New Beginnings

It’s hard to put into words all that the Lord has done in the life of my precious little friend.  I first met him about two months ago in front of the Chinese restaurant here in town.  He was sitting in front of the restaurant, asking for money in exchange for watching people’s cars.  (This is a common practice here).  From there on, we developed a friendship.  It grew and grew until he was pretty much with me all the time.  This precious little guy had been rejected by his family, therefore was driven to the streets.  The more I got to know him, the more I could see that his tender heart is not cut out for life on the streets.  I continued to invest in him, while investigating options for him.  In a nutshell, the local social services (called IHNFA) got a hold of him and now he is living with a wonderful woman who is committed to be a vessel for God’s glory in the lives of these forgotten children.  The Lord is good.  He has a river to swim in, an ocean nearby and new “mom” who is committed to love him and take care of him.  I miss him.  Terribly.  But I am at peace because I know that God has orchestrated his and my steps.  I know he is right in the center of His will.  Praise be to his name! 

Please pray for M, as he learns to live, love and be loved.

Winning their Trust

One way to win the trust of street children is to spend time with them.  Lots of it.  Slowly they begin to see that you love them and are not planning to harm them.  Yesterday, we did just that.  We took nine boys to the river. (These are the same boys that I have been spending lots of time with as of late.  I believe they will be the first ones to be a part of the drop-in center when it is opened). 

Here in La Ceiba, the river is five minutes one way, the beach is five minutes the other way.  It’s so easy to take these kids away from the city and the street life that they know so well.  So, we bought some baleadasfor lunch and off we went.  We had a great time.  Here’s some pictures of our day.

Seriously, Honduras is beautiful. Just check out the color of the water!

 

R is fascinated by Megan's (also visiting from Tegucigalpa) permanent retainer.

 

Hector and the boys. (Hector came visiting from Tegucigalpa to check out the project)

 

C and Me.

 

This one's quiet, mild-mannered and obedient.

 

Beauty.

 

C takes a leap!

 

What river trip is complete without a game of soccer?

 

Breakthroughs

This past week, Dr. Greg and Pastor Mike (from Trinity Presbyterian in Pennsylvania) came to help us in meeting some of the medical needs in our respective ministries.  They were truly a blessing.  On Friday, I got them all to myself.  Dr. Greg, Pastor Mike, Mike Pettengill and I drove around looking for the kids that I have come to know.  We were able to treat their wounds, give them a deworming pill and a vitamin.  Most importantly, it was a chance for us to know them better and show them the love of Christ.  We know that treating their wounds is only temporary.  Where we treat one wound, another is sure to come.  I believe that through this time, the Lord cracked the window open just a bit more for me in the process of gaining their trust.  Please pray for continued relationships with these precious children.  Pray that the Lord would use me and the other believers involved to begin to heal and restore their wounded hearts.  To Him be the glory.  Forever and ever.  Amen. 

Here I am telling A to meet us down the street. He walked down that way as we turned the car around. However, he never actually went there. This is how it is with these children. It is a breakthrough for them to LET you help them!

Mike Pettengill and I wait with J and B, as they await treatment. B went RUNNING as soon as he saw J's injection (it was actually hilarious), but J stayed around and, for the first time, allowed me to pat his head and upper back. This was a breakthrough.

Dr. Greg treats M's hand. He is a child who is making huge progress in allowing us to love him and spend time with him. We are so thankful for how the Lord is working in his life.

Less is More

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed my time in Tegucicalpa.  Don’t remember why I was there? Read the previous post.  I learned so much about best practices for ministering to street children, on the streets and in the context of a home setting.  I definitely walked away from my time there with somewhat of a “less is more” mentality.

As I watched the twelve boys who live in the Micah House, as well as the generations of boys who have passed through there (and continue to come back “home”), it was obvious to me that these folks have invested deeply in the lives of the boys who join their family.  They have been around since 1993 and have never increased the capacity of their home.  12 boys it is.  Always.  As a result of this, they are able to invest deeply in the lives of each of these boys.  What I saw were twelve boys who really feel like they are part of a family.  I also saw boys who no longer live at the home, but come back to it as if it is their home.

That’s what a family is, right?  Do you plan on kicking your children out when they are 18 and telling them they cannot return?  Probably not.  This is the same mentality that Michael Miller and the rest of the staff of the Micah Project have.  Once a boy joins the family, it is for life.  Such a wonderful thing.

As I begin this ministry to the street children of La Ceiba, I am reminded of the fact that it’s ok to begin with just a few kids and invest deeply in them.  When you do that, you get to watch them grow–really grow–in the Lord.  You get to love on them fiercely, let them feel that they are your favorite.  But here’s the best part: the investment multiplies.  As I saw in Tegucigalpa, the older boys are now going to college, getting married and becoming cycle breakers in their families and communities.  It takes longer.  The work is hard.  But I think it may be worth it.

Less is more.  Small and deep. 

The Micah Boys are all home-schooled.

Megan with Hector and Yeison.

Mealtime with Hectorcito.

Stephen spends time with a Emerson, who is possibly going to join the family.

The Micah Project

I am so excited that this Saturday I get to fly to Tegucigalpa to visit a street children’s drop in center and home.  The Micah Project is one that I have admired for many years.  They have been working with street children since 1993.  I imagine they know a bit more than me.  I have kept up with their website and even [ahem] used some of their pictures during my support raising time.  Please pray for my time there.  Pray that I will learn what the Lord has for me to learn and that it would be a fruitful time!  I am excited to meet these wonderful people and glean from them and their experience in working with street children.  Can’t wait!

Suffering=Joy

Tonight I stood alongside Honduran brothers and sisters and sang praises to the Lord.  Amidst tears and sadness, there was rejoicing.  It’s not often that you see such a large group of people giving praises to the Lord only days after their worship leader and friend is killed.  And not just that.  They give praises to God THROUGH their loss, maybe even BECAUSE of it.  “Not only so, but we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance , character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

All praise, glory and honor to God for filling hearts with joy in the midst of heartache.  All glory to Him for making himself known through the suffering of his saints.

This is life in Honduras.  Violence, poverty, abuse, death, sadness.  And I have never been more content.

You see, it is here that God’s grace abounds.  It is here that I am learning to trust Him.  It is here that I am encountering that peace that passes all understanding.  It is here that I am meeting people who have been through more than you or I could ever imagine, and their hearts are full of praises to God.

I think I love this place.

Brian

Brian Rosales is the worship leader at the church we have been attending.  He has led the church in worship and adoration of the Lord for the past few years.  The praise band from the church is unbelievably close-knit.  Brian and the praise band represent one of  the reasons that I love this church.  Unity, fellowship and community abounds.   We are blessed to be a part of it.

Brian went to be with the Lord on Sunday.  Words can’t describe.  You see, I didn’t know him personally, so it’s been a bit baffling to me that I have been affected the way that I have been.  So utterly sad.

Let me back up a bit in saying that this weekend, Caitlin, Shannon and I attended the church’s women’s conference.  I loved the teaching, but what I loved even more was getting to know some of the women from the church.  Again, it is a wonderful community of believers.  A few of the women I got to know are also very close to Brian.  So, I think one of the reasons I have grieved so much is because as a sister in Christ we are to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice.  It has certainly been a time of mourning around here.  My heart hurts for these precious people who are grieving the loss of such a special person.

I am also mourning the sinful world that we are living in.  Again, I am reminded of the brokenness of this world.  The sin of man surrounds us.  And it is in our hearts.  Here in Honduras, we see it everyday and everywhere.  Children live on the streets.  10 year olds do drugs and sell themselves.  Gangs kill each other and innocent people in the crossfire.  People are hungry and often die of starvation.  Mothers and fathers abuse their children.  And we see this.  All around us.

Don’t get me wrong.  Sin is sin.  And the same sin that abounds here abounds in the US.  I think our country is just a bit more able to hide it.

Please join me in praying for the Rosales family, Great Commission Church (Iglesia Gran Comision), and all of those who have been touched by the life of Brian.  Pray for grace, forgiveness and healing for all of those who mourn his death.  Praise be to God that we can mourn with hope!  We rejoice in knowing that Brian is now singing praises in the presence of Jesus.  We rejoice in knowing that we need not fear death, for it only means that we get to be with Jesus.  We also rejoice in knowing that suffering only brings us closer to the heart of Jesus.  We are united with Christ in his sufferings.  (Philippians 3:10)