Micah Project January-February Update

February has been a frenzy of last minute details.  The floor tiles are being placed, the sinks installed and the walls painted.  Our albañiles, or construction workers, have been laboring until nine or ten at night to get their various jobs done in the next few days.  We spent three afternoons last week furniture-shopping, looking for couches and tables that will stand up to Honduran dust and teenage energy.  Every decision takes us one anxious step closer to February twenty, the date on which we will inaugurate the  Leadership house.

Even as the construction winds down, the Leadership house boys are gearing up for their big transition.  Though the house still lacks a few last details, the boys are more than ready for this big step in their lives!  In January, Leadership house coordinator Matt Darr and his fiancée Amy took our five oldest boys on a weeklong retreat to Copan, a magical mountain town on the Honduras-Guatemala border.  It was a wonderful time of preparation and growth!

In Copan, the boys put into practice some of the lessons they will continue to learn this year at the Leadership house.  Firstly, each boy had to manage his own budget for the week, including food and hotel costs.  Also, they spent several evenings during the week working on unity and planning their new lives at the Leadership house.  Matt did a few lessons on what it means to be a Christian man, and he used the time to define how they will grow together in life and faith this year.  Finally, the boys got the chance to serve, which is the most important goal of any Christian leader.  They joined a medical team from the First Presbyterian Church of Houston (insert hyperlink) every day to run a medical clinic and work with the children of a Chorti village, a group of indigenous people descended from the ancient Maya.

When the boys got back from the retreat, the transition they had made was palpable.  The serious look in their eyes made me realize that each one of them was leaving boyhood behind as they became the “Micah men” of the Leadership house.  In fact, instead of encouraging them, they are pushing us to provide the most serious environment possible.  For instance, our new school year began the last week in January (the Honduran school year runs from February through November) and we had planned for classes from 7:30 to noon every day, which is the Honduran schedule.  Additionally, we planned for two night classes for the Leadership House boys to provide an extra-intense curriculum.  But they still weren’t satisfied!  They asked for an additional class in the afternoon so that they could use their time to the maximum!   Have you ever heard of high school students asking for more classes instead of begging for less?  These guys are focused!

As their big move-in day draws closer, I am reminded of a lesson that I have learned since living in Honduras: big changes require much prayer.  The first of these big changes will take place in a couple of weeks, when these boys move into the Leadership house and begin to live an increased level of independence.  But that is only the first.  They have other big questions to answer this year.  What will they study in college?  Where will they go to college?  Will they study abroad or in Honduras?  What does it mean to be a Christian man in Honduras?  How is God calling them to serve Him in their lives?  Each of these boys is the first in his family to make such decisions; thus, they are pioneers.   Being the first to accomplish something is always scary!  As they begin to answer these vital questions, we appreciate your prayers for discernment, wisdom and courage!

These next few weeks will be a physical reminder of God’s provision for these boys.  As the last coat of paint goes on the Leadership house, the furniture gets put in place and the boys begin to move in their belongings, we will often stop to take a moment to thank our loving Father for providing this place for these boys.

When I was talking with the boys about all that God has done in their lives, they made some very interesting comments.  Marvin said, “I am so grateful to God because I know that He has touched the hearts of so many people who support us.  I think that he has given them a vision of what He wants to accomplish in our lives.”  I agree with Marvin wholeheartedly!  It is my prayer as well that you will continue to be blessed by what the Lord is doing in these boys’ lives.

We wish everyone of your could be here for inauguration day next week! 

¡Muchas Gracias!

Your brother in Christ,

Michael Miller

P.S.  Take a look at the brand new photos on our website:

www.micahcentral.org!

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