A chance to do something

Did you know that Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America with over half the population living below the poverty line? Honduras also has the lowest graduation rate for students in secondary schools in Latin America and only 2% of youth will graduate from university. While this paints a bleak picture, I’m excited to share with you an opportunity to do something--an opportunity to infuse the lives and futures of Honduran students with hope.

Personally, I’ve felt a burden to act since my first experiences in Latin America, 9 years ago. As time has progressed, I have become more aware of the connection between lack of education, community development and poverty. In addition to awareness, my understanding of how to respond has developed as well.

Six years ago, while on a mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico, I stayed at a mission where young girls came after school for help with school work. The girls came diligently every day and were supported in their studies and their faith. When I saw how the Christian community in Reynosa came alongside those students, I knew that was the direction God was taking me. I knew that I was being called to respond to seemingly hopeless circumstances by investing in children and youth in Latin America to equip them academically, socially, and spiritually for life’s challenges.

In May of 2009, Urban Promise Honduras initiated full-time work in Copan Ruinas, using the Urban Promise model and holistic approach of implementing After School Programs, Summer Programs, and Leadership Development in under-resourced communities. In September 2009, I traveled to Copan Ruinas and served as a volunteer with UPH in their first After School Program, Camp Hope. While serving with UPH, I witnessed an effective response to poverty and apparent hopelessness. I saw and experienced first-hand the restorative power that comes from empowering children and youth to take hold of life, learn responsibility, discipline, and values of the Christian faith.

Urban Promise Honduras has grown and developed since 2009, and is now taking steps to launch a second After School Program site in another neighborhood of Copan Ruinas. This especially is exciting for me because it has opened up a long-term position on the Urban Promise Honduras team to serve as Director of this new After School Program, starting this May. As I write this letter to you, my mind is bouncing in a million directions, dreaming of the possibilities, opportunities and hopes to come for and through this new Program.

I want to invite you to pray through how you could respond to what God is doing through this ministry. I would like you to consider partnering and supporting this new After School Program and the ministry of Urban Promise Honduras. I’m responding by going down to serve. How could God be calling you to respond?

If you'd like more information about UrbanPromise Honduras, click here for their website and click here for information on how to donate.