Overview
Almost 20 years ago, members of three congregations of churches of Christ began working independently in the Agalta Valley, working from the facilities of Rancho Paraiso. Seeing the need for a more permanent presence, members of the Broad Street congregation in LaGrange, Georgia, joined with members of the Collegeside congregation in Cookeville, Tennessee, to build and support local congregations.
Gualaco, at one end of the valley, became the "base camp". A dormitory and kitchen were added to the church building to house visiting groups.
During those same years, members of the McDermott Rd. congregation in Plano, Texas were also working in the valley, independently of those from Georgia and Tennessee. Their work overlapped and the congregations later merged their activities to increase their effectiveness.
Today, we support seven men in the work throughout the valley. The work that began
with three congregations has grown to 10. We now have a presence in: Gualaco, San
Pedro, La Peña, La Venta, Santa Rita, San Martin, San Esteban, Pacura, Toro Muerto
and Las Delicias. Many people are responding to the Lord's invitation. It's a thrill
to return a couple of times each year and see the growth.
While LaGrange and McDermott
maintain the greatest presence in the work there, others have been consistent in
their support, bringing groups in the summers to help with projects and encourage
the churches. Some of the most dedicated are Ben & Susan Brooks, Larry Duncan, and
the church in Athens, Ga.
In 2010, we began investigating the needs and opportunities for establishing a medical
mission. Dr. Shannon DeShazo toured each of the villages meeting with church and
community leaders to understand the needs and see first hand how we might meet them.
We also met with Dr. Amanda Madrid, the founding medical director of Predisan in
Catacamas. We are working with them to see if it's possible to help them open a satellite
office in Gualaco. Dr. Mike Phillips was with us again and as usual, fitted hundreds
with new glasses.
Visit the “Projects” page to see the full range of activities we’re
involved in.
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Honduras is one of the poorer countries in this hemisphere, and Olancho is one of
the poorest districts in the country. The land is beautiful. The economy is based
on agriculture. As in many third-
People live in primitive conditions. Most homes are very small and made of adobe or wood. Some are made of cinder blocks. The vast majority have dirt floors. Women cook in primitive adobe ovens over an open flame. There is no indoor plumbing. Only those living along the main highway have electricity...if they can afford it. Few people have more than a couple of changes of clothes, and children are often barefoot.
The government does a pretty good job of providing elementary education to all children, but public school only goes through the sixth grade. To continue your education, you have to pay. The secondary schools are only in the larger towns so children often have to leave home to attend. Tuition, room and board, and expenses run about $300 per year. It doesn't sound like much, but few can afford it on their own.