February Newsletter From Casa de Esperanza

Casa de Esperanza

P.O. Box 9222

Columbus, MS 39705
cdehonduras.org http://casastore.blogspot.com

Amigos de Casa,

The children's time out of school passed quickly for all of us. School started February 15. The last part of January and the first part of February was spent mending and purchasing uniforms, shining shoes, and getting book bags ready to go. The children are always so excited the first day or two. Then the reality of getting up before 6:00 and homework sets in. Enthusiasm fades quickly. And true to form in Honduras, the kids that go to public school have already missed three or four days due to meetings and strikes. All of the children except Josue are in school this year. It sure is quiet in Casa every morning.

Please pray daily for our children. For some, learning is a huge challenge and, for others, they just have not got off to a good start with their behavior.

This year we have hired an employee to ride the bus to Manos Felices with Rosy. As gasoline prcies have risen and continues to rise, we have found it is cheaper to hire an employee and pay bus fare than it is to buy fuel. Elena, our new employee, is a church member and neighbor. Like others, she lives right outside the back gate. She arrives here at 5:15 and she and Rosy board the 5:30 bus. So far, this is working well.

We have hired another employee as well. Next week, a new houseparent starts. She has 15 years experience and we expect to be able to take children very soon.

Along with this houseparent, we will soon be hiring a relief houseparent to work the days off of the houseparent and the night people in the big house. These are very positive additions to the staff at Casa de Esperanza.

With the beginning of school, means the end of art and cooking classes. The children did very well in art. They had an exposition at the end of the class. The older children were in cooking class, too. They made breads and pastries to sell at the art exposition. The children were proud of both their art and their baked goods. There was a lot of smiling faces as they spent the money they made.

Our Pamela has to have some more surgery on her foot. This should be an easy in and out surgery with no overnight stay required. Of course, she is nervous.

The dry season continues. As long as the city water comes through, we have plenty of water. When it doesn't, sometimes we can be found hauling water for showers and dishes.

All of the children recently had eye exams. Maryuri had to have glasses. Nohemy and Rosy need to be watched carefully. They, too, may need glasses. Maryuri is as cute as she can be in her Barbie glasses.

The year end contributions were very generous. We want to thank each and every one of you. For the first time ever, Casa de Esperanza is starting a new year with a little bit of money in the bank. God is good and always provides, but we are thankful to have some money in the bank.

This month I would like to introduce you to Doris. Doris turned 13 in December.

She is a special needs child. She is extremely behind mentally, educationally, and socially. She came to live at Casa de Esperanza in June, 2008. At that time, she could not speak and ate ravenously with her hands. She now knows her name and can talk some. She loves to sing and can sing whole songs by herself or with others. She loves music and just dances and sings and claps. This is more than we thought she could ever accomplish. She attends classes at Teleton. Doris also attends classes at public school. She is not able to do any work, but the people at Teleton want her exposed to children near her age. She is supposed to sit in class in fifth grade, but prefers the first graders. She always gravitates to those much younger. She plays by herself a lot, too.

We have been able to teach her how to do a few of the chores. Some of those chores she is learning to do well and others, not so well. Doris will probably always live at Casa. She is a sweet child and laughs with reckless abandon. Please remember this child in your prayers.

Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you think would be interested. As always we thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

If you have any questions or concerns about Casa de Esperanza, please feel free to email me at terriltindall@yahoo.com


Sincerely,

Terri