“I think of John 3:16 and how God sent his Son to the world. He sends us too that we may give our life for our brothers and sisters.”

 - Carlos Hernández

Enviado soy de Dios

“ The Lord Now Sends Us Forth”

Lyrics by Anonymous

Translation by Gerhard M. Cartford 

The Lord now sends us forth

with hands to serve and give,

to make of all the earth

a better place to live. 

The angels are not sent

into our world of pain

to do what we were meant

to do in Jesus’ name;

that falls to you and me

and all who are made free.

Help us, O Lord, we pray,

to do your will today.

When did your justice journey start?

My journey started when I was about 13 years old. I was heavily impacted by people in my family who, even though we were poor, challenged me to work on improving our community. At that age, I started giving literacy classes to seniors in our community. Then, as I grew into a young adult, I started to question what it really meant for me to be a Christian. This process of questioning my faith ultimately opened up my mind and heart to move to Nueva Suyapa, one of the most violent neighborhoods in Honduras. Living in Nueva Suyapa challenged me to work for justice in my community. This challenge to work for justice did not end there, for we must always remain attentive to God’s call. 

What does justice sound like to you?

Justice sounds like thunder. It is strong and disruptive, just like when the walls of Jericho fell. Some might say justice sounds quiet or passive, but I think it is loud, disruptive, and commands attention.

What is your hope for justice in your context?

This is a broad question, and my answer will vary depending on my current circumstances. This past December, I was experiencing some health issues that required laboratory testing. I was able to get both the labs and medical treatment immediately, which led me to think about those who have not had the same privilege as me. My neighbors who rely on the public healthcare system have had to wait months, sometimes even years, to receive the care they need. I felt very emotionally affected by this reminder. I believe God uses circumstances like this one to sensitize us to the needs of others. I was reminded not only to have empathy for what the majority of Hondurans have to go through but also to think about concrete actions that we can take to improve the situation.