Mike Hinojosa & Family

San Pedro Sula - August 2009

2009-08-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is a family I have had dealings with here in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Vilma Gloria Rodriquez is the mom who's children are Francisco and Jezenia. Jezenia is developmentally disabled and has epilepsy. She is deaf and mute has great difficulty relating to others especially other children. She loves to throw rocks and pull hair. She has done both to me! Theirs is a very sad story that that is very common in this area. Poverty, disease, helplessness, and dispair. That's why we come, over and over. That's what Missions is, over and over. That's whom Jesus is, helper, savior, hope and future.

Pictures taken by: Squarespot Productions. Squarespot@yahoo.com

2009-03-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Steph, Mike, Chris - Steph's 22nd B-Day Party @ House

2009-03-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Ok I promised so...new post and new pic.
Sara and I at recent wedding.
My bride as lovely or lovelier now than 26 years ago!

2009-03-16T16:57:00.001-07:00

It's been last summer since last entry....so sorry! I promise to attempt to catch up. What's happen since Cabo? My 46th B-Day...ouch! Uh...my brother's installation as Lead Pastor at Good Shepherd in Brownsville, TX.; Steph's start at Loyola Maramount; FaceBook: Low Carb Restart; lotttttttttttttts of tile in Fellowship Hall; Rose Bowl Parade; LIFE.
I looked for a 'current photo' to add but found nothing I liked so instead, a few throw-backs.

Chris at his best! Dirt and Baseball! Check out our Cadi.

Sara and I around what 1979?
Pre-Married Day.

Family while in Austin, TX. Circa 1990-91?

2008-08-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

The summer is coming to and end but not before we had an opportunity to spend a little quality time with the family. Cabo San Lucas is an interesting place and we had a lot of fun despite the 'ways of the land' which quiet frankly drive me crazy. Its sad to see that some things will never change. There are so many things that endear me to my culture but the desperate measures taken to 'get over' on Americans will forever plague me.

Anyhow, we had a great time. Chris brought in a sailfish, we did the ATV thing (the hightlihgt of our trip). Mike and I got lost and put the entire group behind schedule; Chris (of course) flipped his rig and Sara, well....no she did good.

We celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary a day early by all getting a 50 minute massage (compliments of the Westin...thank you guys) and a great steak dinner at the local Ruths Chris. The truth is we could have been in Cotulla, TX (sorry Cotulla) and had a great time together because we had that rare opportunity to spend a bunch of time together.

We're back in So. Cal and have hit the ground running. It's amazing the pace of life that we live. All it takes is a normal relaxed setting to prove that once it's passed. But we're grateful for God's provision, blessings and protection (that's another story for another day).

God is good and as a result we His children and family are blessed!

Mike

2008-06-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

If you're not from out here, then you just might not understand the 'buzz' in the city of Los Angeles surrounding this great championship series with the Celtics. But it's big! Everyone is talking about it. TV is full of it. There's nothing like it right now. The city is stirred and moved...it's shaking with optimism, hope and comradery.
Irregardless of the outcome, the current 'stir' in LA will eventually fade. There is another movement that hasn't faded, been overturned, out-worked or forgotten. Matthew 21:10 "And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" The word moved in the original is seio which is the root from which we get seismos = earthquake. There is one champion that continues to 'move' masses and HE will never be dethroned. He was the 'buzz' then and will continues to be and 'move' us as we remember who He is!
Go Lakers!
Go Jesus!

2008-05-19T10:55:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day...what a blessing! What a joy it was to spend our day with some of our moms and what a treat it was to interview three amazing mother's. A mom of 6 boys (the seventh almost here), the pastor's wife (whom I think is just amazing and beautiful) and then Socorro (pictured above). Socorro had to deal with the sickness and eventual death of her youngest daughter Julie who was a part of our wonderful family here at CLC. What courage and strength Socorro shared with us. What an inspiration she is not just as a mother but as a Christian she blessed all of us.

God bless our moms. We love you all.

For pictures of the event go to http://flickr.com/photos/beksu/sets/72157605071681770/?page=2

2008-03-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

I just arrived from my most recent trip to Honduras. Isai Quinones from Calexico, CA, Rey Mejia from Delano, CA and myself were able to speak to gatherings of AG pastors from both the Southern and Northern parts of the country. It was a great time filled with great blessings as well as suspense and intrigue (I lost my passport).

What is so special about these types of trips?The geography? Sure. The culture? Of course. As I think about what missions looked like this time around, I came to realize that even though we were asked to lead and teach pastoral or leadership seminars, what really came out was the sharing of life and life experiences. We're all basically the same. Called but human. Facing the same ministry challenges. I found it necessary to lay as the groundwork for our coming the thought that we were there to share who we were, how we live in ministry and what life has taught us thus far. The last thing I wanted to do and probably the last thing they would have wanted was someone else telling them how to do it right! What made this missions trip so special? What make ministry so special? For me it is and was living and sharing life together as co-laborers and friends because we're all the same. All of our lives have great value and that value is meant to be shared here, there and everywhere.

2008-01-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Roberto Reya
12/2/1961 - 12/20/2007

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

This is a written tribute to a good friend and con-cuño (my sister-in-laws husband) Roberto 'Majic' Reyna. I've known Beto since we were in junior high school. We both married into the Curiel family and had the opportunity to spend many a special time together.

Reyna was "Santa" for 10 years to many a kid in the neighborhood known as "El Tonto" in Laredo, Texas where Sara grew up. Sara's mom, my suegra Rosa Curiel started along with my father in law her husband the late David Curiel Jr. what is known as 'Christmas En El Barrio'. This wonderful outreach distributs food and gifts to the kids and families in the neighborhood. When it came time to find a Santa, Beto was the perfect fit. Every year while he was still alive, Reyna dawned the costume and thrilled many a child.

Do I believe in Santa? Sure I do. He was a great guy, a fabulous father, and a good friend.

2008-01-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

In November, I had the opportunity to join a group of pastors and leaders on a week long trip to Honduras. Our fearless leaders, Fred Cottriel (pictured second from left bottom row) and Marne Cottriel (second from right top row) are working and raising support to build what is to be a marvelous vocational and ministry center in San Pedro Sula.

Pictured is the current construction of a Latin American Childcare School. In the center of the photo is the director of the school and her husband who pastors, ministers, and who is helping with the overshight of the work taking place at the vocational center. Some of money rasied for the land and material to build comes from the avocado trees pictured on both sides.

2007-10-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Where do you go to be fed? That question was asked of me by a close freind. Well...last week at a retreat up the California coast near Santa Maria...Jocko's did! If you're anywhere near Nipomo, you must! Great steaks with all the fixings and just a great, fun place. It reminds me of something I'd find back home in South Texas.

Of course I know that my friend was referring to spiritual nourishment. Where do we go to be fed? A great question that demands a great answer. All of us, especially us leaders who are accustomed to being the chef and waiter must have a place(s) we frequent to be fed ourselves. My usual favorits fall into my 4 basic food groups (books, cd's, radio, television). I was challenged and encouraged not to forget what else is out there...I'll call this the exotic (friends, church services, seminars, retreats, revivals, etc).

The last two weeks have been very good to me in terms of feedings. I was really hungy and to be quiet honest slightly, ok, moderately malnourished.
So how 'bout you? Hungry? Pull yourself up to the table!

2007-10-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

What kind of value can or should we place on friendships and relationships? Anyone who has established deep, honest, genuine, and trusting relatioships know that there is no way to either purchase or define their worth.
I had the joy of spending time with my 'hommie' (inside joke) Kermit Bell this week. Kermit is the lead pastor of Glad Tidings in Austin, TX. Being able to address, discuss and even debate matters of life (and in our particular cases ministry) is not only refreshing but I would even go as far as saying crucial to our ability to discern, process, and then ultimately as a consquence pursue God's workings.
Thanks for the time bro.
Mike

2007-10-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sara and I had a great time celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary in the Big Apple. First time there. Pizza in Brooklyn, The Empire State Building, Cental Park, The Meat Packing District, Macys, Paella in The Village, Cup Cakes from the Magnolia Bakery, China Town, Little Itlay, Spanish Harlem, Staten Iland, etc., etc., etc. Our legs about fell off. Lest I forget, the first tornado that touched the city (Brookly) in over 100 years! Les Miseralbe now my all time favorite and 4 free vouchers to fly in future. PTL!

On a more somber not, I believe every American should visit Ground Zero. We saw it on foot and also by helicopter (although from a little distance). Our nation and what the Grand Lady stands for should make us all very proud and thankful!

It's About Time!

2007-09-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a desire of mine for a while to be able to chroinicle and keep in touch with you about myself and the family. More coming real soon.