Juan lives in a community called Cenizabu near the city of Santa María de Pantasma. Juan is involved in CEPAD’s Pastoral Leadership Program, and shares about his experience with the trainings. 

I’m 80 years old and have 9 children with my wife. Two of my daughters already passed away, but my other seven children are married and all live with my wife and I.

I used to work as a small farmer, planting corn and beans. But now my children are in charge of that as I’m too old to work the land. Now I focus on other things in my community, mostly involving myself in church activities.

I’m a member of my community’s Catholic Church and attended a CEPAD workshop as a representative of the congregation. I enjoyed the training and it was helpful to see what other people are doing and hear their perspectives. The themes we discussed are going to be useful.

I want to share what I’ve learned with others in my community who don’t go to church. I’ve already identified some people to start working with, but we are waiting for the workshop materials to arrive so that we can start studying the Bible together. Even these people who don’t go to church are asking me when we can start.

I want to share my thanks to you, our friends, who remember us in our humble villages. The Word of God says to us in Matthew 25:40 “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We are thankful to God that CEPAD has also provided benefits like roof materials, seeds, trees, other workshops; we’ve never had this kind of attention in the past.

Thank you for helping to benefit many brothers and sisters. We will remain witnesses of what God is doing and of all the benefits to come.

Thank you for helping support church members like Juan share God’s love with those around him and perform Bible studies with small groups in their communities. To support more pastors and church leaders like Juan, you can support the pastoral development program here.