EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY
THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, (ECDC), are located in Limon de la Cerca and San Marcos de Colón. These schools provide much needed reinforcement to the classes taught in the government-run schools. With 100 children, ages 3-10, in each of the four schools, this project requires high energy, enthusiasm, and dedication on the part of its teachers and staff. Classes are taught in the areas of mathematics, science, reading, and, most importantly, Bible. These schools reach out to the poorest families in the areas they serve, providing a daily snack and lunch meal. For some of the children enrolled, it is their only meal. This project alone has been the number one catalyst for church growth in the region.
The ECDCs began in March of 2002 in Limon de la Cerca with a second center opening in April of 2003. These former government facilities were abandoned and given to the mission to “rescue the values” of the children in the community. A monthly Bible study led by the teachers was initiated for the parents of the enrolled children. The churches in the Choluteca region have begun to see the fruits of this project, as many mothers have chosen to attend worship. Many have accepted Christ into their lives with baptism. The mission, the church, and the teachers involved in the project are really excited about this success. The mission opened a third ECDC in San Marcos de Colon in January 2005. This center has been evaluated and is accredited by the government’s Secretary of Education. In 2008 Mission Lazarus opened 2 more centers, one in Monjaras and one in Duyure; 2 towns outside of Choluteca.
CARPENTRY is a valuable trade in Latin America in areas where either furniture stores do not exist or the majority of the population does not have the economic resources to purchase furniture from a store. With the large number of adolescent boys who drop out of school and hang out in the streets, the opening of a carpentry school in Limon de la Cerca filled a great need. Three years into this project, the school has grown and the senior students are producing beautiful pieces of furniture. This trade provides an income for young men who might otherwise have fallen into the traps of local gangs. As with the sewing school, each day begins with Bible study.
The Vocational Carpentry School opened its doors in August of 2002 on the church grounds in Limon. The youth from the church and community receive daily Bible and carpentry classes from a highly skilled carpenter who works for Mission Lazarus full time. The school started with few tools and with time has been slowly becoming more equipped. A recent donation of industrial carpentry equipment made by Abilene Christian University industrial technology department will give the teacher and students opportunity to learn additional skills they would otherwise have no exposure to. The vocational school currently has 15 students enrolled full-time.
SEWING is a big industry in most of Latin America. Mission Lazarus currently oversees two sewing schools located in Limon de la Cerca, and San Marcos de Colon. The first school in Limon opened for members of the church and community in February of 2003. This school was made possible by donations of sewing machines and funds from the United States. The second sewing school was opened in 2004 in San Marcos de Colon. These schools are open to both men and women in the community. Currently there are over 80 students enrolled. The skills that the students learn allow each of them to earn much needed income for their families. Each day begins with a Bible class and questions. This project continues to produce fruit for the Lord by attracting numerous persons to the church.
THE CHRISTIAN LEADER TRAINING CENTER, CLTC, trains local men and women to serve in their region. Many students in the program have responsibilities which do not permit them to travel to other formal institutes for Bible training. Others in the program do not qualify for admittance to a formal Bible institute due to a lack of formal education. The CLTC meets twice a month on Saturdays for 12 hours at the church building located in Limon de la Cerca, Choluteca. Their time is filled with intense theology classes as well as in-the-field practice. There are currently 38 students enrolled in the CLTC.
It is through education that a developing country makes the slow transition to become a developed country. In the same way, it is also through education that a new Christian learns how to bring others to Christ. Mission Lazarus has five education projects located in the towns of Choluteca and San Marcos de Colón, Honduras.
