Hey everyone. Just one month to go before we leave for our mission trip to Honduras! I am excited, and grateful for the prayer and financial support provided by friends and loved ones (Please note the video link and statistics at the bottom of this message).
As a recap, the team from First Baptist Atlanta departa for Lempira, Honduras July 2nd, going to work with the Lenca people of Lempira. The Lenca are descendants of the Mayan people, and one of the largest indigenous groups in Honduras. As they reside in primarily remote mountainous areas, poverty and accessible health care are great challenges for many of the communities.
This year's trip includes three components:
1) Construction - The pastor we are helping building a home for currently lives 45 minutes walking from the church. He recently suffered some medical challenges, so a home close to the church is imperative. As a reminder, the construction is lead and directed by the men of the local community. We are there to support and help.
2) Children's / Women's ministry - We will be providing teaching materials, bible studies, encouragement, and games for the community.
3) Medical - A physician and nurse are part of the trip, to provide medical check-ups and advice for the community. This is in a remote part of Honduras, so access to healthcare is not readily available.
As a recap, the team from First Baptist Atlanta departa for Lempira, Honduras July 2nd, going to work with the Lenca people of Lempira. The Lenca are descendants of the Mayan people, and one of the largest indigenous groups in Honduras. As they reside in primarily remote mountainous areas, poverty and accessible health care are great challenges for many of the communities.
This year's trip includes three components:
1) Construction - The pastor we are helping building a home for currently lives 45 minutes walking from the church. He recently suffered some medical challenges, so a home close to the church is imperative. As a reminder, the construction is lead and directed by the men of the local community. We are there to support and help.
2) Children's / Women's ministry - We will be providing teaching materials, bible studies, encouragement, and games for the community.
3) Medical - A physician and nurse are part of the trip, to provide medical check-ups and advice for the community. This is in a remote part of Honduras, so access to healthcare is not readily available.
Finally, I wanted to give some insight into life in Honduras, to help you appreciate the challenges faced by this nation:
- Honduras is the third poorest country in Latin America.
- Honduras faces particularly acute poverty and food insecurity in rural areas, where 53 percent of the population lives.
- On average, only one-third of Honduran children attend school past the primary level.
- Child labor is also an issue, as an estimated 384,000 children and adolescents between the ages of five and 18 are employed.
- Average annual income: $1200.00.
- Quality of healthcare is in decline, due to a scarcity of medicines, supplies, human resources, and facilities. One out of four Honduran children under five years of age suffers from chronic malnutrition. In some rural communities in the western area of the country, that total can reach 88 percent.
- Approximately 53% of the population is rural, and it is estimated that 75% of the rural population lives below the poverty line.
--Statistics taken from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Vision
- The Lenca Indians of Honduras have remained isolated to a great extent living in the mountainous and more inaccessible areas. The Lenca in general are very timid and reserved, with a personality very distinct from the population in general.
- Their communities are agricultural, using traditional, primitive, cultivation methods. Family is important, and they live as extended families with their houses built together. They depend upon one another to survive, working the land together.
Finally, here is a YouTube video showing a snapshot of the Lenka people from the non-profit Mercy International.
Thank you again for your support, and I appreciate you keeping our team in your prayers.
Regards,
Jim Lulejian
First Baptist Atlanta Honduras Mission Team 2011
Jim Lulejian
First Baptist Atlanta Honduras Mission Team 2011
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