Welcome

from Gary and Cheryl Kuney

At the beginning of 1999 the Kuneys were not planning to become missionaries.  They had raised their five children in Oklahoma, and planned to remain there.  However, during that year they felt God calling and by the end of the year the entire family, except for one daughter, had moved to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  

There has been great excitement in seeing the Lord change the hearts and lives of individuals who are searching for truth. It is equally thrilling to see how Christians that come on short mission trips are challenged to continue sharing Christ's message of love and hope when they return home.

In summary, the Kuneys want to help young Honduran men and women learn a trade so that they can earn a living.  But experience has shown that is not enough.  To be fulfilled they must come to Christ and learn how to  apply Biblical truths to their lives. The Kuneys have found that in order for these new converts to be discipled, church development is essential. Gary works with the village churches to unite the pastors and help develop them to win the villages.

Many of the men in local villages speak of the "American Dream" and will risk their lives, and abandon their families in order to experience it.  On many occasions Gary has said in public, "There is no American Dream"; it's "God's Dream" and you can experience it here in Honduras as well as the United States."   The Kuneys desire is to have opportinity bring as many as possible to that realization.

Your gifts, prayers, and service are all a part of this ministry! We thank God for all of our friends who share our burden for gathering hearts for Christ in Honduras.

Various Ministries

from meeting medical needs to teaching a trade

From the beginning it became apparent that there were many single women in the villages who were in desperate need of learning a skill so that they could support themselves and their children.  To adress that need, in 2001 the Kuneys began a sewing school.  The many graduates since then attest to the success of the program.  From the beginning, tuition for the sewing class was attendance at a daily Bible class with the goal of equipping the students for a successful and satisfying life.    

 Also in 2001 a Christmas Box project was begun.  Each year since then Baptist Chapel Church in Oklahoma, with the help of other local churches, has packed and sent to Gathering Hearts nearly 1000 Christmas  boxes.  Each child in the designated villages receives a box with a toy, personal hygiene items, school supplies, a snack, clothing, and a presentation of the Gospel, designed by two Baptist Chapel young people. Hundreds of children have come to expect this yearly gift and they ask about it all year long.  

Many medical and dental needs continue to go unmet in local villages.  To address that need, Gathering Hearts has begun providing dental and medical help in the new clinic areas.

Just this year they have also begun offering vocational training which includes carpentry, welding and computer training.  This has great appeal  to a number of young people who might otherwise be drawn into gangs. Each of these classas, too, includes a compulsory Biblical study in addition to skills training.

Future Plans

The Mission Center in now essentially complete, putting under one roof the many ministries of Gathering Hearts.  Soon, construction will begin on dormitories designed  to accomodate those who want to come on short term mission trips.