February Newsletter

Casa de Esperanza

Making a difference, one child at a time

P.O. Box 9222

Columbus, MS 39705

cdehonduras.org/casa.acklenavenue.com

Amigos de Casa,

We are enjoying nice, almost perfect, weather. So far, there has been enough rain to keep the dry season from being too hot and miserable. We still have several months before dry season ends; so who knows what we will have in the months to come. Things in Honduras are calm politically. We are blessed to be here taking care of these children.

We are pleased to announce a new store site, casa.acklenavenue.com. Thanks to Byron Sommardahl for this new store site. Please check it out.

After taking Any and Yair on December 20, we were still trying to adjust to living with two little ones, when IHNFA called on January 3 asking us to take three more. These three precious children consisted of one little boy that is four years old and two twin boys that were 2 months old. We talked to Mirian, the houseparent, and said yes. We had never had newborns and there was a scramble to gather the needed things before the children arrived. With IHNFA that could be two hours or weeks. The list of things we needed was lengthy. Finally, on January 17, we brought these three little boys home. Two weeks is not bad for IHNFA. Cris Anderson is the four year old. For Honduras, he is a big four year old. He has the cutest little dimples. His mother abandoned him. An aunt and grandmother tried to take care of him, but just couldn't because of financial reasons. The aunt and grandmother visit Cris every month at visitation.

The twins were removed from the mother at birth. The mother was using drugs. The twins were premature. When we got them they were two months old. Olman weighed six pounds and Josue weighed 4 ½ pounds. Both of the twins are gaining weight and seem to be thriving under Mirian's care.

We moved one of the housekeeping staff (Reina) out of the big house to help Mirian in her house. Mirian now has seven in the Brumley cottage, 1 9 year-old, 1 7 year-old, 2 4 year-olds, 1 2 year-old and the twins. She definitely needed help with cooking and cleaning. Our 14 year-old Pamela is helping over in that house, too. We pay her a small allowance. She is helping with bathing and cleaning. We hope this is valuable experience for her. We also hired a part time person to work Reina's days off. 

 

 

 

Pamela holding one of the babies.

We now have 24 children. It has been a strain on all of us and the paid staff, but I am thankful that each and every one of them is here.

On January 31, Karen Dorian and Korbin returned from the States. We all were very glad to see them. Things run smoother when Karen is here.

Katy decided it would be great fun to put on a pair of rollerblades and then be pulled by a bicycle. It was great fun until she fell and burnt her arm on the bicycle tire. She had to spend one night in the hospital but is just fine now. The nurses were glad when she got to go home.

The last Saturday in January, we went to the beach. It was a beautiful day in Amapala. There were very few other people there and we had a wonderful time. The kids laughed and play and swam. And ate. Some kind soul treated everyone to a fried fish lunch. It was a long day, but no one minded.

The end of January and the first of February always brings the busyness of trying on school uniforms, having them mended and ironed, polishing black school shoes, buying a few more pieces to complete all uniforms. The kids were really ready to get back to school. School started for most on February 9 and for Rosy on February 15. This year, for the first time, we have two in high school. They have to be out the door at 6:00. We also had to make some changes to the way Doris and Reina were schooled. They are now being taught at home.

Nicole also started a preschool this year. Everyone but the twins that is not in school goes to preschool four mornings a week. We are hoping that the kids learn a few things this year.

• Seventh grade (high school) – Brayan and Pamela
• Sixth grade – Antonio
• Fifth grade – Jackson
• Fourth grade – Ana, Cindy, Daniela, Jose, Fernando, and Rosy (Manos Felices)
• Third grade – Sisi, Katy
• Second grade – Nohemy, Adonis
• First grade – Maryuri, Guadalupe
• Kindergarten – Cris
• Preschool – Cris, Any, Josue, Jair, Haley
• Homeschool – Reina, Doris
• Teleton- Maryuri, Reina, Guadalupe, Fernando

Reina and Maryuri are now going to Teleton every Friday for an hour and a half and Fernando and Guadalupe are going every other Monday. We expect to see more improvement in these four this year.

We have five different school schedules this year and the teleton schedules and homework. If anyone complains about being bored, it is their own fault.

We purchased new property in Ojojona, right down the street. In a couple of years, we will begin taking some older girls that are stuck in the IHNFA system. We will take them, love them, show them God's love, educate and give them some job skills. The property has a house that currently needs some work, which will begin immediately.

Please pray for all of the employees, staff, and children of Casa de Esperanza. We thank you for you generous prayers and support. Please feel free to share this newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact me at terriltindall@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Terri