Lisa Armstrong is a registered nurse and the administrator
of the Fellow Man International project. She founded
the project in 2000 with the help of many generous
donors including churches, Rotary clubs and interested
individuals in the United States who believed that
the greatest expression of love for one's fellow
man is charitable work aimed toward self-sufficiency
and development for the benefit of the poor. She
represents the interests of both the Fellow Man
International Foundation and the Honduran non-government
organization Projimos Internationalistas.


The Dream

I first became familiar with Honduras in 1988 after
having become acquainted with some very fine Latin
American students who were working toward advanced
degrees at Kansas State University. After a life-altering
experience in Honduras, I returned home sure that
something had to be done for the many nameless and
faceless people living beneath the shadow of an
unbelievable oppressive poverty. I remember asking
my Honduran friends what they would do if only they
had the resources to change their country. They
had many answers, but little hope that there would
ever be sufficient financial assistance to make
a real difference. I dedicate this work to the glory
of God and pray that my dear Honduran friends might
be pleased when they find I truly listened to their
thoughts and ideas all those many years ago. This
project is the realization of their dreams.

Autonomy and Self-Sufficiency Only
when the project is self-sufficient will the dream
be fully realized. I was devastated to see a great
"brain drain" among the best and brightest
Honduras had to offer. Because of lack of living
wages, opportunity and insecurity many of those
who could truly help their country were forced to
find residence in other countries. It is my most
cherished desire to provide competitive wages for
qualified Honduran professionals that they might
be afforded the opportunity to help their own people.
This goal is an ambitious one, but with the help
of the Fellow Man International Foundation, development
projects such as Green Parrot Coffee and the cooperation
of professionals within Honduras I believe it is
possible. Above all things, my hope is to achieve
self-sufficiency for the project. At such time,
I will wave goodbye with much joy in my heart, leaving
this work of God in the hands of those Honduran
professionals who have the heart and vision to ensure
the sick always have access to quality medical care
and the hungry a bite of bread.
"What so ever you do to the least of these
my brothers and sister, you did unto me."
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THANK YOU
August 2010
It's impossible to express the true depth of my gratitude to all of those who through their prayers, volunteerism and financial gifts have supported this effort for more than ten years now. There have been so many who have given so much! As Ii sit atop this mountain, listening to the happy chatter of patients in the waiting room, I can feel the presence of God in this place. What an awesome privilege and overwhelming responsibility it is to hold on with all faith to these reins God has given me. I pray every day that He give me the strength, wisdom and knowledge to run this project in a way that would glorify Christ and fulfill God's will for his people.
With nostalgia and laughter, I remember the wide-eyed, naive young girl who thought she could save the world when she first came to Honduras. And while I am a bit more wise these days, knowing that I most likely will never solve the problems of hunger, poverty or sickness in this place, the one thing that still abides in me is hope. Hope was the thing that attracted me to the Honduran people. Despite their desperate circumstances, there has always been so much hope in their eyes and joy in their hearts. Truly, they have taught me how to live in faith always fanning that ever present ember of hope for a better tomorrow.
I would like to thank each and every one of you who have blessed us throughout the years. Without your help, these works on behalf of those who have no voice would have been impossible. Every time the sick are healed, the hungry are fed or the spiritually poor are lifted up I give thanks for all of those who were so moved to support us. May all who have given so generously in so many ways be blessed tenfold for their kindness. I will forever be in your debt.
Thank you,
Lisa
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