Dear Friend,

Over the last few years we have seen God’s blessing on the camping ministry of Unión Bíblica Honduras. Not only has the camp grown in personnel, infrastructure and programming, but most exciting is the spiritual growth we have seen as kids have come to know the Lord, and leaders have grown in their faith and willingness to serve at the camp.

As we look to the coming years, we’re excited about how plans are becoming reality and how the ministry is moving forward. One of our main construction priorities is the completion of our first dormitory and conference building to better serve the growing needs of the camp. This project also fits into our strategic plan of working toward self-sufficiency as an income generator to financially assist more kids to come to camp and hear the Good News of our Saviour.

As we move forward with this important ministry we ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us in this project. Your donation is not just for a building, but for an integral part of our overall ministry to the Honduran people.

Thank you for your support and prayer for the ministry of Campamento Cerro de Luz and Unión Bíblica de Honduras (Scripture Union Honduras)

Ken Vissers

National Coordinator of Camping Ministries

Unión Bíblica de Honduras

Project Proposal: Completion of new Dormitory

Purpose:

1.     To provide alternative high standard accommodation to tents and rustic cabins and more bed space for groups, families and conferences according to the master plan of Cerro de Luz in fulfilling the mission and vision of this ministry.

2.     To provide of source of income for the ministry to help subsidize kids to come to camp through its use as a national and international conference centre.

3.     To complete an integral part of the strategic plan of Unión Bíblica de Honduras as we move toward self-sufficiency and national leadership.

Mission:

To provide a Christ centred environment inviting all to come to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and to encourage Christian growth through experientially based holistic adventure and education programmes, while experiencing God in creation.

Vision:

To fulfil the mission through the development of a Christian Camping program for Latin America, providing a model of excellence in site development, experiential education, environmental stewardship, Christian leadership and personal and spiritual growth.

Project Summary

Campamento Cerro de Luz is located on the outskirts of Siguatepeque, Honduras, on approximately 20 acres of land encompassing the top of a beautiful hill with views of the surrounding mountains and valley below.

The land was originally donated for the purpose of developing a Christian camp and conference centre. Strategically located half way between the capital city Tegucigalpa to the south, and the large industrial city of San Pedro Sula to the north, the camp is able to draw from both population centres and surrounding areas. Demand for a conference centre of high quality and excellent service by churches, business groups, international Christian organizations and NGO’s is high, as is the need for a Christian children’s recreational camp where all can hear the gospel through exciting activities and experientially based education.

Unfortunately, for the majority of children in need of such a place, even a small contribution is difficult. By developing the site to a high standard of excellence, local and international groups will bring in enough income to subsidize the Christian children’s camps, so greatly needed for so many. The goal is therefore self-sufficiency in all camp operations.

Camp development will therefore follow two paths; a conference and Christian leadership training facility, as well as a recreational children’s camp, yet ultimately integrated in purpose to bring the gospel to the lost and needy through experientially based education.

The current infrastructure is limited, offering only 48 beds in addition to mattresses in tents. In order to bring in the needed funds to move the camp toward self-sufficiency, more accommodation of higher quality is greatly needed.

Having received $233,181.44 US in donations thus far to begin construction, Unión Bíblica de Honduras is seeking $78,815.00 US – in whole or in part - to complete the project in as short a time as possible in order to bring in the needed income to meet ministry and development goals of the camp.

Project Details:

Strategy of Dormitory / Conference Centre Building

1. More accommodation

Having begun the camping program with tents (which serve well during the dry season but can be problematic in the rain), we are now constructing small cabins for 6 people each to meet the increasing demand for accommodation and serve during the rainy season. In addition to this, the dormitory/conference centre building is also urgently needed to meet demands for more accommodation as we approach our ideal number of people (campers) on site. (See Appendix 4 for overall ministry Plan)

2. Level of Comfort – Meeting the socio-economic diversity of Honduras and the international community

The new dormitory/conference centre building will be built to a high standard, including en-suite washrooms for each room, meeting area, and wireless internet to provide all essential services necessary for national and international conferences. This will not replace the use of cabins or tents, nor is it our intention to make the camp exclusive in anyway, yet recognizing the diversity of needs and economic levels allows us to minister to all levels of society.

3. Income Generator

Fees will be attractive, yet sufficient enough to move the camp toward the goal of financial self-sufficiency in operations and provide bursaries for more kids without the financial resources to attend camp.

4. Details and purpose of building design (See Appendix 1 for architectural plans)

·       Designed to make use of the outstanding views of the Siguatepeque valley.

·       Includes a central meeting area with seating for 100, thus allowing the dining hall to be exclusively used as a dining hall, avoiding the take-down and set up of all tables and chairs for multi-use buildings.

·       Provides a more intimate and comfortable atmosphere for medium sized groups.

·       Rooms are designed for six, according to the small group philosophy of Camp Cerro de Luz (1 leader for every 5 campers), but can also function for families, as each will contain one queen size bed.

·       The en-suite washroom design allows for four people to be using it at once (2 sinks, separate toilet and separate shower), while still providing necessary privacy.

·       Ample space for offices and storage has been included.

·       A computer room with wireless internet provides international communication for all groups

·       The basement allows for laundry services within the building, and ample storage space for program or building materials.

·       The symmetrical design is ideal for gender or age division, and upper rooms can be used for extra leaders depending on group needs.

Breakdown of Projects for Completion of Dormitory:

(In order of priority)