As always, Chris and I (Sharon) are behind in getting our update out and a lot has transpired in the last couple months. We appreciate your patience as this has been an extremely difficult letter to write.
Most of you know that I have dreamed of returning to work at the Jungle Hospital as a nurse practitioner for almost a decade. I helped Dr. Martin and his wife Wendy open the Jungle Hospital in 2007 and worked there with them for two and a half years, before Chris and I returned to the United States in 2009. I returned to university to get my master’s degree and become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner with the sole intention of using it in Honduras to serve the rural poor. So, when I returned to Honduras in 2021, I thought that my long-held dream was finally coming into fruition. The plan was that I would work at the Jungle Hospital with Dr. Martin, gaining experience and confidence in my new role as a nurse practitioner, and in a few years, open a satellite clinic in Urraco where Chris and I live, as a joint venture between the Jungle Hospital and Give Hope 2 Kids. Well…all things change.
It is truly with a broken heart that I write to tell you all, that I no longer work at the Jungle Hospital. It has been a rocky road since my return to work there in August of last year, but I never doubted, not even once, that we would be able to work it out. In early March, at the end of the work week, Martin asked me to not return to work again until we (Martin, Wendy & myself) could have a meeting. I was very taken aback! They set a date for 10 days out. That gave me a little time to think and mourn and pray. It was during this time that it first occurred to me that we might not be able to work together after all. I sought encouragement and wise counsel and literally had an army of prayer warriors praying on behalf of the situation. Our meeting in mid-March was very short and to the point. They told me they were “releasing me.” No specific reasons were given for my release, other than that “things are not working.” Dr. Martin, Wendy, Chris and I desire to maintain our friendship. Our shared heart for the people in this river valley to know Jesus and have their lives transformed is something we can all agree on, despite our differences.
I am sure you can imagine that these last weeks have been very difficult for me. I have been sad to my core. I have been questioning myself. The dream that I had had for SO long, that I had worked toward for years, and was so sure God had put in me, of working alongside Dr. Martin and with the Jungle Hospital was no more. I felt so lost. Had I been wrong? Was this not God’s plan for me? My heart is healing, and though I continue to question, I no longer feel quite so lost. I am diligently seeking God and His next steps for me. I still believe that the long-term goal of opening a clinic here in Urraco will eventually come to fruition, how and when that will come about, I do not know. I am asking the Lord to show me my next practical steps. Chris and I do not doubt God’s call here, but this really has been and continues to be a very challenging time for us both. Please pray for us. I am seeking and desperately desire to do whatever it is that God is calling me to do next! I am day by day more ready for the Lord’s next steps for me.
From here, I (Chris) will be sharing other happenings from the past months…
The first thing we tried to do upon returning was to get our Honduran driver’s licenses. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just go and get it. Well, that’s not how the system works here. I will say the process required is not for the faint of heart and we commented many times how it makes our complaints about the DMV in the US laughable. Just one example of the convoluted system…we were required to be in line at the DMV over an hour before it opened just to make an appointment…for the NEXT day! In all, we think Sharon spent more than 30 hours in the quest to get her driver’s license. There were some happy moments as well…like when a young man saw that we didn’t have a motorcycle with us to do the test and offered us the use of his! People can be so generous. The story ends well, we both got our driver’s licenses!
After that ordeal the start of the school year was a breeze! Just kidding. It was easier than last year, but still a lot of work. The biggest difference this year compared to last year is how much more administration work I am doing. About 30% of my time is spent in teaching duties and 70% as principal. I am excited about how much more I can do to help the other teachers succeed in their classes. However, it is still a very new role for me, and I have a lot to learn.
Give Hope 2 Kids ministry has a new volunteer this year who is teaching at the school. Her name is Noel and she arrived in January from West Virginia. She is teaching English class, helping individual students who struggle and acting as librarian. All these roles she has taken on have allowed me the time necessary to be a principal. She has truly jumped in with both feet to life and work in Honduras! Her plan is to spend two years volunteering here before returning to the States to pursue a graduate degree. We are so glad she is here!
We also lost a volunteer this year. No, we didn’t misplace him. Haakan returned to the States in early March. We miss his positive attitude and helpful spirit. His time went by too quickly and we miss him.
We did find time for something fun. Everyone on the property went on an excursion to the beach! A beautiful spot where a mountain river escapes into the ocean. It was a day full of fun, sun, food, and fellowship. And the next day, sunburns!
And one last little announcement…we got two kittens! Medianoche (Midnight) and Medialuna (Half Moon) – though we just call them ‘Noche’ and ‘Luna’. They are very cute, but don’t take my word for it, just look at the pictures!
We are thankful for:
- Receiving our driver’s licenses
- New, full-time volunteer Noel and the spirit of service she has shown
- The love, support, encouragement and “mourning with” of such faithful friends during a difficult time
- Sharon’s heart slowly healing
Please pray for:
- God’s direction and guidance for Sharon’s next steps
- Healing for Chris (fractured cheek and damaged nerve…will expound in the next letter)
- A reliable, used 4×4 for a reasonable price
- The Give Hope 2 Kids and Jungle Hospital ministries
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
You are truly counting it all joy, our brother and sister, as you are facing difficult trials. Your hope oozes through your words and God has clearly placed that there for you both. We love and honor you so much and are praying for the needs that you have. Yay for a driver’s license!
Oh Hannah! As always, you are such an encouragement! Yes we do have hope, thank you Jesus! We are so very thankful for your love and your prayers!
Praying for you both, and for direction, and healing. God is with you!
Thank You Lauren!!! We are so very thankful for your love, prayers and so many years of friendship!
Sharon, my daughter-in-law, Kristi went through what you described. She was in education in a private school. She was let go much the way you were, without being told what the problem was. It was devastating. She went through the same grieving…questioning…second guessing…..all of it. It was the worst year of her life. So much healing before moving on. She loved her job and the kids she taught. God brought her through the process and led her into a place she would never have gone it this had not happened. He led her into a position that took her where she is today, far beyond her expectation! Starting out in a private school as a registrar a position opened for a counselor. It was a perfect fit. She went on to complete her BA and has just completed her masters. She is perfect for this field and the kids are blessed to have her in their lives. This is long but it’s such a parallel to what I hear from you. She is so much stronger than she was before and in hindsight sees God’s hand in it all. Because of her experience her faith and trust are stronger and God will and is being glorified in it.
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.
Your plans were not wrong plans but brought you to the path you are on. God has ordered your steps and he will establish them. I’m really excited to watch and see what God has in store for you around the bend and out of sight for the moment. He will establish you and bring glory to him and great joy to you. I know it in my knower:) much love and blessings!
Dear Joyce,
Thank you for taking the time to tell me this story. It is encouraging to hear your recognition of the similarities and then the immediate faith in God’s hand to bring about good. Multiple friends have reminded me of Proverbs 16:9. Thank you for your love, faith and prayers. We are so very thankful for your friendship!
Our hearts and prayers are with you for both peace and clarity about your next steps. Your letter brought to mind the journey’s of John Bunyan’s Christian and Hannah Hurnard’s Much Afraid. It often seems that those most dedicated to the Lord’s service face the toughest paths but then we know that pure gold is purified only through fire. He will carry you through and bring you out without even the smell of smoke on you.
Dear Susan,
Thank you beyond words for your heart and your prayers. We feel so very blessed for our many faithful friends. This is certainly tough, but we are hopeful. I know about all the “trials” and “purification” verses and they scare me….But I KNOW that we have “troubles” in this life. I am praying more and more that I would just rely on God no matter my trails or troubles. I feel like God is telling me to just cling to Him and rest in Him right now.
I love you both so much, Iam so sorry Sharon you have been going thru very heavy emotional times right now and I pray god will comfort your heart, fill you with joy again, and direct your path ❤️ Take this time as a season to reflect, rest, do something there that makes you happy my friend. You both pour yourselves out so much for others. Ps 62:1 my soul finds rest in god alone. Let him carry you at this season and redirect your path. Love you Melissa
My dear Friend,
It is always so wonderful to hear from you. This has been difficult, but my heart continues to heal. Thank you for your prayers for JOY! I feel like God is telling me to rest and to seek Him. I started trying to make “plans” and the Lord said…..slow down, not yet. So I am trying to rest, seek and be content. Thank you my dear friend. I am so thankful for you in my life….I have always thought of you as a “walking testamony to Christ”!
Well I know you and I know God’s character and therefore the rest of the story is not written but full of hope and His great plan that I know you and He will remain faithful to! We will continue to pray for Him to make a clear path for you in these next steps and beyond! We love you!
Thank you Sis! Chris and I are so thankful for you guys! Your encouragement and prayers means so very much to us! Love you!
Chris and Sharon, I am praying for direction and for peace as you wait. Chris, please let me know if I can be of any help in the world of “principaling “
Hi Shannon! Thank you so much for reaching out. I appreciate your generous offer of help and will definitely take you up on it the next time I need it. Other friends in the ‘biz’ have also reached out to me as well. All I can say is, thank you and I know how much we are truly blessed in our relationships. Thank you also for your prayers for peace for Sharon, each day gets easier, but the unknown is always stressful. We hope you are well and enjoy a well deserved summer break!!! Chris & Sharon