February 27, 2024
In Honduras, families are facing various challenges that affect their structure and stability. In this Central American nation, economic difficulties, unemployment, violence, and insecurity have fractured families, leaving them vulnerable and divided. Amidst these challenges, a ray of hope emerges.
The Bible Society of Honduras has been implementing a project for the past five years to nurture and promote family unity through the distribution of the book “The Family Bible 100 Steps”. This initiative allows thousands of families to come together weekly to read, reflect, and grow together through the Scriptures.
Jorge Gómez, Secretary General of the Bible Society of Honduras, commented:
“The Family Bible 100 Steps has come to light a beacon of hope in the darkness and despair in which Honduras lives.”
The project “Families Following the Bible Route” began in 2019 when the Bible Society of Honduras was invited by the Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders to be the pilot country for its development. One of the first steps to bring this Bible to the Spanish-speaking population required the translation of the material into Spanish. Since then, 46,000 Honduran families have benefited from the programme and an additional 10,000 families will be reached by 2024, for a total of around 224,000 people served with the aim of bringing the Word of God to families with few resources or living in situations of risk due to violence.
“We firmly believe that the Bible has the power to transform lives and societies, and we are grateful for the continuous support of the Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders, whose generosity has made this project possible,” says Marlon Cardona, Project Coordinator.
Designed in a colourful and illustrated format, the Bible contains 100 biblical stories accompanied by constructive and family-friendly activities. These stories not only strengthen family bonds but also instil values and principles in children and adolescents, guiding them towards a life in harmony with God’s purpose.
Jeshua Osorio, 10, says he likes to support other children who have encountered challenges in their own lives:
“This Bible is perfect… With my family, we have a devotional, and at church, I share the stories with the teacher and classmates. I enjoy spending time with my family and learning the stories of the Bible. My favourite is the one that tells us how God created man.”
Each step in this book represents an opportunity for families to discover the teachings of the Bible and apply them in their daily lives. Through practical activities, children explore the meaning of the stories in an interactive and meaningful way. The stories speak to the hearts and minds of each family member, enriching their understanding and connection with the Word of God.
During 2023, the Bible Society of Honduras worked together with 202 evangelical churches and five Catholic parishes throughout the country, distributing 16,000 copies. This outreach has been achieved through the promotion of the project with the leadership of Catholic and evangelical churches and follow-up through training for leaders responsible for accompanying participating families. Each week, for 100 weeks, families gather to share, reflect, and grow together.
How has it been possible to achieve this great outreach? “The project has had the support of over 5,000 volunteers from the churches involved, as well as the ongoing commitment of the team at the Bible Society of Honduras to continue reaching more families with the transformative message of the Bible.
Since 2019, the Bible Society of Honduras has been serving:
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2,500 Evangelical churches.
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25 Catholic parishes.
We accompany families in fulfilling the biblical mandate to teach the Word of God to the new generations so that they strengthen their relationship with God, sow passion for the Bible, and let it transform the lives of the members in each involved home. For 2024, we continue with the challenge of motivating churches to work more closely with families to strengthen their relationship with God and educate children with the knowledge and practice of the counsel of the Word of God, that the Bible transform behaviours and actions in each member of the families reached and that they have a solid relationship with the God of love,“ concludes Marlon Cardona.
