God Showed Off

We were heartsick and heartbroken when we learned Casa de Esperanza had to leave the property which it had been housed for over 11 years.  We really did not have sufficient time to buy another property or to build some where else.  Our board met a couple of times and made the difficult decision that we had to close Casa de Esperanza.  This was a horrible thing and I do not ever want to have to close a children's home again.

It is a known fact that things do not happen quickly in Honduras.  But, in this case, time was of the essence. Our lawyer lived at DINAF, the agency that places children.  We thought some things were beginning to happen before the election on November 26.  All of that seemed to disappear after the election.  There were protests and riots.  Many government offices were closed for days on end.

As I cried out to God, I had a sense of abiding peace that God would take care of these children.  I knew He loved them more than I did.  Many others were praying, too.  On Sunday, the 10th, I asked many churches to pray for the placement of these kids.

I had had three garage sales to get rid of clothes and other things we did not need.  Before December 9th, I was hoping that would be the last garage sale.  There were too many things I could not sale before the children left.  December 9th came and went.  We had a garage sale, but it was not the final one.  All the kids were still at Casa on December 9th.  We had to be off the property by December 15th.

On the 11th, I began to move the children, food, cooking utensils and everything we still had.  Everyone was working and everyone was tired.  We moved to the mission house.  The first night, the kids thought they were on vacation.

I had to go to the bank and run some other errands.  I decided Wednesday would be a great day to do that.  On Tuesday, I learned that I had a meeting with the lawyer at DINAF.  The meeting started at 10:00 and I left about 20 minutes later.  I was on my way to another meeting.  The only thing I learned at DINAF was that nothing had been done, no order had been signed.  Nothing.  It was December 13.  And, the clock was ticking.  Rapidly, I might add.

We went to another meeting.  I was left in the waiting area.  My lawyer came out, almost 2 hours later and said all the kids would leave on Thursday.  I was so happy.  Until.  Until I found out the order was them all to go to Casitas Kennedy.  This is not a good place.  I was as low as low could be.

The lawyer told me to go back to DINAF.  I went without the lawyer.  The lawyer at DINAF said they were not going to Casitas Kennedy because it was full.  I was not sure how I felt about anything at that point.  The DINAF order wrote transfer papers for seven of the kids to a home that we knew would take very good care of the children.  He wrote transfer papers for 2 more of the kids to a home that I knew nothing about, but was supposed to be good.  Two parents were supposed to meet me at DINAF at 8:00 on Thursday morning.    I left DINAF at 3:45.  I still had a whole day's worth of errands ahead of me.

I got some lunch and reprioritized the errands.  I had to go to the bank.  A couple of other things had to be done.  I got to the mission house at 7:00 and told the kids that nine of them would be leaving at 6:00.  There were a lot of tears, of course.

Richard went with me to take these kids to their new homes.  First stop DINAF.  Orders were written and signed for Daniela to go with Pamela and Suami.  I was happy for Daniela.   Guadalupe was going home to her mom.  After all those papers were signed, I told the families I would see them in the afternoon.

We left for Didasko.  They were all sitting on the lawn waiting for us.  This whole thing was so horrible.  But, to see those kids and adults sitting there to welcome our kids into their family, warmed my heart.  We unpacked the van, signed papers and said our good-byes.

I was a mess.

We drove over to the other children's home.  Even though I had papers from DINAF, they said there was a mistake.  They did not take boys that old.  I was already in terrible shape.  I called the lawyer and I sobbed.  I sobbed.

We had to go back to DINAF to take some more papers.

At 3:30, I bought empanadas and granitas.  That was lunch.  After eating, we headed back to Santa Ana.  The mood was heavy.

I had reached out to a couple of people that could help us find homes for these kids.  They networked all day on Thursday.

On the way back to Santa Ana, my phone rang.  "Hi, my name is Chuck Harper.  I live near San Pedro Sula.  I have heard about your situation.  I will be there in the morning to talk to you about your special needs girls."  Thank you very much was about all I could say.

The news was reporting more expected riots and protests on Friday.

Meanwhile at Casa, we were still moving and cleaning.  The Harpers did get detained by a protest, but still arrived at Casa.

Early Friday morning, my phone rang.  It was a home called Por Los Ninos.  They wanted to come on Sunday and talk to me about possibly taking the two 13 year old girls, Maryuri and Katy.  I said come on.  

A few minutes before 9:00, DINAF called and said papers had been signed for the rest of the children.  I was to take them to Olancho to a place just like Casitas Kennedy.  I felt sick.  Because of the protests taking place,  I was not sure I could get to Olancho.  I felt sick.

A few minutes later, the Harpers rolled in the gate in a great big truck.

There was some discussion and they said they definitely wanted to take Reina and Doris.  Both of these girls are pretty special needs.  Then they said they wanted to take Katy also and not split up these sisters.

I pulled Katy aside and told her what was happening.  I said these people want you to go with them and your sisters, but another home is coming to talk about taking you and Maryuri.  What do you want to do.  With tears in her eyes, she said I want to go with my sisters, but I do not want Maryuri to have to go someone new by herself.  Both Maryuri and Katy are 13 years old and both have lived at Casa for over 11 years.  I hugged her neck and went to talk to the Harpers.  They said Maryuri could go with them, too.

Then our lawyer arrived.

He asked me to go ask the Harpers if they could take the other two girls, Ana and Sisi.  I took a strong liking to the Harpers when they arrived.  I just did not think they would say no when the Sisa and Ana were standing there waiting for an answer.  I prayed with Ana and Sisi and Yessenia talked to them, too.

The Harpers were in one huddle, we were in another.  They approached us and said they wanted all six of the girls.  The girls had been together for a long time and they did not want to split them up.  A huge cheer went up from our huddle.

Then they said they would temporarily take the 3 boys, too.  This is at noon on December 15.  My God is big and powerful and He showed that all things are possible with Him.

The lawyer called DINAF and got things rolling.

I said, "I don't look very executive directorish today.  I am a trabajadora.  I need to change clothes.  Richard said no you don't.  I felt someone tapping on my shoulder.  I turned around and looked into Katy's face, with her eyes as big as plates.  She said, "Terri, you do need to change clothes.  None of us want to go to DINAF with you looking like that."  Leave it to Katy.  Richard says, well then, maybe you do need to change clothes.

We left for the mission house.  I had to change clothes and the girls had to get their things.  And, a lot of things there were.  I told Chuck that we tried to pare this stuff down.  He says this is very difficult for these girls and if they need their things to feel better, then they can have them.

We paraded to DINAF.  Since the lawyer left for DINAF before us, everything was ready when we arrived.  We signed and hugged.  And cried.

The name of the children's home where the children were going is Mision Jeremias 29:11.  You should look up Jeremiah 29:11.  You don't have to, I will tell you what it says. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

The lawyer looked it up as we stood outside of the DINAF offices.  The girls were getting in the truck to leave.  That was good for a few more tears and a few more hugs.  It was after 2:00.  All government offices were starting to shut down for Christmas vacation.  My God showed up and showed off just in time.

I was so sad to see the last of my kids leave, but so happy that God showed off for all of us.  He provided good homes for all of the Casa kids.

I went to the bank, bought granitas for Richard and me and drove back to Santa Ana.  Some employees were waiting for me outside the gate.  We hugged and cried.  Kelin, Karol and I went to eat.

Sunday morning, when I saw the first scripture was Jeremiah 29:11, I cried.  Richard wanted to share with the church how God showed off for all of us.



Thank you God for coming through for all of my children.