Hallelujah Moment From Honduras: "Go to school!"

Living in the poverty of the small village of Talanga, a valley nestled between the mountains of Honduras, a young mother of six growing children had never aspired to anything beyond the life she now experienced with her family.

Dulcibella left school at the age of 12, later married and began raising a family. It was not uncommon for the people of her village to leave school at such an early age and join the daily struggle for survival.

Knowing that education was the only way out of poverty, Rev. Lyssette Perez, a General Board of Global Ministries staff relating to Latin America, during her visits to Honduras, would challenge Dulcibella by telling her to "Go to school!"

Finally, Dulcibella, at 34 years of age, dressed up in her official blue and white uniform and school shoes and headed off to join the children of the 5th grade.

With pride, she sat straight in her chair amidst the questioning glances of wondering eyes all around her. With giggles of happiness, the children enveloped Dulcibella into their class.

She has since graduated from the 6th grade, together with her daughter, Genesis, and now looks forward to continuing her education not only through the junior high level but even hopes to go to college to study art.

What a wonderful way The United Methodist Church through the exhortations of Rev. Perez has touched this young mother's life and gave hope and a desire to rise above the shackles of poverty. Dulcibella now looks forward to a much better future.

Dulcibella is a charter member of the Trece de Septiembre United Methodist Church in Talanga and has since been active in the church as a lay leader, a Sunday school teacher and has served as the Children's Ministry Coordinator.

Ways to Support This Ministry

You can support the ministry of the Honduras Initiative by sharing your gifts through the ADVANCE:

• # 12928A-New Church Development, Program/Honduras
  United Methodist work among Spanish-speaking people.

Learn more about this "New Initiative" of the General Board of Global Ministries and other "New initiatives" at:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/