Psalms 96:3 - Newsletter

Firm Foundation

3/8/2023

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose,
and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
-Matthew 7:24-25

Praise Reports
-Church members eager to share testimonies in the Rec Center
-Students engaging in deep discussions about Christ
-God's faithfulness, always.

Prayer Requests
-The upcoming mission team coming to serve, for traveling mercies and also seeds to be planted and grow with deep roots
-Students to have a deep desire to love God and share His love in evangelism
-To continue to be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of the ministry, and to continue to build upon the firm foundation of God's Word, nothing else.

In The Eyes of Ezra & Kezia 2022

12/21/2022

One of the biggest blessings of what God has called us to in Honduras
is that our kids are able to minister with us, witnessing first hand God's faithfulness,
and learning to serve others and share God's Word.

In this newsletter,
Ezra explains what he learned in his first year of school at Enlaces Bilingual School,
and how he can take what he is learning
and bring it to his own community here in Comayagua.

We want to thank you for your love and support
that allows our family to minister together in Honduras,
and pray blessings and encouragement in your life.

Praise Reports
-The health of our family and those in the ministry
-The Lord's leading and provision
-The salvations of those in the Rec Center and the growth of disciples in all areas of the ministry

Prayer Requests
-Christ-centered focus for the educational programs as we prepare for the 2023 school year
-Deeper discipleship, that comes from a burning desire to know the Lord more
-Continued funds to support ministry materials
-People to prayerfully consider serving with us on mission in 2023

God's Perspective

11/10/2022

In this newsletter, we reflect on the past couple months of ministry here in Honduras;
through the ups and downs, how when we look at things through God's eyes,
even the difficult things we can see His purpose.

Praise Reports

God's direction and sovereignty, always.
The close to another school year - focused on students growing in the Lord
The Rec Center, continuing to be a safe, Christ-centered beacon in Comayagua
The Word going out, and seeds being planted

Prayer Requests

For those who declare Jesus in the Rec Center to seek a deep relationship with Christ
Funding to purchase more bibles for Enlaces Bilingual School
Humanitarian aid to move from the States to be distributed here in Honduras

Student Bible Donations:
If you feel led to make a one-time donation
specifically for purchasing bibles for the students,
you can go to the "Partner With Us" tab on this site
and with your donation note "Saurers Family - Student Bibles"
to designate your funds to this effort.

Thank you all for your prayers and support as always! God bless you

Students on Mission

8/13/2022

We hope you enjoy this update about some of the students here at Enlaces Bilingual School.

We have included a testimony from two of Ryan's high school students as well, that we hope you enjoy and take their encouragement to go share Christ's love for yourself!

Praise Reports
- Students sharing the hope and love of Jesus with their community
- Eagerness of young students to learn more about the Bible
- Great visit with Kelly's mom, her first time in Honduras

Prayer Requests
- Funding to purchase more bibles for Enlaces Bilingual School
- For those who declare Jesus in the Rec Center to seek a deep relationship with Christ
- Continued guidance in discipleship

Student Bible Donations:
If you feel led to make a one-time donation
specifically for purchasing bibles for the students,
you can go to the "Partner With Us" tab on this site
and with your donation note "Saurers Family - Student Bibles"
to designate your funds to this effort.

Thank you all for your prayers and support as always! God bless you

Family Time

6/17/2022

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court."
-Psalm 127:4-5

Praise Reports
-Our new healthy baby boy, Isaiah Michael
-Opportunities to encourage parents in Bilingual School to help raise their children in the Lord
-Continued growth of students, and their eagerness to learn more of the Word
-New medical clinics receiving humanitarian aid (from Helping Hands Ministry in NC)

Prayer Requests
-Pray for students and families to follow Christ, not culture
-Continued guidance in new areas of ministry, and old
-God's provision for more student bibles and equipment for the Rec Center

Connections

4/14/2022

Praise Reports
- Students being able to return in person for classes
- God's provision and guidance
- Salvations in the Center
- Christ's love that shone brightly through the mission group

Prayer Requests
- Continued, personal connections to be made in the school programs, rec center, and church
- The connections made and softened hearts will continue to be nurtured
- The group from FFC Ohio will stay on fire in their own hometown to share the Gospel
- More with a hunger to know the Word and Jesus in a deeper way
- Health and safe delivery for baby boy and Kelly in May

Extra Time

2/18/2022

How do we react when the unexpected happens? This is how we can truly see into a person's heart because it is in these times that a person's true character is shown. Kelly and I have already had to reflect on this so much in 2022; Reflecting on our characters when the unexpected happens in life and in ministry, in how we react, and how flexible we are in God's plans, discovering how rigid we can be on our own.

Our plans were to travel back to Honduras on January 13. Yet due to many unforeseen circumstances, we were in Ohio for an extra 2 weeks. So we finally arrived back at our home in Honduras on the 26 of January. As we were rigid in our own plans, we began to question why the things were happening at the precise moment we were planning on returning. To start, 2 days before we were supposed to return to Honduras my (Ryan) 93 year old grandmother went into the hospital where she was struggling to breathe, had swelling in her legs, and was unable to get around. The doctors diagnosed heart failure and really there was little they could do. Then we postponed our return and began to pray and prepare for what could happen to my grandmother. I was able to visit her in the hospital where she seemed like herself. I had the opportunity to pray over her and with her, and left the hospital at peace that I would be okay if that may have been the last time I spent time with her. God gave me extra time to do this.

Then we were looking to rebook tickets back, as we were anxious to get back home to Honduras and the ministry, but then another postponement. This time, Kelly's grandmother had entered into the hospital with similar heart ailments. Kelly and I were able to go to her rehab center for several hours and spend time with her, just talking about life, family, ministry, our children and raising children. It was another special time that we spent with her, time we all needed to be refreshed and feel at peace.

It’s funny how God's plans work so differently than ours. He knows all that will happen before it happens, and we are just rushing to do the next thing. God released us to finally return to Honduras and begin to work back in the ministry and we began to reflect on why we spent the extra time in Ohio including how we reacted to it. Were we patient? or impatient? Were we grateful for that extra time? or not? Then on February 10th Kelly’s grandmother passed away to be with the Lord. It was then in tears that we were so thankful for that extra time; that time spent talking and laughing where she was her witty self. It was that extra time granted to us that gave peace to Kelly, knowing that the last time she saw her grandmother was a blessing from God. With grateful hearts we prayed and thanked God for that extra time, the time that in the moment we did not understand why, or maybe became frustrated that we could not fulfill our plans. But now we are overwhelmed with thanksgiving for God's greater plans.

Virginia Slivka

Kelly was very close to her grandmother. They would talk often and for hours at a time. It was their relationship that made me want to have a better one with my own grandmother. Grandma Ginny, as we would call her, deeply loved her family, and not just their immediate family. She welcomed everyone and loved them as if they were her own.

One thing Kelly and I have reflected on is how much she supported us in our call to missions. She always showed that in her prayers and her willingness to let her granddaughter whom she was so close with to follow God's call to a foreign country. She always encouraged us to do what God’s will is, never diverting from that plan, not worrying about how she would miss us but instead wanting us to focus on our mission. Her encouragement and generosity in prayer and financial support has had a great impact in not only ministry here in Honduras, but to family and friends alike. We will deeply miss her, but we absolutely know that she is residing in heaven, filled with joy to be with her Savior.

Praise Reports:
- Start of the new school year, in person!!!
- New ministry opportunities
- Cherished time with family in the State
- Grandma Ginny at peace with Jesus

Prayer Requests:
- The Lord's leading in ministry always
- Willing disciples in the school, rec center and church
- Preparations for the mission team serving with us next month
- Continued healing in Misael's leg, as well as spiritually
- Peace and guidance for Kelly's family
- Continued health for Kelly and baby due in May

Discipleship in '21 - Through The Eyes of Ezra

1/4/2022

"Hi Everybody, It's me. Ezra.
I hope you enjoy my video. I talk about discipleship in it.
God had a LOT of work for me to do this year!

We always are asked about what it's like to do 24-7 ministry with our kids in Honduras. So each year, we like to give a glimpse of what ministry looks like through the eyes of our son Ezra (who is now 4). Whenever we reflect on all that God has done each year, we learn so much through what our kids experience and the things that Ezra says! He is a great reminder to have that child like faith.
So we hope that you take the time and enjoy this year's video about Discipleship.
God bless you all, and thank you for your faithful support <3

Praise Reports:
- Misael's successful surgery to remove the rods from his leg
- Continued growth of Enlaces Church
- Safe travel to the States to spend time with family for Christmas
- God's faithfulness, always.

Prayer Requests:
- Students continue to seek God and study the Word on their own during vacation, to continue to grow
- Enrollment of students in the educational programs (and that we are in-person in 2022!)
- Vision and continued direction from God for the upcoming new year
- Continued good health for Kelly and new Baby

Small Victories

11/20/2021

"O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm
have gained the victory for Him."
-Psalm 98:1

Praise of Small Victories:
- The Rec Center remaining open to share God's Word amidst uncertain times
- Finally being able to hold larger events like the Soccer tournament to draw people in and hear the Gospel
- The servant hearts of the mission group from NC who came to serve in October
- Lasting fruits of evangelism with the group and Pastor Jona to grow the church
- Baptisms within the church and their desire to grow spiritually
- Disciples giving testimonies in the Rec Center
- New friendships
- Completing first year of Night School work study program
- Ryan's mom visiting with us for the month
- Being able to teach Night School classes all year in person
- Spiritual growth of students this school year
- Baby Saurers #3 due in late May 2022
- God's faithfulness always.

Prayer Requests:
- The Presidential election here on November 28th, for peaceful outcomes and God's appointed person
- Misael's surgery on December 13th to remove the rods from his leg
- Students continue to seek God and study the Word on their own during vacation, to continue to grow
- Vision and continued direction from God for the upcoming new year

Next Generation

9/26/2021

"We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders."

-Psalm 78:4

Praise Reports
- God's faithfulness and guidance in all areas of the ministry
- The Truth continues to be shared in the Center Church, and Educational programs
- Eagerness of the Next Generation to know God

Prayer Requests
- The Enlaces Team, that we all seek the next generation to mentor and disciple, not just share the Word
- For the young children and teens, that they continue to learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit
- For students with heavy hearts and unsaid prayer requests, that they are comforted by the Lord
- God to continue to lead the men's and women's Bible studies to deepen relationships with Christ
- Spiritual growth for Enlaces Church