Over the past several months, we have been introducing you to our Honduran board of directors. This month, we want to introduce you to our very first board member, Dixy Barahona. Ever since the founding of the Society of the Good Shepherd, Dixy has been at the heart of the conversations, vision, and ministry of the Society.
Back in January of 2000, when our ministry was just getting started, David Bercot and Luis Vega talked about forming a board in Honduras. Luis immediately recommended Dixy because of his expertise in accounting. Dixy worked as the head accountant at the local evangelical hospital, and he had a fervent passion for serving the Lord. When David and Luis spoke with Dixy, he initially agreed to serve on the board—but for only one year. He later agreed to serve a second year. Now, over 22 years later, he is still faithfully serving on the board, and he looks forward to continuing as long as the Lord allows. He has proved to be a huge cornerstone in the ministry of the Society. Without a doubt, God has used Dixy’s wisdom and faithfulness on the board.
Dixy was born in the small town of Sulaco in northern Honduras. He was the fifth of eight children born to his parents, Eugenio and Isaura Barahona. When Dixy was a teenager, his parents sent him to a nearby town to attend an evangelical school there. While he was studying in that school, one of his friends constantly witnessed to him. Later, at a youth group event, he surrendered his life fully to the Lord.
After graduating from high school, Dixy completed trade school in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. After trade school, he accepted a position at the evangelical hospital in Siguatepeque, and he began what would turn into 35 years of dedicated service there. He also joined a local church in Siguatepeque. Throughout the years, Dixy has served in his church as a deacon, small group leader, youth director, and prayer group leader.
In 1981, Dixy met his wife Reina, who was working as a nurse at the evangelical hospital. They eventually married, and God blessed their marriage with four children (one of whom has since died). They also have three grandchildren.
Although his salary at the evangelical hospital was meager, Dixy always managed his money wisely. He saved and took out small bank loans, and little by little he had enough to purchase a home for his family. His skills at budgeting have been of great benefit to his family—and for the work of the Society. Through his dependence on the Lord and his wise stewardship of what the Lord has provided, Dixy and his family have never lacked anything they needed.
In 2012, the evangelical hospital changed its management team, and they brought in another accountant of their own choosing. Shockingly, they terminated Dixy without cause and without any retirement benefits—after he had faithfully served them for 35 years. So after supervising the Society’s loans for 12 years, Dixy suddenly found that he himself needed a loan from the Society! With an interest-free loan—combined with his own savings and with a considerable amount of his own labor—Dixy constructed four apartments. Dixy and his wife now live on the small income from renting those apartments.
With the passage of so many years, Dixy is now slowing down a bit. Although he still stays as active as possible, he notes that he is feeling the wear and tear of age. Sometimes it’s frustrating to be unable to do as much as he used to, but he is humbly accepting this stage of life. And he knows God will continue to take care of him and his family.
As Dixy reflects on the past 22 years with the Society of the Good Shepherd, he notes that the microloan ministry has not been an easy one to put into action. The board knows very well that the money they manage is the Lord’s money. Their goal is to provide loans only to those who will faithfully pay them back. This way the money can continue to be used over and over again to help the needy. Sometimes there are risks taken, as it is difficult to decide who should receive a loan. Although the board would like to give a loan to every needy person, they know they cannot. The decision-making process is sometimes excruciating and involves a lot of prayer and discussion.
Despite having to make tough decisions, Dixy also notes how good it feels to help those in need. His heart is touched when he sees hard-working people make the most of their loans and when he sees the Lord blessing them as they grow their businesses. He also loves seeing the other ministry projects of the Society in action—like building health clinics and taking care of people after disasters such as hurricanes. Dixy tells us that it has been an honor and a gift to serve these past 22 years. He says that because of his work with the Society of the Good Shepherd, he has seen his heart become even more open to the poor and to the needs around him.
Julie Nyhoff de Valladares
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033
Click on the following link if you would care to make a donation to the work in Honduras: Honduras Donations