Becas con Benediciones: To learn more about Becas con Benediciones, you can request an information CD and application from Henry and Sara Clines by e-mailing clinesh@aol.com.

Contact

For additional information about the Honduras Consultation Newsletter, e-mail hondurasconsultation@gmail.com or e-mail one of the individuals listed below:

Jim Burris
Sean Rutter
Sally Willson

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Honduras Consultation Newsletter

This is the first edition of the Honduras Consultation Newsletter! This periodic e-newsletter includes information about the current and upcoming work of the United Methodist Mission Church of Honduras, the individual Honduran churches, and Volunteers In Mission (VIM) teams working in Honduras. The newsletter will be distributed via e-mail and on the Web site every other month. Please feel free to forward the newsletter to interested persons. Anyone is welcome to subscribe by using the form at left or visiting the Mission Church Web site: www.gbgm-umc.org/hondurasini/.

The third annual Honduras Consultation was held in Houston, Texas, in September, 2005. There were approximately 35 participants from across the United States, as well as a number of participants from Honduras. The fourth annual Honduras Consultation will be held in Austin, Texas, the third weekend in September, 2006. The Consultation will be hosted by Tarrytown UMC (www.tarrytownumc.org).

Third Annual Meeting

The third Annual Meeting of the Methodist Church of Honduras was again held in December, 2005 with Bishop Elías Galván presiding. The Annual Meeting, similar to an Annual Conference, is held each year for the pastors, candidates for ministry and other officials of the United Methodist Mission Church of Honduras to report on their progress over the course of the year.

Pastors, candidates for ministry, and delegates from all twelve congregations attended the meeting. Speakers during the meeting included Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon, the Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Global Missions; Roberto Pena, Superintendent of the Mission Church; and Bishop Elías Galván, Bishop of the Mission Church. Bishop Galván described the meeting, saying "The Third Annual Meeting of the Honduras Mission was held in the midst of much excitement, active participation of the members, joyful celebrations, and meaningful and moving worship services. The assembly received the reports of the ministry that took place in the past year with deep gratitude and made plans for the coming year with great anticipation. Among the many highlights were the recognition of special ministries of specific congregations and the academic accomplishments of the Pastors and Candidates for Ministry." He also expressed a sense of anticipation for the upcoming consecration of new Local Pastors in February: "This will be the first time that the Mission consecrates its Local Pastors. "

During the meeting, representatives from each of the churches gave reports on the income of the churches and church properties. The meeting also included presentations and prayers for candidates for ministry and seminary student Jorge Rodriguez, who has completed his studies in Costa Rica; and testimonies from Ana Ruth Garcia, who just received her certificate of theological science, and Alba Lagos, the lay pastor at La Jagua who has attained her Batchelor's degree. Henry Clines gave a presentation about Becas con Benediciones; and Rev Doralbis Hidalgo announced a new partnership between the Honduras Mission Church with the Desert Southwest Conference in the United States.

The meeting concluded on Thursday, December 8th, with a nominations and approvals of committee members for the national church. Three new pastoral appointments were also made: Maria de la Cruz (Cruzita) was appointed to San Jose de la Vega; Ana Ruth Garcia was appointed to Talanga Central and 10 de Septiembre; and Jorge Rodriquez was appointed to begin a new congregation in Siguatepeque.

Sierra Service Project

Over the past three years, UMVIM and the Sierra Service Project (SSP), a United Methodist-affiliated youth ministry organization, have forged a unique partnership in Honduras. This partnership has resulted in sending over 30 American teenagers to the community of Fuerzas Unidas, where they have built six houses!

SSP’s Honduras program began in 2003, when its first team spent two weeks working building two homes in Fuerzas Unidas. In 2006, three teams will be sent to Honduras —one to La Jagua and two to Fuerzas Unidas. SSP’s Honduras project is open to any high school junior or senior. Prior mission project experience is required. Each team of 12 is headed up by an experienced leader and SSP staff person. For more information, go to www.sierraserviceproject.org or email Rick Eaton at rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org.

Becas con Benediciones

The Becas con Benediciones (Scholarships with Blessings) program provides funding for children to go to school when they might otherwise be forced to discontinue their education for financial reasons. This is a ministry that will impact these children for their entire lives. It provides 100% of the cost associated with sending a child to school. In addition to financial support, students will receive mentoring and prayer support from members of the local churches. Students will have to maintain at least 75 percent achievement to remain in the program.

The total cost for an annual scholarship is $100 per student. The number of scholarships the program can provide is depends on the amount of funds received. Program sponsorers will receive a picture of child or children they are sponsoring as well as other information during the year. The new school year starts the first of February. Commitments for 50 children have already been received. The goal for this year is 150. To receive an application or additional information, e-mail clinesh@aol.com.

Bishop Elias Galvan addresses the Annual Meeting.

Bishop Galván recognizes the achievement of Alba Lagos, a lay pastor who recently finished her Bachelor's degree.

The Candidates for Ministry at the Annual Meeting.

Students learning English at Talanga Central.

Volunteers working with rebar at Subirana.

A pastoral visit to La Jagua.