Hola from Guatemala! I’m sorry it has taken me so long to post. Our Internet was not good in Honduras and I felt it was important to me to focus on ministry instead of spending hours stressing out on my computer… which is something I’m good at. So, right now I’m posting from a coffee shop in Antigua, Guatemala – one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, by the way.
So many amazing things happened during our time in Honduras. The Lord has provided multiple opportunities for me grow and change. It’s been uncomfortable, but worth it. He’s challenged me to put down my walls, and in the process, He’s shown me more of His love for people.
The ministry we worked with is a children’s home called “El Corazon De Cristo” (The Heart of Christ) which does everything from:
-Rescuing women and children (including those that are disabled) from violence
-Providing a refuge for orphans and victims of rape and/or incest
-Going out into the villages and searching for women and children who need food/ assistance
-Providing basic clothes for those in need
-Working with local doctors and clinics to better health care, provide medicine and access to treatment for those in need
When we arrived on January 9, there were three young mothers living at the ministry, who each have one baby, plus five orphaned children. Two of the children have cerebral palsy.
Day one – the missionaries, Mama Gracie and Papi Lee, told us the stories of all the children, including the young mothers, living there. Each of them have been through things no human being should go through. All of the young moms here were sexually molested, and our contacts believe a couple of the little boys (all around three years old) were sexually molested before they arrived at the children’s home. One of the teen moms was raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was 11 years old, and another girl was raped by her father’s friend, who was a police officer, and gave birth to her daughter two days before her 15th birthday.
The remaining girl was raped and used illegal drugs until she was 6 months pregnant. Her now almost 2-year-old son fits into 1-year-old clothes and has other developmental delays. He is such a precious little boy. Three days after we arrived, his young mom abandoned him. Nighttime is a reality check for me, sometimes we could hear him crying for his mother.
It’s difficult for me to see and hear about such things. I’ve lived a very blessed life and come from a wonderful family. I’ve never had to worry if my family loved me. I think it would be easy for a person who hasn’t been through such horrible events to believe they don’t have anything to offer a person who has. That’s a lie. I know it’s a lie because I believe what the Bible says in Romans 8… the same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead lives in those who believe in Him. That means that my soul is filled with power and love, and that means my soul is filled with God. And if my soul is filled with God, then He can use even me to love people like they’ve never been loved before. I’m looking forward to more and more opportunities to love like Jesus would.
I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow in Honduras. I’ve gotten to help two Honduran staff members make a legit Honduran lunch (Yes, mom and dad, I’m cooking, believe it or not), paint and plaster one of their new facilities, learn how to take a shower, do dishes, and do laundry all without using running water, share a testimony in spanish on the radio to over a quarter of a million Hondurans (a blog for that to come), visit and pray with the locals, play with and love on beautiful orphaned children, and experience a completely different culture… I love it.
This is truly the mission trip I’ve always wanted. I love being completely immersed in this culture and love on the people here. This has been extraordinary. Thank you for your prayers and support!!!!
Speaking of support, because of YOUR support, the FUND BOARD is mostly full! So far, I have received $2,109.50!! I truly appreciate your financial and prayer support!!! I would not be sitting in the middle of the most wonderful ministry opportunity of my life so far if it wasn’t for your generosity! So, THANK YOU! I am only $656 away from reaching the April 1st deadline of $11,000. I can’t thank you enough!
