Luis, we are now a family of seven

When we moved into "la casa grande" I had a sneaking suspicion that God had plans for this huge house that went beyond just housing our family and the Honduras Language Institute. When Nolvia * arrived, I was confident that she was part of that plan and had little expectations of anything beyond that, other than the occasional student or passerby spending the night with us.

And then Luis arrived. 

Luis 

Just like Nolvia, we have known Luis for quite some time. We first met him in a children's home not far from here. We visited there quite a lot and he even went with us last Semana Santa to see Las Alfombras de Comayagua. At that time we had no idea that someday he would be living with us.

Luis is a smart, good looking boy who loves to study and read. He is friendly, bilingual and has a beautiful singing voice. For legal reasons I cannot write much more than this about him, but I know that if the right opportunities are given him, Luis has an amazing future ahead of him.

So long story short - Luis needed a temporary home to stay in as he is on a fast track to be adopted by a family in the US. (Adoptions are very difficult here in HN and the fast track could be a year or two) We assisted in searching for a good temporary home or orphanage for Luis and just couldn't find one that we all felt comfortable with. As a last resort, Barbe and I made the decision to go through all the legal requirements necessary to become a Honduran "familia sustativa" (foster family equivalent), something we had been planning on doing anyway for quite some time. Home visits, psychological exams (yep, we passed, so believe it or not, we are not crazy...or so they said), paperwork, etc. and within a few weeks we were officially recognized as a Honduran home who can receive children of all ages.

We brought Luis home the same day we signed papers and he is fitting right in as though he has been with us for years. He is excited to begin school again, the same one he has gone to since first grade.  Tonight, as he and I squeezed into the recliner together to watch a little TV, I realized that it's going to be very easy for me to get very attached to this young man.  But, I know that he has a family anxiously waiting for him, and one who will be far more capable of offering him the quality education that he deserves and who will love him equally as much...or even more. All of us are aware that one day Luis will move on to his new family, but we feel so fortunate to be able to give him a home where he will be loved and cared for until then.

* Note: Nolvia is doing great! Each day I am amazed at the strength of her character. She is growing and blossoming  as she meets and interacts with the students and others who come and go from our house. It was a beautiful thing to see her have her first ever "girls night out" a few days ago. Two of our young female students invited her over to share dinner and a movie with them. The excitement and joy on her face was touching as she recounted her evening to me. She is helpful in every way, neat and tidy and is quick to observe what needs to be done...and does it with out being asked. She loves to work on outdoor projects with me and seems up to any challenge or new adventure that comes her way.

The Passing of a Good Man

Last Saturday we laid my friend Carlos to rest. He had been fighting a battle against cancer since long before I knew him. The treatments had taken their toll on his body, but still his spirit was strong. I never heard him complain. As I would grab his arm to help him stand or cross a rough spot, he’d turn it into a joke. At forty two years old, he seemed far too young to die.

Carlos (center)

Carlos was a dreamer and a visionary, I think that’s why we enjoyed each other’s company so much. But, Carlos didn’t just dream, he was a doer. I remember one day we’d had a long meeting with Don Guillermo about an upcoming youth event in the city. Carlos had taken notice of a group of BMX bikers, young guys doing stunts in the park, and although he was very tired, as we got back in the car he turned to me and said, “Let’s go find them, we need to invite them to this event”. We found two or three and arranged a meeting with the whole group for the following night. That night, as Carlos struggled from the car it began to rain. We all tried to huddle under a tin roof overhanging the sidewalk and Carlos, sitting on a wooden bench with the boys and their bikes gathered around him, shared his concern for their lives. He invited them to come and do a BMX bike show at the event. As Carlos spoke with these young guys and shared with them his testimony and the story of his own life, I watched them respond to Carlos in a way I've seldom seen. Talking to youth, loving youth came so natural and easy to him.

The BMXers Carlos invited to the youth event.

Carlos, interviewing one of the leaders of the BMX group.

Carlos was the director at Youth with a Mission (YWAM) here in Aguas de Padre. The stories so many young people shared during the funeral about Carlos and his influence on their lives were touching. He was like a father too me, he believed in me, he loved me, he took me in when I was down and out, he was my friend. There was laughter and tears intermingled. It was a time of remembrance and celebration of his life.

I had asked the question recently at our weekly men’s breakfast if you could judge the meaningfulness of your life and the effectiveness of your ministry by who came to your funeral. I couldn't help but think about this question as I watched and listened to those who had come from all over Honduras, the US, and Central and South America or who were joining us by video link to honor Carlos and share how his life had impacted their lives. It was so evident that Carlos' life and ministry had made a difference.  

The funeral was an all-day event, seven hours. It was casual and interactive and deeply personal. People flowed in and out of the room at the base where the service was held. There was plenty of time for self-introspection. I left that day with two things.

First, I came to terms once again with the fact that that one day I too will die. I find that I need to rethink that idea from time to time. At times I find that I am holding too tightly onto my life. The day and time of my departure is something that I have no real control over. To be at peace with the idea that one day I too will pass on allows me to enjoy the time I have even more and to live with a certain freedom which otherwise would not exist if I worry overly much about my safety.

The second thing I left with was the renewed desire to really live life. To live life as if tomorrow may never come. To enjoy the moment. To be free to dream. Free to love, to give, to share. To let go of petty differences, to allow people to be themselves, to forgive, to let go of expectations. All of these things are part of really living and enjoying life. I want to live life!

Carlos was an incredible example of what really living looks like. Honduras lost a great hero of the faith. Heaven gained one.

Urgent: Used Laptops Needed ASAP !

Educafe

Educafe is a continued education program run by our good friends Paul and Sheila Hosier and hosted by CELebracion Church here in Siguatepeque.

Barbe and I have watched this outreach program explode from 20 students last year to 80 this year. And....there are at least another 30 young people waiting to get in if we can find the laptops to accommodate them within the next two weeks.

Can you help them?

Students at Educafe

Here in Honduras education is soooo important. The Honduran government only mandates a 6th grade education, so many young people do not continue on to "colegio" (high school). Later, when they are too old to return to school, they realize that without a high school education, jobs, which are already scarce to begin with, are very difficult to come by. This is where Educafe has found a very innovative and economical way to give these young people a government recognized and sanctioned method to graduate high school and receive a diploma.

The uniqueness of this program is that it is entirely contained on one computer program eliminating the need to buy books. Each computer serves at least two students throughout the day. 

Other than the initial cost of the computers, all of which have been donated, the program is self sustaining. Students pay a very minimal weekly fee which is used to pay the salary of a teacher who monitors the students studies and gives assistance when needed.

The school year here in Honduras has just begun.  If Educafe can get at least another 15 computers in the next two weeks, they will be able to enroll the remaining 30 students who are on their waiting list.

Here is what Educafe needs in order to make this happen:

• Any new or used laptop with an OS of Windows XP or newer.
• Any new or used notebook, same specs.
• Desktop computers, if they have thin monitors can also be used, but are less desirable because of table space.

If you have an old laptop laying around and don't know what to do with it, box it up and send it to the following address asap.

Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International

(Hosier ministry fund, Educafe program) 

11 Plaze Drive 

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402

If you would like to find out more about this program or if you are interested in duplicating this ministry here in Honduras, contact Paul Hosier at:

paul@godtrusters.com

You can also visit BMDMI's website to read more about what they are doing here in Honduras and around the world at: 

http://bmdmi.org/ 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO ARE 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

Nilsy at Educafe

Special thanks to Caleb and Nilsy Hosier for getting the word out here in Sigautepeque about Educafe and encouraging so many young people to come and study.