A thank you from Yefrin

Trujillo, Colon

Feb 10th, 2007

Hello dear brothers and sisters,

It is very nice to be able to write you and wish you rich and abundant blessings. I would like to thank God for putting good people in this world and you are those good people.

Thank you so much for helping me realize my dreams and goals. I am very grateful and I hope that one day, when I graduate, I will be able to invite you to my graduation because you are special people. May God bless you a lot. I request prayers for my marriage, my spiritual life and my studies.

One more time, thank you. My family also sends their greetings and is very grateful. Your help is very important and a blessing.

Your brother in Christ and friend,

Yefrin Rodriguez (and wife, Maybelline)

God bless you!

*Yefrin is currently in his second year of law school. He hopes to help the church with his legal knowledge when he graduates. Though he was recently married, he studies during the week in La Ceiba and travels to Trujillo on the weekends to be with his wife and family. He faithfully attends church whether he is in Trujillo or La Ceiba. He is actively involved with the youth group in both cities. Yefrin is a very respectful, respectable, studious, hardworking, young man. For just $265 per month, he is receiving a college education. He also has special projects every quarter that require an extra $160.

Waleska's thank you

Good day to all the sponsors. I wish that all-powerful God would pour down many blessings upon you. I am very grateful to God and to you all for the kindness and goodwill that you have toward us. With the love of Christ I relay the following: I would like to tell you a little about my life. I live with my mother and my three sisters. Five years ago, my father separated from my mother. Then on December 28 he passed away. He never even remembered that we existed, not him or his family. My mother, in her poverty, has known how to press on. One year, she worked in a grocery store and other years she worked as a cleaning lady. She earns 1500 Lempiras per month (about $80). When she receives her pay, she buys us food. She also does little side jobs like washing clothes (by hand) and ironing. My little sisters are in school too. My younger sister is in 5th grade and the littlest is in 4th. My older brother is a preacher. He works and studies on the weekends too. I graduated from 6th grade last year and I hope that I will be able to take advantage of this help that you all are giving in order to come out ahead and to be the person that can help my family by obtaining a career in the university some day.
I hope to meet my sponsor very soon. I have conviction and the certainty that God is going to grant me this wish. Take notice that Trujillo is quite nice. It has a very beautiful bay (if you ever want to come visit, in other words!).
I would like to tell you that my whole family belongs to the Church of Christ. My brother preaches and my mom has been a member of the flock for 14 years. In the church, I am the children’s Bible class teacher. If you would like to help with the kids, call me.
My little sisters and I are following the same path that Christ has set forth. We hope and trust that God will never separate himself from us. Ok, I think I have told you some about my life. I hope to see you soon! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Elda Waleska Loza Contreras (12 years old)

Smile, Jesus loves you!

*Waleska is in her first year of high school, the US equivalent of 7th grade. She has maintained an 84% GPA. She has been teaching the children’s Bible class for a few years and is an exceptional young lady.

Update April 4, 2007

Culture shock is still a challenge, but the internet is helping to bridge the gap. I recently bought a (very inexpensive) webcam, so I can see the faces of my friends in Honduras. Technology never ceases to amaze me.

Also, two exciting things happened yesterday to help ease my unsettledness. I have been subbing in the morning for a kindergarten class and for a high school special ed math class in the afternoon. When I walked into the high school, a couple teachers asked me if I am going to apply for the middle school choir position. Surprised by the opening, I made some calls and they confirmed that the current teacher is moving to a different position. Today, I was asked to resume the position the Monday we return from spring break (April 16). Good news!

Near Craig and Stephanie, there has been an older home for sale for the past year. I have been wanting to see the inside for some time and, yesterday, I was finally able to. The owners are making a bunch of improvements, are willing to work with the new owners with regards to paint colors, and they are not asking any more for the house than they were last year. Stephanie and I were floored by their very reasonable asking price and I am very interested in the house. It will be finished in a couple of weeks and they will call me for a formal showing. If the Lords wills it, I would love to own that house. Oh the possiblities...my first thought is to rent to those interested in urban ministry...

I am heading up north tomorrow to spend 10 days with my family. The extended time will be nice as I am usually only able to go for short weekend trips.

I would like to encourage you to check out Waleska's thank you letter if you haven't already.

*Waleska is in her first year of high school, the US equivalent of 7th grade. She has maintained an 84% GPA. She has been teaching the children’s Bible class for a few years and is an exceptional young lady.

If you are interested in helping with the children’s Bible class (materials, etc.), please let me know. When I asked Waleska if she could have anything for her class what would it be, she humbly said, “Chalk, stickers, children’s books, pens, pencils,” and so on. She is very humble and very practical.

I also have recently been requested to send song books and Bibles, both for the existing church and for people they are evangelizing. You may be hearing more about this as the date of my return trip approaches.

God bless you all!

Nadine