Heart to Honduras tries to direct all of the social work it does through the local church. We do not believe that one should exist without the other. The church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world. For us to simply preach the Gospel of Jesus and ignore the physical needs would not follow what Jesus modeled when He walked on the earth. At the same time if all we do is take care of physical needs, we are missing the point of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The church is called to bring both physical ...
While our closets are often overflowing with clothes, many of the Hondurans we serve only have one or two sets of clothing. It is not uncommon to see children with no shoes or sandals. In the past we often gave used clothing through the women's ministry. However, the Honduran government is now restricting the import of clothing in an effort to boost the textile industry. Although we can no longer bring in large quantities of clothing, we still distribute clothing left by Ministry Teams. This of course has not changed the need. We have begun to address this issue through the local church by ...
Jesus spent a lot of time taking care of hungry people. He fed thousands of people when they followed Him. He spent quite a few evenings at dinner with friends and others that invited Him. He understood the powerful connection that is made when we break bread together. HTH Founder Charlie Smith knew the importance of feeding people, but he also came to understand the greater good of creating community by eating together. It is not by chance that the dining hall is the center of life in Canchias. Beyond feeding people, Heart to Honduras wants to help them learn how ...
No one wants to live in a cardboard box or under a plastic tarp, but many people in Honduras have no other choice. The houses that people live in consistently fail to meet any health standard. They often have dirt floors, no screens in the windows, leaky roofs, poor ventilation and inadequate restroom, shower and wash facilities. While a house in Honduras costs much less than in the United States, it is still beyond the means of many people. Over the past few years we have addressed that need by building what we call ministry (widows) houses. These small, inexpensive houses provide ...
The World Health Organization (WHO) states health is “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” but expands its definition to assert that health is a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” ( www.who.org ). Heart to Honduras chooses to add this spiritual dimension of health as the core, the nucleus of health. The other dimensions cling to the spiritual dimension while at the same time, merging and fusing with each other, composing the whole of health for every person. The concept of holism – all parts make up the whole – applies not only to health dimensions of an ...
May 12
14
Dear HTH Partner,
I write to you today with great JOY! I recently returned from Honduras where our HTH Board met for several days. We were elated to hear our Honduran leaders share the incredible progress made this past year. We have talked a lot about creating a sustainable ministry – one that is less dependent on North America – and more and more led by (and supported by) our Honduran brothers and sisters. We heard and saw great evidence of this taking place. It was a very JOYFUL meeting!
Pastor Fredy Martínez is one of our key leaders in Honduras and a great example of the transformation taking place among our leaders. He is now serving as our Community Development Director for the ministry in Honduras, as well as serving as pastor of the church in La Concepción. Fredy knows that Heart to Honduras began when Charlie Smith started working in Honduras in the 1980′s to develop a “model village.” Fredy is passionate about helping develop more model villages through Kingdom community development (clean water, better schools, healthcare, etc., etc.). He is giving his life to see this happen in his village of La Concepción and in others. Like Charlie, Fredy also understands that Kingdom work in community is done best through the local church. Fredy has often said, “A model village needs a model church!” The church is the hope of the world today as we proclaim Christ through word and deed! Through the church in La Concepcion Fredy is doing exactly that by:
• Partnering with Compassion International to serve almost 200 children in La Concepción (food, training, teaching Christ)
• Partnering with his sister church to develop a chicken and egg project to create jobs, provide eggs at a reasonable cost, and model this projects for others to create their own small businesses
• Starting a new church in a very poor village, El Olvido, with members of the La Concepción church providing initial leadership, encouragement and guidance
• Helping with a major water project in the remote village of Caliche with partners from North America and a huge amount of contribution from the Caliche church and community (this is a HUGE project with huge implications for community health)
• Building a eight-room school facility in La Concepción with funds largely coming from women who meet regularly to make and sell enchiladas.
• Developing additional local projects without requesting any financial support from North America.
When you give to Heart to Honduras you can feel even greater JOY, because you know that our leaders in Honduras are learning ways to contribute more and more to our work together. Does that mean that our contribution is needed less? Oh, no! It just means that your contribution goes farther and farther in accomplishing great things! There are many more lives to reach, more villages untouched, more children who have no medical care, little educational opportunity, inadequate nutrition…so many who know neither the Lord nor His love through the compassionate deeds of His people. So, yes, you are very much needed and appreciated! Let’s REJOICE in knowing our contributions are now multiplied and stretched farther and farther for the Kingdom!
Thank you,
Gordon Garrett, President
May 12
14
It is always interesting when a group member figures out why God had them on the trip:
A 97 year old lady was brought into the clinic by her daughter. The daughter wanted the doctor to help her mother who is in failing health. In talking to the mother he discoverd that she felt she was ready to die and not scared. She knew the Lord and just wanted her daughter to have the same peace she had about it she did. He shared with her out of his experience and affirmed her on her peace and acceptance of this. He shared with the daughter as well and while she is not ready yet, he was able to encourage her to be at peace with her mothers feelings. They cried and prayed and the mother thanked him profusely for his words.
Now what is so amazing.
Dr. David is a retired General Practitioner and was part of the Liberty Presbyterian Church Medical team. One day last week the team held a clinic in Los Globos where they saw 95 patients. The doctor speaks fluent spanish and worked for 20 years as a Hospice doctor. Isn’t it amazing how God works. He brings a doctor with the ability to truly communicate and understand a 97 year old lady’s situation to the small village of Los Globos at the right time in her life. He also makes sure that this lady sees this doctor and no one else. God is so good and He is always working to bring us just what we need when we need it. Even if he has to bring that answer over 2000 miles by air and 4 hours more by truck to a remote mountain village. “His eye is on the Sparrow and I know he watches me.”
May 12
8
Saturday I traveled with Luis to Ocote to discuss his new Sister Church. I and Luis felt led to stop along the lake and buy Tilapia from a road side stand for the pastor. He was thrilled. He said that the night before he had a dream that he was with CPH staff at a restaurant and they gave him a present. When he opened it there were Tilapia in it. He said we were the answer to that dream. When I gave him the bag of fish his eyes lit up and he took it and showed it to the men near the church. He had told them about the dream that morning before we arrived. By the way he didn’t even know we were going to be there till about 1 hour before we arrived. It’s nice to be used by God. We ended our time praying for his wife who he was taking to the hospital in Santa Barbara with sever stomach pains.

Sunday Morning Leo and I left Canchias at 6 and drove to San Isidro. On the way we saw and photographed a Toucan (Collared Aracari to be specific.)
Apr 12
17
Faithful Prayer Partners,
THANK YOU for praying.
We come together now, before the throne:
“Father, we are so grateful for good, productive HTH Board Meetings in Honduras this past week. Thank You for the clear path and the strong unity You provided as plans were discussed for the future of this ministry! We thank You for the common refrain of the meetings: This is a new day for Heart to Honduras! Thank You for the incredible progress made by our Honduras leaders toward a more sustainable ministry. Thank You for opportunities to establish a stronger financial foundation for the future.
Thank You that Kaleb and Stacey Eldridge have moved into their new house in Las Lomitas, Honduras, to learn how we can better partner in community development in poorer communities. They have asked for Your wisdom as they live, learn and work together with this village. Please pour out Your wisdom on them, as well as Your protection and provision in every area. We pray for Pastor Fredy Martinez, as he serves as our Community Development Director in Honduras. May many communities, families, and lives be transformed by Your presence through Your servants.
We ask for wisdom for Pastor Walter as he continues to lead the ministry in Honduras. How we thank You for this man and his great heart for You and Your work. We pray for our staff team and pastors in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Lord, may this New Day for our ministry result in Kingdom work, empowered churches, and Christ-centered families and individuals who experience Your transforming presence in their lives and in their service for You and others. We thank You that Pastor Walter has secured a doctor for our Canchias Clinic (at no charge!) from a hospital in Honduras. Use this man to do Your work for Your glory.
We also pray for Sue Longland as she looks forward to her wedding on May 12. Bless her and Danny richly! Bless HTH as we interview and seek a person to fill the role Sue has so capably served in recent years. We pray for Cindy Penhorwood, who will be spending extended time in Honduras and ask for Your Spirit to use her in many ways – as she serves in the Canchias Clinic, as North American Ministry Team Advocate, and helping in the San Isidro office.
We continue to seek Your hand of provision in regards to the squatters camping out at the HTH agricultural property in Canchias, and in regards to the environmental permit we desire so much for our camp at Lake Yure.
Father, You are our Shepherd. We are Your sheep. Guide us, feed us, protect us, and help us to submit to Your care. We love You and trust You.” AMEN.
Apr 12
11
We are excited to announce a new sister church partnership…
Waters Edge Church (Virginia Beach, VA) has partnered with Pastor Daniel and the Ocote, Honduras church congregation! We welcome you and will be praying for both congregations.
Apr 12
5
Job Responsibilities Overview:
Qualifications:
If you are interested in this full-time position at Heart to Honduras office in Xenia, Ohio, please contact Matt Garrett:
Heart to Honduras
1180 Wesley Avenue
Xenia, Ohio 45385
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday
[P] 937.372.3503 [F] 937.372.6318
mgarrett@hth.org