Thursday, December 29, 2016

End of Year Newsletter




Casa de Esperanza
Making a difference, on child at a time
P.O. Box 9222
Columbus, MS 39705
cdehonduras.org/casa.acklenavenue.com


Dear Friends of Casa de Esperanza,

It has been a while since I have done a newsletter.  I made three quick trips to Texas in the first four months of this year to be with my mother as she was dying.  I also had knee surgery in February.  I just never got back into a rhythm, if there ever was a rhythm around here.

I think most people and most organizations can claim that are victories and defeats, highs and lows in every year.  That would definitely be the case this year at Casa de Esperanza.

As the year began, we were busy raising money for four of the kids to go to special needs school.  We successfully raised that money.  The children that went to this school benefitted greatly and improved socially, emotionally, and educationally.   Our desire is to keep these kids in this school.  As we began the year, we end the year trying to raise money for educational needs.

In January, Nicole had just become interim director.   She has done a great job and I have loved having my family here on campus.  Nicole’s heart is truly with Honduras Hope.  She will soon be returning to work with that ministry as we have finally found a director for Casa de Esperanza. 

We will welcome Guadalupe Villatoro as our new director.  Her passion for these children, her desire to make this home better and the skills she brings with her will be huge assets to us all.  She will be able to remove a huge burden from me.

Sewing classes have continued.  The girls have started to learn making jewelry as well.  All of the older kids are learning to cut hair.  The three older boys have had a woodworking class.  My desire is for everyone to leave here knowing how to do something.  Thanks to all the people that have skills and are willing to share them with the kids.







Everyone was in school in 2016.  We had five different school schedules.  We also hired a driver.  Jackson did very well in school this year and finished 9th grade.  That is a huge accomplishment in this country.  Sisi did pretty well in school.  Making the transition from elementary school to high school has been hard on all of our kids, but she did exceptionally well with that transition.  Katy and Nohemy finished 6th grade and will be going to high school in February.  Of course, there were celebrations for these graduations and for all making good grades.  Some of the children did not have great years and will be repeating a grade next year.






We did three service projects in December.  We visited the nursing home, the women’s prison and the dump.  I hope the kids learned about serving others from these outings.  Some of the outings were fun and some were gut-wrenching for us all.


This year, 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of Casa de Esperanza and making a difference in these kids’ lives.  It also marked the time to replace some windows and doors and make other improvements.  Having this many kids is hard on living space. 

I wish I could fill this newsletter with all great and wonderful things.  But everything that happened at Casa this year was not great and wonderful.

Two of the kids are no longer with us.  One child had to be removed for everyone else’s safety and one decided that she was 17 our rules were stupid.  We love these kids and we pour ourselves into them.  We have wept and prayed, and prayed and wept over these two dear ones. 

Some employees did not make it this year either.  While some needed to leave, it is always difficult on the children to have another person leave them. 

I think the future for Casa de Esperanza is hopeful.  We plan on taking a few more children in 2017.  I have a very good staff in place right now.  We have some new ideas and new perspectives. 

It is not too late to make a year-end donation to Casa de Esperanza.  Or, if you wish to sponsor a child, help with the cost of education for the special needs children or any other need we have, you can send a check to:
Casa de Esperanza
P.O. Box 9222
Columbus, MS 39705



Or, you can go online and make a one- time donation or set up recurring monthly payments at casa.waytogive.net.  Another option is http://www.easytithe.com/dl/?uid=hondpo256 and go to the Casa tab.

We appreciate you our friends, our prayer warriors, our financial supporters and our emotional encouragers.  Thank you for partnering with us.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me at terriltindall@yahoo.com


Sincerely,


Terri Tindall