Yesterday I visited Talanca in Honduras where Methodism has two churches. At one named "10th of September" the children of the community were enjoying a game of football on the recently cleared church lot (see previous post). This community suffers in the rainy season since it is constantly flooded and makes a breeding ground for marsh flies. Administering communion is a real challenge during the season, since any uncovered elements have to be kept constantly moving or the flies will overwhelm them on the way between the pastor and the member. The church and the homes were built on donated ground and prove that sometimes it is worth looking a gift horse in the mouth. Not only are there flies, and floods but the marshy ground has made the church unstable nad remedial action has been taken to recover the situation. Its not a pretty building, but it is the Church being where people are and offering some degree of hope. At one time the church gave constant handouts of donated clothes and school supplies and human being what they are - they came for the clothes and the supplies but for little else. Now the supplies are given less often and a congreation is being recovered and struggling itself with how to manage the resources that others give them.
In the midst of this there is still vision that inspires and motivates. We meet together and discuss about how a church has grown based on a simple yet effective housegroup structure. The Church becomes the focus for Worship and Celebration, a place where tithes are brought as well as a place where meetings are held about management of resources. Yesterday I was moved and inspired (as I regularly am) by the people I work with in the region sharing with me their vision. Two of the images are the external view of the church at "10th of September" and myself and pastors Guerrero and Luis Soto sharing the vision about how a samll space little bigger than a one car garage, will become a space for a Church of over 100 members in two years. "We have to concentrate on the building - that is the most important" declares Pastor Luis, whose family manages on the equivalent of £150 per month.
The final image is of the Church built for the Virgin of Suyapa - about which more may be provided if time allows.
Tom Quenet
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