Update Hurricanes

December 5, 2020

It has been a most difficult year for us in the USA. As well, it has been devastating to so many other countries around the world including Honduras.

As you aware, Nina and I were unable to travel to Honduras in May due the COVID outbreak and restrictions in our country and in Honduras. As well, we will not be able to travel there in December for same reasons.

For those of you who continue to be sponsors, we want to give you updates. At this time, we are able to continue to get money delivered to your families on a monthly basis in spite of the banks in Honduras becoming more rigid regarding when money can be picked up and distributed by our local volunteers there.

Because of stringent limitations for our people in the villages who are no longer able to leave their homes and work elsewhere, the already extreme poverty has increased substantially. We have made diligent efforts to increase those we are assisting including some of the elderly while still helping the children and their families.  Our volunteers, continue in Dawn, MO David Lantz and Elizabeth Cunningham, along with help from their small but faithful group of volunteers continue to hold garage sales for Honduras1-2 times annually and have been able to increase some assistance monthly and will afford 75 families to have food for Christmas meal.

Nina and I have prepared and sent Christmas gifts once more for the children and their families recently.  Because we have not been able to have a garage sale this year, our primary source of funds to ship the boxes ($185.00 per box) we have had to search to acquire the necessary shipping fees.  However, Christmas packages will be distributed to the children and the families along with their monthly money of December.  Thank you letters from your children, on the other hand, will not be available this time because we are not able to collect. However, we arrange to have their picture taken and it will be forward to you.  Please know the children and their families are most appreciative than ever as resources decrease and need increase.

An issue that has massively compounded the devastation in Honduras recently is the fact that two of the strongest hurricanes in Honduras history. Eta and Iola, have hit the same area within two weeks. The communities have been devastated with multiple days of electrical power outages, excessive rainfall with debilitating mud, contaminated water because of flooding infrastructure destruction of roads and bridges, and exorbitant increase of food prices: (beans, a main stable, have increased by 150% recently.) although our villages have not experienced COVID because of government lock-downs, there is a strong possibility this may not continue.

Outside of non-profit organizations attempting to assist the current

Situation Honduras is no longer receiving any foreign disaster relief from countries including the USA. As you are aware, the long reaching consequences appear to increase daily.  We continue to diligently work for our families in Honduras and are pray fully hopeful better and safer days are ahead for all of us.  Meanwhile, we continue forward as more and larger obstacle continue to loom.  Any additional financial support you might give or any new sponsor you might be able to recruit would be a Blessing.

In closing, we wish you the Blessings of this Holy Season, we pray for your safety and for all you love.  And, always, we continue to work for the peoples of Honduras.  As we are acutely aware, we are all children of the Holy one In the words of Jesus: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  Mathew 25:40.

Sincerely,