearts to ruin this trip - we had lessons on this already, but I challenge you to apply it!
There were so many Great things that we were privileged to be a part of and that is what should be coming out of our mouths and hearts - We saw so many terrific examples of servanthood during our time in Honduras. Now that we are home we need to bring the lessons home and bring them to life. Give up selfishness, crucify pride, allow yourself to be a servant where ever and whenever you are needed. Look for opportunities here in the states and allow God to use you up for Him!! We are soooo rich materially and spirtually, there is no room for "oh, woe is me!" Practice living positively - talk positive, walk positive, and treat others with honor. Work on being a part of those who make a choice to make a difference - that's what YOU have been a part of for the last two weeks and it was a God- thing!
I am soooo glad each of you were a part of the time there. I am moved and honored for having been a part of your team. Thanks!
I remain joyful
- Robin

Amazing

It is difficult to decsribe the amazing events of the past two weeks without becoming somewhat emotional. This family of workers was united in everything and the results can only be described as AMAZING....
CONSTRUCTION
Our God assembled a group of builders and....build they did! The final count of 35 houses included 31 from scratch and 4 that were completed for another mission team that was unable to finish the job before thay left the country. Our builders worked in Nuevo Oriental, Santa Ana, Valle de Angels, San Miguel, Via Nueva, & 21 de Octobre. Every home built was completed with lots of love in in the name of Jesus.
Our crews were led by many excellent & dedicated builders including Jim Kelly & his son Austin, Kyle Ferguson, Andrew Kurgenivitch, Mark Halbert, John Rogers, Paul Bennett, Caleb Yates, Ryan & Kirt Hunt, & others that I am sure that I have missed. Everyone agrees that the addition of floors is the best thing on the mountain since outhouses.
Our construction story wouldn't be complete without thanking my friend and brother Mark Connell. Mark's amazing love for putting roofs over the heads and floors under the feet of families that need them is just like mine. He worked tirelessly to make sure that we coule build every home that was humanly possible. Mark, I see Jesus in you every day (except for possibly the hair thing)
More Construction
The community of Santa Ana has a new church building and it was completed - from start to finish in a week. Simply amazing!
We celebrated communion on Sunday the 24th of July on a plot of land that was almost untouched and one week later we worshiped together in a new block building.
This amazing work was led by Don White and he was assisted by Aaron Hill, Andy Hill, Wally Sweedenburg, & Larry Allen. The family of builders looked at what appeared to be an impossible task and said that "With God, All things are possible"...and it was. The work was non stop and it was hard. It included moving 1000's of block, mixing 100's of loads of concrete, moving dirt, and sweat....lots of sweat.
Even more Construction!
The builders also moved dirt in the area of the new children's home and build sidewalks. They worked on rock walls and on block houses that are being build in the area of the new church building.
Food Distribution
Terri Tindall and her team of food packers did amazing work. This team packed more than 10 tons of food for the hungry. Probably closer to 25,000 poubnds of food was packed and distributed to hungry families.
There were a couple of people that turned out to be "professional" packers and they deserve to be thanked and recognized - Mary Sharky was a packing machine and she was joined by Nancy McCullough, Gayla Kenser, Sharen & Jenny Seldomridge, & many others.
Because of the hard work of the food team, we were able to feed about 1500 families.
Clinics & Medical Ministry
This year we were blessed to have Dr's Jason Kelly & Dan Kellum as well as Jim Lup a P.A.
This medical team completed 3 medical clinics and two dental clinisc and were able to treat over 900 people with medical needed ranging from surgery to remove a bullet that was lodged in a mans arm for more than a couple of years to a lady with elephantitus, to having to remove every tooth from the head of a woman. These men were joined by Esperanza Massana, Michelle Rachl, and several other translators that made communication work. Additionally, there were many clinic volunteers that mad the process work for the docs and the people being treated.
On a personal note, I'd like to thank our medical team for always being there for our team - especially for those that fell ill while serving in Honduras.
Evangelism
Amazing, the harvest was simply amazing!
Billy Ferguson & Cisco Vega have established a simple way to deliver the gospel to the people of Honduras and have been joined by several others including Les Ferguson, Wesley Thompson, Jeremy Stewart, David Kenser, John Palmer, Russ McCullough, Lowell White, and many others. Because these and others were willing to step out onto the mountai, there are now 54 new Christians and 2 new churches have been planted.
More than 30 in the community of Nuevo Oriental alone!
UPDATE on Los Pinos - we were able to visit the community of Los Pinos a couple of times and we are happy to report that the church that was planted in Los Pinos two years ago is continuing to grow. More than 120 adults and 12o children meet there every Sunday.
We are praying to see the same sort of results in Santa Ana and Nuevo Oriental.
Other Ministries -
We sent teams of workers to the public hospital every day to spend time playing and praying with the many children with needs. We also sent these teams of servents to several childrens homes and places like the Special Needs Orphanage. Our workers were blessed as much as any of the children that they came into contact with.
Gayla Kenser spent 3 days in Nuevo Oriental teaching a manacure class to 7 ladies from that community. On graduation day many of our ladies allowed the newly trained ladies to test their skills on them for a total of 30 Limpera (about 1.80 US). Each of the ladies earned close to $20 that day and many are going to be able to apply for jobs that they previously were not qualified to do.

As usual, our morning and evening times of devotional were amazing. The singing was the best ever and the thoughts that were shared were inspiring. Most of us weren't quite ready to come home and re-join the routines that we didn't miss.
I'd be remiss in closing this summary without letting all of you know how much we need to thank Tim & Gena & Joe for their unending work and love for making things happen. Nobody knows the amount of time that they put in to making TORCH Missions work. Tim, Gena, Joe, Dalton, & Dylan - We love you with the love of the Lord & we see Jesus in you every day!
Interns - you were all great and we love you too! Thanks!
Team.... Family, If you would like to share your thoughts on the blog, please email them to me at
marclt2003@yahoo.com and I'll post them. I will continue to post at least weekly on this spot as this is the best communication tool for letting you know about TORCH 2006.
It has been a Great Year In Honduras
Love all of ya'
Marc

Thursday

Our Teguc team was smaller today as we sent about 110 to Roatan. There were 35 of us that chose to stay and work. We spent most of our day in Nuevo Oriental working on houses and taking care of the many needs that were in front of us. We finished a new house for a new Christian named Noae and helped he and his family move in. He was so thankful for his new home - he gave all the credit to our God.
Our doc's were busy following up on people that they had seen earlier and also performed surgery on the mountain. There was a man that had a bullet lodged in his arm for several years and our doc's took the time to remove it.
The day closed with a young man in Nueva Oriental choosing to become a Christian. It was awesome!
God continues to bless us and we will send a summary by the end of the weekend.
Marc

Tuesday / Wednesday

First let me start by thanning my daughter Nicole for keeping all of you updated on the blog. There isn´t any way that I would have had the time to¨get er done¨these past two weeks.
Really cool stuff has been happening...Gayla Kenser has been teaching a class of 7 women the skill of manicure and they all graduated on Wednesday. They were all very excited to be a part of the class and we finished the class with the graduates offering manicures to our ladies for 30 limpera ... about 1.80 US. The ladies were way excited to earn dollars fo their own.
We have continued to build and over the past 2 days there have been about 7 new homes completed. We also built 2 new classroms for the school in Nueva Oriental.
There was a clinic in Los Pinos on Tuesday and over 200 were treated. Our Doc´s have been great and have worked hard.... both in the villages and here on the mission house campus. Thanks Jason Kelly and Jim Lup... you are both great.
Every day we have continued to send a team to Hospital Esquela and various childrens homes. We all see how blessed we are with the health care system in the USA and how much the new childrens home is needed.
This morning we sent a group of about 110 to Roatan for a retreat and we have about 35 here in Tegucigalpa that will continue to build and work. Those that are staying are making a big contribution to the work of building Casa de Esperanza... the new children´s home in Santa Ana. The money that would have gone to Roatan is now going to be used to help children.
We will update tomorrow and then have a summary on Sunday.
Thanks for reading and praying for our work.
We are continuing to have ¨great days in Honduras¨
Marc

Sunday and Monday

Yesterday was beuatiful. We were able to worship in three different places. A group went to worship in Los Pinos which has grown so much in the last two years since this church started. An old friend, Verjillio greeted us when we got there. He now lives in Copan, so this was a big surprise. The other groups worshiped in Nueva Oriental with the new Christians. Finally, a group worshiped at Santa Anna. This was neat because only one week ago, we worshiped here in the rain and had communion, but yesterday we worshiped in the building that the group built. About 65 people from the community joined us in worship. God is amazing.

Nueva Oriental... Today we had the opportunity to work on four houses that God had already sent groups to start on. Tomorrow we will finish these. One house was started and finished today. Everywhere we looked around we saw groups of people studying the Bible with small groups of Honduras. We now have 46 new family members in our Christian family. Praise God!! Many of the new Christians are so excited; they are telling everyone they know.

Also today in Nueva Oriental, we had a Mi Esperanza class that will last thru Wednesday to teach women of the community to give manacures and pedicures. This class was a great success today. There were 7 women in the class today, and they all were very eagar to learn.

The hospital crew had a very good day. They spent the morning at the hospital. Many of the kids enjoyed singing with the children. When they finished at the hospital, the group came to the Mi Esperanza. I'm sure everyone loved seeing first hand what this ministry is about.

Lastly, a group went to Santa Anna to work on the land. This land is going to be so important to so many people in Honduras. when we are all here next year, this place will not even resemble the same place that it is now. It will be so full of life. God is going to use this place in so many ways.

Its been another great day in Hoduras. Please pray for us.

This morning our devotional went a little longer tha planned because we had a prayer with thosegoing home today. Also, some of the people going home wanted to say a few words to the group. As soon as devotional ended, each of the five busses went to a different place.

The first bus went to the airport to take a group of about fifteen to go home today. This group included the Chaffin family who everyone hated to see leave because they were all such an asset this year to our evangelism program, Deborah and Jessica Pyle, Caitlyn Grimes, Dr. Dan the dentist from Tupelo, Nikki, Beverly, Earl, and Sarah Ardnt, Sarah's boyfriend Kenny, Denny Madux, Mark McCain, and Jen and Karen that will run the children's home that will open in December. Each of these people were an important asset to our team in their own way. We hate to see each these people have to leave, but I am confident that they will each find their way back here next year. Also, I am confidant that each of these people's lives have been touched immensely from the time that they did spend here.

After this bus dropped the group off at the airport, another group went to Santa Anna to work on the land. Amazingly the building that peopl will use to worship God in was built in one week. The most amazing thing is that last Sunday, the land still was not cleared for this area. There were still three trees in the area where the building is now.

Another bus went to a village that Torch groups have not worked in for several years. This was the village of San Mateo, and the group did a medical clinic there today. As we were telling people about the clinic, we came across a woman who was very ill and could not get up. The only way she could get the help she needed was to go to the hospital, but she and the family refused for her to go; therefore, she likely will die. Here in Mateo, Emily Mathes dressed as a circus clown as entertainment for the children in line for the clinic. I must say that she makes a very bonita clown.

A third bus went to a village called 21 de Octubre or in English it is October 21st. Here we built three houses, one of which was for our truck driver's mom. The house built for Will's mom was bjuilt in memory of Mary Beth Willis' grandmother and Rick Willis' mom. She died only 4 days before the group came, so we are all very thankful that Rick still came.

All of the houses were finished by 3:00, and so Mark Connell aided each group in building beds that are attached to the walls of the house. When we are able to build beds, it is a wonderful addition to the house.

A fourth bus went to Nueva Oriental to deliver food. The delivered about 200 boxes of food in this village. While they were there Billy and Cisco were busy evangelizing, and we had two more baptisms here. Unexpectedly, when our group got to this village, another group was already working there. It was Steve Davidson's group from Nashville, TN who is staying at Baxter Institute of preaching. They were building three houses there, so part of our group decided to help them and swing a few nails. God's family is so huge; it is amazing that no matter where we go, we can always come into contact with people that are in God's family. This bus later met up with the group in October 21.

The fifth bus left to go to the hospital and the blind school. Today we decided to go to a different state hospital, Hospital San Felipe, which is the oldest Hospital in Honduras. After the hospital we went to the blind school, which is one of my favorite parts of coming to Honduras. It is so amazing to watch the children who can't see anything play soccer or to help each other find their way around. One of the most wonderful parts about this place is when we are able to here them sing. It is like God has sent little angels down to earth so that we can enjoy some of his music. The day we visit the blind school is always very emotional. Very rarely does anyone leave here with dry eyes.

Finally, a small group met together at 2:30 for a graduation ceremony in Los Pinos. It was unexpected, so we all ended up being very underdressed. We were all dressed for work, and they were all dressed in their best. It was so good to see many of the people that we have gotten close to over the last three years. It was also neat to see that the church is such a part of the community that it's building held a high school graduation ceremony, and there was even a short sermon in it. What a blessing!

It has been another great day in Honduras. We only have three work days before the group goes to Roatan on Thursday, August 4. Pray for us for strength in the last lfew days.

Friday's Work

This day was at times trying on the emotions, and even a little frustrating, but as usual it was another great day!

This morning we sent a group to a village that has never seen gringos called Ciudad Espana. This is an area that the government paid about 1500 houses. The houses are nicer than many that we see in Honduras, but the people are equally poor. This appearence is very deceptive. There are many children that if they have shoes, they are mismatched. Many of the people have no food and no money to get food.

Yesterday, the group we sent to Ciudad Espana went for the purpose of surveying the work that needs to be reached. This community badly needs God in their life. Most of the people were very unreceptive to the evangelism of Billy and Cisco, but I pray that we will be able to reach this community in a big way. I hope that we can do more work in the community so that they can see what we are preaching in action. I think it would be absolutely amazing if a family moved into this community full time to reach this community. Also, in an effort to r each this community, we think that this would be a great opportunity for another Mi Esperanza training center so that we can help the women of this community.

After the group went to the community of Ciudad Espana, they went to Jimmy Hughe's children's home. One of the reasons that this is a children's home not an orphanage is because Jimmy does not want these kids to feel like they are abandoned, and that is the connotation that the word orphanage gives. Jimmy treats each person there equally, and they all love him and consider him a dad. This was one of the most emotional days that many people experienced. Jimmy is an ex-hitman that has become a Christian and has the love of Jesus and wants to give it to everyone else. He reminds all of the groups that it is their responsibility to tell everyone they ever come in contact with to tell about Jesus because we may be the only opportunity they ever have to hear about Jesus.

A different group today worked in a village that our TORCH group has not been to in many years. It is the village of Villa Nueva. Here they built two houses, and with the help and encouragement from Mark Connel, the entire group was finished with both houses and were on the bus by 4:00. This is a neat community because it is one of the only churches here where the preacher is not supported by anyone in the states. The church is growing all of the time, and it is not because of missionary groups that have come in; this happens because the people in their community are going and telling people about the love of God.

Yet another group spent the day in Santa Anna. No one who saw the land last Saturday would believe what this place looks like now. The building is almost finished, and after today, it will be ready to hold God's people. Also, there is now level land where Casa de Esperanza, the children's home will be.

A fourth group visited the children at the hospital. This team was led by Esperanza Massana, one of our translators. She has the most beuatiful heart of anyone I have ever met. She has been coming here to work with Torch groups for several years, and now she wants this to be part of her life forever. Praise God for what this ministry does to people's lives.

To this date, God has used this group in many ways. There are now 34 new Christian family members all over the city of Tegucigalpa. Many of this group of new Christians are the first in the communities, and this Sunday, they will have their first coorprate worship together. Many people have gotten houses this week, and many familys now have food. God is GREAT!! All the time!!!

It's been another great day!

One thing I forgot to mention in yesterday's post was that two couples in Nueva Oriental got married. Both couples had been living together for years, but never married. All of the people had become Christians this week and came to an understanding that not being married was wrong. Wesley Thompson performed his first wedding ceremony ever.

Today was wonderful. Every day this week, all five of the busses that it takes to transport our large group have left the gates of the Mission House before 9:00. We have so much to do every day, and there is no need to burn any more day light than we have to. I would love it if we could start work everyday by 7:00 every morning.

This morning we sent groups to Nueva Oriental, San Miguel, Santa Anna, the hospital, and a small group to the hospital.

Nueva Oriental... Today we sent only a small group of God's workers to Nueva Oriental. No houses were built here today; the group that went was there only for the reason of telling people about Jesus. This group included Billy Ferguson, Cisco Vega, Wesley Thompson, Michelle Rachjl, and David Kenser. Michelle has such a beautiful heart. She never wants anyone to go away without talking to them about the love of God. In the five years that I have known Michelle, I have seen her compassion not just for the people of Honduras, but for everyone she comes in contact with. She truly yearns that all people hear God's word. Five people were baptised today in a river about 20- 30 minutes away from tegucigalpa. Yesterday, a women decided be baptized, but was very scared to to get into one of the barrels to be baptized. When it was time to go to the river, 4 other people wanted to go to the river to be baptized as well, so they also went to the river. Josue, a Honduran that was baptized last year studied with several of these people, and was blessed with the experience of baptizing some of his friends. Two or three other people became Christians in Nueva Oriental. God is good, and he is really using his tools to bring people to know him.

San Miguel... We worked toaday in a village that has had a lot of damage from the rain. It has rained there every day this summer. At least 4 times this summer, the rain has forced the rocks to move and to change the landscape everytime.

Three houses were started and completed here today, and two of these three houses were destroyed completely by the heavy rains from this summer. The houses are up, and they are some of the most square house I have ever seen.

The evangelism team in San Miguel worked very hard today. It takes a lot of work to walk through the mountain of SanMiguel; it is very steep and very dangerous terrain. Rudy from Costa Rica and Claudia from Gulf Port, MS worked today as translat0rs with the evangelism team. There were no phisical results today, but I know that many seeds were planted.

Also today in San Miguel, a truckload of food was dellivered. It is always a blessing o see how a family is when they have received a small box of food. the church building just needs a floor and roof. Their group went to Santa Anna. the alls of the home, jusg gouns and voog.

At the hospital... Esperaza Mansana led a small grou to the hospital. After the group spent a couple houras at kids, they should go they went to the orphanage dirty. Everyone that spent their day up there toaday, and we are very blast by the things we ahve seen.

Tonight we were priviliged einough to have the women of Mi Esperanza over to present the progrem to the women. We also had a store for Mi Esperanza. This was a perfect way to end a day. Another great day.

Alive and Well

For all that heard about the bus wreck involving a group fromo Tupelo and New Albany, MS, please know that this was not anyone who is part of our group. Also know that all over Tegucigalpa as serparate groups found out about this cotastrophy, the various groups stopped whatever they were doiong to pray for those who are hurt and for the families of those that have died.

We accomplished a lot today, and God is definatetly using this group and making things into what he wants them to be.

Villa Gracia... A small group stayed here to assemble water filters that will be distributed around the communities in which we work.

Nueva Oriental... Three houses were finisthed, and the wood for the fourth house did not come today. Andrew Kurganevitch was a team leader for one f the housesm and he did an excelent job. Up the mountain, the group was hosting a carnival with tickets, prizes and games. We even had a cotton candy machine and they also made popcorn. Today, Billy left his tag team partner all alone today, but we people came to the realization that Billy has discipled others on how to give his Spanish lesson. 7 people in this village were baptized today, one of which (one was a gringo, and he was friends with her.

In Santa Anna... the crew working on the land did an awesome job on working on the house today. Nowi ti has three . There were one or two baptisms there as wel. The church site has about three walls up at the church site.

The hospital... This is always an emotional day. After the hospital,the group went to an orphanage. Tthey remember them as a great friend.
Its been another great day in HOnduras. Keep us in your prayers.

Another Day's work

Wow! was a lot accomplished for the Lord today. I don't even know where to begin writing about the wonderful events that happened today. There are so many stories that have affected each individual personally; it is absolutely impossible to write all of these stories. I hope that those stories are all shared with friends and family when the group goes home.

I will start with the fantastic eight. These eight stayed at the mission house and yet again packed food. They entertained each other today, and I had more fun than ever packing food. Oftentimes, people choose to pack food because they believe that it will be an easy or light day, but it as equally as hard as any other thing that one could choose to take part in. The group was entertained by the Wheelbarrow lady and her sidekick as well as Bouyon Boy. There are now 700 boxes of food ready to be delivered to the hungry people here. Today the food packaging group had a blast serving the Lord and getting to know one another better.

Nueva Oriental... Mark Connell led the team to victory as they accomplished the three houses that were left unfinished yesterday because we never got our wood. (Actually these were the three houses where the teams had only dug postholes for the corner posts.) God used Billy and Cisco today to do great things for him. Some other preachers from the states worked with them also. By God using these men, 3 people in Nueva Oriental are now our sisters in Christ.

Santa Anna... Lots of work happened here today. The foundation at the church is ready to be laid; there are footers and level ground today. We will need Cynthia White here to show those men how it is done. Also the land for the orphanage is cleared and ready for work. Can't you imagine how cute those precious children will be? Also on the land today, was another day of VBS. Everyone saw the love that Phyllis Chaffin and Marylin Hunt gave to the children. They spent much one-on-one time coloring with children. They even missed the water balloon fight that has become a highlight of the VBS. Everyone involved with all of the VBS teams has done a great job and spent much time planning.

The VBS crew had to move some cement tiles sometime during the day, and they were all touched by a little Honduran girl Estephania who spent the time helping. She could only move one tile at a time, but is was one tile at a time that the group did not have to move. She did this the whole time with a big smile on her face.

In a remote area near Santa Anna, 4 houses were worked on. They are all almost complete. Two of them are finished, and the others will not take very long to finish. Praise God that 7 families who didn't have a place to live in this morning do now.

In Ojojona... Ojojona is a neat community directly up the hill from our land in Santa Anna. Today we had our first clinic of the trip. Doctor Jason Kelly from O'fallon, IL and Dan the dentist manned this project. They saw about two hundred people in about 5 hours. This group probably saw things that they have not seen before. Many of the children have worms and diareah.

There also was a VBS and Bible study with the adults here today. No one showed up for the meeting at 1:00 or even at 1:30 today, but that is ok; the group did not let Satan get them discouraged. They studied with people that were in line for the clinic, and we have three new familie members in Christ now in Ojojona. That means today we recieved 6 familiy members. What an amazing reason to celebrate!!! In just two days we have 17 new Christian family members.

Les Ferguson told a story of Daisy Gonzoles. She asked him to put her in his prayers. She is a married mother of 5 who became a Christian today. She asked for prayers that God would help her not do things that are wrong, that she would flee from evil ways, and that her husband woul accept God when he hears about him on Wednesday.

Food distribution... The Krug girls, Claire Chessir, and Russel Shaw had more fun riding around in Marc's truck delivering food. They found out that Torch's delivery truck runs like a HumV when it went up to places that even Marc was unsure about. This group was Jesus to many people today as they delivered 125 boxes of food. One lady even told them that all of her thanks was to God for the food. She said that she knew it was from him because she prayed for it. Praise God that she knew the work we are doing is not from us.

The hospital team... This morning Anibal Tamacas otherwise known as AB led a team to the hospital of about 15 people. There were two girls in our group who spent the day playing with a girl with Tiburculosus. They had no worries of catching this; and when asked about why they were doing it, they said that the little girl needed God's love too. Also some of our younger crew members experienced the burn unit. This is always a heart-wrenching experience. The crew saw a baby with a hernia. Also there was a little girl there with a pole through her leg. The entire group had a very emotional day.

AB told me that the most heart warming fulfilling part of his day was the part of the day when this group went to the special needs orphanage. This is a place where kids that are severely retarded can be taken care of and loved. The group spent about 3 hours with the kids. He said that they were able to play soccer with them, and it was much fun watching them try. They also spent time on the new playground built for them in the spring by a Torch group. Everyone was very uplifted after spending time with these special people.

Much happened today. God is awesome! It was another great day.

Things don't always go as planned... welcome to honduras

I would like to begin with a side not to Cynthia White: I read your comments to your family, and Don, Andy, your dad, and Larry were able to go to Los Pinos on Sunday via truck. Also know that block laying is definately not the same without you here.

This morning we began at devo by presenting pink toolbelts to the six ladies from Borger, TX because of their hard work throughout the year for a mission that only one had ever experienced. These ladies were able to raise almost $10,000 to go towards benevolence. They also earned all of their money to pay for their expenses to get here. Great work ladies!

This morning we sent several groups in many directions. One group led by Terri Tindall stayed at the Mission House to spend the day packing food. Althogh this at first sounds like a very easy task, it is not. When food is packs beans, rice, sugar, and flour are carefully packaged from the huge bags that they are bought in into gallon sized ziplocks. Also in the food boxes things of spaghetti, tomato sauce, lard, some coffee, and most importantly, a Spanish bible. The contents of this box can typically feed a family here from anywhere between two weeks and a month. Tomorrow, several hundred families will have their prayers answered when Jesus sends people to them with a box of food.

At Nueva Oriental... Here all of the construction crews experienced one of those "Welcome to Honduras" kind of days. This expression is often stated when things don't go exactly as planned. The plan was to build four houses in this village today. Mark Connell and some of his interns arrived in the village early to find the sites that needed to be built. None of them were very easy to get to, and none of them were very close to the road in which the wood is delivered. Some people were surprised at where the sites were chosen, but if we didn't make the trek across the mountain to build these people's houses, then who would? The first load of wood arrived shortly after the group, so one group was able to move the wood and then get to work on this house. The people at the other three sites were all promised that a semi carrying enough wood to construct the other three houses. Sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 we found out that the man driving the truck drove the wood to the place where houses are supposed to be built tomorrow. In many circumstances, most people would become impatient and frusterated at the 2 and 1/2 hours they waited, but instead, we saw people on each house site getting to know others better, and taking time to play with and love on the children. Over the years I have learned here that losing my cool on a day like this does no good; I end up yelling at things that I cannot control, and nothing changes. It sure is nice to no that God is in control of everything. When we found out that the woo was not coming today, the three teams that had no wood loaded up on a bus to go to Santa Anna. So that they could get started on the houses that were supposed to be built tomorrow. Guess what? That did not happen.

While the construction, or should I say lack of construction, was happening, evangelim teams were all over the mountain. These groups scaled the mountain for hours telling people about the afternoon Bible study and also to tell peoplle about the VBS that was going to happen the same tie as the group study. The evangelism crew is led by Billy Ferguson and Cisco Vega. The VBS team is led by Paul Bennett. Paul was told that probably only 40 or so kids would be joining the VBS; however, closer to 140 kids showed up today. Fortuneatley, Paul and his crew rolled with the punches and handled the many extra chil . Throuout the day, 7 ladies in Nueva Orientasl decided to became Christians today.

Santa Anna... Here Don White headed up the crew to build the church building. This morning there was no back hoe, nor were there footers dug for the building. Yet again, welcome to Honduras. People here still found plenty of work to take part of today. All of the block needed for the church was moved to the church site. The side walk here was extended more. (Sidewalks here are going to wind through everything.) It looks absolutely beautiful. Dirt was hauled all day long, and cement was mixed for various projects.

In Santa Anna, a Bible study and a VBS also took place here today. I wish that everyone could have seen how intently the children were listening to the team toing the VBS; it was wonerful. Another group held a Bible study here too with a group of women. Three people were added into our family in Santa Anna today. Praise God!!!

Hospital Escuala... This group was led by Oscar Mansana, one of our translators from El Salvador. Here, many people were shared God through smiles, hugs, small gifts, and prayers. Days of visiting the hospital are always very emotional and heart breaking.

Everyone arrived back to the Mission House both exhausted and pumped for God. Tonight's devotional was led by Ray Wood, who gave testimony about his life and how he became a Christian. We all were touched by this and moved to tears.

As soon as devo ended, our own Holly from Vicksburg, MS told Kirt Hunt that the time had come. She was ready to be baptized into Christ. We all immediately gathered around the fountain in front of the girl's dorm What a perfect way to end the night. It's been another great day here in Honduras. Keep praying for us.

This morning we were able to get some much needed rest, and we did not have worship until 10:00. We were unable to worship with congregations in villages that we work in because the rains this summer have destroyed the roads and made it nearly impossible for our busses to pass. Instead, we worshiped with each other this morning at a beautiful overlook of a valley the mission house. David Kenser from Hot Springs, AR and Wesley Thompson from Starkville, MS each delivered a message. Soon after our time of praise ended, we piled up in the busses to go eat at an area with several American fast food restaurants.

While we were eating, Kirt Hunt, Oscar Masana, and Andrew Kurganevitch siezed an opportunity to wittness to a couple Honuran men. At the same time, several people in the group entertained some poor Honduran street kids by taking them in to the restaurants to get some food and spending time with them while they ate. Come to find out for of the boys (Suel, Danial, Josue, and Oscar) are from Los Pinos, a village that many Torch groups have worked in over the past two or three years.

After lunch, it was time for work. We headed to the village of Santa Anna. Here a large piece of land was bought in April. On this land there will be: sixteen families with new homes, a place for the church to worship, a full time free clinic, a police post, a Mi Esperanza Artisan center, a children's home that will be full of children who today are dirty, hungry and unloved. Within months, the walls of the chilren's home will be full of laughter and love.

We needed to get quite a bit of work done here today to prepare for the work that will happen over the next two weeks. We cleared the land for the the church building. Also, an assembly line was formed to move concrete blocks up to the church site. While this was happening, a group was moving wheel barrows of dirt down the hill so that cement can be made tomorrow.

While we were working, the last part of our group showed up (the ones that didn't come yesterday) When they joined us, we took a time for everyone to celebrate communion with each other and to celebrate our risen savior.

After we spent time in communion, the entire group headed to sthe area where the children's home will be built. Here the entire group gathered around Jen and Karen to pray. They have given up everything they know and all that is familiar to them to do a work here that they are in love with. They will work with the children's home and give an abundance of love to the children and teach them about Jesus. this was very heart-touching, and many eyes were tear-filled.

Tonight we planned to go to the Jesus Statue for our devotional, but as usual, things in Honduras change. Because of the rain today, we couldn't go to the Jesus statue. Instead we had worship at the mission house. Imagine our group of 171 along with plus about 20 others singing to God with everything they have. It was indeed another great day

commenting

If anyone would like to send a message to anyone in the group, post a comment by clicking in the post comment section, and put the first and last name of the person receiving the message in the first line of the comment space.

Here at last

The time many people thought would nnever get here is here at last. About 115 of the 175 people arrived safely in Tegucigalpa today. Unfortunately, two people from Hot Springs, AR did not make it in today like they planned. Gabriella and Steve Hogue were unable to make it in today, because they came into some problems with their visas. Pray that God works these problems out and that no one allows the many distractions satan is throwing around to not get them down. Also the group from Hot Springs did not make it with al of their baggage, so pray that all of it gets here soon.

After everyone arrived we went across the street from the airport to grab lunch. The whole group worked hard to make sure that they received no enslada (salad) on their hamburgers and no heilo (ice) in their drinks. If only they knew and understood that everything was ok to eat... Oh well! Better safe than sorry.

As soon as the food was gone and faces were wiped off the group packed like sardines into two of the busses in the TORCH fleet. At least we were only going up to Villa Garcia or what we call the Mission House. All of the newbies that had never experienced riding in Honduras were definately in for a treat unless they dislike rollercoasters. As soon as we arrived and settled in Billy Ferguson led a seminar for anyone interested in doing one-on-one evagelism while working here. At least very eager people attended this meeting. During the same time of the evangelism meeting, Paul Bennet had a time of planning with all of those that want to be involved in Vacation Bible School.

While the meetings were happening, a small group met Mark Connell and some TORCH interns in the village of Nueva Oriental so that they could learn how to put in a floor and how to make the house as square as possible. NO JUNK FOR JESUS!!! The floors are such an improvevment and immensely improve the quality of the TORCH houses. I hope that each person on this trip has the opportunity to put in a floor.

After the meetings were over and the construction crew had finished building, everyone was oriented to the rules and regulations of the trip. They also were told of some of the amazing things that God has in store for this trip.

Devotional tonight was exciting and inspiring. I always am encouraged when I hear so many people singing with everything they have to the one we love and serve. As usual we ended the day with the question "Where did you see Jesus today?" This is a question that causes people to think. Through the trip pray that our eyes are open and that we all meet Jesus face to face.

It was another great day in Honduras!!

The Time Has Arrived

Honduras Agenda

July 23 – August 6^th

July 23 – Arrivals 11:00 to 12:30
Clear customs / lunch and arrive at Mission House between 2:00 & 2:30
Work / Training
House Building – leaders travel to house site to learn how to install floors.
Food Distribution – pack out 2 loads of food
Evangelism Training – Billy to conduct class
Evangelism Training – VBS Planning
IRC Warehouse – Crew to straighten & clean up

Orientation

Devotional

Lights out 10:30

July 24^th – Arrivals 12:18
Breakfast 7:00 to 8:15

Two locations for worship – Los Pinos & San Miguel – depart at 9:15

Lunch – Campero’s area

Work planned at Santa Ana location

Join up with new arrivals at Santa Ana

Ground Breaking for Casa de Esperanza

Communion at church site

Devotional at Jesus Statue
Return to mission house and orientation for Sunday arrivals

Lights out at 10:30

July 25^th – August 3 for most & August 5^th for others.

The work begins – daily schedule except Sunday

Breakfast 6:30 to 7:30

Devotional 7:45

Buses depart to work sites at 8:45

Work Opportunities -
House Crews – 4 – average per day
Church Construction in Santa Ana, San Miguel, & La Paz
Block House Construction
Children’s Home – visits and work almost daily
Hospital Esquela - daily

Evangelism – Teaching - daily

Evangelism – VBS - daily

Food Assembly & Food Distribution - daily

IRC Warehouse – assembly of clinic, distribution, clothing, etc

Clinics will be the end of week one and beginning of week two.

August 6^th – We go back to our homes and plan another year!

Feet

The feet in this picture belong to two little girls that I met in April in a village called Cuidad Espania. Both of these beautiful children had smiles and were as happy as any children that you might meet here in the states - the difference is, that they have always been poor and they don't know anything different. One day soon, they will realize that everyone isn't always hungry, that their clothes are dirty and that the shoes that the wear don't match - if they even have shoes.
Next week we will operate the TORCH Shoe Store and we'll wash a lot of feet like this - then we'll make sure that they have new shoes - that match.
That will be.....Another Great Day in Honduras.........
(see you this weekend)

ROATAN

As most of you know, we have a tradition of ending our mission in Roatan. That tradition will continue this year however, there will be another option.

Our group size prevents us all from travelling to Roatan at the same time. Since we all can't go at the same time, we are offering the first 40 volunteers the option of staying in Tegucigalpa and working on a few more projects, building a couple of houses, feeding a few more people, playing with a few more kids, and doing what we love to do for a couple more days.
Please call my cell or email me if you want to be one of the lucky group that stay's in Tegucigalpa for 2 more great days in Honduras.

Get Ready To Build

When the groups travelling on the 23rd arrive in Tegucigalpa, they will go from the airport to lunch and then straight to work. Well have teams going to pack food, learn how to build a 2005 style house, preparing for VBS, & preparing for evangelism.
Here is a sample of what we will see when we go up the mountain to the House Building 101 class.
Floors are one of the most exciting additions to Hondo Houses that we have ever done. I can't wait to pound the first nails.
We are also adding other additions like bunk beds and even some houses with two rooms!
Get ready to build! We are gonna have a great time and 14 GREAT DAYS IN HONDURAS.

Down To The Wire

Folks, we are down to the wire.
In two weeks we hit the ground in Tegucigalpa and will not stop till the job is done.
The conference call was great and we are planning to email out all flight information by Monday the 11th. If you need your information sooner, please send me an email and I'll get it to you.
All you need to know is this - Unless I've told you something different, you will be on American Airlines and you will be leaving very early in the morning - either the 23rd or the 24th.
If your departure city is Miami, you get to sleep in a little.
When you get your schedule and locater numbers, go to the American web site and pull off your confirmation.
Our benevolence and working fund is growing but, I need to get as much of your earnings as soon as you can get it to me. I had to send a big chunk of money to Honduras this week to pre pay for a lot of our construction material and that means that our budget will be very tight unless you can help us by sending the benevolence dollars so I can get them on deposit.
Many of the items that we we paid for on delivery last year are now pre-paid through our US based account that is tied to a Honduran bank.
Please make sure that all your friends, families, and sponsors have this blog address. This is the place where our reports will be posted.
See you soon!
Marc

Let's Talk About It

It's July! and we are only three weeks away from our departure. I am sure that many of you have questions and suggestions and that is why I have set up a way for many of us to get together on a conference call.
Here is the plan -
On Tuesday July 5th at 6:00 PM Central we will have a conference call that will involve one person from every group of 5 or more. That means that I need confirmation by email from someone in each of the following locations -
Starkville, MS
Columbus, MS
Tupelo, MS
Gulfport, MS
Vicksburg, MS
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Orlando, FL
Charlotte, NC - Archdale
Charlotte, NC - All others
Hot Springs, AR
Borger, TX
I am hoping that every group is reading the info here and that I am not chasing you down. Please send me an email confirmation that you are planning to be on this call. We will be discussing work plans, travel plans, trip info, etc. I don't mind if you are using a conference phone or a speaker phone but, please DO NOT CALL FROM A CELL PHONE.
Here is the dial in info -
A few minutes before 6:00 PM CENTRAL / 7:00 PM Eastern - dial 1-866-295-5950
You will be asked for an access code and your code is 28534#
If you have questions and can email them to me in advance, I would appreciate it.
We are getting close!
Marc