Thank you for praying this storm away away from Helene!

Dear friends and family,

The projected path of Hurricane Felix shows a route through central Honduras westward and dimishing drastically from the Category 5 storm that it has been. There are no words to tell you the relief and utter awe that the Lord would spare Helene. We were literally running from task to task yesterday as we prepared for the worst. Islanders were also preparing, throwing ropes over the roofs of their houses to tie them to the foundations, nailing large boards crosswise cross each wall of the houses, and getting a good supply of water. Many were already setting up provisions in the concrete churches as we recommended they would be safer there than our own buildings. But we welcomed them to stay in the cabins and the clinic if necessary. Last night a good number of islanders stayed in the "mission house" of the Methodist church next door.

As I spoke with Bethany last night, she interrupted me to say she was looking at pictures of Roatan where Roatan Bruce, a local radio announcer, was reporting for the Weather Channel. We are ready for anything now, but it has been encouraging to hear from you, and assuring to the islanders and staff as we learn how great our God is to move this storm. Pray for the people on the mainland who are still in the storm's path. We are thankful that it is weakening as the hours go by.

I know this experience has been an emotionally draining one for our friends and family. As a team we met for three different hour sessions as Team Helene to discuss our options of evacuating or staying on the island through the hurricane. We considered every angle, every opportunity, every worst case scenario. We knew that there were no international flights once we even got to Roatan with our boat that was suppposed to undergo repairs on Monday a.m. Knowing how my own uncle and aunt's family was devastated in Pass Christian, MS, in 1969 by Hurricane Camille, and recalling other hurricanes of this strength, I personally became pretty anxious at our discussions. Nevertheless, I realized we were being called to a choice to be a missionary and give oneself for others. It has just begun to rain, heavier than the spotty shower this a.m. We're getting some really great thunder, too! The overcast skies look like it has "set in." The air has had that heavy, warm, humid hurricane smell to it all morning. Since all preparations are done, we have the opportunity to spend time with Tom Hackett this afternoon and just start Team Steam a couple of days early! God knew about all this, why did we sweat it?

Thank you again for your prayers. The pictures were taken yesterday as we boarded windows, colected medical supplies, and pulled boats up out of the water. We will not be taking down our satellite dish so communications will not be interruupted as we had planned. Praise the Lord for this test, actually the final exam was cancelled (!) and praise Him for His faithfulness in caring for us. Please continue to email us and let us know what we can pray for you as well.

Love always, Sheila
AM staffmember in Helene