Stacey

For the first couple of summers after Casa de Esperanza opened, we let everyone come and work for a few weeks or months. We decided the children needed more stability that people coming and going. Last summer we tried to put together a long term intern program. That program consisting of committing to Casa de Esperanza a minimum of one year, not being paid, but paying to be here, working six days a week, spiritual and emotional maturity, and several other requirements. There were several people that met some of the requirements, but a year committment and paying monthly to be here knocked a lot of people out of the list.

Last summer we had two young women apply. One decided she could not make a year committment, and the other one we decided to offer the position to and she said she thought she was applying to another ministry.

Karen and I have prayed and prayed about a long term intern. I know God's timing is perfect, but it seemed this was never going to happen.

Last September, while in Tennessee, we met a young woman that was wanting to come for the Thanksgiving work week. I was taken by her immediately. She said she did not have the money to come. Marc told her if God wanted her to come, the money would be there. She left the meeting and shortly returned and said someone was willing to sponsor her fully for the trip.

She came in November and, as so many people do, fell in love with Honduras. She began to ask about possibilities for longer service. We told her about the intern program and she said she was interested.

Again, Karen and I prayed. And prayed hard about this. At the same time, Stacey was praying, too. She says she has been praying to be on foreign soil as a missionary since 1994. All the prayers came together and we accepted her as our first long term intern.

Stacey has raised what it will cost her to stay here, but not what she feels she might need for some of those extra things like personal items and a meal out now and then. But she came anyway. Came in faith that God would provide

Stacey arrived today. Today is her birthday. I think her 34th. She said it was the best birthday she has ever had. We ate at Popeye's as a birthday lunch and then came on to Casa.

In the morning, Stacey is leaving with me at 6:00 to learn the morning run to Rosy's school. She said driving in a big city is not her favorite thing to do, but God sent her here and she is willing to do whatever needs to be done. Karen and I both are looking forward to having a little bit of our workload lessened.

We at Casa de Esperanza feel like many prayers have been answered.

Welcome aboard, Stacey.

Terri