October Newsletter

Casa de Esperanza

Making a difference, on child at a time

P.O. Box 9222

Columbus, MS 39705

cdehonduras.org/casa.acklenavenue.com

Amigos de Casa,

I spent eight weeks in the States.  I spent time with my family and friends and shared the Casa story with many.  It was a productive trip both in terms of relaxation and fund raising.  I am always ready to be back and, as always, I hit the ground running.

The board has named Nicole as interim director.  I am excited about this for many reasons:

            Nicole is very fluent in Spanish.

            She already knows and loves the children.

            The children already know and love her.

            She knows how things should operate.

            She will be able to remove a huge amount of my workload.

Selfishly, I love having my family here on campus where I can get granddaughter hugs, morning, noon and night.

Nicole will be a great asset for Casa as we prepare for next year and beyond.

It is with sadness that I announce the resignation of our board president, James Hicks.  James has been on the board since the inception of Casa de Esperanza.  He has been our board president for the last 18 months, leading us through some difficult times.  He is a good friend and has been a good president.  We will miss him and wish him all the best in future endeavors.

As the kids are growing older, we decided the time had come to make a major change.  We moved all the girls into the big house and all the boys into the smaller house.  This decision was met with much excitement.  Cindy grabbed everything she could find and went running into the other house to begin packing the girls’ things to get them over to the big house.   We moved four boys out and three girls in.  This was no small task.   The girls organized and reorganized for days.

Children’s day in September is a big event in Honduras.  All of the churches and schools do something for this big day. In the past, Casa de Esperanza has not done much on Children’s Day.   This year, Honduras Hope gave a party for the Casa kids and everyone got new Bibles.   Everyone enjoyed it.

Also in September is Independence Day another big event in Honduras.  All of the schools had parades.  Most of our kids participated in some way. 

We had a couple of fun activities in October.  Donna Griffith returned with more sewing lessons.  This time the girls learned to make pajamas, their first attempt at pants. 

The Build Hope group was here to build houses.  Fourteen men and Laura Templeton came, except Laura did not come to build.  She came to do art projects with the kids.  This was fun and different and everyone had a great time.

Another group from Ada, Oklahoma was also here.  They replaced the old clothes line.  I was very thankful for this project.

We appreciate art projects, sewing projects, clothes lines and all things that you do for us.

The kids are now decorating for Christmas and preparing for fourth partial finals.  Another school year will soon be complete.  Please pray for the children as they take finals.

We have been in transition for almost a year.  We have allowed things to get run down.  We are cleaning and repairing in order to get our home in order again.  We hope to start replacing nine-year-old furniture as funds allow.  Twenty children are hard on furniture.

There is some unfortunate news to report.  There was an attempted robbery at my house.  It was early evening, but the power was out.  Two men followed me into my house and asked for money.  I was hit in the face several times.  Apparently, something scared them and they ran.  No money was taken and no one was seriously injured, thanks be to God.  Because of this, we will be installing more lights, a couple of fences, hiring a night guard again, and possibly a generator for the times the power is out. The safety of the children and staff is of utmost importance.  All of these things cost money. We would welcome any and all donations toward security.

We do have fund raising opportunity.  Patsy Conquest and Gail Ward, both friends of mine from Columbus, MS, have put together a cookbook,  Southern Blend II.  This cookbook contains over 1000 recipes.  A cookbook can be purchased for $20.00 which includes postage.  For every cookbook purchased, Casa de Esperanza will receive $7.50.  Cookbooks can be ordered from

Gail Ward

244 Hwy 373

Columbus, MS 39705

We appreciate all prayers, donations and encouragement.  Please consider Casa de Esperanza in your yearend giving.

Casa de Esperanza

P.O. Box 9222

Columbus, MS 39705   or

casa.waytogive.net

If you have any questions concerning Casa, please email me at terriltindall@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Terri Tindall

Paige Elizabeth

We knew Monday was going to be a big day in our lives.  We welcomed  a brand new family member into the world.

Matt and Nicole left around 8:00.  I left around 11:30 and checked the girls out of school early.  They had a sweet little gift for the new baby sister. It was wrapped in Christmas paper.

We got to the hospital just in time to see Nicole before she was taken to surgery.

We all got snacks and drinks to pass away the time while waiting.

Miss Paige was born at 2:32, but no one let us know.  By 3:30, Matt and I were getting quite anxious.  What a relief it was to find out she had been in the nursery for an hour.

My first sight of Paige.  She was under oxygen, but she was beautiful.

Emma and Haley's first glimpse of Paige.

Tuesday, Nicole got to go down to see her.   She got to love on Paige and talk to her.  It brought tears to my eyes as I watched my daughter talking to that sweet baby.

Wednesday found Mommy and Baby feeling better.  We all had hopes of getting to hold her.  Those hopes came true for Mommy and Daddy, but not the rest of us.

I was still having to take pictures through glass, but Paige was much closer.

I tried to get a picture of Nicole and all three girls.  Emma had been asleep and wanted nothing of that.  

While she fed her baby, visions of pizza danced in Nicole's head.

Paige Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

Everyone will be home later today.  Expect more pictures.

Defining Moments

The first time we went to the dump to feed, I was scared to death.  I had seen the dump from the car.  I saw the conditions.  I saw the people race toward the car when we did not even get out.  I cannot adequately describe how scared I was.  Nicole and I were in the back seat.  I did not say a word to anyone.  Anyone, but God.  I prayed.  And prayed. 

When we got to the dump, it took everything I had to get out of the truck and crawl in the back to start serving food.  The people swarmed us.  It did nothing to ease my fears.  But, I kept praying and kept serving food.  I was thankful when we were through.  I do not feel that way now about the dump, but I did the first time.  And, maybe the second and third, too.

It was several months later that I realized that was a defining moment for me and my work in Honduras.  I chose to trust God to protect me and I chose to get out of the back seat and into the back of the truck to serve the people in the dump.  Had I chosen to let fear rule, fear could have paralyzed me and the work I came to do.

There was another defining moment on Friday evening.

Donna Griffith was here all week sewing with the girls again.  The power went off about 4:30.  This is a normal event.  I continued to work in the office and she continued to work with the girls.  She came back to the house at 5:45 and I decided to go give the 6:00 meds.  I had my lantern with me so that I could see to give the correct amounts.  I gave the meds and went back into the office.  Then I stopped to talk to Nicole a minute.   Matt had brought home Popeye's and they were giving me what was left so that Donna and I could have supper, too.  Since Nicole is on bed rest, I am doing her laundry.  Haley normally brings the dirty laundry down to my house, but there was four of five pieces and Emma wanted to carry it to Grammy's house.  I had the lantern and the chicken.  Emma led the way with the laundry. 

I opened the door and Donna was sitting there reading by flashlight ( a person after my own heart).  Emma walked in.  I walked in.  And, Donna's eyes widened.  Emmy and I were laughing and talking.  She put the laundry down.  I said I would walk her back up because it was too dark to go by herself.  I turned around to leave and there were two men in my house.  They were wearing masks and camo clothing.  Silly me.  I thought since it was the 30th of October that it was someone playing a joke on me.  A not very funny joke, but nonetheless, a joke.  One stepped back outside to stand guard and the other one removed his mask for just a second.  I did not know this person.  I began to scream in hopes that Matt and Nicole could hear me.  They had their door shut since it was dark.  Little Emma began to scream.  The one in my house said "money", not dinero, but money.  I continued to scream.  And Emma continued to scream.  He hit my face several times.  Then pushed me down.  Donna started toward him.  I had no idea what she was doing and I was screaming her name to stop.  She was trying to blind him with her flashlight.  He swatted at her phone, but missed.  He kept saying money.

He began to search the bedrooms.  The only light in the house is my lantern and it cast an eery glow.  But it was enough light that I could see where he was.  He then went into the bedroom in which Donna was sleeping.  He grabbed the coffee she had purchased from the store, but soon dropped it.

He came charging across the house.  I had just found my glasses and was getting off the floor.  Little did I know that after Donna could not blind the guy, she sat down and began praying. 

He went into my bedroom.  I do not know what I was thinking.  I ran in there behind him saying "you can't go through my things" as he was pulling my underwear from the drawer.  I sincerely doubt he understood since I spoke in English.  But he stopped.  And turned and ran out the door.  I slammed the door behind him.  I do not even know which direction they went. 

I could not get Matt and Nicole to answer their phones.  I finally called an employee and told a few details and told her to tell Matt to get down here.  She went to the apartment.  She was afraid of putting Nicole into labor and told Matt he needed to go to my house.  Thankfully, the lights came back on before Matt got to my house. 

Donna had been holding Emma and I took her.  She just kept saying, " I want to go back to my house."  Matt took Emma and, without going into too much detail in front of Emma, I told Matt what happened.  Matt and Emma left.  Emma told Nicole " bad men in Grammy's house.  I no like it."  At this point, Nicole did not know what had happened and asked Emma if they hit Grammy.  Emma said, " I no talk about it."  I was so hoping that Sweet Emma had not seen all of that.

And our guardian angel may have been Tibby, Haley and Emma's golden retriever.  Dogs are smart and protect their people.  Tibby would not ever harm a person under normal circumstances.  But she was sitting at my front door when Matt arrived and she was barking, something she hardly every does.  As the night wore on, the dog remained unusually agitated.

Once Matt left, I fell apart.  And stayed apart for a long time.  Some time later, Donna and I prayed.  All I could say was thank you, God. Thank you.

I called Mark Connell and then Luis.  Luis was back out here as fast as he could be.  With a posse of people.  He had people to walk the property that night.  I now have a guard again.  Luis took care of everything he possibly could, both Friday night and all day Saturday.  Once again, I do not know what we would do without Luis.

And, Matt was great help, too. He stayed here at my house until he knew a guard was here.

Even though my face still hurts, I am thankful for many things.  My face is not bruised, just hurting.  Emma and Donna were not hurt.  No money was taken.  God is my protector and He protected me big Friday night.  

I am scared.  I feel violated. I feel invaded.  I am jumpy and nervous.  I was in PriceSmart today.  I saw someone I knew.  He is a delivery person and I do business with him.  He reached out to touch my shoulder in a friendly way.  He wanted me to meet his family.  I jumped and flinched.  I hate being that way.  But, I guess it is going to be that way for a while.  After I give medicine at 6:00, I ask the guard to walk me back to my house.  I hate that, too.

I hate that Emmy is now afraid to come to my house.  That sweet baby should not have had to see this.

I now understand the bond my dad shared with his army buddies.  

This is a defining moment.  I can retreat.  I can flee.  If I choose to flee, there is no one that can promise me the same thing would not ever happen to me in the States.  I am scared and nervous and jumpy.  I am here for these kids.  I do not want to live in fear.  I do not want to lock myself in this house.  I do not want to flee.  How I handle this and how I overcome this is a defining moment for me and for the work in Honduras.

Both of these events are defining moments, but there is a huge difference.  One I was afraid to face people when I had something to give to them.  Tonight that fear seems silly and unreasonable.  When uninvited people enter my home and want something that is not theirs, hit me and scare my grandchild and my friend, that fear is one I have never known before and hope to never know again.   Yet, God protected me both times.

I need prayers.  Lots of prayers.

I have the best family, friends and supporters in the whole world.  Once again, I thank you for your prayers, love, and support. 

My Trip To The States

On August 17, I left for the States.  I was exhausted and was looking forward to rest and relaxation.  I had a good book to read on the plane and beyond.  That in itself was a good thing.  There had not been much time for reading before I left.  Somewhere between 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., Nathan and Camille picked me up at the Manchester airport.  Seeing them, made me forget every care.

I did not see Thatcher and Julia until after I had had several hours sleep.  Oh my!  How that Thatcher had grown. 

Of course, Camille and I worked several puzzles.  The last one was more difficult than any we had worked before.  One day, Julia, Camille and I shopped for school clothes.  I always enjoy these simple things with my family. 

We went to Boston one day.  And to Portsmouth another.  And to Loon Mountain another.  I had so much fun sight seeing and eating New England food, as in fresh seafood. 

I spent two glorious weeks with them.  It is always so hard to leave.

I then went to Borger.  I always love going there, but this time was so difficult.  My mom is declining so rapidly.  There were hard to decisions to make.  I cried every day.  I was spoiled with cherry pecan ice cream and pecan brittle.  After a couple of hard decision-making days, I binged on those things. 

Janet's mom was also ill and I did not even get to see her.  Another reason for tears.

I left Borger in tears.  I was settling down, when I learned that Janet's mother had died.  That brought a whole new round of tears.

Then I hit the road, visiting churches and seeing more friends. 

I drove over 3800 miles. Michael W. Smith sang to me most of the way.  I spoke three times and visited with nine missions committee and/or groups of elders.  I was privileged to attend the ladies' retreat with my friends from Fairview Heights.  I saw many friends.  I relaxed and visited and ate my way across the country.  I stopped and toured things which I found interesting and was treated to the Grand Ole Opry by friends.  I shopped and ate ice cream.  I had girl time with friends.  I shared the Casa story with many.  I was encouraged and uplifted every where I went.  I was blessed by so many.

However one measures success, this trip was successful.  I have never been gone eight weeks.  I was definitely ready to return home.  I hit the ground running and haven't stopped since.  That is my life and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

A Train Whistle In The Night

I have said it before, but I will say it again.  I grew up in the Texas panhandle.  Borger, to be exact.  Over the years, I have grown to love the Texas panhandle more and more.  I have heard people say that it is the ugliest spot on earth.  I disagree.  I think the Texas panhandle has a beauty all its own and a person has to be from here to appreciate it.

As I drove from Enid last week, I felt the tensions draining out of my body.  I had just spent five hours with Laura so a lot of tensions were already gone.  I wish I had a day to just drive through the panhandle.  With no place to go, just drive.  Stop and take a picture when the mood hits.  Maybe, next time but not this time.

I drove to Childress Wednesday and back on Thursday.  I do not know what it is about these treeless plains and waterless rivers that give me such peace.  The windmills, the oilfields, an abandoned farm house.  The web of roads and backroads that connect everything to everything.   Peace floods my soul as I drive.

I always love being in Childress.  After church, I was wound up.  As I frequently do when I am in other people's homes, I stayed up late visiting.  I need that, too.  I went into the bedroom in which I was sleeping.  I was going to read a bit and unwind.  Almost immediately I heard a train whistle.  What a comforting sound.  A lullaby of sorts.  Before I shut off the light, I heard two more.  I think the train whistles soothed my soul more than reading.  I snuggled down in that bed knowing there would probably be train whistle all night.  What a comforting thought with which I would be sleeping.  Train whistles in the night.

Happy to be in the Texas panhandle for a few more days.

Fun In New Hampshire

I arrived in Manchester a week ago, around midnight.  I was so glad to see Nathan and Camille.  And, the next morning to see Julia and Thatcher.  There has been lots of hugs and kisses. Lots of puzzles.   Camille and I have made our guacamole. I am resting, which I badly needed.  If nothing else,  I would say I was having a great time.

But, there has been more.  Thursday, we went to Boston and walked the Freedom Trail.  I love history, and, sometimes, I am even a nerd about it.  This was awesome to get to do this.  We drove about 25 miles and then rode the train the rest of the way.

The tour began in Boston Common.

I captured this picture of the State House before the tour began.

There was a lot of history that I did not know before the tour.  We were able to see 16 different sites, but did not stop at all of them.

After leaving Boston Common, the next stop was the Granary cemetery.   Many famous people are buried here.

 The five victims of the Boston Massacre are also buried here.

We saw the Old North church, the site of the corner bookstore and the site of the Boston massacre, among other things. 

It was interesting to me, but maybe not to everyone.

We knew we were going to eat in Boston.  We started walking back to the train station, knowing we would find something.  We found a whole street with nothing but Italian restaurants.  The first decision was made for us.  The next decision was which one?    The first one we tried to enter, said they did not allow strollers and had no high chairs.  We decided on one called Mama Anna's.  It was a great choice.

Camille had chicken parmesan.   A lot of food for a little girl.

I had shrimp and mushrooms in the most delectable sauce.

As we arrived at the train station at 5:30, I could see I-93 north and I was glad we were riding the train.  And, since Nathan was the driver, I am sure he was glad we were on the train.

Then Saturday, was another day of sightseeing.  

First stop, Portsmouth.  Portsmouth is a beautiful town and I loved every minute.  We arrived just in time for lunch.

It was a perfect day to eat outside;not too hot, not too cold and slight ocean breeze blowing. 

Camille got a shrimp sandwich.

Julia and I each got a lobster roll.  Nathan had a haddock basket and a bowl of clam chowder.  We all sampled the clam chowder. 

We walked around Portsmouth for a while and then drove to Newcastle Island to Fort Constitution.  This fort was built during the War of 1812.  It was pleasant and the views were awesome.

Before heading back to Derry, we went to Odiorne State Park.  We went to the marine science center.

We walked through the park enjoying the views of rocky, rugged shore.  The views were amazingly beautiful.

 Precious time.  Precious memories.  Seeing beautiful sights of the Northeast and spending time with my family.

Construction Zone

In the summer, there is always projects going on at Casa de Esperanza.  And, even though groups have been gone a week and a half, some of the projects were not finished when I left on Monday.  With three projects going on at the same time, it definitely looked like a construction zone.

Work on the wall continued through the summer.  Both Torch and Honduras Hope groups worked on the wall.  There was a lot of progress made, but I think that project is going to be available again next summer.

The wall now goes behind Mirian's house and the dorm.  A bit more has to be done because there is a gap right now and anyone or anything could walk right in.

Another project that is nearing completion was the long awaited for bike barn.  This bike barn was paid for by the Ballenger Church of Christ in Ballenger, Texas, a very generous gift.  As the project started there was building materials all over campus.

They only thought these footers were deep enough.

When I left the roof, the door and the floor were all that was lacking to have the bike barn completed.  I hope by now the bicycles are enjoying their new home.

We were desperately needing a new gate.  There were several reasons that this was such a need.  One was some bars were missing from the old gate, allowing people and animal to enter and leave whenever they felt the need.

Also, when the old rock wall was torn down last summer and the new block wall was started, the city made us give up some space.  The old gate and the new wall were not at the same angle, making it, sometimes awkward to get in and out of the gate.  At the new angle, one of the gates did not open far enough.

Installing a new gate sounds like a simple thing.  But it was not as simple as it sounds.  The guard shack that Don Cross and his son built had to be taken town.  And some concrete poured.  And other things, too.  On Saturday and Sunday, we could not drive a car in or out.  Saturday night there was no gate at all and I had to hire someone to sit out there and make sure no one came in.

The new gate was completely finished by Monday afternoon.

We appreciate the groups and individuals that provided labor and/or money for these projects.