Day One - Introduction

I think it’s about time for an update. Not a quick little story or a few pictures, but a full fledged catching up on ministry here in Honduras. Many followers of my blog or on Facebook are new and still figuring out how exactly this ministry works, while others have been long-time followers who may already be familiar with some of the names and stories.  Regardless of how much you do or do not know about my ministry, I pray that this week you can stick with me, read, pray, and allow your hearts to be touched by the stories I’m going to present.

I know that sometimes days and even months go by without a solid update on certain aspects of my ministry, and for that I apologize. I want to do my best to balance updating you, my supporters, while also protecting the privacy and dignity of those I serve.

So all this week, I’ll be posting a new blog daily, each dedicated to a specific aspect of my ministry so you can not only understand more fully how I minister, but you can also pray more specifically for me and for those I serve.

To start, I’ll answer the oh-so-common question: “What do you do in Honduras?” The long, thorough answer will be put together piece by piece throughout the blogs posted this week. The short answer is that I serve and minister to families living in the roughest sector of a gang-controlled neighborhood called Los Pinos in the capital city, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Despite the gorgeous views of the city it offers, Los Pinos is a difficult place to live. Deadly violence is a daily occurrence, and the ruling gang controls who enters and exits the community. Not making your monthly payment to the gangs (referred to as “rent”), wearing the wrong color or clothes, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time are all enough to get you killed. Women especially are at risk, as men “claim” girls younger than you’d want to believe, and especially if the man is a gang member, the girl can do little to determine her own future. Far too young the inevitable cycle begins of boyfriend, pregnancy, abuse, abandonment, repeat. Few people make it through primary school, many can’t even read, and kids are often sent out to sell in the streets instead of attending school to help provide for their families (or girls are sent out to find a man to take care of the family). Men whose brains have been ruined by drug use or stray bullets roam the streets and are the “crazies” of the neighborhood. Kids wander shirtless and shoeless, hungry and generally used to roaming free all hours of the day. Homes depend on rain for water, and you’re lucky if your house has a squatty potty outside – many don’t. Eating one solid meal a day is normal for many families, while others can go days between meals when there is no work.

It’s not really a pretty picture I painted for you, is it?

This is reality, 24/7, for many people’s entire lives. This is also the place God called me. I love this community, and I know God has big plans for Los Pinos. In the darkest darkness, God’s light shines through the brightest.  Every single person living there is just as much God’s creation as you and I are, and His promises are just as valid – the promise never to leave or forsake, promise to uphold with his right hand, promise to provide, promise of peace and rest, and the list goes on and on.

My calling in this community is specifically for the families, almost always consisting of a single mom and her children. I want to see families not only be able to survive under this oppressive environment, but to be a part of God’s plan to redeem their community.  I want to see new believers born and current believers activated and encouraged to walk with confidence and fearlessness in the path God has for them.

Over the next week, I’ll expand on all of this and share with you guys some stories and concrete examples of how God has called me to serve this community in five different ways: through spiritual and emotional support, poverty relief, education, fostering two young children in my home, and events for the community. Lastly, I’ll share a bit about some dreams for the future God has placed in my heart.

If you’re at all interested in my ministry, please take the time to read the blogs this week – a new one will be posted each day.  Also feel free to share this blog on social media as I’d like to get this information out to as many people as possible!

If you have additional questions or interest in the ministry, please contact me (molly.hornsby@gmail.com). As always, since I am a missionary employed by the Church, I depend on donations to continue this work. Contact me or see the sidebar on this blog for information about how to donate.

God bless you guys, and the next update will be up tomorrow!!