We pray your spring has been full of new life and hope as God intended the changing of seasons to be in our lives. Perhaps by now you are already springing into summer.

We have been continuing to work virtually with Heart to Honduras. Much of the ongoing work we explain in our previous updates. Including in the internal work of a restructure within the organization over the past year. Kaleb continues to work as the transition team lead guiding our staff through this process. Stacey continues with post hurricane rehabilitation now entering into a season of "Mitigation and Planning" in communities as we desire to prepare well for the next rainy season. In addition to this ongoing work, we have begun with some new job responsibilities at CPHTH.

1. New job positions started on May 1st!

Program Developer - Kaleb

When Heart to Honduras's impact goals were developed last year, it became clear that the organization's current efforts were not accomplishing all seven goals. Although the organization excels at the first four goals, and has ongoing formal programs dedicated to achieving those goals - there has been little effort expended to achieve goals 5, 6, and 7 (you can see the full list in the following image). Kaleb has been tasked with developing sustainable programs that will attempt to achieve these goals. Over the next few years, he will work with coworkers from relevant departments within CPHTH to develop effective programs that can accomplish those goals and reach Hondurans with the hope that we have in Christ.

Impact Assessor - Stacey

Also, in the course of the past year of this internal restructure, the co-directors of the ministry decided that a new position was needed to be able to stay focused on the goals of impact that we created together as a staff. Stacey has been tasked with working alongside the co-directors, department coordinators and program facilitators across the organization to develop suitable indicators to evaluate impact of each program according to it's assigned goals of impact. This will include a systematic and ongoing approach to: gather data, evaluate conclusions, consider adjustments and changes to achieve greater impact. In summary - that the ministry would not just do activities because they seem like a good idea but because they have been proven to truly reach one or more of our Impact Goals.

2. Return to Honduras

We last visited Honduras in March of 2020 during Kaleb's spring break from grad school. We returned to the States on March 13th and the Honduran boarders closed on March 15th. We were planning on returning to Honduras after Kaleb graduated from Grad school last summer, 2020. Due to the pandemic, the borders were closed to Honduras, and we were unable to return. Soon after the borders reopened in the fall- hurricanes Eta and Iota left severe destruction across the country of Honduras, and the airport we always fly in and out of under 6 feet of water. Once the airport reopened in the first days of January 2021, medical professionals from our Heart to Honduras board met and made a formal recommendation for our family to not return to Honduras until we either contracted and overcame Covid-19 or were fully vaccinated. Literally the day before our scheduled vaccination Kaleb came down with a fever. Long story short, we tested positive for Covid and by the grace of God had an average case of the virus and were feeling better after a couple of weeks. So, now we have natural antibodies and are approved to return to Honduras.

Prayer requests:

• Kaleb's preliminary trip to Honduras - June 4-11
• Logistics of our return - we can't possibly list everything that needs to happen for this return. Pray for us to tackle one thing at a time. Pray that God would go before us, prepare the way and give us the mind, heart and strength of Christ to keep moving through each step.
• Our hearts and minds in the return - this is a big transition yet again. Join us in prayer that we would shepherd ourselves and our children well.
• Work, family, marriage, home-school, church and life balance
• New HTH staff positions as Program Developer and Impact Assessor
• Us to be sensitive to His Spirit's leading and continual direction as we take one step in faith at a time.
• Our family's return to Honduras - tentatively set for July.

We have lost some financial support over time due to a variety of reasons. If you or someone you know would like to support the holistic development work we are privileged to be a part of with Heart to Honduras please considering joining us by giving monthly! Choose "Eldridge Support" under "purpose" after clicking this button:

As suggested by several supporters - If you would like to help out with the myriad of one time costs for our return to Honduras you can give a one-time donation toward Eldridge Support and write "Eldridge 2021 return to Honduras" in the note space provided.

Costs include Honduran residency renewal, home-school materials, fixing our water system at home, car maintenance, roof and house repairs, Covid testing, travel expenses and so much more. We are coming up on 10 years in Honduras and have been away for a while, so we are due for some renewals, maintenance and repairs.

Lord willing, our "Summer 2021 Eldridge Update" will be sent from Honduras.

THANK YOU to each of you that regularly support us financially, in friendship and in prayer. We need them all and greatly appreciate each of you that partner with us.

Grace and Peace,

Kaleb, Stacey, Alida and Eliana