First Meeting in La Ceiba ...

John and Freddy - discussing "the plan"

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On a scale of 1 - 10, the meeting today was a 10. Complete with an occasional "amen" from the crowd from time to time. As you can see the photo, John and Freddy presented the plan for their future - complete with a threefold poster of Mission / Vision / Values. Words fail here - but there was a level of excitement, hope, commitment and "when do we get started?"

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We gave them some "homework" - to get at least one other church involved (which was a requirement). We will meet in a little more than a week and see how many churches in this poor "berg" are willing to join. With others included in this, there will be more hands - less work - quicker progress - bigger projects than one alone could handle - and less "claim to fame" for any one church. It is exciting to see they are not only willing, but excited about joining with others. As things go when they're God-breathed, there was a pastor there who had just ended a two-week vacation by praying all night (last night) with another pastor. This guy was certain that one of the pastors he just prayed with would want to be the first to join. Apparently in the past, there has been a mixture of silly things (like pride) that have stopped unity. Some churches are more legalistic than others and don't want to become watered down - some have a negative attitude that precludes success, and are happy enough to suffer alone than join another whose doctrine they don't agree with. BUT, this man not only prayed last night for a break-through in this very poor community - he also is the connection between all the churches in the area. He doesn't attend the church we visited. He was there because he was invited. He came looking for the answer to the prayers they prayed all night last night. He said they stopped praying at 5am this very day. He believes that the community of faith will be willing to join together now, although this idea failed to join in the past. We hope this is true.

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SO ... next week or so we return to meet "the gang" - and we will send two from each church to the class on "the business of raising chickens" so they will have the knowledge they need before they begin.

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Since they will also "own" this business by "shares" - they have a little longer than a week to decide the tasks needed, how long each person (or shift) will work, what amount of shares they will get in return, etc. They will each "own" the effort ... and the business ... and the proceeds. Some dear friends from Portland sent us a book called, "Banker to the Poor" and it has been invaluable in concepts that transfer to La Ceiba. The ideas in the book clearly intersect our line of thinking. More to come.

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We just wanted to share the success of the meeting and the ensuing excitement ...

E-X-C-I-T-E-M-E-N-T !!!!!

... of a meeting which has brought hope to a pretty much destitute population.

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Pray for this project and the next three projects to come. The next three are already chosen - but we'll wait to begin them until this is "off the ground."

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Thanks for your prayers. We certainly need and appreciate them.