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Jan 3-14, 2005--To Mt. Hebron, Honduras
Members of the team: Nancy and Wilbur Fritz, Don and Cindy Kane, Nelson Dice, Marcie Hummer and Ruth Kirkpatrick
Report by Cindy Kane
I would like to tell you what I thought, until a few weeks ago, would be the conclusion to a success story from my mission trip last year. However, as often happens things don’t turn out quite the way you envisioned them. I am reminded of something God said to His people long ago through the prophet Isaiah in chapter 55 verses 8 and 9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” In God’s infinite wisdom, He only reveals small portions of His plan to us, knowing that our minds could not conceive “His big plan”. If I had known last year when I started the sewing school project what I now know, I would have been overwhelmed and discouraged and probably would not have even thought it possible. Even now, having had the next step revealed to me, a whole year later, I find I am discouraged and overwhelmed. Let’s back up a little to the beginning of this story.
As most of you know by now, I was given the great privilege to be used of God as a means of finding sewing school sponsors for 15 women in Mt. Hebron. I returned to Honduras one year later to bring that to a conclusion with a graduation ceremony for those who completed the course.
All 15 girls did complete the 10 months of schooling. For this accomplishment they received a sewing machine as promised and a certificate displaying their sponsor’s picture and a note of congratulations. They also received a diploma from their teacher Maria for completion of Level I.
The ceremony was very nice with the students participating. Oneida gave a testimony of gratitude to God and her sponsor and than sang a song for us. Doris, one of the few who can read, read a portion of Scripture. Lydia led us in prayer. And Sonia also gave a testimony to her love and gratitude to God. Then Nancy Fritz gave a brief talk about how some fabrics are easy to work with and some are more contrary, while others are slippery and still others are tough. She said, “We are like fabric in God’s hands. He wants to make us into a beautiful useful garment.” And concluded by asking, “ Which kind of fabric are you like?” It was something that each woman there could relate to. And then as we called out their names each one came and received her certificate and diploma and went to stand by the sewing machine with her name on it. Next, Don closed with a prayer of thanksgiving. It was a joyous celebration indeed.
The change in these women from last year till this year is remarkable. Their behavior and manners are so improved; their whole countenance has been changed. Their faces radiate hope and confidence. Their spiritual growth was also very apparent. What a blessing it was to see their smiling faces.
Before the celebration began, Maria confided in me that the women, since they are illiterate, were struggling to learn any more then the basics. “It is very difficult to teach someone who cannot read or write. They have learned much, but there is still much for them to learn and they all want to continue with the classes. Could you please sponsor them for another year?”, she asked. How does one answer that question for 14 other people back home? Then I remembered the Bible verse I had printed on each of their certificates… Philippines 1:6 “ Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I knew then that we would have to see this through to completion. So I told Maria we would continue the sponsorship, being confident that the Lord would carry it to completion for me.
Later Maria told me that there are 17 more women in a different village about 1½ hours away from Le Ceiba, that would like to take part in this program also. So if you would like to be a part of this blessing there are always more women that need our help to change their world. The cost of sponsorship is still $30.00 a month and $30.00 for the beginning supplies. Like the women of Mt. Hebron, they are not eligible for any government programs because they are illiterate. Sewing school would be their only chance to learn a life changing skill. Not only does it give them a skill but also it brings hope and meaning to their life. Since Maria also teaches Bible during these classes, it is also an excellent opportunity for them to come to know Jesus as their Lord and grow in their faith. Like the women at Mt. Hebron, it will probably take 20 months to teach them what they must learn in order to be employable.
We have seen first hand what a difference this school has made in the lives of the women. They are still poor, uneducated, unemployed, and hungry but they are full of hope and confidence that someday all that will change. Thank you in advance for whatever you can do. Please call today (717-677-6004) or send a check made out to “Herald of Faith” (Cindy Kane, 551 Nawakwa Road, Biglerville, PA 17307) if you can help in any way.
So you see, the plan is much larger than I first anticipated. It will require much more time, much more commitment, more energy, more speaking opportunities, more faith and more perseverance on my part and on the part of each woman and each sponsor. It can become overwhelming and discouraging but I know it is a part of God’s much larger plan and as a fellow Christian put it in perspective for me when he said, “It’s not really that important that these women get a job or learn a skill. They are learning about Jesus and his love for them. What’s important is that someday they will be walking the streets of gold with us and Jesus.” Yes, it is a success story after all!!!
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