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The El Paraiso Project, Honduras |
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Danli
Very Rev. Alejandro Chirinos
Dean |
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Yuscaran
Lourden del Carmen Herrera de Urrutia
Priest |
Danli is a small city to the east of Tegucigalpa, Honduras' capital city. Its economic base is built upon the tobacco industry, from planting to the production of cigars. Unemployment and poverty are rampant in the city and the surrounding countryside.
Rev. Priest Alejandro Chirinos is currently based in Danli, as Dean of the Deanery of Danlí, and priest-in-charge of the church of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) in Danli. Rev. Alejandro is also
vicar of several out-lying missions: El Paraiso (La Resurrección), Jacaleapa (La Cena del Señor), San Matías, La Ceibita, Nueva Esperanza, San Lorenzo, and Santa María. These are spread out over the eastern part of El Paraiso. Because Rev. Alejandro is the only priest in this area, he visits each of these points at least twice a month. |
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The Reverend Lourden del Carmen Herrera de Urrutia serves Yuscaran, the capital of the Province of El Paraiso. It is a beautiful
town nestled on the side of Mount Monserrat. There is a strong Spanish
influence in it's architecture and cobblestone streets. The two main
industries in the town are rhum factories.
Lourden began her career in ministry as a
Lay Pastor in the small village of Agua Viva. She was ordained Deacon in 2004 and priest in 2007, supervising the pastors at several churches to the south of Yuscaran. In 2010 she was appointed Vicar of Yuscaran and the churches to the south. Lourden is married with two children. Her husband, Heriberto, is currently studying for ordination. |
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Rev. Gladis Velasquez
Priest
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Jacaleapa
Santos Aquilina Velasquez
Lay Pastor
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El Pedregal is a small village a few miles from Villa Sanfrancisco. The main source of income is work in the sugar cane fields. The residents are very poor.
Villa Sanfrancisco is Rev. Gladis's home town. She began her studies to be ordained in this town, and was pleased to return after completing several assignments in other communities, including the city of Tegucigalpa. She is an ordained priest. The farming community of Miravalle is also part of her charge.
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Jacaleapa is a large town located about seven miles west of Danli. The church here has grown to the point that the living room of a typical Honduras home cannot accommodate all the members. A fund has been started to purchase property for the construction of a church building and a home for a pastor.
Lay Pastor Aquilino is an e xperienced pastor. He began his formal seminary studies in 2009. As part of his assignment in Jacaleapa he is also responsible for a small congregation in San Mattias, several miles away.
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Oropoli
Heriberto Urrutia
Lay Minister
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Talanga & Guaimaca
Hector Salgado
Lay Minister
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Heriberto and his wife Lourden were both Lay Pastors studying for the ministry several years ago. However finances had forced Heriberto to drop out so that he could support his family. Now that Lourdes has been ordained deacon with a steady salary, he is able to resume his ministry and study. He has been appointed Lay Pastor to the town of Oropoli and with his past experience, the transition has been easy for both him and the congregation. The provision of a motorcycle by Canadian supporters has enabled him to easily travel from his home in Las Crucitas to Oropoli in less than an hour instead of the two hour bus-trip (each way) previously required.
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Following the transfer of Kara Thompson and Nelson Mejia to Roatan, Hector Salgado was assigned charge of the parishes of Talanga and Guaimaca as well as responsibility for providing pastoral care at the agricultural school there. |
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Redenton/Las Moritas
Rudy Alberto Vasquez
Lay Minister
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Lay Minister Rudy Vasquez serves Redenton, about 30 Km north of Tegucigalpa, and Las Moritas, just as far south. Both are small communities that meet in the homes of the church members. Using public transportation, every Sunday he visits both communities for worship services, as well as being available to both congregations during the week. He is currently in seminary two days a week. For two years prior to being sponsored by SAMS, Rudy served in this function without a salary. |
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| Last Update:
20-Oct-2011 21:21
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