Tomorrow...

Tomorrow...

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I leave for Honduras!

One week and counting!

One week and counting!

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Wow, it's finally here. Almost anyway. The day that I can finally leave for Honduras. One week from today I'll be on my way! Actually at this time next Monday I'll be waiting in an airport before I continue on my way.
A huge thank you to my amazing support team as you have helped make this day possible! I am so thankful for each of you and your partnership in this ministry. I will be leaving the U.S. on August 1. Most of my packing is done and ready to go. I am enjoying time with family and friends this week though saying goodbye is hard. I would appreciate prayer for me and my family during this time of transition into the new “normal.” Goodbyes are never easy even though we’ve anticipated it for a while now.

At SPLICE we spent a lot of time talking about goodbyes and the various emotions that go along with it and transitioning into the next stage of life. One of the first things Robin told us was that he hoped it hurt when we left. It was true at SPLICE but it has proved tol be even more true as I have said goodbye to family and friends here that I’ve known for a long time and new friends I’ve made along the way. While I am excited and anxious to begin life and ministry in Honduras, I know that I’m not immune to the feelings of sadness and loss as I exit my normal, comfortable world to enter a different but equally normal one.

I'll spend the first couple weeks getting used to life in Honduras, learning my way around the city and getting settled in my house. Thanks so much for your prayers and next week I'll be updating from Honduras!

Missions Monday

Missions Monday

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Missions Monday

Missions Monday

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Some interesting stats from John Piper:

Honduras. In 1960 there were 32,000 evangelicals (1.7% of the population). Today there are 1.75 million (23%).

Can you see their faces?

Can you see their faces?

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I can...

100th Post, and the winner is...

100th Post, and the winner is...

Posted by Ashley Hoover

You may remember I had a little contest for my 100th post. There were two people that commented on it and they were both right. One on the blog and one emailed me. So I recorded the drawing so everyone can see it was fair and square. Sorry I'm a little late with the results, I'll mail the winner's prize tomorrow. :)

So a little about the 100 Lempira for those of you who want to know but maybe haven't looked it up yet:

José Cecilio del Valle (November 22, 1780 – March 2, 1834) was a philosopher, politician, lawyer, and journalist and one of the most important figures in Central America during the transition from colonial government to independence. Valle nicknmed 'The Wise' was also, one of Central America's founding fathers. In 1821 he was elected mayor of Guatemala City, position he held until June (1821). The same year Central America became independent from Spanish rule. Jose del Valle was the one who wrote the declation of independence. Up to this date, there is a controversy in relation to this document because del Valle did not sign it. Most historians however, agreed that he was not supposed to sign such document. In 1822 Central America became part of the short lived Mexican Empire under Agustin de Iturbide. In 1825 José del Valle ran for president of the Federal Republic of Central America against Manuel José Arce. Apparently won the election after he obtained more votes. But Congress had a different interpretation. The candidates went to second round and Arce was declared winner. Following his defeat, Valle retired from politics and devoted himself to writing. Though in 1834 he defeated incumbent Francisco Morazán in the general election but never took over the presidency. He died on the road that leads from the farm "La Concepción" to Guatemala City, on March 2, 1834. Where he was supposed to be treated for an illness. The government decreed three days of mourning after his passing. His death was marked by national mourning and bells tolling throughout the Republic, as he was one of the few prominent figures respected by Liberals and Conservatives alike.
The Honduran Government awards a medal for distinguished service named in his honor, and there is a University named after him in Tegucigalpa.

The 100 Lempira note today equals $5.29 USD.

I hope you enjoyed the fun! We might have some more of these kinds of things in the future.

Missions Monday

Missions Monday

Posted by Ashley Hoover

1 Corinthians 13

A Guide to Crossing Cultural Barriers

If I speak with the tongue of a national, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette, and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor, and if I spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, and is kind to those who mock his accent; love does not envy those who stayed home; love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of his national reputation.

Does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil about this culture;

Love bears all criticism about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails: but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will cease; where there is linguistics, it will vanish.

For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only a part.

But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America I spoke as an American, I understood as an American, I thought as an American; but when I left America, I became a learner of a new culture!

Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly ; but He will live in it intimately; now I speak with a strange accent, but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain: cultural adaption, language study and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Just have to say...

Just have to say...

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Red is a beautiful color!!

More details to come :)

Missions Monday

Missions Monday

Posted by Ashley Hoover

This is a little bit different Missions Monday post. I've been reading a book called "Serving as Senders," it was highly recommended to us at SPLICE and the missions committee at one of my supporting churches gave me a copy recently. I haven't finished it yet but have read enough that I would highly encourage any church or individual that is serving as a "sender" of a missionary to read it. It has many practical ways you can serve God and use your talents and gifts to send missionaries. It gives some insights into the many details that go into the sending/going process and may help you to understand your missionary and what they go through better. It has helped me realize even more all that my senders do to help me carry out what God has called me to do. I have even more respect and admiration for each of you that has a part in this ministry. I truly think of you as part of the team and pray for you often. To each of my senders I say

Thank You!!

You can order the book from Amazon here.