This week we celebrate one year since the Covid pandemic hit Honduras. The only reason I use the word “celebrate” is that God has been so incredibly faithful throughout these past 365 days. Although they have tested and tried us all in different ways, we have seen God working in so many ways and providing for His people and for so many others. So a milestone such as this year must be remembered!
During February, we were visited by David and Deborah Bercot and by the Kevin Brechbill family from the U.S. While they were here, the group made a trip to the town of La Paz, where they were able to personally meet some of the people who the Society has helped with either food and other necessities, or by rebuilding their homes after the hurricanes. The group also met some of the pastors and individual Christians who have partnered with us in sharing Christ’s love to those in need.
Milagro Martinez, the Society’s representative in La Paz, organized this meeting. During the past year, she has been quietly in the background helping to coordinate relief to many, many families. At the La Paz meeting, we learned about so many families, I hardly know whose story to tell you about in this newsletter. I’ve decided to tell you about the Danilo Hernandez family, and hopefully I can tell you about other situations in future newsletters.
Danilo, his wife, and their three children live in the impoverished region in and around the town of Guiajiquiro. Most of the inhabitants of the area are Lenca Indians. Even before Covid and the hurricanes, this was one of the poorest regions in Honduras. Like most of the families in the area, Danilo Hernandez and his family had been struggling for years. Danilo’s alcoholism only exacerbated the problem. A local evangelical church has been providing some assistance to the family, and the two oldest Hernandez children have been attending Sunday school.
The Hernandez family were living in a small hut that Danilo had constructed. The walls were simply rows of dried sugar cane poles tied together. The roof consisted of several sheets of rusty corrugated metal, held down by large rocks. Although the hut managed to survive the two hurricanes, the roof was in danger of collapsing because of the damage done to it.
When we learned of the situation, the Society began working with the local church to provide a new house for the Hernandez family. Because of the imminent danger from the collapsing roof, we first moved them to a waterproof, temporary shelter made from sturdy poles and tarps.
Then with funds from the Society, members of the local church began constructing a new house made from bricks for the Hernandez family. The house is now finished, and the family has moved in.
The entire process has provided many opportunities to demonstrate the love of God to this family and to tell them about the salvation provided through Christ. Please pray that Danilo and his wife will become followers of Jesus.
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