COVID-19 Post for Optimists and Realists

Did you know the saying, “Two steps forward and one step back,” originated from an anecdote about a frog trying to get out of a well? That might be an apt description of Honduras’ economic recovery from COVID-19. That’s if you’re an optimist. For the realists among us, the recovery might more closely resemble jogging in place. Either way, it appears that the recovery is going to be a lot slower than Sowers4Pastors had originally anticipated. There are a couple of reasons behind that:

1. People have been allowed to go back to work, but the economy is damaged. And, let’s face it, Honduras didn’t exactly have the most stable economy prior to 2020. Suppose you have a job as a brick mason. Being allowed to return to work doesn’t amount to diddly-boo if no one has money to have you lay some bricks. A lot of people are being laid off or finding themselves with no business prospects. Things weren’t great before, but people are definitely struggling more than in pre-COVID days.

2. When times are hard, people make budget cuts out of necessity. Sometimes those cuts come back to bite you in your already depleted wallet. When times are hard in the Honduran farming community, money doesn’t get spent on fertilizer and insecticides. Crops are in the ground, but the harvest is expected to be a mite on the puny side. 

When you combine reason one and reason two, it’s clear to see that the need for food assistance will remain elevated for quite a while. How elevated will it be? Um, do you want the optimist or the realist answer? The optimist’s answer is that it shouldn't increase above the current levels. The realist’s (bordering on pessimist’s) answer is that no one really knows. It could get worse, but maybe it won’t.

In a world of unknowns, one thing is known. Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to provide additional donations for food, the Sowers4Pastors ministry currently has enough food on the ground to meet their needs for the time being. They are able to continue feeding people.

Score a point for the optimists because there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel concerning the government paperwork required to ship the food container from Maryland! The Sowerses have received word that the paperwork will be released to them soon.

Currently, a 2nd container of food is being packed by churches in Ohio. And a 3rd food container is in the works in Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania. There is some overlap of churches packing the 2nd and 3rd container. Other churches are brand new to the experience. 

Sowers4Pastors wants to give a big shout of gratitude to the people involved in packing the containers, those who have donated money, and everyone praying for them. A lot of prayer is going into each meal. 

When COVID-19 first arrived on the scene, a lot of missionaries in Honduras left for the short-term. Now, a lot of missionaries have left for good. The needs are higher, but the help has decreased. Please continue to pray for the Sowerses, their ministry, and the people of Honduras!

- posted by Christi.