Spring 2015

     The beginning of 2015 has been very full for the Butts family.  Rudy has been busy with school activities, even managing some occasional study time.  He’s a pretty social guy so he is always on the lookout for a chance to hang out with his friends.  Jennifer has spent a lot of time this year creating an art history class from scratch, in order to meet some changing school requirements by the Honduran Ministry of Education. (She’s teaching high school art at the school Rudy attends.)  That has kept her busier than she really needs to be, but it’s also been interesting to dive into a subject she’s passionate about.  I (Robert) have been managing a busy season of ministry Serve Teams at our mission house, as well as, working through changes to our children’s educational model at Rancho Ebenezer.  In the midst of busy schedules, it is always important to remind ourselves that work is part of our expression of worship to God, especially on those days when work feels more like work and less like worship. 

     This time of year is always very enjoyable.  Each Semana Santa (Holy Week), we take some vacation time in Nicaragua and spend a few days at a retreat with other missionaries who serve throughout Central America.  It is always a refreshing and fun time to visit with friends we really only see once a year.  Palm Sunday is a wonderful time of worship together with these friends, and we’ll be back in Tegucigalpa to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with our local church here.  We are very fortunate to live and work in a country that really recognizes the significance of this time each year.   

     At WGO, our children’s program at Rancho Ebenezer has begun to grow.  In 2014, we were able to add 9 new children, and we are planning to add an additional 10 children in 2015.  The program has also recently been recognized by the governmental agency that oversees children’s programs in Honduras to be their preferred center for placing children in need.  God has really blessed the work over the years and continues to provide human and financial resources to meet the needs for the children at Rancho Ebenezer.  It is also gratifying to know that we’ve found favor with these agencies with whom we partner.  I have recently felt burdened to regularly pray for the leaders of this government agency who have the responsibility to place these children in need.  I believe they truly have the most difficult job in Honduras, and they need God’s strength each day.

     We’ve been encouraged with the progress that is happening in the new ministry project in Belize.  It seems like there’s not a week that goes by without some significant advancement in preparing the property tobegin ministering there.  Each week I’m able to share about the progress with our teams, and each week there is something new and exciting to report.  Just last week, we just made a provisional electricity connection.  As I write this now, we are drilling a well.  Pray that we find water.  We treasure water, and no one understands that better than you Californians reading this.

     I (Robert) will be traveling to the U.S. in April for a meeting.  Since this is such a busy year, I won’t be able to schedule regular furlough time, so I’ve extended this trip to include 2 weeks in California from April 6^th to April 21^st.  I hope to be able to see as many as possible during this short trip.  Thank you all so much for your continual prayers and support for Jennifer, Rudy, and I.  We are blessed to serve in Honduras.  May the Lord bless you also as you serve Him.  

                                                                                                              Robert, Jennifer, and Rudy Butts