Kidd, along with co-researcher Allan Howe of Evanston, Ill., observed that much of the numerical growth within Mennonite congregations since 1985, for instance, has been in minority and multicultural churches, with Hispanics the fastest growing. The 2001 theme will center on church planting. The projects, carried out in conjunction with the Honduran Christian Commission for Development, involve providing small livestock for members of Womens' Circles of Friends. The women were encouraged to organize into circles by CCD, who then offered training to the women, including livestock management. The animals will be used for food, profit, and to build a sense of self-worth among the women.
First offspring are to be passed on to women in neighboring communities.
It will provide small livestock to more than 800 women in dozens of communities in southern Honduras. Upcoming Faith Expeditions will visit these communities. A women's delegation scheduled for this fall will take Brethren women into some of these communities for an extended visit. Contact the Brethren Witness office for information on these trips. CCD director Noemi de Espinoza will speak at the Sunday evening Outreach Dinner sponsored by the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships and Brethren Witness offices.