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I am very excited to have been given this chance to serve as the next Executive Director of El Hogar Projects in Honduras. I have served in the Episcopal Church for almost twenty years and labored in a variety of vineyards, and now I can see how many of those experiences guided me to this opportunity. I have always worked to proclaim the gospel in our service to "the least of these."
My own sense of "calling" has its roots in Central American soil. The sense of hospitality that I experienced while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala opened my eyes to God's grace. I have endeavored to translate that experience in various aspects of my ministry. As a chaplain an Episcopal school and as a rector in our church, I came to recognize that we are most connected with God when we allow ourselves to be in relationship with the breadth of God's children.
For that reason I feel very fortunate to be working alongside the dedicated and experienced Directors in Honduras. Their history with the school is indicative of their commitment to the children of Honduras. The directors of the programs in Honduras lead with their hearts and God is very present in their work. I am also fortunate to be following in the footsteps of very compassionate and gifted Executive Directors, in particular, the previous Executive Director of El Hogar Ministries, the Rev. Richard Kunz.
I want to thank Liz Kinchen the Executive Director of El Hogar Ministries, Phillip Petree the Chair of the board and the rest of the board of directors, for their time and effort in the leadership of El Hogar Ministries. Although my specific experiences with members of the board are still limited, their commitment to the success of this project is evident in the time, talent, and treasure that they so generously give.
I am also proud of the Episcopal identity of El Hogar. Not only does that identity provide a foundation from which all members of the community may grow in their relationship with God, but it also allows for all individuals and communities throughout North America to reclaim their identity in the service to "the least of these."
Finally I could not consider this opportunity if my wife and children were not willing to assume some of the responsibility for seeing it succeed. Linda, my wife, and our three children (Cotton, Sybil and Mattie) all share not only a sense of compassion for the work of the church in Central America, but also for works of justice, particularly with children. They have all travelled and volunteered in various places in Central America.
Please keep the children of El Hogar in your prayers and I look forward to my service to them in the years to come.
In hope,
Matt
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