2 Corithians 12:9
It all happened within 10 days. From the moment I found out I was allowed to enter Honduras to actually putting my feet on the ground, it felt like rapid speed. I asked so many people to be praying and suddenly I was experiencing that prayer being answered right before me. Despite all of this, I did not feel ready. Honestly, I was hearing murmurs that the borders were going to remain closed for the rest of 2020. HA! Praise God that they opened! I think a major reason I didn’t feel ready to return was that I knew my ministry was going to look different this year, but how different? I knew I would be taking on my own classroom and instead of aiding like last year. I would be partnering with another teacher as a teacher myself. I did not feel ready to go back to a country that has far more restrictions than the US, especially coming from small town Wyoming. In addition, I have not been with my family for that long since I left home in 2018 for Bible School. I truly did not realize how much I missed it. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited and knew that Honduras was where God wanted me to be, but wasn’t expecting the act of returning to be so difficult. I knew I would be going from where I felt so comfortable with so many freedoms to a place where I feel uncomfortable often. With all of this weighing on my mind, as I was boarding my flight from Houston to Honduras. I texted my mom, and said, “Mom, I don’t think I can do this.” Her response brought me so much peace, she responded simply with, “Yes, you can. 2 Corithians 12:9.” I scrolled through my Bible app on my phone reading, “But He said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The reminder was so necessary for me at that moment. I confidently cried out to God, asking for His strength to prevail through my weakness and empower and enable me to face the ministry that He has set forth in front of me.
Hello Friends and Family,
I have not sent an update about being back in Honduras yet. So here it is! I made it back rather smoothly. Among the packing and weighing my bags to keep them under 50 pounds, I had to receive a negative COVID test within 72hrs of entering the country. I had to fill out a lot of paperwork stating that I did not have COVID, nor had I been knowingly exposed. Even with all of this, it was rather quick travel. There were no cancelled or delayed flights and zero problems going through customs to enter the country. The longest stretch of my journey back was the four hour taxi ride to my house. BUT when I got to my house I had a whole welcoming crew and I was ecstatic to see the children’s center kids. I even started work at the children's center the very next morning!
Children’s Center- Casa Santuario
At our children's home I’ve been working as sort of a jack of all trades, working on many random projects. We have been low on staff in all areas of our ministry so there’s always a lot to do. I always love any way that I can work with our children’s center staff and kids. The projects from the last month have included goal setting with the kids, setting up new technology, sorting and inventorying donated clothing, spending time with the children, and planning all the activities for Children's Day. Children’s Day is a nationwide holiday on September 10th set aside to celebrate children. Does it get better than that? The planned activities included a game of soccer that was played with a giant soccer ball. I’m talking GIANT- 6ft high and 6ft wide. You can imagine that it was a crowd favorite. We played many other games that include water balloons, regular balloons, hoola hoops, and piñatas. Using the donations from many of you, I was able to make each of the kids a special treat bag that they all were very excited about. Currently, we are working on finalizing plans for Bible Club with the pre-teen boys and plan to start next week! I’m very excited for this time that we get to come together and learn how much God loves us!
School
The teachers and staff at El Camino are finalizing the details of a small group tutoring program for the Fall semester. We are calling this “Hybrid Learning.” Unfortunately, our petitions to fully reopen the school were denied. Instead, we are working on setting up tutoring groups that look a lot like school but will be carried out in smaller group settings to best protect the safety and health of our students and their families. For example, I will be teaching Second and Third grade with another teacher. Each grade level will come two days a week with a maximum of ten students in each classroom. We are starting this program on Monday! Second grade will come Monday and Wednesday, and Third grade Tuesday and Thursday! This past week we finished staff orientation which was a great success. This year’s staff at El Camino is the largest in number the school has ever had. A lot of laughs were shared during our staff orientation and I look forward to seeing the ways God continues to bind us together as a team this year. Despite the non-traditional classes we are holding this fall, we pray that the small groups will give us the opportunity to be more intentional with each one of our students. I believe it will be a great time for our students to get more individualized discipleship and help them to grow greatly in their knowledge.
Prayers & Praises and Finances
Praise
Actually making it to Honduras is a huge praise for me!
My safety and ongoing health.
I was able to purchase a motorcycle with the financial support from my brother’s church family! I’ve already been able to visit many families in the surrounding communities and take kids from our Children’s home to be a part of special activities.
Because of the delayed start to school, I’ve been able to really dig into my relationships at our Children’s home! I’m grateful for this time as I know I will only get busier as the school year continues.
We’ve been getting lots of rain which is so important for this community and our ministry to continue day to day tasks. And it cools the days off which is amazing!
Prayers
That the beginning of the school year will go smoothly. That throughout the small group time, we will be more intentional and that the kids will even more so experience the Love of God
The start of this year’s Bible club will go great and the boys will have the desire to know the Word
Wisdom in working with kids, support raising, language learning and day to day cross-cultural interactions
Candidly, I am in need of financial support. I am currently exploring the options that exist surrounding joining a sending organization.
With my whole heart, I thank you all for aiding me in this process and I thank God for those of you that He has brought alongside me through this experience.
Thank You!
Chase Gray
