Raise the Roof!

It often rains here for weeks at a time durring the winter.  You and I may never have to worry about having a dry place to sleep at night, but that is not the case for one of our friends and her family of 5.  They live in a two bedroom house with a roof that is litterally falling apart above them.  Her husband continues to patch holes as a temorary fix, but the tin is rusted through and there is no cover on the ridge of the roof.   The rain pours down day after day and they scramble to keep their things dry. 

Our friend works, but it has been very hard for her husband to get jobs in this tough economy.  Roatan has an unemployment rate of 56%.  Our friend makes less than $400/mo and without consistent work, there is no telling what her husband will bring in.  They are amazing people commited to their community and the church.   By carrying some of their burden, they can be even more of a light for Christ in their own community.

Thanks so some generous partners in ministry, are able to provide the materials for the husband to install a new roof this week!!! 

You are talking about what....??? - Sex Ed

Seventy teenagers were giving me their undivided attention as I shared my heart and testimony of sexual purity.  They were then all challenged to make a commitment before God in that moment to save their virginity for them husband or wife.  With heads bowed, I asked for the blessing, protection, wisdom and strength of the Lord to fill them as they pursue their purity and protect the most physically intimate part of their lives for the one person God has set apart for them.  This was the scene two weeks ago as we closed out our first biblically based sex education class.  

The topic of sexuality is often avoided within Christian circles, especially in Roatan, Honduras.  The Christian schools on the island have never had a sex education class to my knowledge.  The result is young men and women relying on their peers, movies, the internet and other sources of media to explain the changes and feelings they are experiencing in adolescence. Throughout my three years of teaching in Christian schools here I have seen and heard of countless "Christian" teens who have gotten pregnant out of wedlock before the age of 18.  Many of these teens come from great homes and are "educated" but they have not been exposed to any real wisdom on the topic of sex.  They are raised in an environment where more than 70% of the families are broken and sex is viewed as a cheap commodity.

Last week, we held the first Sex education course at my school.  I collaborated with a community doctor and another teacher to put together a curriculum which taught God's design for sex and the risks of having sex out of wedlock.  We are also realistic and talked to them about protections but were clear with the emotional and physical risks and responsibilities that come with having sex.  The students were engaged, asked many great questions, and then asked if we can make this a year long class next year.  I was encouraged by their interest and receptiveness to the wisdom which they received.  We will have one more class to answer any final questions next week.  I pray for God to preserve these young men and women and lead them in strength and wisdom.  If you have adolescent children, please take the time to talk with them about Sex.  They have more questions than you could ever imagine.