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Dr. Hanson had been
on numerous short-term mission trips to Honduras, but found them frustrating because it was difficult to nurture relationships.
Through contacts developed over the years she was introduced to Dr. Maradiaga and his vision and heard the call to become
a full-time missionary.
Doctors Hanson and Maradiaga work in poor barrios situated on the mountains ringing Tegucigalpa,
the capital. Their main focus currently is in the barrio called Colonia Villa Nueva, population ~ 70,000. There are more
than 50 Protestant pastors in the barrio.
These pastors belong to a variety of tiny denominations which provide
them legal recognition, spiritual coverage and a place to send their tithes (of tithes), but do not have resources to provide
much support or training.
They receive no salary and most cannot support their families on the tithes they receive,
since their churches are small and their members poor. Some do not even have a sixth-grade education. Most of the pastors
work (when work is available) as laborers, but still at times struggle to put food on the table.
Dr. Maradiaga
and his wife, Patricia, a teacher, understand the position of these pastors. In 2001, he suffered a stroke which left him
unable to practice medicine, and their financial position became extremely difficult. He has been a pastor since 2000, but
like the others has experienced a lack of support in this, even from his own denomination.
One day in 2004, a pastor stopped by discouraged, and Dr. Maradiaga listened
to him and gave him a used Bible. He was struck by the fact that the pastor went out encouraged, ready to continue in ministry.
He realized that what was lacking was simply someone to take an interest in the pastors, a lack that he also felt.
He conceived the vision to disciple pastors, who would then not only be equipped to minister in their own churches and communities,
but could also disciple other pastors in the barrios.
The project began in late 2004 with loaned instructional
DVDs from the International School of Ministry (ISOM). Twelve pastors began meeting every
Monday evening. Dr. Hanson joined them in early 2005. Since then, the group has expanded to thirty-six, meeting weekly in
four different groups. Dr. Hanson's church provided a grant for the purchase of their own set of instructional DVDs from ISOM
Dr. Hanson says, “We’re looking for people who want to partner with us, with prayer, mission
trips, teaching materials, and financial support for the pastors and the project. It is such a blessing for me to be part
of it, I want to share it with my fellow North Americans!”
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