"The ideas that are received make us reflect on areas of life where we are weak."
Javier Canto was one of the first church leaders that FH trained. At first, he found it difficult to attend the workshops. Javier was accustomed to looking out for himself and his family and it was hard to find time to give to the community.
For FH and its staff, people like Javier are important, so they proceeded to visit and encourage him. Through developing a relationship with FH staff, Javier was eventually motivated to attend the trainings and learn about God's purposes for his family and for others.
Despite the pressing, personal needs created by poverty, Javier reordered his time and set aside a space for leader meetings. When FH held trainings, he got up early to go to work and returned in time to attend the meetings. Javier began to feel motivated to help others and his example has been imitated by other church leaders who now regularly and enthusiastically attend trainings.
Javier explains the change, "Before it was very different; nobody was interested in us. They did not tell us what we can do for our neighbour or what responsibilities we have in our community. We were totally blind in our knowledge because we did not worry about others.”
FH’s strategy in training church leaders like Javier is to contribute to the reduction of chronic malnutrition and to strengthen the bonds of harmony and mutual help within the attending families. The trainings include a theological foundation with practical applications. The most recent module covered has been very practical, teaching service and love actions toward families identified as vulnerable in the community.
"I always dreamed that someone would support us to strengthen us and see the weaknesses within us as church leaders. Thanks to FH and the churches of Canada for having the initiative to give us the knowledge and responsibility that we have to serve others. Without these trainings we would have continued with life as before; these new ideas help us to reflect on the areas in which we are weak." - Javier
Church leaders are now forming an action plan to care for the most vulnerable people in their community. This will reduce the number of people in need because church members are assuming the responsibility of attending to each other.
"I like this idea of doing practical help; it is not in vain and it is very important to do it. It is also a word from God that is useful for each of us. As humans, we each need to be strengthened in the different areas of our lives.”
