Dearest friends,
Three years ago, while on the World Race, I spent a month in Honduras with Tony Deien and Zion’s Gate Ministries. After a fantastic time there we parted ways, but as I left Tony said to me, “You should come back.” When I returned home I felt God’s call to return for a longer period of time, and so now after far too long I will be returning to Honduras. I leave September 3rd, and currently the plan is to spend about 6 months working alongside Tony and his mission.
This will be my longest time overseas in one place, so I expect once again I’m headed off into the great unknown. Some stability will be valuable, but I will still be thinking more long-term than previous trips. Among the things I’ll be doing are helping with the various self-sustaining initiatives at Zion’s Gate. Besides a vegetable garden and a chicken coop, they have a small store and plans for a hair salon to provide job experience as well as some small income. I’ll also be assisting Tony in teaching English classes at a local school – I never thought I’d be in the classroom!
Of course, the primary ministry at Zion’s Gate is the people. Tony works with young men and women in the community and on the ministry property, with several other ministry helpers living at Zion’s Gate for long-term commitments. Tegucigalpa is home to one of the highest murder rates in Central America, and every young person that grows up in the poorer neighborhoods is under incredible pressure to fall into the cycle of drugs, violence, and street gangs. This is an area that desperately needs to know the love of God, and it is the mission of Zion’s Gate to bring that love to this region.
As this will be a new adventure for me, I will be in great need of prayer. Please pray for safety, for personal growth, and for the success of the ministry as well. I hope this time will be a season where I learn more about my capabilities, and the calling God has placed on my life.
I will also be in need of financial support. Basic costs for room and board are $450 monthly. If you would like to support me, you can use this PayPal link. Make sure to note that it’s “for Don Hamilton” on the message line. All donations are of course tax-deductible.
Hopefully I will be able to send out more consistent updates than when I was on the Race. I have a new blog, donsadventures.wordpress.com where I’ll be posting monthly updates and any important news. If you’d like to receive updates, you can sign up there or send me a message (via facebook or email) to get updates!
Thank you so much for your support over the last few years – here’s to another adventure!
-Don
