Dear Family and Friends,
As many are aware, Honduras has suffered great devastation from back to-back Hurricanes (Eta and Iota) in less than a month. Below are some images of the disastrous scene in different regions of the country. The damage includes, collapsed houses, tremendous flooding, impassable roads, ruined harvest fields, displaced people, and worst of all, lost lives. We thank the Lord that we at MEDA have not suffered any damage.
In our last email to you, we began a fund-raising drive to help mobilize a relief effort of those affected by Hurricane Eta. In God’s good providence, many of you responded in such a generous way for which we are so grateful. We were able to distribute the funds in a timely manner to 9 different pastors that directed the relief effort that helped families in hard hit regions. This was an immense blessing!
Now we find ourselves in the same situation after Hurricane Iota’s devastating blow. Because of early warnings of Iota’s pending danger, many people were able to evacuate to safe ground. We praise the Lord that this has greatly reduced the loss of lives. However, much material damage has taken place due to strong winds, mudslides and flooding. Many people have lost all their belongings.
As Iota was entering Honduras, we conducted several Zoom calls with our students and graduates to get updates on their situation as well as spend time in prayer. This was a special time of encouragement.
We at MEDA will again be proactive to help in a relief effort for those affected. We will implement the same plan of action. Here is our strategy:
Continue the drive to raise funds.
Identify hard-hit regions in the country.
Contact trustworthy pastors in these regions who are students or graduates of SEPE, MEDA’s seminary.
Converse with them to help us assess the damage.
Based on this conversation and what has been already donated, set apart funds for them to mobilize a concerted relief effort to help affected families in their churches as well as families in their communities. Funds can also be used to help restore affected church buildings.
The extent of damage in Honduras is enormous, so, obviously, we will not be able to help everyone. But we believe that this strategy that focuses on our seminary men is a very effective way to help many people in crisis. Here are the reasons why:
The pastors are on ground zero and have a first-hand understanding of the need.
They can mobilize groups of people to implement an effective relief effort.
They are helping their precious sheep from their church. This is what body life is all about – helping one another.
In the community, they are in a position to proclaim the greatest message of hope to a people who must recognize that their greatest need is not material but spiritual.
They are trustworthy men. They give account of their use of the funds by sending us information regarding the number of families helped as well as sending us pictures of their relief effort.
We have not set a certain goal amount for the fund drive. We are simply letting the need be known and, whatever we receive, we distribute it proportionately mainly based on the severity of the region’s damage as communicated by the pastor.
It would be a tremendous blessing if you or your church can get involved! I believe God is using this to strengthen the church in Honduras as well as bring lost souls to Him.
If you or your church have a desire to give to this relief effort, Here’s how:
As before, we have partnered with our affiliate board in Florida called, Exalting Christ in Honduras (ECH) to streamline the fund-raising process.
You can make out a check to “Exalting Christ in Honduras” and send it to:
Exalting Christ in Honduras
2326 S. Parsons Ave.
Seffner, FL 33584
PLEASE mark clearly with your donation that this gift is for the HURRICANE RELIEF FUND so that we can make sure that it goes to this specific cause. In addition, you can give easily via SQUARE by pressing HERE or the button below which will link you to the donation site for “Exalting Christ in Honduras.” Donations made through this link on SQUARE will automatically go to the HURRICANE RELIEF FUND.
Please feel free to forward this email to whomever might be interested in giving. Your donations will help rebuild a devastated country!
We thank you for considering this need in this time of crisis and, most of all, PLEASE continue pray for Honduras!!
Working together with Christ-like compassion,
Carlos Montoya
President, MEDA/SEPE
Siguatepeque, Comayagua
Honduras