Dear friends and Family,
(I have sent this to my WR blog for those who may not have my new blog.I want everyone to know what is happening out here.)
My best friend Jen who is serving alongside me at Zion's Gate was given the task to write a blog about Zion's Gate for the Epoch awards in October 2013. This is an award ceremony for different ministries around the world and we have been nominated to be part of this event.
Jen wrote a simple blog explaining who we are as a ministry and I would love you to take the time to read this short blog to be reminded of why I am here. She pretty much hit the nail on the head.
THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS IS WHAT WE DO!!
Why we are here …by Jen Langes.
Bare feet, ripped clothes, dirt smudged faces, painter thinner held to their nose. They knock on our car windows, they sell things on our buses, they beg for money to satisfy their empty stomach or to purchase their next high, they live in the place we dump our trash.
When you see them, you quickly look away. You act busy in hopes they won’t approach you. You don’t dare give them a penny because you know it won’t all go to food. You don’t dare smile at them because they will just think you have something for them. You don’t dare give them a chance because they have no hope. They are stuck living in the trash. They are stuck sleeping on the street. They are stuck with empty bellies. They are stuck getting high to numb the pain. They are stuck in a place where you refuse to acknowledge them.
We here at Zion’s Gate have chosen to ignore what the world says. We look past the garbage, past the dirt they are covered in, past the paint thinner. We look into their broken eyes and see the pain these young children bear. We think of them sleeping in the trash most wouldn’t even walk in. We take note they most likely don’t have any parents loving them, holding them, comforting them. They are abandoned, broken, alone. Instead of taking the long way home to avoid them on the streets, we walk into the dump and sit with them. Instead of turning away and acting busy, we look at them and smile at them. Instead of hoping they don’t approach us, we walk up to them and start conversation. Instead of the mindset saying “they are stuck”, we give them an opportunity.
An opportunity for a better future. A hope, a dream, a chance. We give them a home to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat. We disciple them and share the love of Christ. We show them a life that brings true joy and help them walk away from their addictions of drugs, theft, and gang life. We put them through school to higher their education, self esteem and chance of a career. We give hope to the hopeless. We change lives. We give them an opportunity the world would say they were never worthy of. We see they are worthy because God sees they are worthy.
As you all know my time here is supposed to be coming to an end very shortly as I am flying back to Scotland on August 27th. However recently I have been praying about staying here for a further 3 months. Tony has asked me to help him with a team coming for 3 months in September, October and November. He has asked me to help him with the ministry that has started in La Kennedy. La Kennedy is an area in Tegucigalpa. People here live on the streets and get high on paint thinner. The people that are described in Jen's blog are here to be found in La Kennedy. Tony has asked me to help him with teams and doing ministry in La Kennedy. My time here has been amazing and I have been doing many things. Most of my work has been within the ministry at the property so I have had the joy of being around the boys and girls that used to be on the streets. I have had the joy of seeing them grow a little more daily. If I was to stay and help in La Kennedy then I would be going to help those who are in desperate need. The ones that are needing rescued, loved and hope.
To reach out to people like this is a huge part of my heart and I believe that this would be an amazing time of opportunity to grow in my faith and also to get out and pour the love of Christ on those who need it the most.
For the last month I have been praying and seeking God in what I have to do and recently I have been more content with the idea of staying. It is only another 3 months and I know that if I don't stay to do this then I will go home always wondering, what if I had stayed in La Kennedy?
I believe life is too short to have questions like – what if??
I don't want to miss out on the opportunities God is giving me.
I would be staying for the months of September,October and November and part of December.
I am looking for people to prayerfully consider my stay here and prayerfully consider partnering with me and Zion's Gate to help me stay for an extra 3 months to work with the people of La Kennedy. Staying also gives me more time with the boys and girls that I have fallen in love with, more time to build on our relationships and their relationship with Christ.
Not going home right now is very hard to accept but I am praying and asking God that If I have to stay for a little longer then doors will open and support will come in.
If you are interested in supporting me financially then please let me know and I can let you know how to help.
My email address is- [email protected] or you can leave me your email on a comment here. (please do not send anything to the WR account as I am no longer on the race. Thanks.)
I also would like to ask for your support in praying for me daily. Prayer is so essential and a must for me. My time here has not been easy and at times very hard so I ask also for you to support me in this area by praying for me.
Thank you supporters, friends and family for everything you are doing for me. It is beyond my imagination what my life has became. I praise God for my life and I am forever thankful for you all helping to make it happen.
My Honduran Family <3
Keep in touch,
Love Dani xxx
