Sojourner #052: The Gospel And My Country

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)

More than one hundred years ago, God so loved the world that He providentially placed the desire in the hearts of American missionaries to come to Honduras, the very heart of the American continent, in obedience to His command to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every tribe and people, by faith.

Today, that work continues, as the Gospel still changes lives in my beloved country. God is still sending out laborers into His harvest (Matt. 9:38), delivering His people from sin and raising them to new life in Christ (Eph. 2:4–6). My family and I have spent many years serving among the Lenca, an indigenous, mountain people from southwest Honduras, in partnership with the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission.

This task might sound simple, but honestly, it’s hard sometimes.

The Roman Catholic Church holds sway across much of the country, dominating many aspects of society. In the mountains among the Lenca, I’ve seen communities come together to prevent new believers from enrolling their children in school, or cut off their access to running water, just because they no longer belong to the Catholic Church. Converts to Christianity often face real persecution and suffering.

But in spite of all the hardship, I’ve also seen the light of Christ shining through the darkness. The truth is, God changes everything. When people respond in faith to the finished work of the Lord Jesus, I’ve witnessed them submit their lives entirely to His Lordship, even if they’re rejected by their community, their friends, or their own family.

And when someone believes in Christ, they’re filled with a passion to share the good news of salvation in Jesus with those around them, including the very people who rejected them.

The love of Christ compels them, and God places within them the same desire to proclaim the Gospel that He once gave the American missionaries all those years ago.

Here in Honduras, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is enough for everything we face. It gives us joy even in the middle of sorrow. And by His grace, we believe that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). We rejoice, knowing that the God of all grace loves us beyond all measure.

Prayer Guide: Praying for the Gospel in Honduras

1. Thank God for His Providential Love

• Praise God for placing a burden in the hearts of American missionaries over one hundred years ago to come to Honduras in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission (Matt. 28:19).

• Thank Him for the continuing work of the Gospel in Honduras today, changing lives and raising up laborers for His harvest (Matt. 9:38; Eph. 2:4–6).

2. Pray for Believers Facing Persecution

• Lift up the new believers among the Lenca people who endure rejection from their communities, families, and friends because they no longer belong to the Roman Catholic Church.

• Ask God to give them strength, courage, and steadfast faith as they suffer for the name of Jesus.

3. Pray for the Love and Boldness to Share the Gospel

• Pray that those who have accepted Christ would be filled with a passion to share the good news, even with those who oppose or reject them.

• Ask God to place within their hearts the same desire He gave the early missionaries to Honduras, to proclaim salvation in Jesus to every tribe and people.

4. Pray for the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission and Workers

• Pray for God’s provision and protection over the missionaries and local families serving among the Honduran people, that they might be strengthened to continue their ministry despite the difficulties they face each and every day.

• Pray that God would raise up more laborers to join in this harvest.

5. Pray for Joy and Hope Amid Suffering

• Thank God that the Gospel is sufficient to bring joy even in the midst of sorrow.

• Pray that all believers in Honduras would hold fast to the hope of God’s glory to be revealed, trusting in His love beyond all measure (Rom. 8:18).

About the Author:

Andrea Claros serves faithfully with the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission, where she uses her gifts to bless others in both word and deed. A native Honduran, Andrea is a living testimony of God’s grace and provision, serving alongside her family from the Alas de Fe compound in La Esperanza. Together, the Ramirez family has poured out their lives for the sake of the gospel, quietly but powerfully advancing Christ’s Kingdom in the mountains of Intibucá.

Editor’s Note:

Here at Sojourner Magazine, we are profoundly thankful for Andrea and her family. Their work is a reflection of the goodness of God and the beauty of the Church on mission.

On a personal note: I am grateful to God for mi hermana and all she does. My life would not look the way it does today had it not been for the Lord of providence who brought us together years ago.

Dios te bendiga.

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