"God Stories"

One of ACCTS long serving staff couples relates this story of God working across family generations to build His kingdom in Central America and the US.

When we first began to travel to Central America some 30 years ago,we were blessed to spend some time with Elmer and Isabel Castellanos. Elmer was a dentist in the Honduran Army, and he had planned for us to sleep in his private practice dental clinic, but his partner had locked the clinic and forgot to leave the key.  The Castellanos were gracious hosts, however, so we ended up sleeping in their home.

The Castellanos children had only one living grandfather, and they were bit frustrated because the grandfather never visited and wanted nothing to do with them.  Bob offered to serve as their interim "abuelo" (grandfather), and spent much time talking and playing with the children.  Elmer later became the founding father of the Honduras Military Christian Fellowship that still bears the name he gave it.  After he retired from the Honduran Army and emigrated to Texas with his family, we were privileged to visit them and resume the role of "abuelo."  In August 2014, we received the following email that tells the rest of the story:

"Dear Abuelo Bob,

Hi, my name is Eduardo Castellanos, the son of Elmer Castellanos Lt Col (Honduras Army, RET).  I now live in Bremerton, WA, where I am a LT in the US Navy.  I have recently attended an OCF (Officers Christian Fellowship) Bible Study and found out about the Association of Military Christian Fellowships and ACCTS. 

Our OCF team also had a get together at the "Refuge" in the Olympic Mountains and I was amazed when I saw your name in the entrance on a plaque to honor the founders.  I wanted to thank you and your foundation because of a small seed that you sowed in my father's life.  I know that this changed his life because God chose him to be a pioneer of this movement in Honduras.  I believe that without Jesus Christ operating in my family this would have been impossible.

I have much love towards you both,

 Your grandson Eduardo"

Through obedience to Psalms 78:1-4, "Listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old, what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders he has done," this ACCTS couple lived into Proverbs 17:6, "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Praise the lord for his matchless ability to share His truth from generation to generation!