The Batschelets: On a mission from God

In the Bible, God makes it clear as to what He requests of us: To help others, to give and not take, to be filled with and show grace, and to love.

Some do this on a personal level by caring for their children, making time for devotion and prayer, or spending time with loved ones. Others do so locally by helping in soup kitchens, donating to church projects or helping clothe children in the winter.

Then there are those that hear a calling to go abroad, helping disciple to those who have yet to truly know and accept Jesus as their Savior.

Royal native Ethan Batschelet and his wife, Ashley, are both missionaries for the World Gospel Mission. The couple calls the country of Honduras "home," ministering and serving children, families and adults there.

On Dec. 4 the duo and their daughter, Evelyn, visited Ethan's home church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, to share their servant story and mission. Ethan noted what work they are doing and the logistics of their day-to-day duties at El Sembrador in Catacamas, Honduras.

El Sembrador is a Christian ministry founded in 1954 to minister to underprivileged youth in Honduras that lack in the opportunity to be successful and educated on their own. Ashley is a preschool teacher of nearly 20 children on their campus, while Ethan serves as a minister and fills in wherever there is a teaching need.

The El Sembrador campus is more than just a school – it's almost a village by itself. With a farming operation complete with its own corn crop, school, housing for students and staff, and a new industrial milk processing plant, it's almost self-sustaining. Not only do the students learn basic educational classes and are ministered faith in numerous ways, but they also get the opportunity of hands-on learning with such projects as the new dairy processing plant. They will eventually be able to make their own cheese, butter and milk for use in their dining hall.

Currently, the El Sembrador campus is largely just staff. The pandemic put a halt on in-person learning; however, the online program has been going strong with full-day classes still occurring. Administrators are hoping that in-person classes can resume at a lower capacity in early 2022 in order to adapt to government COVID-19 regulations.

It isn't easy being a missionary in a country that, although beautiful, has its fair share of violent crime, drug trafficking gangs, poverty and one of the highest murder rates in the world. However, the Batschelets' call has been profound in its tenacity to stay and go forth in God's will and grace.

Many of the children that they help end up having very little opportunity to escape the cultural chains that bind them. As they return home to their families, some are pulled back into gangs, get murdered, or face a life in the drug trade.

Though there are countless tales of misfortune, Ethan and Ashley have had many success stories during their time in ministry. Some students have graduated from the military while others have moved on to college or remained in ministry themselves.

Those children are what keep the Batschelets connected and serving in Honduras. Without a pause or second thought, the couple has taken Romans 12:13 to heart, "Contribute to the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers into your home." They live the verse of Matthew 5:15, "In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in Heaven."

Ethan has been held at gunpoint, assisted by ex-students-turned-gang members in keeping certain neighborhoods safe and endured much during his years in the country. However, one of the most worrisome moments came recently prior to their daughter's birth. Despite living in a country with a poor healthcare system and questionable resources to assist with her early delivery, the pair was blessed yet again with an American doctor neighbor who eased their pandemic pregnancy concerns.

Evelyn was premature and born with numerous health concerns, so doctors wanted the couple to act swiftly with surgeries and other remedies. The Batschelets held fast to God's will refusing surgeries and Evelyn's health concerns seemingly disappeared into thin air. Their now 13-month-old daughter is as healthy as can be with no health issues to speak of, which is another miracle of the Lord they are exceedingly grateful for.

It is easy to see that the Batschelets serve with complete conviction in the direction and desires the Lord has bestowed upon them. They go forth with His will at heart and help so many in such awful circumstances where most would become discouraged and simply return to an easier mission. If you would like to learn more about Ethan and Ashley's story and ministry you can find them at http://www.wgm.org/batschelet.