Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus!

Greetings to you from warm and balmy Honduras!  Today it is raining, but during December, January and now into February, many of the days have been sunny and warm often with a gentle breeze to keep it cool!!  Sharon even said recently, “Hey, I could live here!”

We hope and pray that the New Year is going well for you!

I would like to share a scripture with you that is found in Proverbs 3:5-6!  Perhaps you were one of those who stayed up until midnight to usher in the New Year!  I went to bed around 10 pm because I was tired, and then woke up later and these words began going through my mind:  ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

When I started to write the words down, Sharon got the flashlight out and was looking to see what I was writing, and said, “That’s Proverbs 3:5-6!”  As I was writing this scripture down, I looked at the clock and it was exactly 1 am!!  What a powerful word for the New Year!!!

That scripture is actually a command of God with a promise!  I think it is particularly meaningful and appropriate because of the economic situation facing our nation and other nations of the world!

Well, let me switch gears and talk about the school!!!

God continues to bring us treasure that was tucked away back in these mountains mostly hidden from view and largely forgotten by those in the cities!  Passed over and forgotten!  Diamonds in the rough covered with dust and dirt!  Lacking brilliance and unrecognized–until the hand of the Master wipes the dirt away to reveal the beauty underneath!!!  And that is what is happening here at Instituto El Rey!

There have been four graduations thus far, our first graduation being in 2006!  With a total of 68 graduates, about half or 50%, are now attending a university!  Four graduates from the first class are now in their 4th year of medical school and are well on their way to becoming doctors!!  Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Teachers–once they dared not dream, now they dream and their dreams are coming true!!

And you have made it all possible!!!  Thank you so much for being faithful to give, to pray, to come for a visit and to work, to spread the news of what is happening and the need for others to become involved!!!!  For it is true that without you, Instituto El Rey would not be!!  It is a ministry that depends on your gifts–we charge the students a minimal amount (about $5 a month for 7th -9th grades and about $8 a month for 10th -12th grades) and transportation is free!!  Sometimes they cannot afford even that, so they come and work on Saturdays for their monthly fees!!  You are making a profound difference in the lives of these young people by giving them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has blessed us with ten dedicated Honduran teachers this year for whom we praise and thank God!!

God has brought Bob and Joyce Byrd who have been here before!  They will be here for 7 weeks and Joyce will help with the student support program while Bob cleans up around the grounds and acts as vigilante!!  Wendy Whitaker arrived the 9th of February, and is already teaching two classes of English and a class of music!!  All 3 are from our church in Maple Valley, WA. !!  God knew we needed them and we praise and thank Him!!

And God is bringing others!!!  Marshall Robbeke, a young man also from our church, will be coming sometime in April to help wherever we need him!!, and Dave and Cindy Sharpless will be coming in June or July to help us with the  administration of the school and to teach!!!  We so much look forward to their coming!!  Praise the Lord for His blessings–for His perfect and timely provision in every way!!

Two teams will be coming this summer from Ivy Chapel in St. Louis, where my brother, Russ, and his wife, Debbie, attend!!  We look forward to them coming!!!

God could not bless us much more than all this!!!!!!!!

Prayer requests:

1)  Please pray that God would move in even a more powerful way in hearts and lives of the teachers and students this year!!

2)  Please pray that many who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, would make that decision this year!

3)  Please pray for continued protection!

4)  Please pray for health and stamina to do what needs to be done this year!

5)  Please pray for continued provision needed to operate the school!

God bless you abundantly and overflowing!

And now, To gain for the Lamb the reward of His sacrifice,

Earl and Sharon Washburn

Administrators, Instituto El Rey