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A Honduran reporter once said that San Lorenzo was a village forgotten by man and God. Yet God had not forgotten. He used this report to inspire a Honduran priest to reach out to this isolated mountain community of subsistence farmers. Missionary Jeannie Loving went along and began to serve the people in the name of Christ in 2008. A church formed. Jeannie began to dream that this spiritual community would have its own building.
God opened the door for other projects first. Jeannie coordinated construction of a playground and a community center made of ram-packed earth. Several groups began to use this center, including a kindergarten and the new church. Eventually, Jeannie fixed up a simple house so she could be rooted in the lives of the people.
Hunger arising from crop failure is a regular occurrence in San Lorenzo. The villagers raise crops for their families’ daily food, usually without surplus to sell. Jeannie was eager to help them farm successfully. She applied her experience as an organic gardener to train farmers. Jeannie started a demonstration farm where she shows how to develop rich soil through composting. People receive seeds and seedlings.
Jeannie saw the community’s hunger for God, too. She organized Bible studies with the help of fellow Christians gifted in teaching. People have attended those studies enthusiastically. Jeannie says that “their greatest spiritual need is one we all have: to forgive. It is by forgiving that you are forgiven. We need a lot of forgiveness.”
When the Diocese of Honduras approved construction of the church building, Jeannie’s decade-old dream began to be realized. SAMS Missionary and Architect Jack Melvin designed the building with input from the community. Jack shares that Edil, a member of the church and the chief contractor, “is a true craftsman, who puts love into his work.” Construction proceeded quickly in spite of a pause due to the pandemic – and with no electric tools! The priest, Father Victor, who serves three churches, preaches and leads Holy Eucharist every two weeks. Jeannie says “He is very pastoral. He sends all the vestry members daily encouragement, stories, and Bible passages.” Iglesia Santa Maria Magdalena now has its own space in which they can serve the community, thanks to generous Senders who caught the vision God planted in Jeannie’s heart.
SAMS Missionaries Dr. Rusty and The Rev. Tammy Firestone have served in Cochabamba, Bolivia, for nearly two decades. Today, La Trinidad Anglican Church, which Tammy pastored for 10 years, is now under Bolivian leadership. The church actively shares the hope of Christ in word and deed. During months of strict lockdown from the pandemic, small groups have engaged in neighborhood outreach to foster discipleship and care for others. They named the effort “Project Salt.” The small groups have delivered groceries and other essential items to needy neighbors, reminding them – as one elderly woman cried out in joy – that God has not forgotten about them. La Trinidad is living out its mission to be the salt and light of Christ.
Pictured above: Second from right, Rev. Juan Cris is installed as priest at La Trinidad. On the left, Rev. Tammy lifts up the Bolivian pastoral leadership in prayer.
Rev. Tammy shared the Gospel in word and deed at La Trinidad in various capacities for a total of 15 years.
When the pandemic hit, La Trinidad responded by coordinating efforts to deliver groceries to parishioners and neighbors around the city. This was no small feat, as the lockdown was strict and people could only leave home one (assigned) day per week. In this picture, Pastor Juan is getting ready to make a delivery.
Salt Project package recipients
The La Trinidad church family in 2019
In Ambridge, Pa., SAMS has long enjoyed a warm partnership with Trinity School for Ministry (TSM). TSM’s academic buildings are just across and up the street from the SAMS office. SAMS and TSM share an interest in reaching the world with the Gospel through the Anglican church. Recently SAMS Missionary Russ Smith, in Chile, became an adjunct professor of Missions for TSM’s online Spanish Academic Program. Over the summer he taught the class World Mission to eight students from Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Biblical training helps empower Spanish-speaking church leaders for ministry. As the Lord leads, the Gospel inspires them to share the good news globally. Read more about Russ’s ministry training church leaders on page 19 of TSM’s Seed & Harvest magazine.
In conversation, Russ explains that due to history and culture, Latin Americans are uniquely positioned to bring the Gospel to areas of the globe that are difficult for U.S. citizens to enter.
Mobilizing Latin Americans for mission has been a conviction on Russ’s heart for 41 years. His leadership at the Rural Bible Institute in Chile and now his teaching for TSM help fulfill this calling on his life.
Pictured above: A graduation ceremony of Rural Bible Institute students in Chile. Russ Smith is in the top row on the left.
If you find this topic interesting, you may wish to learn more about the Latin American mission movement here.
Missionaries Kerry and Cynthia Buttram recently shared the following Advent resources with their church community, and we would like to share them with you! We pray you will be blessed as we pray together “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Click links below to access PDFs. – Kate Ulrich, Communications Coordinator
For those with children: Family Advent Booklet 2020