THE ISLAND
Roatan is a land of contrasts as extreme poverty and joblessness coexist with tropical resorts and tourists playgrounds. It lies north of mainland Honduras and is surrounded by the emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Mesoamerican coral reef system and is a paradise for divers, fishermen and sunseekers. The island is a tropical rainforest with hot humid temperatures and mountainous jungle terrain. Wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail is common to tame “humidity hair” and light loose clothing is a must. Coral safe sun screen and insect repellant are recommended as the sun will cook you and the bugs will eat you.
WHERE: MUD HOLE
The village of Mud Hole and the surrounding colonia is an over-crowded village of extreme poverty at the island dumpsite. Many families live in and work at the dump, scrounging for recyclables to earn a meager income; barely enough to provide for their daily needs. They are not paid workers and if they are fortunate they can earn enough to get food for the day. The work is hard and dangerous. Families work along side each other including kids doing the same tasks as their parents. Many times the workers are 3rd generation, as poverty oppresses and suppresses the people. They do not have clean running water, adequate food, housing or sanitation. The housing is usually makeshift hovels erected directly on the dump site from thrown out cardboard boxes, rusty metal sheets and broken pieces of wood.
WHAT AM I DOING HERE?
The purpose of the Sew Blessed Ministry is to provide the resources and educational opportunities for the people of the area to gain skills where they can create handcrafted products to sell. My co-teacher, Debbie Neary and I are teaching sewing classes where the students learn how to make bags to sell to tourists and mission teams that come to work on the island. Additionally, by the end of the scheduled course units, the students will have learned how to make and alter clothing, make cushions for outdoor furniture and boats, and creating small craft items to sell. Through the sewing class they are gaining important life skills such as; financial management, managing a business, interpersonal skills and building confidence in their creative abilities to empower them to earn a sustainable income.
As well as teaching them to provide for their physical needs this ministry addresses the spiritual needs of this place. The people are learning about the powerful redeeming love of Jesus Christ and how He can change lives, hearts and minds.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a new place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:2 - 3
Do not fear I have redeemed you: I have summoned you by name and you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
