July, August 2009

The country of Honduras has been going through some struggles for the past couple of years and things have gotten more intense politically as we have moved into the summer months and the new presidential elections. Because of the instability, we have had extra food and water stored for emergencies and talked with the youth in preparation for more dangers in the city as the political leadership has made more serious moves. Please keep the entire country in your prayers. Despite political unrest, there will always be so much ministry to do. Please pray with us that we can keep focused on the ministering that God has called us to in Honduras.

The Bridge House still has 6 youth and all are doing well, praise God. But as we move into the second half of the year, we are looking at the next 6 youth that will move in around Christmas time, totaling 12 Bridge House youth plus Rodolfo. With the focus of preparing the youth for Christ-honoring independence, we stay open to ways we can improve our transition home, always seeking to prepare them more and more for the day each of them move out on their own. With that in mind, please pray with us for wisdom in how to best work with our youth.

Robert, Rodolfo, and I are all in the States now for our furlough. It has been a year and a half since we have had a furlough and it seems long overdue. We have been emotionally exhausted and could hardly wait for some time off. We have already been to Arkansas and Indiana to enjoy family and friends in that part of the U.S. We were blessed to see many of you guys and really had a great time visiting with you all. The weather was great for us wherever we went (or maybe we are just getting used to the heat of Honduras). Now we are in California and are excited to get together with as many people as possible here. Keep us in your prayers over the next few weeks. Pray for our time with everyone, that it is a blessing for us as well as for those we see.

Thanks for all your support both financially and prayerfully. We really appreciate it all. God continues to bless us in amazing ways. Thank you all for being a part of that.

Blessings, Robert and Jennifer Butts