Sunday, July 19, 2015

God Works In Mysterious Ways

I have always heard that you should be careful what you pray for because you might get it.  Last year we prayed for something and were shocked at the answer we received.  Just recently, God answered two prayers in a way we did not expect.  I am not comfortable sharing these publicly, but it you want to know, private message me and I will share them.

I will admit I am tired, very tired now.  I was looking forward to Randy Mcadam's group visiting Casa today.  I love for groups to visit us.  I was looking forward to showing them around and showing them how some of the kids have improved and some of the improvements we have made since they last visited us.

But, I was also hoping to squeeze in a short nap between church and their visit.

Well, I have certainly squeezed in a nap or two.  Or more.  I am sitting here in the hospital with Jackson after he had an emergency appendectomy last night (really early this morning).  I think I am sleeping more than he is and he is taking pain meds.  I am not.  And sleeping in a hospital chair is usually not easy, but I am so tired, it has not been a problem.

I am not happy that Jackson had to have emergency surgery, but I am thankful for a day or two of slowing down.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

June 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,

I am running a bit behind. That is getting to be the norm, not a norm I like, but nonetheless, the norm.

We are having an extremely dry rainy season. So far, we have had sufficient water, but who know how long that will last. Please pray that we have plenty of water and/or more for rain. I know, I know. Some of you folks would gladly send your rain our way.

May began with a trip to the beach. We had not done this is three years and some of the kids had never been to the beach. It is so much work to prepare for this trip and to clean up after we get back. Every second of the work was well worth it because everyone had so much fun. We were riding along on the bus and we start seeing the tilapia farms. Cris starts shouting, “ la playa, la playa” (the beach, the beach)






 Bathing beauties


Of course, May is full of Mother's day programs. There were seven this year. We met ourselves coming and going, but someone made every single one of them.



May and June brings the return of groups. Groups get a lot of work done for us and they bring a lot of fun.

Work on the wall has resumed.


This wall is a lot of work, but for the security it will provide for the children, it will all be worth it.

Mark Connell's group came and made cotton candy and popcorn. There were lots of smiles that day, both the Casa kids and the group.




Tim Hines' group took us to the zoo in Sabana Grande one Sunday afternoon. We had fun and this was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We had a real Honduran experience on the way home. The bus broke down and we had to change buses. I was a nervous wreck as we had to get from one bus to the other on the highway. Everyone had to hold an adult's hand. The big kids grumbled about this, but they lived through it. I was able to breathe a big sigh of relief when we were all safe on the other bus.


The Griffiths were here in June for more sewing classes. Doug taught the boys some bicycle repair.



Book bags were made and even most of the boys joined in the sewing this time.



We are blessed to have each one of you as part of this ministry. Please, do not stop praying for the kids and the staff. There are constant battles to be fought.

Thank you for the generous one time donations that many of you made. It has helped our financial situation greatly, but we are not out of the woods. If you are interested in making a one time donation, please contact me. We still have many children who not sponsored. If you can sponsor a child on a monthly basis, please let me know. You can also remember Casa de Esperanza with memorial and honor donations.

Casa de Esperanza
P.O. Box 9222
Columbus, MS 39705

casa.waytogive.net

If you have any questions, please contact me by email any time.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with whomever you think is interested.

Again, I thank you for your generous donations and prayers.

Terri



Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Brayan

Today is Tuesday, my suppose-to-be day off.  Nicole needed to translate in the clinic.  I took the girls.  We really had a lot of fun, which I hope will be another blog in a day or so.  We also combined a lot of fun with a lot of errands. 

I have not done errands with two small children in a long time.  It takes a long time to get Emma in and out of the car seat.  More potty breaks.  Potty breaks with those two could easily be a whole blog or a whole book.  They needed a shower after they ate ice cream.  As fun as all of this was, I was exhausted. 

We stopped at Casa before going to the Mission House.  Someone had stolen money and no one would admit it.  I was tired and frustrated.  Can no one deal with these issues but me, especially on my day off.  I definitely had the makings for a good meltdown.

We got to Ojojona and dinner was already being served.  I still had to ready the store for the night's business.

This week everyone, every where is out of school.  Matt asked Brayan to work with the group and he gladly accepted.  It is good to see him every morning and night.  He saw me down there trying get things ready.  He came down to help. 

I was in the store until devo started.  I went back up there feeling like that meltdown could happen any minute.  After a few songs where I could really praise and worship, Robert said we had a guest speaker tonight.  Brayan was going to share his story.  Meltdown time arrived.  I started crying before he said a single word.  I cried the whole time he spoke.  And, I continued to cry long after he finished. 

Robert asked him to stand in the center of the room and everyone would pray over him.  I jumped up and rushed to where he was.  He hugged me and I hugged him while someone said a prayer for Brayan. 

Thank God for a life that was changed.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Bravery, Or Not So Much

I am a woman that lives by myself in a third world country.  I drive in Tegucigalpa (admittedly, not for the faint of heart).  Many people think I am brave.

Except for Kim, a few of the Casa kids and my kids, most of the people have not seen my reaction when a little mouse gets in my house.  Every time I hope that my screaming will scare it to death.  So far, that has not happened.

And, a dead one is not any better than a live one.  Perhaps a dead one is better because I can up to Casa and Josè will come down and get it out for me.

One mouse ate himself to death on one of my favorite sweaters, truly the sweater to die for.

The other day a bold little mouse was running all over my office, while I sat here working.  After my initial screams did not give it a heart attack, I sat here yelling at it to leave my stuff alone.  That did not work either.  I went to get Josè.  We looked and looked and never found it.  I think I might have seen Josè chuckle a time or two.

I can handle many things, but please not another little mouse in my house.