Steve and Audrey Long of Honduras Evangelical Association (HEA) have been trusted mentors as Dennis and Teresa learn the culture of Honduras and discern God's vision for ministry for PEH and for their roles as missionaries and directors of the ministry.  All the villages where PEH is serving are also villages where HEA is serving, and there is a strong partnership between the two ministries.  On a two week visit in which Dennis and Teresa explored Copan in 2017, Steve and Audrey took them to Chonco.  Chonco is at the end of the road, literally.  There is no where else to go, except straight up a mountain by foot.  The school itself sits on top of a hill, and you must climb some steep steps in order to get to the building.  It is here that PEH began to live out the calling that God had placed on the hearts of Dennis and Teresa.

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Project Education Honduras, Inc. became an official 5013c very quickly, and it was shortly after that the second mission team traveled to live out the mission and vision of the ministry.  This team would be visionary members and part of the board.  During the week that the team was working in Chonco, they did their first Salvation VBS, where the Gospel was presented to the children from Creation to the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  The curriculum was developed by Teresa and includes stories, felt board characters, and all kinds of fun activities to help the children grasp the message of Jesus Christ and the God's Story. This curriculum has been repeated and revamped many times over the past couple years.  It is in this village that God began to really unveil His plan for VBS in the schools.  He showed us the importance of ALWAYS taking Jesus and making it a priority over the projects.  And so, to this day, that is exactly what we do.  EVERY TIME we go into a school, we take the message of Jesus Christ.

 

While VBS was going on that first trip to Chonco, the bathroom was renovated so that the children could use it during school.  On a second trip, the windows were replaced, and then paint was purchased for the teachers and community to give the building a new look.  The teachers at Chonco have changed since that first visit.  However, we can see God's hand at work as he replaced Julio and Melba, two amazing teachers that were at Chonco for many, many years.  We are thankful for the team of three, Maria, Yolani, and Juanita, that God has placed at Chonco and for their commitment to make Jesus Christ known amongst the children.   These three faithful servants of God teach a combined total of approximately 80 children each and every day in Kinder through 6th grade.