Honduras

Since 2012, we have had a continuing relationship with the people of Trinidad de Copán, a small agricultural community in Honduras. Our relationship is two-fold: (1) We send a team down once a year to help with a project of building cement block homes and (2) When we travel to Honduras, we bring along money that is used for scholarships.

The housing projects we help with are community-based endeavors. A neighborhood comes together and promises to help build new homes for the entire group. These houses replace houses made of sticks and cardboard and, therefore, not only provide better shelter but also contribute to better health for the families. Since 2012 we have helped build more than 50 houses. We work alongside the Hondurans and, although we contribute “muscle” and funds, we have learned that we also contribute “silent hope”. By building relationship with the community, we show them that they are valued by others.

School in Honduras is free, but the children must have uniforms, including shoes, and supplies. This is too much for some families to afford. Our philosophy is to provide long-term scholarships for needy children so they can not only begin school, but finish it. Since 2012 we have given out approximately 90 scholarships. Many of the recipients of these scholarships now have well-paying jobs; without education, they may have had to continue picking coffee which is low-paying, seasonable work.

Our church’s vision statement encourages us to seek to be the visible face of Christ wherever we are and to seek the face of Christ in those with whom we come in contact. It is our belief that we live into this vision through our relationship with the people in Trinidad.