Projects

When I was a young salesman in training with a large international company, my mentors taught me that a prospective customer will not “care how much you know until they know how much you care”.  I didn’t realize at the time that this was a Biblical principle.

Studying the Gospels, we see that Jesus began his ministry by meeting physical needs.  Feeding the hungry; healing the sick; even raising the dead.   He obviously had power that we don’t have today.  But the idea of demonstrating your concern through actions still works.  And we do this throughout the year with visiting groups of teens and adults.

    
     Work Projects                     (click on the links below to see photos of these projects)

Our projects are designed around the specific talents within the group members.  For example, when we have dentists in the group, we pull teeth.  An Optometrist will do vision tests.  Lacking a special skill like these, we do construction work; the complexity of which again depends on the group.

We almost always pour floors.  This is easy work for anyone to do, and it meets a tremendous need.  Most homes have dirt floors (though by now several hundred have cement as a result of our work).  This is not only dirty, but very unhealthy.  Giving a family a cement floor has an immediate impact on their health.

We’ve also built a number of church buildings, many latrines, and a few houses.

Our team is currently working on a project to help the community of San Pedro get electricity and clean water.

    
     Benevolence Projects

Secondary Students.  The government provides 6 years of education without cost.  To continue in secondary school (grades 7-12) requires a financial contribution from the student.  $325 per year will cover these costs but for most families, even this is out of reach.  We have a well-functioning system to identify the most deserving students.  We line up supporters (you could be one!) who agree to donate $325 per year, and then we match them with a student.  We take photos of the students each February, and once or twice each year, the supporter will receive a letter from their student.  This small annual expense makes a big difference in the child’s prospects for the future.

University Students.   Until lately, students from our valley who did manage to graduate from secondary school had no prospects for continuing their education.  There is a state university less than two hours away.  Total expenses to attend are only about $2,000 per year, but this amount is way outside the realm of possibility for these families.  Thanks to an initiative begun by one of our faithful supporters, we now have a University Scholarship Program.  It works just like the secondary school program, except that the monthly cost is $180.  We now have 8 students in the university.

Widows and Orphans.  There are no social services; no WIC; no Welfare.  There is hunger and need all around.  We’re not able to fill all these needs, but we do provide food monthly for some of the most needy.  A monthly contribution of any amount can be dedicated to feeding a hungry widow or abandoned mother.

Clothing.  We’ve sent 3 containers of used clothing so far.  We’re collecting now for another container to be sent in early 2011.

    
     Spiritual Outreach

While we put a lot of effort into the “external” things, we’re always focused on the person’s need to have Christ in their lives.  We use our projects and benevolence to talk about Christ’s love and sacrifice.  We have 6-8 campaigns each year throughout the valley.

     
     Planning Ahead

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.

We are planning for a medical brigade in February, 2012.  Dr. DeShazo is lining up other doctors and support to participate.  We hope to make this an annual trip.  For more information, contact John Hendry.