I am a member of The Carpenteros and Friends, a group that began at Calvary CRC (Flamborough, ON) and has expanded to include members from several other CRCs and non-CRC churches.  For the past 17 years, the Carpenteros have been supporting community development in Honduras through short-term service teams and various fundraising activities that support micro-finance cooperatives, agricultural and sanitation projects, health and nutritional training, justice advocacy, and crisis/emergency relief, in partnership with World Renew, Diaconia Nacional, and other Honduran partner agencies.  Funds to support this work are primarily raised through the 'Building Hope for Honduras' banquet, normally held on the last Thurs. in September, and through a Valentine's Dinner.

In partnership with Diaconia Nacional of Honduras, the Carpenteros also coordinate the Rio Olancho Direct Trade Coffee Project, which provides training and support for coffee growers in Olancho.  They are paid a premium for producing high-quality coffee, which is the exported to Canada and distributed in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.