UNITEDSTATESSALUDOS!MEXICOfromSOUTHAMERICAHONDUtAIBAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSIONMissionaries Since 1972 Vol. 42, Number 1Pure Water at the Bible Institute. . .Formany yearsthe watersource at theinstitute has beena concern. Laboratory reportsabout its safetyhavebeen conflicting. Those of us whodrinkit seemto get sickinitially,but thendevelop an immunity. It has been a greatconcern of the Hoffsforthe health of the students and groups that have stayed on the institute property. Thelogistics of transporting bottled water are complex, but PRAISE GOD, thoseissuesarenowa thing of the past!The Fairfeld Christian Church in Kokomo, Indiana, donated an ultravioletwater purifier. Not only did they purchaseit, but they, in coordination with Mark, arranged itstransportation and threemencamedownto helpinstall it. Because using purifiedwater to flush toilets would have been extravagant, they did a majorre-plumb thattookpurewater to the points of use- especially the kitchens.Those of youwhoenjoy clean water cannot understand how wonderful it is to turn on a faucet andgetadrink. The men also succeeded infixing several mechanical problemsthat had baffled Mark and Bill.Thank you - Bill, Steve,and Don!Bill and Margy Hoff2227 N.W. 79th Ave. Box P2025DoraI,FL 33122-1615Phone (Honduras): 011-504-566-2440e-mail: billandmargyhoff@gmail.comwebsite: bajiochristian.orgBajio Christian MissionActn: Lyn Mclnt}'re34428YucaipaBlvd. E-192Yucaipa, CA 92399Phone: 909-797-4628February 2011.Graduates now total 31. . ,OnDecember the 4th, graduation washeldfor the National Bible Institute. Thegraduation took placein the home church of two ofthe students. This decisionwas made becauseall three graduates were from San Pedro Sula, thus makingit possiblefor more cooperationand a larger attendance (about 120). The ladies of a nearby church prepared the meal. Arrivingat the point of graduation waschallenging for one of our students. He hadlost a semester when he returned to finishhisuniversity courses in business administration.But, he was very animatedto finish with his class and graduate, so the two other professorsand Bill spent a couple of months ofintensive classeswith him.He was very motivated, so it was possible for him to take the classes that he had previouslymissed beforegraduation.The actual ceremony washeldin a brand new church building in Ocotillo, a neighborhoodon the northeast side of San Pedro Sula. The celebration beganwith a modestmeal of arroz con polio (rice with chicken.) Then the assembly sang a series of songslead by Antonio Orellano.Heand Amable Rivera had donated a lot of their time andenergies to teachat theinstitute. Alumni, Emilio Aldana, shared a message fi"om theWord of Godto exhort the graduates in theirministries. Bill presented the menwiththeir diplomas, and Mark awarded them the institute's gifts which consisted of a Bible,a Bibledictionary, a concordance, and Oldand New Testament commentaries to helpthem in their future ministries. Afterwards, the ladies served cake and coffee. It was awonderful time of fellowship withbelievers that the Hoffshave come to know throughcamps and other churchactivities. There was a largeamount of foodleft over which was delivered to alocalorphanage.If you have followed our newsletters you will note thatthere were only three graduatesinstead of four. One ofthe students was a new Christian who had previouslyabused drugs. In the interim, between the end of classesand graduation, he returned to drugs, abandoning hiswife and three girls. Those who have never been addictscan not understand the pull of thosesubstances. Pleaseprayfor Donaldo!Celebrations at the I.C.F. Church. . .In the InternationalChristian Fellowship, the believers enjoy Holidays. Thanksgiving wascelebrated on the Sunday before the holiday. Since the hotel where they normally meetdoesnot allow themto take in food, they rented a meeting roomelsewhere. (Thisis theonly Lord's day in the year they do not meet in the hotel.) The meal is a highly organized"pot luck": members sign up in advance to bring a couple of dishes. There were six turkeyscooked this year. There were about 130 people in attendance. A worship service followedthemeal. Instead of a sermon, four members shared their testimonies and stories abouttheir walks with the Lord. It wasa memorable event.The children'sChristmas program is a highlight of the season. Under Joy's directionand with the help of other adults, the childrenpractice from October until the program takes place in December. When the great day came, the children did very well: they spokeloudly and clearly and didn't make any memorablemistakes. In the play, a grandmother explained different aspects of Christmas to hergrandchildren, while simultaneously,other children acted out the story of Christ's birth. The parents were proud of their children.Other activities that members of the church participated in were the ladies' "cookie exchange" and the "white elephant" gift exchange.One Saturday each month, the ladies gather for two hours of fellowshipwhich includes a small meal, a devotional, and games. InDecember theyhad a "cookie exchange." The Tuesday evening Bible studygroup took one Tuesday to have a "white elephant" giftexchange. This was a first for them. There was a lot of laughter in both groups.TheChristmas Eve service is mentioned in Margy's acticle on Christmas.Family Christmas 2010 . . .On Christmas Eve we visited Markand Joyto sharein our giftexchange as afamily before rushingoff" to church to set up for the Christmas Eve service.Joy along with three other members led the congregation in some traditionalChristmas songs. Thiswasfollowed by a drama presented by twochurchmembers. They were very dramatic as one tried to convincethe other to accept Christ. Bill led the candlelightcommunion service. The 75 people in attendance enjoyed thesmallplate of manygoodies thatthe hotel had prepared.Thisservice beganat 6 p.m. in order to giveplenty of time for the members^:1ifrtoenjoytheirfamilies and friends afterwards.Most families in Latin America enjoy Christmas with their families late in the eveningand finish withfood and gift openingon Christmas morning. For us, we enjoyed a largemeal at MarkandJoy's house with ten of ourfriends.Bill and I left for the airport on Christmas morning. Our flight was scheduled to go to Miami and then on to Knoxville. Although thiswas Christmas day, we decidedto spendChristmas Eve in SanPedroandthen the following Sundaywith Beka and family. Whenwearrivedat the boarding gate in San Pedrowe waitedandwaitedand waited. Wewere eventually told that the plane wouldarrivethreehours late due to mechanical problems. Wendy's provided each of us with a combo meal or a salad and drink during our wait. Knowing that we would not make our connectionin Miami, a young lady who attends our church and works for American Airlines, cut usnew tickets to fly to Chicago and then Knoxville the next morning. Wewere given vouchers for a room and a meal in Miami. AlthoughChicago had a heavy snow we made our connection and flewon to Knoxville. Our plane had to wait on the runway while anotherplane was de-iced. A little later we heard that a plane had slid off the runway and the airport was closed. God was taking care of us.What a joy it was to arrive at "Zach's" house. He was ail excited about Christmas. Beka bought a skate board for us to give to him.He had a new automatic Nerf gun. which he used for a gun battle with his grandpa. We exchanged gifts with the family, includingAlfredo's parents, and then had a delicious meal which Beka had prepared. Did it matter that Christmas was a day latenot at all!!!We had a great timewhilein Knoxville, Theweather was cold andit snowed off and on during our stay. Beka tookZachoutside onthe sledand evenconvinced Bill to go one time. Bekagot off workearly mostdays, Alfredo is cunently unemployed, and Zachwason vacation or hadsnowdaysoff most of the time we werethere. We did not venture out of Knoxville except to go to my dentalappointment in Lexington. Alfredo drove us and, of course, Zach was with us. Zach has a stuffed monkey named "Monkey Dough"whichaccompanies him most places. Bekamakessurethatthe monkey staysin the truck or car whenon a journey, but she wasn'talongso Zachtook it into Arby's wherewe had our meal before returning home. Thefollowing day we realized that "Monkey Dough"was nowhere to be found. Alfredo remembered Zachtaking the monkey into the restaurant and sitting him by the window. Bill calledand confirmed the stuffed friendwas indeed at the Arby'srestaurant. So thatevening, before the next snow arrived, Alfredo andBilltraveled1 1/2 hours north for this special monkey. The cashier even gave Alfredo a free milk shake when he arrived!!!While in the housewe played games, watched children's videos, and ate a lot. Bill helped with a couple of repair projects. It took quiteawhile to packin order to returnhome. We had purchased somethingsbut we alsobrought backphotoalbums that I had sent to theSlateswhen there was so muchunrestin Honduras. Bekahad some toys that she wanted usto bringbackfor the kids herewho arelessfortimate than Zach. Maybe we could have fit a couple of toothpicksin our luggage but not much more! 11Christmas 2010 will always be a very memorabletime.Mission Services2004 E. Magnolia Ave.Knoxville, TN 37917RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDPrayet and PraisePray for:" The threerecent graduates" Donaldo, the former student that returned to drugs" Guidance for the Bible Institute-- More students" The church members in their various ministries Bill and Margy's health SafetyPraise for:~ The former students whoare active in evangelism~ The three recent graduates~ The new water purification system at the BibleInstitute~ The church members who were recently baptized The special time of celebrating the holidays withfamily and friendsNon Profit Org.US. Postage PaidKnoxville, TNPermit #374Church members receiving their baptismal certificates.Georgia SharpeFrom: Bill andMargy Hoff[billandmargyhoff@gmail.com]Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 201111:46 AMTo: Undisclosed-Recipient:;Subject: Our latest news June 2011Attachments: May'11Reduc.pdfDear Friend and family,It has been awhile since we communicated with you. During the months of April and May we were in the Statesvisiting family and friends. Some family we have never seen and others we may not see until the Lord returns.The trip took us across the entire U.S. from Indiana to Oregon via Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada,Southem and Northern California, then back through Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.Margy and I both got to see all of our siblings. In Oregon we got to see a niece,a great-niece and her little boythatwehad never seen before. Ourgreat-niece (my sister Jackie's only grandchild) celebrated her21^ birthdaywhile we were there. The trip also included seeing Bill's mother in las Vegas on Easter and Mother's day. Herhealth is in a very slow decline, but she remains sweet and reasonably contented in the dementia care unit. It is agreat facility.Margy had several birthday celebrations. It was a fun time.We saved the best to last. It was our visit with Beka,Alfredo, and Zach. They are wonderful hosts. Margy had to change her dental work until two days before weflew out of Indianapolis. The morning we left Knoxville Zach was up and knew that I was going to have a toothpulled. He said. Grandma I can pull your tooth. I just wiggle it around in the morning and by the end ofthe dayit is out. I offered him my thanks but suggested that the dentist would do it this time!!!Our journey took us 9000 miles with wonderful visits. Thank you Rick and Becky Rowan (Joy's parents) forhosting us for so many days and picking us up and taking us to the airport.Attached is a PDF document. It is Mark and Joy's newsletter about our new ministry. If you have troubleopening it, please let us know. We are excited about what God is doing in the churches of Honduras.Thank you for your prayers and financial support.UNITEDSTATBMEXICOSOUTHAMERCAMissionaries Since 1972SALUDOS!fromBAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSIONVol. 42, Number 2Bill and Margy HoffnilN.W. 79di Ave. Box P2025DoraJ, FL 33122-1615Phone(Honduras):011-504-566-2440e-mail: billandmargyhoff@ginail.comwebsite: bajiochristian.orgBajio Christian MissionAttn: Lyn Mclntyre34428 Yucaipa Blvd. E-192Yucaipa, CA 92399Phone: 909-797-4628August 2011Palm Branches to Prefab. . .A few months ago, our son Mark, was asked to help another missionary with transporting his work team. Mark was very interested inhis program of prefabricated buildings, so he went along. The structure that was being built was essentially prefabricated trusses anduprightswhich serve as a roof for the church to meet under until then they can encloseit with concrete blocks. The large work teamput up two of thesechurch buildings in a week.Later,when we werevisiting thesmallcongregation in Guangolola to promote the Leadership Training program, we observed a realneed for a building. They were meeting under a few palm branches thrown on some boards. Mark was convinced that the prefabricated idea would be perfect to helpthis impoverished new church. So rather thanreinvent the wheel, we borrowed a trussfrom themissionary, and after modifying measurements to fit the lot size, we had a welder build eight half trusses that could be assembled easily on site. Then we had the footers dug and bolts placed. The only thing that we lacked was manual labor to put it up.FamilyCamp provided the perfect opportunity to recruit help. Mark got commitmentsfrom about ten church leaders to come and helpraise the building. That morning we loaded the whole project on the trailer and Mark's pickup and drove up the mountain with it. Theassembly of the trusses and their support legs went quickly. Pushing them up was a little more difficult. The last part of the structurerequiredmostly the work of two men up high. By 5 p.m. the entire structure was done and the next morning five of us put all of thegalvanized metal roofing on by midday. By God's grace no one was injured, even when a rung broke on a scaffold. It was an awesometime of rejoicing for the church and the men who had dedicated themselves to blessing them.nwBefore Building the Trusses Installing Roofing Finished ProductSeminars. . .When we received the invitation to come to Honduras, it was to participate in leadership training We don't believe thatcall haschanged, but circumstances have changed. Recruitment of studentsfor pastoralministryhas become very difficult, this is partly dueto thenation's economy. Asa result, we simply could not getenoughstudents to warrant beginning classes this year.There are, however, committed believers wholovetheLord and want toservehim butfeel incompetent. Some of them are men who wouldloveto serve as pastors but needtraining forthe job. Others are women whodesire to teachin theirchurches. Frequently, theycannot go to a locatedBible institute because of their family obligations, Because of this, BillandMark havetaken a break fromthe classroom setting at the Instituteand have begun a series of seminarsthat they take to the churches. Thetwo-year program is being taught to participants at six different churches Rural Churchn.on various days of the month. Class sizes range from three tothree dozen. The material we are using (Preparacion y Mobi-lizacion)was developed in Hondurasover the course of thirtyyears. It demands thatthestudent teach others the same lesson.Joy accompanies Mark and Bill on two of the seminars.In Capital CityFamily Camp . . .Formanyyearsthe churches in Honduras havegotten togetherand held a Family Camp. This is organized by the pastorsthroughout the country. It is one of the unifying events that helpremind the believers of the "one body" nature of the church.This year there were about165 people in attendance. The campwas once again held at the Bible Institute. The fellowship,games, dramas, worship and food wereall verywelldone. Thethemefor the campwas "Victorious Christian Families," andthepreaching wasexcellent. . r. . . ,Evening Service in the ChapelThe food was typical: beans, rice, cooked bananas and lots of eggs and tortillas. That is what people eat at home. The cost was about 7dollars for two and a half days. Becausethe Institute facility is loanedwithout charge, the camp profited a small amount whichprobablywill be reinvested in more beds and fans, There was a shortageof about 40 beds this year, so some peoplehad to bringtheir ownmattresses to put on the floor. In the future there may be modifications to the buildings to help house more campers. The constructionof more bunk beds will also help. In spite of those limitations, the campers had a great experience.The little children loved the above ground pool that someonedonated to the camp, and the ziplinewas especially popular withyoung people. The steel cable started about 50 feet off the groundin a large Kapok tree and ran 150 yards to another tree and thenwas tied off on the winch on Mark's Ford. To rideit one had toclimb a rope ladder to the top where Jim Riley (who designedit) would clip their harness to the pulleys, un-clip them fromthe safety rope, and shove themoff. Jimand Mark ran over70campers and a handful of local children downthe wire withoutincident. The only regret was notbeingableto have more thanonetrip per camper. (Bill, like mostof the older campers, stayed onthe ground. He worked the pulleyremrn andharnessplacement.)Worship TeamAClass in the Shadea- fJiThree Churches CombinedWaiting to Swim Zip-line FunOur Trip ...On April 5th we left for a 2-month trip to the States. The purpose of the trip was to visit family and friends and to get me (Margy)some new digital hearing aids. There are various members of my family that we have never met so we needed the extended trip to takeus to northern Oregon.After spending a short time with the Rowans we went to Audibel (a place that sells and repairs hearing aids) in Dexter, Missouri. Theowner blessed me with my first hearing aids years ago while he was on a mission trip in Honduras. But my hearing had grown considerably worse, so I needed more powerful aids. After getting my hearing checked in Honduras, Bill contacted him again. We made anappointmentand arrived about one half hour early at their office. Larry, the owner, talked to us for a little while and then said that hisson would program some new hearing aids. They informed us that one hour earlier a lady walked into their office with a set of hearingaids. Her husbandhad passed away and she wanted to donate them to someonein need. The aids were worth $3,000 a piece. Thesewere much better hearing aids than they planned on giving me. What a miracle!! What a way to begin our trip!!Bill was asked to preach the first Sunday that we werein theStates,April 10th, inKansas. We werespending a few days with Darryl Olson (our mission's president) and his wife. Marge. We have knownthem since our first years in Mexico.From Kansas, we continuedtraveling and visiting friends and family on our way to Lincoln City, Oregon.While there we stayed with Jill and Javier Zarate (my niece and her husband). We also saw my brother-in-law and his wife, my nephew and his wife, and my great niece and her son. These are family membersof my sister who passed away in 2000. The Lord only knows if we will ever return to Oregon, but it wasgreat seeing them.While in the States, we were able to visit with Bill's mother on Easter and Mothers' Day. We also stayedwith my sister in Arizona and spent time with Bill's siblings and their spouses. I celebrated my 70th birthday with a Debi Oliva, a good friend, in Springfield, MO.We were anxious to see our grandson, Zach (and his parents) in Knoxville, TN. While we were there mydaughter threw me a surprise birthday party. Because it was Memorial Day weekend, we spent qualitytime together. Bill and I decided that we might not take such a long road trip again. It was exhausting.Familv inKnoxville Zach with Leaf-Blower Marg}''s Party"NDariyl and MargieOlsonBill with MotherZach with orangeand white cast.Margy's70'*' Birthday Parties . . .Thanks to family and friends, Margy had several birthday parties, both in the Statesand in Honduras. The last one was planned by Mark and Joy and took place in a localchurch in San Pedro Sula. The English church family was invited along with severalfriends from the States who had come for Anthony Gilen's wedding. Two other ladieswerehonored at the celebration because they had birthdays at about the same time.Two Brothers Marryin the Same Summer ..It was an unusual summer for our English speaking church members. TheRussian family in thecongregation has three boys. Their youngest son,Anthony, was married on June11th. Billwasasked to perform the wedding in Spanish. Thewedding took place in Tegucigalpa which is theMargy's Party in HondurascAnthony and Majelle Chu/vh FamilyMission Services2004 E. Magnolia Ave.Knoxville, TN 37917RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDNon Profit Org.U.S. Postage PaidPCnoxville, TNPermit #374capitol of Honduras and is about a 5-hour drive from San Pedro Sula. Bill and Mark had three days of seminars in that area so theyplanned to be there already. Joy and I rode with some other church members who were also attending. We all stayed at a beautifulhotel and had a lot of fun celebrating with Anthony and his new ^vife Majelle.Soon after the wedding, one of his twin brothers, Paul,announcedthat he was gettingmarried on August 20th.Once againBill was asked to perform the ceremony,but thistime it would bein English. It tookplaceonthe beach in front of Telamar, a very nice resort aboutan hour and a half drive from San Pedro Sula. It wasa beautiful wedding. A tropical storm was supposedto hit the areabut turned north just in timeand theweather cleared up by the time the weddingbegan. Thereception was very nice, and once againmany members of our church family had a great time together. Paul and Cesia Audience at BeachPrayer and PraisePraises: Seminars going well.Zach has his cast removed. He fractured his arm and had awaterproof cast on for 2 months.~ Church has new roof~ Family Camp at Bible Institute enrolled 165.Prayers:~ For Seminar participants to grow and reach out.~ For safety while traveling.~ For good health. God's care for Honduras during this hurricane season.Georgia SharpeFrom:Sent:To:Subject:God's timingBill andMargy Hoff [biIIandmargyhoff@gmail.com]Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:55 AMundisclosed-recipients:Christmas LetterBut when the fullness of thetime came,God sent out his Son, bom toa woman, bom under the law,that he might redeem those who were under the law,that we might receive the adoption of children.Galatians 4:4-5In the fullness of time; God sent his Son. That is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. All who receive Himare adopted as children of God. God is patient, desiring that no one should perish, desirous that all receiveadoption by knowledge of, and submission to Jesus Christ. Even at Christmas we must remember that the"fullness of time" is coming around again: Jesus will come a second time ~ this time to gather God's adoptedchildren. Then God will end time, ending both heaven and earth. Those who have made him Lord will livetimelessly, rejoicing andbasking in theglory of the Everlasting. This is themessage of Christmas! The virginBirth, the angels, the shepherds, and thewise men all point us to theSON of GOD who died for us andis theresurrected Lord of All.It is beautiful in San PedroSula today. The sun is shining off and on. There has been a lot of rain theselastcouple of months, so it has stayed cooler than usual for a long period of time, for which we are grateful.The Lord hasblessed us richly this past year. We were able to visit our families in the States and enjoy ourchurch family here.In February, the seminar style leadership training courses were begun. Mark and Bill, and sometimes Joy,visited church leadership teamsin the Cliristian churches throughout Honduras. Over 50 students are involvedin the six church locations. The great thing about these seminars is that the students are encouraged to teachtheir fiiends and neighbors the material that they have been taught, as well as learn more about the Bible andhow to apply it.In April and May, we were in the States and traveled over 7,000 miles visiting family and friends. Shortly afterarriving, Margy visited the audiologists and received two $3,000 hearing aids without charge. We truly praisedthe Lord for that miracle. Our trip ended in Knoxville where we visited Rebecca and family over the Memorialday weekend. We decided that we would not travel that far in a future trip.We have had a lot ofhealth issues this year but we are grateful for good doctors in Honduras. Most ofyou knowthat Joy lost the hearing in her left ear while they were on a trip in the States last October. We are praying for amiracle that her hearing may return.The English speaking church has seen members come and go. We have two missionaryfamilies leaving thisnext year. Margy will be especially missing her fnend that has been in the same Bible study for over 18 years.We will be leaving for Knoxville next week for Christmas. Sharing a Christmas with Zach should be a lot offun. The plan for Christmas day is to help feed the homeless in Knoxville as part ofthe Salvation Armyprogram. Alfredo, Beka, and Zach worked in the Rescue Mission Thanksgiving day. Margy called Zach the dayafter Thanksgiving and asked what he had done for Thanksgiving. He replied, "feed the homeless."A couple ofmonths ago we received the news that we would be grandparents again. Next May, Zach will havealittle brother or sister. We are all excited.We pray that you will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.God Bless,Bill and Margy