After much prayer, Rachel has made the difficult decision to take time off from working in ministry to focus on being a full-time mommy. With the rapid addition of Levi and Charlotte in 2023 and 2024, Rachel and Brandy’s family went from having two kids to having four. This has made it difficult for Rachel to work full time. Perhaps when the children are older God will call Rachel back, but for now her primary focus will be the four beautiful blessings God has given their family.

Brandy and Kay will be taking on the majority of Rachel's responsibilities with some responsibilities being assigned to other staff members, such as Mary Faith, who will be joining us on the ground in Gracias on February 1. Please pray for us as we adjust to our new normal. While the sudden addition of Charlotte has presented some challenges to our family, she has already brought us so much joy and blessing!!

Happy Busy New Year from Sowers4Pastors!

As we ring in 2025, there’s a good chance you’re still shaking off a holiday cheese coma, but the Sowers4Pastors team has wasted no time diving headfirst into the new year. Let’s catch you up on all the excitement happening in Honduras!

Backpacks

The elves at S4P (otherwise known as the hardworking staff) are in full swing organizing more than 2,000 backpacks for distribution. Each bag is being meticulously checked to ensure it’s filled with school essentials—like notebooks, pencils, and erasers—and then topped off with toothpaste (added on-site thanks to customs regulations). It’s a massive operation, but the team’s pace could rival Santa’s workshop during peak season!

It's not the North Pole, but our elves are feeling the need to bundle up!

Trucks

Keeping things rolling—literally—is a top priority. Brandy’s trusted mechanic friend is arriving from Tegucigalpa to ensure every S4P truck is in tip-top shape for the heavy-duty work ahead. With parts already on order, the team is determined to keep these vehicles running smoothly for the busy season.

Coffee

The coffee harvest this year is nothing short of monumental. In the words of Rachel, “We are drowning in coffee!”

After a few years of bouncing back from the coffee blight (and the fire), the S4P farm is experiencing a harvest of epic proportions. What normally takes two weeks has stretched into weeks of continuous work, compounded by the holiday interruptions of Christmas and New Year.

Last week alone, about 80 pickers filled five large Ford trucks with coffee in a single day—on what would normally be a three-truck day! The drying patios are maxed out, and the team has even had to purchase additional tarps to handle the overflow.

It’s a blessing of abundance, but it’s also keeping everyone on their toes!

Teams

The first visiting team of the year, from Lighthouse Church, is set to arrive in about ten days. With the coffee harvest still in full swing, their timing is perfect to dive into the action.

Rachel & Brandy’s New Home

Progress on Rachel and Brandy’s new home has slowed down amidst the holiday hustle and the coffee chaos. Rachel laughed as she shared, “One more month. Maybe. Every month, we keep saying, ‘one more month!’” The finishing touches will have to wait until the whirlwind settles down.

Prayer Request

As the team juggles coffee, backpacks, vehicles, and visiting groups, your prayers mean the world. Brandy shared, “We are happy and not complaining, but we need endurance! The first team arrives in ten days, and it’s a lot. We’re so excited to have our teams coming, but we ask for prayers that God gives us endurance and health. God is sending us a lot of blessings to bless other people.”

So, as 2025 gets underway, please keep the S4P team in your prayers. It’s a year brimming with blessings, and they’re ready to tackle it all with faith, hard work, and maybe just a little extra coffee!

 - posted by Christi

Sowers4Pastors is All Smiles: A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Supporters!

The team at Sowers4Pastors is beaming with gratitude and flashing their brightest Colgate smiles as they extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who played a part in the successful arrival of their most recent shipping container. Whether you packed a backpack, donated items, prayed for safe transport, or helped load the container, your efforts made a tremendous impact.

This year’s container journey came with lessons learned from last year’s, um, toothpaste debacle. You might remember how, in 2023, a customs inspection turned into a chaotic scene when officials discovered 20 expired tubes of toothpaste. The entire container was pulled apart, leaving its contents scattered and disorganized. Let’s just say, that wasn’t the kind of fresh start anyone was hoping for!

This time around, the team worked smarter — and prayed harder — to ensure a smoother process.

Lessons Learned and Prayers Answered

Brandy shared how this year’s preparations involved extra steps, including meticulous paperwork and additional help from U.S.-based coordinators. “We prayed — a lot — and asked people for prayers,” he said. “And we didn’t have any problems with this container!”

The team also asked coordinators to take on a new challenge: removing toothpaste from backpacks and packing it into separate boxes, clearly labeled with expiration dates. It was time-consuming, but the effort paid off. Honduran customs officials inspected just 5 of the 24 toothpaste boxes, confirmed the expiration dates, and left the rest untouched — a far cry from last year’s floor-spread fiasco.

Smooth Sailing and Speedy Unloading

When the container arrived, the S4P team got to work bright and early. By 6:30 AM, they were unloading, and thanks to the meticulous organization, the entire container was emptied and sorted in just an hour and a half.

“Everything looked like no one had touched it!” Brandy marveled. “It was easy to take out the boxes and get them organized onto trucks. The people helping us did a great job.” By 10:00 AM, every item was neatly stored in the bodega, categorized by program.

The team’s speedy work even surprised themselves. They had planned to provide lunch for the workers but finished so quickly that coffee and cookies were the perfect celebratory treat instead.

Grateful Hearts and Organized Backpacks

This year’s success felt like nothing short of divine intervention. Reflecting on the process, Brandy said, “We can tell that God provided and helped us through the whole process. We’ve already thanked God and started thanking people, but, really, there are no words.”

Now, with everything unpacked and backpacks already being sorted by program, the team is ready to dive into the next steps.

And that’s definitely something to smile about.

- posted by Christi

A Chat with Brandy: From Feeling Weird to Feeling Blessed

 After spending sixteen years in the military system, Brandy is still adjusting to some aspects of ministry life. One of the biggest changes? Learning how to label what he’s feeling. What used to register as “feeling weird” is now recognized for what it truly is: “feeling blessed!”

When asked to submit a photo for this blog about being blessed, 
this is what Brandy provided!

“You learn to trust in God when working in the ministry,” Brandy shared. “I feel blessed because I have been learning to trust in God to take care of me and my family and to provide the things we need.”

A perfect example of this trust came to mind for Brandy. The Sowers4Pastors staff had been quietly wishing for a fresh coat of paint on their office building, which had seen better days. Not long after, a visiting team arrived with plans to paint a school. They completed the school project in half a day and generously offered to use the rest of their time to spruce up the staff office. The same team even helped Brandy start installing electricity in the family’s new home — simply because they felt led to do so.

The blessings didn’t stop there. Just last week, a certified electrician friend-of-the-ministry traveled from the States to complete the job. Since Brandy’s home relies on solar power (an essential in their remote location), it was a challenging job. The electrician ensured everything was running smoothly.

Brandy said, “He kept asking, ‘How would you like this?’ and ‘How would you like that?’ I felt well taken care of by God. It was kind of weird because I’m not used to those things. But, really, what I was feeling was blessed. I understand that God is taking care of all of our needs.”

Gratitude overflowed as Brandy reflected on the kindness of those who pray for and support their family. “They bless our family through their prayers. I know it is God taking care of us through the people,” he said. “This has been a time when I am learning that God takes care of us.”

Closing thought:

It’s easy to miss God’s fingerprints in the little moments of life. Whether it’s a team offering unexpected help or an electrician asking how best to meet your needs, these instances remind us of God’s faithfulness. May we all take a moment to reframe those “weird” feelings and recognize them for what they often are — evidence of God’s blessings at work.

 - posted by Christi

Brewing up Good News from the Coffee Farm

It’s time to pour yourself a cup and settle in for some coffee talk. After a few rough years with coffee blight and other challenges, Sowers4Pastors has some uplifting news to share about the state of their coffee farm. Let’s spill the beans: this season is shaping up to be one of hope and promise!

Brandy shared, “With the help of different friends and engineers, we’ve been doing a good job keeping up with the fertilizing and plague control. We were able to catch a fungus before it became a real problem, and we are ready to start the coffee season.”

And start it they did! The farm’s first batch of ripe beans has already been picked — about three times the amount of last year’s first harvest. In just a couple of weeks, the team will begin their first big harvest, followed by a second one two weeks later. Brandy is optimistic about the yield, saying, “It looks like we will have a good amount of coffee. We’re hoping to find good people to work, too.”

Creating local jobs is one of the core purposes of the coffee farm. Sowers4Pastors is proud to offer fair wages and a supportive working environment for their harvesters, especially in an industry where workers are not always treated well. “We want to have enough jobs for the people and enough people for the jobs,” Brandy explained.

This year’s harvest is running a bit behind schedule due to cooler weather, which has slowed the ripening process. As a result, there’s likely to be some overlap between harvesting and backpack season — a busy but exciting time, especially with upcoming teams from Lighthouse Church and Life Community Church set to visit.

On the bright side, rising coffee prices are expected to benefit the farm. A combination of severe weather events in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam has driven up global prices, giving S4P an opportunity to make the most of their crop.

A Closing Blend

As we approach the harvest season, it’s a good time to reflect on the fruitfulness of steady effort and the importance of providing fair opportunities for others. Just as each coffee bean holds the potential for something wonderful, every small act of service or care can have a lasting impact.

Let’s lift up the farm workers, Brandy, and the entire Sowers4Pastors team in prayer as they move into this busy, hopeful season. May their efforts bring blessings not only to the ministry but to the communities they serve.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”  Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

 

 - Posted by Christi

A Year-End Celebration of Faith and Fellowship

On November 23rd, Sowers4Pastors wrapped up the year with a gathering that has quickly become a cherished tradition. Pastors and Sunday school teachers from the sponsorship programs came together for a time of worship, communion, and heartfelt fellowship, closing out 2024 with a beautiful blend of spiritual renewal and community support.

The Word of God: “Serving the Heirs of the Kingdom”

The highlight of the gathering was a powerful sermon by Pastor Arturo Perdomo titled “Serving the Heirs of the Kingdom.” Alejandro described the message as “amazing,” noting how deeply it resonated with the crowd of seventy church leaders. Pastor Arturo’s words inspired joy and renewed purpose, leaving everyone feeling uplifted and equipped to continue their vital work.

How Sowers4Pastors Makes a Difference

During the meeting, the pastors and Sunday school teachers reflected on the impact Sowers4Pastors has had in their communities.

Pastor Lorenzo, a familiar name for regular blog readers, shared, “These types of meetings help motivate us and help us believe that we are not alone.”

Sunday school teacher Betsy Reyes spoke of answered prayers: “These trainings have been an answer to my prayers. I asked the Lord for ways for us to learn how to give to the children.”

Alejandro highlighted how the ministry not only trains pastors for their churches but also equips them to teach children Bible lessons in schools. This dual focus is creating a lasting impact for both current and future generations.

One especially moving moment came when Pastor Lorenzo addressed the group, saying, “Maybe we don’t have money to buy presents to give to all of you, but we have prayers.” He then invited everyone to pray for the ministry, creating what Alejandro described as a truly blessed and humbling moment.

A Celebration of Togetherness

The meeting space was lovingly decorated for Christmas, and even these simple decorations made a profound impact. Alejandro was taken aback when some attendees expressed gratitude for the festive setting, sharing that it would be their only Christmas celebration this year. It was a poignant reminder of how meaningful these gatherings can be for those who serve tirelessly in their communities.

The day concluded with a special holiday meal, and each attendee left with a tin of Christmas cookies and a bottle of grape juice. Alejandro shared, “Everyone was so happy and they enjoyed the meeting. Every meeting is amazing, but the last one was even more special. It was more than beautiful words. It’s important for us to know how this training is helping the pastors and teachers.”

A Final Word of Encouragement

As we reflect on this celebration of faith and fellowship, Alejandro and Secia leave us with a powerful reminder from Galatians 6:9 (NKJV):

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Let us carry this encouragement into the holiday season and beyond, continuing to support one another and the work of God’s kingdom. Thank you for being part of the Sowers4Pastors community this year!

 - posted by Christi

A Slice of Sowers4Pastors: A Sampler of Ministry Updates

 This week’s blog is like a cheesecake sampler – a little bit of everything for everyone! Let’s dig into the sweet (and sometimes bittersweet) highlights from Sowers4Pastors.

Goats and Gratitude

Brandy recently received a thoughtful gift of two goats from a pastor supervisor as a token of thanks for the ministry’s support. One goat, a pregnant female, gave birth to twins, but complications sadly claimed her life and that of one baby. That left a tiny, orphaned baby goat in need of care. Brandy and Rachel, welcomed little Canela (Cinnamon in English) into their family. For a time, Rachel was managing four “kids” in diapers – three human and one goat! Thankfully, Canela is thriving, and bringing joy to everyone.

Tropical Storm Sara

Tropical Storm Sara hit Honduras hard, particularly on the northern coast, where some areas experienced up to 30 inches of rain. The devastation has included road and bridge washouts and damage to homes. Meanwhile, in Gracias, the storm brought several days of steady rain, a blessing for the ministry’s coffee farm and others in the area. Please pray for those dealing with severe damage and for the missionaries assisting these communities.

Citizenship Steps

Rachel, Brandy, and their kids (minus the goat!) spent a chunk of the past week in Tegucigalpa, taking steps toward U.S. citizenship for their children. Due to the time Rachel has lived in Honduras (and thus not in the US), the process is far from straightforward. They’ve started with the application for “automatic citizenship for a child born abroad,” knowing it will be denied as part of the process. The next phase will involve lots of paperwork. The final step is a trip to the US. Just as with Nathan’s citizenship journey, Trish will accompany them when the time comes.

Backpacks in Record Time

In Maryland, the backpack container was loaded at lightning speed by Fredericktowne Baptist Church volunteers. The experienced team finished in just two hours, thanks to great weather and even better teamwork.

Dispensa and Container Updates

To ship the backpacks duty-free, the ministry must file a dispensa, an itemized breakdown of container contents. Timing is critical, as filing too early risks expiration. All the necessary paperwork was approved just in time for the shipping of the container!

Meanwhile, a separate food container is on its way, with goods sent from Minnesota to New Orleans before heading to Honduras. Pray that both containers clear Customs and the Honduran FDA quickly and intact. Trish humorously noted, “Toothpaste gives them fits!” Also, pray that storage fees don’t pile up if there are delays at the port.

Seeing Clearly: Eyeglasses for Kids

Through the ministry, a new batch of over 20 kids have received eye exams and are now set to receive new glasses. A generous ophthalmologist is volunteering to ensure every pair fits perfectly. Clear vision will help these children thrive in their studies and daily lives.

Future Home Sweet Home

Rachel and Brandy’s new home is nearing completion! Allen, despite his back issues, has been overseeing the grading of the yard. After Thanksgiving, an electrician friend from the U.S. will be coming to finish off the electrical work, ensuring that everything meets U.S. standards. The hope is to move in before “team season” kicks off in January. It’s a race against the clock, but everyone is hopeful! Your prayers for on-time completion are appreciated! 

 - posted by Christi