Bodega Prep: Organizing for the Backpack Container

Organizing the bodega for the arrival of the backpack container is a lot like getting your pantry in order after a Costco haul. Imagine you’ve somehow ended up with 72 cans of creamed corn (don’t ask why!). You wouldn’t stack those in front of the 18 cans you already have, right? No, you’d push the older cans forward and tuck the new ones in behind them. It’s just good pantry sense. And while this metaphor doesn’t quite explain your creamed corn obsession, it’s the perfect analogy for what’s happening now at Sowers4Pastors.

The bodega is being prepped for the upcoming shipment of backpacks that will arrive in a couple of months, and it’s a dusty place (because, well, Honduras). Over the course of several days, a team of 8-10 people will be busy moving things around, taking inventory, and making sure everything is ready for those backpack boxes. And yes, the dust will be a challenge, but nothing a few brooms and dust rags can’t handle!

But here’s where things get tricky. In previous years, the ministry would bring down boxes of shoes from the States, and it’s not as simple as hitting up Amazon for exactly the right sizes. It's more like ordering for a whole shoe store. You get a range of sizes in each set, but S4P tends to need a whole lot of size 4 shoes for girls and size 6 for boys. That leaves them with extra-large and extra-small sizes that aren’t in high demand.

So, instead of repeating this cycle and ending up with stacks of shoes in sizes no one needs, S4P has teamed up with a local cobbler to custom make the sizes they’re short on. The cobbler recently visited the bodega to check out the current shoe inventory. His shoes are top quality, and while they cost a little more per pair, it’s more cost-effective than being stuck with a bunch of shoes that don’t fit anyone.

And just like with the shoes, the older stock gets pushed to the front while the new shoes coming in will be organized in the back.

It’s not just shoes, either. The bodega also has some supply of clothing, baby dolls, soccer balls, and other toys that need to be organized. So, there’s plenty of heavy lifting and strategic arranging ahead for the team. They’re working hard to make room for all the new boxes and still keep everything accessible for distribution.

On top of all that, the bodega is also home to the solar energy system that powers Kirstin’s house and the office. Allen is planning to rework the system to connect to Brandy and Rachel’s new home, which is still under construction. When a friend from the States comes next month to help with the electrical work, the team will need to have a clear space for him to get to work.

In the meantime, please pray for the safe and timely arrival of the container and for the paperwork to go through smoothly. Pray that there are no delays caused by dock worker strikes or hurricanes! S4P is hoping to get the container with backpacks shipped before the holidays, with a food container scheduled for the beginning of the year.

 - posted by Christi

Backpacks, Backpacks ! And a Smooth Collection Trip

It's time to talk about this year’s backpack collection trip!

This year’s trip was completed thanks to the efforts of Sowers4Pastors staff members Kirstin, Esdras, and Mary Faith, with a helping hand from J.R., a pastor from Life Community Church in Ohio (one of the sister churches). J.R. traveled from Ohio to Maryland to lend a hand and just flew back home last night. Esdras and Mary Faith were part of the collection journey from Mississippi to Florida to Maryland, while Kirstin is still in the States, gearing up for one last speaking engagement at an AWANA program tonight.

Now, this is usually the part where we share the dramatic side of the trip — outrunning hurricanes, or a Penske rental truck getting a flat tire. But this year? Well, let’s just say, the most "dramatic" moment came when a rental truck got a little lost for a bit. According to Kirstin, “Nothing bad happened!” — we’re calling that a win!

Though we don't have official backpack collection numbers yet, we’ll be sure to let you know once every last backpack has been counted.

In the meantime, there are a few prayer requests we’d love your help with as we prepare for the next phase:

The port workers strike along the East Coast of the U.S. is affecting shipments. Although the strike has been delayed, it can still affect future shipments.

Pray for no problems with getting the duty-free shipping from the Honduran government.

Pray for safe shipment, arrival, and release of the containers, which can sometimes face challenges at customs in Honduras.

Last year, you may recall, one of our containers was unpacked by officials, leading to some personal items going missing. We’re praying this year goes smoothly and that everything arrives safe, sound, and on time.

From Rachel: "The first backpack distribution team is scheduled to come to Honduras to help pass out backpacks at the end of January. Ideally, we like to ship the container at the end of October, which gets the containers to Honduras by early December, giving us enough time to prepare for distribution. If they arrive by early January, we’ll be fine. Even mid-January should work. But after that, we might run into a situation where our team shows up, and…no backpacks!"

So, let’s get to praying, all you backpack enthusiasts! The kids are counting on these backpacks!

 - posted by Christi

A Clearer Future: How 25 Children are Seeing the World Anew

Thanks to a visiting medical team, the follow-up work of Sowers4Pastors and the generosity of a dedicated eye doctor, 25 children from remote communities will soon be seeing the world in a whole new light — literally!

It all began in June when Monica Lederman’s medical team offered eye exams to local children. During their assessments, they discovered that some kids needed more specialized exams than they could provide at the time. Fast forward to mid-September, and S4P staff stepped in, taking those children and their parents to Gracias for follow-up appointments with a local eye doctor, Dr. Misael.

What happened next was a beautiful act of kindness. Dr. Misael didn’t just perform the exams — he did it for free! His reasoning? If Sowers4Pastors was serving these families at no cost, then he wanted to do the same. And he didn’t stop there. Dr. Misael is now working to find the best prices for high-quality eyeglasses, ensuring these kids get the clear vision they need without placing a financial burden.

The children are dealing with various vision issues, ranging from severe nearsightedness and farsightedness to color blindness. Many have also been struggling with painful symptoms like migraines, burning eyes, and irritation. For some, this has even made reading a challenge. Now, they finally know why!

For the parents, this was a revelation. Vision problems often go unnoticed in the remote villages Sowers4Pastors serves, and Alejandro shared that a few of the kids had "big, big, big problems!" Their struggles in school weren’t a lack of ability — they simply couldn’t see what was being taught.

Alejandro expressed his excitement, saying, “This treatment is going to transform these kids’ lives. With these issues resolved, they’ll have so many more opportunities. It’s been a great week! You can already see the relief on their faces, and all of this is possible because the medical team recognized their need.”

 

Thanks to the combined efforts of the visiting medical team, Dr. Misael, and the staff at Sowers4Pastors, these 25 children are on the path to clearer vision and brighter futures.

 - posted by Christi

Sadly Saying "Farewell" to Esdras

This blog post should probably come with a warning. So, please go ahead and prepare yourself to be moved. Today, we’re hearing from Esdras. He did a beautiful job sharing his thoughts during a phone call. As it turns out, he had already written out his thoughts to be sure to get through everything without crying. 

Esdras sent over his written statement after our talk. Rather than rewrite what he said, let’s hear from the man himself: 

It has been almost 3 years since God's fidelity has dazzled like a beacon of light in the middle of a garden.

 

How did you get there? 

Something amazing about God's fidelity is knowing how I got to the Sowers4Pastors ministry, having no immediate connection, despite having lived in the same city with many of the staff members. However, God was already prepared to meet Him (there) later. Two years before arriving at Sowers4Pastors, I served as a pastor in a city near Gracias Lempira called La Esperanza, I worked by establishing the youth group, a children's program with sequential lessons for a whole year, forming the worship team, etc. But after two years the work in this church was self-sustainable. It was there that my prayer to God was: “What do you want me to do, Lord? Give me a chance to serve you even more.” And it was after a prayer that I received the call. Yes, Rachel Sowers was on the phone calling and looking for someone to serve with them. That was an answered prayer.

What did you do for the ministry?

Sowers4pastors has been a wonderful experience, and I am sure that I have learned much more than I have been able to teach – serving the children, taking the Gospel to the most remote mountains around Gracias Lempira. I learned to develop different programs– motorcycles and how to take this valuable resource to the hands of a needy shepherd. Also developing feeding centers for all children, celebrating children's days, and bringing happiness to all the children of our programs with the backpack season and Vacation Bible School weeks. It has been a time of a lot of learning.

What are you taking (with you)?

It is never easy to say goodbye, but this is the right time for me. I carry with me all the beautiful experiences lived in this ministry, the sincere and pure love of the staff and all those friendships that I have made here through each missionary team. To all the sister churches, I can only say thank you for making all this possible, God bless you even more.

Why are you leaving?

 

God has been faithful, and allowed me to meet a wonderful girl, who shows the character of Christ in her life. I met her two years ago during a missionary trip of the EAC church in Florida. We met, we continued talking, and I fell deeply in love. And as a result of that love, we have decided to get married.

At the beginning of our relationship, the decision was clear, one of us would have to give in. We prayed a lot to know our destiny. I will be moving to the United States to start this new stage. Are you scared? Maybe a little. It's a big change, a different culture. But in God is our trust he has been faithful, his word says that he will continue to do it. 

What's next?

Everyone asks me, “Will you never go back to Honduras again?” I don't see it that way. This step is one more step to be able to follow God's call to my life and I hope and trust that one day I will return with my wife and our family.

Once again, God has been faithful. We will move to continue working on God's work as much as possible, in the city of Jacksonville to grow and serve in the local church. I pray for all your prayers, for me and my future wife.

To all those with whom I shared in this ministry, I want to tell you that I love you in the Lord, thank you for always bringing joy to all children. You have a place kept in my heart and in my prayers for you. Thank you Sowers4pastor and thank you sister churches.

Note from Christi: Her name is Audrey. Esdras will be leaving on November 19th, shortly before Thanksgiving. He chose that time to allow him to spend Thanksgiving with Audrey and her family. The wedding is scheduled for December 6th. Please hold Esdras and Audrey in your prayers. We know this is not goodbye. 

 - posted by Christi

P.S. - (Can a blog post actually have a P.S.?) Is anyone else hearing Michael W. Smith singing “Friends” in their head? 

Balancing Acts and Big Plans: A Glimpse into Life with Sowers4Pastors

When Rachel and Brandy first decided to move to Gracias, the plan was simple: Rachel would work part-time in the ministry while juggling the demands of motherhood. At the time, Michael was still a baby, and Nathan was a lively four-year-old, so it seemed like a reasonable plan. But, as often happens, God had other plans. Brandy’s move took longer than expected and there were unexpected staff changes in the ministry, so by the time Brandy arrived to start working at S4P, Rachel had already transitioned to working full-time with Sowers4Pastors.

Nathan and Michael hanging out
when it was just the two of them

Since then, their family has grown, with Levi and baby Charlotte now part of the mix. Thankfully, Rachel loves her work. While she sometimes wishes she could be present for every moment with her little ones, she knows she’d also miss the ministry if she stepped back. So, she carefully crafts each day to maximize her time as Mommy while also homeschooling Nathan—a role that demands its own significant time commitment.

Rachel and Brandy's yahoos (August 2024), from left to right:
Charlotte, Levi, Michael, Nathan

Nathan takes his schooling seriously
(at least in this photo)

Currently, Sowers4Pastors is navigating another round of staff changes. Esdras recently made the decision to leave S4P for a different ministry opportunity, and while Allen and Trish are still integral to the ministry, they’re moving toward retirement. Mary Faith is working on transitioning to Honduras, but she will be attending language school before she starts working with the ministry full time. S4P is hoping to hire one or two additional team members by the end of the year.

One of Rachel and Brandy's many challenges:
Levi loves heights and has no fear!

Charlotte doing the best she can to help 
with office work

As Rachel explains, S4P is a medium-sized ministry, which means no one wears just one hat. Each team member needs to be versatile, ready to fill multiple roles. S4P is on the lookout for someone who can handle tasks like writing emails, managing social media, and also working directly in the communities they serve. It’s a tall order, but it’s what the ministry needs.

Then there’s the question of whether to bring on a Honduran or a North American. Each option comes with its own set of pros and cons. Honduran staff members bring a deep understanding of the culture and language, while a North American missionary might need time to learn the ropes, from mastering the language to handling basic tasks like shopping and going to the bank. On the flip side, North American staff often find it easier to deal with Stateside paperwork and to communicate effectively with supporters in the States. Both are invaluable!

Michael is one cool dude

So, how can you help? Glad you asked! First and foremost, please pray that all staffing needs will be met. Next, consider donating to Mary Faith’s support fund. The sooner she can move to Honduras, the sooner the administrative staff will have someone to help lighten their very full load. Please pray that God will soon send the next staff member he has planned for the ministry, whoever that might be. And finally, think about your own call to missions. Whether it’s with Sowers4Pastors or another ministry, if you feel that nudge, don’t let it go to voicemail—answer it!

'"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'" (Matthew 9:38, NLT)

Rachel and Brandy and all their yahoos!
Photo taken August 2024

- posted by Christi

More Help, More Love: Children’s Day 2024

Children’s Day 2024 was an absolute success, made even more special with a little—or rather, a lot—of help from friends. This year, Sowers4Pastors had the incredible support of a 15-member team from CEAD Church in Tegucigalpa, and their presence made all the difference.

Alejandro summed it up well: “It was incredible. The extra help allowed us to do so much more—more songs, more games, more smiles. While one group ran the piñata fun, another group was off playing games with the kids. Last year, it was just the Sowers4Pastors staff, and we pulled it off, but it was pure craziness! This year, we could actually enjoy the moments—there were so many hugs, so much joy, and most importantly, we shared the love of God with the children.”

This year’s Bible message came from Psalm 139:13-14:

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

This verse is also the official verse of the newly named branch of the ministry: Yo Soy (which means I Am). The team shared this powerful message with the kids, encouraging each one of them to say, "I am special. I am created by the Lord. I am a child of God. I am!"

After the Bible lesson, the team gathered the children for prayer, and that’s when something truly beautiful happened. “It was amazing how they came up to us, asking for prayers,” Alejandro said. “Sometimes we adults forget that children have their own struggles, but they do, and we need to listen. We need to ask them what's going on in their lives and show them that no problem is too big or too small to bring to the feet of Jesus.”

Some of the children shared heartbreakingly big concerns: “Pray for my family,” “We don’t always have enough food,” “I don’t know where my uncle is,” “My mom is sick.” The team prayed with each child, reminding them that in every hardship, they can always turn to God in prayer.

By the end of their visits to 24 villages, the team saw joy written all over the children's faces. “This year’s Children’s Day was even better than last year’s,” Alejandro reflected. “With the extra help, we had more time to really connect with the kids. We weren’t just rushing through activities; we were having real conversations. The celebrations spanned from Tuesday to Saturday, and while it was exhausting, it was worth every minute!”

Sowers4Pastors extends a heartfelt thank you to the churches and individuals in the States and in Honduras who made these celebrations possible. Alejandro shared his gratitude: “None of this would have been possible without your prayers, help, and support. We love you. We love every church that partners with us. Please keep praying for us, for the children, and for the schools. We want to keep growing!” He even joked, “Next year, let’s celebrate with 500 more kids if we can!”

- posted by Christi

Building Hope, One Church at a Time

What comes to mind when you picture a church building? Maybe you envision a traditional sanctuary with stained glass windows or a sleek, modern space with a children’s wing that feels like it belongs in Disneyland. You might even recall the old finger game, “Here’s the roof. Here’s the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.” Whatever you imagine, it probably includes a roof and doors—basic features we often take for granted. But in Honduras, a roof, doors, windows, a solid floor, and even bathrooms aren’t always part of the package.

Today, Brandy shares the stories of three Honduran pastors whose churches Sowers4Pastors has partnered with, transforming simple structures into true sanctuaries.

Church #1: Saving a Church on the Brink

Perched on a small mountain in Guacutao, a church building faced a serious threat last year when heavy rains triggered mudslides that began to bury the building. Water also seeped under the church, eroding its foundation. The congregation started building a retaining wall, scraping together what funds they could through donations from the church members and local fundraisers. But with limited resources in a village where everyone's income is low, they only managed to complete about a third of the wall before they decided they needed to reach out to Sowers4Pastors for help.

When S4P saw the situation, they immediately offered funds for materials. Brandy and Rachel expected someone to pick up the money the next day, but within an hour, two church leaders arrived on a motorcycle, ready to save their church. The brothers explained that they had been praying for these funds because their church was at risk of sliding away if they didn’t act fast.

The very next day, Brandy drove by the church and saw the congregation already unloading materials to complete the retaining wall. They weren’t wasting any time!

Church #2: A Faithful Few in Lemanal

In Lemanal, a little church was built with concrete blocks, but it lacked flooring, electricity, and a bathroom. For two years, the congregation relied on a rotating cast of interim pastors, none staying long enough to establish roots. But one woman remained steadfast. Ludiz Gonzáles held the key to the church and was always there, even when no pastor showed up. On those days, she would open the doors and lead the congregation in prayer, urging them to keep faith alive.

The church in Lemanal

Lemanal is a community where many of the men have emigrated to the U.S., leaving few hands to help with building projects. The church has been trying to construct a bathroom for two years, collecting sand from a distant river and digging a hole for the septic tank, but they lacked the manpower and funds to complete the job.

Under Ludiz’s leadership, the children’s ministry has flourished, growing from 10-15 kids to 45. She even started teaching Bible lessons in the local school, and the church is growing in other ways, too. Brandy hadn’t realized the church was without a bathroom until the last VBS program. Moved by the situation, he contacted Lighthouse Church, who agreed to partner with them to finish the project. When Ludiz received the news, she cried tears of joy.

Worship at Lemanal
(Picture taken when the LH team was visiting)

Church #3: Half a Roof, Full of Faith

Near San Pedro Sula, another little church has been under construction for four long years. Pastor José Briones managed to get the walls up, and last year they added half a roof. Yes, you read that right—the congregation has been worshiping under half a roof! Imagine attending service while rain pours in and the wind whips around you.

Pastor José, being from an area four hours away from Gracias, had never heard of Sowers4Pastors, but a mutual contact introduced him to the ministry so he could ask for help. Last week, S4P approved Pastor José's request for assistance, and the congregation didn’t waste any time. The beams are already in place, and the roof is expected to be completed this week. Pastor José sent an emotional audio message to S4P, filled with gratitude. “Thank you” doesn’t seem to cover how much this means to them after all this time.

Help These Pastors Build More Than Walls!

These stories are just a glimpse of the impact S4P’s Church Construction program can have. Please consider donating — every bit helps, and the difference it makes is monumental. It only takes $1200 to complete the typical church roof in a Honduran village.

- posted by Christi