The coffee harvest is now in full swing on Tierra Nueva’s coffee farm in Alta Mira. I am glad to report that we now have the infrastructure in place for a growing production of specialty coffee that offers employment to local workers and income to support Tierra Nueva’s ministry in Honduras (see photos below).
We are grateful to supporters who have contributed funds to purchase a truck, coffee processing plant, housing for farm manager, latrines, solar dryers and drying patios. A growing supply of quality beans are now available for Underground Coffee Project’s ex-offender-led roasting operation at Tierra Nueva in Burlington, which you can order online here: http://coffee.newearthworks.org
Tierra Nueva’s Honduran leader David Calix has had a calling to reach out to people in extreme poverty since we began working together in 1983. Since TN’s founding in Minas de Oro in 1982 we have been committed to empowering the rural poor through teaching sustainable farming and intensive gardening, establishing gravity-flow water projects and teaching on nutrition and hygiene. Bible study among people outside the churches has also been a major emphasis. Now we are focusing on building small communities, “hogares en transformacion,” where new Christians can be built up in their faith and in sustainable living practices.
David visits his native village of Mal Paso twice a month. He had to move away two years ago due to violence that led to the deaths of 9 men from opposing sides—all people David grew up with. Honduras is currently considered the most violent country in the world due to lawlessness resulting from a breakdown in government leadership and widespread poverty and drug-trafficking.
Jesus’ sending the disciples out in Luke 10 provides inspiration for regular visits to receptive families. Hondurans are noted for their generous hospitality, and David and other leaders are welcomed into homes in Mal Paso, Minas de Oro and other surrounding villages.
There in the security of people’s homes, prayers are offered for healing and other needs, and the Bible is read and discussed. When Jesus heals someone rejected by the majority, and people feel cared for with no strings attached by Tierra Nueva’s workers, they usually want more, and the work is growing. Leadership development is now the biggest priority.
David conducts larger gatherings every two weeks with all the families involved to encourage and build up these new believers. He also is mentoring emerging leaders in Bible study and social development. Tierra Nueva provides lunch for these meetings and covers transportation for people from surrounding villages.
Tierra Nueva’s future plans include regular visits to the villages of Huertas, Altamira, Guachipilín to engage people in prayer and Scripture study.
Please pray for a resolution of the political crisis in Honduras, and for reconciliation between the many Honduran Christian groups that are currently divided and working against each other. Please intercede for David and his wife Esperanza’s health and safety. Pray with us for a growing harvest of people into Jesus’ Kingdom. Pray also for TN apprentice Paul Foth’s visit to Honduras Feb 18-March 5.
Right now we are in need of $20,000 for the purchase of land with a house where David and his family can live, show hospitality, gather people for worship, leadership training, and establish a small organic demonstration plot to train people in sustainable living practices. See this YouTube video interview with David where he outlines his vision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VGF7fFt2BI.
If you would like to support this project donations can be given through e-giving using this link,
https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=E4EB2CF9D2AC4AF
Or, you can sent to Tierra Nueva, Attn: Honduras, PO Box 161, Burlington, WA 98233, USA.
For an extended version of the David Calix interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFcQ00XJuw0
