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Showing posts from 2015

Letter from the Mission Field (Dec 27, 2015)

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Merry Christmas to everyone and God's blessing to you during this holy season,       I celebrated this Christmas in the Church of the Annunciation in the campo.  Again I brought presents for the children.  It was  beautiful experience.    Last month in November, I was in Massachusetts visiting churches and friends. I spent Thanksgiving with my family for the first time in two year.    Generally, my thanksgiving  newsletter is my  thank you letter for supporting this mission.   But this year, since I was in the US, let me thank you now for your generosity.  Your support has made the following projects possible:     1.  Emmanuel Church, Roatán:   The first year we designed and redesigned the church.  The second year we laid the foundations and started the wall.  This year we finished the walls and will start the roof.   The process is slow, because we only build when we have the money.  But, on the other hand, we will have no mortgage when

A Christmas Meditation See how she loves him.

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  When I was living in Copan Ruinas, I met a retired Canadian in his seventies,  who was travelling throughout Central America to avoid the northern winters.  We  used to sit at the coffee shop overlooking the central square watching the people.  What especially moved him were the mothers with their children. "Look at that little boy!" he would say.  "See how he holds his mother's hand.  See how she loves him." It was simple observation, yet very true and beautiful.  See how she loves him. It is the image of Mary and the baby Jesus as well. Mary holds Jesus tightly in her arms, full of love for her new born child.  See how she loves him. And as we are created in God's image, it also reflects God's love for us. The special love that only a mother can give. See how she loves him.  See how God loves us. I was given a book, Good Goats  by Dennis, Sheila and Matthew Linn (1).  It was written for people, who struggle

Offering a helping hand: A suprise gift from Paloma

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This year we had a suprise gift from Paloma Lee, 12 years old, from Hamilton-Wenham, Massachusetts.  She sent the Ministry of Presence a donation for $200.00, money raised herself in a yardsale. That money went to help Erica Lopez, 15 years old, from Church of the Annunciation in Rincón de Dolores, near Tegucigalpa.  She is finishing a one year program in cosmetology.  With this new skill, Erica wants to be able to support her family and to earn more money for an advanced education.     Erica, like so many young Hondurans, is eager to improve herself by developing marketable skills and  pursuing further studies.  Erica comes from a poor family, consisting of only her mother  and four siblings.  Like many families, they can only survive, if all members contribute.   Erica want to be able to do her part, as well. If you would like to support a young Honduran with a scholarship, please send me an email at j ack.m.melvin@gmail.com .

More of David Grover's "Faces of Honduras"

This is the #welders #daughter in the campo. #loveinaction #facesoftheworld #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #portrait #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty #Honduras #girl Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 9 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 5:16 PDT

David Grover's "Faces of Honduras": Tegucigalpa

#sunset over #tegucigalpa #Honduras. #loveinaction #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 8 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 2:21 PDT

David Grover's "Faces of Honduras": Horseback riding in the Valley of the Angels

#Horse back riding in the valley of angels. #cowboy #hat #Honduras #travel #loveinaction #facesoftheworld #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #portrait #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 10 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 6:06 PDT

David Grover's "Faces of Honduras": School Girl in San Lorenzo 2

#school #girl in San Lorenzo Honduras. The have 6 grades at this school in 2 rooms with only 1 teacher. #Honduras #travel #loveinaction #facesoftheworld #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #portrait #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 13 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 5:18 PDT

David Grover's "Faces of Honduras": A School Girl in San Lorenzo

One of the #school girls in San Lorenzo #Honduras #travel #loveinaction #facesoftheworld #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #portrait #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 13 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 6:54 PDT

David Grover's "Faces of Honduras": Milking a cow.

Cow milking in San Lorenzo. They do it the old fashion way here #Honduras #travel #loveinaction #facesoftheworld #photojournalism #photography #documentary #documentaryphotography #portrait #instahub #natgeocreative #natgeo #fujifilm #fuji #xt1 #christian #christianity #travel #picoftheday #the_best_shotz #justgoshoot #strideby #ink361 #peoplescreatives #passionpassport #theglobalmoment #poverty #Spanish Una foto publicada por Dave Grover (@projectgrover) el 13 de Ago de 2015 a la(s) 1:13 PDT

Letter from the Mission Field (August 15, 2015)

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      Greeting everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your summer! Earlier this year in April,   I had a rather serious medical adventure.   During my visit to the Church of Emmanuel in Roatán before Easter, I began to get a series of intense headaches, which eventually put me into the San Jorge Hospital in Tegucigalpa. I was diagnosed with severe hypertension, at risk for a stroke or heart attack.   Subsequently, I flew to Boston to continue my treatment.  Since then,  I have returned to Honduras and my health  is much better. Much has happened here since the last newsletter.  I continue to be very busy. The most important update is that Fr. Roberto Martínez, whom many of you met during our trip to New England last October, has been promoted to dean of the Omoa/ Puerto Cortes deanery.  (The Diocese of Honduras is subdivided  into eleven deaneries). Unfortunately for me, he will be moving away to the north coast in September or October. But may God's blessings be with hi

Father Roberto Martínez Appointed Dean of Omoa/ Puerto Cortes Deanery

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Father Roberto Aaròn Martínez (right) with Vaike Marika Madison (center) and Jose Luis Medoza (left) at the Honduran Diocesan Convention 2015. Father Roberto, who came with me to the United States last October to preach in various churches, has been appointed Dean of Omoa/Cortes. His new deanery has approximately eleven churches and missions. He will be working with Ana Reid, our other SAMS missionary from Christ the Redeemer Church in Danvers, MA, who is currently living in Omoa.  

New School Planned for Siguatepeque: Pro bono design by Inscape Publico

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St. John's Bilingual School is moving forward with plans to build a new facility on the vacant property behind the existing school and church in Siguatapeque.     From left to right, Architect Stefan Schwarzkopf, new School Superintendant Steven Robinson, Architect Greg Kearley, Jack Melvin and Bishop Lloyd Allen     Inscape Publico, the non-profit arm of the architecture firm Inscape Studios in Washington D.C., is helping us with the design. Greg Kearley AIA and Stefan Schwarzkopf AIA have visited the existing school and site several times this past year and have developed a campus master plan for us. This coming academic year,  the St. John's School urgently needs more space for next year's students.  The school currently goes to fifth grade.  Each year, it adds an additional grade to keep up with the incoming students.   At this point, there is no more room in the existing church buildings. Accordingly, Greg Kearly and his team have fast-tracked us a

Retreat Center for Central Honduras: A contemplative place for groups and individuals

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The view from the property.   The Zamorano Retreat Center will be situated near the town of Zamorano in the beautiful valley of the Yeguare River, with its lush farmland landscapes and surrounding mountains.   Zamorano is only half an hour east of Tegucigalpa, located perfectly for retreats in the central part of Honduras.   The new campus.  (Lodgings are on the left.  The chapel is on right.)   The center will serve more than 120 people and be able to  hold   diocesan meetings, Cursillos, Happenings, Alpha (1) and other events.  On the far side of the campus, small cabins will be available for personal retreats.      Aerial view of the campus. -----------------------------------  (1) For those not familiar with these programs: Cursillo, which means a 'Short Course' in English, is a weekend retreat of instruction and prayer to intensify or renew one's relationship with God.  Afterwards, the retreatants may continue to meet in their

Scholarships for kids: Helping Honduran children get an education

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Helping Honduran children get an education With your help, we have started to assist kids who live in the campo (country) with their education.   Education is free, sort of....    The publlic schools are free,  but there are costs to attend. T he kids need help with transportation, lunches, books and pencils, uniforms and sometime a  fee for maintaining the school.   The scholarships vary depending on the need and age. We also ask the parent to contribute as well, even if they can  afford only a little.      There are more kids with needs. Some kids are not attending school this year because they can't cover these costs.  So if you are interested in helping, please let me know.  Alejandra Martínez Lopez and Milton Martínez Cortes loaded  with supplies to start the school year. Mothers standing by. Marvin Martínez Lopez ready with his school supply. Also mother and baby B.   Erica Martínez Lopez is studying  to be a hairdresser.