Rancho Oasis for Youth

2020 & 2021 Review: Transition Take 2

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 22:44:00 +0000

The Beard Family - Thanksgiving 2021

Has it really been over two years since my last post? (Yep. June 2019!)

I guess as our life got back to US standard “normal” I lost interest in sharing about the Beard family. Perhaps, I just lost the motivation, not seeing our significance without Rancho Oasis. Thank God His plan for each of us is long-term even when our earthly efforts don’t come to fruition!

So let’s review…

We all finished up our 2019-20 academic year just like everybody else: on-line learning due to Covid-19 interventions/concerns. Even Marillyn taught online because she had stepped into teaching the ASL class at the kids’ school. The demands of teaching at the junior high led me to leave the profession and go back to my “trade roots”. I installed whole house fans with Eco Air Solutions, my in-laws whole house fan company, in the warmer months and painted cabinets in the colder months. We homeschooled the kids in 2020-21 through the classical conversations community. Our life was finally beginning to settle in Colorado Springs when we decided to make another move…

Mathias at school homecoming rally!

Marillyn and the kids, along with Brooke Goranson, arrived in Phoenix, Arizona mid-July 2021! The vision was to start an Arizona division of the whole house fan company and work Colorado’s offseason in Arizona.

The kids discovered a great Christian school and miraculously were all enrolled for the 21-22 school year! Naomi (15 y/o) has since hung up her ballet shoes, but is a social butterfly her first year in high school; Tabitha (13 y/o) is an 8th grade academic star and continues to play both court and sand volleyball; Tobias (11 y/o) is enjoying his 4th grade classroom and the baseball diamond as a 2nd baseman; Poema (9 y/o) is being challenged in the classroom after being identified as dyslexic and is a top goal scorer on her soccer team; Mathias (5 y/o) is making friends in the pre-k three full days a week!

Poema sporting her Inferno away jersey.

After completing the summer install season in Colorado, I arrived in Phoenix on September 1st! Workwise the transition to Arizona has been very slow, so I filled in as a substitute teacher at the kids' new school. However, neither the whole house fan business nor teaching were consistent enough to sustain us and I was prompted to search elsewhere for work.

Via a contact with another parent in Poema’s classroom, I’ve been invited to pursue joining a Realtor Group in Phoenix. I’ve enrolled into a two week crash course and hope to pass my tests in January, get trained in February and begin working in March when the season picks up in real estate! God’s timing is perfect despite this huge leap of faith, also known as a “career change”! Marillyn has also started working part-time at a local barn getting her horse fix while earning a bit of income, too!

Tobias showing his purple school pride!

Most importantly, after months of searching, we seem to be settling into a home church! Phoenix, a city with a population over 4.7 million people, has a lot of churches! Despite having a lot of recommendations from friends and families at the kids' school, we never were able to settle in at a church, until now.

A recent sermon emphasized Isaiah 43:18-19:

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

What an amazing verse to start a new year and to “start over”, again literally in the desert!

Tabitha playing for her school team.

Financially, we are in a unique situation as I transition careers.

There are two ways to help the Beards: Pray & Give!

Pray for the Lord to bless us in this transition:

-We may need to move out of our current rental to make payments;

-My 2005 mini-van needs to be replaced with a Realtor-friendly ride;

-That we can exhaust all the local & government resources available to us while I’m not earning a paycheck.

-That I would pass my real estate licensing tests

-That we would continue to grow spiritually as a family:
-Marillyn and I have recently restarted Christian marriage counseling

-The family is working through the New Testament in Bible Study

-That we would get connected with our new church outside of Sundays

Naomi and I serving at a high school field trip.

You can give to Rancho Oasis for Youth. RO4Y still exists as a non-profit to receive monthly payments for the property in Honduras. The property is under a “rent to own” contract with another US based ministry working in Tegucigalpa and now Ojojona. We had hoped to have it paid for in full by now, but Covid really hampered their ability to raise funds for the property.

Please send checks to:

Rancho Oasis for Youth

UPDATED April 2022: 8765 Boxelder Dr

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Or donate on Paypal with this link.

Another way to give is through the Arizona Tax Credit System to help pay for the kids’ tuition for school. Even non-residents can participate in the giving for a tax right off. Read more information by clicking the link here.

Forgive me for the delay in communication. It has been a rough journey, but for the first time in awhile I am experiencing hope!

Be blessed in 2022 and stay in touch!

March - June '19 Review: From CHAOS to RESETTLEMENT

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 14:28:00 +0000

Tolkien's experience in WWI gave him a new depth of authority in writing for Frodo Baggins.

It was approximately one year ago that Marillyn and I made the decision to close our life & ministry in Honduras and return to the United States.

As we learned in our “Debrief and Renewal” family retreat (DAR) in June, life in Honduras / on the mission field is full of paradox! So many wonderful “peaks” and an equal amount of “valleys”. Our DAR retreat gave us a new vocabulary and the platform to share our story with a room full of individuals who were, in many ways, just like us.

Our DAR small group represented multiple continents and stages of the missionary experience:
From Mexico to Morocco and retiring to returning.

One of the most pivotal discussions for us was about the process of transition: “The experience of the gradual, psychological reorientation process that happens inside us as we respond and adapt to the external change.” (William Bridges)

The Stages of Transition bridge analogy

The Beard family has been in the stage of “chaos” for nearly a year. The last six months the chaos has peaked, but now we are seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel” as several factors in our lives are helping us transition into the resettlement stage. It was such a relief for Marillyn and I to discover that we are not alone in the experience of chaos and that it is normal and, more importantly, it does come to an end!

Several factors have lead us closer to entering that resettlement stage. They include,

1. All four older children are enrolled to start Fall classes at their private Christian school (USCO). Praise God for the school’s generous financial scholarship and the financial assistance of Dave and Marsha Beard to make this happen!

2. In early June, we moved into our own rental home & out from living with Marillyn’s parents, Wayne & Brooke Goranson. Our rental home is an amazing gift with five bedrooms, three baths and two large backyards! Our immediate financial goal is to take on all of our bills except for rent. The Goransons have committed to continue to cover our rent expense as we continue to get our financial feet under us! Mil gracias! (PRAY for blessings on the Goranson's whole house fan business!)

D49's Falcon Middle School

3. After working multiple part-time jobs, I have been blessed with full-time employment starting in August! Let me back up: I took a long-term subbing assignment in a public school system, District 49, on the east side of Colorado Springs for the final month of classes. By God’s grace, I was quickly able to establish a good rapport with my students and the faculty. I was sought out by the principal and asked to apply for a full-time English teaching position for the following year. I applied and got the job a week later! I will be the 7th & 8th grade Reading teacher at Falcon Middle School! (In order to take the job, I will be pursing an alternative licensure program on the weekends. $325 a month will be deducted from my salary to pay for school. Busy times!)

To be honest, this job wasn’t even on my radar, but God opened the door wide! I realized that much like Peter returning to a career in fishing after his ministry failures, I am doing the same by entering the classroom. When my heart & soul are restored Jesus will once again appear on the beach and call me back into a clearer service to him. See John 21. Right now I need to be rebuilt in my walk with Christ and enjoy the classroom.

4. My health has also improved tremendously over the last few months. After taking some blood work it was discovered that I had 2 different parasites. I have also taken some heavy duty pro-biotics to help recharge my GI tract; essentially, my large intense was not working properly and I haven’t been getting the nutrients that my body needed. A lot of my fatigue and adrenal issues stemmed from this. I still have a ways to go, but improving tremendously! PTL! Thank you, Upstream Functional Medicine!

16 years of marriage on June 21st!

5. Marillyn has been meeting regularly with a Christian life coach. She met Kimber at an event with several of her Young Living associates. She has been learning to create boundaries and carve out time for her own self-care and for investing in her business. It is a blessing for me to see my wife relearn to serve her family out of a sense of joy and not guilt.

6. Our final step is discovering a new church family. Calvary Springs Church, formerly Calvary Chapel True North, has been a great home for us as we initially began our transition to Colorado, but God is leading us to begin the search for a congregation where we can be “The Beards” and not the pastor’s daughter’s family or “those former missionaries”. Please PRAY for us as we step out in faith trusting the Lord’s direction. We desire to reclaim spiritual ground in our family dynamic and individual devotion.

Father's day lunch at a great local Mexican restaurant.

One of the only ministry ties that remains for us in Honduras is the property in Ojojona. By God’s grace we have a third and what we hope to be final potential buyer! A long-seasoned, short-term missionary to Honduras has partnered with friends of ours in the capital, Tegucigalpa. This gentleman recently visited Honduras with the purpose of scouting out a property outside of the city to extend their ministry reach and influence with urban youth in a rural setting. Of the five properties that they visited they liked ours the best! PRAY for us as we work through details of the sale and that the Lord’s will be done!

Despite having a long-term job lined up for August, I have continued to paint to help make ends meet until the school year starts. The challenge with the teaching gig is my first paycheck does not arrive until the middle of September: SIX WEEKS WITH NO INCOME! The ministry is still receiving financial support, but at 25% of what we were receiving a year ago. (And half of this covers direct ministry expenses: caretaker & utilities.) The state of Colorado has assisted us with medical and food; however, the food assistance was recently cut in half only covering about one week’s worth of groceries. Marillyn continues to grow her business with Young Living, but any money earned is used to buy products for the family & reinvested into the business. We are trusting the Lord for his provision and are grateful for a few special one-time donations that we have received over the last few months! (Gracias Helles and Dietz families!) Perfect timing with our move last month! God is good!

In summary, surviving in a transitional state of chaos over the last year has been, well chaotic! Many times we wondered if we were just going crazy! Not only were we relieved to learn that our experience was normal, but that it also would come to an end.

Capital Gains: Family fun in Denver.

While attending the DAR retreat I started a new journal. A spiritual discipline I have done on & off for the last 20 years. For those of you familiar with the Moleskine journals, it is very difficult to discern the front from the back. Without realizing it, I started the retreat writing on the final page and working my way backwards through the journal. Little did I realize that this simple mistake would speak volumes to my soul: “What I thought was the end, was actually a new beginning!”

I had begun to believe the lie that we failed and were now disqualified for use in the Kingdom of God. However, God planted a new seed of hope in our hearts during our DAR retreat. This is a season of grieving over what was lost and allowing the Lord to restore our souls as only He can: He is our living hope! He is not done with us, yet! In fact, He is just getting started!

It is with great humility that we thank you for your partnership over the last decade +. Our family would not be who we are today without your consistent words of encouragement, financial gifts and prayers.

Keep ‘em coming!!! We need them more than ever as we continue this new journey in this strange foreign land called the United States!

January / February '19 Review: PAIN & OPPORTUNITY

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 22:33:00 +0000

Buen Provecho Familia Barba

“Ultimately we become what we pay attention to, and the options available to us at any time are myriad, the most important of which being located within us. Paul, in his letter to the Romans knows this, stating flatly, ‘Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’ (Romans 8:5-6). To have one’s mind set on something is essentially about paying attention. What do I pay attention to? Paul says that what we pay attention to doubles back and governs us. Hence our attention is deeply associated with either death or life. So much of the biblical narrative is the story of God working hard to get our attention.” (Curt Thompson, The Soul of Shame, p. 49)

I was recently asked by someone, “What is your passion?”

That is a great question. One that my forty-two year old self isn’t quite sure how to answer these days. Somehow I don’t think it is the most important one! “Who am I in Christ and how do I play a part in the Great Commission... without the missionary title?” Now that one seems to bare some weight…

"We're NOT in Honduras anymore, Toto!"

The start to the year has probably been one of the most painful that I can remember. I’ve said it before, but perhaps I had a naïve understanding that all our wounds and hurts over the last few years would be wrapped upped nicely by the turn of the year and our transition to the “new normal” would be well on its way.

Not so. Yet, God still has His way of getting my attention:

Revelations about my own lack of authenticity as a child of God and the reliance on ministerial titles & achievements has been humbling. Insights of my own mental, physical and emotional health have painfully opened a new realm of dependency on Christ. Marital & parental clashes have torn away at any facade of faith that I once masqueraded in. The Great Physician continues to remove the malignant and harmful from my soul. Honestly, I think I’m still on the operating table when I had hoped to be in physical therapy by now!

It has also been difficult to navigate “church”. How much to get involved? How much to “rest”? What does God think of me even though I might be “sitting on the sidelines”? What do I think of myself? To be frank, it feels like we are “on the team” but currently on the “injured reserve list”; of course, under the Great Physician’s orders. I’ve stepped off the worship team for a season because the Holy Spirit revealed mixed motives on my part; therefore, it doesn’t bring the same joy & peace that it once did. However, I’ve started to help with the “juniors” Sunday school class: 4^th – 8^th graders. It was fun to get my feet wet with that group of children!

Super Bowl Party with friends from church!

“Shame is a primary means to prevent us from using gifts we have been given. And those gifts enable us to flourish as a light-bearing community of Jesus followers who work to create space for others who wish to join it to do so. Shame, therefore, is not simply an unfortunate, random, emotional event that came with us out of the primordial evolutionary soup. It is both a source and result of evil’s active assault on God’s creation, and a way for evil to try to hold out until the new heaven and earth appear at the consummation of history.” (Curt Thompson, The Soul of Shame, p. 13)

Shame has been an unwanted friend and a subversive foe for way too long in my Christian walk. It has not been easy to part ways with him, but at least he is being exposed and my journey continues… poco a poco.

Miraculously. Faithfully. Unconditionally. God is still present, still providing, still wooing, and still healing.

Shop & Kitchen work with Resurrected Cabinet Coatings

My job search kicked off in January and was initially very deflating. After hours of filling out numerous on-line applications and hearing nothing in return I reached out to the kids’ school to see if any opportunities would open through that larger “family”. (I tried some contacts from church and even painted a job with a friend. But nothing more came about.) I was introduced to Kevin Chapman with Resurrected Cabinet Coatings. He has taken me on as a sub-contracting apprentice of sorts. Last year, Kevin & his wife branched off to start their own business after having partnered with another couple for several years. His wife has been recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and is unable to contribute to the small business as she did before. God knew!

Professor Beard @ your service.

I have also had a stint of substitute teaching at the kids’ school. It has been 8+ years since I managed a “traditional” classroom, but it was much like riding a bike. (Yes, I put on my helmet!) I had a great time with both 8^th grade and 11^th grade English classes; this week it has been Algebra 1!!! The time at the school also quickly built a good reputation for me amongst the students and the staff. I have chatted with the administration about returning to the school as a teacher in the Fall. (I also have been accepted to sub at District 49, the only district in the Springs that takes Bachelor Degree Only subs, but have my calendar filled at USCO & making deliveries again with Butter Braids for March! PTL)

However, working at USCO would be like paid ministry. In reality, I would have to work elsewhere to help keep our budget. We are hoping to move out from the Goransons in May! So, grateful for their help, but ready to have our own place. PRAY for me as I make decisions about work and the balance between the jobs!

My two other options are to begin work as a financial planner with Northwest Mutual. Even though this profession is outside of my ministerial / educational background I am really excited for the opportunity! A chance to reinvent myself and watch God provide in a different way for the family. My second option is to work with the Goransons as they begin a business focused on whole house fans! Our friends’ success in California with the business encourages us that it is possible in Colorado Springs! We have our first home show at the end of the month! PRAY!!!

"Learning to Soar"

Marillyn continues to work on her business with Young Living Essential Oils. These oils have been a staple in the Beard family routine for years. Not only do they help us recover from illness (health & wellness) and wind us down for the evening (bed-time routines), they are beginning to be an “essential” part of our trauma recovery: helping both mentally and physically flush on the stress of the last several years of missionary life! Marillyn has a Facebok "Essential Oil 101" class planned for March 30th 7PM MST. How can we sign you up?

Winter Ain't All Bad! 👍

We have to stop and thank the many who have continued to support us financially while God sorts out our income. Thanks to the many monthly givers who have continued support and for the one time givers who made it possible for our kids to attend private Christian school! We were also awarded “food stamps” and Medicaid from the State. PTL! The food stamps only covers about 2/3rds of our groceries, but it all helps! Prayerfully our income will stabilize over the next few months! God is still our provider!

New Caretakers & an appraisal for the property in Honduras.

Speaking of provision! It looks like we are very close to selling the property in Honduras! Our “prospective purchasing” missionary friends are Stateside in March presenting the idea to their board and support team. PRAY that God sees it through! Receiving a down payment and a consistent monthly payment would make a huge difference for our transition financially!

First Day of School: January 8th, 2019

The kids have been super blessed at their school: TheUniversity School of Colorado. It is amazing to see them build friendships and grow in their academic skills & understanding. What a relief for Marillyn to have three days off from schooling, too! I have heard from many staff at the school how much they enjoy the Beard children and how they have jumped into life at the school! The kids will be wrapping up the third quarter this month and then we head to our missionary retreat over Spring Break! (Also, continue to PRAY for Naomi as she meets with her tutor Erin in order to prepare for the riggers of junior high in the Fall!)

Monday, Friday & sometimes Saturday home school.

We are excited to head to the missionary retreat throughMinistry Training International. The lodge is located less than thirty minutes north from us! PRAY that God ministers to and through all seven of us during the week!

Pike's Peak Panoramic View from the East Library

This transition is not easy.

In fact, it is one of the most challenging and

humbling things we’ve ever done!

Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and financial gifts!

He is faithful!

Hold on! "Spring" is just around the corner!

November / December '18 Review: LIMINAL SPACE

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:41:00 +0000

Notes from the first day of our marriage intensive week.

“Liminality is linked to the idea of thresholds (the Latin word is related to doorsteps), it’s about passing through into somewhere, something new. It’s the place where transformation happens.”

Part of me wishes to tell you that “everything is back to normal.” (Whatever “normal” is!!!) That our healing is complete and there is no more need of counseling. I want to tell you that I found the “perfect” job and I started “yesterday”! I want to tell you that our marriage has never been better and that our children obey every command and excel at every activity and academic subject! I want to tell you that my walk with Jesus has never been deeper. But these things are just not so. It wouldn’t be honest or real! And none of it, no matter how good it sounds, would require an active faith that looks to Jesus and sees His goodness regardless of the surplus or lack of mine.

We are on the “threshold”. Sometimes looking back and overcome with grief, but most often trying to look forward lamenting what could have been, yet hopeful & thankful for who God is and what He is doing in our lives...

Part 1 focuses on Our Journey Up to this Point:

Our involvement with ministry & missions, from Iowa to Honduras!

(You can skip if you know us & our story well!)

Part 2 focuses on Our Re-entry & New Life in the USA.

(An essential watch for the support team member.)

While at our marriage intensive, our counselor told us his estimate for our transition / re-entry: 3 years!!! Folks it has been just over 5 months since our return to the States! So, we hold onto Jesus with "trembling hands and weak knees" and continue this journey.

One of the exciting things about being “between” is the sense of wonder and dependency that it creates in our walk with Jesus. We can’t rely on our routine, because we don’t have one!

Happy Birthday, Mathias! Two years old!

An example would be “discovering” a new school for the kids! (I put discover in quotes because the Lord lead us to the school and simultaneously answered our prayers.) Let me explain…

After rebooting the “Three R’s and Bible” Homeschool routine, it became evidently clear that this would not be a long-term reality for our family. In all honesty, it was our only option in Honduras, but now living in the Springs there are a lot more educational models to choose from. While doing research on-line, Marillyn found a model of school that integrated classroom teaching with homeschooling! She loved the idea, but could not find a location near us. So, we continued to pray for wisdom.

Well, back up a few steps. In October or so, I began to reach out to a variety of different craft show organizers to see if we could sell the trade school student’s paper-bead ornaments and jewelry. One particular event was being held at the Manitou Springs High School about 30 minutes from us. After giving up hope on the event, I finally heard back from the organizer a few weeks after my original message. She was very gracious and apologized for her delay in answering my inquiry. It turns out that the vendor booths were all taken when I wrote (a pretty common response from the majority of events), but she read our story and was moved to approach the organizers and ask if they would make additional space just for us! She was happy to report that the organizers agreed and invited us to the event! In the course of the next few weeks, another larger (aka more “traffic”) high school craft fair opened up, but I felt strongly that we were to attend the Manitou Springs event! It was obvious that God opened the door for us to attend and I had a sense that the craft fair was going to bring more than sales!

It was Saturday, November 17th and after setting up in the gymnasium, we began to chat with some of our neighbor vendors. I hit it off with a mom and her daughter across the aisle from us. We began to talk about life in Colorado Springs and eventually our transition. I explained our desire to change up the kids’ education style and she lit up with excitement as she begin to tell us about her experience with the University School of Colorado (USCO). It was a Christ-centered hybrid school of three school days and two home school days! Exactly what Marillyn had discovered on-line!

Our new vendor-friend, mentioned that one of USCO’s teachers was present at the craft fair selling her own crafts. So, she took Marillyn and introduced her. Marillyn came back to our booth nearly 45 minutes later with tears welling up in her eyes! “This is exactly what we have been praying for!” After further discussion, we were introduced to ANOTHER former teacher of USCO! We knew after meeting three individuals involved with the University School that our meeting was not coincidence! (In fact, it sleeted that Saturday and the weather greatly affected the craft fair turn out! Our sales were still good, but God confirmed that we were there to be introduced to the USCO family!)

Post Thanksgiving Hike @ Pulpit Rock

After Thanksgiving we scheduled a school visit and our excitement only grew for the education offered at USCO. We learned that students in the elementary school have classroom days on Tuesday and Thursday, then an “enrichment” day on Wednesdays! Monday’s and Friday’s focus on homeschool assignments that are given during the week! We felt that this Jesus focused education was perfect for our kids to help them transition into their new life in the States! Our next step was to assess the kids and have them “shadow” a day of school.

Our shadow day was full of excitement! The kids were adorably nervous and excited for their “new school!” Naomi sat in on the 5^th grade class, Tabitha with the 4^th graders, Tobias with the 1^st and Poema in the K5 classroom. (Poema was actually with the vendor that we met at the craft fair!) As we met the kids in the afternoon, they could not stop talking about the day, the school and their new friends. One of the most touching moments was shared by Tabitha. She was asked to stand before the class and tell a bit about herself. She shared about her former life in Honduras then broke down crying in front of the other students! Her classmates then encircled her and prayed for her! The bond of friendship was sealed!

Tabitha wins her first archery competition (upper right photo)!

Another confirmation that USCO was the right school for us came from our discussion with the elementary principal. We learned that Julie had two adopted children from China, one of whom was recovering from sexual abuse trauma. Not only could Principal Julie sympathize with our experience, but her own parenting challenges with her kids brought a deeper empathy to our experience of parenting children of sexual abuse! (Also, did I mention that all of the kids books were generously & anonymously donated!!! God is faithful!!!)

All that said and done, the kids have been successfully enrolled for the 2019 Spring semester at USCO! (As expected each of the kids had academic strengths and weakness. Tabitha, Tobias and Poema were enrolled for classes three days a week. Unfortunately, though Naomi was placed in the 5^th grade class, they were full! However, we found a compromise! Naomi will attend the enrichment Wednesday’s at USCO to build friendships at the school and study in the home to be better prepared to enter the 6^th grade class in the Fall of 2019. The classroom size doubles in 6^th grade, so there should not be any issues with her ability to enroll. In the meantime, Naomi will continue to study at home and possibly be tutored by a young woman from church that she adores!)

As expected, a private Christian education is an investment! Not only for our children, but for Marillyn as we have quickly learned that being a home-school teacher and director was not her strength! So we have taken a step of faith that God will provide whether through donations, scholarships, supporters, work salaries or a combination of the above! The Spring semester is costing nearly $7,000 in total! (Broken down into five monthly payments of ~$1,400.) One of our supporting families has committed to support the education needs giving at least $700 monthly. We have applied for scholarship via a local non-profit and are awaiting to hear their reply. (We will be eligible for USCO scholarship in the 2019 Fall semester, per their scholarship requirements.) And, of course, I hope to be starting a new part-time job in the coming weeks!

Naomi dances in the Nutcracker with the Russian Ballet!

Speaking of work, I have another God directed liminal space story!

Upon our arrival to Colorado Springs we sought out a chiropractic office for the whole family. Not only did we find a great deal for a monthly payment plan for all seven of us, but we met a great Christian chiropractor at PLE Chiropractic. During one of our weekly visits, Dr. Paul introduced us to Niki. We learned that we had a similar background of ministry with youth and that her and her family were soon going to be entering the mission field in Guatemala. A friendship was birthed and within a few weeks I met with Niki’s husband, Jeremiah for tea at one of my favorite local coffee houses! Jeremiah and I bonded instantly and we were able to speak freely with each other about family, transition, and life on the mission field.

As a result of that conversation, Jeremiah introduced me to his brother-in-law, Noah, who was starting a new branch of his business in Colorado Springs. I met with Noah within a week and we have committed to meet regularly to help train and prepare me for potentially working together. Though I have never considered this field of work prior to our meeting, the camaraderie of work relationships and potential to use and develop my skill-set really resonated with my heart and thoughts about work. It was truly an answer to prayer!

So, my desire is to invest time and energy into this preparation and find a part-time job on the side to help pay our monthly expenses! In the meantime, we are planning to apply for food and medical assistance through the state of Colorado. It is humbling, but we are trusting the Lord for His provision and timing for our family!

PRAISE for great sales with the paper-bead jewelry & essential oils!

Marillyn and I are also partnering together to develop the business with Young Living Essential Oils. In December, she held a party for the ladies at church and even used a table at our final craft fair to promote her business with DIY “make & take” essential oil sprays and roll-ons! She is amazing at what she does! So be on the lookout for more details and please reach out to Marillyn or I with questions!

Regarding the selling of the property in Ojojona, we are currently in talks with some friends that sound very promising. They are missionaries in Tegucigalpa who want to bring their ministry to a quieter more serene setting. PRAY that God would confirm the purchase in their hearts and minds and that He will provide! We are excited for the possibility of our former home to be continued to be used for ministry and God’s kingdom! PRAY!

We made it!
Afternoon "rest" shots from our marriage intensive with Quiet Waters.
Each morning was 3 hours of counseling!

PRAISE for our week long marriage intensive! We were encouraged that in many ways we have been heading in the right direction. We also received many new “tools” and homework assignments to help us to continue to adjust and create a healthy marriage and family setting! PRAY for us as Mare and I continue to build our marriage! Here is a fun, simple tool that was shared with us: The Gottman Card Decks App.

Feliz cumpleaños, Tobias! Eight years old!

PRAY for our new home church, Calvary Chapel True North. The church is going through many of it’s own “liminal space” issues. Most likely the church will be moving to a new building starting in February. PRAY for Jon as he continues to serve by leading worship and for Naomi & Tabitha as they serve in the children’s ministry.

PRAISE for Marillyn's new hearing aid through the Miracle Ear Foundation!

Tubing Family Fun in Fraser, Co!

PRAISE for the body-health help we are receiving through Upstream Functional Medicine. Jon's adrenal gland fatigue was confirmed through a series of tests and he is slowly on the mend; Marillyn's gut-health was also below par and she is working through SIBO treatment. Poco a poco!

PRAISE for a seasonal part-time job delivering pastries, though sadly, it is over!

PRAY for Jon as he begins his search for new employment! (For those supporters able and willing to continue their financial support, we would be highly appreciative in this time as we anticipate the majority of our support to stop at the turn of the year. This is quite the adjustment for us as we have faithfully relied on God’s provision via our support team for the last eight-plus years! We desire to continue to trust the Lord for His provision & direction financially!)

An introduction to the shooting range with friends!

Continue to PRAY for healing for the Beard kids and help processing the transition into life in the USA!

Enjoying our first annual Christmas Light Parade

Words can not express

the gratitude we have for

YOU

our support team!

Thank you for the last decade of prayer, words of encouragement and financial support!

We ask that you continue to stay with the team, as you are lead, and stand with us in the threshold!

Feliz año nuevo, hermanos!

October '18 Review: RE-ENTRY IN PRAYERS

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 22:50:00 +0000

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Friend & watch "Marillyn Iola Beard" on Facebook Sunday, November 11th @ 2PM (MST)

Write Marillyn at aguasverdes.hn@gmail.com

to ORDER your Christmas Trees TODAY!!!

PRAISE we had great sales @ a local craft fair the first week in November. PRAY for our second attempt later this month!

Family Hike @ Bear Trap Ranch

PRAISE: Marillyn had a break through week at the women's retreat! Naomi also grew in Christ and friendship with other young people.

Marillyn writes, “The theme for the Women’s Retreat was ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.’ It was exactly what I need to be reminded of as we transition back into living in the states. I was Reminded that He is the Provider and he got us this far and will continue to direct my path if I let Him. I went to the retreat broken and confused, but left renewed and strengthened.”

PRAY for our family's continued re-entry & transition to the US. Here is a great read to give more understanding of our experience: "Coming Back from Narnia: What Re-Entry Feels Like."

Stateside fellowship with Gracie: a dear missionary friend from Honduras.

PRAISE: Jon & Marillyn will be attending their first ever marriage retreat / intensive in December with Quiet Water Ministries. PRAY the 15 hours of counseling over five days will help heal marital wounds & give clear direction for the future. (Donations welcome to cover this new expense.)

Pumpkins + Paint = Fall Art

PRAISE God for our counselors, Penny & Kevin, as they work with the Beard family. At Penny's request, Naomi & Tobias have stopped working with her thus allowing more time for Tabitha, Poema & Marillyn. PRAY for more break through, healing & freedom.

Your Newest Pastry Delivery Boy

PRAISE for Jon's new part-time job - delivering pastries for a fundraising business located in Castle Rock (about 40 minutes north of The Springs). PRAY for continued direction & wisdom for work & ministry for 2019. (Our supporters have committed to give through 2018. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!!!)

Tobias & "The Champions" wrapped up their flag football season.

PRAISE: After a two month plus wait, Marillyn has been approved & scheduled for a new hearing aid with Miracle Ear. (Her current and “ancient” device is being held together by glue and tape!) PRAY that the aid is powerful enough for her hearing loss!

Feliz Cumpleaños, Poema!!! (#4 = VI)

PRAISE for the Beard children's schooling, especially with Tobias and Poema. PRAY for Marillyn, Wayne & Brooke as they focus on teaching.

We skipped Fall for a few weeks in The Springs!

PRAY for Marillyn’s Young Living side-business: (Contact Marillyn @ marillynbeard@gmail.com for more info on natural products & essential oils.)

Skate City Half-Price Night with Friends from Church

PRAISE for the opportunity to serve @ our local church, Calvary Chapel True North. Jon is leading worship again, especially necessary as the leader, Brooke Goranson, is having knee surgery on November 15th. Both Naomi & Tabitha are helping in childcare on Sunday mornings, too! PRAY for the leadership & the fellowship as they are going through revitalizing changes!

Mr. "Moo-Juice" & the Joy of Weaning

PRAISE for our two vehicles. PRAY for a buyer for our donated 2005 mini-van & a four-door truck with comparable price and good mileage!

PRAISE for God's provision & direction with all the logistics of leaving Honduras and closing down RO4Y. PRAY for a buyer for the property!

Colossians 3:1-17

September '18 Review: FULL CIRCLE

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 23:21:00 +0000

10,000+ ft elevation quiet time!!!

It is fascinating how God speaks to us.

Our church’s men’s group held a Friday thru Saturday retreat at Bear Trap Ranch, a small church camp located at ~9,000 ft above sea level an hour from our home in Colorado Springs.

This wasn’t my first time to this camp.

Can you find Jonny Mountain Man??? Bear Trap Ranch Summer Staff circa 1997

21 years ago, after my sophomore year of college, I participated in an intensive discipleship program through Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. Roughly half of our summer was focused on being counselors for “Family Camps” where we held VBS-like camps for the children/teens and the other half was spent learning evangelism, Inductive Bible Study techniques and a variety of other Christian leadership “tools”.

Needless to say it was a very pivotal time of spiritual growth as I have since been involved in Christian leadership on campus, in the local church and on the mission field! I hold many fond memories of Bear Trap and never expected to return…

I arrived a day early for the retreat in order to spend some time alone with the Lord and to see if I could remember some of my experiences at BTR! This was a wonderful opportunity for me as our family has been walking through points of restoration and healing since our return to the United States.

As I hiked some of the old Bear Trap trails, I didn’t receive any neon signs or visions from the Lord, but a simple heart-spoken word that said “You are loved” and “enjoy My creation around you.”

Re-creation Hike!

It was a refreshing time, yet God wasn’t done speaking.

The next morning, during a study of Proverbs 2 & 3 that elevated Christ as the wisdom that all men seek and seek to become, God spoke profoundly to me.

We were asked to consider three questions as we studied Proverbs:

1) Who am I?

2) Who do I wish to be or become?

3) Am I willing to do what it takes to get there?

21 years ago life was a lot simpler. I was a student and a son – and my heart was to be more like Jesus! A LOT has happened since that camp experience. I became an employee, a husband, a father, a pastor and a missionary… and all the various roles that those “titles” include.

Though my desire has consistently been to become more like Christ, in that moment I realized that my aim had gone off target. With the accumulation of all these additional roles over the last 21 years, I’ve focused on the “titles” and NOT my identity. So, my well-intended focus on being a good father, husband, missionary, etc unintentionally caused me to lose sight of my one true goal and purpose: to be a child of God.

As Matthew 6:33 states, once I get my eye’s on Jesus & His kingdom all the other things will come into focus.

Life in ministry and on the mission field can leave you pretty beat up and focused on what you’re not and what you lack. This has led to some deep internal & mental battles over the last few years (aka “burn out”). What a relief to be reminded of the simple truth that my aim is to grow as a child of God (my identity) & He will bring the growth/change in those other areas of life.

I miss “home” deeply and the unfulfilled vision of Rancho Oasis for Youth still lingers, but I love our new church family and where God has placed us for this season of healing!

It is good to “Be still” and know that He is God!

Please continue to PRAY for us:

Back in the saddle with Rosie!

Marillyn & Naomi will be attending a women’s retreat in October. Please pray that God will minister as much to them as He did to me.

Naomi Shalom: 12 years complete and counting!!!

Preparation & breakthrough at the DAR Reentry Program in March 2019

Tabitha Charis @ 10 years!!!

Continued victory in counseling over some of the emotional, spiritual & psychological strongholds that we wrestle

Recent painting job I finished... praying about more work in this area!

Wisdom & discernment for our future source of income & areas of service
Though approved initially Marillyn is still waiting for the “go ahead” from Miracle Ear for a new hearing aid. (She needs a new one desperately!)

Touchdown Tobi!

For our children to continue to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ and to understand their giftedness. (Here is great article to learn how to specifically to pray for "third-culture" kids.)

Tabniss Everdeen.

A R C H E R Y It’s so amazing watching her as she gets into position, raises her bow, and mentally quiets herself before letting that arrow fly. Her mind tends to fly all over the place when she quiets herself, but archery is teaching her to discipline and control that better. Her coach is truly a God-send and exactly the kind of coach she needs to be affirmed, challenged, and bettered as a person and as an archer

•

Never thought one of my kids would try archery and get so hooked into it. That’s exactly what Tabi did and she’s a natural! This is perfect sport for her and she’s already talking about qualifying for the Jr. Olympic team

•

We’ve been praying for each of our kids to find their sport/activity that will help them in a fun, therapeutic way. For years horse back riding was extremely therapeutic for me and I wanted that for each of my kids as they slowly transition to living in the US of A. So far, all the kids have found their place and doing so good... especially Tabi. She struggled the most in finding a sport that clicked with her. She tried a few different things before announcing, out of the blue (really), that she wanted to try archery. Honestly, it never crossed our minds to consider archery, but we signed her up for a few lessons and she was hooked from the very first lesson! If you look closely on her arm... you will see a henna tattoo done of the mocking jay symbol from Katniss of Hunger Games. Tabi hopes to shoot just as good as her.

-Marillyn

So grateful to keep some of our most prized possessions from life in Honduras!!!

PRAISE for the arrival of our Honduran shipment; Prayer for the courage to unpack it all!
For Marillyn’s Young Living side-business

(Contact Marillyn @ marillynbeard@gmail.com for more info on natural products & essential oils.)

Christmas Tree Anyone???

Trade School Jewelry Sales!!!

(Write Marillyn at aguasverdes.hn@gmail.com to PRE-ORDER your Christmas Trees TODAY!!!)

PRAISE for a good start to homeschooling! (Mare is focusing on Naomi & Tabitha, I am with Tobias and Poema is with Brooke!)

Late Summer Fun!!!

PRAISE for settling in well to our “nueva vida” Stateside!

A buyer for our donated 2005 mini-van & a four-door truck with comparable price and good mileage!

A Christian individual/family/ministry to purchase our 17 acre property in Honduras.

Grace & Peace as we share a home with Marillyn's parent's, Wayne & Brooke Goranson; PRAISE for the harmony we share!!!

S P A C E \\ this girl... no fence will stop her from exploring. In Honduras, she lived her whole life exploring open pastures and mountains with her siblings with the nearest neighbor being a good distance away. It’s strange to walk out to our backyard and have such a small space... to be “contained” within a fence and see 4 houses surrounding us. It sometimes feels slightly claustrophobic. We prefer the wide open spaces or at least to have more space between houses, but we are blessed to have this house with its small backyard... It’s home. It’s our safe haven. It’s perfect for what we need during this season of life for our family.

-Marillyn

Labor Day Lift Off - 2018 - Colorado Springs

AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, PRAYERS AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!!

August '18 Review: ADJUSTMENTS & EXPLORATION

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:43:00 +0000

Life on the front range!

Most days are better than others here in the Springs.

This new start has so much excitement and potential, yet there is still the pain from the loss of our life & ministry in Honduras!

11 Mile State Park Church Campout

For example, one day I was camping at 8,500 ft above sea level with my “warrior-children” and the next day I was in bed sobbing like a baby with homesickness!

Read this article from a favorite, “unfiltered” missionary blog. It captures a lot of what we and many “returning home” missionaries experience!

Pulpit Rock Family Hike

Most of our time is now spent exploring this new thing called “Life in America.” We are making friends at the local church and getting involved with a variety of activities for the children!

Being the Church @ Calvary Chapel True North

We are also investing a lot of time in counseling! Everyone, but Mathias is meeting regularly with a counselor to build up our identity in Christ. It is an exciting and humbling experience!

Thousands of Bubbles
Prepping to take a ministry profile test to help know our strengths & weaknesses from a professional Christian counselor.

Continue to pray for our healing & restoration… there is no short-cut to healing, but the path is clear: John 14:6!

HUGE PRAISE!!! We received all of the $4,000 within 24 hours of sharing our need for the family ministry re-entry retreat! We are signed up to attend the March 2019 program. (PRAY that the door will open to attend an earlier retreat as we were put on waiting lists for the remainder of 2018. Marillyn & I are exploring another option for just us through a ministry in Denver called Quiet Waters).

PRAYER REQUESTS:

The Ranch in Ojojona.

Selling of our 17+ acre property in Honduras
(We desire to sell to a ministry.)

Protection over caretaker and his family

Breakthrough & growth in our counseling sessions

Patience & direction as we seek our “next assignment” – work and / or ministry! (Jon is gradually helping with worship in the local church and will also be one of four teachers at an upcoming men’s retreat this month.)

True repentance for Oscar as he awaits his trial.

Making new molds for Marillyn's hearing aid at Miracle Ear.

PRAISE for the Miracle Ear Foundation accepting Marillyn’s application for a new hearing aid; PRAY that it is strong enough for her level of hearing loss!

Exploring Colorado Springs.

PRAISE for the new opportunities the kids have; PRAY that they excel and use their gifts to glorify God!

Our "treasures" awaiting shipment in a warehouse in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

PRAISE: our crate of Honduran possessions has arrived Stateside & cleared customs; PRAY it arrives safely & in-tact!

Too Many Choices!!!
Even the simplest errands like grocery shopping are a bit overwhelming here!!!

PRAY for blessing as Marillyn tries to increase her Young Living side-business

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

PRAY for sales of the remaining trade school jewelry and Christmas trees!!! (Contact Marillyn @ aguasverdes.hn@gmail.com for a pre-order.)

CUIDADO: Little Lady in Large Truck!!!

PRAISE for Marillyn’s ability to connect with several home schooling families; PRAY for the Beard’s homeschooling to start with much grace

A taste of "home" in this new land!

PRAY for our family routine to get established… everything feels so foreign!

I leave you now with a song that has become an anthem of sorts for the Beard family! We love to blast it from the Suburban! (Thanks, Diane for sharing it with me during this tough season of life!)

The Way (New Horizon) by Housefires

I believe You are the Way, the Truth, the Life

I believe through every battle

through every heartbreak

through every circumstance

I believe You are my fortress

You are my portion

You are my hiding place

I believe through every blessing

through every promise

through every breathe I take

I believe You are provider

You are protector

You are the One I love

It’s a new horizon and I’m set on You

and You meet me here today with mercies that are new

All my fears and doubts they can all come too

Because they can’t stay long when I’m here with You

I believe You are the Way, the Truth, the Life

May we continue to draw closer to the Father through Jesus!

As always, thanks for your prayers, gifts
& words of encouragement!!!

Blessed by technology's ability to keep us in touch with friends in Honduras!

We would love to hear from you!

Please email me & ask for our phone numbers
or new home address!

The land of comfort & convenience...
Gotta love 'Merica!!!

July '18 Review: CONFIRMATION & GLORY

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 17:50:00 +0000

Arrival at Denver International July 31st!

As I sit in the kitchen of our new rental home in Colorado Springs, it is difficult to put into words the events of the last two months:

We have been nomads living in four different locations in the last seven weeks. (Two weeks in Tegus walking through the legal process of prosecuting Oscar; one week at the Ranch packing; three weeks in Santa Ana – the small town that neighbors Ojojona – while we sold off our possessions… from goats to gas grills, tools and tables… and prepped the property to “show & sell” and, finally, a week in suburban Chicago with my parents.)

Enjoying a campfire at one of our temporary homes.

There have been few times in my life where God’s hand was seen in the smallest of details, confirming our decision to leave Honduras and revealing God’s knowledge of “every hair on my head.” (Luke 12:7)

The home provided for our two week hiatus was centrally located in the city giving us the convenience of travel, shopping, and eating out while we went through the emotional roller coaster of making the formal / legal complaint against Oscar. The owner of the home offered it to us because her large family was on furlough Stateside. She was the same person who met with our family to start the process of counseling, taught me to see the many details of the effects of trauma in my own children and eventually bought our 15-passenger van! Glory!

The man who betrayed our family & ministry now sits behind bars awaiting his sentencing trial. The warrant to arrest him was issued THE SAME DAY as our complaint! A process that normally takes weeks and forces the victim and family to act as if all is normal to not tip-off the accused of their knowledge of his guilt. The initial hearing that denied Oscar bail was held A WEEK AFTER the arrest WITHOUT the testimony of Marillyn and I because the strength of the testimony of the three children – all recorded on video with the same kind & proficient translator who helped the kids through the formal complaint process. The decision to deny bail was made by a judge who WENT OUT OF HER WAY to visit & listen to the kids stories… something we learned is the exception to the rule for the practice of this particular judge!

Two of the three government forensic psychologists who met with myself and each of the kids separately WERE BELIEVERS and spoke of the challenges that families will face who have been victims of sexual abuse. Their counsel confirmed the route that we had taken to bring justice to our family and encouraged us that God is bigger than the trauma… one of the psychologists was herself a victim of sexual abuse as a child and told us of the freedom & healing that Jesus had done in her life! This day of tests and counsel itself was a miracle as it was MOVED UP three weeks allowing us to leave Honduras on our desired departure day! Hallelujah!

Having originally planned to take an extended furlough in August, God’s hand was seen in the airline WAVING ALL transfer fees for our family of seven and scheduling the change for July 22nd – OUR GUESTIMATED GOAL to depart Honduras AND THE ONLY AVAILABLE DATE IN THE MONTH OF JULY WITH SIX AVAILABLE SEATS!!! Can I get an “Amen”!?!?!

Purge & Release

ALL OF OUR ITEMS FOR SALE SOLD – except the freezer and the property… which we trust will be done in God’s timing with a ministry that will continue to use the property for His glory! ALL of our dogs found homes and so did the horses! All these sales took place while we stayed at our friend’s nearby, beautiful home – allowing us to sell our things freely (without stipulation of our departure date) and giving us some distance from the hardship of seeing “our life” be boxed up and taken away. God cares, does He not???

Beautiful 15+ acre mountain property for sale. 👍

EIGHT pieces of luggage were sent ahead of us by the generosity of my parents and some family friends flying to Honduras stand-by with the select purpose of hauling our things! Two days later I received word that an anonymous donor wanted to COVER THE COST of shipping our remaining things Stateside!!! This included all the miscellaneous “treasures” that we were unsure if we could take with us like my mountain bike, drums, Christmas ornaments, picture albums, journals, kitchen appliances and even Mare’s homemade horse tack trunk!!! (This itself was a double-miracle because I was delayed two days from delivering our items to the shipper because of a national bus & taxi strike! Praise God the business had weekend hours when the strike took a break!)

Delivery Complications!

MOST IMPORTANTLY the behavioral issues in our three children, increased anger & withdrawn attitudes, have greatly subsided and they are walking in more joy & peace! Why? Because they have seen their parents come to their defense NOT merely in word, but in DEED & ACTION!!! No ministry is worth the loss of value of any of our children!!!

Now we are settling into a home that is perfect for our family and our host’s, Marillyn’s parents: Wayne & Brooke Goranson! Not only have they prepped & furnished the home for our arrival, but have committed to find their own place when we are well established in the community! Not only is Colorado Springs a beautiful part of the country… we haven’t left the mountains… it is well equipped with a strong home-schooling community and a church, Calvary Chapel True North, that is waiting to take us in and see us restored! Our first meeting with the family counselor has been scheduled and we appreciate your continued prayers as we move forward as a family and ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I have yet to schedule our debriefing week with the DAR program of Ministry Training International, but hope to in the coming weeks. It will be a costly investment for our family as our healing process is not supported by a larger missions agency, but I fear NOT doing the re-entry program would have greater long-term damage. The financial cost of the program will be a bit more than $4,000 for our family of seven. So, those of you who have offered any extra help during this season of transition… now is the time to respond!!!

God has clearly been with us at every step & we trust he will make our future clear! “God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet” illuminating our NEXT STEP, not the entire journey!

Nuestra familia Hondurena!

The greatest challenge in leaving Honduras has been walking away from the many relationships that we have developed over the years! From those we have ministered to in the community to those that call us friends… and even family! The loss is profound, but Jesus’ love runs deeper still!

Trade School Class of 2018

For those who have wrestled alongside us in prayer trying to understand the “why” of the tragedy and trauma that has come upon not only our family, but to the unfulfilled dream of Rancho Oasis, I offer you two things:

#1 – God has been with us every step. He did not want this to happen. He fought against it in Oscar’s heart, but ultimately God gave him a free will. Nonetheless, what was intended for evil, we trust that God will use for good! We are NOT angry with God… how could we be? His love for us has never wavered, but gotten even more evident in this trial!

#2 – In God’s economy, success is not always an achieved final goal, but rather the manifestation of His presence in us during the journey! Oswald Chamber’s says it much better than I:

July 28

God’s Purpose or Mine?

By Oswald Chambers

He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…

—Mark 6:45

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

Again, thank you all for your letters, notes, hugs, prayers and tears!

Time alone with "the light of the world" hiking through a suburban Chicago forest preserve.

This is not the end, but a new beginning!

Dios te bendiga!

June '18 Review: GRIEF, HOPE & TRANSITION

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 00:51:00 +0000

Seeking our home... praying for direction.

“I'm looking up

Holding out

Pressing forward

Without a doubt

Longing for the things unseen

Longing for the things I believe

My true country

We hope and wait

For the glorious day

All tears will vanish

Wiped away

On the saints this day already shines

It already shines

[Chorus:]

We'll be singing hallelujah

At the top of our lungs halle-le-lujah

(With all of our breath halle-le-lujah)

To Your glory, hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah

And I know that it's coming

But I can't see it now

And I've touched it in moments

But I can't hold it yet

And it glows in the darkness

And it calls us away

To our true destination

To that glorious day.”

Can I get a Hallelujah?

While on one of my recent early morning hikes through the cool & breezy mountains of Honduras, I was reminded of the song “Hallelujah” by the Newsboys (1998) as my iPod “randomly” shuffled through its list of 1,224 songs. The depth of its simple lyric was a refreshing reminder to my hurting heart & soul…

In my last post I mentioned “a devastating blow” and have alluded to this in my personal & ministry Facebook posts. Marillyn and the family and I have been having a rough time this last month! Though we have kept our situation vague & general, we want to thank you for your ceaseless prayers, words of encouragement and acts of kindness. The Lord has built a wonderful support team for us over the last 10+ years for the ministry of Rancho Oasis!!! (2 years in Costa Rica & 8+ years in Honduras.)

As detailed in the “Health” post and other posts this year, we have been thinning our outreach (no soccer & no Friday Bible Study) and were preparing to take an extended furlough this Fall to restore our spiritual, mental and physical fervor. However, we now believe that our departure will be a PERMANENT return to the States!

We sense the time is right to share with you our struggle:

Waiting to make our legal complaint with the Honduran Prosecutor for Children
with Honduran friend & translator Ileana and intern Katie.

About a month ago, the Lord brought to light a very “life-changing” truth: our #1 farm-hand and ministry assistant had been sexually abusing 3 of our 5 kids (different degrees of frequency & severity, but all wrong/evil.) We have walked through the painful legal process to prosecute this sexual predator with a team from a Christian non-profit called “Association for a More Just Society” and this man, Oscar Gonzalez, now sits behind bars awaiting his sentencing trial. We are hurting, but hopeful for the Lord’s hand in restoring our family.

A "screenshot" of last year's ministry video.

Oscar was more than a soccer coach and a hard-worker at the Ranch. He was a friend, a brother and a family member not only to us, but to the greater family of Rancho Oasis. We were just as shocked as you and are still walking through the five stages of grief.

"A three braided chord is not easily broken."
Getting out to celebrate 15 years of marriage in the midst of the trial!

And then grief upon grief:

One of our ministry goals has been to use animals to promote mental & spiritual healing, specifically a Bible-based equine therapy program. That vision was realized this last year with the purchase of a beautiful Dutch-warmblood named, Nedo. However, during our recent family trial Nedo contracted a nearly permanent and painful hoof disease called laminitis. We made the heart-wrenching decision to “put him down”. So, sad!

Saying "Good-bye" to Nedo. 😥

I share all that to say we sense Nedo’s passing is symbolic of our dream and vision for the ministry of Rancho Oasis. We have been in “survival mode” for way to long as missionaries and it is time to let our work here close. We know that God has some amazing restoration & ministry in front of us, but He is first releasing us from our commitment to the work here in Honduras! This is not an easy choice, we have been here 8+ years and have essentially raised our family here, but we see God redirecting our steps to life in the US. We believe and have been counseled that true healing can only come away from our current location.

Geographical Juxtaposition:

Google maps helps to illustrate the re-entry transition that we will experience!

Our plan is to move to Colorado Springs and live with Marillyn’s parents, Wayne & Brooke Goranson, for a season. Wayne recently took over the pastorate of Calvary Chapel Truth North. Prior to the news of Oscar’s betrayal, they had rented a large enough home with space to host our family for our extended furlough. God knew our stay would be longer. In the Goranson’s new church Body, there is also a family counselor who not only has 40+ years of experience specializing in sexual abuse cases, but was also a missionary in Mexico for a season. God new our need for healing before this tragedy arose. Also, just north of Colorado Springs is a ministry that is dedicated to the training of missionaries, both in the preparation of sending them out to the field and the transition of re-entry to life in the United States. A missionary friend of ours in Honduras recently informed me that one of his closest friends is the director of Mission Training International. God new our need in the help with transition.

Evidence that our 9-year-old is a Third Culture Kid.

Again, this decision to return to the United States is not taken lightly. Due to mental, physical and spiritual health concerns, we originally hoped to answer the question of our long-term commitment to Rancho Oasis and Honduras during our extended furlough. However, we feel that God has used the abuse of our children and the death of our horse to confirm that our ministry here is done. Honduras has been our home, so it is very difficult to leave where we have such deep roots & friendships. We have shared the work together and for this we are so grateful for your years of support financially, on short-term visits and faithful prayers!

Papi, Wayne Goranson, & the kiddos!!!
He was already scheduled to visit in June... God knew!!!

So, continue to PRAY for Marillyn & I & our children. We will be leaving Honduras July 22nd & starting the next chapter of life!!!

The Christian & missionary community in Honduras is amazing!!!

We are in the midst of wrapping up ministry in the trade school and selling off our possessions, the largest being the property! (The 15-passenger van has sold! PTL!) It is all rather stressful, but we have found aid from the Goranson’s, our current intern (Katie) and many local missionaries & friends. PRAY for our current employees as they look for new employment, too! (Katie returned to Stateside on July 7th.)

Linner with Brooke Goranson (center) & Katie Soy (far right).

We have recently moved offsite and are living nearby in a friend’s furnished home. This not only allows a sense of security for my family but allows buyers to take our worldly possessions without having to wait for us to depart. (Things like our stove, washer & dryer, couches, beds, etc.)

View of Tegus from our "temporary home" during our 2-week hiatus in the capital.

Thank you again for your understanding, prayers and financial support! God is with us in the midst of these trials and changes. He is our living hope!

We love you and are so grateful for our partnership!!!

Carrying one of our goats to her new owner!

April / May '18 Review: HEALTH

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 15:36:00 +0000

Ranch Life

While studying through the book of Titus, I came across a “new” word:

Hygiainō – “to be sound, to be well, to be in good health.” (Our modern word, hygene, also, has its origin in this Greek root.)

In context, it is used metaphorically “of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error.” (See Titus 1:13)

My perspective regarding “to be in good health” has grown & expanded. I am in the “middle years” of life and I am an “experienced” missionary, father & husband. Also, as a disciple of Christ, I have learned that “to be sound” must include a holistic approach: mind, body & soul.

Honestly speaking, “to be well” has been one of our greatest challenges on the mission field. There has been a tendency to “pour oneself out” to the variety of needs that confront us in Honduras, without thought of its effects on our wellness: mind, body and soul as individuals, a married couple and a family, let alone as a ministry.

Recently this was dramatically brought to mind as two separate friends on two separate occasions made the same comment to us; essentially, that as long as they have known us (2+ years) Marillyn and I live in survival mode, as opposed to a thriving mode.

Yes, of course, “we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13), but there are also natural laws & effects of cultural differences, marital challenges, life stages, family development and ministry growth; namely, STRESS!!!

Jesus summed it up nicely in his divine, humanity: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26:41)

So, how do we get back to thriving in life, in marriage, in family and in ministry???

Mini-vacation with missionary friends in El Salvador:
70% missionary discount!!!

#1 – We take some time to heal.

Since entering my 40’s my body has not been the same. Alarmingly, so! Stress has taken its toll on mind, body & soul. Both Marillyn and I are working with a licensed nutritionist to help restore our physical health knowing that the mind & soul will also improve. It is a long, slow & costly venture. We are looking for people to help sponsor our physical recovery. Please contact us for specific costs, if you would like to help financially.

Supplemental Help!

We will also be taking an extended furlough in the Fall / early Winter with an emphasis on our “Hygiainō” (See definition above, wink-wink!) We have been generously blessed with tickets to the US of A and want to focus on our recovery, so that we can be thriving wherever God is calling us to serve Him!

International School of Tegucigalpa (IST) 8th Grader Overnight

#2 – We focus on what we love & what God has gifted us in.

Our ministry outreach in 2018 has narrowed; essentially, we are ministering in only one area of outreach: the trade school. Our desire in 2018 has been to prepare for the equine therapy ministry at the Ranch, but have struggled to stay focused. The daily grind of life in Honduras, running an existing Ranch and homeschooling don’t leave much energy for building a new ministry outreach: the infrastructure (proper riding areas, fencing, etc.) and the methodology. Your prayers are coveted deeply in this area.

Navidad en Mayo!
Prepping for December sales.

We do see God moving to help us specifically with the horse therapy as a friend’s short-term mission team is coming alongside to build fencing in June and a Honduran friend has introduced us to a Christian horse therapy ministry in the States whose leaders are planning to come in August to give us some hands-on training. God is faithful to complete the work He has started at Rancho Oasis!!!

God has also rekindled a passion for teaching His word by opening up opportunities for me to preach. I recently shared three messages at an 8th grade end-of-the-year overnight retreat and have begun teaching through the book of Titus (CLICK TO LISTEN) at our English speaking fellowship in Tegucigalpa! It has been a real joy and pleasure to exercise my spiritual gifts in this way! (On a side note, Union church has selected a new head pastor. He & his wife will be joining the church sometime in August!!! PTL!!!) I am also lined up to teach at a Spanish speaking youth retreat in July then the annual Missionary Kid camp in August! Pray for the seeds that are planted to bare fruit!

HFMM Region #6 "Missionary Spotlight" Collage

We have also enjoyed building community with other missionaries in our area as the Regional Reps for the Honduran Fellowship of Missionaries and Ministries. I am in weekly contact with local missionaries about their ministries in order to put together a simple "missionary spotlight" to share with all of the missionaries in our region. It has been building fellowship and prayer amongst us... poco a poco.

#3 – We partner with those in ministry who have God-given gifts & strengths where we do not.

Over the years, Marillyn and I have “worn many hats” at Rancho Oasis. We have realized the hard-way that this is not sustainable, nor healthy for us or the ministry at RO4Y. I see that I am the “healthiest” when I am ministering in my gifts via discipleship and teaching. For us to thrive at Rancho Oasis, this needs to be my primary focus. However, we are still at the beginning stages of our property and there are many buildings and projects to complete. We did receive another very generous donation from Bloomingdale Church to finish CDA, but we need someone to manage the final stages of construction...

"Casa de Apoyo / House of Help"

One of the many building projects to complete.

We have begun to pray and make our need know for an individual, couple or family to co-labor with us at the Ranch as a “Property & Project Manager.” Essentially, we need someone to run the ranch of the Ranch, while we cultivate the spiritual oasis of Rancho Oasis. If God is not done with RO4Y, we know He will send the right people at the right time to accomplish His vision for this ministry! Pray, PRay, PRAY!!!

Daddy Dates

Mamas & Macaroons!!!

#4 – We focus on the foundation of the Ranch: our family and marriage.

We have recently experienced a devastating blow to our family and ministry that I am not at liberty to discuss publicly. The damage is just beginning to be uncovered and it will take a lifetime of healing & grace. PRAY for us as we walk through the stages of grief and seek out the appropriate means of healing, recovery & justice. Our lives will never be the same, again.

Mango Madness
"Taste & see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Psalm 34:8 NIV

Finally, I want to end on a encouraging note and with a deep sense of gratitude for all those who have sacrificed time, money and vacations to build up the ministry and impact of Rancho Oasis.

Last Fall we made a call for increased monthly support. Many responded, but in January our largest supporting church drastically reduced their monthly donation, shrinking our monthly “income” by over 20%. However, the Lord has moved on many individuals and churches and they have nearly made up the difference.

Please continue to pray for the ministry’s financial needs and ask the Lord if he wants you to be involved. Our goal is still to gain another $500 in monthly support. Every donation no matter the size helps and bonds us together for the spreading of the Gospel in Honduras and beyond!

Thank you all for your faithfulness over the years!!!

To God be the glory!!!

"From ashes to beauty..."

March '18 Review: NEW LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 15:24:00 +0000

“In riding a horse, we borrow freedom."
- Helen Thompson

The Goal: One of the many books that is giving insight & direction to our future focus.

PRAY for us as we continue to move forward on this new horse therapy adventure! Sometimes the tasks before us (building a paddock, properly leveling & RE-building the ridding ring, creating a horse therapy program & equipping ourselves with the knowledge to "do this right") seem overwhelming!

BUT imagining what the end result will be keeps us moving forward!

Like the time our friends from Tegucigalpa brought their children to the Ranch from their children's home (a.k.a. orphanage). It was a fun day outside the city playing and enjoying God's creation, including the horses... click & scroll to the bottom of the link.

Horse & child: a unique bond.

There was one girl in particular who was very standoffish and stoic. Somehow Marillyn convinced her to "come out of the shadows" and groom Zoeva. Something was beginning to happen in this mundane task. Soon after, Marillyn began giving pony rides to the children and, again, miraculously got this emotionally damaged little girl on the back of Zoeva. Slowly her hard exterior began to fall away.

Not long after her ride, our friends approached us and asked, "What did you guys do????"

We weren't sure what they were referring too, but we were nervous!

With tears in her eyes, our friend described that that was the first time in nearly a year of working & living with this young girl that they had seen her smile and heard her laugh while she was riding Zoeva! They were in awe and many months later told us that that experience was the start of the healing process for that little girl.

This is what we hope to recreate again and again with our horses: Jesus & His creation!

PRAY!!!

Cross frame building & paper-bead varnishing.

PRAY for the creativity, sales & direction of the trade school.
PRAY for the new students to grow their skill & Marillyn to direct that growth.
PRAY for spiritual growth & maturity in their lives.

Bi-weekly Bulk shopping in Tegus

Rancho Oasis: 1 - Rancho Ebenezer: 4
Silliness with missionary friends at the Beard-B-Q

PRAY for wisdom & direction in our role as the Region Six Representatives of the Honduran Fellowship of Missionaries and Ministries. We are so grateful to be able to give back to a local ministry that has meant so much to us during our time in Honduras: from the annual missionary retreat to the one-on-one counseling sessions and the countless friendships that have formed since 2010!

Semana Santa Missionary Beard-B-Q

PRAISE for a wonderful day together
at the 3rd Annual Missionary "Beard-B-Q."
The Ranch provides us the unique opportunity to bless our fellow friends and missionaries, many of whom live in the urban jungle of Tegucigalpa. Hosting 80+ people was a little crazy, but a lot of fun!!!

Another year completed & another ice cream flavor checked off this list:
"One Night in Bangkok Sundae"
Jeni's Spendid Ice Creams

PRAISE for the countless blessings (and trials) that the Lord has brought my way over the last 41 years! Thank you all for standing by us and continually lifting us up in prayer!

It's a crappy job, but somebody has to empty the Bio-digestor!

PRAY for us as we work through this transitional period of life & ministry at the Ranch. I, Jon, was once the lead voice at RO4Y directing the Bible study outreach and soccer programs, but now I find myself in a supportive role helping with our kids' homeschooling and assisting Marillyn with the equestrian ministry & trade school. It is ALL GOOD, just different!

Easter Services at our English speaking fellowship in Tegus:
Union Christian Church

PRAY for our English speaking fellowship in Tegucigalpa. We are still in search of a new head pastor! In the meantime, I have volunteered to do some teaching through the book of Titus and have been given a few dates in May. PRAY that God would give me the humility and wisdom in preaching to our beloved congregation of missionaries, embassy workers, bi-lingual school teachers and a hodge-podge of English speaking Hondurans and foreigners!

Trampoline Therapy: a.k.a. "Kids get out of the house & burn off some energy!!!"

PRAY for our TCK's (Third-Culture Kids)! God has gifted us with some truly amazing children! PRAY for us as parents! This summer we will also be participating in our first MK (missionary kid) Camp: Marillyn is in charge of the kitchen for 100+ kids and I will be the main speaker!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
-2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

PRAISE the Lord for His faithfulness through you,
our beloved support team!

Continue to PRAY for God's strength,
wisdom & provision!!!

Please note our new US / Colorado mailing address below:

Rancho Oasis for Youth
6547 Academy Blvd #472
Colorado Springs, CO
80918

February '18 Review: PERSPECTIVE

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 17:06:00 +0000

Watching Mati... who's watching mommy... who's watching Nedo.

“The essential joy of being with horses is that it

brings us in contact with the rare elements of

grace, beauty, spirit and fire.”

-Shannon Ralls Lemon

Tabitha: learning with/on Nedo.

That quote is perfectly said. Horses first captured my heart when I, Marillyn, was 7 years old. They’ve been a soothing balm to my heart & soul growing up as a deaf girl trying to find her way in a big world. Horses have pushed me, in their own gentle way, to better myself and believe I can do anything I set my mind to... even when the world tried to tell me I couldn’t because of being deaf.

Naomi & Nedo: riding the rail.

Fast forward to adulthood... it’s been almost 10 years since I’ve worked closely with horses. To be honest, I grew discouraged and was starting to give up the dream of doing equine therapy. The process of getting Nedo has re-awakened my dreams and was nothing short of a miracle! Slowly, and somewhat cautiously, I feel my heart’s desires being revived. The Lord has used these magnificent animals to shape me to be the person that I am today and it’s my heart’s desire to see others be impacted by these horses as much as they’ve impacted me. I am looking forward to the continuing process of being shaped by the Lord through this guy and other horses we believe will join us in the years to come!

Feliz dia de amor e amistad!

My core group of gals SURPRISED me with

some late Valentines gifts today.

Honestly, I didn’t expect that!!!!

Sisters Tatiana & Yahaira work with their cousin & new student, Lorena.

This is a FIRST and just what I needed to know that I am appreciated & loved by them... because, quite frankly, I often wonder if they think I’m just some crazy, deaf gringa speaking Spanglish {which... I am} but, really, I do struggle and wonder. Especially with all the cultural difference I’ve had to wade through and all the things I’ve had to learn the hard way and all the humble pie I’ve had to swallow over the years as we build up our trade school... But, amazingly, it’s been worth AAALLL the struggles, questioning, frustrations, and tears just to see their beautiful smiles while they presented me their gifts.

Daddy Fun Day: movie & a pizza!

“Your greatest contribution to the world may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”

-Andy Stanley

Poema: my very special pupil!

Tobias: learning to read!

Annual Missionary Retreat or Bust!!!

8 Y E A R S ago, we moved from the hot

tropical beaches & mountains of Costa Rica to

the cool, pine covered mountains of Honduras.

To be honest... if God would have let me make a list of countries that I would want to live in and gave me the choice of where I would go, Honduras would not even come close to being on that list... and He knew that. There have been {many} times over the years, when life got especially hard, I’ve asked God “Why are we here?!” and begged Him to move us somewhere else... yet, He has kept us firmly here.

Hosting our first regional missionary meeting as recently elected reps!

When we first moved here, He gave me this... “I am not promising you that life will be easy, just that it will be worth it” and a recent devotion (February 27^th) from #NewMorningMercies was exactly that... My life is not good because it is easy or predictable, but because the I AM has invaded my existence by His grace.

Soul Care: leading worship at the conference with my buddy, Ken.

Why did God send us into Honduras? He did it because He knows that sometimes we need the storms/trials in order to be able to see the glory. For us believers, peace is not to be found in ease of life. Real peace is only ever found in the presence, power, and grace of the Savior, the King, the Lamb, the I AM. That peace is mine even when the storms of life {aka Honduras} take me beyond my natural ability, wisdom, and strength. Now... I can live with hope and courage in the middle of what once would have produced discouragement and fear because I know I am never alone. The I AM inhabits all situations, relationships, and locations by His grace.

He is in me.
-
He is with me.
-
He is for me.
-
He is MY HOPE

"Great is thy faithfulness, Oh Lord."

My L I F E verse...

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong {dynamite}

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Please continue to stand in prayer with us

about our ministry outreach,

finances and family.

We love you guys!!!

Soul Care: a morning hike & prayer

January '18 Review: CHANGES

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:08:00 +0000

Back in the Saddle!!!

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.

Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

-Philippians 1:3-6 (MSG)

Warming-up Nedo!

As a good missionary friend once said to us,
"Nothing changes, unless something changes!"

For nearly eight years we have longed to see the equine ministry of Rancho Oasis develop into a life-changing work of the Holy Spirit, but have been lacking a key ingredient: a horse!

Sure, we have a couple Honduran ponies, but we have been praying for a well-trained, well-mannered horse to lead us into uncharted territory.

Cue Nedo.

Nedo's Fan Club

After a fellow missionary's donation, a little "kick-in-the-pants" motivation and a lot of prayer, we visited the only professional riding barn in our region. (One of three in Honduras!) We made some contacts, met a horse, offered the funds and now have a horse!

Do you believe in miracles?

So, now what?

Change!

In order to focus on Nedo and develop the equine outreach we need to adjust an already full schedule!

Marillyn will be training Nedo & getting back into shape herself. We plan to introduce our oldest kids to riding him, too. (They have brief experience / lessons in the US.) So, Marillyn will add trainer to her list of activities which include, but are not limited to wife, mom, cook, home school teacher and tradeschool director/designer/photographer/graphic artist.

PRAY for organizational skills!

Jon has decided to temporarily post-pone the children's Bible study outreach with a hope to reintroduce Nedo into the mix in the future. (Though well attended, the twice a day Friday Bible studies were burning him out with inconsistent support from Honduran volunteers and little visible fruit yielded from the life of the kids. Yes, it was fun, but we believe God has something better planned.)

Jon is also investing time into equipping himself as the "spiritual/mental-health" side of the equine outreach. We desire to increase our understanding of the needs of at-risk-youth and the baggage that they will bring to the Ranch. Prayerfully, Nedo and more like him can help tear down some walls & let the light of Jesus into their lives!

So, we ask for prayer as we narrow our ministry focus and prepare to offer something uniquely different to our community and beyond.

TRADE SCHOOL UPDATE:

Bienvenidos a 2018

We have briefly met with the students this new year. The sales over the Christmas season were tremendously succesfull! PTL! (Two-thirds of their earnings for the year were made in November and December.)

PRAY for us as we continue to minister to the faithful, as well as assimilate a small group of new kids into the school. Also, PRAY for God to open more doors for sales locally & abroad.

Gentlemen,
don't forget to visit our on-line store,
Las Aguas Verdes.

We have a new jewelry collection
& Valentine's Day is right around the corner!

FUTBOL UPDATE:

Pre-scrimmage Pep Talk with Coach Oscar

Despite a great start of the Boys U-12 season,
it ended with a fizzle.

The coaches were never able to agree on terms for an official league, so no "official" games this school break. Thus, the boys stopped attending practice! Also, the call of a supplementary income hits most families pretty hard during coffee picking season. The "bean" won out over the "ball". Finally, the public school system starts in February and most students' educations will take priority over extra curricular activities.

The U-25 young men's team has traditionally started their league in February, but work on the soccer field could post-pone the start.

We've played two seasons in the men's league; an experiment to disciple the graduated U-12 boys into adulthood. However, last season the formal discipleship aspect was almost non-existent as almost no one would come to practice and game days were focused on the match-at-hand.

Honestly, I'm not sure how to proceed: fold the team for a season or pursue a more traditional mandatory "pray-to-play" Bible study on a weeknight.

Your PRAYERS are coveted!

RO4Y WORK PROJECTS UPDATE:

New Kitchen, Pantry & Laundry Room Ceramic Tile

We hosted a whirlwind of small, but very capable teams in January.

The "Never-ending" T-shirt Rug

Jon's parent's, Dave & Marsha Beard; long-time supporters, Dale & Ruth Waterman; and returning short-term missionary, John Wilkes.

New Tracks for Sliding Doors

As John shared with friends, "My short-term mission is to help the Beards get settled and situated, so they can complete their long-term mission in Honduras."

D & D Flooring Co.

So, blessed to have you as friends & family!

BEARD FAMILY UPDATE:

(Pictures speak louder than words)

Mati is walking!!!

Keep these young disciples in prayer: Tobias, Poema, Tabitha & Naomi.

Las Barbas Baseball - bonding via family sports!

Belated Christmas Celebrating with Grandma & Grandpa:
UGLY SWEATER COOKIES!

Got puppies!!!
Sheba's 1st litter with Thor: all 6 are males!!!

RO4Y MONTHLY SUPPORT UPDATE:

Good news: Many friends and families have either started giving or increased their monthly giving to Rancho Oasis.

Great news: We were half-way to our goal of increasing our monthly support by $1,000!

Thank you & praise the Lord!

Not so good news: We recently received notice that our largest financially supporting church was reducing their support by nearly 90%!

Current status: The rise in support minus the reduction now puts our monthly need at $1,200 a month!!!

We have:

MANY PROJECTS WE DESIRE TO COMPLETE:

perimeter & interior fencing, staff/guest house, riding areas

SALARIES WE DESIRE TO RAISE:

2 ranch hands, 2 domestic helpers, 2 night guards

ASSETS WE DESIRE TO PURCHASE:

4x4 truck, electric generator, new refrigerator

BILLS WE NEED TO PAY

electrical, property loan

RAINY DAY FUNDS WE WOULD LIKE TO SAVE!
family & animal health emergencies, vehicle issues & furlough plane tickets

IT'S TIME TO DIG DEEP,

PRAY,

FOLLOW THE SPIRIT'S LEADING,

& WATCH HOW THE LORD MOVES!!!

"Morning by morning new mercies I see"

We love you guys
& are excited to see what God does in 2018!

Thank you, Support Team,
for your faithfulness over the years.

2017 - 'Tis the Season

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 14:50:00 +0000

'Tis the Season

Our Redemptive Art:

Las Aguas Verdes or “the green waters” is the on-line store for the students of Ranch Oasis for Youth’s trade school - Taller CDP (Conocimiento, Desarollo y Prosperidad).

Taller CDP or “Workshop of Knowledge, Growth and Prosperity” focuses on teaching the students skills in creating and selling artisan crafts that have a “redemptive” theme.

“For the most part, we use materials that have no purpose or are ready to be disposed of,” says the school’s director, Marillyn Beard. “We take those discarded magazines, pairs of jeans or t-shirts and make art! The student’s work is symbolic to the “spiritual change” that is happening in their lives. Not only are they learning skills, such as perseverance and a strong work ethic, but they are realizing hope and wholeness in God’s plan for their lives.”

We know you will enjoy the student’s work and be blessed to learn that 100% of the proceeds return to Taller CDP and the artists. Each student earns a minimum of 60% of the sale and the balance is used for supplies and expenses for the school! Therefore, sustaining the school and honoring the students with new/fair financial resources!

Start Shopping / Blessing

The Ruth Collection

Our first 2017-2018 Winter collection! We've decided to focus on the Biblical character of Ruth and name each piece of jewelry a quality that reflects her life & testimony. We hope this special collection will encourage and empower you to be like Ruth. Please take the time to read through each item's description as each will weave into one another to tell Ruth's story.

View similar products »

Christmas Trees

Each themed Christmas Tree ornament is handcrafted from paper beads. Our ornaments are stunning on a Christmas tree or creatively displayed on a shelf or wall. Each of the beautifully & uniquely finished ornaments come with a photograph of the artisan/student and will arrive inside a stamped gift bag with a green ribbon. Excellent for gifting!

Shop the sale »

2017 - Mil Gracias!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 12:51:00 +0000

The Beards: Bendecidos!

"A Thousand Thanks"

We give thanks this holiday for the many lives that God has allowed us to touch via our labor of love, Rancho Oasis, established 2010.

Thank you, support team, for your constant prayer, service, gifts and words of encouragement! We share an equal weight in this work for the Kingdom!!!

Take some time to reflect & give thanks for the individuals that invested in YOU and the importance of reaching the next generation for Christ...

One of my favorite podcasts shared some valuable lessons during an interview with Christian researcher & speaker George Barna. Barna’s comments encouraged me with our own philosophy of ministry here at Rancho Oasis.

Excerpts from Warren Smith's interview with George Barna.

(Aired May 11^th, 2017 on the podcast “Listening In.”)

U-12 Boys Soccer Team

“[Reading the Bible] is necessary, but it’s not everything that you need to do [to have a Biblical world view]. Because when Jesus was working with his apostles he wasn’t constantly quizzing them, “What do you believe?” He was saying, “Well, whatta ya gonna do?” And ya know his measure, he’s quoted in John as saying when you will be my disciples if you bear fruit….

… And so it’s really the fruit that determines whether or not we’re serious about this quest to be Christ-like. And so that’s why in this particular study unlike all previous ones we’ve incorporated behaviors into the measuring process. And that I believe is why simply reading the Bible may not be enough to get you there. Somebody might have to help you translate those beliefs into behavior.”

Children & Youth Bible Studies

“Well let me even go back a step and talk about how does a world view develop because what we’ve learned over the many years that I’ve been doing this kind of research is that a person’s world view develops essentially between about 18 months of age and age of 13…

…It’s really in those first thirteen years of life that a person’s world view develops. During the teen years we found that once you have that world view pretty well set in stone you refine it a bit and then when you reach your 20’s and beyond you become an evangelist for your own world view. You think that you’ve got it right and so you want others to embrace your world view….

Trade School Bible Devotionals & Life Talks

…So what that says to me about the developmental process is we may have it upside down in our churches we put almost all of our theological development and behavioral development resources into trying to impact adults and what we know from the research is you are who you are going to be by the age of 13 or 14, somewhere in there in that range….

Hosting Short-term Missions teams & our Intern Program

…So we ought to be putting most of our resources into trying to reach children. Now having said I’ll say that it is not impossible for an adult to have their world view refined or even radically changed the Holy Spirit can change anybody’s life in an instant and then you can be on a different growth trajectory. So that’s a great thing. But what has to happen there. It’s not just about information. More than that it is about seeing how that information gets applied.”

Raising our own third-culture kids!

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

-Proverbs 18:15 (ESV)

By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

-Proverbs 24:3 & 4 (ESV)

Many blessings to you, your families and your Christian communities!

Les Queremos Mucho!

2017 - "HELP! We're Hosting a Short-term Missions Team!!!"

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 13:58:00 +0000

Bloomingdale Church Missions Team & the Beards
July 2017

A recent highlight for us at Rancho Oasis was hosting the first ever team from Bloomingdale Church, my original home church.

Over three decades ago, I, Jon, started attending the church with my family before entering junior high and accepted Christ as my Savior before my senior year of high school!

Rather than share my perspective on the trip, one of the short-term team members gave me permission to share his first time experience.

Enjoy & be blessed!

Short-termer John Wilkes with Mathias.

“Jon, Thank you for the opportunity to tell you my story of this great experience…

Our trip began a few months before we actually set foot on Honduran soil. Seven of us from Bloomingdale Church in suburban Chicago gathered together on a regular basis to learn how a successful trip is achieved. Some of us already had mission trip experience and others none; I was in the “none” category. We learned about the Honduran culture and each other during these meetings. So many subjects spin off of these two main topics and the missions guide book, “Help! We're Going on a Short-term Trip”, was used to help keep things on track. Regardless of prior missions experience, this group had never traveled together before. We came together well and by the time we departed I felt very much accepted and the group had become a team. When we loaded the bus from the church parking lot I remember feeling so relieved to finally be going and the fear I had months before when I committed to actually do the trip was gone.

Almuerzo @ Las Tejitas! Que Rico!

Once we arrived at the airport in Tegucigalpa we were met by Jon Beard. Jon greeted us and after a couple of quick currency exchange transactions we swiftly navigated to our transportation. Once in the rental, we stopped at a local restaurant where Jon had pre-arranged a great meal to welcome us to Honduras. Following lunch, we were underway to the retreat center; which would be our home base during the trip. Once at the retreat center we met Irma and her daughter Marcela who are the proprietors. This property is so beautiful with many succulent plants and quiet places of refuge for prayer and reflection. “I could live there,” I thought, and then when we ate our first meal there and I knew I was right...I could actually live there! We had two meals a day there: breakfast and dinner. The accommodations were very clean and inviting. Hot or very warm showers and all that stuff but the hospitality and clearly the blood, sweat and years of effort to cultivate this place was the real allure.

The retreat center, La Posada del Pescador.

I would wake up around 0500 and spend time alone with the Lord in one of the many places available to do so. When everyone was up and about we would meet for group prayer for the day and the Ranch then have an awesome breakfast. (Did I mention the great chow?) We would then load up in the van and head to the ranch which I is about 40 minutes up the mountain. Many times this drive was through the cloud as in we were actually driving into a cloud. Each day we would depart the ranch around 1730- 1800 and head back to the retreat center for dinner, group discussion/ prayer and turn into bed around 2000-2100.

RO4Y Prayer & Property Tour

The first full day in country we visited the Ranch. Right away I was inspired by the property. On the slope of a mountain and the vast view of the valley that in the distance holds the capitol city of Tegucigalpa. Jon introduced his children and we took a tour of the whole property together. We made a full perimeter hike with a Google Earth map that Jon laminated. I really liked this, reminded me of my military days, and it helped set the location in my mind geographically. We continued around until we visited all of the ministries and support operations for the ranch;

- The ministry building

- The staff building (under construction)

- The soccer field

- The horse training ring

- The barn and chicken coop

- The work shop (If I HAD to pick a favorite...)

- The Beard home

Along the way we prayed for each ministry. Once we completed the prayer hike, we went into the house and were able to meet Marillyn, Jon’s wife, who was working away with preparing lunch for this big group of people. It was a fine meal and gathering, yes indeed.

Practicing "Canciones" de VBS!!!

After lunch we discussed all of the week’s projects and bible studies, skits and songs, crafts and children's activities scheduled for the rest of the trip. I will say that the level of communication and group interaction was great. This tool is used well and helps keep things running smoothly. Jon Beard and our group leader, Stuart Guild, did a great job with communication.

We spent each of the first few days tackling the list of facility maintenance and system upgrades to keep the Ranch in bounds and moving forward. Painting, door and hardware repair, septic system installations which are actually a bio-digester system for the staff housing. There was some demanding manual labor involved and I will admit to wishing I had not enjoyed those last couple of milk shakes before I left the States... but all was good. We came together well as a unit during these days of labor for Jesus and the Ranch, the actions of faith in place of the words about faith were in full motion.

Installing Staff Housing "Bio-digestor", a human waste composting septic system.

Back filing dirt over sand & gravel leech field.

Yah! Projected completed!

Karen Julisa preps her VBS craft!

The last few days we were able to meet one of the main reasons for the Ranch: the youth! The vans, the Ranch 15-passenger van and the rental van, would bring in the children. One group in the morning and one in the afternoon. I will say that my often grumpy fifty-two year old self was choking back some emotion on more than one occasion.

I learned that children are children everywhere. When we sang the songs and the skits were performed, the faces were cheerful and laughter was present. The kids truly love the Ranch. When the lessons turned to activities (either crafts or games) the facial expressions and laughter were those of truly excited and happy kids. These children brought me back to when times were simpler and interaction was itself an activity to anticipate with excitement. I did not see any smart phones interfering with their fun… except mine... but, hey, I was documenting! The last couple of days there were so many kids and I believe the last day had close to sixty.

Final photo with afternoon VBS kids!

John shares from the Word & his testimony.

A highlight of the trip for me was giving my testimony, as well as leading a bible study with the staff. I do not speak Spanish, so translation was needed, a first for me. All went well and I believe there was at least one person there who needed to hear my story and how Jesus has always loved me even when I could not love myself. How He surrounded me with so many good people that I could not possibly deny it and how He watched over me while being such a self-righteous fool.

John teaches the afternoon "readers" VBS group!

El Picachu

Our trip was so busy and full of interesting days that I look back on all of it and see how much can be done when good people do something together. We did all of this and still went to church in the capitol city on Sunday. We also did some tourist stuff, like: we visited a couple nearby "pueblos" and picked up souvenirs, we visited a park that had a giant statue of Jesus looking over the capitol city and I visited a couple of hardware stores and bought materials for the Ranch (This is the equivalent of a shopping trip to the mall of America for some people) but to me it was awesome!

My perspective was changed one day when I was asked by Jon if I would like to go with him to drop off the kids at their homes. We made our way up and down the very rough terrain roads. Up to this point, I had just been playing activities like soccer and group races with these kids. I see their spirit and laughing faces and genuine enthusiasm for life through all of these things. Now, outside the Ranch, we pull up to a small structure made of miscellaneous materials and not big enough for two motorcycles. Jon calls out for three kids that we are here and they hop out and walk down the trail to this place, their home. My heart sank and I know this is a fine place for people to live who don't mind figuring out how to cultivate and manage the meager resources available.

However, I saw young lives with not much more to hope for, but the RO4Y mission offers them as a way to real hope! Their other options are hard to comprehend, especially for a person who has so much at their disposal, like myself.

The contrast of the joy at RO4Y and the reality of their daily struggle hit home for me this moment and I will never forget the seriousness of Gods calling on the Beard family in Honduras.

The reflections I have from the trip are clear as a bell and also not so clear.

It is very clear to me that scripture speaks very loudly on a mission trip,
particularly Matthew 9:37-38:

[Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
NLT

"La Cosecha"

Las Cinco Barbas worship band

I also see the massive work load on Jon and Marillyn with five children. This alone is an enormous responsibility and work. There is only one who can make it possible for a man and a woman to have the courage, determination and love to take on a family of seven AND a mountainside of children: Jesus! The strength that come from a faith in Him is clearly evident when looking back on their mission. Their desire to help is cultivated when looking forward toward their vision God has given them. The task is worthy and I highly recommend putting faith into action with a trip to Honduras and see what the Beard clan has in store for you. I personally can’t wait to go back."

Mil gracias, John!

It is awesome to see that God continues to use short-term missions experiences to not only "lengthen our reach" into the community & build up the Ranch's infrastructure, but to touch the lives and hearts of the short-term missionaries; ultimately, strengthening their faith and emboldening them to continue to serve Christ in their own "backyard" mission field.

Thank you, Jesus!

Click this link to view the
FULL Bloomingdale Church Photo Album
on the RO4Y Facebook page.

If you, you're family and/or a small team are interested in visiting & serving at the Ranch, please don't hesitate to contact us to began discussing dates, cost and projects!

We look forward to seeing whom God brings to Honduras in 2017 & 2018!!!

Please continue to PRAY for Rancho Oasis & the Beard fammily!

2017 - Fleshing Out the Vision: Being a Refuge and a Place of Healing & Hope

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 23:07:00 +0000

Nazareth displays her "God's best creation" craft!

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Weariness can easily become a way-of-life on the mission field... click this tag line for more explanation. We long to arrive into that season of reaping, but there is so much preparation for the harvest. Pressures mount to give up and yet we fight on, doing good for God's glory.

This is our 7th year in Honduras.
During this time many have come and gone
to Rancho Oasis.

We are forever grateful for allowing God to use this ministry to touch so many lives…

Here are a few lives that have been touched over the last few months & years of ministry:

Monica and Marillyn share a final embrace.

After nearly four years of studying with us in the trade school, Monica informed us that she would be leaving to pursue a job opportunity in the capital.

Initially heartbroken to say good-bye to one of our most faithful and talented students, it was very rewarding to reflect upon the tremendous growth in this single-mom's life.

When she first came to the trade school, by invitation of her sister, she was outspoken, sassy and pretty difficult to love. However, over time she became one of Marillyn's student leaders and one of the most creative student-artists!

Not only did her talent increase, but the weekly Bible studies grew Monica's character as she began to pursue her future and family under God's guidance. She thanked us specifically for teaching her what her Biblical responsibility was as a single-mom.

We are so thankful that Monica showed the maturity to let us know of her exit from the school. She was a model worker and we'll miss her deeply.

PRAY for the trade school as we have undergone many changes in 2017:

-Marillyn is managing the school by herself (Jon does some administration).

-3 of the 6 student leaders have moved on to permanent jobs (Though we never had a goal to create a permanent jobs for these students, there is still an adjustment to the changes.)

-4 of the 5 new students have left the school without explanation

-PRAISE for special sales requests like wedding gifts and non-profit/fair-trade collaborations. (Please let us know if you or a friend have an interest in bulk whole-sale orders.)

-PRAY for sales opportunities to help support these students

-PRAY for and Visit our on-line venue: Las Aguas Verdes

Darlin works on a "bulk" order of earrings for the Ragini Project.

I was recently teasing our one-and-only male student, Henry, when Darlin made me laugh pretty hard.

I teased Henry that I knew he enjoyed coming to class every Tuesday because he got to work alongside so many talented and beautiful women.

Suddenly, out of the blue, quite and shy Darlin burst out, "I'll accept that!"

It has taken several years to build that level of comfort among these youth.

PRAISE God for His presence & peace in the trade school!

Jon with Lesly & her newborn, Eric Josue.

Life can take many twists and turns for a young person in rural Honduras.

We've known Lesly from the very beginning of our work in Ojojona in 2010.

What a unique opportunity we've had to be a light for Lesly in so many different ways over the years:

We've ministered to her in the youth group and were instrumental in sending her to a youth camp where she came to know Christ. She took a turn for the worse when her grandmother passed, but was prayed out of a deep depression by a close friend she developed from one of our short term missions teams. She has been involved with the trade school for years and most recently employed as a cook for our family.

Now her newest and greatest adventure has begun: Motherhood!

PRAY for Lesly as she is still in the first year of her marriage and first weeks as a mom.

Oscar works with Elder, a fatherless at-risk-youth from Ojojona

One of the greatest privileges we have at Rancho Oasis is to watch the Word of God shape lives in the next generation.

Not just the lives of the ones receiving the messages,
but those giving the teaching, too!

Not only does Oscar continues to serve faithfully as our primary farm-hand, watching over our myriad selection of animals and the upkeep of RO4Y's 17 acre property, but as the head coach of both the men's and boy's soccer teams and a co-teacher on our Friday kids Bible study.

PRAY for Oscar to mature in his walk with the Lord
as a spiritual leader in his own home and at the Ranch.

Miguel, one of the many fatherless & directionless kids in town.

Miguel, in the green shirt, has been one of the newest additions to our Friday Bible study.

Like most kids they are drawn by the mini-soccer field on sight (pictured below) or the trampoline, but Miguel is uniquely attentive to the Bible studies...
most of the time!

One particular Friday, I called Miguel out for unruly behavior. He was pretty ticked and refused to apologize to another kid for something he did. He wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the study, nor greet me when I saw him over the next few days in Ojojona.

Nevertheless, he came the following Friday to Bible study! He admitted his error and all was restored. A little Christ-centered tough love won him out!

I love that we can practice what we preach at the Ranch and kids keep coming back because they know it is a place of healing and hope! I can't tell you the number of kids who have received some "tough love", walk away for a time, but always return! Always!

PRAY for the youth in all of our activities to have a spiritual awakening and an awareness for their need for Jesus in their daily life.

PRAISE that the Friday Bible Studies (AM & PM) have maintained their increased attendance.

A full house Friday Bible study!

"Best Disciplined Team" Trophy 2 years in a row!
(a.k.a. - the least amount of fouls)

Nelson Omar, better known as "Machi", is another example of the longevity of our witness in the community.

Machi joined our boy's team years ago,
but was soon kicked off the team for being a bad/negative influence.

Now he plays for the men's team and has even captained the team!
He also works full-time at the Ranch alongside Oscar as our farm-hand!

Our men's team has now completed two tournaments in Ojojona, but is struggling to keep our focus on discipleship. Low to non-existent attendance for practice and limited opportunity at games has been a growing concern.

Soccer is arguably the strongest religion in Honduras, next to Catholicism, and is one of our greatest evangelistic tools.

PRAY for wisdom on getting the team back on track!

The well attended championship game came down to PK's!
(No worries, we weren't playing.)

Another blessing of the ministry at Rancho Oasis is to partner with churches in the United States who have caught on to the vision of providing a place of refuge, healing and hope to the hurting youth in our community.

Our most recent collaboration was with Calvary Chapel Santee:

CC Santee Youth Team's Fun Day: Picnic in Ojojona

This was the second team sent down by CC Santee since 2016,
but the first team consisting of youth group members and their adult leaders.

KP Duty Painting the Ministry House

Co-leading Trade School Devos VBS Bastketball fun!

Short-term teams are always a boost in the morale at the Ranch,
but the teams also experience the blessing of serving Jesus
and the unity that this brings to the group.

PRAISE that the Ranch can also be a place of refuge for our visitors, too!

Mil gracias, CC Santee!!!

Checking Naomi & Tabitha into immigration before their month in the US of A.
Generously sponsored by friends and family!

Don’t be fooled!

The Beards will NOT be making their yearly furlough to the States in 2017.

Mathias was really looking forward to his first extended stay in the States.

Sorry. But it is hard not to share our disappointment.

Though not a “vacation” per say, furloughs introduce a necessary change in routine… a breath of fresh air in the challenges of daily life in a third-world country. Okay. I’ll stop before I get too romantic! There are some undesirable things about furloughs, too! (Multiple beds, strange foreign food, long car rides, etc.)

In an effort to be responsible and do the right thing, we decided to not visit the West coast this year. Reality is money is tight and flying a family of 7 doesn’t come cheap.

We’ll miss those rekindled relationships with churches and opportunities to share about what God is doing at the Ranch. Along with those special family moments that only come on road trips. The decision comes with much difficulty.

So, what can you do?

PRAY for us & the ministry of RO4Y!

Consider becoming a monthly supporter to Rancho Oasis and/or give a one time gift to help with these needs:

-Paying back the balance on an interest free loan for the 17 acre property purchased in September of 2013

-Saving to purchase a 4x4 pick-up.
(Our 15 passenger van is doing ALL the work right now and we haven't been able to sell the Durango!)

- Paying off our first electric bill… it is pretty hefty after a 16 month waiting period!

-Completing the staff housing project

Adding colorant powder to concrete exterior stucco finish

-Not to mention our monthly expenses as a ministry, including staff salaries, and a family.

-Purchasing a solid pair of horses well trained & ready to serve at the Ranch.

(Click here to make a donation.)

Studying through Colossians with the crew.

Thanks again for your prayers, financial gifts
and words of encouragement!

"...But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV)

2017 - Called to Persevere

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Fri, 05 May 2017 13:33:00 +0000

Bienvenido Mathias Caleb Beard!

So much has happened in our lives & ministry since I've last written.

A new life was introduced into the Beard Family.

(And some other Beards got another year older!)

Best birthday gift ever!!! Tobias turned six a week after Mathias' birth!

Mare = 32 Jon = 4, I mean 40!

We've said good-bye to some staff & hello to new youth & children.

We've hosted three short-term missions teams,

including both of our parents!

The Ranch is officially an NGO in Honduras

& the Durango is back in the shop (and up for sale.) NEED: 4 x 4, duel-cab, pick-up truck - option to import tax free from US! (Toyota, Nissan or Ford best models for Honduras.)

The construction of our new staff housing, Casa de Apoyo, continues to move forward

and the infrastructure of the Ranch is growing... poco a poco.

And through it all, the good, the bad & the messy, the Gospel is our beacon; guiding us through all of the changes and reminding us of the course that God has set for the ministry.

I have been teaching the staff through the book of Colossians and found great encouragement from these lines in chapter 1:

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. (NLT)

As a full-time missionary, I've seen the importance of realizing that part of the "entire [Gospel] message" that Paul speaks of is our life & testimony. Which often includes suffering. Yet, it is in the challenges and difficulties of life & ministry where the Gospel can be seen the clearest.

So, thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and financial gifts as we continue to make adjustments at the Ranch to all the recent changes! PRAY that we would continue to "stand firm" in the Gospel in our marriage, family, service and outreach.

BIRTH DAY

Mare focuses inward & upward for "Baby Cinco's" arrival!

One of the many joys of home birth is to include the family.
Marillyn's mom, Brooke Goranson - an unofficial Doula, is pictured with the Beard kids and Marillyn in the birthing pool.

IT'S A BOY!!!
December 9th, 2016
(In this day of ultra-sounds, we've waited to find out all of our baby's gender until their birth.)

Well done, mama! Well done, baby!

PERSONNEL CHANGES

Lesly, our family cook & long-time RO4Y participant, was wed on December 17th.

Civil unions are first & separate from church unions in Honduras.
PRAY for Lesly & her husband, Carlos.
They are expecting at the end of June.
(Also PRAY for us as we seek a maternity leave replacement.)

Lucinda says, "Adios" to Honduras and her service at the Ranch.
She had a four-year tour-of-duty!

PRAY for Lu as she continues to adjust to life in the US.

PRAY for the Beard's as we try to nail down what our kids' education will look like. Marillyn has stepped into home schooling, but we don't see this as a permanent solution. NEED: Nanny/Teacher

Melody and her Nicaraguan husband, Roberto take a "Farewell" photo before they depart for Nicaragua.

After cutting her commitment to the Ranch short by moving up her wedding day six months, then moving to Nicaragua it was difficult to reconcile Melody's commitment to her marriage and service at the Ranch. We sadly decided to not invite Melody back.

PRAY for the equestrian ministry vision of RO4Y.

(Pause to read blog title, again.)

PRAY for God's timing on finding a new horse. We received a donation in 2016, but haven't found the one!

NEED: Equestrian assistant

NEED: More monthly financial givers - we're feeling the absence of Lu & Mel's "hands & feet", as well as their room & board fees.

Melody's final equestrian class given at Rancho Oasis.

Our ministry stamp:
Woo-hoo!!! The Ranch is official in Honduras! PTL!!!

LONG-TIME FAITHFUL & NEW ZEALOUS
SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TEAMS

Calvary Chapel Morgantown @ Parque Picachu in Tegucigalpa.

This small team of 8 had a combined experience of over 20 visits to Rancho Oasis since we begun in 2010. (That includes two first timers!)

We are not only blessed to call them friends, but family!

Bitter-sweet, final day reflections from the CC Morgantown crew!

Calvary Chapel Des Moines @ replica Mayan temple.

We were also blessed to fellowship & serve alongside our long-time friends from our home church in Des Moines, Iowa. The Beard & local kids especially enjoyed Chelsea's return visit, as she had interned with the Ranch in the Spring of 2016! NEED: Interns for remainder of 2017 & all of 2018!!!

What was really fun is that all but one of the team members had been to Honduras, but only one of those five knew first-hand our new property. Thus, this visit was like serving at a whole new ministry!

Kevin shares during the RO4Y staff Bible study about answering God's call on your life.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW JAMI'S FACEBOOK ALBUM

DOCUMENTING THE WEEK IN HONDURAS.

World Racer's first day in Ojojona: learning to shop @ the Pulperia!

One of our surprise highlights of the year was the month long service from the six gals from the World Race missions ministry.

They lived with us on the Ranch, but were completely independent: making their own meals and getting their own groceries.

Not only did they complete a variety of projects around the Ranch, they helped with the schooling of our youngest children, worked with the animals to give Oscar and Nelson some real time off over Semana Santa, ministered alongside the trade school & children's Bible studies and offered us their fellowship.

We unofficially changed their name to "World Ranchers!"

NOS VEMOS, HERMANAS!!!
Dropping the gals off at the bus stop.

OUR STEADFAST OUTREACH

The trade school gals hold up their newest creations: paper bead hearts!

Marillyn has been faithfully teaching these young women for five years!

PRAY that they will not only mature in their craftsmanship, but in their walk with the Lord.

PRAY that God will also open up some more selling opportunities. He's blessed us with a few wedding/gift orders and we have applied to work with some larger State-side distributors.

What a blessing to have the multiple teams speak into the lives of these young women as they come to learn every Tuesday!
GRACIAS TEAMS!!!

PRAY for our special sale on the Etsy website: Las Aguas Verdes,
as well as the special event May 12th at the US embassy!

The U-12 boys meet for a friendly game during the school break in January.
PRAY that we can maintain a relationship with these boys during the Honduran school year.

"And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1

First practice for the U-25 team at the start of our second local championship.

PRAY for Oscar as he leads the boys both on and off the field. When push comes to shove and we're short a player, Oscar will step-in to play a half. (Many of the boys finish their school at 1:30 and half of our games start at 1 PM!)

PRAY for perseverance. The season is coming to a close and we are, once again, in last place of eight local teams. We are essentially at a high school level playing college opponents! The boys are a bit discouraged, but are actually playing well. Just missing that definition in the final third, if ya know what I mean!

While recently in Ojojona, I received some positive feedback about the team. This man, a player in one of the men's leagues, congratulated me for the efforts we were making with the boys. He said that most are in it for a trophy, but he sees that were are interested in forming these boys into good players and good men! PTL!!!

Win or lose - we always give thanks to the Lord!

Friday AM & PM Bible studies have been packed!

On a whim, obviously lead by the Holy Spirit, I decided to take a new route into Ojojona for Friday Bible study. Like the piped-piper, I drove through new neighborhoods and talked to every kid I saw, inviting them to the Ranch! It was crazy fun and I had no idea what to expect!

Our Friday attendance has nearly doubled in size!!!

Oscar teaches the AM class!

PRAY that Oscar, Dunia, Keyla and Saleni (Machi's girlfriend) and I will have perseverance, love and wisdom as we reach out to these kids! We've been so grateful for the help from the teams, but we want to keep this study growing strong!

We used Legos to help illustrate the parable of the house built on the sand & rock!

OUR NEW STAFF HOUSE:

CASA DE APOYO

Both CC Morgantown and CC Des Moines helped stub in plumbing & electrical conduit for CDA!!!

PRAY for the funds and wisdom to finish CDA this year!!!

Our local Honduran forman, Jose de La Paz, has been completing the interior stucco.

We have two more teams lined up that could be helping with this process, as well as a significant donation from a supporting church to prayerfully finish the work!

NEED: Property manager / maintenance man / missions team construction manager!!!

CDA's septic tanks:
Bio-digestors that make human waste compost!!!

Beard Kid Creativity!
Enjoying washing the busito!

Arco Iris!

Blessed to ride these beautiful mountains!
PRAISE for good health!

OUR "BRAVE GIFT FROM GOD"

Marsha & Dave Beard

Brooke & Wayne Goranson

PRAY & stand firm with the Beards & Rancho Oasis for Youth!

2016 - November Photo N Prayer Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 22:58:00 +0000

Melody introduces the afternoon girls' Bible study to Zoeva.

After nearly seven years of living in Honduras,

the equestrian-Bible program is finally coming to fruition!

We combined a study in 1 Corinthians 12 with a lesson on horse grooming. Each brush is unique and has it's own purpose, just like each member of the Body of Christ. No brush is more important than the other, but each has a specific job!

What a fun way to bless these kids's with some spiritual truths!

PRAY for Melody as she works with the kids and the horses & Jon as he leads the Bible studies!

Zoeva is getting a full-body brushing from the boys' class!

First boys' Bible study in years that doesn't include soccer... yet!

One of the nice horses at a horse barn just outside of Tegucigalpa.

PRAY for us as we continue to seek a "retiring" horse from a nearby local barn.

Melody and Marillyn recently made some connections, PRAY they work out!

The goal is to find a trained horse that has many years of life left in him/her.

PRAY these horses will not only be "bomb proof" (require less work) for the kids, but they'll also be in our price range!

U-25 team plays a "friendly" game with prisoners inside the prison!

The U-25 soccer team had a unique opportunity to minister to some prisoners. Jon had been praying for an opportunity to serve the community and the Lord provided through a Honduran pastor friend in Ojojona.

So, with the van full of young men we traveled almost two hours south to Nacaome, near the El Salvadorian border!

Once there we made our way through security then Oscar gathered those prisoners who would listen and shared his testimony of coming to faith in Jesus. We played a game (and lost badly! The heat was a HUGE factor! Oscar described it as an oven.)

Finally, before our departure, one of the inmates shared his story with the boys and how he has come to know Christ in prison. This man has 12 more years to serve of a 25 year sentence! What a teaching moment for our young players!

PRAY for these young men to fully give their lives to Christ and to avoid prison.

PRAY for more opportunities to serve the community. We plan to return!

Group photo outside the prison entrance and prisoner, Ulises, shares his story with the young men.

School vacations has started and the U-12 team has begun practice!

PRAY for Oscar as he both trains the U-12 team and teaches from the book of John!
PRAY also that the Lord will provide some volunteers from the U-25 team to help Oscar.

PRAY for these U-12 boys to gel as a team and grow in their walk with Christ!

Paper bead Christmas tree garland, anyone???

Though trade school classes have been greatly simplified in anticipation of Baby Beard being born, the students still meet weekly.

The Lord answered prayer and opened five different opportunities to sell the students work in Tegucigalpa this December. We're hoping to take advantage of the Christmas shopping season to bless these students! PRAY all goes well!

Also PRAY for Jon has he has been leading the weekly devotionals.

Can't make it to the sales events in Honduras, no problema!

Check out the school's Etsy site: Las Aguas Verdes!

Find some great & unique Christmas gifts!

Henry works on Christmas tree ornaments and Yahaira some garland!

Melody de-feathers a chicken at the Rancho Oasis homestead!

PRAY for our weekly adult Bible study in Colossians.
We've had some of the best discussions we've ever had at the Ranch! PTL!

(I'm honestly not sure why this particular prayer requests follows that particular picture! Hahaha!)

Poema: the kitten princess!

Lucinda, Melody and Marillyn enjoy some much needed fellowship and spiritual renewal
at the annual women's missionary conference in Tegucigalpa.

Mr. Mom takes the wheel while Mare is away at the conference!

Tabitha and Tobias are loving their "new" used adjustable b-ball net!

Family bonfire with Naomi's no-bake cookies and goat's milk.

Face-Timing Grandpa & Grandma:
The blessing of technology allows us to stay close to friends and family despite being thousands of miles away.

Nelson, aka "Machi" and his newborn daughter, Milagro (meaning Miracle).
PRAY for Machi to learn his spiritual role as father!

As I type this, Mare's due date, December 5th, has come and gone!
Vamos Baby Cinco!
PRAY for Mare... she's ready to be done!

Tobias and I, Jon, clean out the water tank with the close of the rainy season.
Though coming from the water aquifer that feeds Ojojona, the ground/rain water floods the pipes and brings a lot of "yuck" into the tank! Nonetheless, PRAISE for our water source!

Our first ever Thanksgiving in our own home!

Apple tart & chocolate silk pie - both with homemade almond crust!

AMAZING!!!

The meal was amazing & the fellowship sweet!
Gracias a todos!

PRAISE for our wonderful supporters!

For your words of encouragement, financial gifts and regular visits!

We are so blessed AND grateful for you!

Tobias rethinks his gift of a half-eaten paleta (popsicle) for the new born messiah!

Blessed to ride on DRY trails again!

Giving Tuesday 2016

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 01:31:00 +0000

Tuesday, November 29th is known as Giving Tuesday.

It is a day set aside to intentionally offer a financial gift to a ministry or missionary that you believe to be fulfilling the great commission to make disciples and bring the love & hope of Christ to the poor in spirit.

Rancho Oasis for Youth, in the mountains of Honduras, was founded to reach impoverished youth with the Gospel and through practical skills offer them a way out of the cycle of poverty.

RO4Y is at a point where our ability to reach even more of these young people and their families requires more hands and feet. We have many interested in coming to help, but there is nowhere for them to live... yet!

This past summer we began construction on our new staff house, Casa De Apoyo, which means Support House!

We have completed the walls and the roof and then, due to extenuating circumstances, the funds to finish the rest of the building had to be used elsewhere.

Our prayer and hope is that God would restore these funds so, that by Spring of 2017, we could complete Casa De Apoyo and fill it with missionaries and teams desiring to reach the youth with the love of Christ.

Our goal is to raise $6000 which will complete the building and furnish the rooms!!

Perhaps God will move on your heart to give your gift to RO4Y.

You can give on PayPal
Find donation button on the sidebar --->>>

follow this link to mail a check!

Thank you for considering Rancho Oasis for Youth.

God bless you as you give to bless others.

2016 - October Photo N Prayer Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 19:51:00 +0000

Melody trains with Nyssa in the round pen!

The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together for the Ranch's equestrian outreach ministry:

Horses - check!

Barn - check!

Riding ring - check!

Round pen - check!

Someone to assist Marillyn and head-up the program - check!

Equestrian Program - In Development & Practice!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Melody teaches the girls' Bible study one of her favorite games:
"Go Ninja Go!"

With Melody's direction & input, we are excited to make some new changes with the girl's Bible study on Fridays. Melody will be transitioning into leading the girl's into a simple equestrian program that includes Bible teaching.

PRAY for us as we begin this new and "long-time coming" adventure and that God will use the animals for His glory.

PRAY also that God will direct us to find a few more horses before the year's end. Melody is touching base with some local horse stables as we search for some older, experienced and "kid proof" horses!

With the Honduran school calendar coming to an end in November, we will also be duplicating the Friday afternoon study in the morning with the local boys! Exciting times!

PRAY that God will capture these boys' hearts!

Oscar continues to teach the soccer team through the book of John:
a great source of discipleship and evangelism.

PRAY for these young men (ages 13-25) to know & serve Christ. The raining season is coming to an end and we are planning to participate in a nice, long tournament in Ojojona.

PRAY that God would draw the right boys to the team and for wisdom for Oscar and I as we lead them. Before the season starts we are coordinating some local and travel friendly games, as we now have the flexibility with the 15-passenger van! PTL!

For those of you who know Nelson Omar, aka "Machi", he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child any day. PRAY for a good delivery - Saleni has some hip issues, so they are planning on a Cesarean. Machi has played with us for many years and now works alongside Oscar at the Ranch. They have also expressed an interest in some marital counseling!

PRAY also for the boys team (ages 8-12), as we will be starting up this month because the Honduran school system will be on break for half of November, December and January.

PRAY that we can reunite the boys and have a great tournament, as well! We will begin to meet with them twice a week when there are no classes.

Yenny opens her new savings account at the local co-op!
She is one of five new students in the Trade School this year!

The students in our trade school were blessed with the sales from our mini-furlough in August and are hoping for increased sales on our website as we approach Christmas!

PRAY for the sales to be an encouragement & blessing to these young people.

Also PRAY that the Lord will open up some doors for local sales over the next few months - we are looking into a few options.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL WORK THE STUDENTS ARE PRODUCING AND GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE EARLY!

RO4Y Adult Bible study - an inductive study through Colossians!
PRAY for God to change lives in this study;
all Ranch workers, minus our night guards, are in attendence! PTL!

Such a blessing to have the ministry van legal and usable!!!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
(Our first girl's Bible study of the season.)

Zoeva wants to move into our staff house project: Casa de Apoyo!

Recent expenses importing the van and finalizing the non-profit status of the Ranch left us with nothing in the account for construction. (Not to mention our pending eight month electrical bill... still working with the electric company to get in the system!)

PRAISE the Lord our day-to-day is covered, but our hope to finish "Casa de Apoyo" in January 2017 is being threatened.

PRAY for God's provision and timing to finish this important project. Lucinda and Melody are anxious to get into their new digs and Marillyn is ready to convert their room into the trade school workshop studio! (We also have some potential interns and new staff coming next summer!!!)

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUILDING PROJECT AND HOW YOU CAN GIVE!

"Que Rico!!!"
RO4Y team lunch: Monday - Fridays!

The Beard kids have art class with Marillyn:
making piñatas!

Feliz Cumpleaños, Poema!
This newly celebrated 4-year-old struggled blowing out her final candle!
Hahaha! Too cute!

Honduras is not known for it's efficiency... case in point!

The Ranch's non-profit status is near completion. Just a "few more steps"!

PRAY for God's provision as this "non-profit" adventure continues to rack up expenses/fees!

Also, PRAY for us as we transition into more administrative responsibilities that the Honduran government requires of NGO's. Most of this will fall on Jon!

(Any admin-missionaries out there interested in the Ranch???)

Baby "Cinco" is on his/her way!
Due date is December 5th: PRAY for a great birth & a healthy baby!

Guess who's back?

This dog is a mystery! After 18 days of "adventure" he returned to the Ranch, kinda.

"Wanderlust" is a major issue in this Great Pyrenees / Great Dane mix. He comes and he goes... as I'm writing this post we've haven't seen him for two days. PRAY that God would rewire his little brain!

Not all are a success story... a trade school student quits the school.

A "tough love" philosophy of ministry at the Ranch builds character and godliness, but not all respond positively to correction. PRAY for all the youth to have a soft heart to learn from God's Word and put it into practice. PRAY for us to received them back graciously when/if they return.

Long-time friends and supporters, Laurie and her daughter, Karina,
overlook Tegucigalpa from Parque Picacho with Tabitha and Naomi.

October Missionary Fall Fest
A great gathering for food, fellowship & goofiness!

What a joy for our "kids", big and small, to have some fun with local members
of the Honduran Fellowship of Missionaries and Missions.

"Kiddin' around"
Two of four new baby goats!

"You know when you're a MK when..."
Power outages don't even phase you.

Big sister Poema preps for the upcoming birth!

Beard Family "Seven" Photo!
Thanks to a fellow missionary for her great work:
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL ALBUM

"Share The Road"
Always an adventures mountain biking in Honduras.

2016 - July / August / September Photo N Prayer Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 03:36:00 +0000

July

Our Last Month of Ministry before Furlough

The Beard family attempt of a "4th of July" Celebration! Viva Los Estados Unidos!

Calvary Chapel Santee team photo in Ojojona
July 2016

PRAISE: CC Santee were ideal for a short-term missions teams. Hard workers, fellowship lovers and willing to serve.
View photos of their week of ministry here on our Facebook page.
Gracias!!!

One of the highlights for the Santee team was their help leading small groups for the RO4Y workers.
One for the guys & one for the gals! The Word was so encouraging to us all!

Roof ready!
Major progress made on the "Casa de Apoyo" or ministry partner's housing.

Feliz cumpleanos, Melody y Oscar!!!

PRAISE for our ministry partners.
PRAY for God to draw more to come along side us at the Ranch.

Take a closer look! See the videographer? We hosted Melissa for over a week.
She's putting together a professional promo video together for the Ranch!
Awesome! Mil gracias!

Melody's final girls' Bible study before furlough!

Mango Madness came a little later this year, but just as sweet as ever!

August

Our Mini-Furlough in the USA

Marillyn and I had a whirlwind trip to the States, as we visited three of our supporting churches.
It was a great time of fellowship, as well as a refreshing time for our marriage.
A "baby-moon" before "Cinco" is born!

Enjoy our latest video summary of ministry leading up to our furlough!

Jon teaches the Freedom Fellowship Youth Group of Kaukauna, WI.
His text was from Zechariah chapter 4.

LISTEN TO JON TEACH THROUGH ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 4

CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

AUGUST 28TH, 2016

Our table sales were blessed. This shot from Calvary Chapel Morgantown, WV.

Thanks everyone for supporting the students of Taller CDP! Check out the Etsy store if you weren't able to buy in person: Las Aguas Verdes

Christmas is just around the corner!!!

Enjoying some R & R in Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie, Ohio, a few waves from Canada!

The kids didn't miss us a beat, as they enjoyed their Nina and Papi for 3 weeks!
Wayne & Brooke Goranson, Marillyn's parents and active RO4Y ministry partners.

R.I.P Daisy: after a freak off-property accident,
the family had to put her down in our absence.
She lived a long, blessed life as a four-legged member of the Beard family.

Wayne continued the work on CDA in our absence.
Gracias, Wayne!

September

Return & Refocus on Family & Ministry in Honduras.

Enjoying a Sunday lunch together! It was good to be reunited!

September 15th festivities in Ojojona!
Honduras celebrates its independence from Spain in 1821.

Jump Catracho, jump!

Happy Birthday Tabitha (8) & Naomi (10)!!!

1st day of classes!
Naomi 4th grade; Tabitha 2nd grade.

Tobias Kindergarten and Poema Pre-Kinder

PRAY for Lucinda as she takes on the responsibility of teaching ALL the Beard kids this year!!!

PRAISE: After 2 years of praying and waiting,
the 15-passenger van is registered and with plates!!!

PRAY! We were unfortunately hit with some unexpected fees and fines during the customs process which drained our savings. If you are lead, any gifts would be a blessing as we desire to continue work on our new staff house! We know the Lord will provide!

Wanderlust: a few weeks after our return our only remaining Dane, Mordecai, ran off!!!
Bittersweet with this "dumb mutt"!

Melody is back and eager to work with the animals! PTL!
She also was recently engaged!!!

PRAY for Marillyn and Melody as they began a search for some "retiring" horses at local barns. They want horses that would be great with children and to help spread the Gospel through our equestrian program aspirations!

CDA is with a roof before the heavy rains hit! PTL!

The funds to build have "dried up" after our crazy van importation expenses, so PRAY for a financial "downpour"!!!

One of my various mtb rides.
We live in a beautiful community!

Thank you always for your prayers, words of encouragement and support!!!

We are excited for this new season of ministry
and look forward to how the Lord will tie our hearts together in service for His Kingdom!!!

2016 Mini-Fall Furlough Schedule (5 Reasons to Connect with out Support Team)

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 00:48:00 +0000

RO4Y Tour Stops

"USA or bust!!!

We look forward to reconnecting with our RO4Y family this August!

Not only will we be sharing about what God has done at the Ranch in 2016, we'll be traveling with a variety of artisan crafts from our trade school, as well as Hope Coffee from Honduras.

Hasta Pronto!

Tuesday, August 9 Arrive in Chicago USA

Wednesday, August 10 Bachleitner Family / South Shore Church Fond du Lac, WI

Sunday, August 14 Freedom Fellowship Church Kaukauna, WI

Monday, August 15 Beard Family Open House Bloomingdale, IL

Sunday, August 21 Calvary Chapel Morgantown Morgantown, WV

Sunday, August 28 Calvary Community Church Cedar Rapids, IA

Tuesday, August 30 Rancho Oasis for Youth Ojojona, Honduras

While in the USA, the Beards can be reached at:
641-843-8455 (Mare's #)

Ministry donation requests:

scrap-booking & card-stock paper, old maps, magazines, beads, cords, neckties and jewelry supplies; soccer cleats (sizes 6 - 9), shin guards; 3/4 guitars (child size); used (for trade school) or new, medium guitar strings; Spanish books (children's and Christian inspirational) for our library.

The U-25 soccer team models their new jersey

Fact #1:

To raise awareness of the ministry happening

God’s Spirit is changing the lives of children, teens

and their families in the rural mountains of southern Honduras.

The trade school students have a moments laughter caught on camera!

Your friendship, partnership and prayers are critical for our success!
Will you join our support team?

[Paul & Barnabas] called the church together and reported everything God had done through them. Acts 14:27 (NLT)

One of the trade school students, Darlin, designs a paper-bead necklace.

Fact #2:

To increase our financial support so we can influence more lives

The Ranch has been blessed with consistent financial giving to cover all of our basic ministry needs. With more monthly support we can expand current projects that we have in the community to help with people's standard of living and mental/spiritual health, plus give us more in roads to communicate the Gospel. The reality is that money is necessary to provide the services we offer to the youth of Ojojona and Tegucigalpa.

One of our 3-month interns helps lead a Bible study with the elementary girls.

We've had approximately a year-and-a-half living on our new 17 acre property.
We will be collecting funds to improve the property and pay off our interest-free loan!
Major projects include new staff house, new fencing and finalizing several construction projects: the Beard's home/team meal hall, ministry house renovation, and the equestrian riding areas.
A large financial invest would be a major blessing.

Please inquire about other financial needs.

We trust that God will provide for the ministry's needs;
Is He calling you to be involved financially?

You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News. Philippians 4:15 (NLT)

Riva, a short-term team member from one of our supporting churches,
leads a daily devotional with the Ranch Oasis women staff

Fact #3:

To call the body of Christ to come along side us

by organizing short-term missions teams

The majority of the Ranch’s construction projects are completed by groups and the money & labor they put into the buildings. Completed projects mean more opportunity to share the Gospel. We've also expanded outreach to the community via VBS, community/RO4Y family construction projects, health seminars, a youth purity conference, rummage sales and special dinners. Teams have also joined us by participating in the regular scheduled events of the ministry week, like leading Bible studies and teaching new crafts.

So much construction as been accomplished in the ministry season of 2016!
Yet, so much is left to improve on this 17 acre property.

This team helps us finish out the roof of our new workshop / storage building.

We also recognize the dynamic spiritual change that can happen during a missions trip. Marillyn and I are serving as full-time missionaries because of our short-term experiences.

It’s a kingdom building investment at the Ranch and in your life.
Is God calling you to invest a week or more of your life for His kingdom in Honduras this year?

The Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 (NLT)

RO4Y's ministry partners Bible study.

Fact #4:

To recruit short-term (3 month) and long-term staff & families

In the field, Rancho Oasis is two full-time North American staff, one full-time Honduran staff, several part-time Honduran staff and a family of six that includes one bi-lingual adult, a deaf woman who is proficient in Spanish communication and five children under the age of ten. We are stretched to the max and amazed at all that God is doing. We’ve seen God move even more when another adult or young person joins us in ministry. (We are praying specifically for someone to assist Jon with the construction projects and maintenance of the property.)

Newest RO4Y staff, Melody, will focus on the equestrian and animals ministries!

Reality is we can’t accomplish what God has called us to do on our own.
God is preparing each one of us in the body of Christ to serve and advance His kingdom.
Will you test God’s faithfulness to you at Rancho Oasis?

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

A beautiful Honduran sun set.

Fact #5:

For some R & R: "Refreshment and Rejuvenation"

7 months of ministry with all of its ups and downs can be invigorating to the soul, but draining on the body. The Beards are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family, as well as enjoying time as a couple! (This year Jon and Marillyn are having a "baby-moon" before the birth of their 5th child. Marillyn's parents will be watching the kids in Honduras in their absence!)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)

We look forward to seeing you this August!!

Keep these goals in your prayers!!!

2016 - May/June Photo N Prayer Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 00:03:00 +0000

Yep! "Cinco" is on his/her way!!!

PRAY for the Beard family with their unexpected/unplanned blessing. The kids are done with school for the season and Mom & dad are loving it/going crazy!

Newest Ranch Staff Melody Cary works with Tobias on cleaning tac.

PRAY for Melody as she transitions into life at RO4Y.
She has spent the last 3+ years teaching at an English bi-lingual school in the northern part of Honduras. She has years of equestrian experience and will be a valuable addition to the Ranch combining horse therapy, evangelism and discipleship.

Gracias Calvary Community Church from Sumner, Washington!

Building & setting roof trusses and installing the roof panels.

PRAISE: We had a short, but good week with our first time visitors from the north-west. PRAISE that Wayne Goranson, Marillyn's father, was available and ran the construction crew while Jon focused on the missionary mechanic and our car repair.

View more of the team's trip in the their album on our Facebook page.

PRAY for our next team of twelve arriving on July 17th from suburban San Diego. The team will finish the work on the workshop/warehouse, be involved with the Ranch's regular weekly outreach, as well as a special staff Bible study - one for the ladies and one for the guys!

After SIX MONTHS of waiting, the Beard family has wheels!!! PTL!!!

Our Honduran mechanic, Ivan, meets traveling missionary/all-things-mechanic/evangelist,
Kip Ramirez, with the new transmission at their feet.

PRAISE the Lord for Kip and his wife Melisa!
PRAISE the Lord that the transmission was paid for & shipped to Honduras and arrived BEFORE Kip did! Quite a miracle! PRAY for Ivan as he made a commitment to Christ during the week.

The RO4Y guys meet for discipleship in the book of John.
Jon, Oscar and new ranch-hand Nelson (aka "Machi")

PRAY for the Rancho Oasis staff:

Lucinda has gone on furlough for the months of July & August.
Melody will depart in early August for a few months to raise a support team.
Ilsy has taken a month off from Ranch responsibilities to rest.

Lesly, Dunia and Keyla are working a bit more hours (that they wanted & needed) to make up for Ilsy's absence.

Oscar has weekends off now that Machi is assisting him.

And Jon and Marillyn have a short-furlough planned for August

Heads-up Freedom Fellowship, Wisconsin

Calvary Chapel Morgantown

and Calvary Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!!!

Jose de la Paz and his crew have made massive progress on our ministry partner's house,
"Casa de Apoyo"

The guys add the first row of adobe bricks to the rock & mortar foundation!

PRAISE for God's miraculous provision!
PRAY we can get a roof on BEFORE the rains really hit in October!

Learn more on you can be involved with CDA's progress.

Sisters, Keyla & Dunia, work on bags for the trade school sales from our Etsy store.

PRAY that God would increase awareness of the trade school and continue to provide for the students.

Yearly Baptism with our English speaking fellowship in Tegucigalpa: Union Church.

PRAISE for the friendships & ministry that we have @ Union.

Soccer guys devotional through the book of John.

PRAY for these young men to grow in Christ. PRAISE: We ended the season in 7th place of 8 teams, but were awarded the "Most Disciplined Team" award (aka - least amount of fouls!)

2nd Law of Missionary Dynamics: It's going to break, eventually!

PRAY for us as we endure a season of things breaking and getting fixed!

The Durango has been in the shop a few more times, the generator was surging but has been fixed (but not tested on our homes), our water pump has broke twice (praise we had just enough gravity to get water in the house), our tankless water heater has been out for several weeks (praise the company is sending us replacement parts for FREE!) and our State-side mini-van "died" and can only be scrapped (it was given to us last year and the repairs are more than it's value.)

The Ranch's UNused 15-passenger van. Urgh!!!!

PRAY for the van! We received a large donation that we want to use to import the van. (Many Honduran friends and missionaries said that the tax-free process was a long-shot.) However, the Honduran government agency LOST the car's documents; it is as if the van never came into Honduras! PRAY our lawyer and his team find a way to get us some Honduran plates! We could really use this vehicle!

First ever Beard family vacation since moving to Honduras in 2010!

PRAISE God for His provision to allow us to take a week vacation with Marillyn's parents, Wayne & Brooke Goranson. They now live in Costa Rica and they hosted us for the week. God is good!

Love you all, Support Team!

Thanks for your constant prayer, friendship & gifts!

2016 - April Photo N Prayer Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Beards:) — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:13:00 +0000

SNAPSHOTS OF "THE INTERN LIFE" @ RO4Y

OUTREACH
Chelsea assists with the young readers girl's Bible study

AMISTAD / FRIENDSHIP
Chelsea with Ilsy's niece, Breisy (14)

DISCIPLESHIP
Weekly Bible study prep with Ilsy and Jon in the Gospel of John

STUDENT & TEACHER
Chelsea learned to love the kitchen under Mare's supervision and
passed on her knowledge to Lesly who replaced her.

FAMILY MEMBER
Chelsea enjoyed being a "big sister" in the Beard family
and a significant member of the Rancho Oasis team.

STRETCHED & MATURED
Whether modeling trade school jewelry, watching the Beard kids
or enduring endless dishes, Chelsea accepted her task with joy...
most of the time! LOL!

¡Gracias, Chelsea!

¡Te queremos, te extrañamos!

PRAY for Chelsea as she adjusts back to life in the US.
PRAY for our ministry housing (Casa de Apoyo) to be completed to host future interns and ministry partners.

Sports Discipleship

"God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty,
but to save the world through him." John 3:17 ERV

PRAISE for the young men's maturity as a team and in their interest in spiritual things.

PRAY for their salvation and growth & for Oscar's leadership.
Specific prayers for the team's natural leaders to get saved!

First comes the spiritual training, then the physical.
Here the young men work on their passing, marking and dribbling skills.

We've got two games left in the season and have a total of 7 out of a possible 36 points. In the second half of the season, we've been competitive most games and even upset the third place team. Poco a poco!

Vocational Discipleship

"I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you.
You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles."
2 Corinthians 7:4 NLT

PRAY for Marillyn and Ilsy as they direct the students.

PRAY over the year's goals: Honesty, Trust & Focus

A new selection of hand-crafted jewelry is getting ready for Mother's Day:
click here to view our Etsy Store, Las Aguas Verdes

PRAY for increased awareness and sales on the on-line store.

Newly combined workshop of new students, their student leader/trainers and veterans!

PRAISE for the incorporation of the five new students into the larger group.

Biblical Literacy & Application

Ilsy enjoys working with the Bible study girls and their craft.

PRAISE for the faithful group of girls attending the studies!

PRAY for their homes & their understanding of God's Word.

"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.
It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
John 4:14 NLT

Property Infrastructure Growth
New storage area & workshop

Marking out the foundation for the new storage workshop.

Manual labor - literally!
Laying the rock foundation.

The Honduran crew takes a break after the first layers of adobe brick have been laid.

Tobi helps the guys with the final adobe brick layer before the final concrete reinforced beam.

"Papi" Wayne Goranson takes a well deserved grand-kid break
after supervising the new construction.

Poema helps mix the sand, water & portland mix for the first stucco coat for the walls!

Roof ready!!!

PRAY for the team from Calvary Community Church in Sumner, Washington; they are coming down to add the roof from May 14 - 20th.

"Casa de Apoyo" Update
Our new ministry partners' housing

The men clean up the ditches dug last year for the home's foundation.

PRAISE for the generation donation from one of our supporting churches. They recently raise over $6,000 for the project!!!

PRAY for people to catch the vision to host our ministry partners, interns, small short-term teams and even young Hondurans in a discipleship program on-site!

Click here to learn more about
our crowdfunding page and how you can give to help finish the housing.

RO4Y Life

PRAISE for a successfull trip for Mare. She flew to the US to help her mom, Brooke Goranson, prep their home for sale. The Goransons recently moved from Iowa to Costa Rica!

Ilsy learns some new skills on the sewing machine.

PRAISE for a great working visit from Jon's parents, David & Marsha Beard! They accomplished many numerous projects around the homes. Mil gracias!

Our ministry partners' daily lunch!

PRAY for salvation & reconciliation for our former employee Adrian.
We're sad to see him go.

Jon's father, Dave, enjoys his first mountain bike experience in Honduras.
Not bad for 67!!!

PRAY for Jon & Mare's marriage.
They take time out weekly to do a marriage study together.

PRAISE our Honduran non-profit status has been recognized!
We have a final payment of $375 and we're official!

Semana Santa Chili Missionary Luncheon

PRAISE for the ability to host the first annual "Holy Week" missionary lunch. It was a great time of food & fellowship.

Our recent recovery of our dog Esther ended with some tears and a simple burial.
"Poor Esther, we miss you!"

PRAY for our vehicle's transmission replacement to go well!
The tranny was purchased & shipped to Honduras in April.
Our missionary mechanic Kip arrives on May 17th!!!

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” - Shakespeare

PRAISE we recently accepted the application of a young woman to come serve at the Ranch. She has already lived & served in Honduras 3+ years and has an extensive equestrian background! Mare is hopeful that with her help they can begin to develop the Ranch's riding ministry!

"Autofoto Adios!!!"

PRAISE for our faithful support team!

Love ya'll!!!