3rd World Kids: fact and fiction

I don't know how it happened.  I know we meant well... But how did Americans develop such a wrong idea about 3rd world kids??  Maybe it was all the programs we saw on t.v.? Starving children sitting in the dirt, stomachs painfully protruding, flies crawling around their eyes and mouths.  We were offered a way to save them.  With just a few cents we could feed them, clothe them and send them to school.  All their problems solved.

Is this how it happened?  I ask the question only because I was one of these Americans.  I moved to Honduras believing that as long as the kids were given food, clothes and an education they were better off than they were.

"They are better off than they were."  This is a phrase that now makes me cringe.

Think about a child in your life.  Maybe a niece, nephew, son or daughter?  Now think about only offering them 3 meals a day, clothes, school and nothing else.  No love, no attention, no supervision or discipline or support or encouragement or praise.  Would you ever allow your child to grow up like this?  No of course not!  But this is what many consider acceptable for 3rd world children.  Because "they are better off than they were."

During my time here in Honduras I've worked with over 130 "3rd World Kids."  They are complex, curious children, hungry for love and attention.  They need direction and support.  They can make you laugh and they can make you cry.  These children will look out for you first and themselves second.  If all they have is 1 tortilla they will offer you half.  Some are very rough around the edges but on the inside all they want is love and attention.

I've seen things done the right way and I've seen things done the wrong way here.  And let me tell you the difference is shocking.

I can't help but get angry when I think about all these "rescued" 3rd world kids raising themselves.  But I've learned a lot from the people who are doing it right.  And it's becoming very clear that this is what I'm being called to do.  I'm being called to do it right.

Please pray for the amazing children of Honduras.  They are waiting for their chance to shine.

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment."  - Wess Stafford

It's not so easy...

My friends keep telling me I need to blog more.  I want to.  I really do!  But it’s not so easy.

It’s not so easy to sit down and share my day, my week or my month.  It’s difficult because a lot of that time was a battle.  If I sat down most days and wrote, you would hear about how life as a missionary is hard.  You would hear how my days are so long that by the time I get home all I want to do is nothing.  How there are a million things I need to do but either can’t find the energy or don’t have the emotional strength to do them. 

If I sat down and wrote on any given day you would hear how sometimes I don’t want to get up at 5:30am and get home at 9pm.  You would hear how miserable working in this suffocating heat can be or how sweet little street boys think calling me fat is a compliment.   No doubt I would tell you how stressed I can get over my finances.  How people that have supported me have just disappeared and I can’t explain why.  You would hear how my only roommate is moving and soon I'll be alone.  I would tell you how much I miss my family.

Part of me wants to believe that it will get easier.  That eventually my Faith will exceed these circumstances.  I want to believe that this is all I’ll have to conquer.  But I know that’s not true.  If we’re moving forward in Faith listening for God in everything we do, it will never get easier. It will only get better.

Last week God took my ‘not so easy’ and turned it into ‘I must be crazy’.  Honduras is no longer a temporary 2 year mission field for me.  I know God is calling me here permanently.  I’m scared.  I’m excited.  I’m sad.  People are supportive.  People are against it.  But in the end either I say yes, focus my eyes on Jesus and believe this will be a time of the miraculous or I go back home where things will be easier.

I’m saying yes.  Yes to everything God has for me no matter how difficult or impossible it seems.

Last month one of my students handed me this letter wrapped in a pretty bow.  Today I put it on my wall.  I get to pour love into 80 little lives a day.  I can never forget that.

 

 

 

An answered prayer

“Please Lord, move quickly.”  This was my prayer as I landed back in Honduras January 30^th.  A big sense of urgency had been weighing heavily on my heart.  I wasn’t sure what God had in store but I knew I needed to move quickly.

Even though I know God answers prayer it still amazes me every time He does it.  The second I was out of customs God started making BIG changes.  That night in my room, as I realized just how big these changes were going to be, I cried for hours.  It wasn’t easy but it was quick.  That night I asked God to confirm my decision by the next day.

The next morning I woke up with complete peace. The decision was extremely painful but I knew God had confirmed it.  I would no longer be working with the 50 little orphans I had spent the last year loving and teaching. God was moving me forward. Now the big question was “What next Lord?” I spent the next day searching for other volunteer opportunities.  There were tons!  But every time I went to move God said “wait”.  So I waited.  It didn’t make sense but I listened. 

Why does God do things in ways we’d never expect?  I’m not sure but it is really cool.  A few days later I was half listening to a friend’s conversation when God literally stopped me and said “This is where I want you.”  Huh?  I didn’t even hear what she said!  I interrupted her mid-sentence and asked her to repeat herself.   She had been talking about a Christian rec center I never knew existed!

I am so excited about where God has placed me.  Things have happened so fast! The groups I'm working for have been telling people I appeared one day out of no-where.  Like magic!  Lol  God is so good!

So I wanted to show you where God has led me.  I am so excited and have a huge sense of anticipation for the things to come!

Horizontes al Futuro

Horizontes al Futuro is a rehabilitation home for boys living on the streets of Honduras.  These boys are rescued and given shelter, education, food, medical care and affection.  Because most of them have come from very rough histories of substance abuse, theft, begging and fighting they are taught to respect themselves and others.  Horizontes helps the children develop good self-esteem with the hope that they will soon return to their families and change the cycle of oppression.

Horizontes was started 18yrs ago by a man lovingly nicknamed Don Goyo.  He is a legend in Comayagua, Honduras because of his compassion for the forgotten children on the streets.  Before Honduras Don Goyo worked in the Congo building schools and aid centers for the poor. Every day I learn something new and am blessed to be a part of what he is doing.

The boys at Horizontes have captured my heart.  They are very rough around the edges and sometimes gross me out.   I must say “stop swearing!” at least 10 times a day and I stand in the middle of a couple ‘would be’ fights.  But I don’t see the outside.  All I can see is the sweet child of God on the inside.  They’ve experienced very little kindness and love in their short lives so I know my presence is making a big difference.   They are now calling me their madrina.

 Enlaces con Cristo

Enlaces con Cristo was founded in 1995 with a vision to provide a "bridge" between the youth of Honduras and the body of Christ.  This rec center was made to appeal to young people who might spend their free time in bars or on street corners.

A typical night at the rec center brings in 1000 young people between the ages of 12-25!!  They come to play foosball, ping pong, super Nintendo, basketball, soccer, volleyball and pool.  There are also a few groups who come to break dance!   Every hour the games are stopped for five minutes to allow someone to share a testimony of a life changing experience. Each young person is given an opportunity to accept Jesus into their life. About 3,000 young people have heard the gospel message by the end of each week.  I’ve started bringing my little friends to go and hang out and hear the word of God.  It is such an awesome opportunity!

On top of the rec center Enlaces also has a Christian Bilingual school.  The school's curriculum centers on the bible, so every class teaches children about God.  Currently I am helping to teach the 3^rd grade class and am blessed every day by the God centered atmosphere.

 

Wow.  Can you believe I could keep going on about all of the opportunities God has been placing in my path?  I just sit in awe at what He’s done through others here and about what I know He’s going to do through me. 

Please keep me in your prayers as God continues to move quickly.  And please continue to send your financial support.  All of my work here is done on a volunteer basis so I depend on your help to survive.  $600 a month covers my living expenses as well as gives me the ability to reach out to the community.  Please partner with me in reaching God's little children.  Any amount makes a difference!

 

 

He said YES!

It's amazing how quickly things can change.  Sometimes things change so quickly it's like ripping off a band aid.  Painful but quick.  I had been praying for change.  Praying that every second of every day we would walk together.   That I would see what He saw and do what He did. I told God (like He didn't know already) that I only had 1 more year in Honduras and that I wanted to spend every second fulfilling His purpose.

Tears come to my eyes as I think of how awesome God is.  I'm not perfect.  And this past year has been a big growing/learning experience.  There were times that were wonderful and other times where I felt like the world had gone dark.  But in the end I found the Son again!  How wonderful His love and grace are that they are always neverending.

God heard my prayer.  Although it has been painful God has been doing exactly what He promised; fulfilling the desires of my heart.  He said YES!  Every second has been full of His presence.  I walk out my door and see what He sees and am honored to be a part of what He's doing. 

He said YES!  God has opened doors and placed me in a spot where I could offer a child a way off the street.  A way for him to get an education,  to learn how to read and write.  A way to get medical care and 3 meals a day.  A way out of his horrible circumstances.  I was worried my little friend would say no but he said YES!  Just another awesome example of God's love. 

My little friend's mother came to my house today.  She gave me her approval to take her son to live at the boys' orphanage where I volunteer.  She said the only reason her son had the courage to go was because I would be there with him.  She gave me a huge hug and told me to take care of her son. I promised her that I would.

Those words keep echoing in my soul.  Take care of my son... 

Thank you to everyone who kept us in prayer.  Tomorrow I will be taking Harrison to the orphanage.  I'm a little nervous.  What if the other kids are mean?  What if he wants to leave?  What if I can't take care of him the way I promised?  But then I remind myself that God's got this.  And I feel like 'this' may just be the beginning...