As of the morning of December 29, 2008 we have made the matching fund goal!!!  The year of 2008 has been one of the most challenging in the recent history of EFM.  It has also been one of the most challenging years in the economy of the United States and the world.  The real estate bubble burst and the credit markets went with it.  Recession set in and the Christmas Season did not meet the expectations of retailers.  Despite all this EFM sent out new missionaries, brought on Don Smith at home office and saw new graduates from the new school in Guatemala.  We expanded when the rest of the world was contracting!!  How did we do it??  We did not do it!! God did it!!  Once again He has responded to the faith of His people.  The most recent matching fund is another example of His goodness.  THANK YOU to all those who contributed.

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It was a great joy and privilege to visit Honduras after a seven year hiatus.  I have returned safe and sound after a wonderful trip.  A missed connection in Houston on the first leg of the trip put me in a hotel unexpectedly.  Mesgun Tedla was traveling to Honduras at the same time and we both had rooms at the same hotel since he missed his connection as well.  After arrival in Honduras I was able to see many friends and to experience the traffic in San Pedro Sula again.  Let me tell you that Daniel Melton our missionary can really thread his way through traffic.  He is much better adjusted to everything down there than I was when I lived in San Pedro Sula.  I spoke 5 times in the conference at San Luis.  In the last 7 years I have not had much time to practice Spanish so there were several nervous moments and some no doubt many mistakes.  However, over the course of the week many things came rushing back, including good memories, bad memories and a lot of Spanish.  The Lord really came in 3 out of 5 services.  We have a tremendous work in Honduras and the National Church is g0ing forward with passion and a spirit of love.  What more could we want?  How better could we measure success?  On the trip back I was detained in Houston for a short time in the customs office.  This was rather nerve racking.  Apparently there is a Donald Smith who is an international fugitive.  I am hoping they catch him because I do not want to go through that every time I come into the country.  I thank all those who prayed for me while I was gone.  Your prayers were answered.

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The Melton family is in the states for their furlough after four years in Honduras.  Their travels are going to coincide with the scheduled mission Christmas dinner the week of December 8th.

WELCOME MELTONS and Merry Christmas!

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