Ministry Updates: HondurasClaudia and I just returned from spending over a week visiting, working with and caring for UWM missionaries in the country of Honduras.Thank you to all who were praying for us! We had some significant challenges on the trip, but our time was guarded and very blessed in terms of ministry, relationships and potential new partners for the future. We slept in 5 different beds over 8 nights as we moved through Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Balfate, Rio Esteban, San Pedro Sula and Guanabano. It was a particular joy for me to be re-acquainted with some of the ministry leaders I haven't seen since before 2013 and the UWM - LAM merger. Claudia and I heard time after time about the need for more workers in ministry and better training for those already in the field. My heart aches for the children in gang oppressed poverty impacted areas of Honduras' North coast were missionary Heather Braden de Maradiaga serves at Centro de Desarrollo Infantil.For the Garifuna people that Wes and Cindy Williamson work with scattered throughout the Central American coastline, having only received the Bible in their language 2 years ago. For Pastor Daniel Romero of PIER a Reformed Honduran denomination, and the loss of his cousin to gang violence only 2 days prior to our visit. For the families and children as young as 4 picking through the garbage dumps of Tegucigalpa in a horrific cycle of poverty, and the ministry Amor, Fe y Esperanzathat seeks to break this cycle. For a country suffering from corrupt leadership, little economic hope and a desperate tangible need for the gospel. "When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9Thank you to all who make our ministry possible. The coordinating work of UWM missionaries and the connecting of partner ministries with the expertise and programs that help them respond to the spiritual and physical needs of their own countries in a culturally relevant way wouldn't be possible without you! God Bless and a very Merry, Christ Filled Christmas to each and every one of you! |
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