Below is a list of our team members, the team they will be working with, and a little bit about them. We ask that you pray for us daily so that we can do God's work and minister to the people in Honduras.
Walter Allen (Education)
Brad Burden (Construction)
"I was born in Atlanta, grew up in Birmingham, and returned to Atlanta 10 years ago. I was raised in the Methodist church and graduated from Auburn University. I am employed by a large company based in the UK as a Human Resource Director covering the Southeast US. I currently reside in East Atlanta with my partner and our 2 dogs. I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. Since joining St. Mark a year ago, I have been hearing about the mission. I attended an informational meeting and all of a sudden everything naturally fell into place for me to go. So, I am answering God's call to reach out to the people of El Pino and offer my service. I am being guided by 2 Corinthians 9:13, "What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God's people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God."
Pam Buzbee (Construction)
"I consider myself an 'accidental missionary'. I never set out to go on a lot of mission trips, but from the first time I visited my daughter in Kazakhstan in 2001, I saw that there are people who struggle for their everyday existence. Since then, I gradually started going on several mission trips a year, most international (since people in the U.S. have resources) but some local such as helping Katrina victims. I have spent the past ten years working on re-learning Spanish from high school so that I can talk with the people I encounter. I've gotten to where, with their grace at my ineptness, I can at least make myself understood and understand what they are saying. The more I go, the more I feel called to continue to go, basing my calling on James 2:18, "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith without works and I by my works will show you my faith." I'm looking forward to meeting the people of Honduras and coming home and sharing this experience with you."
Terry Davis (Construction)
"I am originally from Guyana, South America, and have been attending Saint Mark since 1995. I am a member of the Rainbow Class and have been active in the Breakfast Club for over 10 years. This is my 2nd trip to Honduras and my 4th to Central America. I believe that I have been called to establish God's kingdom here on earth. My scripture that has inspired me is John 21: 15-17, "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep." In this passage, Jesus, after his Crucifixion confronts Peter with a triple question based on his triple denial. 'Do you love me?' 'Feed my sheep.' I want to make a difference and at the end of my life I do not want to end up simply having visited this earth."
Lisa Duncan (Team Leader)
"I grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas and lived there until 1986 when a job relocation with AT&T took me to Corpus Christi, Texas--a move I had to make in order to keep my job. 22 years and (what felt like) 87 relocations later, I landed in new Jersey, a place that my partner, Cindy, calls home. In 2004, after 12 years in NJ, Cindy and I relocated to Atlanta. at my new job here in Atlanta, a fellow co-worker, Michael Hall, invited Cindy and I to St. Mark; we immediately fell in love with the church and the welcoming community, a place that has been our spiritual home for the past six years. I was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition and was very involved from an early age in the church--VBS, Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Puppet Ministry, Girls Auxiliary (GA's), Church camp, and eventually, Youth Director. I wouldn't trade anything for my spiritual upbringing, but am very happy to call myself a Methodist today, especially as a member of St. Mark UMC. I became a born-again Christian at the age of 18 and truly know that God came into my life that night and changed me forever. I always thought about going on mission trips, but they were never something that I searched out and committed to over the years until coming to St. Mark. As God would have it, Cindy and I attended one of St. Mark's mini-tradeshows in Wade Hall after church one morning and learned a lot about the Honduras Mission Trip and were very interested in going. The following year (2006) we both went on the trip and have been hooked every since. This year marks my 4th trip and I just can't imagine not being a part of this mission every year. I believe the work that we do in Honduras is such an important mission, and while it's a very personal way for me to shine God's light in the world, it's also a way that I can use the gifts God gave me to share with those in precious need. The following passage is one that has inspired me over the years and one that I pray will inspire our friends in Honduras, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 25-34)"
John Hannula (Meals/Construction)
"Jeri and I joined Saint Mark in 1998, the day after Mike Cordle married us under the Wedding Trees in Piedmont park. Two years ago the dreadful economy retired me from 30 years as a home builder; but in 2009 a curious turn of events and people led me to start a non-profit. Today http://www.hopethrives.org/ is focused on providing training for ex-offenders, introducing computer literacy and how that knowledge can maximize their job search efforts and strategies. This is my 5th trip to Honduras and my construction buddy, Jimmy Moor, will be sorely missed. With constant prodding (grin!), Jimmy set the bar for hard work and a warm, welcoming friendship, all the in the blazing heat of El Pino and Nueve de Julio. My responsibilities for Honduras 2010 are threefold: lunch lady, concrete shoveler, and photographer. Colossians 3: 23-24, "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving" relate to almost all of the 'work' that we do today..but is especially meaningful to me in Honduras, being the best example of one of God's workers as I can be. As I serve Christ, I serve my Honduran brothers and sisters."
Sandi Keener (Construction)
Ken Knox (Education)
"I am a semi-retired management consultant who works primarily with nonprofit organizations that specialize in community development and affordable housing to revitalize declining neighborhoods. I am a father of four, grandfather of eight, and a widower. This is my 4th trip to Honduras. I began doing construction in my first year but have since been part of the Education team providing recreation for up to 200 Honduran kids. I love the smiling, happy people there and have adopted one family. Because of a fundraising background I'm very aware that the resources available in Honduras are almost non-existent when compared to the governmental programs that low-income Americans can access (e.g. food stamps, Medicaid, etc.) and when compared to the resources in America such as foundations, United Way, corporate philanthropy, food banks, etc. Honduras is almost void of these charitable resources outside of churches and visiting missionary teams. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is a driving force, but the scripture to "do unto these the least" is a motivator for me because I see the contrast between our two countries. I've been enriched and blessed way beyond my expectations. Partly as a result of my experiences in Honduras I led a drive to raise over $26,000 from my former classmates at the University of Indianapolis to set up a fund to supplement travel for college students who go to third world countries to engage in service projects. The first team of students recently returned from such a trip to Africa. I can hardly wait to see our Honduran friends and to get better acquainted with St. Mark team members."
David Mobley (Construction)
Mary Murray (Education)
Harvey Oaxaca (Education)
"Since I was a youth back in Texas, I have always enjoyed going on mission trips and giving back to our world in a different way. When I was a Youth Director, I had the opportunity to take my youth group to Juarez, Mexico, to Tennessee, and to San Antonio, Texas (to name a few). In looking back, these are some of the best times of my life. There is a picture of me and a small child in Mexico where he is eating spaghetti out of my hand...that I think is what it is all about. Using our hands to give to the world to help make a positive difference. I know that I have been called to do more, give more, and be more. God has given me the gift of teaching and a love for traveling. So when I realized that this mission trip to Honduras could bring both of my passions together, I was hooked. I am so very excited about traveling to Honduras and learning more about the people there and what they are going through on a daily basis. As I prepare to go I am lead by 1 peter 3: 13-16, "Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence."
Byron Pittman (Team Leader)
"When I'm not enjoying the North Georgia Mountains with my partner Steve and my dog Buddy, I am a pharmacist for Kroger. I am one of those lucky people who have discovered my chosen profession in high school and have enjoyed 'selling drugs' for almost 30 years. I live in Sherwood Forest in Midtown Atlanta and have been a member of Saint Mark since 1995. My first trip to Honduras was in 1998 when I fell in love with the Honduran people and their beautiful country, and I have returned on mission trips almost every year since then. I keep returning to Honduras because I left a little piece of my heart there on my first trip. God lead me to mission work and each and every mission trip that I make inspires me to give more of myself...to open up my heart and life. I serve as the Team Leader (El Heffe) and I coordinate all the logistical aspects for the team: transportation, lodging, meals, recruiting, and fundraising. I also serve as the liaison to the North Georgia North Coast Honduras Methodist Mission. I am being lead by 2 Corinthians 5:20, "So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us, we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." For me, evangelism, hospitality, and mission are interconnected. When people see our Saint Mark Mission Team, they see a group of caring, loving, laughing, and fun people who wear the love of Christ on their faces and in their hearts. Being able to coordinate and lead these teams who collectively stand as a witness to God's love and power of redemption gives me joy beyond measure. Most of my dearest friends and strongest relationships have been developed from the shared experience of my Honduras Mission work. I invite you to join our next team and experience this living and dynamic ministry."
Barry Stearns (Construction)
"I have been going to Honduras for the last twelve to thirteen years. Here in Atlanta, I have my own construction business and I have used these skills in Honduras on the various construction projects over the years. I go each year because I want to help other people and have grown very close the people of Honduras. At the same time, I have grown close to my team members from Saint Mark, and most of my close friends have been or are members of the Honduras mission teams."
Roger Brown (Medical)
Unfortunately, Roger has had to pull out of the trip this year and will not be able to attend. His daughter is in Savannah and dealing with some serious medical issues. Please keep her and him in your thoughts and prayers.
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