Overholt Overview: May 2023

 

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

We have completed 43 years of ministry with World Gospel Mission. Having the luxury of looking back and reflecting on all our experiences, we are continually grateful for what we have witnessed God accomplishing. We are grateful for your patient faithfulness in supporting the ministries in which we have been involved. As a result, God has produced an abundance of fruit. Our first 20 years with WGM were spent ministering at the “Escuela el Sembrador” in eastern Honduras. Facebook has been a great tool for helping us remember many of the students with whom we worked. Hearing how God has continued to work in their lives is exciting. Following Hurricane Mitch in 1998, we spent 20 years in Choluteca, southern Honduras. We are encouraged by the leadership and direction of the nursing school in Honduras. Sometimes things do not go the way we planned, but God is in control, and His plans are better than ours. The 4-H program is awesome! Pati and her team have kept kids in school by mentoring and encouraging them to continue. The Lizzie Scholarship program has had several graduates over the last couple of years. We believe the trifold ministries of the Shalom Church and area churches in Choluteca, the 4-H program, and the Scholarship program have provided a biblical worldview and the encouragement to continue studying to equip the young people for a job. Praise the Lord for the Honduran leadership who are innovative and caring for these young people. The church is continuing to grow.

After a great deal of prayer and consideration, we have felt led by God to enter a new transition. On May 31st, our status with World Gospel Mission will change from “Active Career” missionaries to “Emeritus” missionaries. We will be officially retiring but do not plan to stop our involvement in God’s ministry through WGM. A bit about our retirement plans:

What will change: -We will no longer be on a salary which will help sustain our ministry account with WGM. -We will be able to spend more time with our family. -We expect to find increased ministry opportunities around us through our local church.

What will continue: -We still need your financial and prayer support. -Larry will continue to assist WGM in monitoring and evaluating projects around the world. -Angie will continue to work with expanding the reach of the Lizzie Scholarship program and encourage the nursing school personnel. -We expect to stay in contact with you through regular updates on what God is doing. -We plan to travel to Honduras each year. -The projects you have supported will continue, too.

Sometimes the circumstances around us do not go as planned, but we have chosen to approach this year with “Joy”. Rachel just finished chemo and is now doing radiation. It is a blessing to see Rachel and Jared with such a positive attitude and trust in God. We have been able to help out some, and also see our children by being in the States. We are excited to see Spring this year, especially. It signifies a new beginning for us. May God give you the hope, patience, and faith to see joy in your daily activities. Be a joy to someone you encounter!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” 

Romans 12:12 (NIV) “Rejoice always...” I Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)