Mission Honduras International
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty ... One Child at a Time |
Christmas Letter 2009
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"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it...
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the
world." (Jn 1: 5, 9) |
Greetings!
As we prepare our hearts and homes to welcome the newborn
Christ-child, we recall the generosity and grace of God made known in Christ
and in each of God's children.
In this Spirit, we would like to thank you personally for
the gifts you have given in His service this year, enabling Mission Honduras
International and Liberia Mission to serve and nurture God's precious
children.
There is no doubt it has been a difficult year. But there is also no doubt that your
prayers, your letters, your calls, your concern, and your support have all been
an essential part of helping the work to continue - the life-saving work of our
missions. None of this would be
possible without you.
In 2009, Liberia Mission saw incredible growth, providing a
brighter future for more children and families. This school year we welcomed over 340 students; we hosted
our first-ever medical mission team, which served over 2000 people; we supplied
the mission church and school with electricity for the first time; and every
child at the mission now has a new mosquito net for their bed, a life-saving
addition. We have also worked to implement
the highest standards of child protection, education and safety at Liberia
Mission; and we continue to work hard toward ensuring an effective child
protection program throughout all of the missions.
Now we welcome a new year - when a new light shines through
the darkness, the light of hope and new life!
2010 holds great promise; and we invite you to continue to
be a part of this light in our world!
This year, we will welcome a new leadership team and volunteers to
Liberia Mission and plan for essential new projects. Some of these projects include: new classrooms to
accommodate our ever-advancing students; a new well; fire extinguishers for
every room; and a part-time nurse or medical professional to serve the children
and community. We will also be
building partnerships with organizations in Honduras - through which we will enable volunteer groups to visit and serve in 2010 - who are serving the
poorest of the poor, empowering them through basic services and a Catholic
education to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of
poverty.
In this way, we will continue to strive to help break the
cycle of poverty - one child at a time - in Liberia, in Honduras, and wherever
the Holy Spirit may call. Please
join us.
For us to continue being a lamp for the light, a light that is literally
re-building and re-shaping lives through Christ, education, love and protection,
we absolutely need you. If you are
able, please consider making a year-end donation, or sponsoring a child as a
Christmas gift for a loved one. If you make a donation before December 31st, you will still receive a free gift copy of the wonderful book Christmas Presence: Twelve Gifts That Were More Than They Seemed.
Most of all, thank you for your prayers and support and for
bringing Christ's light of hope and love into the world. May you and your loved ones know God's
blessings this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year!
In Christ's Peace,
Bob O'Dwyer, President of MHI, on behalf of the board of directors, spiritual advisers Fr. Don and Fr. Christian, staff, volunteers
and children of Mission Honduras International and Liberia Mission, Inc.
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