Tilapia Project

Linares.  What's wrong?
In 1997 the Lord led us to a little village in the Gualaco valley of Olancho, Honduras.  Through the years we have grown to be a part of the families in the wonderful village of Linares.  Over time, we have seen God move mightily in lives and in homes. Through team after team, hug after hug, trip after trip, we've built wonderful relationships with strong bonds rooted in care and deep love.  We've built and worked on many projects to give our friends a better life.   But one thing we have not been able to accomplish is to help them sustain a good income. The cost of living is about the same as here in the USA.  Some things even cost much more in Honduras.  Jobs are scarce, opportunity is practically nonexistent.  Most men in this village of 35 houses, when they can find work, gets paid only $6.25 a day.  (Imagine this in your life. Could you live on $6.25 a day?) I have seen many struggle to survive.  Mom and dads longing for basic neccesities. We have prayed and prayed and asked to Lord to help them and to help us to know what we could possibly do to bless them.  We could just give them money and more money, but this isn't the answer.  We don't need to give them a hand out, but a hand up.

What is God doing through us?
We believe the Lord has not only heard our prayers but He has answered them.  Last week Becky (my wife) and I purchased about 11 acres of land.  This land has two old dry tilapia ponds on them.  These ponds are an answer to prayer.  Once these two ponds are up and functioning, we will stock them with a little over 20,000 tilapia.  We now have a project manager (who is from the Gualaco valley) who is very experienced in farming tilapia and he has a huge heart for serving God and serving Linares.  We have met with the village and they are excited.  They are so excited that on this past Monday, many came out to work and started cleaning the ponds.  We have seen great improvement in the condition of the ponds through their hard work this week.   But their hard work alone is not going to accomplish this.  

Responding to the need:
We have established a good plan, set an accurate budget and established a working expectation for the villagers who will participate in this project in the village.

Here is what we need to do:

1.  Replace or repair the fences around the property to keep livestock out and also, to provide security for the project.

2.  Install piping and finish cleaning the ponds.

3.  Build a storage building for the feed and other things to support the tilapia ponds.

4. Buy an electric pump, as well as, the electric panel and other electrical supplies.

5.  Buy the tilapia.

6.  Buy the feed.

All of this will be a great blessing to the village.  After the first harvest, capital will be held back from the shared profit in order to restock the ponds and buy the food needed for the next cycle of fish.  The harder the villagers work, the better the outcome and success they will share.

How you can get involved:
We need to get the project launched and launched fast.  March is coming and that is the best time to get tilapia to the market.  With that said, we need to raise $20,000 fast.  I can't believe I am saying this... But I believe that God is in this and we have heard from so many of you that you agree.  If all of us could pull our resources, we can make a huge difference in the lives of so many.  I am not going to beg you or guilt you, I am simply asking.  Please prayerfully consider stepping out in faith with us and give.  ALL of the money goes straight in to the project. Any money that comes in above the $20,000 will still go in to the project as we will continue to bless Linares.   We have a board of directors that will oversee all of your gifts.  (I feel I need to say this: When Becky and I go to Honduras, none of this money benefits us in any way. It all goes to Loving Linares and for blessing the villagers.) 

So, please respond.  We need you to be moved with compassion to meet this need.  On behalf of our dear friends in Linares.  Thank you.