Mike Patton Ministries    

 "Honduras Was A Little Different This Time"

Day 1 - We started hearing about some political unrest in the country the day we arrived. There are problems between the president and the congress. We went to work that night as we met with the pastors of our churches for about an hour and a half. They left the hotel about 8 pm and shortly after that, I think, my lovely wife passed out. We were tired after 14 hours of travel and a couple of hours working.

Day 2 - We visited our latest church in Pataste and preached there. The project is on schedule. They are in the church and it is almost complete. The power of God fell in the service and the altars were full. I think we prayed for about 75 people.

Day 3 - We had some visits planned for early that morning but they came to our room about 8 am and told me that we were not going to be allowed to leave the hotel because the military had overtaken the country. The hotel staff were scared and so were our friends. They had turned the power off all over the nation and told everone to clear the streets. There were protests going on in the cities. I went outside of the hotel and prayed. I told the Lord that I had come here to preach and work and that was my plan. The Lord gave me peace to move forward with the plan. We completed our visits but the service that night was cancelled because of a curfew imposed by the government. They decided that nobody should be on the streets after 6 pm due to the threat of violence. This was a bummer but we obeyed the law. I had a romantic dinner with my wife in the hotel. (Spam sandwiches and chips, Honduran food.)

Day 4 - We visited some homes and looked at some future porjects. Two of the homes we have helped with are being used for church services. The service that night was rescheduled to 4 pm to meet the curfew. It was awesome! The glory of God fell in the church and almost everyone ended up in the altar. I preached on our dependence on God and on getting sin out of our lives. Sin still preaches well with people who are serious about God and everyone else still needs the challenge.

Day 5 - We visited a new school and preached to the children there. About 30 of the kids got saved and then they did their little school program for us. It was a great day at the school. The country was still in turmoil over the problems with the government and we were warned to be careful which is not scriptural. The bible says to be careful for nothing. The curfew was still in affect but we thought we were far enough away that we could go. We preached on sin again and God moved again. God is very much interested in tearing down all that separates us from Him.

Day 6 - We received a report that morning from one of our friends and future pastors that they are agreeing with us for the million. They had 40 people saved in their recent meetings! Pamela was sick this day and in bed most of the day but she was tough and went to church with me. I preached on sin again and entering into the Most Holy Place with God. It has amazed me once again at how hungry these people are for God. The altar was packed again. We arrived at the hotel in time to see that protestors had set a huge fire in one of the major cities. It will be a good day when Jesus puts an end to earthly kingdoms established by earthly men with selfish and greedy ambitions. As always in these situations, the poor people will suffer the most.

Day 7 - We spent the morning at the school planning for future projects and playing with the kids. The government has spent no money on roads or schools this year because they are fighting over the budget. The kids don't seem to mind. They just love us any way. They came to school even though there were no classes because we were there. We preached that night in El Trigal and it was once again awesome. The services were all powerful and the people flooded the altars once again.

In summary - This was the first time we have been caught up in such a political mess but we were able to stay focused. As I reminded them that we do not depend on government support, they realized that our God is our provider. The USA could use such a revelation. Our churches have never appeared stronger. The leadership conference in March with our Brother John Taylor really paid off.  The leaders of the churches are still excited and working together very well. I have preached unity there since 2002 and they have bought into that vision and the vision of one million. They now speak that back to me. They have short and long term plans to grow their churches and reach out for a million. They are poor people by the world's standards but listen to this. They still believe family is important. They still believe church is important. They still love one another. They look rich to me in the things that are important. Some of them rode for miles in pouring rain in the back of pickups to hear the Word. It rained most every day and the thunder literally shook the hotel one day but God was faithful to fill His house every night with people hungry for the Word and the Spirit. The military roams the streets here and I look into a gun every time I leave the hotel but the people here are full of love unlike I have seen anywhere else.

In pursuit of at least a million, Mike and Pamela