I apologize for not getting an update out in awhile. I have been working on a newsletter (trying to do it nice and professional). The problem with that is the idea of making something 'perfect' leads to procrastination and failure to complete the project.
Our Future Plans
I know that many people have been wondering what our family will be doing when our 1 year commitment with World Gospel Outreach ends this May. It has been a difficult decision for us as a very large part of us is ready to come back to what we consider home and to be among friends and family.
Jamie and I recently read a book called 'Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Upon reading it, I felt convicted in my spirit. I knew that we must continue to follow the Lord and accept where that calling has taken us. We have been able to see His purpose for us here in Honduras on almost a daily basis. Somebody recently told me that when your heart has a passion for the poor the Lord will give you a vision to accomplish His will. I have felt the Lord giving me guidance on our future and Jamie and I are compelled to serve the Lord here in Honduras until He calls us elsewhere.
Our family will be flying back to MN May 6th, with hopes to be back in Honduras at the end of July. I am planning on opening a clinic in a very poor area called Nueva Capital. I hope to serve bodies and souls that need more care in both regards. I plan on continuing to work with World Gospel Outreach on their medical/evangelism brigades as well. I will practice in Nueva Capital 3 days per week and work with WGO 2 days per week on the brigades. I am excited for our upcoming time here in Honduras as I believe the Lord has big things in store for this vision.
I try to not focus on the struggles that will come to accomplish this work, but trust me others continue to remind me. I know that the financial requirements to build a clinic will be around $10,000. We have student loan debt that has not gotten paid down this last year, but actually increased in size due to interest. We are now a family of 5 which is a little larger, and takes more resources to house, feed, live, and care for.
I do not try to remain ignorant or to ingnore important obstacles, but rather I have faith in the Lord. I know that He is calling us here and will give us what we need here in Honduras. I humbly acknowledge what we need may be different that what we want and we must seek His guidance daily.
I do not believe that during a recession the Lord no longer has need for missionaries to serve the poor or share the message of eternal salvation. I believe the opposite is true and that His mission workers are ever more needed. I do not believe that during a recession the poor's needs decrease or that chiropractic care would not continue to be a blessing to the lives of the poor here in Honduras.
When we return to the US we would like to personally share with all of our supporters what the Lord is calling us to. If the Lord is calling you to continue supporting us we are very grateful. We acknowledge that the Lord may be calling you to support other ministries and we accept His will in those areas as well.
We need to share what the Lord is doing in our lives with many more Christians. Please consider asking your pastor or missions director if we could come and speak at your church during a service, adult forum, or small group presentation.
If you are in the Bloomington area, please consider helping us to manage our property while we are away. The current renters are moving out at the end of May. We hope to have new renters in the home for the beginning of June.
If you are a chiropractor, I would available for practice relief this summer as a means to support our family. We plan to stay with Jamie's parents in the Crookston, MN area as long as our Bloomington home is rented out for June.
We look forward to continue serving the people of Honduras with you as our partners. I believe that everybody is called to missions as either senders or goers and we thank you passionately for being our senders.
Missions News
I want to share with you a few other things that have been going on here in Honduras. I have been facilitating a gift from a Christian in Arkansas to contruct a home for Aleida, Hostillio, Clarissa, Christopher, and Daniel. This home will provide many things for them, as a poor family without a home of their own often ends up on the streets. A home will give their children a chance to go to school and have a roof over their heads.
I went to visit with them yesterday and to order more materials for the house. I was surprised to find that they had moved into the unfinished house. Last Saturday their landlord demanded that they pay 4 times the agreed upon rent. They could not afford to pay and were kicked out of their rental home.
As we were celebrated the rising of our Lord and His conquering over death on Easter Sunday, this family was forced to move their small amount of possessions into an unfinished/unsafe home.
These stories break me sometimes because they are not simply stories.
I sometimes try and figure out where is the 'fairness' from our Lord? These are Christian children like my family. How can we be so blessed and others struggle so?
I believe that the beatitudes speak to this in Matthew Chapter 5 (NIV)
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
9 "Blessed are teh peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God."
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of rightousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
The beatitudes go against what secular society says of control over our own lives. The beatitudes describe the suffering we will encounter on this earth, especially if we follow Him. This suffering pales to the richness we will feel in our eventual home.
Paul instructs us to not only rejoice in the hope and glory of God, but also in our sufferings.
"...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
The challenges that this family goes through will have His purpose fulfilled in their lives. I know the Lord has His sovereignty and His providence will stand. My part is to follow the Holy Spirit and help to give justice and hope in the name of our Lord.
This family does not feel as they are suffering, as they are truly ecstatic about their new home. It changes my appreciation as they truly are grateful and loving to be receiving this home. They are not solely receiving as they have done all of the contruction work themselves. I give thanks for this gift to this family and the hearts that they have to be truly thankful!
(You will see smiles on all their pictures near this home!)
The Cruz Family's new home (a work in progress)
Clarissa waving, Aleida, Daniel, Christopher and Jonathon
(Jonathon is a translator for me and also works in construction)
Clarissa in their new home
More of Clarissa
Over Easter we were all blessed by a visit from Jamie's sister, Lisa. She and I did a medical/chiropractic/dental/evangelism brigade in Palanque, Honduras and I look forward to sharing some more on that in my next update.
Inside of house. From left to right 
Jamie showing Melissa how the wrap works
Melissa Gomez (16 years old) and her 3 month old baby Riccy
Kelli Rivera and her very cute son Kellin who is 1 month old!
Jamie showing Doris how to put the wrap on.
Nancy, a wonderful translator and Christian, showing how the wrap works. 
A Father/Son Moment
" No Manos"
Determined to eat that thumb
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