SALUDOS!

UNITED STATS

M/M Bill Hoff

Apdo. 3166
San Pedro Sula

Honduras, Central America

MEXICO

504-566-3796

from

e-mail: billhoff@simon.intertel.hn

BAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSION

SOOTH AMERICA

Corporate Office
P.O. Box 61013

Las Vegas, NV 89160-2013

Published Quarterly

Spring 1998

Vol. 29, Number 1

THE MARRIAGE WEBBERS

Jim and Doris Long have been friends of Bill and Margy for many

years. They first met when the Longs were invited by the Hoffs coworker, Norm Dungan, to hold a couples' communicationseminar near
Queretaro, Mexico about fifteen years ago. The Hoffs participated in
that seminar. Several years later, the Hoffs invited the Longs to a

family campin the samecampfacilitynear Queretaro. At that timethe

Longs expressed their desire to move from Mexico City. Bill and
Margy had been making plans to leave Queretaro and asked if they
would consider renting their house for two years prior to their retire
ment. They stayed for two and a half years and thus completed thirty

Jim &DorisLong and Bill&Margy at hotel

years of mission work.

Since December of 1995 the Longs have retired in Phoenix, Arizona, but continue to hold seminars when called upon
in Latin America. A yearanda halfago, Margy talked to JimandDoris about coming to Honduras. It was planned for April
of 1997, but then the Longs were given the opportunity to visit Cuba with a thirty-day visa (something unheard of for
Christians). Although BillandMargy were disappointed, they understood andhelped pray fortheirvisit to Cuba. Margy then

asked theLongs if they could reschedule avisit to Honduras. They were happy todo this and agreed tocome inJanuary 1998.
Whatablessingthe
Longs were to many

couples and individu

als in Honduras. They
held

seminars

for

couples, both in Span

ish and English. They
encouraged
many

people. They were able

to see much of the

Myan Calendar

Living quartersofRoyalty

country. Perhaps the

highlight was when the
Hoffs and Longs took
a two-day break to visit
the Ruins of Copan. It
was a relaxing and edu
cational time.

Ballfieldat Copan.

Stone turtle altar

Thank

you, Jim and Doris, for

giving a month ofyour
time to the people of
Honduras. Many mar
riages have been
webbed tighter because
of your visit.

MANY PARTICIPATE
In February 1997 Bill was asked to lead a group of Englishspeaking people who wanted to gather on Sunday mornings. Bill said
he would teach the adults and that he would like to serve the Lord's

Supper each week. This was the beginning of the church that is now
called The International Christian Fellowship.
From the beginning group of 12 people who met in a member's
home, the church has grown to nearly 50 in attendance with ten
members participating each Sunday. There are currently two classes
for the children. From the house, the church group moved to a school
nearby where they met without charge. March 8th was their last

Sunday in the school. While various people were looking for a place
with air conditioning, the owner of the school called and said that the
group could no longer meet there because the room was being reno
vated. God's timing is always perfect. On March 15th, the church
began renting an assembly room in a large hotel. They anticipate many
visitors and having air conditioning each Sunday.
The first week of January the family in whose home the church had
its beginning, returned to the States. It was hard for everyone to say
good-bye. This group of expatriates are very transient. Many people
have come and gone and some will return again. The members are
constantly inviting their friends to this English-speaking congregation.

Children playing hells

Farewellgathering

KEEPING IN CONTACT
Bill would like to have more time to spend with the Spanish-

speaking congregation in San Pedro Sula, but his obligations with the
English "International Christian Fellowship" and his ministry with the
Bible Institute take up most of his time. He does, however, try to
worship on Sunday evenings with them.
In November, there was a guest speaker at the English church and

Youth at farewell

Bill was able to join with the national church in a field day at the beach in Baja Mar. The special event was the baptism of
three new believers. The church was transported in a bus and private vehicles. When the song service was begun, some of
the local Garifuna people (of African decent) who speaka pidgin language of African, Spanish, Dutch,and English) joined
in. What a beautiful reminder for the Honduran congregation that the gospel transcends all cultural barriers. After the service

the ministers of the church accompanied the candidates into the surf where they baptized them. Then the whole church
entered into a carry-in supper. Bill also used the occasion to make a lightning trip to visit John and Madonna Spratt. They
live only a few miles east of Baja Mar.

Baptisms in Caribbean

Congregation

INSTITUTE IMPROVEMENTS
The Bible Institute has been in operation for more than a year. Slowly
some of the deficiencies in the physical plant are being corrected. One of
the most pressing problems is that the students have been living in rooms
that are future classrooms. They do not have glass in the windows so, when
the rain blows, the bedding gets wet. The rooms also have no indoor
plumbing. The fact is that there is a real need to get the students into a
dormitory.

The students have taken the problems in stride. They are in classes
about five hours a day. When they are not studying, they work a couple of
hours a day for the school. Then they study to prepare for classes or

Checkers

messages for the prayermeetings and servicestheyholdin the neighboring

ranch. Whenever there is a free minute, they can be found kicking a ball

around or playing checkers with a board made from a cardboard box and
Coke and Sprite bottle tops for checkers. Bill is very pleased with the
outreach ministry of the students.

Last December a Sunday school class at Macedonia Christian Church

in Central Indiana was sending two nurses on a working trip to assist
Madonna Spratt. It occurred to someone that perhaps others could accom
pany them and help in other ways. Madonna did not need a work team at

Foundationfor dorm

that time, so she contacted Bill to see if they could help with the next phase
of construction. Bill was doubtful; the need was certainly there, but there
were no funds. At about the same time, the mission received an anonymous

donation designated for construction. That made it possible for Bill to

accept the work team.

The group of eight worked on raising the walls of the dormitory which
Bill had envisioned for some time. There were a few obstacles, but they

managed to put up almost half of the building before they left. They laid
about 190 linear feet of wall, five courses high and were just getting fast at
the work when the week ended. They were disappointed because they

wanted to accomplish more, but Bill was overwhelmedby their willingness

Perspective on thenew construction at right

to work.

It is always a "bitter sweet" moment when Bill and Margy take a group
to the airport. They are grateful for their hard work, but glad to return to
their normal lives -- if there is such a thing.

The block work was finished by the students and Richard Gring, a
visiting professor who taught for a month. As this article is being written,
the steel roof trusses are being erected and the dorm building is being
stuccoed. God is so wonderful.

Even with the help of several visiting professors, the "lion's share" of
the teaching has fallen on Bill. Please pray for additional workers for the
institute. Help is needed in the areas of publicity, teaching, and construc
tion. Many of the future ministers of Honduras will be trained at the

Work team

institute.

Please Note!
new phone number:
504-566-3796
new e-maii number:

bii!hoff@simon.intertel.hn
Macedonia Christian Church

Laying block

PERSONAL GLIMPSES -A HARD DECISION

It was a hard decision. I had been praying about this for some time. I had
spent the past two years helping the students with their English in an A.C.E.
school. During the last year and a half, the emphasis had been on English
literature. "My" students had been reading books in English and then answering
questionspertainingto each chapter. Someof the studentsdid ver> well; others
needed a lot ofhelp in understanding what was being said in English. Day after
day I worked to see that the students got their literature done.
But my circumstances were changing. We were going to have house guests
for two months, my maid was leaving, I was falling behind in mission correspon
dence, and I was feeling exhausted each day as I fell into bed.
Leavingmy "kids" at school was going to be hard. Theywere alwayshappy
as I walked into the room. The administration told me that the literature program

would be shut down if I left because they didn't have enough personnel. The
students were definitely benefitting from reading the books. And 1was making

a littlemoney whichI wouldmiss. After much prayer, 1decided to resign. My

first responsibility in Honduras was to our mission.
On December 18th,I said good-byeto "my"kids. Someof them hungon me

and begged menot to leave. Some of the girlscried. A bigparty washeldin my

honor. I tookpictures of them. ButI hadto walkaway from thisperiod of mylife
and use my time elsewhere.

I have not had free time since I left this job. It was the right decision. I love
kids and I love to teach.

Margy's Kids

SIX-WEEK VISITORS
On January 9th, Rebecca was awakened to a
crying noise in the backyard. It was about 2 a.m.
when she woke up her mother saying that Brandy
was having puppies. Brandy, a medium-sized part
German Shepherd dog, has been part of the family
for three years. She was purchased for Rebecca
and they were great friends until she went to
college. Now, two days before Beka had to return
from her Christmas break, her dog was giving her
a belated Christmas present.
Throughout the night. Brandy dropped seven

puppies. They were very cute, but were a lot of

work and expense. Brandy had various health
problems, so we made several trips to the vet. The
puppies were taken a couple of times for their
shots. Margy drove while Bill rode in the back of
his pickup with the seven puppies loaded in a box
and Brandy standing beside them. Before the trip
was over, the puppies were walking around the
truck and Bill was covered by dog hair!! Even
though the puppies were a lot of enjoyment, there
were no regrets on Bill and Margy's part when the
last one was given away at six weeks of age.

Puppies

aiis^nbi'UMOiio^'^^OD ssimav
aiiiMVHvno lovisod

N}{aL3}[ ONVa}{VA[ }lOd

ZZ "OMllVMyad

s'M 'amiASSo^i
aivd
aovisod sTi
DHOlldOyd-NON

Zi999 S":^'3Il!'^sso-a
m

od

ouj 'uoissijx UBiisuq3 oifea

y(q paqsijqnj

M/M Bill Hoff

SALUDOS!

UNrrzDsrATB

Apdo. 3166
San Pedro Sula

Honduras, Central America

MEXKO

504-566-3796

from

e-mail: billhoff@simon.intertel.hn

Corporate Office

BAJIO CHRISTIAN MISSION

P.O. Box 61013

\ SOim< AMERICA ^

Las Vegas, NV 89160-2013

Published Quarterly

Vol. 29, Number 2

Summer 1998

MIRACLE
Graduates, family ofthe graduates and friends. My husband was surprised
when 1 told him that I would like to speak for a couple of minutes at this
graduation ceremony. Normally I don't choose to speak in Spanish, but the
Lord laid it updn my heart to say a couple ofthings to you this afternoon. Four
and a half years ago the Lord told us to come to Honduras to start a Bible
institute. We didn't have the funds, but we were missionaries at heart and, after
serving our Lord for 21 years in Mexico, we knew we wanted to continue in
God's will.

Miracle after miracle has taken place in the funding of this institute. The
property was leased to us without charge. A caterpillar was loaned to level this
land. As this dream slowly began to become a reality, money was given for
construction ofbuildings. But it takes a lot ofmoney to build buildings. When
we thought that construction would have to stop, the Lord brought people into
our lives who were able to give from their hearts. Let me give you one example.
While we were still in Mexico, a lady, whom we had never met, began
supporting us. At the age of 99 years old we finally met her. When she died
at the age of 100 years and 7 months, we were surprised to learn that she had
put the mission in her will. At the time she wrote it we were living in Mexico.
At that time we didn't need a large sum of money. Only the Lord knew that
when she died we would be in Honduras and at a critical point of the
construction of the institute and this $10,000 would be a miracle to us. This
is only one example of miracles with funds.

150 in attendance

The Graduates with Bill &Margy

Three work teams from the States have helped build the walls on these
buildings that you see. But you can't begin to see the thousands of hours that
Bill has spent here to make this all possible. I don't know how many times he
has come home and said, "I was stuck in the mud again and had to work on the
road most ofthe day" or "The water was running the wrong way sol had to dig
a ditch." All this was necessary so that the young men that are about to graduate
would have the facilities to study God's Word.
The visiting professors have used their time and money to come to teach
these young men. Only one is here today and that is Amable Rivera. When

The cake

PreparingtheReception

Songs offay

there wasn't a visiting professor. Bill did the teaching. One other person I would like to
recognize is Raul Williams. He has gone to the "mercado" each Saturday morning for the
past year to buy food for the students.
If the Lord permits, these five young men are only the beginning ofthose who will study
God's Word here in order to proclaim Christ throughout Central America. It has been Bill's
and my prayer since coming here, that the Lord would send someone to help us.
Advertisement, recruitment, caretakers, directors, academic dean, professors all
these positions need to be filled. We are happy that you have come this afternoon to share
with the graduates and see "the miracle of the institute."

GRADUATION
The graduation of the first class from the Institute Biblico Cristiana represents the
culmination of five years of planning and effort by Bill and Margy. Naturally, they regard
it as the "first fruits" oftheir labor, ft was a great moment when the five young men marched
down the aisle and seated themselves in the front.

Then the service began with Bill

welcoming the visitors. Following that, there were prayers, singing and a special moment
when Margy spoke about the miracle that the institute represents. (See previous article.)
Then, Roger Twitchell, who has a very effective ministry in Tegucigalpa, gave a message

Bill Directing Graduation

of dedication.

Bill then handed each student a certificate of completion of studies. He was also able
to give each ofthem a gift consisting oftwo Bible commentaries (Old and New Testament),
a copy of Josh McDowell's Evidences that Demand a Verdict and an illustrated Bible
dictionary. Those tools will make their future study and preaching more effective. The
books were purchased with funds donated specially to provide books for the students.
Followingthe graduationthere was a reception. The institute'scook prepareda chicken
and rice dish and a salad; the local Coca Cola distributor provided the beverages as a
courtesy of their public relation's department; and to makethe event perfect, Margyordered
three large cakes. Margy and some of her friends did the serving.
The Hoffs felt the graduation was very successful. It also provided the first opportunity
to show off the new dormitory building and improvements in the main buildings.

MORE NOTES ON THE

BIBLE INSTITUTE
There have been noteworthy events at the Bible institute that were eclipsed by the
graduation. One was the cooperation of Carlos and Sylvia Ciangura who came to teach.
They were contemporaries of Bill and Margy at Pacific Christian College. They then
directed an orphanage in Mexico and later worked in church
planting. Carlos now ministers to a Hispanic congregation in Lake
Havasu City, Arizona. Carlos taught classes and Sylvia orga
nized a series of children's classes for the surrounding villages.

MargyDescribinga Miracle

They blessed the ministry of the institute.

WhiletheCianguras laborededucationally, GordonClifford,who

came with them from California, helped Bill with several mechanical
problems. His expertise as a mechanic was very welcomed. They
overhauled the motor in the Isuzu and repaired other defective compo
nents on both the Hoffs' vehicles. Because ofthe Cianguras' presence.
Bill was able to do long overdue maintenance.
In June, a work team organized by Tom Schneller, dedicated a

day from their schedule to paint the boys' dorm and chapel.

Gordon Cliffordand Sylvia & Carlos Ciangura

UNEXPECTED TRIP TO U.S.

Margy had no trips planned to the UnitedStatesthis year. She saidthat if the
Lord wanted her to go for a particular reason, He would have to let her know. On
April 3rd, Jackie Baker (Margy's sister who has lupus and lives in Springfield,
Oregon)fell and broke her hip. It was a couple of days before Margyand Bill found
out through a message in e-mail. After a couple more e-mails, Margy considered
visiting. A couple of hours later, Jackie called and she was very depressed. Margy
and Bill began making arrangements for Margy to go.

On April 18 Margy flew to Houston and then on to Phoenix where she spent
the night with Bill's brother and sister-in-law. They were able to set Margy up on
e-mail for the lap top computer that she was carrying. The next day, Sunday
morning, Margy arrived in Eugene. A short time later she greeted her sister with
a big hug. Margy spent the next three weeks helping her sister. Jackie was not able
to do much at first, but by the time Margy left, Jackie was taking showers on her
own and getting around with a walker. (Jackie continues to improve since that
time.) It was a blessing for Margy and Jackie to spend time together.
The scheduling of the trip allowed Margy to fly to Arizona and spend Mother's
Day with her mother and her youngest sister, Dianne. They had a very enjoyable
visit lookingthrough old photosand shoppingtogether. Margywas reallyglad that
she had chosen to take the trip when she did.

Jackie &Dick Bakerwith granddaughter,

Breanna.

Unexpected Trip #2
In June Bill received word that a very dear friend, Joaquin (Buck) Renz, was
extremely ill with an aggressive cancer. Since classes had ended, he wanted to go
and visit. Airfare was very high, so he decided to drive to Cuemavaca, Mexico. He
packed a few clothes and an ice chest. Two days later Bill arrived at Buck'shouse.
The stay was a mixture of joy and tears. There is little to be said to a Christian who

Margy, Lila and Dianne on Mother's Day.

is "terminal" because Christians know that we are all "terminal" in this life. Bill

enjoyed being with Buck and sitting and talking. It was so much more satisfying than sending flowers later. Bill says that the
assurance that some day they will sit down and sip a cup of coffee together again makes parting bearable.
The truck had a slight mechanical problem on the return trip. The alternator stopped charging in a tropical rainstorm, so Bill
had to spendthe night insidethe pickup in a Guatemalan gas station. Thenew day and end of the stormmaderepairs and the rest
of the trip easy.

PERSONAL GLIMPSES -- A PROUD MOM

No newsletter would be complete without updating you
on the lives of our children. Even though we don't see them
often, we are in constant contact through e-mails and phone

calls. We are able to use Freetel, a program through the

computer, to talk to Mark and Joy. Rebecca has called us
several times during the last month.
Rebecca finished school the middle part ofMay. She had
no idea where she was going to be staying or what she was

going to be doing for the summer. But she has a lot of faith
and never seems to get too uptight with "the unknown."
Within a very short time she was on her way to Moulton,
Alabama, where she has been living with a Christian doctor
and his wife. She is working as a nurses' aide in the clinic and

making a respectable salary for someone with no education

in that field. Beka has been able to visit Knoxville as well as

western Kentucky since she started work. She is looking

forward to translating for a work team that will be visiting

southern Mexico at the end of July. She is planning to enter
the University of Tennessee in the nursing program.
Mark and Joy are keeping busy in Knoxville living on the
Johnson Bible College campus. Mark continues to work as
an electrician. Joy received her bachelor's degree (summa
cum laude) in elementary education in May. She is working
and taking summer classes on the campus ofthe college. She
will be student teaching in west Knoxville in the fall and
taking her last two classes in order to graduate with her
master's degree. Mark and Joy are active in Harvesters (a
group of international students) on the college campus and
are also active in the local church.

As you can see, this is a proud mother writing about her

children. I rejoice that they have chosen to continue in their
faith and keep active in Christian work.

ENGLISH CHURCH
The English-speaking congregation with which
Bill and Margy are working has been in existence for
a year and a half Moving to a rented room in a hotel
has been a blessing because there is air conditioning
each Sunday, the room is set up with chairs and sound
equipment along with the drinks that the hotel pro
vides, and various visitors have attended. In spite of
the fact that some families have returned to the States,
attendance has continued to increase. A record high
was on Mother's Day, May 10th, when the group
numbered 65. Both ofthe ladies who play the keyboard
are leaving soon, so prayer is needed for help in the
music department. One ofthe Sunday school teachers

is also leaving, so that spot needsto be filled. Pleasepray for the Hoffs' wisdom in leading this group. Thischurchcan have a big
influence on the city of San Pedro Sula and the surrounding areas.

PRAYER

PRAISE

Praise

Prayer

for the five graduates of the Bible institute. The celebration

took place on May 30th with 150 in attendance.

for Buck Renz, a missionary in Mexico, who has

cancer. Pray for his wife and four children (especially
Tabby who is thirteen years old).

for Margy's sister, Jackie, who is doing better from her

broken hip. Continue to pray for healing.

for Rebecca's summer job. She is working as a nurses'aide

in Alabama and has been accepted into the University of
Tennessee in the nursing program as a Tennessee resident.
for Joy who received her Bachelor's of Science degree in
elementary education and graduated summa cum laude.
that Margy and Bill had safe trips and that Margy was able
to visit with her mother over Mother's Day.

for safety while traveling in Honduras.

for Alex, Mateo, Victor, Rodolfo, and Roberto (five
graduates) as they preach the Word.

for prospective students and teaching help for the Bible

institute. Classes are scheduled to restart in October.

for help in the music department of the English church.

The two ladies who normally lead the music are leaving
the country.

aiisicibi^ lOiA N3Ssssiioov

aisiNv^vno l o visod
Mmil'H QMV CTY K/tt md
ZZ 0Nllt\y3d

'eniASSoy
aivd

aovisod s n

"OyOlIJOyd-MOM

599 S^M'aiMASsoy
xog Od

OUJ 'U0|SS1J\ UBUSUL|3 OlfBg

/Cq paqsiiqnd

Bajio Christian Mission Inc.

November 17, 1998
/

, Dear Family and Friends,

Once again we thank you for your prayers, correspondence, and donations for tlie hurricane reliefwork. We are very
busy but remain healthy. Bill has had a coldbut is recovering andfeeling much better.

We are awaiting the arrival of the firsttwo containers that are supposed to arrive at anytime. Arranging for storage until
the things can be distributed has been a major concern. We havebeen unable to locate a warehouse in San Pedro Sulaso
are planning to unload the containers at the Bibleinstitute which is about 45 minutes away. Becausewe have no loading
dock, the unloading will have to be done by hand. The classrooms at the institute don't haveglass in the windows so Bill
is welding a fi-ame and coveringthem with sheet metal. This is protection fi-om the weather and theft.
Our house remains "Grand Central Station" because of the amount of e-mails, telephone calls, visitors, and people
coming to help fill the food bags. At the present count almost 2000 bags have been filled with food items. Most of
the food has gone to the Santa Rita area. John and Madonna Spratt arrived in San Pedro last Friday. They were
marooned on an island since the storm. The only way out right now is by boat. It was good to have them visit for
awhile. Last Saturday many bags of food were filled for people in their area. Today tHey were loaded on boats and
delivered.

A special thanks go to Mark and Shanda Oakley for donating much of their time for the filling of the four containers. We
also thank all others involvedin this ministiy. We understand that the fourth container left today. The Oakleys are unable
to continue this ministryso we now ask that no further clothes donations be made. Donations that are still arriving
should be sent to us next month. Please only continuesendingfood and medicines until December 1st. These should be
sent to Susie Reeves, at FA^^, Box 688, Columbus, IN. 47202-0688. Her telephone number is (812) 379-4351.
The e-mailis 6761.1573@compuserve.com After this date we ask that only monetarygifts be sent to
Bajio ChristianMission, Box 61013, Las Vegas, NV. 89160.

We praise the Lord that the institute facilities and the Isuzu pickup are fine. The pickup must have been parked next to
the only creek in Honduras that didn't overflow its banks. Classes began at the institute yesterday. A1 Young, the visiting
professor, is now teaching in Spanish without Bill'sinterpreting. We are thankful for his valiant effort because Bill is so
busy.

Last Saturdaywe developed some guidelines about how to handle relief supplies and our policyfor distribution. We
decided that we would accept help fi-om the States in the form of work teams beginning in January. We also decided that
we had to focus our efforts geographically in order to avoid excessive expenditures in time and fuel. The primary work
area will be in the regionsurrounding Santa Rita, Yoro. The regionis acrossthe valley fi-om the Bibleinstitute. In the
Municipal area (like a county), there are over 750 families that have lost their homes. We are working to feed and
reestablish some of them. The areais basically ruraland agricultural. We are going to supply themwithsome basic tools
like machetes, shovels, and hoes. This will cost about $15 per each famify. We will also be distributing the donations that
are arriving. As moneys become available we are considering giving tin roofing materials to the ones who are tryingto
rebuild. I estimate that the cost of a roof will be $110. We are working in coordination with the Mayor of the district. He
has alreadyprepared a census that has been a great help. He has asked us to help him solicit the donation of 18 km of
PVC pipe from large chemical companies. It willbe used to rebuildthe water systems of the villages in the area. I faxed
nine letters today. We hope that there will be a positive response because right now the people are in grave danger of
cholera because of drinking the muddy river water.

God has been so good to us throughout this difficult time. We praise His name for protection, strength, and givingus
many new fiiends.
Love in Christ, Bill and Margy Hoff

hys\!\^UL<uw\

Bajio Christian Mission Inc

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lor^

I cannot begin to explain the magnitude of the destruction that has been caused by Hunicane Mitch here
in Honduras. In fact, it leaves me gjassy-eyed when I think of it. The officialdeath figure is stillveiy
incomplete, but probabfy in the thousands.

Todd Fields has reported severe land slides in the Lake Yojoa area and Tobin Hill has found several
villages that have been devastated by landslides. Thus far we have sent help to 200 families. Both of
these areas are in very mountainous regions that did not flood, but were soaked by rains up to 4"
per hour.

Just when we were getting an idea of the magnitude of the problems on the north coast, the Capitol was
wiped out. The mayor of Tegucigalpa was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash while surveying Ihe flood
dmnage: He has been the best m^or in recent histoiy.
The country has veiy little working infrastructure left at this point. We have no highw^ between the
capitol, or for that matter, anywhere else in the countiy except possibly the port city of Puerto Cortes
about 50 miles north.. Ninety per cent ofthe nation's fuel comes in at Puerto Cortes. Fuel is already in
short supply so we pray that the port will be reopened soon. The airport was under water for a week and
still isn*t usable.

I am going to tiy to put thingii into perspective, there are about two and a half million people who have
been evacuated. Many of them willreturn to their houses: but I suspect that more than half ofthem will
find that their house is gone with all its contents. That means that there willbe at least half a millionwith
only the shirts on their backs. The nation of Honduras has a population of about 6 million. So more than
a third ofthe countiy has lost eveiything &om this Disaster.
I closed the Bible institutejust a couple of hours before the bridge that connects us to it collapsed.
Unfortunately, I had to leave the Isuzu pickup parked down in the ranch below the school and near a
river. I have no idea about its condition, but &e bridge was temporarily repaired today, so tomorrow 1
will see if1 still have a pickup or not. I will inform you soon.
We have helped prepare hundreds of bags offood for distributionin the last few days. Virtually eveiy
school and public building in the valley is filled with refugees. Our mission (Bajio Christian ^^ion) is
spending eveiything possible on food that we can distribute. IDES is sending us 2S00 dollars I expect a
seriousfood shortage soon. The price of beans has abnost doubled. Maigy has just talked to Shanda
Oakley (Delaney) from Cincinnati. Chiquita Banana is helping them send a container for relief supplies
as soon as it can be filled. Ifyou can help, the Hondurans c^ use medicine, clothing, shoes, and food;
especially powdered milk, please send it to Shanda Oakley, 1775 Wilaray Terrace, Cincinnati^ Ohio
45230. Her telephone number is 513-231-8855 These items are needed quickly. Blessedly, we live hi^
and diy. The fact is that I almost feel guilty that we are so comfortable while so many lack all
comforts.
Thank you and God bless, Bill and Maigy
Notefrom Darryl OlsonPublicity Agentfor the Hoffs: Margy asked me to send a copy ofthis e-mail
to you. Atfirst I was overwelmed as to what we could do but then a story came to mind. {A man
walking on a beach at low tide was asked why he was throwing starfish back into the oceanhe
answered- they would die ifthey were not in the water soon. But there are millions ofstarfish on
thousands ofbeaches how can thefew you throw back make a difference. He picked up another star
fish and threw it into the ocean and said made a difference to that one.}
My wife and I got a
box of clothes, shoes, soap, etcI called our Doctor and he is getting some Medicine to sendthen I
talked to the Compare I workfor and they are putting a notice on the Company TVHurry!!!,

Bajio Chiistian Mission Inc.

Hurricane Mitch #4

Dear Friends,

December 2,1998

Once again it is time to report on the conditions in Honduras and our efforts to distribute relief. It has now been over a
month since the hurricane hit Honduras. Much relief help has been distributed in the country. The goverranent recognizes
the potential for corruption and has told the churches in the nation that thej' are to serve as the primar>' agenciesfor
helpingthe populous. But it is difficult to get back to tlie areas tliat are worst hit. So most of the relief stops where the
pavement ends, and there are stillmany areas that have not yet received any help.

During the first days of the hurricane we received a tremendous volume of correspondence and phone calls. Now the
correspondence has slowed. We are spending less time in the office and more time in hard manual labor. The first
container arrived last Tuesday. Bill, the Bible institute students, and four hired men unloaded it. It was filled with 17 tons
of food and clothing which were stored at the institute. The food is being brought a Etde at a time to our house where it is
being included in the bags that are packed for distribution.

We developed a policy for distribution that focuses on Santa Rita, a specific area near the institute. That way we do not
waste time and money traveling. The major part of the food and clothing are being taken to that area. We have also
filled orders for Madotma and John Spratt who, because the road to their village is stillflooded, are unable to get to the
market. Tobin and Amy Hill also distribute food. To date over 3,000 bags of food have been prepared at our house.
Saturday Bill, Todd Fields, Tobin Hill, Aleck (our co-worker in relief work), Kathy Butler (a fiiend visiting fi-om the
States), and the congressman fi-om Santa Rita, distributed food and clothing to villages that had not yet received any help.
In fact, these villages have been isolated until last Saturday, and the new "road" is either a quagmire of mud, or fording
rivers filled with boulders. We are also giving out blankets because the weatheris turning cold and the people have no
protection. Currently, various ladies are preparing bags of clothingfor each famil>'. Next Wednesday, Bill and others will
go and distribute these. Bill has been told that there are 600 children in that area.

Three more containers came in over the weekend. As soon as Bill can get the paper work done, Chiquita Banana will
deliver them to the institute. They will fill the classrooms and the chapel. Pray that the weather will permit the semi-trucks
to get up the hill to the school. The last truck had to be pulled up by a four-wheel-drive tractor, but the weather has
gotten worse and even a tractor can't get a full trailer up the hill in Ae mud.

The need in Honduras is just beginning to become apparent. The ministry of labor has reported imemployment is up to
42% and will climb higher. The coffee crop in some areas has been devastated. The small farmers have fi-equently lost
not only their houses, but also their tools, and in some cases, their topsoil, (land slides have buried their fields in rocks.)
We have spent almost $2000 on purchasing shovels and hoes and machetes so that the farmers can begin to recover.
Next, we are planning to get them seed so that they can sow their fields again.
The following is a personal account of the trip last Saturday'. We thank each ofyou for your continued help in prayei*s,
funds, and goods for Honduras.
May Grod bless all of you. Bill and Margy
Kathy's perspective

On Saturday we left the institute with 3 pickups full of food, clothes, water and bedding. We were to meet the Deputado
in Santa Rita and he would lead us up the valley to the small mountain villages of his district. Each village has a mayor or
leader who has a list of everyone in his village and the people cannot receive aid if they are not on the list. It is a very
good way to keep integrity in the work as well as provide a sort of census. When any aid is given to a family it is
recorded. This area is supposed to be "near" the institute, but near is a relative term. Perhaps it is near as the crow flies.
We experienced several of the damaged bridges of this country but even though sections are broken down we drove over
them anyway. That is fortunate because some areas completely lost their bridges, totally cutting them off fi-om eveiything.
The Deputado was waiting. He seems to be a veiy efficient man and is ready to help the people of his district. That will
make the on going work much easier. Up the mountain we went. The dirt road was veiy narrow, barefy passable in some
places. The tiver ran hard and wide, far below us. Then down. down, down we went into the rr\^er bed itself. ba.sicalh'

finding our own pathfor there was no real road. At one point the Deputado stopped in the middle of the bed and showed
us the aldea La Union. There was nothing there but boulders, huge tree trunks and debris. The onlj- evidence of a village
was water pipes sticking fi"om the far bank. This scene was repeated several times before the day was over. We came to a
school where refugees were being kept. There we distributed clothes and water. It began to drizzle. On we went. We

came to a village where the men were trying to cut a tree to fall across the river. Their bridge had been destroyed and
what was left of the village was cut off from tlie road by the wide river bed. As we went up, the river had become

decreasingly more narrow but the bed cut by the flood remained wide. It was hard to believe tliatit had not always been a
huge river bed. We also gave them clothes and water. Our destination was still ...up... and the rain was causing the roads

to become even more treacherous. We finally reacheda point where e\'en the 4 wheel drives couldgo no further and
actually had to back down the mountain until a turn around place was found. At this point I chose to walk. I could

barelybrave this road goingforward let alone backward! Even though we were sad that we couldnot reach our
destination, things worked out just fine. The Deputado found a family on the road that allowed us to unload the
remaining goods and use their home as a distribution point for the village above . The following day the people would
walk down and receive their relief. These people are so resilient, but even though they are used to hardship, this goes far
beyond that. Even in these circumstances however the>' were patientand gracious as they waiting in lines to receive the
few things we were able to bring on one trip. 1-2 times a week supplies will now go in to this area until there are no more
supplies. At some point a building program will be needed and medical attention given also. With the mud, the cold and
the continuing ^in-rsickness-wiltcome. The sight of pigs roaming freely amongst tlieir living^eas concerned me gieatlj*
as there is alread>' beginning to be a problem with cholera in the country. Seed will be needed also, after the fields are
cleared . Even after seeingwith my own eyes it is hard to believe the destruction one small (normally 4-5 ft. wide)
river could make and how the life of those who lived upon it could change so suddenly. One thing they have to be
thankful for is that no one was killed. There is much work to be done here and one must be patient as well as faithful.

a note from Darryl Olson:

I wanted to let you know at least 6 men are going to Honduras on the 17th of January to help the Hoffs.

Please pray for tliere safetj' and that the>' wiU be a help and encouragement to Bill and Margy. They are taking medical
supplies as much as they can cany.
At this time onl>' monej' is needed by the HofTs
send to
Bajio Christian Mission Inc.
PO Box 61013

Las Vegas, NV. 89160-2013

OL

I-

JO^O.COJW.

(-T

AV)! mail ^

' . "V

l-y.

/:.

r. .irA^W^-f

1998

ir^rknds,

nppwacft tfiis Christmas season, ourprayer is tHat tfie Lorddas SCessecfyou tfimiigHoii^
^yeafrTt was not my intention to sendoutCHristmas greetings Because ofourSusy scfieduCe witft ^
fiurrican rvGrfefforts, Sut I didn't want topass up an opportunity to sendgreetings to ourfriend .
and tedyou how mucfi we appreciate you.
iJiispast montfi fias Seen one of mucft xvor^andmuch stress. <BiCCSegan Belong tSe people affected
By hurricane 9ditcft By wor^ng in radio communication wfticft coordinatedtfie rescuing of many
people witfi tfieJ^rmy and tfiefireftgftters. One nigfit fie rode in tfie Sac^ofa dump truc^ivitfi two
Satteries wfticft fie installedin tfiefire stations of two towns tfiat were soon to fiave tfieir figfits cut
off due to tSeflooding. Two soCdiets guardedSim to ma^e sure Be got there safeBy. ^our containers
Save Seen unloadedat tfie <BiBe institute andmuch of tfie provisions have already Seen distriSuted
OurBouse Bas Seen the fbcationfor Saggingfoodfor severaCweeBs.
Uteyear 1998 Bas Seen one ofmany SCessings. ^e BigBBigBt oftBe worB^Bere was the graduation of
five students at the(BiBfe institute on
30tB. Over 130people came togive tBeir congratulations
andsupport to tBefiveyoung men tBat graduated It truly was a SeautfuCdayfor us. Tfie institute
istrufy a miraclefrom Qod OursecondBigBGgBt of tBeyearwason !NovemSer lOtB wBen tBe ^ngGsB
speaking congregation Bada recordBigB attendance of 93. It was tBe dsy in wBicBfive SaSies were
dedicatedto tBe Lord

In Apid, 94argy spent three wee^ with hersisterwho hadSro^en herhip. She lives in Oregon.
9^argy thenffew' toJirizona where she spent afew days with hermother andothersister. In July

'Bidflexv to Las Vegas toget thepicBup that BisfatBergave him. (Little didwe realize that the truc^
wouldSe such a great help in distriButingfood) On SeptemSer 23rdiveflew to IQioj^'iHe where xve
enjoyedafew days with ourchildren. The main purpose of the trip was to visit theJloly Land. ^iWs
fami^ paidfor us to ta^e this eleven day trip. On the 29th weflew to J{ew ^orB^andthen on to
flmman, Jordan. jAfterspending a couple ofdays inJordan we traveledinto Israel The tr^ was
tremendous andone that we unit ne%>erforget. Vnfortunatefy, xve didn't haie time to digest all that
we. saw andfelt Sefore the hurricane hit JConduras, thus Beeping us ej^ira Susy.

-^:^/ea?t:i(Wusfy aivait the arrii'alofourfamify on the 19th ofthis month. <SsSecca willSe herefor
94arB^andJoy along with Joy's parents, 'RjcB^and<BecBy ^Rpwan wiUSe herefor two
^eBs.

^oa&tBer.in which we wiUcomSine rei^

Ifor Seing ourfriends andgiving ns much support. 9day you have a very ^'^ppy
QodSless, <Billand9dargy