It’s possible that Sowers4Pastors is the only organization capable of stretching the Day of the Child into an entire week of festivities — but thankfully, they aren’t doing it alone. As mentioned in an earlier blog post, a team from Tegucigalpa has joined S4P to make the celebrations even more memorable.
Sixteen people, including Pastor Jackie Montoya, arrived in Gracias on Monday and immediately hit the ground running. Together with S4P staff, they divided into four smaller groups, each visiting two communities per day.
And they didn’t show up empty-handed. The Tegucigalpa team came loaded with candy, cookies, piñatas, and even funds their church had collected to purchase pizzas for the kids.
Pizza for the First Time
You may remember that the pizza idea was Pastor Jackie’s brainchild. For many of the children, this would be their very first slice. Would they like it? Alejandro admitted he wasn’t entirely sure how the kids would react, since pizza isn’t a common food for them.
He needn’t have worried. “The kids didn’t eat the pizzas. They attacked it!” Alejandro said with a laugh. “They loved it! The first day was amazing. The kids were happy and laughing. They were waiting for our arrival with joy.”
Culture Shock and Connection
For some of the Tegucigalpa volunteers, this was their second year serving alongside S4P. For others, it was their very first time visiting the kinds of rural communities S4P works in. Imagine a group of people from a big city in the U.S. volunteering in some of the most remote, under-resourced areas — the contrast is stark, and for the new volunteers, a little surprising.
Yet Alejandro noted that there’s a deep connection between his and Secia’s church plant in Gracias and their former church in Tegucigalpa, where this team serves. At the heart of it all is one shared mission: serving people in the love of Christ.
Pastor Jackie reflected on her experience, “Last year, I saw some of the medical issues the kids were facing, and I can say that I’m so grateful to the Lord that Sowers4Pastors is here. Without them, maybe these children wouldn’t be healed. Sowers4Pastors is making a difference, and it isn’t only through backpacks and new school shoes.”
More to Come: A Medical Brigade
And the week’s celebrations don’t end with pizza and piñatas. On Thursday and Friday, a medical brigade of 32 people will be serving the communities around Gracias, providing free medical care. The brigade includes fifteen doctors, five dentists, and eleven nurses.
Pastor Raúl, who is working with the team, shared what has meant the most to him. “My favorite part has been sharing the Word of God with the children. The children are living lives with few resources, but they are learning that they are loved by God.”
And that is the most beautiful reason of all to celebrate.
- posted by Christi
PS: check out the Sowers4Pastors Facebook page for lots more photos of the festivities!
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