Jose: My Heart

Jose is a child who sleeps, eats, and does everything else on the streets.  He has won my heart from the first day I met (after I had been here about two weeks).  Friends jokingly say they are jealous of him, because it seems that when he is around, everyone else disappears.  Truly, I love this kid.

Today we (Jansen and I) went looking for him.  We found him conked out on the sidewalk.  We have found him this way many times.  It’s always one of my favorite moments, when I get to wake him up.  I like being a gentle hand waking up, rather than the kick in the ribs he often gets.

But today was different.

Today I just couldn’t get him to wake up.  Jansen kept looking at me and shaking his head.  We both knew he wasn’t just sleeping, he was passed out.  It’s been about two hours and he is still in the bed of my car.  A 12-year old.  Passed out.  Drugged up.  My heart hurts.

Please pray for Jose. I have a home for him.  He just has to be ready.  Perhaps today is the day.

Chele and Ramon

I first met Chele (left) and Ramon (right) as they were washing windows at a nearby stoplight.  From that point forward, I made an effort to spend as much time as I could with them.  Chele is an entrepreneur and definitely the one in charge of the group.  Ramon is tender, sweet and wants to please.  They make a good pair.

My dream for these two is, first and foremost, that they would know Jesus Christ in a personal way.  Secondly, I would love to see them in school and learning to use the many talents the Lord has given them.  I can’t wait to open the drop-in center, where they’ll be able to come and receive one meal per day (this frees them up from having to work so hard) and to be able to participate in activities that bring out their talents.

If you’d like to help open the drop-in center, here’s how:

–To give monthly, click HERE to fill out this form and send it in with a voided check.

–To give a one-time gift, send a check with the StreetChild account number (#92414) to the    following address:

Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368

Progress

Fernando can only be described as a handful.  At least that’s what he is most of the time.  But as of late, I’ve been seeing some maturity taking place.  

He has been wanting to play soccer.  He asked me recently to take him to get his picture taken for a special “id” he has to have to be able to play.  I couldn’t do it that day and then I went out of town.  Since there’s no one at home to help him out except older [ahem, deadbeat] brother, he just went and did it himself.  He sold some bananas to get the money, went into the mall and to the photo shop, had his picture taken and even bought some old shoes.  Way to go Fernando!  I am so proud of you!  

Tweet, Tweet

I am now on Twitter.  I would love for you to follow me.  I am often posting pictures and updates of the boys I am investing in.  You can click on the “Tweet, Tweet” sidebar, or click HERE.

Tags: twitter

Confession: I am a bad blogger

My last blog was March 27.  Today is April 17.  The worst of sins for a missionary.  I feel the need to confess.  I’m a bad blogger. 

The thing is, I just get to busy with life here that I forget to let you all know about it.  I’m so sorry. 

So, in an effort to make up for it, I’m letting you know now of some of the latest developments in the Hondy-land.

First of all, we are ready to hire our first full-time staffer for the StreetChild ministry.  His name is Hector (pictured below).  He loves Jesus.  He lived the street life until he was about 12, and now desires to pour his life into today’s street youth.  Read my newsletter to find out how YOU can be involved.  (HINT: It involves money) 

Secondly, the Lord has also been providing folks from the church we attend to assist in the ministry.  As of late, our dear friend Jansen (pictured below with some of “Shannon’s” babies) has gotten really involved.  I am so thankful for him and his desire to be a light to our boys. 

ALSO, Ronald (below left) is one of the kids we are ministering to.  Just this past month, we were able to get him enrolled in school.  He is enjoying it so much that every time I see him he shows me his notebook! 

And lastly, there’s Jose.  Oh my, the things the Lord is doing in his heart.  My heart just bleeds for this kid.  He currently sleeps on the streets, but recently I have seen him making great strides towards desiring a better life for himself.  He is getting more and more comfortable with the idea of leaving the streets and into more of a family situation.  Please pray for Jose! 

Things are happening down here, I just don’t always remember to tell you about them!

Moving Forward

Things are moving forward!  Our goal is to be able to open the drop-in center by this June.  Interviews are being made, legal paperwork will be ready by next week, and most of all, the kids are ready!  So what are we waiting for?  YOU!  I know, I know.  A shameless plea for more funds.  But actually, I am not ashamed.  It’s biblical.  It’s necessary.  And it’s for them.

So here goes.

In order to be able to open the drop-in center, I have to be able to hire an additional person to help out.  This person is first and foremost in my mind.  I am in the process of interviewing various people, and feel confident that the Lord will provide someone to invest spiritually, emotionally, and physically in the kids.  Please consider making a one-time donation or contributing monthly towards this person’s salary.  To give you an idea, I am looking at raising about $500 for his monthly salary.

In addition, we’ll need monthly funding for food, a cook, a guard, utilities, and other various monthly expenses. 

If the Lord is moving you to give towards the drop-in center, here’s how:

To give monthly, click HERE to fill out this form and send it in with a voided check.

To give a one-time gift, send a check with the StreetChild account number (#92414) to the following address:

Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368

Construction is well underway!

Poco a Poco

So Tuesday was a pretty rough day.  I have been trying to plan activities for the kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  “Activities” are simple.  We go to the beach and play soccer.  We go to the river.  We go to the park.  This past Tuesday we decided to go to the beach.  Unfortunately, the soccer court is right by the road.  One bad kick and the soccer ball is likely to be run over.  We had barely pulled into the parking lot when two of the kids ran off with the ball and it was kicked into the road.  The other kids were furious.  It was all downhill after that.  The day ended with two of the kids getting into a “dispute” with the guy at the car wash.  The threatened him.  He threatened them.  I was scared, and angry, frustrated and any other emotion you can imagine.

We (Aurora and I) dropped the kids off and went back to apologize to the man.  We had a good talk with him.  He was complimentary of me and what I am trying to do with these kids, but he was openly NOT fond of the kids.  They insulted and provoked him.  I don’t blame him.

But here comes the redeeming part.  The “happy ending”, if you will.  The following day, I went and found the two kids who were shouting insults at him.  We talked about why their actions were inappropriate and how they can behave differently next time.  They were very receptive to what I was saying.  We talked about how God loves us no matter what we do, but we should try to do things that are kind to others and pleasing to God.  When I asked them what they thought we should do to make things right, THEY said that we should go back and apologize to the man.  That is what we did.  It was a beautiful thing.

The title of this post, “Poco a Poco” means little by little.  Working with street children is long, hard and sometimes you feel like you are seeing little to no change.  But they ARE changing.  The Lord is working and moving in their hearts and He is also honoring our obedience to his call.  The Lord did work in their hearts yesterday.  He showed them that He loves them no matter what, but that there are consequences to their actions.  He also showed them the importance of honoring and respecting others, and that sometimes it’s necessary to apologize.  Neither of these two have anyone in their lives to show them that.  I am so thankful that the Lord has brought me into their lives and them into my life.