Here’s a story of the Father’s precious love.
Centro Cristiano Encuentro Iglesia (the church) here in Catacamas is full of genuine smiles and Christ’s heart. The team and I came across so many beautiful families who wanted to bring us into their joy with the Lord. One couple in particular wanted to have us over for dinner at their house and make us local Honduran food. We had already briefly met Francisco and Carmen because they run the orphanage (Comedor Infantil Mana) on Saturdays. While at their house, we wanted to know more of their story and their passion for the orphanage.
Francisco and Carmen are from Honduras but were living in the state of Washington for many years. Both Francisco and Carmen had a vision of an orphanage to be built in Honduras. They discussed this together and realized God wanted them back in their country because he has plans there and to walk out in Faith, trusting in the Lord for their direction. Upon arriving in Honduras they got involved in the local church here with Pastor Nelson (who was our ministry host this month).
Pastor Nelson is so passionate about living Por Fe (by Faith). He hears the lord and drops everything to follow Jesus’ call even if it doesn’t make sense. I can’t wait to see this brother in Christ again one day. About five years ago, a mother and her three kids ran across the church family and they were dying. This family had been eating dirt because they literally had no food or people to help them. They were immediately taken to the hospital and the little girl just made it in time to restore her health.
The Lord placed it on Pastor’s heart to establish an orphanage here in Catacamas. Pastor wasn’t sure how it was going to happen but he said, “Okay God, I’ll follow you.” There was no money at hand to start this place but they walked out in faith, trusting that the lord will provide for more families through this orphanage.
Francisco and Carmen work with Pastor Nelson in running this developing orphanage. It has come so far and still has a ways to go. The end goal is to have a place where mothers can come and bring their kids to drop them off for childcare while they go back out to work for a cleaning company that Pastor is building solely for the income for these mothers. This place not only helps bring spiritual needs but physical and mental needs. It builds character to the kids and mothers who attend and come. They are provided with food, rooms and a safe environment. Francisco and Carmen passionately love this place and expressed their heart through these stories and goals for this place. Currently, they do a feeding program on Saturdays with all the mothers and kids, which involves singing, reading scripture, breakfast, lunch, game time and occasional teeth cleaning.
In the beginning, Carmen was telling us how the mothers and kids would arrive on the bus and would not have any emotion. No hugs, smiles, conversations, or respect. Now they come off the bus with beaming eyes ready for a warm loving embrace. Others in the city would tell the Pastor, Francisco and Carmen… why do you bother? You are not going to be able to help these people, they are hopeless, don’t waste your time. They have no value and their character is too far gone. Carmen told us this in pure tears as she then began to say, “The families who come now have a place to find their dignity and experience God’s love through even the smallest thing as a hug and kiss on the cheek.” The Lord’s spirit has been doing beautiful things here in Catacamas, bringing his love and redemption to all those that are ready to receive it and surrender to his mercy.
God has his hand all over this place. They are still in the process of finishing the building process; while we were there we helped with construction and the program on Saturdays. This place touched my heart with the people there. I would love to pass along prayer requests.
-funds for the rest of the construction
-long term help to run this place
-redemption and restored dignity
-that those who don’t know Christ would come to know him
-cleaning company to start up to give the mothers work
-start up for child sponsorship (food/education)
Peace to you,
Tiffany
