Statement on the US Elections

November 12, 2024

What I've Been Thinking About the Past Week

Hi friends,


I love a lot of things about ASJ. One of them is that we are a big community with diverse political opinions that is still able to come together to pursue the common mission of seeking justice for the most vulnerable in Honduras. It’s hard to find communities like that in this hyper-polarized time. It’s a unity of purpose that feels like a real gift.


So, I’ve wrestled with whether to write this message. The results are only a week old. The various emotions within our community of supporters are fresh. With so many organizations rushing to fill airwaves and inboxes in the wake of the election with responses, I’ve wondered if we need to be one of them.


Yet I chose to write this because many people have asked me what the results of the election mean for ASJ.


The truth is that US elections always have consequences for Honduras, regardless of who wins. The nature of the relationship between Honduras and the US means that when new administrations take power and policy priorities change, Honduras feels it–whether it’s increased deportations under President Obama, funding cuts to Central America during President-elect Trump’s first term, or President Biden’s reluctance to raise those same funding levels back again.


We don’t yet know what specific policies will change or what priorities will be centered by the incoming administration in the weeks and months ahead. What we do know is that, just as with all administrations before it—Democrat and Republican—these changes are likely to impact Honduras and its people in real, tangible ways.


And here’s something else we know: our commitment to our partners in Honduras and to our mission remains unchanged. ASJ will continue to find opportunities to advocate for policies that center the most vulnerable in Honduras. As the policy landscape of the new administration comes into better focus, we will keep you informed on how you can join in.


Because no matter who is in the White House, or which party controls Congress, we will never stop being brave Christians committed to doing justice in Honduras and to inspiring others to seek justice wherever they are rooted. 

Onward,


Kyle Meyaard-Schaap

ASJ-US Executive Director

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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
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