Sunday, August 27, 2017

New From Casa de Esperanza

When I made my very first trip to Honduras in 2003, some people were starting blogs and sharing all kinds of things.  I proclaimed that I would never have a blog and share my thoughts with the world.  When we moved to Honduras in 2007, I changed my tune a bit.  I decided to write a blog.  But mostly for my mother.  I was very faithful to the blog, normally writing 15-20 times a month.  I knew my mother had copies of them and read and reread each blog.

I have always enjoyed writing and I enjoyed the blog.  It was a great stress releaser.  I found comfort and peace in sharing my thoughts with the world. 

My mom died 16 months ago and I have written very few blogs since then, only 11 about Casa de Esperanza.  It has been hard to organize my thoughts, much less get them on the blog.  I do miss my mom, but that is not the only reason that there has been so few updates and blogs. 

I have said it before that the children at Casa de Esperanza have come from lives of abuse and abandonment.  These are hard issues for children.  They are harder for adolescents.  Normal teenage problems are magnified many times over.  I have dealt with some really hard stuff.  On a monthly, weekly, daily, and sometimes an hourly basis.  These children are hurting.  When I finally get into my house, I am exhausted, both physically and emotionally.  The things the children and I are dealing with are painful.  It is too exhausting to try to recite in a blog.  I cry out to God each night for guidance and wisdom.  I fall into bed, sometimes not even eating supper, knowing everything was not resolved and it will be waiting in the morning. 

Some of the kids have messed up.  Badly.  Praise God for grace and second chances.  We all need that.  We are fighting for these kids' future, their living future and their eternal future.  This is hard guys and the kids and I need your prayers.  Daily.

Some of the things that I feel I can discuss: Fernando had an ultrasound on his jaw because the doctor thought there was a tumor there.  Fortunately, there was not, but tests are still being done to determine what it is.  Yair, too, is having tests.  Some of the kids are repeating grades this year.  There is some ADD problems.  There are some really serious emotional problems.  And, of course, the never ending battle to get enough money in to take care of these kids and their needs.  It is just overwhelming much of the time.

Even in the midst of the problems and the heartache, there are good things.  Funny things.  Tender endearing moments.  Fernando is in the band.  Katy and Daniela were selected for enrichment classes that include English and computer classes.  The girls are learning to sew and make tortillas and other useful things.  The boys have made some lamps and are taking on more of the yard work.  A couple of the girls have worked really hard in counseling and their attitudes, work ethic, self-esteem are improving.

I am grateful for the people that pray for us and support us.  I solicit your prayers.  If you wish to make a donation to Casa de Esperanza, donations can be mailed to:
Casa de Esperanza
P.O Box 9222
Columbus, MS 39705 

or you can go to casa.waytogive.net to make an online donation.

Once again, I hope to be more regular with my blog.