Investing in the future

We were able to place one of our girls here in the home along with Taylor in piano class through the institute at El Faro. We had our first piano recital last week where the girls and the other students could show off what they had been learning all year. We are so proud of the steps that Belkis has taken and the dedication that she has to piano as well as serving in the church and here at home. She has expressed that she wants to be a missionary. Please pray for her that while we invest in her and point her toward Christ that she will continue to follow HIM and invest her life into HIS service. Along with that we are proud of Taylor and her acomplishments. She had piano for two years back in the states and has jumped right back in at full force. We are proud of her and are so going to dread the day we send her off to college.

Elvin and Kevin handing out programs

Belkis playing

Taylor playing

Esperanza Kids Go to the Mall.........................

Sometimes we take for granted the things that we do everyday or at least once a month. For example, going to the mall, getting in an elevator or riding an escalator. Well, thanks to a couple in the states for giving some money for the kids for Christmas we thought it would be neat to let them actually spend it. So, we had a 4 part plan for the money. First, they gave a part to the Lord. Second, they each had a secret person to buy for in the house. Then, they could pick anywhere in the food court to eat for lunch and lastly the remainder was for them to spend. You are probably thinking wow how much did they have....Well, it ended up being $12 a person. It was so much fun. I wish I had taken a picture for everything we did that day....but well, when you are watching 15 kids it is alittle hard to break out the camera.


For any of you who have ever watched the famous Christmas  movie Elf......this clip is exactly how it was for some of the kids here in the home. However, once they rode the escalator and the elevator it was like the best amusement ride ever......They kept asking if we could do it again.


Everywhere we went we had eyes following us because here are two Amercians with all these children. However, it opened the door for us to share our ministry. Thank you to those who gave to make this day possible. The kids all had a great time.

On our way to City Mall in San Pedro Sula

Check out that group of kids......:)

HaPPy 9th BirthDAY......DAYTHON

WOW! Another reason for cake.....Daython turns 9. We had a great day celebrating and even had a family trip to the mall in San Pedro Sula. As you can see he was "caked"......but he loved it......

Is it really Christmas time?

By the look of the picture above you would not believe that it is almost Christmas time. Living in a country where the climate is warm-hot-then to unbearable makes it hard to believe that the many other places are having a white Christmas .....or at least a cold one. But we enjoy the days when babies can run free in diapers and lick lollipops while laying on a cardboard box.

The kids are enjoying a gift that was sent from a sweet couple in NC. The little umbrella makes it nice to enjoy picnic lunches and just sweet chats outside.

HaPpY 10th BiRtHdAy ELVIN!

We celebrated Elvin's 10th Birthday on Dec. 6th. He is able to drink coffee.....a highlight that the kids look forward too. He is a very sweet kid and we hope to spend more birthdays with him.

Stockings.....a new tradition

Growing up my mom always had us four children a stocking. I remember them hanging on the wall behind the tree because we did not have a fireplace. Early on Christmas morning we would dig into our stockings that had been stuffed with oranges, apples, nuts, candycanes, novelty candy, candy cane tubes of generic M&M's and toothbrushes and much much more. Well, we wanted to get the kids a stocking as well. So, when our friend Karen came for a visit she brought us all new stockings. Little did we know.....that not one of these kids had EVER had a stocking. They were so excited that this was actually going to be theirs and that they could put their name on it. It is going to be so much fun filling them all on Christmas Eve.

Mrs. Karen Comes for a Visit.....

It is nice when you get to see a familiar face from home. It is kind of like when you run into an old friend in the grocery store that you have not seen in awhile. Living in another country it is difficult at times when all of your friends and family live in the states. We are lucky to have new friends here but nothing can replace those old friendships. It was so nice to have our friend Karen come and stay with us for almost a week. While we really did not get to do anything...mostly because of rain and school we still had a great time. Thanks Karen for taking the time to fly down here and see all of us....we miss you and love you!

Looking at Things in a Different Way.....

Many times here we find that the kids have seen something or done something but really don't have a clue on why they are the way they are. We have found that there are many things that are really new for them. All of the kids here have grown up eating star-fruit. However, that is not the name for this fruit in spanish. Many times they would just clean it and cut it down its side or simply bit into it. Well, the other day...I cut it into stars like we normally eat it and the kids could not believe that it was in the shape of a star. Something so simple for us and so new for them.

ThanksGIVING Tradition......

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving has already come and gone....however with 17 kids life is very busy and left little time to write. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Honduras complete with the following: turkey,dressing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, turnip greens, rice, bread and dessert. The kids had never celebrated Thanksgiving and did not know the reason why we did. It was really awesome to be able to explain why we celebrate and share new foods. None of them had ever eaten turkey before that day. They all loved it! We look forward to doing it again next year.

Proud Parent Moment.........

Last night at church we concluded our "Soldados del Senor" program. This is like our version of AWANA's and Patch the Pirate. Before any of the children that we have now came in the home none of them participated in the program. The kids purchase a book for a $1.00 that has 100 spiritual challenges in it to complete. We have 3 children that received certificates last night. Carolina and Elvin both finished their book of 100 challenges and Carolina finished first in her class. Carolina also received a medal for "Girl of the Year". What an accomplishment.

Junior who hardly ever attended church before coming in the home not only completed his 100 challenges but he won "Boy of the Year". We are so proud of these boys and girls for the changes that God is making in their lives.

Junior

Junior, Elvin and Carolina

Brother and sister both earn medals but in seperate classes!

A New Smile.........................

The last few posts have been on our newest little girl Kathya. She has had the hardest life of all the children that we have in our care at this time. When she entered the home she was infested with lice, sick with an infection that required 2 rounds of antibiotics and her teeth were badly decayed from lack of dental care and brushing. Since, she has come into the home there have been many many changes in her life. She is no free of infection and lice and today she has a new smile. We are so thankful to the ladies here in Honduras who have given their services to help care for our children here. Today, for $10 Kathya has a new smile. She was missing half of one of her front teeth now she looks like a normal little girl. Your space change can make a difference here in Honduras. Many of the children never receive dental or the medical care that they need to keep them healthy. Thank you to those who give so that we can care for the children of Esperanza.

very pretty but needing work on the front tooth......and now

The after new tooth smile!

All I Want for Christmas......

It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. We were talking to the kids in the home and were asking them what they wanted for Christmas. Many kids including my own would ask for things like:
a spiderman(Josiah), a Barbie, a game, Legos, perfume...etc. Kathya is our newest little girl in the home. In case you have not read about her please check out her story in earlier posts. Well, this sweet little girl asked for 3 things. Hmmmmm, a barbie maybe, a new dress ...no.....new shoes.....no. She asked for a 20oz coke, a bag of chips and a apple....a red one she said with a smile. WOW! Makes us all seem alittle more than selfish don't you think and maybe a little materialistic. At least that is how I look at myself when I think of her humble request. By the way an apple is probably one of the most expensive fruits here so that is something really special for her. Just thought I would share that with you all so that you can share it with your children as they are making their wish lists whether it be for "Santa" or Santa Parents.

A sweet Talk with a 4 year old

Last night at dinner we were talking to Josiah our four year old. I asked him what do you want to be when you get bigger? He said without hesitation...."I want to be a Preacher." I said, You do...well do you want to preach in English or in Spanish? He said, "I want to preach in Spanish". It is so sweet to see that he knows and understand the importance of sharing God's word. We pray that he will continue to want to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord...just like the Josiah in the Bible. We are very proud of his strong work ethic and kindness that he shows to others. We pray that if it is in fact God's will for him to preach and in Spanish that he will always remember the words he said as a child in 2012.

Kathya.....a lil princess!

Yesterday, we wrote a post about Kathya, baby soft and headbands. Today, we wanted you all to see the transformation into a lil princess. Below is the before picture.

This was Kathya the day we placed her in the home.



 Here is Kathya all dressed up and ready for church this morning.  She looks so pretty.

God can change everything..........

She was so happy! and now has hope!

Sea Creature or Exotic Fruit

Well, living in another country means you get to see lots of interesting things. We came across the sea creature looking thing when we were studying in Costa Rica. It quickly became a family favorite. This red spiny looking thing is none as a Liche fruit. Here is how to eat and enjoy such a thing.

The sea creature like fruit

tear a tiny end off to expose the white fleshy grape like fruit

Pull out the fruit and eat...careful not to eat the seed.

These tatse just like a peeled grape! We love them and thanks to Hermano Gato we got to enjoy some today!

Baby Soft and Headbands..................

Today, was one of the sweetest and most special days here in the ministry. Karla and I were trying to get the remaining lice out of Kathya's hair and get her ready to go get her shot. After I washed her hair we decided to give her some "Baby Soft: spay. I remember when I was a little girl and my momma gave me this as my perfume. I felt so special and it smelled so clean. Today, we sprayed that on Kathya and she just smiled and said "gracias". We then combed her hair nice and pretty and placed a new pink headband on top. I asked her if she wanted to look in the mirror. She said yes......she looked at herself for a few seconds......her face lite up and she grabbed me and hugged me and with the sweetest most sincere little voice said......"muchas gracias Hermana Amy".(thank you very much Mrs. Amy). Tears started to flow as I thought of this poor little girl looking at herself and seeing herself beautiful for the first time. It is the little things like headbands and baby soft that can make a difference....but not only that..........but that someone actually took the time to love her and brush her hair and make her feel beautiful. I know as a women I need to feel pretty what is the difference in a child hearing those words and having those feelings. Today Kathya felt like a pretty little girl! Here she is.....(I can't wait to see her tomorrow ready for church...)

**************If anyone would like to send pretty hair bows and decorative headbands...we can always use them. The girls love to have pretty bows and things for their hair***************

And we are now 20..........

Today, was a day unlike any other. Mark and I know that God has placed all the children in Esperanza for a reason. Each one of them have a different and unique circumstance. However, today....we with the Lords help have truly rescued a little girl. We really are full considering we have 8 boys and 4 girls. However, the Lord knew that this little girl needed help. Yesterday, we drove by to talk with Kathya's mom about placing her in the home. When we approached her house we found a chicken coop. Friends I am very sincere when I say it was a chicken coop. She has been sleeping on the ground in her house. She also was recently taken to the doctor with a fever and severe infection. She had so many lice and so many bites that it has infected her body. One side of her face is swollen and she has severe pain in her ear. She has been getting antibiotic shots now for a few days and will continue for the next few days. Kathya is nine years old and has never been to school. She can not read she can not write. She does not know how to spell her name or know when she was born. Today, was a new beginning for her. She has had a hot shower, we have cleaned and had her hair cut and she gets to sleep in a nice soft bed that she has all to herself. Please be in prayer for Kathya as she now has hope for the future.

It's Officially ......OFFICIAL.......

I know some of you might be wondering what is all the news about "official". Well, it is officially official that we are Honduran residents. We have received our cards and now life can be a little easier here. See, if you don't have a residency card then you can't have a phone, a drivers license, buy anything big such as a house or land. Now, granted we don't need that right now but it is so nice to have. We can go and get out drivers license which is one of the number one things as well as put our cars in our name. This is a huge answer to prayers...so here is the picture of being official......

To Be 11 years Old...................

Do you remember when you were eleven years old? What your life was like? What you did for fun? I so remember when I was 11 years old. I was in between the stage of kid and teen. I still loved to play with dolls but I had a hobby of drawing and just playing outside with my friends. I had no worries....knew no burdens and had a care free life knowing that every night I would sit around a table eat dinner, shower and then it was off to bed.

Living here in Honduras this is not the life of many11 year olds. We see many who have no future but to follow down a path of a broken life where survival is the only way. This weekend we are having our team planning meeting for 2013. We traveled to a small town about an hour from where we live. This little town is near a lake which means it is a huge fishing community.

After our morning session we decided to head to one of the local fish houses for some freshly caught and fried fish. Just like in any area here in Honduras you are greeted with people and children trying to sell you something. Many have sunglasses, cell phone cords and holders, cheeses, sweets knick-knacks and so -on. We had about 5 or 6 people ask us if we wanted anything and we nicely said "no gracias". Then a little girl approached selling bags of cut up suagr-cane. We told her no thank you and continued with our lunch. She stood a little ways off. When we were done with our lunch the little girl approached the end of the table and looked at the skeleton of a fish on Brother Matt's plate and asked if she could have it. He said yes and she pulled out a small plastic bag and raked all of the leftovers inside. She then passed on over to 2 other plates asking for the same. It broke our heart. Here was a 11 year old girl who worked selling sugar cane strips and asking for scrapes of food. How sad is it to think that a 11 year old has no future...she does not go to school...she has 3 siblings at home and she helps work to take care of her family. Her name is Elisia. We might never ever see this young girl again.....but little girls like her are the reason that God has put Esperanza de Honduras here. To give hope to children that otherwise would be without a future.



Elisia 11 years old



Sin...Satan.....Heavy Heart

Tonight I write you with a heavy heart. It saddens me to see that there are still so many people in the world that are living a life where they are tormented by their sin. It pains me to think that the devil can get a person so low and so beaten down that they think and feel there is no other way but to end life. This week I watched a sad video of a 15 year old girl whose mistake her sin tormented her everyday. Where people showed no compassion but constantly beat her down and told her that she was worthless. It reminds me of the story of the women at the well. You know she was not a "good women". She had had many husbands...many men in her life. But I know she was ever grateful the day that the Lord spoke to her and changed her life forever. I am sure that the Lord was trying to talk to this young girl but she felt she had no-one in this world that she could run to. I can't say whether or not she had trusted Christ as her Savior before she ended her life but without Christ she has no hope. It is a shame that we live in a world that is so cruel and selfish and a world where parents do not care enough to control their children. This is just one story.

Over a month ago we were approached by a friend here in Honduras who has a young co-worker who found out she was pregnant. This young 20 year old women was raped while at the beach with her friend. She decided that she was going to have this baby and give it away. That is where we came in. Our friend told her all about our home and the opportunity that she had by placing her baby ...her little girl in our care. She was 7 months at the time. Due to the fact that this was a situation that the girl did not care to remember she did not want to have anything to do with the girl and was going to sign her into the home for 18 years. We talked back and forth to our friend and the girl wanted to be tested to make sure that her and the baby had no communicable diseases before she was born. Last week we were informed that the mother took some pills to abort the baby. Tonight, we learned that at 8 months and 7 days pregnant that little girl died and went to be with Jesus. It breaks my heart to know that the devil got into this young girls head and made her think that there was no other way. She  was almost full term. This little baby girl almost had a home. However, a life with out Christ....leaves a void that the devil jumps right on into. Now, this poor young girl not only has to live her life everyday with the fact that she was taken advantage of but she has to live her life everyday knowing that she killed her own baby. Friends that is exactly what the devil wants you to do...he wants you to get so low and so weak that you feel you have no hope. I am here to tell you friends that there is HOPE...his name is Jesus. He was born, he died and he suffered so that we could have eternal life. If you are a Christian it is your job to reach out to the hurting...to the needy...to the poor......don't be a by- stander.....you will have to answer for that one day....all those people who witnessed that poor teenager getting slammed and bullied everyday....you will have to answer for that. I don't want to think that I had a role in someone taking their own life. How sad it is to think that we live in such a society where there is no remorse. If you are saved.....I challenge you all to do a Pay it forward.....reach out to someone that you would normally never talk to.....it might be that little thing that you do that keeps that person from making a mistake that would forever change their life....give HOPE!

Just Hanging Around......

We are so blessed to be able to share the 10 acres of land here with the church. The kids can run and play and we do not have to worry about traffic. Right now, we have a field for the kids to play soccer and a nature spring for the kids to go fishing. We are lucky to have a few trees in the yard for the kids to climb. However, it would be so nice if they had a safe place that they could run, climb and swing on. We are hoping to be able to put up a nice swingset/playground for the kids to just "hang around" on. If you are interested in helping us construct a play area here in Honduras please send us an email. We know without a shadow of a doubt....the kids would LOVE it!

Out of Country Life..........

When I was a little girl we never had farm animals. I did have a rabbit once and a dog named Sandy. We also had  a cat that had  kittens. We had those until my little brother decided to teach them how to swim......yep kittens don't swim. So, when Mark and I got married we had the normal dogs and cats things but nothing like chickens and rabbits. Now, we have 4 rabbits and a whole bunch of chickens. The chickens are good in 2 ways. The first way is that it teaches the kids to be reponsible for something and at the same time we are able to benefit from the eggs. Micah and Josiah really love the animals. I love that my boys want to help take care of them and play with them as well.

Jr. helping Micah see the baby chicks

I love the excitement on his face....

Showers of Blessings...........

We have been blessed with a brand new piano thanks to Sue and John Leavitt along with some of her students who put on a play in efforts to help raise the funds.  We actually went an asked about the piano and were told that there were none in the country at all. We were a little diappointed that day but knew God would supply our needs. I left our name and number with the owner of the store for them to call if they got one in. We got the call on Monday that there was a piano in Honduras. Today, we got another call that said it was here in Progreso and we could come and pick up. When talking with the owner he said that this was the only one that came in on the shipment and it just so happened to be the "one" that we wanted to purchase. God is awesome I tell you. We are now new owners of a new Electric Piano. The girls are already trying it out and love it.  We are still in need of sponosrs to cover their lessons if anyone is intrested in a one time donation to cover that. If so please feel free to email us and we can give the information. Thank YOU to those who have helped Shower us with Blessings!

Feliz Cumple Junior!

Today we celebrated Junior's 12th birthday. He received some gifts from friends in the states(thank you Scott family) and we were abole to give him a brand new Bible (thank you Ryder Family). We also celebrated with giving him a new cool car that flips when it hits a wall and cake. Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes to him. He says; "THANK YOU!!!!"

Holiday Needs

With the Holiday's just around the corners comes the questions of "How can we help?"  Well, here are a list of things that we need for the holidays and a few things that the kids would like as well. If you would like to help out in another way or would like more information please feel free to email us.

Items with a * are items that we can purchase here if the funds are donated

Donate Funds to have a THANKSGIVING Dinner


* Christmas Trees Pink Christmas lights 6 sets
Jungle Themed or Sports Christmas ornaments

Donate Funds for a Christmas Dinner

Christmas here is not traditional about toys: we would like to be able to get each child a brand new church outfit and play-outfit complete with shoes. Funds can be donated or we can send you names and sizes of children for you to ship gifts here.

The kids have been wanting a basketball court. We would need to pour concrete and purchase a goal here. This would also give the kids a place to use their scooters and skates.

If you would like to know more specific items please feel free to ask.

Jose says; "Muchas Gracias"

Having little babies in the home comes many new needs.....many have asked how to  help out. Here are a few things that we are in need of here.

We are in need of a the following: (if it has a * we can purchase here if the funds are sent)

*formula
*diapers
*wipes
*baby hygiene products
*Infant car seat
*Bouncy Seat
*crib
*crib mattress
*toddler bed

Gas drops
Baby Tylenol
Teething tablets/baby ora-gel
baby sunscreen
teething toys
Diaper Rash Cream

Oscar says "Thank YOU for helping us"