Our Journey to Honduras

Honduras Interfaith Missions…our avenue for relationship with Divine Mercy Catholic Community

The challenge of mission in solidarity is the challenge of relationship.  How can a faith community from a world power be in mutual, respectful relationship with a faith community of a struggling, developing nation?   

For two years, members of Epiphany have been traveling to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, as part of ecumenical teams that include organizers from St. John’s Catholic Church(Eminence KY), Good Shepherd Catholic Church(Frankfort KY), and First United Methodist of Frankfort. The teams began as “medical brigades”, but soon branched out into dentistry, children’s ministries, reading glasses and more. Originally organized in 2001 by Jim Burris and other members of 1st UMC Frankfort, the teams have always been ecumenical in its makeup. It wasn’t long before the Methodists were supporting their Catholic team members in building relationship with the Catholics of Divina Misericordia, or Divine Mercy. And so was born Honduras Interfaith Missions.

Our teams have one key focus: to build collaborative relationships with the people of the communities we visit. We meet frequently with lay and ordained leadership to assure that we follow their lead. The projects we agree upon together are developed with a goal of true “co-labor”.

Respect for the people of our host communities is essential, and it shapes our work together. We do not hand out toys and candy to crowds of children…but we do work with leaders to create children’s activities during our visits, and provide scholarships, day-care and after-school care (through the Becas con Bendiciones organization.) We do not do construction according to our concepts…the community tells us how they need to build, and works patiently alongside us, teaching us their ways. Medical patients pay a token stipend for their care and medication (less than a $1 total), that they might approach us with the confidence, dignity and responsibility of paying clients. Our projects are set up in such a way that they promote local leadership, especially among women. We have learned to avoid singling out any one person for special favors, always consulting the local leaders and using discretion to avoid damaging the solidarity of the community. And we are transparent in our expression of the spiritual poverty that we bring to Honduras, asking the faith communities to assist us with adult Christian formation by praying and working with us.

These practices have helped us to build relationships that are truly mutual. The children greet us with warm hugs instead of outstretched hands. The youth and adults demonstrate their pride in their practical knowledge and deep faith. The clinic patients might even tell us they need a little more of their doctor’s time! We are especially happy to see emerging leadership among more and more women. We all, Hondurans and visitors, reflect together on our poverty, material and spiritual, that we might all better live the Gospel of Jesus.

We don’t have a formula for a successful mission. Rather, we challenge ourselves to continually rely on Jesus as our guide in mutually building our relationships. Prayer and daily reflection are an essential part of every day.

Anyone is welcome to join one of our teams. Specific skills are welcome, but not essential! We always smile at the applicant who tells us, “I don’t know what I could really do,” for we have learned that God always has a special plan that will unfold during the trip for that person.

If this intrigues you, stirs you, even scares you, please contact us. Honduras might be in God’s future plans for you!