MISSIONARIES RUSSELL & NORHA
Russell and Norha Wells
Russell Wells
Missionary, Leader, Reverend
Russell Wells embodies a life devoted to serving God through mission work alongside his wife and son. A retired 23.5-year USAF veteran, Russell found his calling to missions in 2012, for reaching disadvantaged women and children with the word and love of Jesus.
Russell's formative years were spent in the Pacific NW, where he was raised in the Baptist faith. He attended school in a Seattle suburb and spent summers on his uncle’s farm, learning the value of hard work, discipline and responsibility. This upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic that has served him well in his mission work and life in general.
His military service eventually led him to Korea, where he discovered his true passion while serving at an orphanage near Yongson. This experience marked a turning point in his life. Shortly after, he was assigned to Eglin AFB in Florida, where he met his wife and raised their three children. They became active members of Lifepoint, a mission-minded church that played a significant role in Russell's spiritual journey. He obtained his ministry license and began to serve and lead ministries and go on mission trips.
After his retirement, he worked for Survice Engineering and enjoyed a stable and safe life until God called him to a full-time mission while on a mission trip to an orphanage in the mountains of Jamaica. God called Russell, asking, “So, do you think you could do this?” “In a New York second,” was his response.
Russell and Norha sought the Lord as they started their missionary journey. They prayed, “Wherever you would have us, Lord.” However, Demytri, then seven years old, would pray differently: “Lord, I don’t care where we go or what we do, as long as there are Bananas!” Months later, they were invited to serve in Machala, Ecuador, the Banana Capital of the world. Now they are serving in Honduras, the original banana capital of the world.
Russell and his family have served as missionaries in Costa Rica, Machala, Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador, and La Ceiba, Honduras. He employs practical skills on the mission field that come from a diverse upbringing. He has years as a professional photographer, he customized his cars and trucks which brough him a wealth of mechanical knowledge and his military service gave him electrical and mechanical knowledge along with the use of schematics.
Now, after meeting and connecting with the Murphys as well as visiting Promise Home Honduras, in an extraordinary act of God, he is filled with peace and knows with certainty this is where God wants him. He is looking forward to using his many skills to build, lead, and love and coming alongside the Murphys, fulfilling God’s calling for His kingdom.
Norha Wells
Missionary, Teacher, ordained minister
From a young age, Norha was blessed with a divine vision: a hilltop adorned with houses, a winding road leading to them, and within, a chorus of laughter from happy children. These children, she knew, were orphans. This vision, a calling from God, has been the guiding light of Norha's life, a testament to her unwavering dedication to nurturing and supporting orphaned children.
Growing up in the Catholic faith, Norha's spiritual journey took a profound turn when she encountered the deeper teachings of Jesus through Russell and her church community. This encounter ignited within her a profound desire to serve in God's Kingdom.
The turning point came In 2012, during a life-altering mission trip to a Jamaican orphanage, Norha's vision transformed into a resolute dream. She knew the time had come to embark on her missionary journey. With the unwavering support of her husband, Russell, and their two youngest children, they set off on a path that would forever change their lives.
Throughout their missionary endeavors in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Honduras, Norha and her family have been instrumental in establishing children's centers, outreach programs, and education initiatives. Their tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the communities they've served, enriching the lives of countless children and families with the love and teachings of Jesus.
Norha's passion extends beyond children, as she actively engages in ministering to women, empowering them with the Word of God, discipleship, and essential life skills. Her commitment to reaching unreached communities underscores her unwavering dedication to spreading Jesus' love to all corners of the globe.
Currently pursuing graduate studies at Global University Graduate School of Theology, Norha combines her practical missionary experience with academic rigor, further equipping herself to serve in God's Kingdom. Her ministerial certificate from Global University and background in Business Administration from Barry University reflect her comprehensive approach to ministry, blending spiritual insight with practical wisdom.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Norha's journey led her to the Murphys and the Promise Home Honduras, where she discovered striking parallels between her childhood vision and the mission of Promise Home. She embraces this new chapter with deep gratitude and joy, recognizing it as a fulfillment of God's promise and an opportunity to serve alongside kindred spirits in His vineyard.