I have arrived safely in Honduras. I have been here at our new ministry for 1 week and all I can ay is “I am in Love” – in love with the country, in love with the ministry and in love with the boys! Let me tell you a bit more about the ministry. (this blog is a little longer compared to others but please have a read)
We are living with Tony and his wife Nidia – they run the ministry here called Zion Gate ministries. Tony is an American man that came to Honduras for a short mission trip he then returned later to work along side a pastor for 6 months. On the 2nd month the Pastor asked him “ are you going to go back to America or are you going to stay” Tony knew what he meant and before he knew it he was answering” yes, I am going to stay”. Tony returned to America and sold up everything and came to Honduras to start his new life here. Tony has been living here for 5 years and has been married to Nidia for 3 years. Tony is a man full of compassion, he has the heart of Christ! The minute I heard what this man was doing my heart started to race and pound for the work he was doing! Words in this blog can not even begin to tell you the amount this couple do!
Tony and Nidia open their home to street boys.
He goes into Los Pinos one of the roughest and poorest areas in Honduras – this is where the gangs live, where drugs are dealt and where people are being murdered. He goes into Los Pinos and builds relationships up with the people. He has been given a huge heart for teenage boys that are facing struggles or on the street.
The story’s he has told about the boys are heartbreaking, unbelievable and amazing. Currently he has 11 boys living with him in his own home. We are living in a building that is on Tony’s land which is literally 1 minute away from his house – so we also are living alongside these boys! I love every one of these boys for different reasons and every boy is so individual.
Here is a little about the boys that live here…
Carlos:- 
Even when I think bout Carlos and sit here writing this, I cant help but smile! I know we are not meant to have our favorites but its happened – I am in Love with Carlos! Carlos is 14 years old and was on the streets. Tony said he would always see Carlos on the street and he would always stop to talk to him he would invite Carlos to the morning breakfast programs that Tony done at the time with the boys. Carlos would always say he would come but he never did. One day Tony saw a boy lying on the street and then he realized it was Carlos – Carlos realized it was Tony, he ran to Tony an flung his arms around him. Tony spoke with Carlos and as always invited him to the breakfast program knowing that he probably wouldn’t show up. Tony went to go on with his day he got in his car and had a written list of what he had to do that he day. He brought the list out and tore it up and went back for Carlos – he took Carlos out for lunch and spent a few hours with him getting to know him. The next morning Carlos was there at the morning breakfast program. Carlos now lives with Tony.
When we arrived in Honduras Tony told us about Carlos he said that Carlos would not be out the house because of his behavior. But if we wanted to visit Carlos then we were more than welcome. On the 2nd day my team went to Tony’s house to clean up, this is where I met Carlos. He through himself on top of me and started to tickle me – that moment we became good friends J That same night we watched 2 movies together he cuddled into me and eventually fell asleep in my arms. I realized that behind the rough teenage street boy that is always playing tricks on people and always up to mischief, that really he was just a wee boy that longed to be loved and have someone to just spend some time with him watching cartoons and movies. Carlos is one of the funniest boys I have ever met – he is constantly playing tricks on people and always up to mischief. Wild child does not even begin to explain how crazy he is – He is a fire ball J I love it!!
He is also a very loving boy – everyday I get a hug and a kiss, he tells me that I am beautiful and that he loves me (even when I am covered head to toe in dirt). Carlos loves to make popcorn – he is using it as a small business for some pocket money J I had the privilege of assisting him on his very first night of making it J We had so much fun and he was super excited about it! Carlos can be a handful but I am praying for him and with him every night – I pray that he will never change his personality and that God will use him and his funny sense of humor and crazy bursts of energy to be a strong man of God that will influence others with his strong personality.
Carlos is deeply on my heart- please be praying for him.
Fernando:- 
Also Carlos’s brother Fernando lives at Tony’s house. Fernando is a beautiful 13 year old boy who is also very mischievous, funny and super cute. Fernando loves to make cookies and also sells them for pocket money (they are delicious). He loves to ride his bike and wrestle everyone. He has constant energy and just like his brother he is a fireball. If you get to know him or spend a little time with him he will soon be on your lap cuddling into you.
Herman:- 
Herman is a 17 years old. Herman is a funny guy who is very loving and caring- he will walk round the full room of 40 people and shake every guys hand and kiss every girl on the cheek. He loves to learn English and yearns to have more conversation with people. Only 6 months ago Herman was living in Los Pinos and was badly addicted to paint thinner and weed. Tony said he would come up to the car window holding a rag covered in paint thinner up his nose and would be so high that he could hardly have a conversation. Herman is now clean and is living for God. He has had his struggles with the addiction but right now he is doing really good! The other day he had a conversation with one of the boys that lives here called Mario (Mario is 14 and is battling the addiction of smoking weed) Herman said to him “ let me ask you something- do you like smoking weed more than living here at Tony’s? Because I liked smoking weed but I had to make the choice that I wanted to live here – living here is better than smoking weed! You need to make a choice”. That is powerful talk! Herman whether he realizes it or not is a role model – the boys look up to him.
Please pray for Herman that he will never lose sight of God and that his love and desires for God will grow deeper and stronger every single day! I pray that he will be the light in Los Pinos That he can be a living testimony to the boys that are still their and still stuck in the dark.
Ronnie and Ariel:- 
Ariel
Ronnie
Ronnie and Ariel are brothers – they are both very different and have different personalities. One thing that they both have in common is their huge friendly smiles. They both have smiles that will light up the whole room. They are both very handsome boys and are very loving and caring in their own ways.
When we arrived we were all sitting and Tony was telling us about his ministry and a little about the boys lives (we only know a little of their story because Tony does not want to tell their story – it is their story so if they wish to share they can do it”. Shortly after that Ronnie walked in – Tony said something in Spanish and Ronnie said Yes. What Tony said was so unexpected… “His Dad committed suicide 2 days ago”. I couldn’t believe it these boys are the strongest boys I have ever met. If my dad had committed suicide there is no way I would be standing their welcoming 40 strangers- I would be in pieces, a total wreck! But there he was standing and getting on with life!
The next day I sat with Ariel we spoke in broken Spanish and English and using many charades. He told me that his favorite subjects are music and Spanish, he loves the colors pink and black, his favorite number is 7, his favorite food and drink is chicken and pepsi.We sat and got to know each other. He then said that his dad died 2 days ago. At that moment I wanted to cry – I took his hands and looked him in the eyes and said “I am so sorry” he then hugged me so tightly, then smiled and said “it’s o.k” He is only 16 and has just lost his Dad and he is telling me that “it’s o.k” he is getting on with life – still going to school, making small talk with strangers. I am serious these boys are strong young men! Please pray for Ronnie and Ariel – pray for their future. Pray that they will be strong in God and never lose sight.
This is only a few of the boys- I will maybe write about more at a later date. One thing I can say about every boy is that they are all very affectionate. Loving and caring. They love physical touch and the feeling of a hug. I believe its because they never had much of his growing up. Knowing that I can be there to give a hug and a smile makes me happy. I am happy for once that the language barrier has not annoyed me or frustrated me – there is so much you can know about someone when you just stop and give your time to them. Whether its sitting in silence, giving a hug or watching a cartoon. It’s the simple things that they cherish the things that mean the most- Love and time!
I am in love with these boys and I didn’t need Spanish for that to happen.
Please pray for them all. They have went through real hard and rough situations at a very young age. We have been given little glimpses of their lives but their story’s go much deeper and darker that we will ever know. Thank god that he has saved these precious boys. Thank God for willing hearts like Tony and Nidia for opening their home to not only help the boys but to open their very own home and have the boys living with them.
Please pray for Tony and Nidia – pray for their new marriage, pray for strength, pray for wisdom, pray for energy – what they are doing is not easy!
They face challenges every day with a house full of 11 boys that are all going through different and hard situations plus 2 volunteers 1 baby and 40 radical world racers.
For me this is truly seeing the heart and love of Christ working through Tony and Nidia.
Its Beautiful!
