It has been a busy time for us recently in our personal lives, yet we have some cool updates to share and some prayer requests as summer starts for us. I, Austin, was able to carve out time to even write out a personal update for you all. Before we get started, we just wanted to remind you all that our mission is to provide educational resources and opportunities to students, schools, and communities. Our ultimate mission is not just the development and betterment of communities, but to point those we formed relationships with towards Christ.
If you follow along our stories from the beginning or follow us on socials (follow us on Instagram or Facebook at the bottom of this email), then you are probably aware of Juan, Yolani, and Gerardo.
This is Juan and he was the reason Ale and I wanted to do more than just teach. Juan lived with us for two years while we lived in La Esperanza, Intibucá, Honduras. He is doing so well in his first year of college at UNAG. His first trimester was online, but this past week he moved onto campus in Catacamas, Olancho, Honduras. Please pray for Juan to continue to succeed and handle the adjustments. He is a first-generational college student from up in the mountains and he is making us and his family so proud!
This is Yolani and she has been one of the seniors we have been working with from La Union, Lempira, Honduras. She will be attending Calvin University, where another student we are connected with, Besy, attends. We are so excited for the amazing things that Yolani is going to do and what God is going to do in, through, and around her! We are planning on visiting her throughout her time at Calvin!
This is Gerardo and is another student from La Union, Lempira, Honduras. He won a Walton Scholarship, the very same that Ale won and was a big part of how we met. It is an extremely competitive scholarship (learn about it here) and are thrilled he won it! He will be studying at the University of the Ozarks and we are also extremely proud and excited for all that God is going to do through him. He is going to be such a positive influence on campus. We plan to also visit him throughout the school year!
I also wanted to let you know that the funds for the gym renovations have been received by the school! We will now be continually checking in with the school for updates as the school has everything from us that we promised them. The computers are in transit, but we have nothing in our possession to send down. It is so exciting to see how God has taken what seemed to me a far-fetched idea to a reality!
Lastly, I wanted to end with some prayer requests.
Pray for two students who are still in need of either host families or sponsors. One is trying to attend Calvin University and the other Hope College. We have tried reaching out to various churches in the areas they are pursuing college, but we have received very little support from those we emailed. As time is running out for them to find a place to stay or someone to sponsor them, pray that God provides the means or makes it clear to them for a different option for the fall.
Pray for us as we navigate the needs of students who lack the funds or host families to stay with in order to study at universities in the US. We have jokingly talked about moving to Grand Rapids, MI to be a host family for such students! Pray that God gives us clarity on how to, and if to, help students in need like this. We want to do all we can, but are cautious of over-extending ourselves; but with God nothing is off the table!
Pray for Ale as she visits Honduras this summer. She will flying out of Des Moines, IA on June 15th and will fly back on July 20th. Pray that Ale and her family are refreshed and filled with joy, and that I, Austin, am able to find a job for the summer, and for us as a couple being apart for a short time. (If anyone has connections into Data Analytics please let me know!!).
As always, thank you for your support. Whether it is through prayers, messages, or donations, we are extremely grateful for each of you. We pray that God blesses you and your families, but also that God will continue to work in and through you where you are, that He will be continued to be glorified.
Blessings,
Ale + Austin Hudson Reyes
Comments