Weekly Prayer Requests

   Dear Friends and Family,

   Despite some of our recent challenges, the past week went by smoothly. John and Becca Bell took a brief trip to the Caribbean town of La Ceiba to celebrate their first wedding anniversary while Jenna, Roger, and myself kept Micah running. The Wiggs family, after many weeks of waiting, finally received the household items that they had shipped down from the U.S. Additionally, Hector Licona and Brian Wiggs began expanding our street outreach program. This is not to say that the week was without its own struggles. However, we have definitely seen our God answering prayers and moving in the hearts of the guys.  Please join us in this pray this week as we lift up:

* Juan Carlos
   "Our" Juan Carlos left Micah this past year after a long period of trials and struggle. However, we maintained contact with him while he lived outside the home and we have continued to encourage him to move forward with his life. This past Monday, he made the decision to join the Honduran army as part of an effort to get his life back on track. Please pray for him the following ways:
- That he is able to flourish in the army and go through a process of self-discovery and healing...a process that will give him a new thirst for the Lord.
* For the lessons of Christmas to be real in the hearts of our guys.
 For any young person, there is a danger that Christmas can only be more about gifts and holiday excitement than about Emmanuel.  Pray that they will remember their true Christmas gift:  salvation!
* Further healing for Marvin and Axel.
   After the drama of two weeks ago, we have had healing conversations with both Marvin and Axel as they continue to deal with the addiction and violence of their past lives.  Continue to pray for healing!
* The Wiggs
Please pray that the Wiggs family is able to continue to settle into Honduras, that language classes go well, and that they are able to continue to surmount culture shock. We also ask you all to pray for wisdom for them as they begin the intensive planning phase of the new mechanical school. 
* Continued safe travels for Michael
  Michael returns to Honduras on Friday, but we ask that you keep his safety (and possibly his sanity - travel is stressful) in your prayers as he travels within the U.S.
*Pray for our board of directors as they continue an exciting strategic planning process to improve Micah's governance structure.

*And it's time to give glory to our God:
- For the repentance in both Marvincito and Axel.
- For continued strength. Our God calls to work for Him and then gives us everything that we need in order to do all He has called us to do. Praise our God for helping us overcome all challenges!!
- For signs of political stability. Things still remain uncertain politically, but we are grateful that Honduras finally seems to be on a forward path.
- For signs of God's hand working in our guys. Whether in a smile, a hug, a "gracias," or in a obvious declaration of love of our God, we are always encouraged to evidence of His changing the hearts of our guys. Praise God that He can turn streets kids into His emissaries!
-For all of YOU that have sustained Micah in 2009 through your prayers, your support and your time as volunteers.  Indeed, it does take a village to raise a child!

To close, I want to paraphrase 2 Corinthians 4:18-20 (which I quoted a couple of weeks ago), which I feel still applies to us: "We are tired, but hopeful; frustrated, but calm; attacked, but not defeated; knocked down, but not out; all so that we can show the reality of God-with-us in our own lives to anyone who will look." We here at Micah are pressing forward in the faith, and we pray that you are also able to press on.

  Lord have mercy,
  David Hawthorne