We dream of reconciliation between races here in the United States. We talk of it. We raise our voices, share our memes, pray for our neighbors. We believe we will see a glimmer of it one day here on earth.
Interestingly enough, we need look no further than our very own Abundant Life Institute for a beautiful example of racial unity. Right before our eyes in La Mosquitia, Honduras, on a plot of land where God planted Abundant Life Institute, exists a multi-racial group of co-workers and friends. These individuals, in a unified whole, are loving their neighbors and working toward a brighter tomorrow for the marginalized in their community.
In La Mosquitia, you will find 4 primary racial groups – Miskito, Garifuna, Latino and a few Northamericans. Our staff and student population represents all 4 of these groups, as well as smaller tribal groups. Our Director, Eustaquio Jimenez Casildo, is Garifuna and leads with a heart committed to unification. Eustaquio has experienced discrimination and, yet, he believes unity is worth fighting for within his staff, for his students and in front of the community.
Here at Reach Out Honduras, we are committed to intentional diversity within the leadership of the organization. One of the foundational principles and goals of Reach Out Honduras has always been the support and encouragement of Honduran leaders in the mission. God has been faithful to see this goal fulfilled in our staff. We are also committed to ensuring our US leadership is a reflection of God’s beautiful, colorful world.
Thank you to each of you who continue to give even in tenuous times. Your continual care has allowed us to pay all 48 staff salaries in full during these months, to continue to feed our students through food bag distribution, to make thousands of copies of homework packets for our students and to show the community of Puerto Lempira that Abundant Life Institute truly teaches and lives LOVE.
The video above was recorded by one of our English teachers, Francisco, who will be partnering with Katie Slaughter, our US Social Media Manager, to bring the mission of Reach Out Honduras to life on social media and in our newsletters. Watch the video! Francisco’s words will touch your heart today – a day in need of good, good news.
Our gratitude is unending!
The Reach Out Honduras Team
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