Lifeline's History in Honduras

Lifeline in Honduras
An opportunity to expand Lifeline’s work into a second country came in 1986 near San Pedro Sula, Honduras. During a survey trip, the need on the Meredon Mountain, above the city, became apparent. A small, one room government school, located at Laguna de Tembladeras, was housing 110 students with only one teacher and no books, uniforms or feeding program. It was discovered that the teacher was a Christian and welcomed any help Lifeline could give.

After research, it was determined that the government of Honduras would agree to Lifeline aiding in the restoration of the school program. An additional teacher was hired, a school lunch program providing food was implemented, and school uniforms, books and supplies were purchased. Bible classes began under the direction of the second teacher who was also a Christian. The Lovelink Child Sponsorship Program was enlarged to include all 110 children at Laguna de Tembladeras.

In August 1986, Dean Cary, a well-known Christian church missionary and past President of Colegio Biblico in Eagle Pass, Texas, was approached to work with Lifeline in Honduras. Dean was the ideal person to represent Lifeline in this Spanish speaking country due to his background in missions, his command of the language and his teaching experience. God provided the funds needed for Dean’s ministry and he began working in Honduras. Dean’s ministries included working with and overseeing the schools, a radio ministry and personal and group evangelism. Radio programs broadcasted four times daily to a Christian listening audience of over 750,000 people.

In 1989, Lifeline made it possible for some of the primary school graduates at Laguna de Tembladeras to begin attending the San Pedro Sula Jr. High School. Through our “Plan Basico Program”, Dean arranged for eight students to be housed in a Christian boarding home while attending school during the school year and return to the mountain during school break (November through January). Dean was also instrumental in providing the opportunity for several of the young Christians from the church on the Meredon Mountain to attend Colegio Biblico, a Spanish speaking Bible college in the United States.

In February 1992, Lifeline began another church and Christian school in Colony Gonzales, a poverty stricken area near San Pedro Sula. These are the poorest of the poor in Honduras and Lifeline has provided the children with education, Christian training, food, clothing and medical care. All major developments of church and school facilities was began and is now complete at this colony.

In 1994 our dream to begin a complex in another colony became a reality. The government of Honduras provided us with nearly six acres of land in a colony named Ocotillo in which to duplicate the model of Colony Gonzales. The spiritual work in this community began with church meetings and a small school. In 1995 construction of classrooms, a kitchen, storage building and a clinic has the Lord well on His way at making an impact in Ocotillo.

In 1997 Joel Augustus joined Lifeline as Honduran Business Administrator. He and his wife, Janny (a Honduran national) graduated from Kentucky Christian College, Grayson, Kentucky, cum laude and have served in Honduras since September 1997. They continue to be the backbone of the work there and see that everything gets done on a day-to-day basis. Janny is Lifeline’s Lovelink Field Coordinator for Honduras and is responsible to coordinate and provide all materials relating to the child sponsorship program, such as biographical and measurement information, photos, colorings, correspondence between child and sponsor and much more. Joel handles all of the other aspects of Lifeline’s work there.

In 1999 Cliff and Connie Allen, retirees, joined Lifeline as volunteer, part-time Laborlink Work Team Coordinators, hosting and leading work teams. Cliff & Connie host hundreds of work team members each year and do so without compensation or reward. This same year, Amable Rivera became the minister of the Gonzales Christian Church. Amable, a Honduran national, is a graduate of Colegio Biblico, the Christian Church Spanish speaking Bible College in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Also, in 1999, Lifeline’s medical work in Honduras took off. With the addition of 2 Honduran physicians, nurses and a dentist, the children in Lifeline’s schools are getting cared for first, and then people of the community second. A new birthing wing of the clinic opened at Colony Ocotillo in June 2003

Throughout all of Lifeline’s presence in Honduras, Lifeline had no main “headquarters” in Honduras. In early 2000, Lifeline was able to purchase almost 5 acres of land near Colony Ocotillo to begin a central compound that includes a large dorm for visiting work teams, housing for staff, a shop, garage and other buildings to support the compound, as well as providing a camp atmosphere for school and church retreats. In December of 1999, due to health reasons Dean Cary was no longer able to minister with Lifeline. The new headquarters in Honduras has been dedicated to Christ Jesus and named in honor of Dean Cary. It is affectionately called CaryHill!

In the fall of 2002 Antonio Orellano, a graduate of Colegio Biblico, Eagle Pass, Texas, and his wife Maya and their two sons joined Lifeline’s team, ministering at the Ocotillo Christian Church.

Through the dedicated staff members, the financial gifts and prayers of supporters, Lifeline’s Honduras work is growing and bearing much fruit for Christ.

Country of Honduras

GEOGRAPHY

Honduras holds the regrettable distinction of being the poorest of the Central American countries. Honduras is the second largest country in Central America occupying 43,277 square miles. It shares common borders with Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It is a mountainous country and the climate is tropical with the mean temperature being 80 degrees. Honduras was once part of the great empire of the Maya, who built a civilization that flourished and then declined centuries before the Europeans arrived. Honduras is one of the leading producers of bananas, which is its most important export. Honduras also exports coffee, shrimp, lobster, lumber, meat, sugar and petroleum products. Major imports include machinery, vehicles, chemicals, fuels and manufactured goods and food. Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras while San Pedro Sula is considered to be the industrial capital. Total population is an estimated 5.6 million people. Hispanic peoples comprise most of the population with the primary language being Spanish.

POLITICAL HISTORY

Honduras was governed by Spain for a large part of its history. In 1821 Honduras declared its independence from Spain and for a few months joined with Mexico. In 1824, all of Central America broke away from Mexico and formed a union known as the United Provinces of Central America. Due to political rivalries, the United Provinces fell apart and on November 5, 1838 Honduras became a separate republic. The new nation was torn by conflict. During most of the 19^th and early 20^th century the rulers were mostly dictators with little concern for the mass of Honduran people. The army often dictated who would hold office in Honduras. Between 1957 and 1982 the country had only two civilian presidents and both were forced out of office by the military. An assembly amended the constitution in 1982. The country is now a republic headed by a president, who is elected directly by the people for a 4-year term. This president may serve only one term.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY

The majority of the population consider themselves Catholic although many are not actively involved religious practitioners. The remaining population is affiliated with "other" religions.