When Teams Collide: A Joyful Overlap of Service

 If you’re a “sports ball” kind of person, you may already be familiar with the term sports equinox — that rare day in the fall when the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL all have games scheduled at once. For those who aren’t fluent in ESPN, Google’s got your back.

Well, Sowers4Pastors is currently experiencing its own kind of team equinox. One Vacation Bible School team is still on the ground, and in just two days, Dr. Monica will arrive to prep for a weeklong medical mission. It's a beautiful (and busy!) overlap of two very different yet equally vital ministries.

Brandy shared that preparing for a medical team is no small feat. It takes a mountain of paperwork and plenty of advance planning to gain the necessary permissions to bring in medical equipment and supplies. Thankfully, all the approvals are in place, and the team has the green light to proceed with everything they need.

Here’s how the transition will go: The VBS team departs on Saturday, and while they’re saying their goodbyes, other members of the medical team will be landing in Honduras and heading into action. Talk about a seamless handoff.

This medical team will serve in four carefully chosen communities, each selected for its ability to host the largest number of children and community members. Among the places they’ll visit are:

• Naranjitos, a community served by Crosspoint Church, home to a large school
  
  

• Guacutao, where EAC has a sister church program
  
  

• A brand-new location affiliated with Lighthouse Church
  
  

These places are strategically close to other areas where kids can be picked up and transported in trucks.

What these locations have in common is limited access to healthcare. For most residents, visiting a doctor means traveling all the way to Gracias. As Brandy put it, “We chose communities where people really need this kind of help — where even basic healthcare isn’t close enough to access easily.”

The joy of this week isn’t just in the logistics — it’s in the heart behind it.

“We are called to serve others. This is just one way to do it,” Brandy said. “We’re excited because this team has a heart for service. They wouldn’t be coming if they didn’t. They want to do something that matters and share the love of Christ in this way.”

The medical team will include five professionals, but with translators and ministry staff added in, the group will be large, energetic, and ready to make a difference. S4P is already aware of several cases requiring urgent medical attention — and thanks to this team, help is on the way.

“It’s a blessing to help people out of difficult situations,” Brandy said. “We’re praying that everything we do this week is for Christ. We want to serve others the way He commands us to.”

As the VBS team finishes strong and the medical team gears up for a full schedule, please keep both groups in your prayers. Pray for endurance, safe travel, joyful hearts, and opportunities for both ministry and meaningful connection.

Oh — and Brandy recommends packing a rain jacket. Because in Honduras, even during a team equinox, the weather has a mind of its own. - 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

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

It Started with a Tiny Mosquito

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

                                                Mark 16:15, NIV

It’s no secret that Sowers4Pastors takes the instruction in Mark 16:15 very seriously by spreading the gospel throughout the villages surrounding Gracias. One side effect of getting to know people by spreading the gospel is that staff members of S4P are frequently made aware of different kinds of needs as well.

As Alejandro shared, sometimes S4P staffers learn about other ways the ministry can support the children and their families. They frequently encounter health needs. Alejandro said, “We cannot cover the medical needs of 2000 kids. That is not possible and that is not our goal. But sometimes we find things that are urgent things that are putting the kids’ education or lives at risk. When that happens, we try to find the resources to support the families.”

The first step is almost always to contact the sister church involved with the area where a significant need is found. Alejandro said, “In that way, we are able to reach out and support the kids.”

One special case that recently came up involved little Emely Rivera, a six-year-old studying in Guacutao. In this case, the need can be traced back to a tiny mosquito. Back in February, a team from Edgewater Alliance was visiting to help pass out backpacks. When Emely walked up to receive her backpack, team and staff members noticed that she had an infected wound on her face. They asked Emely’s mother about it and she said Emely had been bitten by a mosquito and then started experiencing pain and fever. The bite, which had started out like a small pimple, was growing.

Michelle and her husband Mike

Michelle, an EAC team member, is also a nurse. She checked Emely and offered to pay for Emely’s medical costs. S4P staff took Emely to the doctor where Emely was able to receive the needed medical tests. It was not a simple mosquito bite. The mosquito was carrying a type of parasite that was eating away at the flesh on Emely’s face, called leishmaniasis. Left untreated, it would have reached the cartilage in her face and started eating that, too! 

The case generated an alarm to the medical system in Lempira. Officials visited the area of Guacutao to eradicate the disease-spreading mosquitos. The act of helping one child ended up helping the entire community.

Emely’s treatment involved receiving a total of twenty-two injections but she is now doing great. The wound is closed and she is once again a healthy little girl. Thank you to Michelle and EAC for all you guys do for these communities. And, of course, as Alejandro said, “We are once again declaring that God is good!”

- posted by Christi

When Medical Help is Needed . . .

Medical mercy is always a concern in developing countries - between poor access to healthcare, lack of education and resources and even the increased risk of tropical disease, medical situations can become an endless need. Sowers4Pastors unfortunately can’t help every case brought to them, as there would never be enough funds, but when they can help, they do. They are always grateful when people donate to medical cases that help the people of Honduras. Trish shared about three ongoing cases with which S4P is involved in that can change the lives of the people that are affected. 

Medical Mercy #1–The Tunnel is Never-ending

Not all medical mercy projects come with a firm end-date. Such is the case for Katherine, the 6-year-old daughter of Pastor Marvin in Arenales. Katherine was born with intellectual disabilities that mean she will never function as an adult. She is ambulatory but requires constant supervision due to an inability to follow basic directions and demonstrate self-control. She is still in diapers, creating an added financial burden for the family. She has also suffered from anxiety-like symptoms. Arenales’ sister church, Life Community Church, has stepped in to provide the funds to take the child to see a neurologist and an occupational therapist. She is now on medications to help with anxiety, and is currently in therapy. The primary goals have been to help the little girl learn to recognize and follow some verbal cues, as well as to become potty trained. The therapist is also encouraging exposure to social situations to increase Katherine’s tolerance and decrease her anxiety. 

A S4P staff member sets up the appointments and transportation, often going along to therapy sessions. The actual financial requirement is small but the time commitment is not insignificant. The visits to the occupational therapist mean an hour long bus drive for Katherine and her mom, followed by another hour drive with a S4P staff member - and that is only one way. 

The hope and prayer is that the child will become independent enough to free up enough of the parents’ time so that they can more easily complete their ministry work and basic household chores without constant worry for their daughter’s immediate safety.

Medical Mercy #2–The Light at the End of the Tunnel

During a recent visit by a team from Edgewater Alliance Church to Guacutao, someone spotted a little boy named Oscar with a skin condition. He has what appeared to be some kind of infection on the skin of his forearms and inner elbow - he’s been wearing only long-sleeved clothes because he’s embarrassed about the rash. There are many possibilities about what might cause a mystery rash in Honduras, including malnutrition or a fungal infection from living in a tropical environment. S4P and EAC committed to finding an answer. S4P staff took him to see specialists and after multiple tests, doctors were able to narrow down the possible causes and begin treatment with a medication paid for with funds to be provided by members of the EAC congregation. The infection is starting to show improvement and Oscar’s skin is looking much healthier already, though he will need to continue to take medication until the doctor confirms the infection has been completely eradicated. 

Medical Mercy #3–You Have Arrived!

This one will break your heart, but has a happy ending. A young married couple in the area of Quelacasque desperately wanted a child. After three heartbreaking third trimester miscarriages, it was beginning to look like that wasn’t going to happen. Earlier in the year, when S4P was hosting a medical team, they discovered that the wife, named Marilu, was pregnant again, and the medical team recommended follow-up with an obstetrician to prevent another miscarriage. Praise God, the doctor was able to determine the cause of her miscarriages and the treatment was medications and monitoring. Individuals from the medical team helped cover the expense. Staff members helped Marilu get to her appointments, and Secia stayed in communication with her to ensure that she could contact the doctor in case of emergency. All the efforts paid off in a most adorable way–a shiny, new baby girl named Juanita!

Since Secia is mom to a baby girl herself, she was able to deliver a bunch of newborn baby clothes from her stash. The ministry also contributed to a round of diapers to ease the burden on the young couple. 

None of these three examples required massive amounts of money but they are improving lives one act of caring & compassion at a time. If you would like to help more of these projects possible, you can earmark a donation to Medical Mercy Projects through the Sowers4Pastors website. 

 

Secia delivers diapers and baby clothes to the very happy new parents!

- posted by Christi

Medical Mercy for Families in Leadership

Most of the time when we talk about Medical Mercy projects with Sowers4Pastors, they involve children from the sponsorship programs or feeding centers. Occasionally, this involves a family member of one of the children. Today, we’re talking about three examples of how the medical mercy branch of the ministry is involved with helping leaders in the programs. 

Katherine with therapist

Pastor Marvin leads the sponsorship program in Arenales (sister church of Life Community Church). Pastor Marvin’s six-year-old daughter, Katherine, has been diagnosed as severely autistic. She is unable to communicate or take care of herself in the simplest of ways. Allen described the child as being “terrified of life.” She doesn’t understand what is going on around her, which causes her to be in a perpetual state of panic. Because of her constant agitation, caring for her requires a 100% time commitment, making it almost impossible for a caretaker to do other tasks in addition to watching over her. 

Where does the medical mercy part come in? Working with Life Community Church, S4P wants to do what they can to help Katherine, which in turn will be helpful to the family. One aspect is providing the medicines prescribed to help ease her anxiety. Alexandro and Cesia (S4P staff) found a special needs therapist to work with Katherine. The therapy visits will require a 3 - 4 hour bus trip each way. The prayer is that therapy can help her better understand her surroundings and be calmer. Please pray for Pastor Marvin's family.

Alejandro and Cesia, taking Katherine and her mom 
to the first therapy session

Pastor Lorenzo lives in Guacutao, and oversees the sister church with Edgewater Alliance Church. Shortly before the start of COVID lockdowns, Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson, Isais, was born. The child was born without an anus. In the States, that would involve a series of surgical procedures shortly after the birth to repair the birth defect. Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson immediately had a colostomy surgery, to keep him alive, but COVID restrictions meant that additional surgeries needed to actually correct the problem were delayed. Additionally complicating the situation is the distance to the missionary hospital where the surgeries are being done, an eight-hour drive from their home. Private transportation must be arranged for the ride home because a post-op bumpy bus ride is out of the question. Members of Edgewater Alliance are helping with funds for this project.

The third project involved Profesor Celio of the Escuela Lemanal (part of the Crucitas program with Lighthouse Church). The Profesor had a motorcycle accident, and his ankle was badly broken. There was talk about putting in a metal plate to physically reconnect the bones. Surgery was delayed until the plate needed could be located. In the end, Profesor Celio decided to not have that surgery. He is currently recuperating, and S4P and Lighthouse will continue to partner in helping with medical expenses. There is some concern that he chose a less-than-ideal path to avoid having the more complicated surgery. He is hopeful that he will be up and about fully in six months. Time will tell, and prayers are certainly appreciated!

Allen and Trish stressed that it is a blessing to them, when Sowers4Pastors is able to be of assistance with these kinds of needs. They wish to thank the supporters who provide funds to make such assistance possible. Please pray for each of these situations. For Pastor Lorenzo’s grandson, there is an expected resolution before too long. Profesor Celio may require more assistance down the road if the ankle doesn’t heal properly. In the case of Pastor Marvin’s family, the situation will likely continue for many years into the future. 

 - posted by Christi