Nancy and I had the pleasure of hosting our Pastor, Jimmy Squires, here in Copan Ruinas.  He has been working extremely hard in the USA helping a pastor do some construction on his newly acquired church building.  I asked him what he wanted to do while he was here, he said, “Rest!” and that’s what we provided for him.

Pastor Jimmy being who is can’t rest to long.  On Sunday, he ministered at two church locations.  Then on Monday, ministered to two of our ministry partner pastors for a couple of hours.

We believe that his trip was very successful.  He went to Yoro, Yoro, Honduras to check up on a ministry he is working on there and came to spend time with us.  As always, it’s a joy for us to see him.  Now, that he is back in the USA, he is back working very hard days to help complete this church.

One team we had a pleasure hosting this summer was Christ to the Nations Church; they are from Mesa, AZ and have been coming since 2014.  They are like family to Nancy and I.  We don’t think, “Oh, the next team is coming.”  It’s like, “Hey, family is coming to town!”

What people need to understand, the power of a short-term mission team.  They help local mission ministries spearhead or advance in areas of the community that would seem impossible.  I can’t tell you enough of what CTTNC has done by coming here year after year.  People are amazed by our growth beings that we are still relatively a new ministry in Honduras, going on 6 years.  If I just sit there and think of every team that has come over the years, I can truly see the puzzle pieces or roles that they played in advancing our work.

Every team has their own personalities.  Some will be more so for construction while some will be evangelism.  CTTNC’s focus is evangelism, teaching, preaching, and believing God for his supernatural work upon the people.  Over the years as we go from community to the next, you can see the fruits of their labor as time goes by.  Instead of the local pastor only plowing the hard soil of hearts, CTTNC comes right in, plows up the ground to where it’s ready to sow the seeds to bring forth an amazing harvest for the Kingdom of God.

This year, we hit multiple communities that they have never been in for evangelism.  In the morning, they went door to door sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Not only praying over the lost for salvation, but they prayed over the needs of the people as well.  Then, in the evenings, we had church services in various communities, sharing and demonstrating the Word of God.  Finally, Pastor Linda, went back to some previous communities in the past and taught the Word of God in day sessions.  They laid new ground work, but reinforced the past as well.

As always, thank you so much to Pastor David and Christ to the Nations Church.



Shawn Paul

About 4 years ago, our mission team was in a community by the name of Chilar.  One of the team members ran up to me to tell me of a little girl that was sick, and we needed to do something.  I was like, let’s go, where is she?  We rushed her off to Copan Ruinas, the closest place for medical care.  The doctor that examined her we very upset.  She was dying of a chikungunya virus; a person gets it by a mosquito bite and can be deadly to the young or elderly.  He said that if she was treated earlier, it could have been prevented.  The father said that he had no way of getting her to medical care or the money.  Sadly, she died the next day.

At that moment, I decided that I wanted to develop medical clinics in the surrounding mountain communities to prevent this from ever happening again.  Fast forward 4 years; just recently, a couple that supports our ministry in various means partnered with us to begin fulfilling this vision.  We are now starting those medical clinics in the mountains.  This has brought me much joy, knowing in my heart that we are truly touching the heart of the people through Jesus Christ.
 
At this moment, we are in the building process of the clinics.  We have identified 5 communities that we are starting in.  Also, the Lord has blessed us with a Doctor that is very excited to be a part of this vision.  Not only is he going to be leaving the medical clinic that he is currently working for, but starting his own clinic in his community that he lives in.  It’s a double blessing in his life; starting a medical ministry and bringing medical care to his neighbors.
 
Nancy and I ask you to be in prayer with us.  We have a lot of work ahead of us.  We will be gathering medical equipment, supplies, furniture, vehicle, and much more.  Then the completion of the buildings.  It takes financial support for the future, organization, and the right people to make this dream come true.  A huge undertaking, but through the Lord, we will get it done.


Shawn Paul

Here at MorningStar Missions, we develop partnerships with other ministries.  We choose to empower others than empowering ourselves.  In missions, we feel that this is the way to go.  As you empower others, you are allowing them to build a ministry that God has chosen them to do.  As their ministries thrive, then our ministry thrives.  It’s a beautiful circle of the Kingdom of God moving forward.

One of our ministry partners, Manos de Jesus (Hands of Jesus), recently started working in a community by the name of La Pintada.  They started through door-to-door evangelism.  By doing so, they connected with a family in the community that offered their home as a Bible study.  Then they continually reached out through various other means, because of all their efforts, this work expanded quickly.

Today, we are super excited to be partnering with Manos de Jesus to build a church.  This brings us much joy to see how much the people of the community are embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ; to where they are hungry to have their very own church.  We are believing for this church to be completed in the coming months.  What a glorious event to be a part of!



Shawn Paul

A parent plays a very important role in the development of a child as they are growing.  A mother will be the caregiver and a father will be the provider.  This is the perfect formula for the average family.  However, that is not always the truth, both parents must work very hard to provide for their family to have all that they need.  Not what they want but what they need.  Both parents should also take the responsibility of raising a child according to the word of God.  As I teach and train children’s teachers to be the best for the children; God is also challenging me to reach out to the women in our communities.  Children must have reinforcement of God’s word within their home.  Thus, the importance of parents also understanding God’s word and how it should be applied daily.  
 
As a young Christian and mother, I had no idea what I was to do next after I gave my life to Jesus Christ.  Nobody discipled me or told me what I needed to do.  I had this brand-new Bible but did not know where or how to start reading it.  I opened it and Praise God there was a guide in the front that was titled “What to do after giving your life to Christ.”   It was a study guide that told me exactly where I should read and the order I should read.  I wondered how many others had the same problem as me.  
 
Extending this study of the Bible to the women in our communities will equip them with a tool to be a strong woman of God with wisdom and biblical knowledge to teach and train their families.  I have stretched myself to hold women's meetings to make sure they all have the tools they need to equip themselves to be the best disciple of the Bible.  Teaching and training women how to be godly women, mothers, and spouses not only benefits them individually but benefits the entire family.  Parents can be the greatest influence on their children.   Educating women to know their biblical responsibilities and value as a child of God is vital for developing mighty families here in Honduras.  God has established biblical standards that have been successful for years and years.  We must learn these standards and put them to practice daily.


Nancy Paul

Every short-term team in of themselves have their own personality.  From the time of picking them up at the airport to dropping them off, it’s like you are meeting for the first time, a long-lost relative.  Throughout the whole week, you are learning new things about the people that are in attendance.  I can honestly say, that is one of the greatest joys is meeting new people.

We had the pleasure of hosting a mission team from Kentucky.  Stacy, the mission leader is from our church in Kentucky, Abundant Life Church.  Her heart is taking others to the mission field and giving them an experience that they have never seen before.  Helping them get a taste of missions in a foreign land.  She brought a group from Life of Faith Bible Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Words can’t even describe the pleasure it was to have them here.  They used their giftings that the Lord has placed upon their lives, from ministering to children, teaching, preaching, and music ministry.  It was so fun seeing them fit right in the culture of Honduras.  They didn’t skip a beat when interacting with the people of the community.  The love in their hearts was clear.

As a missionary, you always have to ask yourself when a team leaves; what went right and what went wrong?  Is there anything we can approve upon for the future?  Did we accomplish the desired objectives?  With this team, it was an overwhelming sense of great accomplishment.  Knowing in our hearts, the Lord saying, “Thou good and faithful servants.  I am well pleased.”


Shawn Paul

As a young girl I remember dressing up and going to church with my parents.  Sitting still and being quiet was all I remember learning from church. I never learned about Jesus as a young child.  I thought he was the reason I got presents at Christmas.  It was not until I was a little older that I started back to church and began learning the truth.  The younger ages are the most influential time for a child to learn.  They learn to count, say their ABC’s, and the different colors and shapes.  But most importantly, they learn right from wrong.  This is the age that we can start helping build a good foundation for their life using God’s word the Bible.  Many churches in Honduras do not have classes to help children learn God’s word at a level they can understand.  Children attend church like I did when I was little.  Never taught until they are a youth or young adult.    

For the past 5 years we have been working diligently to change this through the ministries we work with here in Honduras and Guatemala.  Our first children’s ministry was in La Laguna with my family teaching weekly 35 children.  Now, we are reaching out to 16 different communities and 4 schools with 17 teachers ministering God’s word to over 350 children weekly.  Three years ago, Shawn ministered to me about duplicating myself and training up children’s teachers within every church to minister the class themselves.  I stepped out of the classroom and began to impart all my gifts and talents into children’s teachers.  I started writing Bible lessons customized to minister to the needs of children here and easier for teachers to understand. We also share these lessons monthly with 46 missionaries in Honduras and Guatemala via internet to use in their ministries.  
 
Monthly, every teacher and assistant come to learn each lesson for the month and receive their supplies.  I teach the lesson as though the teachers are the children of my class.  This gives the teachers “hands on” training and an opportunity to see how all visual aids are used throughout the lesson.  Prior to the class there is much preparation: classroom memory verse displays; purchase and organization of lesson supplies; to the coping and cutting out of every child’s craft to take home.  We must compel the children to come to church and learn.  We have to equip every teacher with tools and supplies to make their class fun, enjoyable, and safe to learn about God.  
 
If you want to teach and train up a generation start when they are children.  Something will influence their life, why not let it be the church and God’s word?  That is what a children’s ministry will do.


Nancy Paul

When my husband first shared with me about moving to Honduras to be full-time missionaries, my thoughts started to go crazy.  Images of a grass hut, jungles filled with deadly snakes and spiders, and hunting for a meal immediately flooded my mind. My thoughts and emotions had blocked me from seeing the truth and reality of the mission field. God has called Shawn and I to minister, strengthen, and assist pastors and the people in Honduras.  While sharing this with others; they would always ask me the same questions.   Where are we going to live and what kind of food will you eat?   I quickly concluded that I was not the only one with crazy images running through their thoughts.  God showed me I am to present the mission field as a place of possibilities for future missionaries.

Over two years ago we received a message from a Christian counselor asking if we thought there would be a need for her profession in the mission field.   Immediately, I thought of the three tragic situations we just encountered visiting families door to door with a local pastor.  From the loss of a child at birth to a family confused about how to help their child with extreme unsafe disorders.  After several conversations with Patty, the door opened, and she joined us here in Honduras for a week.   We revisited the families where she was able to listen and give counsel to them as well to the pastor for follow-up visits.  Having the professional education, she was able to assist and train staff members of an organization with different steps and methods to counseling in both tragic and minor situations.   With a vision for all to know their value in Christ Jesus, I had Patty minister with me at a woman’s conference.  Throughout this week she began to see the mission field as a field of possibility for her.  She began to see herself walking the mountains and streets of Copan Ruinas.  Everyone has a gift for others to enjoy.  Sometimes it is in the foreign field and sometimes it is your neighbor next to you.  The real question is are you willing. 
 
These past couple years we have been helping Patty to transition into the mission field full-time here in Honduras.  She now can see herself taking this step of faith to say “yes” to the call of being a missionary.  She has been back and forth several times now and continues to minister HOPE to the hurting and troubled here in Honduras and Guatemala.  She will return the first of the year and continue reaching out to the hurting and troubled through classes, bible studies, and visiting homes with us.  We are so thankful and blessed to have her gifts and talents to be used in Honduras.  Glory to God!


Nancy Paul

In order to grow a children’s ministry and church you need to reach out, sheep beget sheep.  So, therefore, we do various children outreaches with ministries we are connected to.

Luke 14:23 instructs us to go out and compel others to come to God’s house.  What greater way than to call all children to come to the soccer field for a day of fun.  We use these events to not only reach out to children but also a time that we can build relationships with those who do not attend church.  We have a captivated audience for 3 hours.  We pour our love out to these communities.  We play games that may only involve the children and some involving the families.  Once we have played several games and have gained their attention, we share a message with all and follow up with the children doing a craft to take home to hang up. 

Through these outreaches we meet new families in these communities and establish a relationship of trust between them and us.  Not all the families will end up coming to the church.  However, the door that once was closed has now opened for us to minister God’s word to the children first and believe for the entire family to follow.   


Nancy Paul

Words can’t even remotely describe the joy in my heart by being a part of SMTI (Supernatural Ministries Training Institute).  This is a Bible College that we have been offering the pastors we serve here in Honduras.  We are now in the 2nd year and just completed part 2.
 
After the last class is done on Saturday, it never fails, I have this deep connection in my heart with the men and women in attendance.  I am overwhelmed with joy knowing what they have learned and how they are going to further advance in their ministerial work.  From when we started to where we are today, it is unbelievable to see the difference it has made in their lives.  They leave with a heart of such anticipation for what God has called them to do.

The future of SMTI in Honduras looks brighter than ever.  We have two more parts to complete and they will graduate the two-year course around February 2020.  Then we are turning SMTI over to two local pastors, Favio Mayorga and Oscar Miranda.  They both will offer SMTI to the leaders within Ministerio de La Red and Manos de Jesus.
 
Just grasp the power of this.  We laid the groundwork and foundation for the pastors that work in over 22 communities.  It has built them up into mighty men and women for God.  Giving them a greater understanding of the local church, but now, they can pass this onto those who they serve.  Therefore, helping develop stronger churches for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
One final note, after we complete SMTI here in Copan Ruinas, we will be taking it to another area of the country, Yoro, Yoro.  Through JMSM (Jimmy Squires Ministries), we have a connection to another church in Honduras.  We will be working with Pastor Oscar Barrientos, from Iglesia el Camino.


Shawn Paul

I’m sure many of you have seen our posting on Facebook about our immigration status.  For those that are not aware, we just got approved for our permanent residency.  Before doing so, for the last 5 years, we have been updating our status yearly, but now, we are officially recognized permanent residents of Honduras.
 
You may ask, what are the benefits of becoming a permanent resident versus before.  Well, honestly, I don’t know other than now having a residency card that expires in 5 years instead of 1 year.  Maybe we get a discount on a Slurpee at the local convenience store, LOL.

What I can tell you, what it means to us, this is a long-term commitment for the hearts and lives in Honduras.  There are missionaries that come for a short-term and that is fine; that is God’s direction on their lives.  With us, we know, he has longer plans for us.  We have a large vision for the future.  It will take much time to complete and we are up for it.  Also, I’m sure God will add more as time goes by.  We love living here and being a part of the people’s lives; helping pastors make a greater impact upon those that they serve.


Shawn Paul

I firmly believe in sowing, it’s a major part of who we are as God’s people.  We should always look for places to sow our seed into.  Ministries sometimes overlook this.  They are great in giving to the community, but you can always link the benefit back to them.  My pastor always taught me, give to reap a harvest for your vision and it can’t be a direct link or correlation to your work.  I have seen him, many times over, packing up his truck with tools heading off to another pastor’s church to lay tile, build out bathrooms, and other things; all the while, he has no personal connection to the church that he is helping.  This has never left my heart, and it has set a great precedence in my life.
 
This leads me to share with you, there is an incredible ministry, Urban Promise for Honduras, here locally that is mentoring youth of Copan Ruinas and surrounding communities for the Kingdom of God.  Within their organization, they have UrbanTrekkers.  They continue the vision of UPH through bicycling, hiking, and camping.  Their vision is incredible and what they do for the lives of the youth is so impactful.  For the past ten years, they have raised up an army of young people that can now dream and see those dreams come true!

Recently, I noticed their bicycles they have received through various donations and they are not in the greatest shape.  These bikes are used for long distant biking events such as riding across the country.  Also, they ride on some treacherous roads with their mountain bikes.  Even though the donated bikes were great at the time; they now, need to be retired.  So, we at MorningStar Missions have decided to not only financially help with getting them some bikes but do a major crowdfunding project.  Our goal is to raise around $15,000.
 
For this project, we have connected with Bike World in West Des Moines, IA.  Together, we will kick off our event August 20, 2019.  Through Bike World, our goal is to purchase around 10 to 15 bicycles, equipment for future maintenance, accessories, clothing, and much more.  The remaining funds will be for shipping, import tax, and customs.
 
We at MorningStar Missions believe that this event will help propel UrbanTrekkers to a great level in their ministry to the youth of Honduras.  Today, people are so quick to point fingers at problems, but lacking so much in the solution.  Through this event, we are not only suggesting a solution; we are bringing it forth for others to take part in.
 
Stay tune for the kickoff of the crowdfunding event.


Shawn Paul

​This morning I was walking in a construction zone.  A semi-truck was coming in my direction.  Immediately, my mind went into safety mode.  This semi was right on the edge of the road going on a curve.  I thought that truck could flip over if it slipped off the embankment.  So, I positioned myself in a place of safety.

​I thought to myself, why do I always think of safety?  I don’t live in fear.  Then, my mind was taken back to the days of being in the military as a tank mechanic.  One of the first things I was taught was to respect those things that can kill you.  Never become comfortable with them.  They shared a story with me.  There were two tanks parked nose to nose.  They were trying to get one started.  A soldier was standing between the two tanks.  Then one tank accidentally went into gear and leaped forward crushing the man.  They decided that when they pulled the tanks apart, he would die.  So, they called his family to the motor pool to say their goodbyes.  

I know this is a very sad story, but it has put a lifetime impression in my mind.  I was taught at a young age to have respect for those things that can kill you.  I have always been cautious my whole adult life.  Again, it’s not that I live in fear.  I enjoy life so much that I will not put myself in harm's way by not considering proper safety measures.

​That brings me to the point of my post.  We can easily see that a tank can kill us.  People know of the dangers with possible electrocution.  People flee to safety when a tornado is coming.  If you heard shooting in a department store; more than likely, you would take cover.
​
Remember, I was told to never become comfortable with those things that can kill you!  Always proceed with caution.  Why?  Cause you can literally sear your conscience of the dangers to where you never think about it.  You will overlook any forms of safety precautions and in time, you can find yourself in a life-threatening situation or ultimately, death.

​As a new believer in Christ, we are washed of the prior sins.  Immediately, we feel the results of being cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  Overwhelmingly, we sense the new creature in Christ we have become.  The newness plunges us into a life of holiness.  We dare not want to offend our Father God.  We consider our actions and how we treat others.  I can remember when I first gave my life to Christ.  I was going down the road in my car, and a guy flipped me off.  I pursued him in traffic; I was going to give him a little dose of me.  Then the Holy Spirit said to me, “What are you doing?  This is not what a believer in Christ should be doing.”  Needless to say, I stopped chasing him and continued back on my planned route.  See, as soon as I became a believer, God was working in my life.

The problem is, at first, we are ultrasensitive to the sin in our life.  We continually guard ourselves, being cautious of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions.  BUT, if we don’t take the same position as we do when we are around danger situations or equipment, we can find ourselves is a place of spiritual harm or danger.  Slowly, we are searing our hearts of that sensitivity.  Soon, enough is never enough.  Boundaries are being crossed.  Places you once wouldn’t go; now, there is no harm in it.  The things you once would never say; they flow out of the mouth.
​
The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Oh, Shawn, come on, the Lord forgives us.  He can’t see our sin, we are forgiven of past, present, and future sins.  It doesn’t matter to God, we all sin!  Really?  Let’s see what Paul has to say about it:

​To sum it up, you have been crucified with Christ and raised to a newness of life in him.  The old man has been put to death.  We are to live a new life in the likeness of him!  Sin has been destroyed in our lives!  We are not to serve sin!  Give no room for it!  Does it happen?  Yes!  But when you are willfully sinning with no concern in your heart, then I would say you are on dangerous grounds.  Your heart has been seared and you need to run back to your Savior to have a renewal take place in your life.  It’s not a matter of condemnation, it’s a matter just doing a reset back to default settings of our Christian walk.  Having the newness and freshness take place.  Once again, establishing the proper boundaries back in our life.  Then ultimately, removing the callus from our hearts and being free from sin!

I pray you enjoyed this article and it brings you freedom in Christ.  The Bible says to "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)  If there is anything in your life holding you back from God's best, let it go!  Let us run together, the race that he has for us!


Blessings!


Shawn Paul
Missionary to Honduras

So wonderful to celebrate our first year graduates of SMTI (Supernatural Ministries Training Institute). This coming February we will be starting our 2nd year.
These pastors and church leaders were so joyful to have accomplished such a wonderful step in the right direction towards excellence in ministry. Thank you so much for "Jimmy Squires Ministries" for sponsoring these men and women of God! Also, to Mark Barclay Ministries for offering SMTI to our ministry here in Honduras.
Afterwards, we had traditional Honduran food and deserts! Celebrating the accomplishments in their lives! Friends and family were present as well.

​Ministering out in San Jose, Guatemala today. Patty from the US joined us as well. We shared with both the adults and children.