Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

The homes in the mountains of Comayagua, Honduras, cannot be found on a map. Their addresses don’t exist, and the roads to reach them have no name. Yet, if you look at satellite images or just walk through the mountains, you’ll find houses.  They are homes to families, all thirsty and eager to hear the word of God.

Presently, I am living on a mountain surrounded by more mountains about 30 minutes away from downtown Comayagua. Built throughout the mountains are homes possessing few rooms where families of seekers live.  Families usually have multiple children. It’s not unusual to meet a family of 15. The higher up in the mountains one goes the poorer the families are. Yet, interestingly, the scenery and abundance of God‘s creation only grows in beauty as one ascends.

Ministry here in focused towards women and children.  Women here are raised with the label of unclean, and are therefore forbidden from reading or even touching the Bible. Culturally women are married off at ages as young as 13.   They face much sexual abuse. The inferior status women possess is enough to justify a father to have sex with his daughter. One might ask or point out that most in Honduras are Catholic, and perhaps assume that this culture only affects small population. No. In fact, the Catholic Church here in Honduras does not speak against the womanizing culture.  The Catholic Church applauds women’s ignorance in the contents of scripture.  There is no way for women to know the Bible teaches something different than how they are treated in their culture.

“Catracho Missions” and their church “Los Pies de Dios” fights against this culture with Christs truth as their sword.  They believe that as the truth of Jesus is shared, the culture will change. To change a culture is to bring Jesus. In this case, changing the culture is rebuking the false teachings of the Catholic Church here and replacing them with God’s welcome for all to come to his table. Being a woman should not exclude one from knowing Christ.

As a woman, of my age, and simple identity in Christ, I exist as an opposition or revealing of other options for women I encounter.  I am 18, and not married. I have never been sexually abused by a family member or ever for that matter. I desire and am enrolled to attend college this spring.  And very strikingly, I have had my period and yet this does not make me unknowledgeable or not pure enough to know scripture and to read it.  My very existence contradicts much of the cultures view of a woman. I believe part of my role here is to simply exist, and perhaps inspire women around me to see there is another way to live.  I get the privilege of acknowledging and thanking Christ Jesus as the one who has lifted me up in my life.

Catracho Missions is located on a mountain about 30 minutes from downtown Comayagua (driving).  The property is full of animals, who provide a joyful alarm clock every morning at 4:30am. I have gotten into the pattern of wearing earplugs.  Loudest amongst animals are the roosters. Yes, roosters plural. The roosters do not belong to the church, they just are the neighbors roosters, freely wandering around like the Honduran version of squirrels. These roosters especially enjoy standing next to tents and belting.   Animals belonging to the farm include chickens of various species, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, horses, donkeys, and a cute cat named Manchas.  The animals often are unnamed. If an animal has a name, it’s signifies that it will not be eaten or sold.  Only the horses, donkeys, and a few of the goats have names.

The physical parts of the property include a building where we eat breakfast and have evening devotionals, a large tent housing Sunday morning church and morning devotionals, a volleyball court, bathrooms, a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, and sleeping quarters.  Sleeping quarters are for the long term members of the ministry. Together they work to take care of the property and make sure the mission is carried out. A small, 3-room clay house holds the sleeping quarters for the men. Next to that house, is a one room house with bunkbeds where guests sleep.  Close to the kitchen, is a small, stand-alone room for the women and another small house for pastor Paul (the leader of the fellowship here).   Meanwhile, those on the World Race have the privilege of sleeping on the luxurious, ant filled, rocky dirt floor inside the security of our tents.  Together, the World Racers and residents, live like the fellowship of believers described in Acts 2.

Activities serving the ministry have included digging a pit, making cement, sanding buildings, painting , washing animals, cleaning the tent where we have church, going on house visits (hiking through mountains for hours – it’s pretty awesome), playing volleyball, assisting with the children ministry, helping with music on Sundays, and assisting with the women’s ministry. Beyond these weekly activities, the church works to help the community through providing bags of food for families, and hosting regular all community events.  This October there is a three-day women’s conference (the church is still raising money for this conference, a little money goes a long way here).  The ministry has become a beloved blessing to its community.  Miraculously, it did not exist three years ago. God provided this property, the resources and the finances to create this space. I get to be privileged to witness to God’s work here.

“Los Pies de Dios” has won a place in my heart. It fosters a precious community of Christians, is surrounded by picturesque landscape, and practices a meaningful and beautiful ministry blessing the surrounding community. Throughout all of this, it carries the presence and picture of Jesus Christ.

God is here with me in Honduras, challenging me, forming me and growing me. It has been a profound privilege to serve Christ here. Thank you to each person who has supported me to come here.  Whether for prayers or finances, your generosity and time has not gone to waste. God is working and his blessings are ever evident.  I thank Christ for sending me here each day.

May God’s peace and blessings be with you.

Julianna.

Follow my teams insta page:  https://www.instagram.com/tsquad.worldrace?stkn=MXEzd21xajk1MTlkcA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Ministry host website: https://www.catrachomissions.com

Pastor Paul’s PayPal to raise support for the women’s conference: @PaulSteer927