Missionary, Humanitarian Efforts in Honduras
Jasper County native and known artist Ben Eidson and his wife, Karen Camelo, were part of a small group of Crossroads Baptist Church in Social Circle members that embarked on a mission trip to Honduras January 3-11, 2020.
Ben said that a few of the church members got together and decided on this mission trip without the use of any agencies or church funds. They completed the mission using donated funds. The group selected Honduras because his fellow church member, Tyler Nelson, had visited the country several times in the past and had a vast knowledge of the area.
The group, including (top photo, left to right) John and Alyssa Looney, Karen, Ben, and Tamara & Tyler Nelson. They connected with now Tennessee resident but native Honduran Alex Silva to assist with their mission. During their trip, the group stayed mostly with a longtime Honduras missionary family, the Horans.
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Ben had visited Honduras just eight months ago for the first time with his friend Tyler and felt some connection to the area and could see the need for further assistance. This was not his first mission trip (he has also missioned in Mexico and Costa Rica) and certainly will not be his last. Not 10 days out from their return, the group is already planning a return trip to the area this August in an effort to build a playground for the school for the handicap where Ben just painted a mural on the school building that represents the area.
Other than the visit itself, one of the most lasting impressions will be the mural left behind at TeachMe2Love school for the handicapped in the village of Yamaranguila The mural includes the face of a child surrounded by vegetation native to the area including mushrooms which are popular there and also corn which is represebntative of their indigenoues heritage, he noted. The mural also includes the school’s logo which is a puzzle piece inside a heart. Inscribed near the bottom is a bible verse from the Book of John—”We love Him because He first loved us.”
If you are familar with any of Ben’s artwork then you know he’s talented and he doesn’t “half step” withany of his artwork. The artist fine tuned his talent as a youth pinning many Deer Festival logos and t-shirt designs.
In addition to spreading the gospel of Christ to their Honduran brothers and sisters which included witnessing in the village and having church service in the rain under a tree named San Francisco deo Palace. The mission group also provided food for the people that reside there.
They also went to a girl’s orphanage to repaint the kitchen and when we return this year we intend to build a playhouse at the school for the handicapped, and travel to a church paint the outside.
The group also attended a church deep in Lenca Country which is known for its coffee production. They also witnessed to people on the streets there and prayed with so many humble people, said Mr. Eidson. The missionaries also gave food and clothes to the less fortunate and provided backpacks to the children.
Mr. Eidson said that the group wanted to thank everyone from Shiloh Baptist Church in Farrar and Crossroads Baptist in addition to the Horan family for opening their home to house and feed the group and other individuals with the same passion for sharing the good news of Jesus.
“We hope to return this year to love and encourage the people of Honduras.”
If anyone is interested in donating to the mission, they are asked to contact group leader Tyler Nelson at tyler@deepsouthappraisals.com. One hundred percent of the funds and proceeds go directly to the less fortunate.
