What’s Up Dyck?  

What a day! Can you say DIVINE APPOINTMENTS?!?!?! This morning I joined Larry Benson for a quick breakfast and a few more hours of deep conversation. We had a great time to talk and celebrate together how God is bringing things together in amazing ways with the I.W.C. From there, Larry and I went to visit a mutual friend who Lissa and I worked with back in 2001. Peggy Stranges moved to the island years ago to begin a clinic in the Sandy Bay area. Today she runs an amazing medical and dental clinic that serves people from all over the island. Peggy is an incredible woman with an amazing heart for the people of Roatan. She has been attending the IWC for all these years and it was exciting to get to see all that God has done through her since last we met. While I was visiting with her she set up several key appointments for me with people on the island that could be an integral part of the IWC ministry in the future. Praise God. Before we left, another gentleman, Henry, arrived who is also an ex-pat ministering on the island. Henry serves in the nearby Colonia, (a community of EXTREMELY poor Honduran nationals) and has te vision to really reach out to the youth of that community. Henry and I talked about how we could work together with short term teams to bless the people of the Colonia.

After my time at the clinic, I rushed back to West Bay for an important meeting at the resort where the IWC has been meeting. We have been working to secure a space that the church can use each week to meet. Currently the church meets twice a month and generally at 2 different locations on opposing ends of the island. TJ has been working hard to try and develop a relationship with the new management of this particular resort in hopes to secure the facility on a weekly basis begining in 2009. God was with us and we have penned an agreement with the Mayan Princess Resort in West Bay to use 2 conference rooms every Sunday for the church service and kids ministry. The total cost will be $75 each week or $300 each month. This is a total miraculous providence! Now with a secure location to meet, we can begin planning our weekly services!

After that meeting, TJ and I took a quick trip to the local dump in order to clean out a few things from his construction site. In the evening we all had dinner together at the Lynch’s house and enjoyed some amazing fellowship. God is really binding together our hearts as families and friends. We are very grateful for the Lynch family and the hospitality they have shown us this past week.

In case you are wondering where Lissa was during all of this, she had an island adventure all her own today. I’ll let her tell you a little bit about it…

“Hello all! Did  lots of running around today with Shelly, our host, checking out more of the local stores. We went to a mercado as well and saw the “fresh” vegetables available. Pretty sad state of produce to be honest. In seeing that, it has been a blessing however to stay here with our host family and see how great the meals are that they make with all the local food. I was pretty nervous around there though and realized that it will be a while before I feel comfortable taking the kids with me. The streets are very busy in Calle Ocho (yes where we have done ministry in the past. :)) and Coxen Hole and it would be too difficult to watch the boys, search out my options, and navigate through the towns decifering when to use my Spanish and when to speak to the islanders in English. Too much to balance and keep a close eye on the boys. I so enjoy shopping with Shelly. She is quick like me. I can see us making many trips together to all the stores. It is so nice to find a friend like that before we arrive here as a family. Thank you SOOOO much to the Garbers and my sister and brother in law for watching the boys while we have been able to be here. As we drive around and check out the scene, I am so reminded of all the amazing mission trips I have made with so many of you. I miss you all and am so thankful to you all for praying for us. Love to you all. See you soon.”

Tomorrow evening Lissa will be participating with the womens Bible study. I will be meeting with the IWC development team leaders to talk about where we want to head as a church. I’m really excited about hearing the hearts of those that have been here and a part of the IWC for so long. Thank you for your continued prayers. We love you and are looking forward to sharing more great reports upon our return home.

Jeremy & Lissa