Neighbor.

Next door neighbor.

Around the corner neighbor.

Church neighbor.

Grocery store clerk neighbor.

Construction worker neighbor.

Homeless neighbor.

Gainfully employed neighbor.

Beautiful neighbor.

Uncomfortable neighbor.

Incarcerated neighbor.

Non-English speaking neighbor.

________

My calling prods me to talk about a few of my neighbors. The work here in Honduras requires an open discussion of neighbor.

In the talking and discussing together on the topic of neighbors, many on US soil declare, “People are starving in the US, people are poor in the US, we must take care of our own before we take care of others. I cannot help you take care of Hondurans.”

I understand this mindset, I really do. This was my mindset many years ago when I only held hands with my closest neighbors. Today, my hands are eager to join hands with whoever wants to work to bring light in hard places; to some of the hardest of places.

Many who are reading this today love Jesus and live to follow His example.    

I wonder, did Jesus only love his next-door neighbor? Did Jesus only help the neighbor who looked like Him? Did Jesus make sure all neighbors in Bethlehem were comfortable before He helped the next town over? Did Jesus tell His followers to go only to Jerusalem and surrounding counties?

Or did He really say be my witnesses all the way to the very ends of the earth?

Loving is not an EITHER/OR proposition. Loving is an AND commitment.  

We are to love here and we are to love there. We are to help here and we are to help there.  We are to be a reflection of His love here and a reflection of His love there.

We must see the wealthy businesswoman and the migrant worker as equally worthy of God’s love and ours.

I ask myself today – where are my blind spots in relation to loving, caring, helping, raising my voice? What can I do or refrain from doing today that would better reflect God’s global love?

I ask you today – are you courageous enough to look for blind spots? To ask questions? To be curious about others? To refrain from posting things that truly may not be loving to your neighbor? 

Let’s grab hands today and really look around. And let’s celebrate together as we begin to see Jesus people looking more like Jesus.

Reach Out Honduras is excited to announce another recipient of the Abundant Life College Scholarship Fund! A big round of applause to Miguel Estrada Cruz.

Miguel graduated from Abundant Life Institute in December 2019 with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance. He is a very strong academic student and a leader within his group. 

He says, “The most important thing I learned at Abundant Life Institute was love and the unity of the teachers for the students. They were committed that we grow and prosper.”

Miguel says, “This scholarship will give me the chance to reach my dreams of being a Psychologist. Without the support of Reach Out Honduras, I would not be able to pay for university costs.”

Let’s show Miguel some love today and CONGRATULATIONS as he steps out in faith!

Thank you, Gary Cochran, for your support and wisdom toward Miguel for these last 3 years.

When you contribute to the Reach Out Honduras General Fund, you help students like Miguel continue their education! THANK YOU!

We met Junior in 2013. His mom arrived at our missionary house, wondering if there might be a spot for him to study in February of 2014. Little did we know that Junior would end up being such an important part of the inaugural year and class at Abundant Life Institute.

Junior was a solid student, a natural leader, a Christ following young man and a champion of the mission of the school. He served as student body President and graduated from high school in December of 2018. He says, “Abundant Life completely changed my life, teaching me how to overcome obstacles and keep going. I am grateful to Abundant Life for the beautiful moments we lived together.”

For the last year, he has been waiting to start his university studies due to government strikes and delays in public higher education. 

Reach Out Honduras is excited to announce – Junior has been awarded one of the 3 Abundant Life College Scholarships for the Class of 2018! We will partner with Junior’s mom to help Junior reach his goals. Junior says, “This scholarship will give me the opportunity to study in university and I can reach and complete my dream of becoming a Civil Engineer.”

Pray for Junior as he steps out in faith!

When you contribute to the Reach Out Honduras General Fund, you help students like Junior continue their education! THANK YOU!

(Special thanks to the Parker family who sponsored Junior from 2013 and onward!)

When Taniza speaks, people listen. Taniza is a kind young woman with an enormous smile that lights up every room. She is a very strong student with a deep love for God. Recently, Taniza spoke words of gratitude at her high school graduation. Words of her experience at Abundant Life Institute. Words of love.

Last week, Taniza found out that she will receive an Abundant Life College Scholarship! She is one of 3 recipients from our 2019 graduating class. Our selection committee feels like Taniza is uniquely prepared for her opportunity to study Physics at university.

Pray with us for Taniza’s new adventure. And comment below to encourage her heart!

When you contribute to Reach Out Honduras at year-end, funds go toward people like Taniza! Not projects and programs, but PEOPLE! 

Join us and DONATE HERE!

(A special thank you to the Hall family for sponsoring Taniza during her final years of high school and also for being an extra encouragement for her when her heart needed a boost.)