Honduras (MNN) — Ousted
ex-Honduran President Manuel Zelaya inked an accord Sunday with the country's
current president that will allow him to return to Honduras after almost two
years in exile. The move is a closing
remark in the story of Honduras' more turbulent times that ended in a coup in
2009.
While things seem to have
settled, there are still problems that present themselves as obstacles to
ministry. Daniel Sandoval with Spanish World Ministries explains. "Although this chapter in Honduras seems to
be closed, the truth is that people in this country deal with enormous social
problems such as the high unemployment rate and corruption at every level of
the government."
Crime also
hampers a more traditional Gospel approach–specifically, insecurity on the
streets due to the gang wars. "At a
certain time in the evening, in many places of the country people cannot be
out in the streets. Other serious problem that Honduras is dealing with is
something similar to what is taking place in countries like Guatemala and
Mexico: the strong presence of the drug cartels that are fighting for the
control of the distribution of drugs on its way to the North."
As if poverty,
crime, and drugs weren't enough of a challenge, there are obstacles from within
the Church itself. "Just as anywhere in
Latin America, most of the people are Romans Catholics. It means that many
people keep thinking that they must earn their salvation, and that salvation is
obtain through a church, not through Christ."
Sandoval goes on
to say that heresy is a real problem, too. "There's an alarming increase in the
number of cults–so-called 'Christians' that offer false teachings. Miracles,
prosperity, and healings are usually the ways offered by this type of groups to
attract the attention of desperate people."
The message is
attractive and one that counterfeits the Gospel. Sandoval says that people are taught "either
through salvation by works, or by hearing false teachings from so-called
prophets and apostles. Satan is darkening the hearts of the Honduran people.
Also a strong materialism philosophy which is offered through movies, music, TV programs
keeps the people away from considering God's ways."
That's a big
problem in scope. However, Spanish World
Ministries has found effective ways to offset the prevalent problems. One way is through radio. Their programs
are reaching hearts in every country of Central America through over 500
stations (mostly secular) that broadcast them.
By using radio,
the message can go out even if people physically cannot. Sandoval says their team is ready to
disciple, when the need arises. He shares
this story:
A
few weeks ago, a man called our missionary and shared that he was in total
despair since his former girlfriend had died. Under his circumstances, he thought
about committing suicide. As he was fighting with this thought, our program was
aired in a local radio station. Impacted by the Bible teaching that this man
heard, he decided to dial the phone number given at the end of the program. It
was around 11:30 in the night when our missionary received the call. As he
answered the call, he realized that this man was troubled by his thoughts. The
Lord used the radio program and the counseling given by our missionary to help
this man to surrender his sadness to Christ.
The relationships developed between the team and the listeners are key to
training more missionaries.
Nixon, a young man who lives
in the mountains, far from any contact with a church, heard the programs and
eventually opened his heart to Christ. A time later, Nixon contacted our
missionary to share his desire to grow more in his spiritual life. Our
missionary visited him, and since that time, Nixon not only grew spiritually but
expressed his desire to serve the Lord.
Radio isn't the only way Spanish World Ministries is working in Honduras. Many of their
programs are available on CD for listeners who might have missed the airing of
a message. Not only does that allow
people to listen at their leisure, it also allows them to share the Gospel with
others who might not have heard otherwise.
For example, a
believer plays the CD through the audio system of a large factory where she
works. Yet another enterprising
believer drives a public bus and plays the programs in the CD player. Two local
food markets play them through a vendor-sponsored radio station. As a result, hundreds are hearing the Gospel
while they take their breaks, ride the bus, or shop for food.
The ministry has a physical presence in Guatemala and Honduras, but doors
have also opened in Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador, and
Belize.
Sandoval says the
growth means they could use some help. "We
need prayer warriors willing to pray for each program that is transmitted
through the radio. Every week the Gospel is proclaimed 12,000 times through the
stations that broadcast our programs. Pray that the Lord would touch the hearts
of people that need to find the real peace and hope that only Christ can give."
This kind of
rapid growth costs money. Spanish World Ministries continues to ask God
for provision. "Right now a prayer and
goal before the Lord for this year is to have 60 new donors giving $30 dollars
monthly."
