Let’s talk ministry!
We have been residents of Urraco Pueblo for over two weeks now and every day I am more and more impressed by the work, passion, and leadership from Pastor Rony and the community within ZOE Church here in Honduras.
In order to paint the picture of this minstry properly, I must first give an outline of the conditions of Urraco Pueblo, so here it is…
Urraco is extremely rural, and that is being generous. This town is marked by dusty dirt roads, various barn yard animals roaming its streets, and wagons being pulled by horses. The only place to buy produce is the roadside stand ran by our new bestie, Hilma. In order to retrieve cash from an ATM, we drive an hour into the nearest town of El Progresso in the bed of Rony’s truck (sorry mom). The residence scarcely possess any mode of transportation, and quite frankly, its more difficult to navigate these streets in anything larger than a moto or tuck tuck because of the lack of road rules around the town. There is no running water, toilets do not flush, and electricity around town bums out at least once a day.
RURAL.
The main source of income in the community is split between palm oil harvesting and banana sales. Other than that, the residents struggle to find a steady form of income to sustain life.
Even with what seems to be a heavy burden of life at times, I can’t help but notice an intriguing sense of contentment from this town that differs from anything I have known. The people take care of one another and locals serve without a blink of an eye. Young takes care of younger and responsibilities are taught early on in life without hesitation.
The biggest thing I am learning is to re-wire my entitlement. Not in a way that should stir guilt or negativity from the way I live back home, but we tend to complain most about things that we feel entitled to. And I hereby never complain about the taste of tap water or the lack of water pressure from a shower ever again in America.
Though the conditions of the town are hard in some aspects, this makes the ministry of ZOE Church that much more impactful. Pastor Rony has a deep desire to make Jesus known throughout this town. He meets tangible needs through:
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Providing meals for kids through feeding centers at the church twice a week
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Producing sources of work for residents through jobs funded by the church and outside supporters of ZOE
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Runs business seminars to encourage residents to begin their own businesses for steady income
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Supporting the school system with materials and resources
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Hosting missionary teams (like us) frequently that are able to help build the ministry and stimulate the economy within the town
While also tending to the deep spiritual needs of the people by:
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Running three church services a week
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Supporting home church (small groups) once a week
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Having Kids service twice a week during feeding center
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Youth group worship night
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Taking care of missionary teams (like us)
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Being a welcoming place, where everyone is invited and has a seat at the table
Seeing how passionate Pastor Rony is about how the Lord is using this ministry to bring the real hope of Jesus to people’s lives stirs my affection for this town and excites me to see how the Lord will raise up Urraco to be a force for the Kingdom of Heaven.
If you or someone you know is looking to be involved in a ministry such as this, a huge need that Pastor Rony is seeking to build is their business ministry! If you feel that you could use your knowledge, talent, and experience to help educate people to run their own business while serving through ZOE Church comment below your email and I will send information about Vida Victoriosa (their business partners).
Hello, Amanda! It is so great to hear from you. I love the way you paint such a vivid picture of your town and ministry. It is so humbling to see how people from other nations live in contentment and joy even in the midst of what most Americans can hardly fathom. I know that the Lord is revealing Himself to you in beautiful ways. Step into the hard, your heart will be forever changed. We’re so proud of you for your “yes”! Love you!
Love you and everything you are doing. Thanks for painting us a picture and keeping us updated along your journey