Inspirational.

This song was written and sung by a friend of mine in Honduras. It is really very moving.

Concepcion Prayer Update [from my mom]

Hi, Everyone,

Just wanted to send you an update on the Honduran political situation. I got the note below a few days ago from Sally at the Cornerstone home office and just haven't had a chance to pass it along to you until now. Sounds like things are heating up again, so please keep the nation of Honduras and it's current and rightful leaders in your prayers. I believe ex-President Zalaya's meeting with Hilary Clinton is happening today. Read Sally's note below for more details...

Also, keep praying for Ronnie. He's still having the same health issues, but not getting too many questions answered. He's back in the barracks on base in Germany, but not supposed to be doing too much physically...much to the dismay (and disregard) of some of his superiors. He had some more tests last week and is still waiting on results. The doctors feel they have ruled out many of the more obvious possibilities - heart problems, stroke, aneurism, etc. - but are still perplexed by his symptoms. They have been trying to rule out other serious neurological problems. His primary physician seems to think at least part of the problem may be due to costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage between the sternum and the ribs brought on by excessive upper body exercise. It can cause severe chest pain that can mimic a heart attack. This doesn't explain all of his symptoms, but may be a start. Please pray for healing and that the Lord will work out the specifics of his circumstances for his best and for God's glory.

As a praise report, I was very excited to hear from our friend, Heidi Merritt in Honduras the other night. She and I worked together on getting the "Creating Positive Relationships" abstinence-based sex education program up and running in the local schools in the area surrounding the hospital this past year. She hosted an official CPR training event at the hospital last weekend for potential teachers. There were two Spanish-speaking trainers from Nicaragua and another gal from the main office here in Indianapolis who flew in to lead the 3-day event. Heidi reports that God really showed up in a big way - the material was not only well-received, it turned into a revival of sorts, with many people joining the group late just to sit and listen to the biblical basis for saving sex for marriage! When all was said and done, thirty-one people were certified to be teachers - 25 Hondurans and 6 more of the Loma de Luz missionaries! Many of the trainees caught the vision in a big way and are chomping at the bit wanting to take it out into the community as soon as possible all up and down the Caribbean coast of Honduras! This is a huge answer to prayer and confirmation of the vision that the Lord gave us over a year ago when we named our organization "CPR- Honduras North Coast". It's exciting to see the way the Lord is taking our meager efforts and multiplying them already. Many have already asked if the training could be repeated again soon, and the CPR main office here is considering sending the trainers back as early as next Spring to do it again. Praise the Lord with us for this awesome answer to prayer and please continue praying for this vital ministry that is so needed in that little corner of the world.

One more important thing, I wanted to let you know that we received our July financial report from LAM last week and our accounts are all in the black after all of our final expenses were paid! We are praising the Lord for seeing us through the last 4 years and providing more than we could have asked or imagined in every possible way. Thanks so much to all of you who prayed and contributed financially...we are so grateful for your investment in our ministry!! If you have been having your monthly donations automatically withdrawn, please remember to stop those payments, or have them redesignated to another LAM missionary (Drs. Shaw and Sharon Yount and their 2 daughters are with LAM and currently serving at Hospital Loma de Luz). And please remember that even though we're no longer physically there, the work at Hospital Loma de Luz continues and is still in need of your prayers. Be sure to check their website periodically for updates on the work and the needs there at www.crstone.org.

Thanks for praying,

Margo, for all of us

Dear Cornertone Friends--

Your renewed intensity of prayer is needed. Things are looking worse for Honduras now. The USA is instituting a freeze on visas for all Hondurans, and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton's staff is recommending that she sign a determination which would finally officially classify Honduras's actions in June as a "coup"; if she signs this document, it will trigger suspension of $215 million in US aid, which would be devastating for Honduras, especially with the OAS also angrily against Honduras.

In the midst of all this something happened which has profoundly arrested my attention. As the United States and the OAS walked out of talks recently, angry with Honduras and intimating that these actions will soon take place, here is what President Micheletti had to say: “Now they have sent us their messages, but we have faith in the Supreme Creator that he will not leave us alone, We have faith in God that the position of our country is simply defending democracy, not distorting it.”

I thank God for the courage and the deep commitment of Honduras to do what's right. The way of looking at the world, at human nature, and at freedom, which our own founding fathers had has been abandoned by our government because the faith of our founders was abandoned first. Once you abandoned God, that worldview that sees human life and liberty as sacred while also recognizing the fallen nature of humanity and taking measures to account for it, will disappear and be replaced by other views--views which all lead eventually to repression, misery, and destruction. No, our current leaders do not boldly "with a firm reliance on Divine Providence" pledge their lives, their property, and their sacred honor for the cause of liberty. Yet in tiny Honduras, a spark of this amazing boldness and commitment to defend democracy and freedom and to resist tyranny has bravely appeared. And it has appeared because as a whole, right now, Honduras has the faith in God our founders had. They are bravely stepping out alone because they believe they can "with a firm reliance" trust their Creator to not leave them alone. What a difference true faith in God makes. Take that faith and go to your Lord and Creator with prayers for Honduras. The Honduran people have been fasting and praying. Let's renew our determination to join them.

--Sally for Cornerstone

Full House

MY FAMILY IS HOME!

...though it wasn't the best of flights, at least for the luggage. One bag split open completely damaging a lot of what was in it and causing a tube of toothpaste to smear over the rest of the contents. On top of that, tonight we discovered a lovely container of cinnamon, carefully wrapped and in a zip-lock, exploded in a clothing suitcase. Fun. Delta will be hearing from us. There is no way that all happened from "normal" luggage transfer... something major happened.

Regardless, I am happy to have my family permanently residing in Indiana.

Please pray that the transition will continue to be smooth(er) as we register the girls for school, look for cars, get unpacked, and as Dad starts his new job on Friday.

Christmas on the beach

Aren't you jealous! :-P

A dog?!?

This is Jasmine. She is not mine nor do I claim her. We had the honor [cough] of puppy sitting for Dr. Renee's lovely [gag] dog over Christmas. I made a big deal about not liking her, but truth be told I didnt mind her all that much. She was cute... from a distance.

Waterfalls and Motorbikes

Balfate, Honduras is a hard place to take a date night considering there are no restaurants within an hour of where we live, so Ronnie and I had to be a bit creative. With the blessing of a borrowed motorcycle, Ronnie and I rode up near the dam to a small waterfall. The veiw caught our attention and we decided to take our picnic lunch up a little ways. What a memorable and wonderful date. :)

"what a saint!"

Ronnie and I were honored to play the role of Mary and Joseph in this year's missionary Christmas play. Our baby (Cori's doll Chad) was no doubt a child of God since blond hair obviously doesnt fit with either of his "parents."

Christmas in Honduras

Ronnie and I both feel very blessed to have been able to spend our Christmas break down in Honduras with my family. I have missed my family so much these past few months and was excited to spend the holiday with them. It was not the outings, gifts, or movies that made the time so special though (although they did add to it), but was the time catching up with my family... making tortillas with dad, talking on the beach with mom, girls nights with shelby, and snuggling up on the couch with cori.

Robbed by a Gringo

The other day, Sydney and Sammy Ward accompanied Ronnie and I to the beach. Since it is jellyfish season, we didnt get into the ocean, but we did find our way down to the fresh water spring. We had a good time hiking back under the bridge, chasing the waves as they washed up on the shore, and taking pictures. At one point in the afternoon, Sydney noticed a couple of guys walking further down on the beach close to where our towels and shoes were sitting. She asked if our stuff was in any danger. Ronnie and I quickly said no and Ronnie even added that the two looked like gringos (Americans) so our stuff was in no danger. 45 minutes or so later, We walked back to the place we had left our stuff to find nothing. Everything was gone! We couldnt believe it! Ronnie ran about 1/2 mile down the beach to see if he could find anyone who knew who took our stuff. just about the time he got 1/4 mile away, Mr. Ward walked up behind me and the girls carrying all of our stuff. He and Mr. McKenney had seen it but hadnt seen us so they had "done us a favor" by picking it up for us. The exhausted Ronnie came back only to find that his run had been in vain. LOL poor Ronnie. :)

Update from Honduras-- Urgent Need

Hello, Everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update on what's been happening here. After 4 days of heavy rain, flooding, and power outages our electricity was restored on Friday night. Local people walked miles in the pouring rain and crossed rivers at flood stage in order to work together with the power company crew and one of our own missionaries to get new poles and wires up. Even so, the hope was to have it back on by today. But incredibly, even in the midst of a heavy downpour and well after dark on Friday night, it was restored and has stayed on despite the nasty weather since then. We are rejoicing to be able to wash our wet and muddy clothes, cook, and keep refrigerated food at home again.

We've had many maintenance issues at the hospital and in the homes with water leaks, mudslides threatening the stability of our roads, bursting pipes due to too much pressure from flowing rain water, lack of fresh water supply in some homes and the Children's Center, etc, but nothing compared with what the local people are suffering in their villages. There has been much flooding, the worst of which was in Balfate where the hydroelectric dam opened their gates all at once and without warning, sending a wall of water down river, as I described in my previous e-mail. Four people drowned as a result of that event. All the local people are still dealing with lots of water and mud in their homes, no clean dry clothes to put on, no dry blankets with which to warm themselves, and now, lack of food. The rain hasn't let up long enough for the crews to even think about coming in and beginning to make needed repairs to roads or bridges, therefore food is in short supply. We hear that it may be another week or more before there's enough dry dirt to repair the bridges. Fortunately, it was fairly dry for the better part of the day today, which allowed government helicopters to fly food in to some of the more remote areas. They were flying back and forth overhead all day delivering packages of rice, beans, and corn, but unfortunately none were dropped in Balfate or the other towns around the hospital who also desperately need it.

Local church leaders are calling and asking for help, but we have very limited resources with which to respond. The hospital is already low on food for our patients and Children's Center, however we are doing what we can to meet the most pressing needs, especially for our Honduran staff members and their families. Today the hospital brought in 200 pounds each of rice, beans, and Maseca (used to make corn tortillas), as well as 100 bars of soap for washing clothes, which were transported across the rivers by canoe and by foot. Once at the hospital, it was all measured out into 5 pound allotments and these were put into the hands of the local schools and churches for distribution to the neediest families. Our desire is to do much more in the days and weeks ahead, but that will only be possible if we have others willing to stand with us and help in this effort.

We have been told that the Hospital finances are extremely limited right now and that we will only be able to make this response if there are sufficient funds being offered to Cornerstone to cover the costs the hospital will incur in purchasing these supplies. We have been asked to call on our home churches, friends, and families to help in this relief effort. If you are willing and able to help, please send donations directly to the Cornerstone Foundation office as soon as possible, and designate them for the "flood relief effort". Your money will go directly to help many of our neighbors and friends who are in great need.

The address is as follows:

Cornerstone Foundation

18384 W, Lake Dr.

Saucier, MS 39574

On a more personal note, the Concepcions (and Katy, too!) are all doing fine. With rainy season approaching we were already stocked up with plenty of food in the pantry and freezer for such a time as this. The missionary community has really pulled together and pooled food and resources where needed, and is working together to make necessary repairs to the hospital property and homes. But our main concern is to try to meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. That's why we're asking for your help at this time. Thanks for your prayers and notes of encouragement. They are keeping us going!

For the only cause that matters,

Margo, for all of us

The Concepcions are serving with Latin America Mission at Hospital Loma de Luz in Balfate, Honduras

"However, I consider my life nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Field Address:
La Familia Concepcion
Apartado 94
La Ceiba, Honduras
Central America

www.LAM.org www.crstone.org

Support for the Concepcions may be sent to:
Latin America Mission
P.O. Box 52-7900
Miami, FL 33152-7900

**Please enclose a note designating the funds for the "Concepcion support account". Our names should not appear on the check itself for tax purposes. Thanks!

Honduras Update

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. From what I know, Balfate, Honduras has electricity again but the bridges are still out. Supplies such as food have been air lifted into the community and left for the hospital to distribute. Clean up has been the main focus in spite of the continuing rain. Many homes have been flooded with up to 4 feet of muddy water causing damage to not only the home, but furniture, appliances, and other belongings. Please pray for the displaced people of the community and for the safety of those who reach out to them.The Catholic Church in the center of townFlooded roads