Men, LET'S STEP IT UP!

 A generation in need!

I had lunch with two young guys last week and was reminded of the extreme lack of positive male role models here in Honduras and unfortunately throughout the world.  Jose is 12 years old; he has a father who lives less than 20 miles away, but he has only seen him twice in his entire life.  Melvin is 18 and has a father that lives on his street, but they have virtually no relationship.  These guys along with countless others in their community are left to be raised by single women without ever being taught how to act and live like a MAN.  Their best example of a man is what they see on TV, hear on the radio or see on the street.  We all know what these portrayals of masculinity entail, fornication, anger, materialism, pride, and selfishness. 

While we ate, I came to find out that Jose has 7 girlfriends who don't know about each other.  I spent the next half hour talking to these guys about respecting women, abstaining from sex and pursuing goals for their lives. 
Yesterday evening I met with a group of guys for out weekly bible study.  Jose was filling me in on his weekend and told me that he had been on the phone with his girlfriend for hours the night before.  I asked him which one and he responded by telling me, "I only have one now Harry, I took your advice."  

Do not underestimate the power of your words.  

Young men across the world are starving for older men to speak into their lives and share authentic wisdom.  I challenge any man out there to stop being lazy and making excuses.  Step up and guide the next generation of men.  

 That may mean, speaking life into your son, a kid in your neighborhood, or even stepping out of your comfort zone and volunteering somewhere like the Boys and Girls Club, Young Life or a local school.... All I know is that young men everywhere are desperate for guidance and as Jesus said:

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

-Matthew 9:37

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.

The stench of marijuana, alcohol and sewage filled the air......

The stench of marijuana, alcohol and sewage filled the air as I walked through the community and down the dark path to Bebe's house.  It's not quite the scene you expect to be entering for the first night of a community bible study.  I found Bebe who said that the other guys were coming, but we needed to go get them from the pool hall.  They had just started a game of pool and had already paid and put up their bets.  They threw out a few complaints, but Bebe quickly responded, "hey bra, whats more important, playing pool or learning the bible?"  The other guys quickly put their sticks away and we headed to the house picking up 4 more young men along the way.  After 3 hours of reading scripture and discussing every topic a young man wrestles with, I had to cut them off and say my goodbyes until next week.  God has opened this amazing door for us to have a bible study in the center of one of the darkest places on this island, pray for His light to spread and illuminate the lives of these young men and this community!

The stench of marijuana, alcohol and sewage filled the air......

The stench of marijuana, alcohol and sewage filled the air as I walked down the dark path to Bebe's house.  It's not quite the scene you expect to be entering for the first night of a community bible study.  I found Bebe who said that the other guys were coming, but we needed to go get them from the pool hall.  They had just started a game of pool and had already paid and put up their bets.  They threw out a few complaints, but Bebe quickly responded, "hey bra, whats more important, playing pool or learning the bible?"  The other guys quickly put their sticks away and we headed to the house picking up 4 more young men along the way.  After 3 hours of reading scripture and discussing every topic a young man wrestles with, I had to cut them off and say my goodbyes until next week.  God has opened this amazing door for us to have a bible study in the center of one of the darkest places on this island, pray for His light to spread and illuminate the lives of these young men and this community!

Generosity, Newest members of our family!

Oscar lives in a 10x10 cement room that he built by hand.  There is no running water or plumbing and he does not have a steady job.  He is extremely poor by the worlds standards, yet was able to show us amazing generosity today.  You see, Oscar raises chickens in his yard and one day, Kendall mentioned to him that she wanted chickens.  To our surprise he immediately responded, "I got 2 for ya right here, come and get them whenever ya ready". Today was the day, we finally went by after church with a cardboard box and our Sunday best on.  Little did I know that I would be chasing the chicken down and wrestling with a dog to get the chickens in the box.  After a few minutes and a muddy shirt, we caught the chickens and were on our way.  We offered to buy the chickens but he refused to take our money.  This type of generosity is humbling when we consider all that we have been blessed with and how much we give.  I'm so thankful for Oscars generosity and friendship.  We now have 2 hens below the house and are looking forward to some fresh eggs.

Creative Ping Pong in Honduras

So life on the island is wet right now, very wet.  Rainy season is in full swing which is not so good for a PE teacher without a gym.  So, Ping Pong it is.  I came down with 16 paddles and about 15 ping pong balls because I was told that the school had 3 ping pong tables!!  little did I know that they are about 10 years old and have been exposed to the abuse of teenagers and humid salty air for all 10 years.  Needless to say, they are not quite functional....

We have had to get creative with our tables and learn how to play the cracks in the picnic tables.  The kids don't seem to mind and I think it actually makes the game a little more interesting.  As of now we have games being played on 4 ft long picnic tables, a sheet of ply board and long skinny cafeteria tables.  The ply board table has definitely become number 1.