Ministry in La Ceibita

 
The neighborhood of La Ceibita in which the Methodist Church is located is a relatively new community.  It is primarily made up of people who had to rebuild after Hurricane Mitch in Nov. 1998.  Most of the homes in the community that surround the church were built by UMCOR funds (United Methodist Committee on Relief) after Mitch.  Because this area, called Colonia Metodista, is relatively new, it is not found on older maps of Honduras.  It is located 5 miles west of Tocoa.

Randy Webster began as pastor summer of 2002.  He splits his time between the congregation in La Ceibita and the Methodist congregation in Puerto Cortez, where he and his family live.

Congregation-building is the major ministry at the moment.  Now forming a youth group, men’s group, women’s group.

A storage building that was built to hold construction materials and tools during construction of duplexes with UMCOR funds following Hurricane Mitch is now used as a children’s feeding center.  Children, who receive one meal a day, are chosen by the Ministry of Health – the most malnourished.  When these kids are nourished to a certain level, then others take their place.  They are feeding 200 kids/day.  This is a ministry that costs the church over $400/month.  The pastor, Randy Webster is currently looking for sources of funding.

The community has running water and unified septic system.  No electricity, though the church owns a small, portable generator.

Weekly schedule:

Sunday                        Sunday school at 9:00 a.m.; worship at 7:00 p.m.
Monday                       Bible Study, evening
Tuesday                       Worship, evening
Wednesday                  Women’s Group, evening
Thursday                      Prayer meeting, evening
Friday                          Men’s Fellowship, evening
Saturday                       Youth Fellowship, evening
There is a prayer meeting at 2:00 pm each day at the church

Dreams:
1)    Find long-term funding for the Childrens' Feeding Program at over $400/month.
2)    Get electricity to the church and surrounding community.  Big projects to buy posts
       and wire.  Maybe $5000 for materials, plus the paperwork with the electric company.
3)    When congregation in La Ceibita is strong enough, start a congregation in Tocoa, the
        main town 5 miles away. 

updated Nov 2003