Ledford Landing

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MISSIONARY..

2011-11-23T08:48:00.004-06:00

These are a couple of photos after Caloi ran over a grave memorial and into a ditch. It took several hours and a tractor, a big truck, and several Honduran men to help Scott get it out. That's just the beginning. Now, we have to replace the grave memorial, hope the truck can be fixed properly, pay the doctor bills for someone who leaned up against our fence and got bit on the butt by our watchdog, Chili. He's trained to guard this place and he is the gentlest dog alive, but when someone trespasses, he is on the job....Please pray for: the lady who got bit on the tush, the family who had their memorial destroyed, and our precious Land Cruiser, Meadowlark. See! Sometimes we are under attack just like you. Praise the Lord! He knew what was coming...I thank Him for helping us be a blessing to everyone involved.
Hey, don't you wanna be part of the fun? Come on down on a team in 2012 and taste and see that the Lord is good....sometimes in spite of us.

We Got to host some CMA Hotshots!!

2011-11-23T08:41:00.004-06:00

Hiram Villasenor and his wife, Sharon, Evangelists for CMA, spent a couple of weeks with us. Part with a CMA team and part of it for some R & R for the two of them before a big trip through the Latin Countries sharing God's Word and giving away motorcycles. We are so blessed to partner with CMA each year at MVI giving away lots of motorcycles to pastor/supervisors around the world! God Bless you, Hiram and Sharon. That's Salma and Elvis on the right and the other men were here to receive a motorcycle for a man in the Olanchito area of Honduras.

ROARING DOWN THE ROADS OF HONDURAS

2011-11-09T16:40:00.002-06:00

Well, November is here and a great team of people representing Christian Motorcycle Association. The photo includes 10 new bikes for Honduran Pastor/Supervisors and are being ridden to the service where they will be presented tonight!!

There is nothing in the world like the thrill of hearing all those bikes revved up and ready to ride! Well...parades are thrilling, but this is a parade!! Every year, CMA blesses us with several bikes to give away and this one is no exception. In a couple of hours, there will be some thrilled pastors, for sure. Thanks to CMA and all you members who make this possible through your faithfulness. God Bless Y'all!

NEW DIGS

2011-10-12T17:50:00.002-05:00

In order to insure no falls down the stairs, Scott has remodeled the gatekeepers' cottage into a safe place for Susan and he to reside on one level. See story below to understand why.....

Susan--an ongoing medical challenge

2011-10-12T17:41:00.003-05:00

Susan fell and broke her arm. THEN, FELL AGAIN ON THE CAST. Neurologist findings: she is having: drop attacks. Doesn't that just sound like a Susan ailment...seriously, please pray for her health. She's got a monkey on her back and an armpit to fingertip cast on her arm. In her words: aaaargghh!

AUSTIN, TEXAS/CANADA TEAM SERVE HONDURAS

2011-10-12T17:34:00.002-05:00

This combined team built a house for Katalina and her children in Porvenir. What a blessing for a woman who was being severely abused to finally have a home of her own! Thank you, Lord, for your provision of finances and an obedient team to serve together. God bless everyone involved.

FISHERMEN LEARN THE ART OF LURE-MAKING

2011-10-12T17:30:00.003-05:00

1st Day Blues

2011-08-09T10:22:00.002-05:00

Jossue and Yonatan started their new school at the all English speaking school! Their photo tells the story.....lots of books, long bus rides, and hard work learning to speak English as well as have all classes in English. Please keep them in your prayers.

Sugar Cookie

2011-07-29T14:36:00.002-05:00

Here's Sugar Cookie! She's a kinkajou and an angel. She's Scott's baby. Come on down and join us on a short term mission trip and see all our pets, too.

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS!!

2011-07-29T09:01:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Laura and Matt, 2 faithful supporters, both Jonathon and Jossue will now be attending all English school in La Ceiba! This will cause a huge change in the possibilities available to them in the future as translators, or afford them the opportunity to go on to University...neither would have had this option before GIVERS committed and followed through on giving! All of us are grateful!!

We Are Family!

2011-07-29T08:51:00.003-05:00

It is so exciting to be part of the Family of God! Brothers and sisters in Christ, obeying the Lord, and working together to get the job done.
Condensed version of story: Father of this family and his oldest son were killed in a car accident in January of 2011. They were on their way to be part of receiving motorcyles from Christian Motorcycle Association. There were 7 people killed in the accident. This family was left with a mother and 6 children and no place to live. A local pastor donated property for a house. We got a team to raise funds and come down and build the house. Local pastors, neighbors, friends, us, and the family all pitched in to get the job done. We made the walls of fabric provided by Al Barrett and his Threads of Hope ministry. Salma & Elvis, the young couple who use to live with us, took care of all details at the Olanchita location. Scott, Anne-Marie Vosburgh, and a group of women and one guy from Canada came down, stayed in Olanchita, and worked like dogs in really hot weather to complete the majority of this house in 5 days!!! Can you imagine? A house in 5 days? All with volunteers?
We want to take a moment and PRAISE THE LORD! He is our PROVISION!

P.I.G.S. INVADE HONDURAS & MORE!

2011-07-09T15:42:00.006-05:00

Just said goodbye to a wonderful team from Florida. They called themselves "PIGS". At first, I thought it a strange name for a group. Then we saw them eat!!! But, when Jackie, one of the women on the team, gave her devotion one day, she referenced PIGS. People In God's Service. And, boy, were they! 10 motorcycles were given away, around 100 children attended a vacation bible school each day of the week, and we managed to get in about 50 food deliveries and a little playtime as well.. And, remember Jossue? He's the kid we have been sponsoring for the past 6 years. Now, he is acting as one of our translators for the teams! He's in a full American School and finished out the year with high grades. We praise the Lord for his hard work and obedience!

LARGEST TEAM EVER!

2011-06-20T09:34:00.002-05:00

We just had our largest team ever this past week. They were from the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin and we had a wonderful time with them. What a great group of kids and their leaders rocked!

This week we are hosting a group run by Amber Russellburg, who is the team coordinator for MVI in Orlando. This is a real mixed group of people who mostly didn't know each other when they arrived....already, our house is a noisy, laughter-filled place. Come on down and try a short term mission trip yourself. Contact us at oakining@hotmail.com or contact Amber at MVI, PO Box 593550, Orlando, Fl 32859-3550 for details.

Another Building Miracle

2011-06-08T15:50:00.004-05:00

This Olanchito family was left homeless after the husband/father was killed in an auto accident along with the eldest son. The father was a pastor who was riding over for a service where we were giving away some motorcycles for Christian Motorcycle Association. The family lived in the church house and had to move out after the deaths occurred. A local pastor donated the land and Scott rounded up several blessed amigos who were willing to perform a labor of love to help this family receive a new home. The pilings went in a couple of weeks ago and the house will be built by Anne-Marie Vosburgh's summer team in July. We want to say a special thank-you to Robbie Tipton, Gary Williams, Mario, Matute, and Will for their help. We couldn't have done it without you guys.
Also shown are photos of the mother with some of the children. Pray for this family as they go through grieving the loss of their loved ones and moving forward in the Lord.

Boat #65

2011-06-08T15:46:00.003-05:00

We just finished boat #65. Phillipe and his 2 sons built the boat with the help of our master boatbuilders. His wife is presently in the hospital with cancer and he is believing God for an income from fishing to help pay hospital and doctor bills. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

MISSION HOUSE PHOTOS & STORIES

2011-05-10T16:10:00.008-05:00

Here are photos from the past couple of months. Enjoy! They are photos of Barb Cook team and a new playground built at the orphanage in Cacao, Josias in his new black hitops learning to ride a scooter brought down by one of the teams. Oneida's children on the porch of a house we built them with Leanne and Anne-Marie and a bunch of great women a couple of years ago. Oneida's husband was murdered recently. And, Al Barrett's sewing ministry, Threads of Hope, donated and shipped down to us lots and lots of rolls of heavy duty vinyl. We have built some houses using the vinyl and spending only about $1,000.00 to build the houses each. We also built a cart for a local lady, Digna Oro, to sell her food on the beach here in Porvenir. You would be amazed at the ways God sees fit to use His people who make themselves AVAILABLE to Him.

Bicycle Giveaways!!

2011-05-10T16:02:00.003-05:00

Our last Canada Team led by Barb & Mal Cook and Albert Boutin, brought bicycles down to give away plus a great bike mechanic to work on ones the locals brought over to the house. Many thanks to Josh Berger and his family for providing bikes, parts, and expertise and to everyone who worked on those bikes. These photos are of Maria's kids receiving a couple of the bikes. Need I say how blessed they are by them? Carol Beatson and her church are responsible for that beautiful pink bike in this photo. Thank you all!! God bless.

RAIN FOREST PROBLEMS

2011-05-10T15:54:00.003-05:00

The water has dried up in El Porvenir. A couple of weeks ago, there was no more water. 17 men from Porvenir climbed the mountain into the rain forest to check the source...it's just about completely dried up. They have put the town on water rations. Two hours a night, the water is turned on to fill your available containers. Thank God, someone had the forethought to put a water retention container on our property. We can have water for the teams and not be completely dried up. However, Scott felt we needed to dig a well. That was on a Monday, last week. By Wednesday, we had hand-dug a well, capped it, plumbed it to feed into our retention container and decided this will become our next project....to dig wells for villages having these same issues...so, while we wait on a "God blessed rain", we will begin believing for funds to dig more wells. We were blessed to find water at 9 feet!! It won't be quite that shallow in other spots, but there is plenty of underground water. We just need to put in a little cash, sweat, and prayers.

CATALINA CONTINUES WITH SEWING....

2011-03-30T11:26:00.003-05:00

We are so blessed to have Catalina sewing bags for us at the mission house. Since we started the sewing and training center, several women have learned to sew, received sewing machines, and gone on to start small businesses. One lady in particular, Catalina, has been with us since the beginning. She comes to the mission house Monday thru Friday and makes bags that we offer for sale to the teams who come stay at the mission house. We have saved enough money from the sale of these bags to buy a piece of property for Catalina. With the help of a big Texas/Canada group coming in October, we will build a home for her and her children on the property. And it's all in her name!! She is the product of an abusive relationship and she is breaking free from that bondage and becoming the woman of God He created her to be. She has 3 young children and will continue to sew for us here at the mission house.

Yeehaw!! Celebrate!! Yippee!! Hallelujah!!

2011-03-30T11:20:00.003-05:00

We are excited to announce the launching of boat #60!!! That is 60 boats since we arrived here 6 years ago on March 20, 2005! So much has happened in that time. From building houses and churches, to feeding children and distributing food supplies; from English classes to pastor training, from motorcycle giveaways to so much more, God has so good here in Honduras and we praise His name and thank you who have been involved in helping all of this happen.

THANK YOU CMA TEAM!

2011-02-09T17:40:00.002-06:00

Sorry I don't have photos to post yet for the Christian Motorcycle Association Team that was here with us this past week. We had the most blessed time and gave away 6 motorcycles to area pastor/supervisors! The team was comprised of the staff of CMA in Hatfield, Arkansas.

We are getting ready to welcome Anne-Marie Vosburgh and her Canada Team on Saturday...19 people will be here to build a playground at an orphanage in the area. Pray for them as they come work and play with the children.

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION!

2011-02-09T17:31:00.006-06:00

We are so glad to report that Jonathan, Daniela, and Salome have started school this year. Yesterday was their first day and they love it already! We have been able to pay for every thing they need for the ENTIRE YEAR!! Praise God for His provision. Please keep these kiddos in your prayers this year. Thanks to those of you whose donations have made it possible for them to receive a good education. As usual, school started yesterday for the public schools, and today the teachers went on strike because they haven't been paid in months. For 3 years in a row, hardly any classes being held because of the many problems in Honduras. Please pray for Honduras: the government, teachers, residents, and all the issues that they face on a daily basis. Hunger, no work, gangs, murder, illness, death......so overwhelming when you look at what is right in front of you....but ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD! And, we ask you to believe with us for His blessing on Honduras.

GAP Team

2011-01-01T14:10:00.002-06:00

The 4 ladies in this photo blessed Honduras this past week with their presence. Many thanks to them for their fasting, prayer walks, giving, loving, sharing, preaching, and a lot of other wonderful Christian acts of charity. THANK Y'ALL!

2011: The Year of Scattering the Enemy!

2011-01-01T14:02:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year to all who read this blog! We are believing God for a year of victory! We are believing for deliverance for some, salvation for others, healing, and growth. We are believing that all Christians will rise up, put on their battle gear: love, joy, compassion, hope, boldness, strength, and humility....and lots more, and walk by faith. We are believing in agreement for YOU and your prayer concerns.

We said hello to 2011 at midnight and bye bye to Hazel, Marshell, Sabrina, and Jeannine this morning. We are excited about the teams signed up for 2011. There is still room for a couple more teams this year and endless projects. So pray for us, pray with us and come see us this year.

2011 Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T17:05:00.006-06:00

2011 isn't quite upon us and already we have lots of wonderful things happening. The year is filling up already with teams coming,(4th photo is Hazel Amos with the GAP ministries prayer team) this team is here right now, we prayed over and launched boat #55 or 56 today...I have lost count.(3rd photo is of the 4 guys who are gonna operate this boat as a co-op. The boat name is: Siervos de Dios...Servants of God.)
2nd photo is some kids praising God and being given school supplies for the New Year. 1st Photo is our new church: Seaside Sanctuary, that we built in less than a month. It's an English service on Sunday mornings. Most services here are at night, so we don't interfere with the Spanish services. Mostly, other missionaries attend this service for some praise and worship and fellowship in English. We need to do this to refuel.

So, make your New Year's Resolution to draw closer to the Lord and know that we pray for y'all and wish you a blessed and Jesus-filled New Year at best! Please pray for Jim and Ginnie Street, and Scott and Susan Ledford at the mission house. We need to know that there are people back home thinking and praying for us.

JESUS is the reason we celebrate!

2010-12-20T14:01:00.000-06:00

PROJECTS FOR 2011

2010-11-01T17:20:00.004-05:00

We have 5 children going to private schools so that they may get a decent education..we continue to build boats for local fishermen, we have people who need houses, bathrooms, basic essentials. If you are interested in helping financially, send donations to: Missionary Ventures International, PO Box 593550, Orlando, Florida, 32859-3550. ATTN: Preference for Scott and Susan Ledford in Honduras. These are tax deductible contributions and, oh yeah, it will certainly be a huge blessing. God bless you as you give and "go into all the world" with us. Well, at least into Honduras.

Happy Holidays from Susan and Scott

2010-11-01T16:57:00.001-05:00

Please make sure you scroll down and click on older posts as you look at these photos. We have tried to load you up on wonderful images and not so much chatter. Enjoy and God Bless Us All! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WE GIVE THANKS FOR.....

2010-11-01T16:53:00.002-05:00

the people of Honduras, all the animals, good friends, babies we helped deliver, our new church services here at the mission house, Cha-Cha, the monkey, and Chili, her faithful companion, and so much more.

2010-11-01T16:52:00.002-05:00

Scott opens our first church service. Brother Gary Williams is sitting on the front row and preaches to us every Sunday at 10 a.m. That's Peggy, his wife, sitting beside him.

2010-11-01T16:43:00.005-05:00

Butterflies, known as Mariposas in Spanish, are prolific here in the rain forest.

2010-11-01T16:43:00.003-05:00

One of many indigenous birds to Honduras.

2010-11-01T16:42:00.001-05:00

One of many artifacts at the Mayan Ruins in Copan.

2010-11-01T16:41:00.001-05:00

Jessica, our Peace Corps Volunteer and Susan's precious friend.

2010-11-01T16:40:00.005-05:00

Cha-Cha, our monkey, and Cowboy Chili, one of our dogs, have become fast friends.

2010-11-01T16:40:00.004-05:00

These folks graduated from English class here at the house.

2010-11-01T16:38:00.003-05:00

Josias, we call him Ho-Ho, turned 1 year old in August. We helped deliver him last year here at the mission house.

Med Team Visits La Libertad

2010-11-01T12:15:00.002-05:00

This medical team visited a village that was about 5 hours by car, 1 1/2 hours by foot, with the aid of a Land Cruiser, donkeys, horses, and brute force, to be the first mission team to ever come to La Libertad, Honduras. A wet and very muddy group served the medical and dental needs of these precious villagers. A blessed time was had by all.

October Photos....

2010-11-01T11:54:00.005-05:00

President Pepe Lobo & Friends

2010-10-19T11:21:00.004-05:00

We have had the best month. A team from Canada and Texas joined up to build a house and do a Bible School for kids. It was a total success!

Then we were off to a conference in Copan. Not only was it a wonderful time of fellowship, good food, and great friends, but we got to meet the President of Honduras, Pepe Lobo. It was a wonderful experience for us and I am including the photo so you believe my story. Thanks to Ginnie Street manning the camera, Nikki and I got to chat a bit and give him a hug.

2010-08-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

September 2010

2010-08-30T12:14:00.003-05:00

September is upon us and we have a month of doing our own thing around here before the next teams come down to serve with us here in Honduras. Scott and Jim found a rosewood tree that had fallen into a river about 10 years ago...along with lots of the fishermen, they cut up the tree and pulled it out of the water. Now, it's being planed to use to build beautiful wooden tables for the mission house; a huge blessing after 5 years of plastic tables. The good thing is that the tables can now be used in our school area. And, Susan has painted a new sign to direct people down in the beach area where the mission house is located. Ginnie and Susan are preparing to start a "Women of the World" Bible study for the women of El Porvenir. Scott and Jim are teaching some leadership classes and we are all praising the Lord! Come see us or contact us and say hello. We are at: oakining@hotmail.com and on Facebook: SusanScottLedford. God Bless Y'all.

Scott builds a coffee roaster for local orphanage

2010-06-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Chili aka Cowboy aka Sweet Daddy MoxLox

2010-06-11T12:07:00.004-05:00

TEAMS ARE COMING and HO HO IS GROWING!

2010-06-11T11:39:00.002-05:00

We have teams coming in June, July, and August and we are really excited! So are all the Honduran people who benefit from the services these folks bring.

In June, Megan and Laura, a couple of school teachers from the States, will be down tutoring kids and helping any way they can to be a blessing. July brings a big group from Canada and Indiana who are joining forces to build a new home for Caloi, who works for us at the mission house. Caloi and his family have been blessed by the Lord in many ways this past 5 years and this is the biggest blessing of all. A new home on their own property! Wow! And, a new baby this past year. Josias, aka HO-HO, will turn one year old in August! I will include a photo or two of him with this article.

Then, August brings our friend, Catherine Dietz, as an intern for the month. Also, we are thrilled to be hosting another mechanics team! Rob Chabot, along with Abe Molsen, and others, will be coming to serve the Honduran pastors and some missionaries with their skills in car and motorcycle repairs. This is such a huge blessing to so many people. With the financial backing of Christian Motorcycle Association,we have given away about 35 or more motorcycles in the past 5 years. Now, these guys get repairs and parts replaced for free because of the dedication and faithfulness of several sponsors in the U.S. Thanks to all who participate in this ministry.

And, thank YOU for keeping all these things and a multitude of other ministry projects going on down here in Honduras....COME SEE US SOON. CONTACT MVI IN ORLANDO. FLORIDA, AT PHONE NUMBER 1-407-859-7322, or contact us at oakining@hotmail.com or SusanScottLedford on Facebook.

Team Harris in the Moskitia

2010-05-13T15:57:00.007-05:00

Hi There! We are so glad you found our webpage. We just finished up with a medical team and sent them back to the US none the worse for the wear. They had an exciting and adventurous trip into the Moskitia. The team served several hundred people with exams, medication, and prayer.

Renea Harris lead this medical team along with her daughter, Adrienne, Deena Handy, and Dr. Eric Coris, and last, but most certainly not least, Jim Street and Scott Ledford, Field Coordinators in Honduras. They saw a few hundred patients last week and gave out medications, check-ups, and lots of loving smiles and prayers. Thank you so much, you guys!!

DO YOU HEAR THE CALL?? We are always praying that people like YOU will put together a short term mission team and come spend time with us here in Honduras. After all, that IS the call of the Lord, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

If you are interested in getting a team together or have questions for us, feel free to email us at: oakining@hotmail.com.

READ THIS NOW!! WE HAVE BEEN SCAMMED

2010-03-17T16:05:00.002-05:00

If you received an email from us asking for money, DO NOT SEND MONEY!!!! Someone hacked into our email accounts and Facebook and has been contacting people on our contacts list and pretending they are us and asking for money.

DO NOT SEND MONEY!!!! We would never ask for funds from anyone like that.....contact Missionary Ventures in Orlando if you ever want to be involved in giving....do not send anything to any address unless you have spoken to us first. In person...Anyone who knows us would never fall for such a poorly executed bunch of garbage as what we saw written. Thanks to all of you who have notified authorities with regard to this scam.

REMEMBER: IF THERE IS A CHECK IN YOUR SPIRIT WHEN YOU READ SOMETHING LIKE THOSE EMAILS....THERE IS PROBABLY SOMETHING WRONG. GOD BLESS Y'ALL!

We love you and appreciate your prayers on behalf of the criminals and for us as we try to straighten out this mess. DO NOT USE THE YAHOO ACCOUNT OF OURS ANYMORE. The criminals have taken the account out of our hands and are using it for bad purposes..

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

2010-02-14T19:32:00.005-06:00

Well, we prayed for a boat for the new co-op on the first of January and by the second week, the Lord had provided.

We started 2 new projects at the beginning of 2010. One was a plea for $3,000.00 to build a boat for several of the local fishermen who wanted to start a co-op. The other was a need for an additional $4,000.00 to put 4 of the kids here into a bilingual school. Before we had time to even receive funds from y'all, within 1 week of our prayers for provision...ALL NEEDS WERE MET!

So, now we pray for what the Lord wants us to do next. Please pray for us and with us as we believe for God's will to be accomplished this year both here in Honduras as well as you wherever you are.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-10T15:06:00.005-06:00

Remember Emily? She has been part of our Honduran Family since 2006. We love her and hope to be able to help with her education this next year. She's one of our miracles here!

Meanwhile, we have praise reports!!! We have all the money needed to pay for the 4 children we have in bi-lingual school...Here's a photo of their first day of the new school year. school . Honduran schools run on a schedule of February thru November. From left: Jonathan, Josue, Daniela, and Salome...They are very excited about school and blessed because of faithful supporters. Y'all rock!! Thank you. God is so good!

WE'RE CHILLIN'

2010-01-11T10:10:00.005-06:00

BRRR! It's so cold here in Honduras, but Jossue, Daniella, and Salome and I are bundled in blankets and watching a movie in Spanish....We are freezing! But enjoying The Polar Express. Many thanks to Jessica and Nicole who made it possible to see this movie in Spanish. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES. CHECK THE PHOTO BELOW!

Looking Forward ......

2010-01-01T11:02:00.003-06:00

We are looking forward to the teams of 2010. Hope you are on one of them...If not, it's not too late to put a team together and come work with us here in El Porvenir. Hey, our mission house is on the beach!! Who could ask for a nicer place to work for the Lord?

FISHERMEN'S CO-OP

2009-12-26T12:29:00.004-06:00

Or....maybe we should have titled this: WHERE'S THE BOAT? Scott has been asked to assist a large number of local fishermen in starting a co-op. They need a larger boat to tow all the small boats out to better fishing grounds. The cost will be about $3000.00 and Scott and the fishermen will build the boat. The Village of Porvenir has donated a motor and all the fishermen are excited about a way for them to make more money and have a fair share of the fishing. If you would be interested in helping, please send your contributions to MVI, PO Box 593550, Orlando, Florida 32859-3550. Please put: ATTENTION: FOR SCOTT LEDFORD/HONDURAS BOAT FUND on the check. Many thanks for your help and prayers.

YUMMY OATMEAL RECIPE

2009-12-01T19:36:00.002-06:00

Ok. Here it is...the oatmeal casserole everyone keeps asking for.

2/3 cup oil
1 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
mix together and add:
4 cups oatmeal uncooked (not minute kind)
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
add: mixed fruit or raisins, nuts, cut up apples

bake at 350 for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Update on Scott & Susan............ ................... and School Project for 2010

2009-11-27T14:09:00.009-06:00

After spending 2 months in the States having surgery on Susan's eyes and on a hernia, she is recovering well and she and Scott returned home the first part of November...It has been a long year as far as Susan's health. Lots of attacks on her physically with dengue fever, flu, then the hernia and cataracts in her eyes. But, we are hoping that 2010 will be a year of good reports for both of us as well as y'all. Have a New Year filled with joy, peace, good health, and, maybe, a visit to us here in Honduras. There are always projects going on that you can participate in with either your presence here or your financial support.

ON ANOTHER TOPIC:
We are sending Jonathan, Josue, Daniella, and Salome to private bilingual school this upcoming year. Our school year here starts in February. Total cost for the year per child is approximately $800.00. This amount will cover everything they need for the year: clothing, shoes, supplies, tuition, and a couple of activities that are school related. If you would like to be a part of their ongoing education, please send money to Susan and Scott Ledford for children's projects c/o MVI, PO Box 593550, Orlando, Florida 328-59-3550, or contact the office to set up a team trip by calling 407-859-7322 in Orlando, Florida. ShaRi Tarpley will be available to make arrangements for your group to schedule a trip to Honduras.

The photos are of Jonathan, Josue, their aunt and their, mom, Aleyda; and Daniella and Salome. All the children will be attending the same school here in the area.

ZOOM- ZOOM

2009-11-27T13:23:00.006-06:00

We had the most amazing visit from one of the CMA teams this month. Rick Steffy brought a group from all over the US. They gave away motorcycles, preached, prayed, and blessed about 35 bikes during a fiesta we held at the mission house. They had a special service for a lady who lost her husband in a motorcycle accident in October. They presented her with a generous offering. CMA are the initials of Christian Motorcycle Association and they have branches all over the U.S.
We are so thankful for their efforts and the generous support they provide for Missionary Ventures to be able to give away hundreds...maybe thousands....of motorcycles all over the world each year to help pastors with transportation. God Bless CMA!

Pictured in the photo: Alfred Brown, our translator, Jim Street, Rick Steffy, Nahun Salgado, who received a motorcycle, and Scott.

Eye Surgery

2009-09-16T15:32:00.001-05:00

Right eye operated on successfully yesterday! I look like some freaky gigantic bug with these 2 big plastic things over my eyes to protect me from infection...and Scott laughs at me when he looks at me...every single time...so, more prayer is needed for his bedside manner. Otherwise, I will be resting today and preparing for the endoscopy tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. God bless y'all...thanks for your continued prayers and faithfulness.

Scott can be a mean nurse, but he's sooo cute to look at when I am in the bed suffering... ok... maybe NOT suffering, but a little blurry....

62,000 mile check-up - Susan Gets Some Readjustments

2009-09-12T15:47:00.001-05:00

For all of you who keep up on us, Scott and Susan arrived in the US on Tuesday to see why Susan is so sick. She saw a primary on Wednesday, a gastro guy on Thursday, had left eye catarac surgery on Friday, go back on Tuesday for right eye surgery, then Thursday to have esphogus stretched during an endoscopy where they will look at the hernia (not affectionately known as Henry) and determine which surgery will be necessary to repair her stomach. So, poor Scott is playing driver, nursemaid, personal assistant, comforter, and (right this minute) mean old bossy husband telling me to get off the computer and stop stressing my eye. Oh, pooh!
So, as you can see, we both need lots of prayer....for Susan: healing, no pain, and submissive and obedient spirit... For Scott: patience, tenderness, kindness, long-suffering, tolerance, a gift of giving lavish gifts, a talent for back rubs, and the discovery of a new talent: reading Susan's mind and anticipating all her needs.

Old Friends and Celebrations

2009-09-12T12:50:00.001-05:00

Pastor Bob Shelley was my spiritual leader when I was first saved.

Kelly and Donna West took Adrienne and I into their home and taught us so much about being "Jesus like" in our attitudes and hearts.

Betty and Tal Owen, shown here with Carol Schiro, another faithful supporter and friend, have been my spiritual parents since 1976. What a blessed life I have had in the Lord Jesus Christ! Oh, the list goes on and on with folks who have touched my life since June 5, 1975, when I got saved (born again). Praise the Lord!

Motorcycles

2009-09-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

Get your motor running....
Get down on the highway..
Looking for adventure....
with whatever God sends our way....

Finally, some uplifting and exciting news! CMA, Christian Motorcycle Association, gives about a bajillion dollars to MVI each year to provide new motorcycles as transportation to pastors who also are supervisors and need to travel a lot. Scott, Jim Street, and some of the local pastors went to La Ceiba yesterday to pick up 8 new Hondas that will be given to pastors from all over Honduras.....then, rumor has it that CMA is coming in November and bringing money for several more to give away while they are here. We are planning a "blessing of the bikes" during their stay and we expect it to look a little like Bike Week at Daytona Beach minus the naked chicks and beer bottles...this one will be full of the naked truth of God's Word and blessings being soaked up by Christian brothers and sisters from Honduras and the US. Pretty cool, ey? (I did the "ey" thing for our Canadian Teams.)

Health Update

2009-09-05T16:12:00.001-05:00

This is an update on Susan. Yesterday morning, I went to hear the final diagnosis on what is happening in my life. They had been concerned that it might be Tuberculosis or Lupus Disease....I was, frankly, planning my funeral...and, it would have been fun for those attending...HOWEVER, and that is a HUGE HOWEVER, they discovered that I have a hiatal hernia. It has gotten so large that it has caused my stomach to push into my lungs and seriously hinder my ability to breath. (Initially, they thought I had bronchitis and have been treating me for 5 weeks for that while doing extensive testing, labwork, xrays, ultrasounds and more.) I need to go to the US and have surgery...we will be flying out on Tuesday morning. Have to have rental car, coordinate with a doctor..have to HAVE a doctor. Please pray for painless healing, great doctor, good tasting medicine, and a quick recovery. LET GOD ARISE AND HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED! Hey, maybe I can get them to sew my stomach up a bit so I can lose weight once more before I am totally decrepit. Thanks for your prayers and concern. When you pray, please be specific...I have named the Hernia, Henry...so pray that Henry leaves quietly and quickly without complications. (I hate long and drawn out goodbyes.)

Jason and Sarah Furrow

2009-08-30T15:04:00.002-05:00

We have been given the blessing of friendship with Jason and Sarah. They are building an orphanage up at Urraco on beyond Rio Viejo. They are just the awesomest people! We are taking a Canada Youth Team up there to build a new playground in February. Anne-Marie Vosburgh and her team of teens build a "Jacobs' Place" playground for someone in Honduras every year...this time it will be built for: Give Hope 2 Kids. You can read lots about them on their website: www.givehope2kids.org. A little sidenote: they received their first orphan last week.

Her name is Chitlin' and I fell in love with her...all their other orphans will be of the human variety, but this one has captured my heart. Frequent visits up the mountain are in order here.

News Flash

2009-08-29T16:13:00.000-05:00

Caloi and baby C.C. weighing in and Susan admiring God's handiwork

Hi! We have exciting news! Last night, August 28, at around 9:35 p.m., Dunia had her baby boy at home. They live in "Cassita Orquidia", the little house here on MVI property known as Mision del Mar. Caloi helped her to get the baby delivered, then Scott tied and cut the umbilical cord. Ginnie Street, one of our new missionaries here, cleaned the baby up and helped Dunia get him dressed properly. Susan manned the camera and got every exciting detail she could. Here are a few photos from the event! About 3 days ago, the Lord spoke to Susan and told her the baby would be born here at the house. Ginnie has this phrase she quotes often...."I don't know nothin' about birthin' no babies." I think it's from Gone With the Wind...anyway, Susan told her she better stop saying that....and, sure enough, there she was right in the middle of "birthin' babies"...And Ginnie was great at it! You will note that Susan is in mask and gloves. She has been very sick since January...3 months of dengue fever and then some low level flu and assorted bugs. A month ago, she got what was diagnosed as bronchitis and has been being treated by a pulmonary doctor since the 2nd week of the illness. After 4 weeks and still no improvement , she went to yet another specialist. After many, many tests, xrays, ultrasounds and examinations, the doctors announced their fears that she had something way more serious. This is Susan talking now, " I am NOT even speaking out what they said...I am believing what God said and that I am healed, cleansed, whole, and serving the Lord with gladness! That loser, satan, can't stand the thought that I am being called back into counseling, exhortation, and deliverance ministry and have been equipped with a faithful friend, assistant, co-worker in Christ, and TRANSLATOR in Ginnie Street. The two of us are preparing spiritually to storm the kingdom and do some "Street sweeping"...Clean up some people dressed in filthy rags of sin, illness, and demonic activity, and lift up the name of Jesus...The enemy just thinks he can keep me down, sick, and unable to serve. NOT!!! Let God arise and his enemies be scattered! Scott has effectively ministered here in Honduras for the last 4 1/2 years. The boat building ministry, feeding centers, motorcycle giveaways, movie nights in the villages without electricity, discipling fishermen, making this place look like a million dollars, keeping everything running, being a true ambassador of the Lord Jesus, this has been wonderful to be part of. I am excited to be jumping in with both feet and being a "Mary" for awhile...I have been a " Martha" for the past 4 1/2 years. Being a helpmate to Scott, preparing things for the teams to make their trip more comfortable, and trying to come up with yummy meals has been a blessing to me...But I am excited about what God has planned that is making the enemy sooooo mad...He has certainly tried to bring me down... So, thanks for your prayers and Praise God for Jim and Ginnie!

GINNIE AND DUNIA CLEANING UP BABY C.C.

DANIELLA, SALOME, C.C. AND DUNIA DOING THAT BONDING THING

The little girls were there helping and watching the whole thing.
It was so cool! We praise the Lord that we got to be part of the exciting arrival of
CARLOS JOSIAS CASTRO ANTUNEZ aka C.C. (pronounced Say Say)
Thank you Father God in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ for the miracle of birth and for allowing all of us to be part of it.

Earthquakes shake Honduras

2009-08-25T18:15:00.002-05:00

The Military grabs the President, Mel Zelaya, in his nightclothes and delivers him out of the country. Roadblocks, threats of blood bathes, airports closed, landing strips lined with cars and equipment to keep the ousted President from landing on Honduras soil, threats to shoot down the plane if he didn't get out of Honduran airspace, strikes, failed attempts at peace talks, U.S. military asked to leave Honduras, Chavez of Venezula offering his Communist Regime to assist Zelaya, schools closed, curfews placed on everyone....
these are some of the happenings here the past few months. Check out reports and updates by typing in Honduras Political News online and pray, please.
We need YOUR PRAYERS & PETITIONS BEFORE THE LORD, AND WE ASK GOD TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE HERE IN HONDURAS.

MEANWHILE, WE REMAIN SAFE HERE AT THE MISSION HOUSE.
WE TRUST IN THE PROMISES OF GOD AND SEEK HIS WILL EVERYDAY.
WE FEEL THAT THIS IS THE TIME TO STAND FAST.
And, while we stand fast, we continue to do the work set before us......

Construction team

2009-08-15T08:20:00.003-05:00

From this........

........To This in 1 week!!
Hot off the drawing board!! Scott and a 6 person team from Canada, 3 local helpers, and a little more than $2000 built this home in one week. The first photo is the tin heap they were living in. 5 people on one mattress in an area that is flooded lots of the time. Their mattress on the floor was soaked with water and mud frequently. Now, they are up off the ground, and are getting brand new beds, mattresses for each person, and their own sleeping areas. Elsie and her 4 children are so happy. We still need to build a septic tank and prepare an outdoor kitchen area, that will be done all in good time. Once again, because of the efforts of people like you, a family has seen the hand of God moving on their behalf. Isn't it exciting to be a Christian!!!!! Many thanks to Heather, Nikki, Sheena, Sue, Joseph, and Mark.
They worked so hard and all the while managed to laugh and have fun. God is so good. Oh, yeah. I wanted to add...The panels of white in the house are actually vinyl. We were sent a huge shipment of donated rolls of vinyl and have been trying to use it up on projects...with a small budget, Scott came up with this idea to use in place of wood. My mother always says: "USE IT UP, WEAR IT OUT, MAKE IT DO, OR DO WITHOUT". We did just that, Mom, and this has given us a new and inexpensive way to get people out of hovels and into a cute little home with plenty of light, air, and beauty.

Emily Nicole

2009-08-12T08:29:00.001-05:00

Remember this kid??? This is our Emily Nicole...She is 3 on September 16th. and the cutest child who was ever born in Honduras...don't you agree? Just as a reminder, her mother was considering an abortion and we prayed together and she kept the baby. Can you imagine what a gloomy place this would be without that smile?

That's her mom, Victoria and her dad, Tito, holding Miss Millie on his lap. We get to spend the day together once in awhile. Emily calls me Abuelita Shusan. I am in love....

Pastor Training School

2009-08-08T08:34:00.000-05:00

We have started a Pastor's Training School. Actually it is an accredited program from a University in the States. The people who finish the program can end up with an Associates', Bachelors', or Masters' Degree. Two men from the U.S. who have been involved here for years and years, will be teaching the curriculum. We have about 45 students. This, along with English classes, sewing classes, Bible Classes, and Christian activities, are keeping the new building well used and we are so grateful. That's Steve Harrellson, the Director of the School, teaching these "student pastors ".

They're Here!

2009-07-31T15:05:00.003-05:00

After 3 years of preparation time, a short trip to Africa, a year in language school in Costa Rica, 6 months serving in Peru, FINALLY-they arrived the end of July. We have split the apartment in the mission house into 2 small apartments (small being a relative term) and Ginnie is nesting, Jim is doing a million projects along with Scott and we are getting to know one another rapidly...when on the mission field, you gotta jump in with both feet and start moving! And, that is exactly what's happening! We are excited, busy, planning, and seeking the Lord together with regard to what He has for the 4 of us to accomplish. Since Salma and Elvis left, Caloi, the guard, and his family have moved into the guard house here on the property. All of us will work together and serve the Lord with gladness and faithfulness here...We are all one big family growing together here at Mision' del Mar.

Caloi's Family

2009-07-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

Caloi, Dunia, Daniella, and Salome are part of this family, along with that lump Dunia is presently wearing, that will become Carlos Josiah Castro Antune in a day or two...He is due to arrive at any moment! I already told them that this is way too much name for the baby and I am gonna call him C.C. (which is pronounced "say say" in Spanish....or maybe Jo Jo (pronounced Ho Ho, which is short for Josiah.) You know me.. always changing things up a bit...nothing normal, ever..march to the tune of a different drummer...you get the picture.
Daniella was in school when we took this photo...Surprise!! There are actually classes once in awhile here...today was one of them...they are few and far between.
Anyway, there is a photo of her and Salome further down in this newsletter. They are looking out of the window of "Meadowlark" our old Land Cruiser. Dunia is overdue right now, so please pray for her and we will update with baby photos once he arrives.

By the way, Caloi is the first person Scott met and built a boat for. At the time, he told Scott he had been contemplating riding his bicycle out in front of a car and killing himself. Since then, he has gotten a boat, started working for us as a guard, got saved!!!! Got baptised (there is a photo of that somewhere in this newsletter) and has been learning English. He is Scott's right hand man and Scott thinks the world of him...besides all that, the two of them LOVE to go fishing together. So, it's a win-win situation.

Build a cage and they will come

2008-11-28T15:00:00.003-06:00

Cha Cha does her part to hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.
She's got that monkey thing down.

Cha Cha likes to take a hot bath with her rubber ducky and fresh lemon slices
to keep the bugs away.
She's such a "girly girl".
Build a cage, and they will come.....Friday, November 28, 2008, one of the local pastors arrived with this kid and asked if we would adopt her...Food is scarce for lots of people and they can't afford to feed their animals. Of course, Susan was thrilled with this newest addition to the family, but we do ask that you be in prayer for the situation here in Honduras. Lots of rain, no money, little food, illness running rampant; these are just a few of the problems being faced daily in our area and throughout Honduras. To help financially (not the monkey....the people of Honduras) please send a check to Scott and Susan Ledford, c/o MVI, PO Box 593550. Orlando, Florida 32859-3550. Thank you for your support financially and in prayer. God bless y'all.