Challenges and Provision in Establishing a Ministry Home

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

We just finished our 2.5-month stay in Siguatepeque, and despite a few setbacks along the way, it has been an incredibly interesting season! God has been teaching us, stretching us, and opening doors in ways we couldn't have anticipated.

Deepening Our Cultural Understanding

Jeff and Julia have been taking biweekly Spanish classes at the Spanish Institute of Honduras, and these sessions have been invaluable—not just for sharpening our language skills but also for deepening our understanding of Honduran culture. When our Latin American teachers explain proper cultural etiquette, we lean in attentively because we know this truth: it's impossible to minister the Gospel effectively in another culture without becoming a genuine part of it.

The institute has provided wonderful experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom. We've visited a traditional bakery, toured a coffee and chicken farm, and participated in a special day of events at a local Special Education School. The institute presented a skit about Lazarus, played games with the children, served snacks, and gave each child a gift. These experiences have given us windows into Honduran life that we treasure.

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  Jeff preaching in the city park

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  School service with the Spanish Institute of Honduras

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  Family singing in the city park

Setback and Press Forward

In March, our ministry efforts experienced a setback when Jeff became ill. He struggled for several weeks with various conditions that slowed us down considerably. We're grateful to report that, thank the Lord, he's doing much better now! Even with our setbacks, we preached in the park as often as possible. Besides preaching in the park, people have been especially receptive to gospel tracts, with several people stopping what they're doing to read them. The hunger we see for the Word of God encourages us to press forward!

Exciting News: A New Home Base!

We have tremendous news to share! The Lord has wonderfully provided another house for us to rent when we return in August. This home is located in a village called El Pacayal, situated about two miles off the main road in Siguatepeque. We're thrilled about this location because it opens up several intriguing ministry opportunities.

First, there's a public school in the village that has expressed openness to ministry and Gospel teaching. We don't yet know exactly what this will look like, but we're excited to explore these possibilities! Second, there's a small Pentecostal church in El Pacayal that we've attended several times during our visits to the area. Again, we're still discovering what God has in store through this connection, but the potential has us energized about what this journey with God will bring!

Establishing Our Ministry Home

Now, we come to an important matter where we're asking for your prayerful consideration. The new home that God has provided for us will be our base for working in Siguatepeque and the surrounding areas. Furnishing this new home presents both a challenge and an opportunity. When furnishing a home in the States, you can count on Facebook Marketplace for great deals on used furniture and appliances. However, in Honduras, there are few options for purchasing quality used items. We've done extensive research to find the best prices available, and we want to be transparent with you about these costs. Below you'll find a list of items our new ministry home needs and their estimated costs:

Item	Cost
Gas cook stove	$600
Refrigerator	$1,500
Water Filter System	$500
Washer and Dryer	$1,200
3 beds (mattresses)	$1,800
Living Room Furniture	$1,000
Kitchen table and chairs	$1,000
2 School desks	$1,000 (total)
2 wardrobes	$1,200 (total)

This is an opportunity for you to invest directly in the infrastructure that will support our family and ministry for years to come. Each item you help provide becomes a tool for the Kingdom—a place where we'll host Bible studies, disciple believers, plan outreach, and raise our children in service to God.

If you have questions, please call or text us at 276-340-6608 or email us at info@hopeforlatinamerica.org. If you'd like to sponsor a specific item, you can contact us directly or give online through our website. Click the Donate button, choose the House Furnishings fund, and add a memo indicating which item you'd like to sponsor.

We never want to fail in giving thanks to God for His faithful provision and for supporters like you—especially those who partner with us monthly. God will bless you not just for helping to establish a ministry home, but more so for your investment in souls!

Moving Forward on Our Knees

As we close this update, we want to take a moment to honor our faithful prayer supporters. We realize that prayer is the most important support we will ever receive.

In 1888, missionary Jonathan Goforth arrived in China, and the mission board assigned him to the North Honan province—a region hostile to foreigners. When the great missionary Hudson Taylor heard that Goforth was heading to North Honan, he wrote these powerful words: "Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees."

While Siguatepeque isn't hostile to foreigners, Taylor's counsel rings true for us: we cannot move forward in this city without prayer. Would you join us in interceding for these specific needs?

Please pray for:

• Our continued health and strength for the journey ahead

• The city of Siguatepeque and the hearts of its people

• Specific, clear direction for ministry opportunities in El Pacayal

Thank you for pressing forward on your knees with us!

With Christ after the lost,

The Jeff Hertzler Family