Salvation,
it's why we're here!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Matt and Ellen Zell serving in Honduras!

Salvation has come to this house!

The latest seminary training was on the Theology of Salvation taught by Pastor Jamie Archer from the greater Atlanta area. This had special significance to me as a Honduran friend had recently passed. His name is Antonio Aguilar and he died of a brain hemorrhage on August 7th.

I first met Antonio four years ago when he showed up at a cement floor project to help out a single mom. It turned out that his wife attended the church that was doing the floor project but Antonio didn't. Antonio's wife wanted the pastor's wife to ask the pastor to talk to Antonio about his need for salvation, but instead I was asked to try. I simply agreed to look for an opportunity to talk with him and to pray.

Not too long after that Ellen and I went to the church for an evening service and I saw Antonio walking down the street in front of the church. I thought here's my chance! I gave him a shout and asked him to come into the church, which he did. I asked him if he had ever accepted Christ as his personal Savior to which he shook his head and said 'no'. I asked him 'why?' and he responded that he wasn't ready. Then the discussion really began!

We talked about sin and the reality of hell. We covered the fact that it's impossible for man to do enough good to make up for his sin. We got into the good news that Jesus came to die on the cross as a payment for our sins, for my sins, and for his sins. This was a discussion with a lot of back and forth. I left him with a challenge to pray each night about this decision and ask the Lord to lead him. That week the pastor's wife called us very excited as Antonio had committed his life to Christ.

That was four years ago and now he's gone to heaven. Accepting Christ had a huge impact on his life. He became a faithful church attender. He served with enthusiasm both inside the church and in the community. He loved his family well.

Just months before Antonio's passing he asked his family to name the soon to come new grand son to be given the name 'Mateo' (which is what I go by here). The baby was delivered just weeks after his passing and was named Dilan Mateo. His wife told us that Mateo is not a family name, and not even a name in the community. Antonio wanted the baby to be named Mateo because of me... how humbling! I think this is another reflection of the impact salvation had on his life!

I hope for each of us who claim Christ as Savior that our lives are marked by love, fruit and a hopeful expectation of being with Christ for eternity!

Upper left: Matt & Antonio
Lower left: Noelia (pastor's wife), Ellen & Alba (Antonio's widow)
Right: Ellen, Alba, William (Antonio's son) & Matt

"Hold the Press"

We were interviewed and featured by another ministry because we are using their training material with the pastors. You can read the article at:

Zells' Interview

We are very excited that news about the work here is reaching a larger audience and hopefully encouraging others to pray for Honduras!

Salvation!

Our most recent pastors' training was on salvation!! Excellent lesson by Pastor Jaime Archer from the Atlanta area! Great dialog with the pastors and leaders!!

Pastors' training in San José!
There were 11 little folks... maybe the pastors of tomorrow!!

Prayer Corner

Please continue to pray the peace of Christ over the political situation in Honduras! It has been significantly calmer this past month.
Please pray for the next pastoral training to be held at the end of September during which I (Matt) will give a lesson on Genesis.
Please pray for the CFI youth meeting this month as we will have a special game & movie day!! We will use the movie as a discussion starter.
Please pray for our small group as they help us to discern the appropriate materials to use with the pastors in 2020. We are looking at some new exciting material!
Please continue to pray for wisdom as we connect practical lessons with spiritual teachings.
Please continue to pray for healing for Matt's knee. The knee is on the mend and slowly doing better!
Please pray for the Lord to raise up more financial supporters. We are SO THANKFUL for the many financial supporters and prayer warriors! We couldn't do what we are doing without you!
Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Mt 9:37

Team Honduras!!

Team Honduras is God working through you and us! You might never step foot in Honduras, but you can effectively engage through regular prayer for us and the work here, and through your financial support! Thank you to those who have been supporting us throughout these last eight years in Honduras, nine years out of the USA! We are so grateful!!