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."

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

As often as possible, hopefully daily, I will try to write about my experiences in this place. Perhaps it will help you to understand our struggles. Perhaps it will help me to know that I am not alone in those struggles. It is my belief that the face of Christ is visible on a daily basis in the eyes of the poor. I would pray that these short stories and observations bless you as the experiences have blessed me.