Medicine, Miracles, and Muddied Roads: A Medical Team's Week in Honduras

If you’ve been keeping up with Sowers4Pastors’ social media, you already know that a medical team led by the ever-dedicated Dr. Monica recently returned from their annual trip to Honduras. This marked her fourth year leading a medical brigade — and once again, it was a week full of service, surprises, and sacred moments.

This year’s team included thirteen members, a dynamic mix of college students, medical students, nurses, doctors, and non-medical volunteers who kept the operation humming. Over the course of four days, the team served more than 700 people across four different sister church communities. That’s a lot of checkups, a lot of travel, and a whole lot of heart.

While many patients came for basic services like vision checks and ear irrigations, others received more complex care. One team member focused solely on vision screenings and was able to fit over 200 people with reading glasses — many of whom had been unable to read their Bibles due to declining eyesight. Imagine the joy of receiving not just medical help, but the restored ability to read the Word of God.

Each day, the team transformed local church spaces into what Dr. Monica calls a “missionary MASH unit,” complete with plastic totes and bags full of vitamins, over-the-counter remedies, and prescription medications. But in Honduras, things rarely go exactly according to plan—and that’s where the miracles start to shine through.

On one particularly muddy morning, the team’s supply truck got stuck, delaying setup by over an hour. But rather than letting the downtime discourage them, the team turned the delay into a divine detour. They happened to be at the sister church connected to Trish, a team member who was familiar with the kids’ recent VBS songs. For 45 joyful minutes, team members led choreographed songs, painted fingernails, and laughed with children. Dr. Monica called it one of the unexpected highlights of the trip.

Throughout the week, the team had at least four doctors on-site each day, including Dr. Stephanie, a local physician who runs a medical practice with her husband in Gracias. Dr. Stephanie joined for three of the four days, helping with complex cases and even offering follow-up care and lab tests at discounted rates through her clinic — a gift that extends the impact of the visit well beyond one week.

And it wasn’t just the care that flowed smoothly — customs clearance was its own minor miracle. Dr. Monica and her son Caleb arrived early with bags full of medical supplies, which had to be declared and registered with Honduran officials. Thanks to Brandy and his lawyer's meticulous preparation, what normally takes hours was completed in twenty minutes. Rather than opening every bag and checking every bottle, officials opened just two bags, checked one item in each, and sent them on their way.

The team also had the privilege of attending a Sunday service at the church Alejandro and Secia are planting, a spiritually rich experience that allowed them to worship alongside the very people they were serving.

Reflecting on the week, Dr. Monica said, “It was miracle after miracle each day.” And though the team worked at a near-frenetic pace, she describes the experience with characteristic humility and gratitude:

“Going home is always bittersweet. We went down and did what God had for us to do. And we walked away feeling entirely blessed. I always go with the intention of blessing others — but I return feeling even more blessed myself.”

Serving with Medicine, Covered in Prayer

Whether it was navigating muddy roads, restoring vision, or simply holding a child’s hand during a clinic visit, this medical team showed what it means to serve wholeheartedly and humbly. They were covered in prayer, equipped with purpose, and guided every step of the way.

Please continue praying for the communities they served, the patients they treated, and the team members who gave so generously of their time, skills, and hearts.

- posted by Christi

From Crafts to Connections: Edgewater Alliance Brings VBS Joy to Honduras

If you don’t recognize the name Tiffany Richardson, rest assured — she probably recognizes yours if you sponsor a child through Sowers4Pastors' EAC program. Tiffany is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, managing much of the correspondence between sponsors and their kids. But she doesn’t stop there — she also leads about two Edgewater Alliance Church teams to Honduras each year.

Last week, Tiffany was on the ground in Gracias with her latest team, bringing vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) programming to five different schools. That may sound like a logistical marathon — and it was! — but the team pulled it off with smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.

Delivering two full days of VBS to five schools in just four days meant serious planning. The team arrived in Honduras with lesson plans, games, crafts, and enough supplies to keep over 230 kids engaged. They adapted material from the VBS programs used at Edgewater Alliance, selecting the lessons and activities that best translated across languages and cultures. Tiffany said one of the most meaningful parts was being able to tell the children in Honduras, “These are the same lessons your sponsor families learned back in the U.S.”

Here’s how they made it happen: the team visited two schools on Monday and Tuesday, then hit the remaining three on Wednesday and Thursday. They sang songs, shared stories, played games, and got creative with crafts — all in spite of the rainy season. Gracias has been drenched with daily downpours lately, but incredibly, the team was only lightly sprinkled on one occasion. That may sound minor, but in rural Honduras, a heavy rain can shut down travel completely. This was an answered prayer — and a huge relief.

  

 

Tiffany is no stranger to this work. She’s been sponsoring children since 2017 and started traveling to Honduras in 2018. Over the years, she’s watched children grow up, graduate, and step into adulthood with confidence and purpose. One young man she first sponsored seven years ago has now finished school — and this past week, she met his niece at a VBS program. Another team member met the girl she sponsors, who is now in college training to become a police officer. Her sister is studying to become a doctor. For context: when Sowers4Pastors began serving this area, local education stopped at 6th grade.

This summer’s team included 10 members, with 4 teens or younger. One turned 17 while in Honduras and was treated to a surprise traditional Honduran birthday celebration. There was even a mother-son duo on the team. They didn’t sponsor a child when they arrived, but by the time they left, they were proudly sponsoring a little girl they met during a school visit.

Tiffany shared with a laugh, “It’s not unusual for team members to arrive not sponsoring a child. But probably 98% are sponsors by the time they leave.”

Thanks to a little timing overlap, Tiffany was also able to connect with members of the incoming medical team — including the well-known and well-loved Dr. Monica. On one day when her group went ziplining, Tiffany stayed back to help organize and ended up lending a hand with medical supply prep. She joked afterward, “I told my folks I’d switched teams for the day!”

A Note to Sponsors (and Future Sponsors)

Tiffany’s story is more than a trip report. It’s a reminder of how missions work isn't about grand gestures — it's about consistency, connection, and compassion. Whether it's sharing a lesson, handing out oatmeal, or giving a smile, every act plants a seed. Over time, those seeds grow into stories like a college-bound girl or a reunited sponsor and niece.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your letters, prayers, or gifts are making a difference — let Tiffany assure you: They are.

Please continue to pray for the children, families, and dedicated team members who pour so much love into this ministry. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be part of the next 98%.

 - posted by Christi

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

One Bag, One Month, One Big Miracle: The Ripple Effect of Generosity

 A team from New Life Christian Ministries is currently on the ground in Honduras—and as Brandy often says, one of the biggest blessings of sending teams throughout the year is the chance to hear stories that might otherwise go untold.

At the beginning of the year, a previous New Life team wanted to do something extra special when they came to distribute backpacks. The church decided to bless their sister church community by handing out food bags — no strings attached.

Now, under normal circumstances, grocery bags are typically delivered only to the families of sponsored children, either when a sponsor is present or has sent funds specifically for that purpose. But this time, every family in the sister church received a food bag. That act of generosity was powerful on its own — but this week, a current team member heard just how far that blessing reached.

In one local family, a single mother had been struggling to feed her children. We don’t know all the details — perhaps the mother is a widow, or perhaps the father had left — but what’s certain is that she was in a desperate situation. So desperate, in fact, that she was preparing to leave her children with their grandmother while she traveled to the city in search of work.

The food bags contained simple staples: cooking oil, oatmeal, bread — nothing flashy or excessive, just the kinds of everyday ingredients that make survival a little easier. Normally, a single bag would last about a week.

But this mom shared her testimony: her single bag of groceries lasted an entire month. Not with extreme rationing. Not with skipped meals. Her children ate regularly — and she stayed.

It’s hard not to think of the Hanukkah story — where one day’s supply of oil burned for eight. Here, one week’s worth of food stretched across four. During that time, she found a job close to home. Her family stabilized. And instead of leaving her children behind, she stayed with them — confident that God was taking care of them.

“When you take care of people in need, God won’t forget that,” Brandy said.

That’s the power of sowing kindness. One gift. One gesture. One bag. It’s never just groceries, it's hope. It’s proof that God sees and provides.

The New Life team is scheduled to head home on Friday, and another team will arrive on Saturday. It’s been raining every day in Gracias, and Brandy laughingly recommends that the incoming group pack rain jackets. The good news? The rain’s been heavy enough to wash away all the slick, dangerous mud from the roads. That’s an answered prayer in itself!

Please continue to pray for safe travels, for softened hearts, and for God to continue multiplying every seed sown in love.

 - posted by Christi

VBS Season Is Here: Joy, Jesus, and Jumping Back In!

 “After five weeks without teams, here we go again!” Brandy said with a smile. “We’ve got four weeks of Vacation Bible School coming up—and that’s exciting for so many reasons!”

As the team gears up, Brandy recently reflected on why this ministry means so much to him. In a conversation with Kirstin, he shared that one of his favorite things about the work of Sowers4Pastors is its variety. While the ministry does a lot of different things, every single effort supports one overarching mission: empowering pastors to share the Gospel.

“I love VBS because it brings our friends—our brothers and sisters in Christ—from the States,” Brandy said. “We love them. We miss them. And we get excited to see them every year.”

This is more than just a reunion. It’s a time of shared work, mutual encouragement, and spiritual growth—for everyone involved.

“It’s an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the churches in the States,” Brandy explained. “We share experiences. We serve side-by-side. We encourage one another. That’s such an important part of Christian life — building healthy, joyful relationships in Christ.”

One of Brandy’s favorite aspects of the VBS weeks is visiting the communities served by these partner churches.

“We serve together as a team,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what culture we’re from or what language we speak — we’re united by one purpose.”

And that purpose is rooted in Scripture. Brandy quoted Colossians 3:23:

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

That’s the VBS heart in action: serving joyfully and intentionally, for the Lord.

“We’re sharing the Gospel while having a really good time,” Brandy said. “The kids are learning, laughing, and playing. And through all of it — they’re growing in their understanding of who God is.”

Brandy also appreciates how VBS gives the team opportunities to meet with local families and teachers.

“We can get to know them and understand their reality — everything they go through,” he said. “When we know the people we’re serving, we serve better.”

He wrapped up his thoughts with a powerful reminder of the heart behind it all:

“We are training our faith by doing this. We are living the Gospel. We are preaching. We are serving. We are learning to love the people and teaching God’s children. We’re so excited to start VBS with the teams!”

The first group arrives this weekend, and we’re asking for your prayers as the work begins. Brandy noted that it’s been raining every day — please pray for clear skies, safe travel, and fruitful ministry.

Let the joy (and the Jesus-filled fun) begin!

 - posted by Christi

Motorcycles, Mountains, and the Mission: Empowering Pastors Through Mobility

 What do motorcycles have to do with fulfilling the Great Commission?

 Surprisingly—quite a lot!

Very soon, Sowers4Pastors will hand over the keys to sixteen motorcycles — each one a powerful tool in the hands of local pastors committed to reaching remote communities with the gospel.

This isn’t the first time we’ve shared about the motorcycle ministry, and it won’t be the last. The impact is simply too great to keep quiet. This week, Brandy spent time digging into Scripture to reflect on the biblical foundation of this part of the ministry. Naturally, he started with the Great Commission:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

 — Mark 16:15–16 (NKJV)

But that’s not the only scriptural support for this work. Brandy also pointed to verses about sowing and reaping — like Galatians 6:7-8 and Jesus’s parable of the sower in Matthew 13 — as a meaningful connection to the ministry’s mission.

“These verses about sowing and harvesting apply to a lot of things,” Brandy explained. “If you sow corn, you harvest corn. If you sow into ministry, your harvest is treasure in heaven. When people invest in this work, the harvest isn’t for worldly gain — it’s for God’s kingdom.”

That investment makes it possible to fulfill the Great Commission and the mission of Sowers4Pastors: empowering pastors. In this case, it’s quite literal. A motorcycle gives a pastor the ability to reach remote mountain communities, places where travel is difficult, where few others are willing to go.

“This kind of work isn’t comfortable or convenient,” Brandy said. “But with help from donors, we can equip these pastors to go where they’re needed most.”

Sowers4Pastors is already making calls to coordinate the upcoming motorcycle distribution. This time, a team from the Honda dealership will join the event to provide a practical training session. Pastors will learn about their bike’s warranty and get a crash course in basic maintenance and care. As always, there will also be a time of worship and fellowship, plus plenty of coffee and conversation.

“When we do this, God is with us,” Brandy shared. “We believe that each motorcycle is not just a gift — it’s an answer to someone’s prayer.”

We invite you to pray for the pastors who will receive motorcycles. Pray for their protection, their strength, and their ministries. And please continue to pray for the work of Sowers4Pastors.

“When we ask God, we receive,” Brandy said. “Invest in the Kingdom. The harvest is eternal.”

*   *   *   *   * 

Would you like to invest in the Kingdom by helping provide motorcycles for pastors? 

Here's the link where you can donate:   

https://sowers4pastors.reachapp.co/donations/new 

Thank you so much for your partnership in ministry!!!

 - posted by Christi

From Behind the Lens to the Heart of Honduras: Meet Intern Hannah

There’s a new intern in town! Hannah, a photographer from Glen Burnie, Maryland, has arrived in Gracias for a nearly three-month internship with Sowers4Pastors — and she’s already off to a wonderful start.

Hannah first visited Honduras last year with a team from Lighthouse Church. That trip, she admits, changed everything.

“It was life-changing,” she said. “I honestly didn’t expect anything major to come from it. But once I got here, it became a turning point in my life.”

As a child, Hannah felt drawn to missions, but over time, that calling faded into the background. The trip with Lighthouse reawakened something deeply meaningful—and unmistakable.

Back home in Maryland, Hannah works as a photographer, mostly capturing weddings and graduations. While the work is rewarding in its own way, it didn’t spark quite the same joy as photographing children during Vacation Bible School in Honduras.

“It just felt different,” she said. “I was proud of that work. When I heard that Sowers4Pastors would be losing their photographer because Esdras was leaving, it felt like an answered prayer — before I had even prayed.”

Hannah now feels strongly that she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. Though the distance from home can be difficult, she isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning long-term. For now, her plan is to head back to Maryland in August, work for a while, and then return to Gracias when she can.

She’s currently staying in the house Mary Faith is renting and adjusting to life in Honduras — including a slower pace and not being able to go out on her own whenever she wants. But she’s not bored. In fact, she’s even enjoying the day-to-day tasks like cooking and doing laundry. She and Mary Faith plan to explore more of the area together soon.

One of the biggest highlights? Reconnecting with the friends she made during last year’s trip. Hannah says Alejandro, Secia, and their two children have also welcomed her like family.

“It already feels like home,” she shared. “I’m so blessed to have these people in my life.”

Of course, the stunning views around Gracias haven’t gone unnoticed, either.

So far, Hannah’s days have been filled with school visits — delivering letters and rice — and doing office work, and she’s enjoyed every bit of it. She’s also practicing her Spanish. Back home, she attends both Lighthouse Church and a Spanish-speaking church, so she’s able to understand more than she can speak. She and her friends are able to communicate with each other and use their phones to help with translation when needed.

Please keep Hannah in your prayers as she continues this journey. And stay tuned—we’ll be sharing some of her beautiful photography soon!

 - posted by Christi

Letters with Purpose

 If you grew up watching Sesame Street, you probably remember how each episode was proudly “brought to you by” a letter and a number. Something like: “Today’s program is brought to you by the letter S and the number 4.”

Well, today’s blog post from Sowers4Pastors is also brought to you by letters — but not the alphabet kind. We're talking about real, handwritten (or typed!) letters sent to sponsored children. And if you ask Alejandro, that kind of letter carries more power than you might think.

This isn’t the first time Alejandro has emphasized the importance of writing to your sponsored child — and it won’t be the last. Why? Because he’s seen the difference it makes, firsthand.

“It’s so beautiful to see the faces of the children when we arrive at the schools and churches with letters,” he shared. “We see their eyes light up. But we also see their disappointment when they don’t receive anything.”

That’s why Alejandro encourages every sponsor to take just 5 to 10 minutes to write a letter — a letter with purpose.

He points to Proverbs 18:21 as a reminder of just how much power our words hold:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (NKJV)

“God gave us the power of life and death in our tongues,” Alejandro said. “I encourage you to speak blessings to the kids. I encourage you to bless your child’s life with your words.”

And make no mistake — those words don’t just reach a child once and fade away. They’re treasured.

“When the children receive letters,” he said, “they read them with their classmates and their families. They send three letters a year to their sponsors, and when we translate those letters, we can see the joy pouring out. They remember every detail you’ve shared. They ask questions. They hold onto your letters. Your words stay with them.”

Letters are more than a formality — they’re a lifeline of encouragement, a source of connection that extends beyond the child to their friends and family. According to Alejandro, this process creates what he calls “a beautiful bond” between sponsor and child.

“If you write letters, you will impact the heart of your sponsored child. They will never forget you. They will always remember that someone in the United States loves them, prays for them, and cares about them.”

So here’s the challenge: Write letters. And write them with purpose.

If you’re unsure where to start, Alejandro offers a simple guide: share blessings and words of encouragement. Cheer them on in school. Remind them to keep seeking God’s blessings. Celebrate their hard work. Send a photo of your family — or even your pets!

“You have the opportunity to change a life with your words,” he says.

And to all the sponsors who are already faithfully writing:

“Thank you. Please keep going. Your letters are a huge blessing to the children, their classmates, and their families. It’s a blessing to us, too — especially when we see their faces light up as they open an envelope with your words inside.”

So today’s post is brought to you by… you. And the extraordinary impact of a simple letter.


 - posted by Christi

Mary Faith, Missions, and a Ministry House Surprise

So, what’s new with Mary Faith? We're glad you asked! As it turns out, she carved out some early morning time during her current trip to Arizona to fill us in.

The view from Mary Faith's
new house! 

If you’ve been following her journey, you may remember that she was originally told she’d need to leave Honduras every three months until she receives residency. That’s mostly true — but Mary Faith recently discovered a helpful little loophole: once she officially applies for residency, she’ll be able to stay put by paying a small monthly fee. In the meantime, she's happy to make regular visits back to the States to see her family.

She’s also still hard at work on fundraising. Currently, she’s about 50% funded and living on faith — literally. Some generous one-time gifts helped her make the move to Honduras, but she knows those funds won’t stretch forever. One of her big goals is to return to immersive language school this fall—ideally for three months (October through December). She has one month covered so far, but as any adult language learner can tell you, consistency is key — so a longer stay would be a huge blessing.

Why the renewed focus on Spanish? Because Mary Faith longs to engage more deeply with her local church community. As someone who’s been involved in church life for years, it’s tough not to fully grasp the rapid-fire sermons and conversations. Gaining fluency would open the door to relationships, participation, and purpose in a setting that already feels like home.

Speaking of home — there’s a new development on that front too!

After weeks of searching, Alejandro helped Mary Faith find a house... and not just any house. It's grander than anything she imagined for herself—but it’s also a perfect fit for something Sowers4Pastors has long hoped for: a ministry house to host interns and small teams. The new place checks all the boxes, with four generous bedrooms—three of which can be outfitted with bunk beds galore. Mary Faith’s bedroom will become a private suite, giving her the space she needs while she takes on the role of housemother.

The communal spaces are being furnished with help from the ministry, and the house will already be in use when she returns—hosting a short-term intern. And the rent? A total steal, since homes that large typically aren’t in high demand in the area.

Best of all, it’s only a two-minute walk from Alejandro and Cesia’s home, in a safe, gated community. Oh, and yes — it has kitchen cabinets. (A big win on Mary Faith’s wishlist!)

Over the past three months, Mary Faith worked almost daily to update the profiles of children in the sponsorship program. The work was detailed and repetitive, but she found it deeply rewarding. Knowing that these updates help connect kids with sponsors makes every spreadsheet cell feel like part of a much bigger picture.

As she gets ready to return to Honduras next week, Mary Faith is filled with gratitude — for new doors opening, for family visits, and for the opportunity to serve.

Would you pray about partnering with Mary Faith financially as she continues this calling? She’s doing the work. She’s got the heart. Now she just needs the support to keep going strong.

 - posted by Christi

Here's the link where you can donate to Mary Faith's support (just choose her from the list of donation purposes): Donation Page

Dental Team on the Ground!

Raise your hand if you grew up watching The Toothbrush Family cartoon short during Captain Kangaroo in the 1970s. Now hum along if you still remember the theme song — sung to the tune of Three Blind Mice:

Brush your teeth                                                                                                                     
Round and round                                                                                                                       
Circle small                                                                                                                             
Gums and all 

A small, soft toothbrush the round and round way                                                                     
Will keep your gums healthy and stop tooth decay                                                                     
So clean very carefully three times a day                                                                                     
Go round and round…

(From Trish - I found the song on YouTube. It's a real blast-from-the-past!)

Now that we’re all psyched about oral health, let’s talk about how that enthusiasm showed up in Gracias this week!

Dr. Annette, a Pittsburgh-based dentist and longtime friend of the Sowers4Pastors ministry, spent the past week in Honduras with a team of dedicated volunteers. She graciously took time out of her busy schedule to share some updates—and there’s a lot to smile about.

This isn’t her first rodeo. Dr. Annette began serving in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch, first visiting Guanaja in 1999, where she met the Sowers family. When they relocated to Gracias, she followed — and has returned nearly every year since, usually with a crew of dental students in tow. This year, she brought 16 students from the University of Pittsburgh and was joined by a dentist from Tennessee who answered a call from the Christian Dental Society.

As she explained, “I like to have one dentist for every 5 to 6 students. That way, each student gets hands-on experience with strong supervision.”

Also joining the team? Alejandro’s sister, Dr. Samantha, a Honduran dentist. She came with her baby and her mom, who kindly babysat while Samantha got to work. Though she’d assisted other dentists before, this was her first time mentoring dental students — and she loved it!

Although exact numbers are hard to pin down, the team estimates they treated around 300 patients across two locations. Most of the people they saw had toothaches or visible cavities — especially in their front teeth. Dr. Annette explained that this is common in Honduras, where brushing habits can be inconsistent and sugary frozen treats are a favorite.

But the benefits of this week extended far beyond tooth extractions and fillings. Dr. Annette emphasized how valuable these trips are for the students:

“It gives them real-world experience and opens their eyes to volunteering and missions. A lot of times, you can see God more clearly on these trips. For people of faith, it deepens their faith. For others, it might get them thinking about Christianity.”

 - posted by Christi

Dental Team On the Way: Smiles, Service, and Something More

 “It’s like we never stop,” Brandy said with a laugh. “And that’s good.”

He’s not wrong — Sowers4Pastors is always on the move, and this week is no exception. The team is gearing up to welcome a visiting dental team from the U.S., led by longtime friend and faithful servant, Dr. Annette.

“Dr. Annette has been coming to Honduras for years,” Brandy shared. “She has such a heart to serve, and the medical teams she leads are a huge blessing for the communities, the churches, and especially the kids.”

Last year’s trip included visits to communities where some residents had never seen a dentist before. It was both eye-opening and humbling — for the team and for those receiving care. “It can be a little overwhelming because the team never knows exactly what they’ll find,” Brandy said. “But they’re so happy to be here and to use their skills to serve people and honor Jesus.”

This year’s team includes 19 volunteers from the States, plus two Honduran dentists — a sign of growing local engagement in the ministry’s mission. One of the most exciting developments is the involvement of Alejandro’s sister, a dentist who eagerly agreed to volunteer for the trip. Not only that, but she also “volunteered” her husband—who happens to be a dentist as well!

It’s a beautiful example of the way this ministry continues to build bridges — between nations, families, and communities.

The team will visit two locations, spending two days in each. One stop will be in Guacutao, a central hub for several of the sister churches. The team will set up inside a large church, using the space as a temporary dental clinic.

The second location is in a community that has never before hosted a dental team. It’s a meaningful milestone for families in that area, where basic dental care is often financially out of reach. “We’re excited to bring care to this area for the first time,” Brandy said. “It’s another way to show people the love of God in action.”

Brandy reflected on the many ways the Gospel is shared through the ministry: “We can share the Gospel in so many ways — through preaching, helping with food, giving out backpacks, sharing the Bible, and yes, even through dental care.”

The team hasn't arrived yet, but preparations are in full swing — and so are expectations. “We are expecting blessings for the communities,” Brandy said. 

Every time people come with willing hearts and open hands, God shows up.

 - posted by Christi

Investing in Growth: How Sowers4Pastors Empowers Its Own Team

At Sowers4Pastors, empowering Honduran pastors isn't just a mission statement—it’s the heartbeat of everything they do. It's the first thing you’ll see on the S4P homepage, and it’s a cause that hits very close to home.

This week, Brandy shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of the ways S4P is living out that mission: by focusing on empowering their own staff, who in turn empower pastors across Honduras.

Every Friday morning, S4P staff and farm workers gather for a special devotional time. They take turns leading the devotional, worship together, participate in activities, and finish by sharing breakfast.

Brandy laughed as he recalled the moment Mr. Allen, after being away for months, walked into a room packed with 17 people — only two of whom were gringos. “The devotionals have been a big hit,” he said, adding that they’ve already seen powerful spiritual growth among the team.

“Alejandro and Cesia are pastors,” Brandy explained. “Mr. Allen, Kirstin, and I are missionaries. But many others were originally hired for farm work — no one expected them to be at the same spiritual level as pastors. When we first started, we asked someone to pray out loud, and they couldn’t. Now, these same people are becoming more involved in serving their churches. It’s been such a blessing to watch them grow.”

In addition to the weekly devotionals, S4P encourages staff to attend conferences whenever possible. One major highlight is the annual three-day women's conference held in Tegucigalpa. Attendance is voluntary, but most of the women employed by S4P eagerly choose to go. The men are offered similar opportunities with conferences geared toward them.

“Every time they come back from a conference, you can see the difference,” Brandy said. “They come back refreshed, spiritually renewed, and excited to pour back into their communities.”

Just this week, S4P hosted a financial workshop, led by Brandy’s sister — a trained economist who has a heart for using her expertise to serve God. The workshop focused on Bible-based financial principles, teaching staff how to plan for the future and embrace God’s blessings without guilt.

“In Honduras, financial planning isn’t part of the culture,” Brandy explained. “Education like this is rare. It was incredible to watch staff learn that God cares about their financial well-being too.”

The staff especially loved the setting: instead of being the ones serving others, they were served at a hotel conference room — a small but meaningful way to celebrate their hard work. S4P plans to host two more workshops on different topics for the staff later this year.

As Brandy summed it up: “We always remember — the vision of the ministry is to empower Honduran pastors and leaders. And we are Honduran pastors and leaders, too! We have to be empowered, too.”

 - posted by Christi

A Big Day for Bible Teachers: Training, Cake, and a Shared Mission

Saturday, April 5th was a big day for the pastors and Sunday school teachers who lead Bible lessons in the 27 communities reached by the Sowers4Pastors sister church program. It marked the first training meeting of the year — and about 70 dedicated church leaders showed up ready to learn, grow, and be encouraged.

“The meeting started with preaching,” Alejandro shared. “We think God spoke to our lives — empowering us and empowering them.”

After a powerful time of worship and preaching, the atmosphere shifted into something equally joyful — a surprise birthday celebration! S4P presented a cake to honor everyone with a birthday between January and April.

“We did that because we’ve found that most people don’t know when others have birthdays,” Alejandro explained. “A lot of people have never had any kind of birthday celebration. Everyone was happy to pause, share some cake, and pray for the birthday guests.”

The plan? Keep the tradition going! At the next meeting, May through August birthdays will be celebrated with the same thoughtfulness.

Once the cake was shared, the training kicked into full gear. Attendees received teaching strategies, hands-on activities, and valuable resources to bring back to their own communities — now numbering 27, thanks to the recent expansion through Crosspoint Church’s sister church program.

“We are a team made up of three groups,” Alejandro said. “The people from the States, Sowers4Pastors, and the people in our local communities — we’re all working together to extend the Gospel in this country. We pray we’ll keep reaching out in the name of Jesus.”

As part of that mission, S4P also brought along a selection of study Bibles and books to sell at cost. These brand-new, high-quality resources are transported three hours by truck, allowing church leaders to purchase them for a fraction of the price they’d find in the cities. S4P doesn’t make a penny of profit — it’s a labor of love and a way to put important tools into the hands of those who are actively teaching the Word.

And because no great gathering is complete without a shared meal, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading back to their communities. Leaders were also reminded that new Bible lesson books and resources had already been delivered to the schools they serve.

The impact of the training was almost immediate. “On Monday and Tuesday, we started receiving pictures from the pastors and teachers,” Alejandro said. “They had already gone into the schools and started sharing the Bible lessons with the kids. We saw immediate results. It’s a blessing to share with them — and a blessing for us to see that these trainings are helpful.”

Sowers4Pastors is incredibly grateful to every church in the States and each person who prays for this ministry. Your support is making a difference — not just for the 2,000+ children in these schools, but for entire households and communities.

 - posted by Christi