Great video to promote missions

El Salvador Student Trip 2010 (full) from Bay Area Community Church on Vimeo.

Choluteca Church

The Great Commission Church in Choluteca has upgraded the building, from 230 people to 650 people. “At the moment the growth as been steady and we are filling the building to 95%, the next step is to have two meetings”, said pastor Geovany Granera who leads the church.

It is the expected result of a church that impacts the youth, the children, the professional, the homeless, the sick, and the community in general of a city of 150,000 inhabitants.

When you partner with us, through sponsoring a child, mobilizing a mission trip, or praying for our movement of churches, you are helping expand the kingdom of God in Earth. Thank you

Training Center for Entrepreneurs and Professionals

We have been working in Limon, Choluteca, Honduras since January 1999, that is 12 years now, and we have experienced the hand of the Lord in many ways. We would fail if we complained about anything. Lots of good stories, lots of friendships and partnerships. Lots of projects, children fed, educated, recovered from peril and the grasps of death.

But how do we speed up the process to move people our of poverty? what is the hope for the children and the youth? Great question with few answers.

Last month we dedicated what we call a Training Center for Entrepreneurs and Professionals (TCEP) focusing on youth ages 12 to 17 years old and equipping them with knowledge and practice in Computers, English, Customer Service and Cashier procedures.

The school counts with 20 brand new computers, two classrooms and more than 40 students.

Your mission teams can work with the children in the different classes and adding activities to the Center curricula.

Downpour in Latin America 2010

DOWNPOUR IN LATIN AMERICA 2010

In the last six months, rain has poured relentlessly throughout Latin America. There were floods and mudslides in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina.

There was another type of heavy rain as well, the heavy rain of God’s blessings through the social projects which saved lives, fed children, trained youth, provided jobs for single mothers, micro-loans, homes, and medical attention to the sick and elderly. It was a real DOWNPOUR from God!

Below is a list of the projects that God blessed, multiplied, and soaked with His Holy Spirit.

 

NUTRITION CENTERS

A Nutrition Center (CNI) oversees the health and development of children at risk. Selecting the children is complicated; getting them healthy is hard work, however working with the mothers to improve the overall environment for the child is rewarding spiritually and physically.

All the children get medical and dental care, nutritious meals, school supplies as well as uniforms and shoes to attend school, Bible classes, after school support, and home visits. These CNIs are funded through sponsorship, $33 a month given through http://www.giftberry.org/gcla helps us do all this work. There is plenty of children listed that need an sponsor.

Here are the places were we are serving children and their families:

• Choluteca;  77 children
• Choluteca Casa Hogar Vida 124 (special AIDS program)
• La Ceiba; 90 children
• La Libertad; 25 children
• Managua; 25 children
• Danli; 25 children
• San Salvador; 50 children (starting January 2011)

 

BUSINESS AS A MISSION

The development of small businesses is a great way to generate jobs, community wealth, and to train and educate employees in work disciplines and skills. In the last couple years churches and foundations have blessed us by providing the initial capital to start great businesses. More than 150 jobs have been created and all of these businesses have become self-sufficient.

• Concrete Block Factory CHV
• Tortilla Factory Choluteca
• Bakery in Choluteca
• Tortilla Factory Danli
• Souvenir Shop
• Metal Mecanica Vocacional

 

EDUCATION

Poverty has many dead-end roads, and little chances to break away. Quality education is one of the luxury items that are not within reach of those living in poor areas. So we figured that if we train youth in areas of computer skills and English as a second language, they would have more opportunities for better-paid jobs. We started Education Centers in these locations:

• Computer and English – La Libertad (25)
• San Pedro Sula Elementary School– Transforming Lives (20)
• Computer, Math and English – Managua (30) **
• Computer and English – Choluteca (200) **
• Computer and English – La Ceiba (100) **

(** Starting within the first quarter of 2011, already built and equipped)

 

HEALTH

Health Care is either a luxury or just unavailable in some areas of Latin America. And if a doctor is available, medications are completely out of reach, especially when some pills can be worth more than a weeks salary for those people  ($10). Our programs include the personal care and attention to patients, medical exams if required, medications, follow up, reviews, and proper filing of paper work for future treatments. In some cases we treat permanent illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and in severe cases we do surgery in proper rented facilities. Here are the locations and people we saw in 2010:

• Salud Total – La Ceiba (9,540 patients)
• Mission Trip Mobile Clinics (more than 4,000 patients)
• Salud Total – Managua ** (starting in May 2011)

 

HOUSING SOLUTIONS

A home is not only a place to sleep or keep your valuables, it gives us identity, it shelters dreams, provides warmth, and it nurtures families. But thousands of families do not have a home per say. They live in cardboard homes, dirt floors, low plastic roofs.  Since Hurricane Mitch we have built more than 6,000 homes in Central America. In 2010 we built homes for more families in need in:

• La Ceiba (32 homes)
• Choluteca (39 homes)
• Costa Rica (18 homes, after earthquake)
• La Libertad (8 homes)

 

CASA HOGAR VIDA

AIDS is a virus that doesn’t recognize any limitations, age, gender, religion, geographical borders, sinner from faithful partner, poor or rich. Honduras reports the highest percentage of infected people. God worked his ways to train pastor Geovanny in Choluteca, he is a physician who treats and deals with people who just became aware of their infection. This has opened doors to the church in Choluteca to start a project to help entire families who are afflicted by the virus. Our Casa Hogar Vida project serves parents and children who are infected, and also teaches the community to create awareness of how to avoid getting infected, and to rid of the stigma and discrimination against those who are contaminated. Here are the components of our program:

• Orphanage (8 orphans)
• Housing (39 built)
• Self Support Groups (more than 250 people)
• Education (3,000 students trained a year)
• Sports and Recreation Facilities

 

MICRO LOANS

Over the years we have struggled seeing entrepreneurial people with skills and desire to work but with no funding available, and with no chance to get a bank loan because they have no collateral!!! As usual, some of you took charge by raising funds to create a non-profit in the US to grant funds to GCLA for micro loans to people with the potential to generate profit. These small loans of $200 to $1,000 have helped many people get back on their feet. We give them training on how to do business plans, manage inventory, provide good customer service, and teach them business ethics and values. We visit them weekly to listen to help them solve their problems, to assist them get licenses and permits, all this with the goal of seeing them take off in their venture. So far we have generated 263 loans totaling $123,550, and that is just the beginning.

 

SHORT TERM MISSIONARIES

650 of you came to work shoulder to shoulder with our local church members and leaders, while they served in their communities. You showed God’s love and care for people, brought joy and touched many lives.  You left with the commitment to come back. Some of you keep in touch with those you befriended, and pledged to sponsor children. Missionaries like you give a face to our partnerships.

Downpour: a flood, rain over our lands, blessings to our people, crowds of new believers and new disciples, godly leaders, families with a hope, children who are not entirely orphans, a decent roof that will shelter not only family members but dreams, decency, and dignity; a loan to someone who does not qualify financially, simple medications that will give a better quality of life. Downpour is what we have witnessed, downpour is what has been promised, downpour of people in need, downpour of friends joining hands, downpour of resources…

See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground. “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.  After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Isaiah 28:1-3

 

GCLA Missions Magazine

Click here to read the GCLA Missions Magazine online

Casa Hogar – Handicrafts

Great ideas start always little, but you can see the brightness in them. A couple of months ago, Loren Fawcett (18 year old missionary in Choluteca) started a small project, which consisted of training the women of Casa Hogar to create handicrafts which could be sold locally and to the mission teams that visited Choluteca.

It didn’t take long for the couple of workers to multiply, and for the orders to come in. They are creating aprons, mittens, table cloths, dresses and other sewing items. Very soon they will begin producing school uniforms, not only for the Casa Hogar children but also for the Limon Day Care children, and any others who can buy them.

The idea behind is to provide a decent pay job, but at the same time in an environment close to their homes, and with love and care to improve self steem and dedication.

Let us know what you think, what can sell in your place, we will adapt, create, and improve in order to continue with this project and to hire more workers. Please send your ideas to fawcettplus3@aol.com

Almost, almost, almost, in Choluteca

The new auditorium for the church is almost ready. Some of you have seen this church come from 25 people to 350 in a few years. The promise of the Lord on Psalms 41:1-3 has been made a reality in this place.

There was only a problem, the auditorium could only seat 250 people, so it was usual to see 100 people standing in the back; but problem resolved!!! the new auditorium will seat 490 people easily.

Now we have a new set of problems, such as transportation, parking, leaders for small groups. But again we are expecting that the Hand of God will show again and we will once more rejoice to see His marvelous works.

Great Rejoicing in La Libertad

The church church in La Libertad, El Salvador, has a great reason to rejoice once more. The dedicated a few days ago their new temple, or gathering place.

Pastor Ivo tells us that for about 12 years the church met in house, with very little accommodations for a large crowd, still they grew up to 75 people who gathered every week.

The new location has a capacity of 250 and for Mother’s Day the capacity was reached, and they hope that it will overfilled very soon. “God rejoices and so do we” said Geovanny, one of the church leaders.

This accomplishment was achieved thanks to the support of the Great Commission Foundation, Great Commission Latin America, individual donors, church members, and the participation of U.S. Churches who partnered not only financially but also physically by coming to work for a week.

One remarkable event was that 20 men from our GCLA churches in Choluteca and Managua came for some days to work alongside the church members and workers to finish setting the roof.

Pastor Ivo says, thanks to God and to all of you who made this project a finished reality.

Five new homes under construction

Now we are building five new homes, which will be soon finished and inhabitated. Throughout this year we will build a high-rise water tank to serve the community, a sewer system, some of the gray water will be recycled to be used as irrigation in the green areas of the park.

Gates to home

These gates will lead many HIV infected children to a new place called home. Over the next months children will move in, more homes will be built, a chapel and logistic center to serve the homes, store goods, and do laundry.

Fencing Casa Hogar Vida

One of the last requirements to receive the orphan HIV/AIDS children in Casa Hogar Vida was the fence, we are building it and it should be finished within a month. The Honduran children agency has already assigned 4-6 children that could come and live here. Also other organizations who have had children with no place to settle them will be contacted to be able to serve these children.

When you come to Casa Hogar you will be able to play, teach, help these children. This can be the best therapy to stress and to forget about crisis.

Praise the Lord, we will keep you posted.

Basic Utility Vehicle in Casa Hogar

A US college student designed a type of cheap, hard working, efficient, utility vehicle that could be used for heavy tasks in places of community service such as Casa Hogar. These vehicle is made in Honduras.

Now we are using it to move rocks, materials, re-bar, blocks, cement, trash, posts, anything. And the best of all is that it uses one gallon of gasoline every 3 days.

If you want to read more about this vehicle visit this site:

http://www.drivebuv.org

Expansion in Choluteca

The Choluteca church has been growing in attendance and in services to their community. Some weekends the church receives 300 or more people, but it fits only 250. The church is building an expansion to the Auditorium where now 550 people will seat comfortably.

We are very thankful to God for His provision, in local people, with friends in the US who support us in our ministry. We pray for you, and hope to see you here soon to rejoice together on God’s plentiful giving.

Luz moved in her new home

The community “Esperanza” has new kids in the block. Luz moved with her children, and Ramon moved with his family. We were delayed due to water and sewer but now the systems are in, and soon more families will move.

Many of you know Luz and Ramon, and we know it was your prayer that they could be in their home. Many more things are happening. Thanks to God!!!

GCLA Missions 2009 Video

Shoes can bring healthy pride, a smile and Salvation

Let there be light!!!

Electricity is on at Casa Hogar Vida, water and sewer is next. Luz, Ramon and another 2 families will move by Christmas time.

A Learning Experience

Rosita died in Limon, Choluteca – Nutrition Program

in dear memory of Rosita (2004-2007)

 

Sorry I didn’t get to stay

To laugh and run and play.

To be there by your side

I’m sorry I had to die.

God sent me down to be with you,

to make your loving heart anew,

to help you look up and see

Both God and little me.

 

One can never imagine the difference between writing and planning and actually executing. Perhaps the most struggling part is the human pain, the health loss and death.

The team in Choluteca has been experiencing in their own flesh the pain of walking, working and becoming friends with the people they are serving. Most stories bring success, joy, good news, but there are also sickness and death.

We want to reflect on this particular area because in the following months we will be receiving orphans, some of them infected with HIV/AIDS, and the staff, the volunteers and the local church is trying to prepare themselves to face death of some of them.

Rosita Story

Rosita was not infected, she was malnourished, she was one of the first patients to come to our program. We identified the cause of malnourishment: her mom is mentally challenged, perhaps by early life malnourishment. We used all resources available, love, food, money (to the mom) and she would not bring her. 

We contacted the police, the Health Department and the Honduras Children Agency. Nothing worked. We took Rosita to the hospital many times. We tended her with our nutrition program at her home for 10 months. It was all in vain, the mom did nothing to help Rosita, the little girls died on October 21st, 2008.

What the future holds

Please pray for us, for the local team working at Casa Hogar, every component of the program will bring success stories and sad stories, stories of loss. We try to prepare them for that reality, but when reality strikes is harder than thought.

Great start towards 2009 Mission Trips

We are all excited about your enthusiasm about mission trips for 2009. It has been a great response. At a point we were worried about the possible recesion, the fear over the stock market, but some of you have encouraged us to be faithful doing what we do, and that your commitment to the churches and leaders in the field will remain. Thank you. here we list some of the confirmed mission trips:

 

Jan. 3-10    Choluteca, Honduras    IlliniLife Church, Champaign, IL

Jan 10-18    Choluteca, Honduras    The Rock, Missouri

Jan. 11-18      Monterrey, Mexico        Fellowship BCS; College Station, TX

Jan 16-25       Choluteca, Honduras    Maple Grove E-Free Church; MN

Feb. 14-22      Choluteca, Honduras    Findlay E-Free Church; Findlay, OH

Feb 21-28       Choluteca, Honduras    Campus Crusade For Christ; OH

Feb28-Mar 8   Choluteca, Honduras    CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

Mar. 6-9         Choluteca, Honduras     CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

March 7-14     La Ceiba, Honduras      Gatorlife Christian Life; Gainesville, FL

March 7-15     La Ceiba, Honduras      CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

March 14-21   Guapiles, Costa Rica     Cottonwood CC; Grand Forks, ND

March 20-29   Choluteca, Honduras     The Rock, Missouri

April 18-26     La Ceiba, Honduras       CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

June 13-21     Choluteca, Honduras     CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

June 13-21     Sn Salvador, El Salv.     CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

Jul25-Aug 2    Monterrey, Mexico         CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

August 8-16    Choluteca, Honduras     CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

Sept. 5-13      La Ceiba, Honduras       CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH

Sept. 5-13      Choluteca, Honduras     Whitehouse Church; Toledo, OH

Oct. 17-25      Choluteca, Honduras     CedarCreek Church; Toledo, OH 

Nutrition Center in La Ceiba

After Hurricane Mitch in 1998, Great Commission Church La Ceiba, began the process of rebuilding.  We listed the priorities as follow:

1.     Housing

2.     Health

3.     Children Nutrition

 As part of the partnership with Samaritan’s Purse 912 homes were built in the Atlantida, East Yoro and Colon region. Our church leadership was fully involved in the management, execution of the construction and the evangelism of those victims of the tragedy. Also as a result two churches were started: Tocoa and Olanchito.

The second response was Salud Total, a free medical clinic which was built in order to help the people of La Ceiba. Currently, Salud Total serves over 10,000 people per year. With the ministry of the health clinic, many people not only found physical healing but also found spiritual healing through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church began to grow and so did the construction on the new church building. Today approximately 400 adults and 200 children attend the church.

Because La Ceiba has so much poverty, the church saw the need for better housing for many of its neighbors. Consequently, Total Home was created. A program much like Habitat for Humanity in the United States, Total Home provides small homes for individual families living in shacks and huts with dirt floors, no running water, and minimal protection from the elements.

Through Total Home, the church saw that many of the children in the La Ceiba community were undernourished and lacked basic needs. In responses to this need, the church is embarking on yet another great project, Centro de Nutricion Infantil, The Children’s Nutrition Center.

Imagine living in homes such as these. Imagine not having enough food to eat or knowing about basic life skills. This is the reality of life for over 200 children within a mile from the church. The Children’s Nutrition Center opened its doors February of 2008. Children receive a hot, nutrition balanced meal, school supplies, academic tutoring, and physical and psychological assessment. Currently, 30 children are being served at CNI.

CNI needs your help. For only thirty three dollars a month, you can sponsor a child and open the door of hope for his or her future. You can make a difference in the life of a child.

For more information please go to www.childrensnutritioncenter.org

Thank you and may God Bless You as you bless the lives of these children.