Onward,
Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap
Executive Director, ASJ-US
Welcome Statement/Justicia Winter 2025
February 25, 2025
From the Executive Director
Dear Friend,
Who doesn’t love to celebrate? Birthdays, promotions, good news, reunions–our lives are full of reasons to rejoice and be glad. And at ASJ-US, we are celebrating all year long as we mark our 25th anniversary! Since 2000, ASJ-US has been seeking to be a community of brave Christians dedicated to doing justice in Honduras and to inspiring others around the world to seek justice in their own contexts.
It’s been 25 years of exhilarating highs, of crushing lows, of deep partnership with ASJ-Honduras, and through it all, an abiding trust in our justice doing God. I hope that in what follows, you will see evidence of 25 years of God’s faithfulness. If you have been with ASJ-US through some (or all) of those 25 years, I hope you feel proud of the justice and peace that we’ve been able to secure together. And I hope that you feel inspired to work together toward ever more justice for Honduras.
Because at 25 years, we certainly have a lot to celebrate. And we have a lot more left on our to-do list. I’m looking forward to more meaningful justice work alongside you in 2025 and beyond.
In this edition of Justicia, we are highlighting:
ASJ-US 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Keep ReadingTwenty-five years ago, on a beautiful summer evening in Grand Rapids, ASJ-US held its very first Celebration in my sister Shar’s backyard. I don’t remember a lot about that day, but I do know that what we lacked in experience, we more than made up for with confidence and boundless enthusiasm.
HONDURAN ELECTIONS 2025
Keep ReadingIn previous electoral processes, ASJ has encouraged youth participation beyond voting. Observation, communications and advocacy strategies have been promoted during the three stages that make up the electoral process: the pre electoral stage when preparatory activities are carried out; on election day when citizens go to the polls and vote; and finally, the post-electoral stage which includes the counting of votes, the review of possible irregularities and the declaration of the new authorities.
HOW MIGRATION AFFECTS A COMUNITY ( My Empty Village)
Keep ReadingAs I sit in my parent’s empty living room, I remember when there used to be
three families living together in this small house. Now it feels empty, just like the rest of the village. All my best friends left. My favorite cousin left. Displacement has pierced through my community.
WELCOME, NEW BOARD MEMBERS!
With great joy, we welcome these new members to our Board of Directors. Our board is made up of volunteers who are committed to our mission of being brave Christians dedicated to seeking justice in Honduras and to inspiring others around the world to seek justice in their own contexts.
Michael Pinda
Laura Watrous
Thomas Turner
Get Involved
If you are interested in volunteering with us in your city, email : info@asj-us.org
Sign up to receive email updates about how you can help us advocate for those who are most vulnerable in Honduras:
Earlier this month, The Banner published a story written by Our Shared Ministr y by Karina Guevara and Elmer Salinas . The authors showcase the work that ASJ-Honduras is doing to help and support students in Honduras. Karina and Elmer tell the story of Genesis Garcia, an 8-year-old, whose family struggles to find consistent jobs. "Genesis Garcia Baquedano is 8 years old and lives with her older brother, Anderson, and their parents in Honduras. Her parents work hard to support their family. Genesis’s father is a painter who struggles to find consistent work, and her mother is a street vendor who spends long hours away from home." According to Karina and Elmer, although Genesis is a good student, she was struggling with reading, writing, and math. This is where the ASJ-Hondurans' program, Strong Communities , comes to be a blessing. "Through God’s grace, Genesis and her family were able to join the Strong Communities program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, because the Spanish translation is Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa). Through the program, Genesis attended academic support sessions, where she impressed her tutors with her perseverance and enthusiasm. Now, Genesis’s teachers praise the program for the significant progress Genesis has been making at school." We are blessed to be able to help kids like Genesis and her family to be able to achieve their dreams and goals. You can read the full story HERE and learn more about the ASJ-Honduras Strong communities program HERE
Highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI
MY EMPTY VILLAGE / HOW IMMIGRATION AFFECTS A COMMUNITY (by Sara Pineda)
Young Hondurans have stepped up for democracy (by Blanca Stephanie Elvir)
Reflecting on 25 years of seeking justice together (by Jo Ann Van Engen)
What does paused international aid mean for ASJ?
Something Worth Waiting For
Will you walk with us for a more just society?
The beauty of doing justice in community
What I've Been Thinking About the Past Week
