Firewood Arrives!

Every time that we made plans to make a trip to collect fire wood, it rained and rained. Finally, after weeks of waiting, we were able to make our trip! We are hoping that this load will last a while. Santos took charge of arranging the firewood. Thank you Santos!

Minnesota Mission Team Visit

We had such a wonderful time with the Minnesota team! The group accomplished a great task, they dug over 50 holes and put cement posts and chain link fence up to improve over 300 feet of our fence along the road. The group also held a three day VBS for all the kids (feeding program included). The children enjoyed the afternoon activities so much! In addition to the morning work and afternoon activities, the Minnesota group had nightly activities with the children at the Home. The activities included:

Pinecar derby car making and racing


Movie night


Game night


Decorating purses



Once again, we would ALL like to thank the Minnesota group for their time here and for all of the happiness that they brought to us!

Ministries of Faith

OUR NEW BUS!

We wanted to thank FBC, Pastor Richard Sipe, Leon Yantis, Prairie Ridge Church, Pastor Kevin Jansma, and other partners in mission. We were able to get our new bus, a NEW TOYOTA COASTER!
We are so thankful with our Lord and God who is faithful and has blessed us with this wonderful bus.

Thanks to you that made this possible.

Sincerely,

Dago and Dilia Zelaya

Baptisms 2009

We give the glory to the Lord for allowing us the opportunity to have the first baptisms in our new church in Azacualpa Valle, Honduras.
On Sunday December 13, nine young ladies were baptized. They were submerged in the waters of baptism and publicly confessed that Jesus Christ is their lord and savior. They also shared their desire to serve, love and follow Him for the remainder of their days.

We celebrated the baptisms in a nearby river (about 20 minutes away) close to Lomalta. It was a great blessing for all who participated.

Our small congregation is getting ready for our grand Christmas celebration. For the first time, we will have a Christmas play! We will also have a dinner after the service. During this special meal we will have the opportunity to give gifts to ALL the children from the Feeding Program. The children, and staff, from Ministries of Faith will also receive their gifts during the meal.

The Lord has been faithful! He has blessed us with a wonderful family in faith who prays, donates and contributes their support, spiritually and materially.

We would like to thank ALL of those who care and love us.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless you this upcoming year!

Children's day Celebration!

In Honduras, Children's day is a national Holiday. This special day gave us the opportunity to invite children who live all around Ministries of Faith to come and celebrate with us. We had piñatas, games, singing, candy, a great meal and other types of entertainment. We were blessed to have 300 children attend the festivities!

Medical Mission Trip 2009 - Reflection by Callies

“Oh, that I might be a flaming fire in the service of the Lord. Here I am, Lord, send me; send me to the ends of the Earth…send me from all that is called earthly comfort; send me even to death itself if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy Kingdom.” -David Brainerd

Over the years my husband Devin and I have supported and contributed towards missions, knowing how important mission outreach could be. I never figured we would one day go to Honduras on a mission trip, and, if you had asked me a few years ago, I probably would have said I had no interest in going. Believing the mission field was for spiritually mature, specially trained Christians who had dedicated their lives solely to mission work, I couldn’t believe I had anything to offer and felt unworthy of such a wonderful calling.

That changed, however, when Dr. Ray Kreuger and his wife, Connie, asked us to join them on a Medical/Dental mission trip to a children’s home in Azacualpa, Honduras. As a nurse, this piqued my interest, but in my mind there were several reasons why it was unrealistic; conflicting work schedules, cost, etc. After much prayerful consideration, we felt the Lord urging us to go and things seemed to fall into place.

The thought of God using me through my nursing skills was exciting. The clinic was set up to include three doctors who saw over 900 patients in five days, a pharmacy, eye screenings and distribution of reading glasses, and dental services, including extractions and fluoride applications. Providing care to the visitors of the clinic and working with the team members was rewarding and eye opening. I soon came to fully understand that the Lord has gifted us each with special and unique gifts/talents. Each member of the team served a very special purpose and fit well into their roll. This helped me realize that even I can be used by God in any way He sees fit, if I only listen to Him and allow Him to use me. One of the most touching moment for me involved a patient named Manuel. He had fallen off a roof six days earlier and had a deep head wound that required extensive cleaning and care. He returned the next day for a dressing change and returned later that evening for a church service lead by Pastor Dago. That night Manuel accepted the Lord as his Savior!

Prior to the trip, my expectations focused on the medical services we as a team would be providing and the difference we would make in our patients’ lives. However, I never would have imagined I’d come away with a greater understanding of God’s love, grace and provision. Although the people of Honduras often had very little (by U.S. standards), they were happy and appreciative. After a week of focusing on God, serving His people, and enjoying peace and quiet without cell phones, returning home to technology, material possessions, and luxuries (i.e. warm water) was actually disappointing in many ways. I now have a greater appreciation for what is truly important in life and understand that, although I am blessed with many earthy comforts, they are not nearly as necessary as a deep, personal relationship with the Lord.

I look forward to returning to Honduras and am thankful to Pastor Dago, his family, and each of the workers at Ministerios de Fe Vida Nueva for their generosity and dedication. I pray for continued blessings to these special people and the people of Honduras.

Ministries of Faith and the Political Situation in Honduras

The current political situation in Honduras changes on a daily basis. However, the effect is barely noticed in the small town of Azacualpa, where the Children's Home is located. We are feeling only two effects here at Children’s Home.

The first effect is the children’s education. School classes were stopped for three weeks. The teachers were asked by ex-President Manuel Zelaya to rally against the new president, President Michelleti. While no demonstrations have occurred in Azacualpa, most of the town's teachers have gone to bigger cities to protest. On Monday July 20th, classes finally resumed in Azacualpa.

The second effect we have experienced is that fewer mission groups are coming to Honduras. Two mission groups from Iowa canceled due to the political situation. However, we have had four groups that were able to come and be with us. There is small group from Ankeny, Iowa here this week building a computer lab for the Children’s Home.

We hope that this situation will soon end and we ask for your prayers and support in order to continue the ministry that God has asked us to be a part.

God bless you, Pastor Dago and Dilia Zelaya

Futbol (Soccer) League

The new soccer league has officially started at Ministries of Faith! The soccer league is one of the new outreach programs that Pastor Dago has begun. Currently there are four teams with 15 players per team. Practices that are held on Saturday start at 8:30 in the morning, before any drills or games begin there is a short devotional followed by a prayer which Pastor Dago or Pastor Alex lead.

Soccer is the #1 sport in Honduras that is the reason why there are so many children interested in playing the sport. Even though soccer is so popular there are very few leagues available for the lower class. Having this ministry will make it possible for low income children to participate in a free soccer league!

Please pray for the development of the soccer ministry!

Pastor Dago and Dilia Zelaya

Pastor Dago and his wife Dilia moved to the Children's Home in Azacualpa, Honduras in January as full time missionaries. Their goal is to continue the development of Ministries of Faith as well as to promote the ministry around the country of Honduras.

As many of you know, Pastor Dago has been a key to the development of Ministries of Faith. In his own words Pastor Dago says;

"My own childhood was lived without my father and I never had the experience of having a dad in my life; when I was about 10-years-old, I dreamed of having a happy family and being able to help orphan children. In 1999 God began answering his prayers about building a Children's Home. God provided the money to purchase property and he provided the money to start building the two first houses for the children."

Ministries of Faith has changed greatly in the last few years. There is no denying that God has been at work! We know that He will continue to bless the ministry through the work that Pastor Dago and Dilia are doing there. Stay tuned for more updates on what the couple is doing and how the ministry is changing.

A Quick Look at Ministries of Faith