to Supply Tech Needs for Honduran Children BY MARTI PIEPER
People in the United States have a reputation for complaining about unimportant issues. There’s even a social media hashtag that encapsulates this syndrome: #firstworldproblems. The problems we experience as a result of COVID-19 seem monumental: Isolation. Loneliness. Job loss. Decreased income. Food insecurity. Illness. Even death. None of these counts as a “first world problem.” But what happens when you take those problems and add the distinction of living in an already-impoverished country? That’s what the people of Honduras and our sister diocese there face every day. And that’s what each gift given to our annual Thanksgiving offering will help alleviate.
Bishop Lloyd Allen,
who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, said in a recent video call that with his country reopening, there is great concern that a second phase of COVID-19 will sweep the nation. “The beaches are swarming, no masks, the buses are crowded to 100% capacity,” he said. “This will have its toll and effect.” As in the United States, a huge part of the overall impact of the coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown has taken place in the schools. Schools are back in operation, he said, but fear of the coronavirus has kept registrations at 50% and fewer. The Episcopal schools “will continue doing school virtually, and the kids will not return to the classroom till 2021, Lord willing,” Allen said. “Honduras is basically a rural country,” he added. “Sixty percent of school-age kids will lose a year or be promoted to the next level without
having had that formation. These kids have no access to computers. Some are receiving classes over computer or possibly cell phone. But the majority of those most vulnerable are unable to have or receive their classes,” he said, due to the lack of technology.
THANKSGIVING OFFEREING
Annual Thanksgiving Offering
The Diocese of Central Florida, The Episcopal Church and other dioceses and individuals have given generously throughout this crisis to help support the Diocese of Honduras. But the “computers for kids” project represents a unique response to a specific need that lies close to the heart of Bishop Allen and to the heart of God. Allen will use the offering to distribute laptops to kids and to help them gain access to the education they so desperately need. Kingdom relationship includes kingdom responsibility. As you pray over your Thanksgiving offering this year, consider its value in a land where even a small gift can have significant impact.
Someday when we look back on the year 2020, we will recall its many challenges. But I hope we will also recall how God showed up in faithfulness. It is with that spirit of gratitude that the Diocese of Central Florida has made the Diocese of Honduras, led by my dear friend Bishop Lloyd Allen, the annual recipient of its Thanksgiving offering. And it is with that same spirit that I urge you to give.
Recall what Bishop Allen has said about the desperate need for technology for the many children who have no access to education without it. In Honduras, technology can make a world of difference for those little ones about whom Jesus said, “it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matt. 19:14b). Grace to you,
Bishop Gregory O. Brewer
Donate with checks made payable to: "Diocese of Central Florida." Memo: "2020 Thanksgiving Offering" Mail to: Diocese of Central Florida, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32801 CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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