Blog - 61 Isaiah

Rejoice in the Lord

July 27, 2018 by Kristi Hopkins 3 Comments

Sometimes being in the ministry can feel fruitless but this week was anything but. I watch yesterday as “my kids” stepped up to be the leaders that God has called them to be. There are very few words that describe this so I am posting these pictures with how God used them. Enjoy and rejoice with me!

This “little” kid, Wesley, I tutored in 2nd grade, today I watched him preach as amazing message. Check out his notes and see how his brain works but let me tell you that God has plans for him!!! #9:38

Edith and Emma learned to make jam today so they can teach one of the ladies here. Not because she loves cooking but because she loves people. THIS is servanthood… #9:38

Tyler is super crafty but doesn’t love being the center of attention. But today sat and taught some of the kids to make paracord bracelets and even stepped WAY out of his comfort zone and translated. #9:38

Abigail sat one day with her head in her hands as she panicked that she was going to have to translate in church. The very next day LEAD worship. Check out her smile as she worshipped. #9:38

Chumpe has always loved translating because it meant he got to hang out with people. This week, he asked if he could translate in order to serve those that have helped him. #9:38

Kimberly shared her testimony willing, in front of the church today. The most amazing testimony of a love story between her and God in the midst of a tumulus life. #9:38

Ana stepped up and translated for Shannon. Y’all this is no easy feat because he talks fast and switches languages in the middle of his sermon but she did an amazing job. #9:38

Saul, stepped in to calm down a man who was upset in the middle of church. Got down on his level and spoke calmly then just sat beside him the whole service. AND preached grace and love to his friend who accepted Christ today… #9:38

Meet our new little sister in Christ… Angie. There are no words to describe the feeling of watching her grapple with forgiveness and grace and then whisper “I want that.” #9:38

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices. Psalm 16:9a

Summer Missionaries, Team 2

July 23, 2018 by Kristi Hopkins Leave a Comment

Please pray for our second team of Summer missionaries as they begin ministering to the teams and the people here. Read a little about them below and pray at 9:38 for each one by name.

Megan Ritsema

I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan and now live an hour south in McBain, MI. I teach fourth grade at a local Christian school, and I love reading, running, playing basketball, and being outside. I became involved with 61Isaiah Ministries when I moved to Gracias to teach at Abundant Life Christian School in 2012. After moving back to the States in 2015, I began serving as a summer missionary. It’s the highlight of my summer break!

Kayli Gaither

Hi everyone ! my name is Kayli. I go to church at the Avenue. I went to Honduras this late spring break and met a ton of people that I have built amazing relationships with and I cannot wait to come back and serve and to build new relationships and work on the ones I’ve already started.

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Kimberly Cruz

She is clothed in strength &Dignity and she laughs without fear of the Future. -Proverbs 31 :25 That’s my constant reminder of the promise of God in life.I was born in a christian family with a single mother and two older brothers .We went to church every sunday and I knew about jesus.When I was 5 my family stop going to church because we had a lot of problems .During my age of 5 to 11 ,I went through many problemas that were changing me completelly.In to a person full of fear and doing what that wrong thing in life. I was going to a christian school and I knew about jesus but never had a really good relationship with him.I knew my friends had a relationship with him and i wanted to had one too.I went to church and got to know more about his love .I was helping in church in everything ,and I was really in to church.But when the problems started i ran away of God.I accepted Christ in my life in one of Mr.shannons mission trip .We were coming from san isidro and in the car i accepted christ as my savior .My life is not easy but with the help of God its easier. All my life i wanted to be a missionary and when miss.kristi told me that there was an opportunity for me I knew that God was calling me.

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Lillie McDonald

My name is Lillie McDonald. I am 21 years old, and will be starting my junior year of college at Howard Payne University in the fall. I am double majoring in Practical Theology and Spanish. I want to go into ministry when I graduate, and this trip is going to also be an opportunity for me to see if I could possibly do tlthis long term. This will be my first time going to Honduras. I am very excited to go, but also nervous because it will be my first time traveling on my own, and living in a place like Honduras. I can’t wait to see how God is going to move through me during my time there.

Lillie McDonald's Profile Photo, Image may contain: Lillie McDonald, smiling, eyeglasses, plant, tree, outdoor and nature

Summer Missionaries Have Arrived!

July 2, 2018 by Kristi Hopkins Leave a Comment

Our first team of summer missionaries arrived in Gracias last night! Please be in prayer for them as they serve the next three weeks. Take a peek below to find out more about them!!!

Javier Lara

My name is Javier. I’m 19 years old and this is my 4th year working with 61 Isaiah. I was a senior at Abundant Life a year ago, and I will start my sophomore year at Harding University in Arkansas in the fall. I’m double majoring in Finance and International Business. Eventually, I’m planning to get involve into politics and help my country. I’m very excited to be a summer missionary and help my people.

Courtney Weaver

Hi!! My name is Courtney Weaver! I’m 18 years old and live in Zavalla, Texas! I am attending Stephen F. Austin State University in the fall to pursue a major in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Spanish! I hope to become a Kindergarten teacher and am praying about where God would have me to do that! I have always had a heart for missions, and I feel that it is possible that God is calling me to teach in a mission field!

Emma Lehew

Hello! My name is Emma Lehew! I’m 18 years old and just graduated high school. I became a Christian at a young age, and for almost as long as I can remember, God has been calling me to the mission field. Now that I have finally surrendered to His calling, I can’t wait to follow Him down to Honduras. I am currently working towards a Biology major. After I attain it, I will become a pediatrician and work for a nonprofit that will allow me to help impoverished children both here in the states and in third world countries. I would ask that you pray for my health as I travel to Honduras and for the health of all the other incoming interns. And I would like to thank you all so much for your prayers. I know they will help each and every one of us during this upcoming summer.

Mikah Phillips

Hey y’all! My name is Mikah Phillips and I am 18 years old. I grew up in central Texas,the oldest of 6 kids, and always have felt that God had an impeccable and adventurous plan for my life. He softened my heart toward His people all across the

world and opened my eyes to see His love for them. Eventually, He pulled my heart to Honduras. After graduating in December 2017, I moved to Honduras in January to pursue what God had in store for me there, and was by no means disappointed. I w

orked at the bilingual school there as a teacher’s aide and visited the mountain villages on a weekly basis and worked (or was it played?) with the kids there. The Lord showed me His beauty in the countryside of, and the hearts of, the Honduran people. Therefore, it is no surprise that I now find myself headed back to Honduras in the summer. I would ask for prayer this summer concerning spiritual and physical energy for both myself and the rest of the 61 Isaiah team, as well as for eyes that see His purpose everywhere. All glory to Jesus!

An Answer to the Call

May 26, 2018 by Kristi Hopkins Leave a Comment

We would like to introduce you to our newest team member, Joshua Dykes. He is 22 years- old and originates from Mount Pleasant, Texas where he grew up with his awesome parents (Chris and Martha) and his younger brother (Brandon). Josh grew up attending First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant along with his family and his relationship with Christ started when he was 9 years-old and asked his parents, “If Jesus is perfect and I am not, then why would He die for me?” To which they responded, “Because He loves you.” From that moment onward, Joshua started the crazy and fulfilling adventure that we call being a Christian. Josh continued to learn about God’s will for his life and when he was 16 years-old he felt a call to ministry. He followed this call to Howard Payne University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry, Public Policy (from the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy), and a minor in Spanish. He has worked in youth ministry for the past 4 years and believes that his time in ministry has prepared him to work in adaptive innovative ways. Joshua came to Gracias for the first time on a short-term mission with Southside Church and returned again the next year. It was after this second stay in Honduras that Joshua joined the missions team. This is how Joshua explains his call to Honduras in his own words, “After I left from serving alongside 61 Isaiah Ministries for the first time, I knew I had to come back. I knew God was calling me to Honduras at this point. I cannot explain why I have grown up with such a desire for learning Spanish and understanding Latin American culture, but I know now that it has been God preparing me for an opportunity just like this one. I see glimpses of Honduras in every day and I cannot wait to Walk With the people of Honduras and serve with 61 Isaiah Ministries.” Please be in prayer for Josh as he begins his preparations to move here.

Feelings Bear

February 28, 2018 by Kristi Hopkins 5 Comments

I’m not a fan of stuffed animals. I don’t really have a good reason other than that they seem to always be in the way. I’ve even been known to pass them off to other kids when my own children weren’t looking (don’t judge, I know you have done it too.) So you can imagine everyone’s surprise when I brought home a giant teddy bear. You know, the kind you see in movies, that is as big as a person. What would posses me to go against this uncalled for dislike of stuffed animals? My child needed it. And like any mom, we will do anything to help our children. When Isabella came to our home 4 and half years ago she rarely cried. If she was scared, hurt or upset, she would retreat into a little shell of a person showing no emotion and not moving for hours on end. I longed for the day that she would cry and tell us what was wrong. Months and months later, when those tears and anger came, I would wish for the silence again because boy can she cry… for hours. And then the anger began less frequent but more extreme. Little scratches on her face, pinching her legs, banging her head. It was hard to watch. And so, the giant bear was introduced and given the original name of “Feelings Bear.” He was placed on a mat in her room where she was free to express her anger. He is great at taking the beating. Isabella would sit in his lap and rage until she was ready to do her deep breathing exercises. Sometimes after hearing crying for two consistent hours, I wondered if this “phase” would ever end or if we would hear fits for the rest of her life. But yesterday, she asked if she could give Feelings Bear away. The time has come that she doesn’t rage as often, although we still see tears a little more frequently than most 7 year olds. She no longer needs to hit something to get her anger out, or pull the bear’s fur. Isabella always expresses her emotions loudly. She laughs big, she hugs hard, she cries with her bottom lip sticking out and she wants everyone to know when she is angry. This may never change. I am not sure we want it to. It’s part of who she is. But just as God continues to mold me, as her mother, He is molding her into his character. He is using us to teach her appropriate times for anger and good ways to express this. Correction is never an easy process and we never seem to learn quickly but progress is so sweet when the journey has seemed long.

Thank You for your Support!