More Than a Visit: The First Steps of Sowing Hope

Last week, Sowers4Pastors hosted a VBS team from New Life Church — and that alone would have made for a full schedule. But, in the timeless words of late-night infomercials everywhere… wait, there’s more.

Alongside the VBS festivities, S4P also welcomed three men from the States for a short mission trip. Their visit carried special significance, as one of their main goals was to meet the children they sponsor through Sowing Hope, a new and growing program.

Brandy summed it up simply: “We had a wonderful time doing two homes in two different areas.”

The first visit stood out in all the best ways. Brandy, who has experienced many home visits that are difficult and heartbreaking, described this one differently.

“Even though they live in a difficult economic situation, this family looks really healthy,” he said. “The dad is there. The mom is there. Grandma and the children are there. And they interacted with each other in a very heartwarming way.”

The family welcomed their visitors with remarkable generosity. Grandma prepared a special drink — something Brandy had never tried before — a hot beverage made from roasted and ground white corn. He insists it was delicious. Since no official name was provided, we’ll go ahead and call it a Cornpacino. (You’re welcome.)

They also offered their best meal, a meaningful gesture that spoke volumes. Between conversations, laughter, and shared time together, the men even joined the children for a game of soccer. It was a glimpse into a family not defined by hardship, but by connection, faith, and joy. As Brandy noted, they are active in their church — and they live close enough to be deeply involved in that community.

The second visit, in a different area, was equally encouraging. The team met the mother at a local school before heading to the home, unsure of the route on their own. While there, they had a brief but meaningful conversation with the local pastor who helps oversee the sponsorship program. Though he couldn’t join them for the home visit due to a church service, his presence was still felt.

In fact, the church itself — perched on a nearby mountaintop — became part of the experience. From the family’s home, the men could hear the congregation worshiping, their voices carrying across the distance. It was a powerful reminder of the faith that anchors these communities. And yes, there was also a nother round of soccer with the kids — because some things are simply essential.

“These visits represent a lot,” Brandy shared. “They were the first home visits through Sowing Hope, since it’s a new program.”

And that’s what makes this moment so meaningful. These weren’t just visits — they were the beginning of something. A foundation being laid. Connections being formed. Hope being lived out in real, tangible ways.

There are still children waiting to be sponsored, which means there’s still room to be part of the story. Brandy is hopeful that, in the future, S4P will host VBS teams specifically for children in the Sowing Hope schools. He also encourages sponsors to take the time to write letters — small gestures that can make a lasting impact.

As he put it, “With the sponsorship program, you can make a big change.”

And sometimes, that change starts with something as simple as showing up, sharing a meal… and maybe even enjoying a warm cup of Cornpacino together.

Visiting Medical Team: A Week of God Moments and Miracles

Every visiting team Sowers4Pastors hosts hits the ground running—but none quite like a medical team. Long days, bumpy roads, and hundreds of patients are all part of the rhythm. And yet, according to Monica Lederman, this most recent team experienced something even more: a week full of “God moments and miracles.”

This year’s team of 13 officially served from June 6–13, though a few members arrived early, hauling in valuable medical supplies. The group came from Colorado, Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and they were joined by Micah, S4P’s newest intern, for the week.

In previous years, Monica organized these trips on her own. This time, however, the team came through Kairos Medical Missions, an organization she co-founded with Charlotte Andrews. As Charlotte shared, “It’s wonderful to partner with Sowers4Pastors to serve the people of Honduras.” And serve they did.

Over the course of the week, the team traveled to Tejeras, Ciruelito, Monqueta, and Iguala, seeing nearly 800 patients. That’s no small feat, especially when you factor in rainy season travel, caravans of team members, translators from a bilingual school, and Honduran medical professionals navigating rural roads together. Through it all, Monica reflected, “There were a million miracles of safety. We could see God’s hand in every moment.”

One of those moments came during a particularly intense downpour. As the first group set out with Alejandro driving, the rain became so heavy they were forced to pull over and wait it out. After about 15 minutes, with no sign of it letting up, they cautiously continued down the road — only to discover a metal building lying directly in their path, having slid off a truck just minutes earlier. Thanks to that unexpected delay, they were able to safely navigate around it. Had they arrived sooner, the outcome could have been very different.

Of course, with nearly 800 patients, the stories are too many to count. But a few moments stand out.

One involved a mother who arrived deeply discouraged after being told her doctor could not find her baby’s heartbeat. Jen, a labor and delivery nurse, and Monica used their equipment and were able to detect a healthy heartbeat appropriate for her stage of pregnancy. The shift from grief to joy was immediate. The team sent her home with a baby blanket and instructions to follow up with her OBGYN — this time, with renewed hope.

Another moment that left a lasting impression involved a young boy who had fallen from a mango tree and injured his arm. He arrived with his clearly deformed arm wrapped in toilet paper and supported by a makeshift cardboard splint. Monica, still emotional when recounting the story, was able to use donated splints and slings to stabilize his arm before urging his family to seek immediate hospital care for X-rays and proper treatment.

Monica’s sister, Jessica

Monica’s sister, Jessica, was also part of the team and focused on vision care. She found great joy in helping patients — especially older adults — receive reading glasses so they could read their Bibles again. Jessica even brought her own Spanish Bible, allowing patients to test their new glasses on the spot. For many, it was a simple gift with eternal impact.

The team worked closely with local healthcare providers, including Drs. Stephanie and Alamar from CEMES Hospital, as well as Drs. Francesca and Eduardo from Gracias. Together, they provided antibiotics, over-the-counter medications, and antifungal treatments made possible through generous donations. Patients needing continued care will be followed by these local professionals, ensuring that the impact of the week extends far beyond it.

Kairos Medical Missions also partnered with Days for Girls International, a nonprofit that donated 185 menstrual care kits for girls. The team was then able to donate the kits to girls in each of the four communities they visited.

Continuity is central to the mission of Kairos Medical Missions. As Charlotte explained, “Our goal is not only to provide care during mission trips, but to help build a sustainable, long-term healthcare footprint that empowers local communities and creates lasting impact long after our team returns home.”

In the midst of the busyness, there were also moments to pause and simply be present. One evening, the team gathered at the S4P farm, sitting around a fire pit, sharing a devotional, and singing together under the open sky. The night ended with tamales and traditional Honduran food — and a memorable moment when Rachel welcomed a grass-covered group into her spotless home for coffee. Monica described the time spent there, connecting with Rachel, Brandy, and their four children, as especially sweet.

It was a week marked by long days, unexpected challenges, and countless moving parts. But through it all, one thing was clear:

God was present in every detail.

And sometimes, that looks like safety in a storm, hope restored in a heartbeat, or the simple joy of seeing Scripture clearly once again.

 - posted by Christi

A Return Worth Celebrating: Dr. Annette’s Unstoppable Mission

It is always a reason to celebrate when Dr. Annette arrives in Gracias with a dental team. But this year’s visit? It felt a little extra special.

Last year, Dr. Annette experienced a serious accident that left her with a severely broken leg — one that required surgery and a long road of physical therapy. In fact, at the time, it wasn’t even certain that she would regain her ability to walk.

And yet, while still in the hospital, she reached out to Sowers4Pastors with a message that was both simple and remarkable: she was still planning to come.

At that moment, she may have been the only one completely convinced.

But determination has a way of telling its own story. Through months of recovery, hard work, and what Brandy described as her “big heart and a fire to serve others,” Dr. Annette did exactly what she said she would do.

She came back.

Though she once thought she might serve as a full-time missionary, that path never quite unfolded the way she expected. Instead, she discovered a calling that has proven just as impactful — serving through short-term missions. For more than 27 years, she has faithfully used her skills to care for others, one trip at a time.

“She has been a big blessing for our ministry and for my country,” Brandy said.

This year, Dr. Annette returned with another doctor and a team of dental students — and something else became clear. Her impact doesn’t stop with the patients she treats. It’s shaping the next generation of providers as well.

Many of the students on this year’s team had served before, and their growth was evident.

“It’s great to see the students growing as people and as believers,” Brandy shared. “While they were teaching kids how to use a toothbrush, they were also sharing about Jesus. They were taking every opportunity to spread the Gospel while they worked.”

Their development was visible in practical ways, too. In previous years, students might have primarily assisted behind the scenes, cleaning instruments and observing procedures. Now, they are stepping forward with confidence — engaging directly with patients, contributing to care, and even offering input to the doctors.

The learning is happening on every level.

And it’s happening under some intense conditions.

The team worked long hours in a heat index that reached a staggering 113 degrees. Even Brandy, who is well accustomed to the climate, admitted, “The heat was horrible — and I live here!” But the team pressed on with positive attitudes, serving faithfully without complaint.

“It was a great team,” he added.

Throughout the week, they worked out of local churches, providing cleanings, fillings, and extractions when needed. They also took time to teach proper dental hygiene to the children — equipping them with knowledge that will serve them long after the team has gone home.

Each day, they saw an average of 50 to 60 patients, in addition to children in the program who received cleanings and fluoride treatments. It was a full schedule, a demanding environment, and a powerful reminder of what can happen when skill and compassion come together.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the week wasn’t just the dental care — it was the connection.

“Thank you to everyone who prays for the ministry,” Brandy said. “We were able to spend a week with a team not just cleaning teeth, but sharing the Gospel along with meals and snacks. It was very touching to see.”

From a hospital bed to a bustling clinic in Honduras, Dr. Annette’s journey this past year is a testament to perseverance, calling, and faith.

And if this visit is any indication, she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

- posted by Christi

Even Missionaries Get Tired (And God Still Shows Up)

 Breaking news: missionaries get tired, too.

Brandy is sharing a bit more personally this week, pulling back the curtain on what life can really look like on the mission field. It’s easy to imagine something a little more…storybook. Maybe not full-on woodland creatures doing the dishes, but at least a steady soundtrack of joy and a nonstop stream of meaningful, mountaintop moments.

“It sounds nice,” Brandy said, “but sometimes we get tired.”

Over the past couple of weeks, Nathan, Michael, Levi, and Lottie have all been sick. Rachel has been sick. Brandy has been sick. That’s a full house of illness — with no magical helpers stepping in to cook meals or keep things running smoothly. And all of this has been happening right in the middle of team season, when energy, focus, and presence are needed the most.

“I remember thinking, I’m already tired, and now we’re starting a team week,” Brandy said.

He pushed through and went out with the team, but something felt off.

“I wasn’t feeling joy. All the circumstances in life were adding stress.”

Then came an unexpected gift.

“There was one of the older men on the team,” Brandy shared. “He was always happy — dancing around, full of joy. Every day I spent time with him, it felt like he was giving me some of his joy.”

By the end of the week, something had shifted.

“I felt like I had my joy back,” Brandy said. “I told him that, and I really believe God was speaking to me through him.”

The following week, when the Crosspoint team arrived, Brandy could no longer ignore the fact that he was sick, too. One day, instead of heading out with the team, he stayed in town and went to the doctor.

“I had a really sore throat. My sinuses weren’t handling the dust well. And I even had an issue with my eye from all the dust,” he said.

The diagnosis wasn’t surprising. The dry season — better described as the dusty season — had taken its toll.

Even so, Brandy continued going out with the team when he could. During one visit, he spoke with a local pastor serving in one of the poorest communities. The pastor has faithfully led his congregation for eight years, and now they are beginning construction on a sanctuary.

“The building is going to be huge,” Brandy said.

What the pastor shared next left an impression.

“We don’t have a budget to build,” he said, “but God is providing.”

He went on to explain that focusing too much on resources — or the lack of them — can derail what God is calling you to do.

“Focus on God and God’s vision,” the pastor told him. “If you focus on the money or the circumstances, you’ll stop. You’ll start trusting in your own strength instead of God’s.”

That perspective landed exactly where it needed to.

“When we are feeling tired, we need to remember to rest in God and trust in Him,” Brandy said. “He is always taking care of us — in every situation. When you’re sick, when you’re tired, when you’re trying to build something bigger than you… He’s there.”

That was the reminder Brandy wanted to share this week — not just about the hard moments, but about where to turn in the middle of them.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Sowers4Pastors. Those prayers matter more than you know. In a very real way, everyone who prays is part of the ministry — strengthening, encouraging, and helping carry the work forward.

Health Update

There is good news to report. Levi and Lottie have fully recovered, and Nathan and Michael are improving, though still a bit under the weather. Rachel has had the toughest stretch, making multiple trips to the doctor with a serious respiratory infection, but she is finally beginning to feel better.

As for Brandy, he isn’t quite back to 100%, but that hasn’t stopped him from heading out to deliver a second round of backpacks.

Please continue to keep the entire family in your prayers — for healing, for strength, and yes… even for a little extra joy along the way.

  - posted by Christi

Beautiful Feet, Dusty Roads, and Faithful Yeses

Sowers4Pastors has completed three beautiful—but undeniably exhausting—weeks of ministry. The kind of tired that settles into your bones, yes, but also the kind that comes from knowing you’ve been part of something far bigger than yourself. As the dust (and mud… and cold air) begins to settle, Brandy found himself reflecting on this passage from Romans:

        How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And         how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And         how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how            can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How                beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

                                                                Romans 10:14–15 (NIV)

Over the past few weeks, Sowers4Pastors has hosted three back-to-back teams for backpack distributions and other projects. It’s been tiring. Plans haven’t always gone perfectly. There have been detours and delays, most often courtesy of weather or vehicles that decided now was the perfect time to act up. Still, the work continued.

When a team from Lighthouse Church was on the ground, the defining feature of the week was dust. Long days were spent traveling to different communities, distributing backpacks, playing games with kids, and visiting the homes of sponsored children. During that week, Brandy’s pickup truck — loaded to the brim with backpacks — developed mechanical issues. The truck limped its way to the school, was repaired just enough, and made it home at the end of the day. Not ideal, but good enough to keep going.

The following week brought a team from Life Community Church — and with them, the rain. Lots of rain. Dust gave way to mud, and plenty of it. One of the S4P trucks spun out and now wears a few large dents as souvenirs. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the work didn’t slow down.

That team distributed backpacks and tackled a major electrical project at one of the schools. Two electricians on the team were stunned by what they found: much of the school had been without lights for years. When the lights were finally turned on throughout the building, kids gathered to watch. Neighbors looked on from their windows. People cheered. What felt ordinary to some was nothing short of extraordinary for that community.

Last week, Sowers4Pastors was hosting a team from Edgewater, FL, and just to keep things interesting, the weather turned cold — by Honduran standards, anyway. Brandy estimates temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes for a very chilly backpack distribution. The team also made home visits, where children and their families eagerly welcome sponsors into their homes. Even with nearly 2,000 children in the program, Brandy shared that he’s beginning to recognize familiar faces.

The roads may be dusty or muddy. Trucks may break down or spin out. Temperatures may drop unexpectedly. But the feet that carry the good news — those are always beautiful.

- posted by Christi.

Sharing What Matters: A First Taste of Missions

If you’re a parent, you know the quiet joy of introducing your child to something you love for the very first time. Maybe it’s the best slice of pizza you’ve ever had, or a cinematic masterpiece like The Princess Bride. Today’s story is about a father who is sharing something even more lasting with his son — and no, it doesn’t come with pepperoni (though it might come with dust, laughter, and a ladder).

Joel from Life Community Church in Hilliard, Ohio, was on his fourth short-term mission trip with Sowers4Pastors two weeks ago. For his twelve-year-old son, Owen, it was his first. Think of it as the missions equivalent of discovering the pizza — the kind that rewires your brain and makes you wonder how you ever lived without it.

The LCC team arrived in Honduras on January 24 and left on the 31st. Because the church sponsors two different schools, the team had been right in the middle of the joyful chaos of two backpack distribution days when Joel and I spoke. Joel shared, “Personally, that’s why I come. To meet the kids and to see the kids I sponsor, along with their families. It’s a way to express that someone far away loves them — and that God loves them.”

In addition to backpack distributions, the team took on an electrical project at one of the schools. Joel explained that the building was in significant disrepair. “There were no lights at all in the classroom,” he said. “Even though there are windows with bars, about 80% of the walls are concrete block, so the rooms are very dark.”

Despite what you might assume, the team is not made up of seasoned electricians. They do have one electrical engineer, whom Joel reverently — and accurately — referred to as “the brains of the project.” The rest of the team brings a healthy mix of home repair experience, problem-solving skills, and willingness to learn on the fly. Together, their goal was to install electrical boxes, conduit, and wiring so the classrooms would finally have proper lighting.

Owen helped however he could, especially when his dad would call down from the top of a ladder. When he wasn't assisting with tools, he was doing equally important work — building relationships. Like most twelve-year-old boys, Owen is highly skilled in the art of playing, and those skills are in high demand. “Even though I’m not fluent in Spanish,” he shared, “we can still play together.”

It turns out kids from Ohio and kids from Honduras like a lot of the same things. Games translate beautifully. Friendships follow quickly. With the occasional help of a translator app, full conversations even happen. Owen did notice one meaningful difference, though. “They’ll come up and give you a hug,” he said. “It feels different than in the U.S., where people just say ‘hi’ or give a high five.”

When asked if he’s formed any special connections, Owen talked about three boys from the neighborhood who often stayed after school. Sometimes they even pitched in, helping remove rotted tile from the school building. Friendship, it turns out, pairs nicely with teamwork.

For Joel, sharing this experience with his son has been deeply intentional. “We live in a small town in Ohio where everybody looks pretty much the same, and everybody pretty much has what they need,” he said. “I’m trying to plant seeds about the Kingdom work that can be done — whether that’s full-time ministry or short-term missions.”

Owen’s older sister has already been to Honduras twice, and Joel reflected on what that has meant for their family. “I’m thankful to the Sowers and their ministry. This has been a great thing for my family. It’s helped us teach that ministry happens both at home and abroad. We can — and should — do it at all levels.”

And in case you’re wondering what surprised Owen most about Honduras, it wasn’t the food or the language. It was the roofs. Clay tile roofs look very different when you’re used to composite shingles and metal. Transportation differences were also eye-opening. But if you ask Owen for his final verdict? He’d be perfectly content to just move into the hotel where the team is staying.

Not a bad review for a first taste of missions.

- posted by Christi.

Building Faith and Benches: A Week of Discipleship in Honduras

A few weeks ago, a team from Crosspoint Church was on the ground in Honduras. As Brandy shared, this wasn’t a typical mission team. There was no backpack distribution, no VBS program, no medical clinic — and it wasn’t a vision trip, either. This team went to Honduras with one clear purpose: to provide a discipleship program for men in the area.

The Crosspoint team invited pastors and church members from their own sponsorship area to participate, as well as from the nearby EAC sponsorship area. Typically, Crosspoint sends a team once a year to host a VBS program during their backpack distribution trip. But last year, Sowers4Pastors and Crosspoint began discussing a new idea — a trip focused entirely on discipleship.

Brandy explained, “Their strategy was to come and teach basic skills in construction. They taught masonry, carpentry, and welding — as much as you can teach in four days. But the main focus wasn’t on carpentry itself. The construction projects were also a tool to open the door for deeper discipleship among the men who attended.”

In recent years, Brandy has noticed that in many churches, men are greatly outnumbered by women — sometimes five to one. “I don’t want to use the word ‘depressing,’” he said, “but it’s sad. We need strong Christian men. The week with the team went really well.”

Attending the program required sacrifice from the Honduran participants. For most, it meant giving up a full week of paid work. Even so, about 20–25 men participated — from one teenager to several in their thirties — all eager to learn and grow. Brandy, who studied welding for three years in school, helped teach that skill and also served as translator for the group.

Since it’s tough to build something major in four days while learning new skills, the men divided into three groups and focused on one meaningful project: building benches for children to use in their church. When the week ended, the benches stayed behind — a practical, lasting reminder of their shared effort.

“They were so proud of their work,” Brandy said. “It was amazing to see the faces of these men using an electric saw for the first time — and to watch their excitement as they saw the results of their efforts at the end of each day. It was really good.”

Each day included worship and a devotional led by Pastor Israel from Crosspoint, but the discipleship extended far beyond those sessions. The six-member team chose to stay in the community itself, rather than returning to a hotel in Gracias each night. They ate together, played games, and spent countless hours in conversation.

Brandy reflected, “It was a wonderful time.”

 - posted by Christi

Previously on the Sowers4Pastors Blog: Faith, Backpacks, and Bible Lessons

 (Please read the following paragraph in your best television announcer voice.)

Previously, on the Sowers4Pastors blog…

Vision Trip guests being mobbed 
by sponsored children, LOL

Mary Faith and Kirstin were catching their breath after a whirlwind backpack collection trip. Mary Faith was preparing to return to language school. Kirstin was getting ready to jump back into the office work. The container in Maryland was about to be loaded. And Allen and Trish were gearing up for their own trip to the U.S.

Now that you’re all caught up on the “previous episode,” let’s see where the story picks up!

The Sequel: Progress All Around

Mary Faith is now back at language school, “hablo-ing Español” up a storm. After a short at-home vacation, Kirstin has returned to the office — although word on the street is that she was still called upon for her expertise during her “official” time off. (Brandy laughingly assures us that doesn’t count, of course.)

Meanwhile, the container did get loaded (thanks so much, to everyone who helped with that), and the ministry is working on securing the necessary documents to bring items like toothpaste into Honduras. And yes, Allen and Trish successfully made it to Alabama, where they’re visiting churches and sharing about Sowers4Pastors’ new sponsorship program.

On the Ground in Honduras

While all of that was happening, the work in Honduras didn’t skip a beat. Last week, a team from Crosspoint Church (in Mississippi) served on the ground, and this week a vision team (from a church in Pennsylvania) arrived for their visit. Brandy and the team spent Tuesday visiting the sponsorship programs connected with Life Community Church (in Ohio) and New Life Christian Ministries (in Pennsylvania). They met with students, teachers, and pastors.

Brandy shared, “We had a good time talking to people at the schools. The teachers expressed how grateful they are. Some of the teachers aren’t Christians, but they appreciate the ministry and how we work with their school. We thought they would point to things like the backpacks or shoes kids receive, but the first thing they mentioned was how much they value Pastor Marvin’s weekly Bible lessons for the children.”

Many of these teachers work on six-month or one-year contracts, while others have been there for years. Those who’ve been around longer say they’ve seen real change in their students’ behavior.

Of course, Brandy noted, “Kids are still kids — they aren’t always going to behave perfectly.” But they love the interactive Bible lessons with coloring pages and activities, and they’re carrying those lessons home with them.

Stories that Stick

The team also visited with three local pastors and heard powerful stories about the ways the sponsorship programs are impacting entire communities.

One pastor shared how a family in his area couldn’t afford school supplies, so their children weren’t enrolled in school. The family happened to be present when S4P returned to the community to double-check that no children had been missed during the first distribution. That’s when their kids were enrolled in the program — and just a few weeks later, they started school.

The pastor recalled how the parents came to him in tears, thanking him for helping their children. He told them, “It’s not us. It’s not the gringos. It’s God sending your family what you need.”

Faith in Action

Stories like these aren’t rare, but they never lose their impact. Hearing firsthand from the people who live there — the teachers, pastors, and parents who witness transformation every day — is a beautiful reminder of how God is using these programs to reach the people of these villages.

Each Bible lesson, each backpack, each smile shared between teacher and student — they’re all threads in the same story. And it’s one that keeps unfolding, week by week, both on the ground in Honduras and right here on the blog.

Prayers for Safety

There has been a lot of rain lately, resulting in roads that are more treacherous than usual. Plus, there is a hurricane in the area that might impact Honduras. Please pray for safe travels and for continued safety for the people who live in the area.

- posted by Christi