“Don’t Miss the Opportunity” is the name of Tony’s ministry here in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Tony spends his time, money and energy in investing the lives of kids who call the streets of Los Pinos their home. He pursues them, despite their flakey tendencies and drug addictions. He feeds them, clothes them, prays with them, forgives them and loves them.
Our entire World Race squad of 52 was invited to catch a glimpse of what God is doing through “Don’t Miss the Opportunity.” For the month of November we claimed an old restaurant/bar as our home, with tents and hammocks covering the property. This is the first time a World Race squad has spent an entire month of ministry together…a learning experience for all of us. (Sharing one bathroom with 51 other people has become a nice squad-building exercise for each of us.)
With Ariel, who was one of the Los Pinos street boys that Tony brought into his home. He is so sweet!
Three of the Los Pinos boys that Tonys ministry works with.
With my new friend Dania. She is 13 and is from the barrio of Los Pinos. She is starting to go to a private Christian school in Tegucigalpa next year, with the help of Dont Miss the Opportunity. I love her so much and Im excited to see what God does in her life!
During the week Team Spittin’ Image travels to the neighborhood of Los Pinos to teach English in Profesora Angela’s classroom. Angela started this small class out of her home and teaches all subjects to children of Los Pinos who have been rejected from the public school system. (For those of you in Georgia, her story reminds me of Berry College’s history.) Each day our team teaches greetings,colors, body parts, family members, animals, etc. The kids are so attentive…it is evident that they are grateful for the education they are receiving. We have so much fun teaching them and playing games with them after class. My only regret is that we have such a short time with them.
Our team with the kids we taught English to in Los Pinos
Teaching the kids an English lesson…it was really exciting, judging by our faces.
To me, Tony’s ministry “Don’t Miss the Opportunity” reflects the heart of the Gospel. He’s not caught up in finances or appearances. Instead, he demonstrates the love and forgiveness to the street kids of Los Pinos that Christ demonstrated for each of us. So often the kids return to the streets of Los Pinos, thinking that drugs and a lifestyle of violence might be a better way to solve their problems. So often we return to doing life on our own, thinking that we have it more figured out than God. However, just like Tony continues to pursue and love the kids of Los Pinos, God continues to love and pursue us.
Eating sugarcane after school with Emma, Brittney and Caitlyn in Los Pinos
