Hi guys,

We arrived in Miami and dashed to another terminal where we promptly got on our next flight. We took the flight to Tegucigalpa and braved the insane landing. I didn't vomit (yay!) and all our luggage arrived. I am sad to say that I cannot get my pictures to upload tonight, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Sorry, ladies and gents. After we arrived in Teguc and got all our luggage loaded, we drove the five minutes to our Bed and Breakfast. (counting all the people in the vans took longer than the drive) Lydia had sandwiches and chips ready for us and we ate lunch at 1:30. At 2:30, we headed out to the Jesus Statue, an enormous landmark here. We sweated and ate ice cream and enjoyed the cool breeze.

When we got back to the Bed and Breakfast, Lydia had dinner ready for us - chili with tortilla chips, lettuce, cheese, and our favorite kind of sour cream (Honduran). We had a quick time of worship and all went to bed super early! As I write this, I think most people have passed out on their beds. Thank you for praying for safe travels - we had them. Thank you for lifting up our health - so far no one is horribly sick, but I am seeing people weak and exhausted which can lead to illness. Pray for that - that everyone stays healthy. Thank God for our team - it's a unique blend of people and I'm excited to see what He does with us this week. Pray for those who will be sharing their testimonies and for those who'll be preaching tomorrow at the two church services we'll be attending. Ask that we would be kind, loving, and encouraging to our Honduran brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lots of love,
Allison James
(who is seriously beyond exhausted - sorry if it doesn't all make sense)

The 34 member team will be heading to Honduras on Saturday, March 6 and returning on Saturday, March 13. Please be in prayer for them as they minister to children through VBS, women through Bible Studies, the ill in hospitals, and people in the village of Cataluna. Thank you for your prayers. We'll update every day with mini-updates. Check back for the updates!

Allison James
Director of Missions and also a member of the Honduras 2010 Team

So, I have obviously fallen off the face of the earth. I'm sorry! Things have been busy here at the church and this hasn't been the priority I intended it to be. Please forgive me as I learn to balance things.

~Allison

Honduras - Pray that God will work in the hearts of those who have signed up for the trip this week. Ask that He will continue to make it clear to them that this is what He has asked them to do. Ask that they will feel excitement and enthusiasm for the work God is doing in Honduras.

Mongolia - Change the World Ministries/LifeQwest is having a hard time paying for all the many expenses that go into running an orphanage like they have. Ask that God will provide financially for them. Ask that God will provide in ways big and small.

Salvation Safari (Nicaragua) - Pray for those who are still recovering from Hurricane Ida. Ask that God will use His believers to give hope to a hurting people. Ask that God will use this thing that happened (that was bad) for good. Ask that more will come to know Him.

Salvation Safari (Uganda) - Pray for good communication between us and those who will set up our trip on the other side. Ask that we may be able to determine what we're going to do and that we'll have support there ready and waiting when we arrive.

High School Mission Trip - Pray for our high school students and those who work with them. Ask that God will work in their hearts and grow them into more mature believers. Ask that our high school students will have the desire to learn more about who God is and will choose to follow Him with reckless abandon. The Turkey Bowl was a great time and we did have several students who have never even been to our church! Praise Him!

Middle School Mission Trip - Pray for the organization of this trip. Ask that we will be able to determine what we'll be doing in Houston and that we'll be able to get it organized and ready for people to sign up, soon.

In January, the First Irving Men's Ministry will be heading to Tyler, TX and PineCove Christian Camps for a Men's Mission Trip.

Details?
We will be working at the camp to repair, renovate, remodel, build and clean up the camp. It will be an awesome time together for many generations of men to spend some time together, get away for a few days, and build!
Cost?
$50 (includes food, lodging, and travel)
When?
January 12-16, 2010
How to get involved?
Contact Jason Hatch @ 972-253-1171 or jasonhatch7@gmail.com

Honduras - Those who are planning on going on the trip turn in their applications this week. Ask that God would begin to knit the hearts together of those going on the trip. Pray that God will move in the hearts of our church members who God wants to go but who may be hesitant. Ask that God will provide financially for those who need it and that all may be able to go.

Mongolia - Pray that God will begin working in the hearts of those we will come in contact with there in Mongolia and in China, too. Ask that they will be open to hearing the gospel and that the First Irving team will be unafraid and bold in sharing it.

Salvation Safari (Uganda) - Ask that we will have many people at the interest meeting this Sunday. Pray for God to give Jeremy the words to speak and for many to commit to going on this trip.

Salvation Safari (Nicaragua) - Hurricane Ida hit Nicaragua last week, taking lives and homes in the flooding and mudslides. Praise God that none of the homes we've built there for pastors have been affected! Pray for those who've lost loved ones and who've lost all they owned. Ask that God will provide for them and that resources will make their way deep into the jungles there to those who need it most.

High School Mission Trip - Pray for our High School students as they get together for the Turkey Bowl this weekend. Ask that God will give them a time of great fellowship, fun, and laughter as they play together. Ask that God will bring some who've never been to church before to a fun event. Ask that God will use this event to draw new high school students in.

Middle School Mission Trip - Pray that even now God will be working in the hearts of our middle school students, getting them excited about the trip they'll be taking next summer. Ask that God will continue to provide opportunities for spiritual growth for all our middle school students.

Thank God for a beautiful week!

Blessings to you today ~Allison

Hello all,

The Honduras 2010 Application and deposit are due on November 15. It's rapidly approaching. Be sure and get your money and application in, so that you don't miss out on this trip and all it offers! Have a great weekend!