Dear Friends: Warm greetings from Honduras! Oh Come, oh Come Immanuel. We’re writing at the beginning of Advent, a time of waiting and hope, a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate God’s gift and reflect on what this gift means for us. As I hum the familiar song, my mind wanders to the community of Gracias Adios and specifically to Ana Lilian Alberto Gómez, because of the hope that bubbled from her as she spoke about the women’s group she leads. She almost seemed to taste the vegetables that would be harvested from their community garden, even though they had only recently cleared the land. Ana Lilian has hope!!
Oh Come, Oh Come Immanuel.
(Leanne) We’re writing at the beginning of Advent, a time of waiting and hope, a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate God’s gift and reflect on what this gift means for us. As I hum the familiar song, my mind wanders to the community of Gracias Adios and specifically to Ana Lilian Alberto Gómez, because of the hope that bubbled from her as she spoke about the women’s group she leads. She almost seemed to taste the vegetables that would be harvested from their community garden, even though they had only recently cleared the land. Ana Lilian has hope!!
Gracias Adios, in northern Honduras, was settled only four years ago on an abandoned hacienda, through the government’s land reform program. At a lovely 800 meters altitude, the land isn’t the best for farming because very little is level. (#2) Nevertheless, the residents, who were previously landless, seem to think it’s Paradise. They arrived with only a few possessions and made their first dwellings out of plastic tarps. Since then, most have upgraded to small adobe dwellings and look forward to a healthy harvest.
Early on, leaders were elected from among the group to form their version of a town board. With the help of World Renew’s partner, Alfalit, they developed a vision of their future, prioritized elements of the vision, and made a plan for how to get there. Education was a top priority, so when a church group asked how they could support the community, hands down, the residents all agreed that a school would be best. As the two-room school house neared completion, the leaders contacted the Ministry of Education to submit an application for teachers. One teacher, Veronica, was assigned to the 45 students from grades 1-6. The community thinks the world of her because she faithfully travels by motorcycle on the rough roads up to the community and then goes the extra mile for her students.
During my visit, community leaders met in the school to sign an agreement with Alfalit, defining the parameters of their continued partnership over the next several years. Additional projects include a local savings and credit union, as well as adult literacy classes.
They know that Immanuel has already arrived in Gracias Adios.
Another priority for the community was to have potable water to eliminate the arduous task of carrying water from a distance. With Alfalit, studies were done to find the nearest source and calculate what it would take to cap the source and get the water to the community. With that information, Alfalit helped them write a proposal that was presented to the municipality and other possible funding sources. A group of students from King’s Community College contributed to this dream by working with the community on the holding tank. When I was there, the men were working on one of the final steps: digging trenches to lay the main pipe that would connect to the distribution system they had already installed. All the men of the community, divided in three groups, dedicate one day a week to the project. They are very committed to seeing this through to the end – and can almost taste the water as they dig.
Walking through the community, I couldn’t miss the fish pond, dug out by hand. Although they still need to seal the pond and stock it–you guessed it–they speak fondly of the tilapia they’ll be eating.
Although the community members have all worked hard, Gracias Adios is also a community of faith. Along with their homes, they have built two simple churches, Protestant and Roman Catholic, where they gather to praise God for His leading in their community’s progress. They know that Immanuel has already arrived in Gracias Adios.
Some personal highlights of 2012
At the end of January, we purchased a small piece of land in the village of Linaca, about 35 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa. We’ve built a fence around it and planted a few fruit trees. Someday, the Lord willing, we may build a home and retire out there. In the meantime, we enjoy it as a quiet place to go for personal retreats. Recently, we began working on a gazebo with a cistern underneath to hold rain water for the gardens we hope to plant. It has been a joy to watch this project take shape so we can invite friends to enjoy the place with us.
Our vacation plans this summer were changed by the unexpected passing of Caspar’s mother. But before attending the funeral, we were able to enjoy a reunion in Colorado with Leanne’s family. It was especially enjoyable as Reuben and his girlfriend, Malyssa, joined us there.
- At the end of October, the CRC of Honduras, CRWM, and World Renew celebrated their anniversaries, with more than 300 guests. It was a time to praise God for past accomplishments and re- commit ourselves to His service. Wow, could that crowd sing!
- We’re thankful for enthusiastic communities like Gracias Adios, which work steadily toward transformation.
- In early November, there was a greatly-blessed visit by six members of Moline CRC (Michigan) to Mangulile CRC (Olancho).
- Caspar has been traveling a lot within Honduras for regular training seminars throughout the country. He has been blessed with travels without incidents, and we pray that this continues.
- Pray for both Leanne and Caspar as together we seek to be God’s instruments in Honduras, that through us, God may be made known to the people who connect with us.
- Caspar’s father, Aren Geisterfer, was quite ill in October and November. We thank God for his recovery and that he can remain at home for a while yet. Please pray that a current series of tests will help establish the best combination of medications for him.
- We’re excited that an exploratory group from First Highland CRC (Indiana – Leanne’s home church) is planning a visit in February. Please pray that their visit will be blessed like Moline’s. We would love to have more of our supporting churches send small service-learning teams to Honduras, so they can experience our joys and understand the challenges. Pray that God will open opportunities in your church.
- Travel safety for us both!
Leanne Geisterfer
Team Leader
World Renew Honduras
