This report was written by Pastor Kim Wadlington, the chairperson of our Presbytery's Mission Advocacy Committee and a fellow traveler to Honduras:
In October a
team from the Carlisle Presbytery went to Honduras to participate in a week of
conversation with many pastors and congregation members from Honduras. World
Mission staff members, Hunter Farrell (World Mission Director), Tracey
King-Ortega (based in Nicaragua and serving as liaison for Central America),
and Juan Sarmiento (PCUSA evangelism catalyst) were also present for
conversation as well as members of both Tampa Bay Presbytery and the Presbytery
of Arkansas who serve in Honduras. The team spent two days travelling the
Honduras countryside visiting with pastors and their congregations, hearing
about the hopes, dreams, and challenges.
We rejoiced in
the growth of the Honduran church and were bolstered by their faithfulness in
sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with their neighbors despite sometimes
being persecuted for doing so. We received reports on many of the ministries
the Honduran Church has undertaken together including the housing ministry in
which we participate, scholarships for young people to further their education
past the required 8th grade, healthy snacks and uniforms provided for young
school children, and more.
Additionally
we heard reports about the distribution of food aid supported by our
Presbytery. Together we sent a total of $8,300.00 for food aid to Honduras with
donations from many individuals, the September Offering received at Presbytery
meeting and donations from our Mechanicsburg, Lost Creek, Dickinson, and First
United churches. We were gratified to hear that in each place aid was offered,
it was offered to the entire community, not just church members! Presbyterian
Women in Honduras headed up this operation, purchasing the food, organizing it
in bags with a message from the churches, and then travelling for distribution.
They are a powerful agent for ministry within the Honduran church and it was
our privilege to partner with them in this effort.
Lastly we were
privileged to see the progress made on the Retreat Center and to present to the
Presbytery of Honduras a gift from our Mercersburg and St. Andrews Lebanon
Church to help with building that center. There will be another trip to
Honduras next year to participate in the building of the Retreat Center. Mark
your calendars for April 13 - April 20 and consider joining us. We always come
home with spirits enlightened and faith emboldened by our relationships with
our Honduran brothers and sisters!
