Newsletter - October, 2018
| October, 2018 Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Matt. 25:40 Published by the Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210. (717) 349-7033 |
In most places in Honduras, pastors do not receive a salary; instead, they typically receive a donation each month from the church they pastor. Like Paul in Corinth, they then need to supplement their income with some other type of work or business. Nephtali Rodriquez is one such pastor. He has been pastoring churches for over 20 years, and he recently was asked to pastor a new church plant in Siguatepque. Nephtali's wife's name is Deborah, and they have two children, Joseline (15) and Samuel (12). Since the church he pastors is presently very small, Nephtali needs to work nearly full time in order to support his family.
During his years in the ministry, Nephtali has worked with a lot of people with mental health and behavioral health problems. Since Nephtali has a background in clinical psychology, he gave thought to opening up in Siguatepeque a clinic for Biblically-based mental and behavioral health counseling, as well as marriage counseling. This project would not only provide him with supplemental income, but it would also enable him to expand his ministry outreach. He realizes that people with mental and behavioral health problems don't need worldly, humanistic counseling, but rather God-centered counseling. Through a friend, Nephtali heard about the work of the Society of the Good Shepherd. So Nephtali presented his idea to the Honduran directors of the Society. They agreed to furnish Nephtali with an interest-free small business loan to enable him to purchase the basic office supplies and furniture he would need to open his clinic.
The clinic has now been open for three months. As Nephtali had expected, it has been a slow start. Nevertheless, God keeps bringing the right people into the clinic. Nephtali is not only able to use his training in mental health, but he is also able to share the Word of God with people. He points people to Jesus Christ as the only one who can bring total restoration to a person's life and family. Nephtali recently told us, “Mental and behavioral health is so important for peoples’ well-being. When a person is completely well, things can change for a whole family. I have recently had a patient who came in needing help for his drinking problem. He has progressed quite a lot. However, not only has he benefited from our meetings, now his wife and family are also receiving counseling for issues they are dealing with. This is a great opportunity for me to use my background training, as well as to see God at work in people’s lives. God has called us to love him with all our hearts, our souls, and minds. Sometimes our souls or our minds are suffering or hurting. If God has given me the opportunity to better equip myself for His kingdom, then I will use my background and counseling experience to help others, so that God can restore both their souls and their minds!”
Neptali is not confining his work and ministry to just his clinic. He has recently been invited to several schools to speak on different behavioral topics and to help students with vocational testing. He is able to help the students in discerning the best course for job training or future studies. As a pastor, he also partners with other pastors, and they go out to different communities in Honduras. Visiting these churches gives Nephtali more opportunities to use his skills and the Lord’s leading to help people with various mental, behavioral, and spiritual needs. Since you, the readers, are a part of the ministry of the Society of the Good Shepherd, Neptali requests your prayers in the following areas: First, that God would send to the clinic people whom Nephtali can help, and secondly for wisdom in treating and counseling those who come to him.
Becky Vega
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033
Click on the following link if you would care to make a donation to the work in Honduras: Donations
|
|