2025 Changes - Summer Missions Report

Brothers and sisters,

Thank you for your support, your love, and your prayers.

Last Trip with Hope Ministries International

July / August was my last trip working in an official capacity with Hope Ministries International. May God continue to bless the ministry and the teams (including the December team that just got back!). I am taking some time to pray about where the Lord has me next, but I am looking forward to sharing what the Lord is doing throughout Central America with my friends who remain working hard for the Lord.

Summer Overview

The Lord continues to do amazing things in Central America. This past July and August, sixty people left home and loved ones to come with us for the sake of the gospel. and I was privileged to serve among them. Two of the communities we served in have never had a healthy gospel-preaching church, and we had the chance to share not only the gospel of Jesus but also the practical love of Jesus. Together, we were able to give dental and medical care, love and the gospel to thousands of people.

Our medical team worked from morning until late in the afternoon and sometimes into the night to ensure that as many patients as possible were seen and blessed. My friend and fellow minister of the gospel Danny brought and led a team of medical people from Echo and Joven a Joven, and they dedicated themselves to serving others.

Thanks to everyone who donated medical supplies, everyone who prayed for us, and all who provided for us financially. We did not run out of vitamins or anything else this time; your funds went to making sure that there was enough for everyone.

Our team was made up of people from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States. What an incredible preview of the Kingdom of God in heaven to have so many different people serving together under the banner of Christ.

Prayer Requests

1. That God uses in the time that I’m catching up on my seminary studies and serving in my church
2. That God brings many people who need the gospel into our church and that we do a good job discipling them
3. That God blesses the continued work in Central America in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala
4. That the Holy Spirit will direct me where I need to be

Thank you all! Here are some stories from the trip.

God Works All Things Out for Good          

It was day two of our first week visiting the schools in July, and we were scheduled to go to a relatively large school with hundreds of children. We were supposed visit the little kids and had prepared a program for the youngest group, but when we arrived, they told us that they would be ready for us an hour later than we thought, and that we were to visit the oldest kids in the school (from 15-17 years old).

Performing the original program would mean we got laughed out and would not help the older kids. I was initially annoyed, but God reminded me that He works best in our weakness.

We prayed together, and in 25 minutes, we came up with an entirely different program – a drama and testimonies from two young men who the Lord saved out of difficult circumstances.

The response was incredible- the students paid the most attention I have ever seen them pay attention, especially in this community that used to be ruled by the gangs. We broke into small groups afterwards and many were in tears from the message of the gospel and the testimonies of our team.

Shortly afterwards we found out that one of the teachers had suddenly passed away that morning, and our program had reached the older students right in their hour of need. God’s plans are always better, always perfect, and always good.

A Winning Soccer Game for the Gospel

In Guatemala we packed in the back of four-wheel-drive trucks to travel on rough roads into the mountains to share the gospel. The community we served has never had a Gospel-preaching church. They are full of superstition and witchcraft and idolatry and have only just begun to hear the gospel from a friend of mine – Ricky Cope and his ministry. We partnered together and found ourselves ministering in a school up in the cool mountain air.

Unbeknownst to me, some of our people had made a deal with a group of girls from the school – if we won a soccer game, we would get a chance to share the gospel with them, and if they won, they would teach us about their idolatry.

“You what?” I thought. “I don’t think that was the best decision but…”

I played with our team, and though most of us (especially me) are not very talented, we managed to come from behind and win. They sat down with our team, and we had a Christ-centered conversation with them, sharing the good news that they too could be saved. Amazing.

Maybe it wasn’t the wisest choice for such a high-stakes game, but God truly does work out all things for good. Please pray that they will continue to hear the gospel from Ricky and his family as they minister.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support,

-          Paul