Hey everyone!
I can't believe October is almost over! Time has flown by here - as I realize that 5 weeks have gone by. Each week has held so much - and each has been so different. Quick recap: The first week was full of adjusting - and taking care of 4 boys for one of the missionary families for 4 days. The second week - Tom Stewart came down here and we spent the week with him. Tom is the head of MTWs Street Child ministry - so he was assessing our area and seeing the possibilities for starting the ministry here - we spent time going around to all the different ministries and locations we have things going one.. but I will talk more about the street child ministry later. Third week: We had meetings with Bill Yarbrough - the MTW director for ALL of Latin America. It was so great to talk with him - for me personally.. and for our team too.. we made up our team goals, our mission statement - and talked about how to practically get started. Forth week: Erin and I had the incredible opportunity to go to Copan Ruinas - for a conference about Honduras with a lot of the NGOs here working in Honduras - it was set up by www.projecthonduras.com - and we learned so much about what is going on in Honduras. We were able to network, learn how to do things more efficiently, and make contacts all over Honduras. It was not all work though - as I went with several friends to see the Mayan Ruins and go on a horse back ride up a mountain. I thought the ride would be nice and a chance to see beautiful scenery.. haha - no. We galloped some of the way up the mountain and the WHOLE way down it! I definitely learned to appreciate galloping over the "trot of death" - and we were all SO sore afterwards. It was an unforgettable experience - I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to Copan. Some of the facts I learned there - Honduras is the #1 leading country for AIDS/HIV, and the #2 country for poverty in the western hemisphere.. We rival many African countries for HIV/AIDS population, and are among the top 15 countries in the world. WOW. who knew. I learned that the biggest needs here are education and medical care - as the people need education to be productive individuals in society, but the most common problem that businesses have is that the few qualified workers they have can't stay healthy for long enough to be dependable. I met many amazing people who are involved in educating people - both scholastically and with health education - and while each life they touch makes a difference, there are SO many more that need help. (I would love to tell you more about this - so email me if you want to know more). The Lord spoke to me a lot during this conference - especially as I saw the needs of the people here so clearly, and how other people are working to meet those needs. The final thing I'll tell you from the conference is the missionary's equation for happiness:
reality * flexibility - expectations = happiness

So we returned from Copan last Sunday - and I FINALLY was able to being NORMAL life here in Ceiba. I feel as though the Lord has opened SO many doors - and I continually have to be faithful to step through them - and to have wisdom about how much to commit to. This past week - I began working at Brassavola Bilingual School. I am actually working with the administration right now - sitting in on the classes (grades 1-6) and assessing the teachers and students in the way the classroom is managed and how well/much they use English. I will be working there three days a week - and soon I will start my own class to help the students that have the most needs. I have been overwhelmed by what I've found in the classes - as far as how much is lacking.. but the students have impressed me with their politeness and respect. I LOVE walking around now and hearing a child say "Hi, Ms. Stephanie" when I'm in the mall, or having them run over and hug me. :) It is so easy to show these kids love - and to let them know they are important - which is the biggest struggle for a kid living in poverty - to think they are actually work something. Soon I will start teaching at the school, and then possibly begin a Bible class there (they really want it even though it isn't a Christian school! but I need to talk with them about the time commitment..) I work with 5 people from my church - so it is really fun to see them on a regular basis. I feel like I'm making many connections and friends my age here - through church and work. I have also met some high school aged girls who aren't Christians (Paoula and Jaclyn) that I am building relationships with - always the Young Life leader! Jaclyn is a 9th grader from Brassavola, and Paoula is a 11th grader that was kicked out of Brassavola. good times. :) This was the first week for me to complete 5 consecutive days of Spanish school - and on Thursday 5 of the teachers went over to the Noonan's house (one of the missionary families) along with Erin, myself, and 4 other missionary women - and we learned how to make corn and white flour tortillas by hand, frijoles fritos, y some salty CA cheese.. and had a big lunch party. IT was so fun. :)

Other doors the Lord has opened for me to be involved here - I am going to help a couple nurses once a week that work in villages around Ceiba - helping to aid them in their health care and with health education of the woman here. AND of course the Street Child ministry.. we have received the "go ahead" from MTW to begin this ministry - and now are in the process of becoming a NGO in Honduras. This process could be really slow or REALLY fast.. depending on who is in power and whatever they feel like doing. So we are meeting weekly to pray over this ministry and the girls that we will initially take in. We are currently investigating several housing options as well for where to have the house. We are trusting this ministry to the Lord's hands and in His timing.. and know that we don't want to get ahead of His plan.
So much is going on - but I LOVE being involved in the life here - and really feeling like a part of this community. I am constantly amazed at the authority and respect I have just because I am from the United States - and I realized that it is both a privilege and huge responsibility to be looked up to so highly. I realize that I have always had some grandiose idea of missions... but really it is just living your life before people - being a witness of Jesus' unconditional love and redemption. What I am doing here is not any different than any of you in the United States. I want to encourage you to continue to live your life before others wherever you are, knowing that they are looking at you and will wonder what makes you different - why you have peace and joy when there is no reason to have it - why you spend time investing into them when you could be doing millions of other things.. why you care about their lives - no matter how ugly or awful... "Whatever you do, in WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."- so live as to establish credibility of the Christian faith so that you will be able to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way (Col. 3:17). I am reminded of where I'd be "sino fuera por Tu gracia y por Tu amor" - but for the grace and love of the Lord. What reason we have to give of ourselves - of our lives - to others.. for them to experience the same grace.. the same love. If you have any encouragement in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others as better than oneself. May the Lord be with you - my He speak to your heart and let you know how vast is His love.

Con todo de mi amor,
Stephanie

ps.you wouldn't believe HOW many people have the name Stephanie here! I think there is at least one girl in every class I have been in at Brassavola.. who knew it was so popular!