The North Coast of Honduras

Yesterday our team of 13 traveled to the coastal cities of La Cieba & Tela to visit two churches, two schools and a health clinic. These days are very full, as we left at 7:30 a.m. and returned around 9 p.m. Wewere exhausted to say the least. What we saw on Thursday was quite remarkable, and gave all of us a glimpse into what is possible when churches partner together to do ministry. HIV clinics, job placement for HIV positive people (in Honduras there is a blood test for HIV, and if you test positive you are not eligible for most employment, so the church is creating jobs for people through such things as craft & artisan workshops) we also learned about the value of an education, and how the church is supporting both public school students as well as starting church affiliated schools.

The long ride in a van and a pick up truck was made much more enjoable for me by my growing friendship with Francisco our driver of the van. My spanish vocabulary is expanding as he teaches me. He is also quite funny. Think of a Honduran version of Danilla Johnson. Francisco es muy divertede.

Today our team meets this morning with Bishop Allen and Ana and Eleana. I believe we will discuss options for these churches. There is some consensus around the church of Santa Margarita. It is a poor community, with great potential for making an impact. Also just to clarify, St Andrew would continue its relationship with the Church in Yuscaran. This new relationship is primarily for other churches in New England to partner.

Steve Schmidt, from Gales Ferry, CT, is along and he is planning an April trip. Most likely he will end up working with Jesus El Salvador Church in Porte Cortes. They have a project that the folks can dive into right away. Plus there is a local Bilingual Episcopal High School that can provide translators.

This has been a wonderful trip, and tomorrow (Saturday morning) I begin my flight home. This will be my last post from Honduras. I´ll get a slide show of photographs up early next week. See you all Sunday morning for worship

Pastor Jim