Biblioteca

We have begun a new project this week: A library. We had purchased about 200 books in the states for the boys, and found about 600 more that were in storage at JEC. We have cleaned out a room for the library and are working on getting it all set up. We are going to have games and blocks in their also for the boys to play with- thanks to the donations of many people in Waynesboro. We are excited about this, because the boys haven't had a place to go and read or play with these types of games.

Wilder Adventures

This week we got a special assignment: Wilder (pronounced like Will-der). Wilder is 10 years old, and struggles a little bit more than most of the boys. He is extremely affectionate to me, but that sweet disposition can be flipped like a switch. He fights with the other boys frequently, normally over rather insignificant things. He steals things like markers or crayons just because he wants to use them. And like a lot of the other boys, he has a tendency to lie. He needs a lot of attention, and when he gets it you can't ask for a better child. But when he doesn't, he is stubborn, unyeilding, and fighting with others. We were asked to watch him around the clock. To make sure he wasn't fighting and to give him attention as well.

During the past couple of days, I have learned more about Wilder's past from talking to him. He had told me before that he lived on the streets for 2 years and that he ate trash during that time. I asked him this week why he lived on the streets instead of with his family. He said that his mom would hit him. Then he showed me a scar on his wrist from the rope his mom used to tie him up. He raised his arms up to demonstrate how he was tied up. Considering this past, it's no wonder he has behavioral problems and fights so much. He's only lived at JEC for about a year, so he is still learning and growing.

Yesterday, after a series of events, Wilder had to be physically removed from a room because he refused to leave. He fought the older boy, kicking and screaming the whole way out the door. He continued fighting for probably 20 minutes or more. It was a terrible sight. He was yelling and fighting, and really looked like a wild animal. I couldn't watch. I went to my room and cried. It breaks my heart that one little boy can have so much anger, so much fight in him. It breaks my heart that he has had the kind of life that would make fighting his initial response to problems.

Wilder really loves me and listens to me normally very well. I have been talking to him about fighting, role playing, and encouraging him to calm down instead of fighting. After yesterday's event, I didn't feel I had made much progress. However, he was very remorseful and apologized over and over to me for his bad behavior. (He is the only child that has ever apologized to me for acting poorly.) But today, after church, I was standing out side the bus when I heard a boy yelling. I rushed on the bus, and had to pull another boy off of Wilder. Wilder had been crouched down on the seat while the other boy was hitting him. Wilder sat with me and cried and eventually calmed down. Another boy came up to me and said that Wilder said he had promised me that he wouldn't fight, and so that's why he wasn't hitting back.

It's overwhelming sometimes. Every child at JEC has a story like Wilder. They've been abused and neglected, or else they wouldn't be at Jovenes. Please pray for Wilder. Please pray for all of the boys. Pray for us to have wisdom and patience. Dios les bendiga.

Christmas Elves

I made Christmas photos for cards for the kids' sponsers. I wanted to share a few on here, and introduce my some of my boys.

This is my Sweet Little Norman. He is my therapy on stressful days. He is always smiling and giving hugs and kisses freely. He loves to be held and played with. When it's time for me to go he always says, "No se va." Which means Don't leave! I love it. He even tells us "I love you!" in English sometimes.

The story of Jose Alexander, aka Nana, is a very touching one. He was brought to JEC in January when he was only 18 months old, the youngest one ever to live here. He had a young mother who was married to his much older father. His mother left after he was born with a younger man, leaving the old man to care for the baby. The father still had to go work out in the fields and didn't have anyone to care for him. He was afraid that the baby would get hurt at home by himself, so he would put him in a barrell while he was gone. It's my understanding that the man wasn't trying to harm him, he was doing the best he could. Because of the alone time in the barrell, Jose became immune to sounds because of the loud echo of his own cry. The social worker reported that he was eating his own feces while in the barrell. When he came to JEC he couldn't walk, talk, eat very well, nor did he cry. The only thing he could say was nananananananna, thus becoming his nickname. I'm happy to share that he walks, talks, eats, and cries now! The older boys pick him up and love on him all the time...as do the rest of us.

Eduardo is 5 years old, and goes to Kindergarten. He loves staring at us with those big brown eyes. He's another one that is always smiling and giving hugs.

Isaias is 10 years old and in the 3rd grade. He was born with deformed legs, but don't think that slows him down. He plays soccer, normally as a goalie (the small picture in the bottom right corner was taken during a soccer tournament.) He is in my computer class, and loves learning how to use it. He has a great sense of humor and is always making me and the others laugh. He is one of the best readers in the house, and one of the most competitive when it comes to playing cards!

Junior has fun whatever he is doing. Seriously he's always smiling. If he's playing outside or mopping the floor because he's in trouble, he is grinning ear to ear. In the top corner picture, he's washing his socks! You wouldn't know that from the smile on his face!

I couldn't do these introductions, without introducing one of our most colorful characters. Cristian Ponce is our "wild card." We don't ever know what to expect from him. He might be playing nice and laughing, or he might take out his bed slat and try to hit someone with it (as reference in the blog below.) He keeps us on our toes and there is never a dull moment with him..that is for sure.

Cristian Josue won my heart on my first visit to JEC in July 2006. I found out later that he had just moved to JEC only 2 days before my visit, so I feel a special connection with him. Cristian is a pretty normal boy. He is sweet and affectionate, but still gets into the occasional fight because he was aggravating someone.

These are just a few of the special boys in my life. Come and visit and meet them all!

Reflections after a Month

In an ideal world, we would update this blog at least weekly and add photos all the time. But we don't live in an ideal world, we live in El Zamarano, Honduras where internet access is as rare as a smooth paved road.

Our first couple of weeks here we helped primarily with the middle boys, ages 8-12. We played with them, helped with homework, read with them, helped them get ready, etc. We helped set up a computer lab of 7 computers, and we have 3 classes twice a week now. For the past week and a half, we have filled in for the houseparents of the oldest dorm, ages 13-17. Last Sunday Alden gave the Lord's Supper talk at church, in Spanish of course.

I wish I could report that it has been a breeze, no problems. But just as we expected, this is not the case. There are 85 boys that live here. 85 boys living together who hadn't lived on the streets, been molested, or physically abused would be a handful. 85 boys with that kind of background is a challenge. Some are habitually angry. A few lack complete mental facilities (One boy, Cristian, is fond of attempting to attack others with his bed slat when they bother him.) Some of the teenage boys still wet the bed. Every night. Some will attack another just for sitting in there chair. Some are simply attention deprivied and can be quite pesky. Others will lie right to your face. Some will be blantantly disrespectful. On 2 occasions just this week, our room has been broken into. There are some that struggle with sexual problems as well.

But, God has changed and is changing these boys. While there are some that have a long way to go, others have already come a long way. These boys have had a terrible past, and God is using Jovenes En Camino to help prepare a brighter future for the boys. Of this I am confident. Most of the boys are good most of the time. I can't say that any of them are just plain mean. They lead in worship by praying, leading singing, reading Scripture, and assisting with the Lord's Supper. When they pray, especially before meals, they rarely forget to pray for the children on the streets that don't have food. I may have prayed for homeless people before, but I couldn't relate to it. The first time I understood their prayer for children without food, it made me cry. They know what it's like. They've been without food. And now that they have a steady supply of 3 meals a day, they haven't forgotten that others are so fortunate. I see the older boys take care of the little boys and pick them up when they cry. Or help unclinch fists of an angry boy. They share their food and their shoes. (It's hard to understand what a precious commodity shoes are here, and how frequently their shoes get completely worn out.) God is making street children into faithful children of His. Even though it isn't always easy, I'm grateful that God is using us to be a part of this process.

Photos!

You can look at our pictures finally! To see the ones from Utila, click on: http://fhu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017098&l=4c102&id=150801246

For photos from Copan, click on: http://fhu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017099&l=0f33f&id=150801246

Alden had been sick with Typhoid, and in the hospital, but he is all better now. We have enjoyed our time with the Mendez family while we´ve been in La Ceiba. We finish our Spanish class tomorrow, and will travel to Jovenes En Camino on Tuesday. We are excited to be with the boys soon.

Lluvia, lluvia, se va!

Alden and I are safe from the hurricane. Many of you have sent emails and messages to us, expressing your concern. Thank you! We are in Copan now, and are in a pretty safe place from the hurricane. Its rained for about 24 hours non stop, but at least the streets arent flooded. Spanish school is going well, and we are staying with a nice host family. Hopefully one of these days Ill add some pictures on here! Oh, and on Monday we visited the Mayan Ruines. Very cool.

Island Life

Hey friends,
We made it to Honduras after a long journey last Saturday. We arrived to our destination about 5 hours later than planned, and had to take one more plane ride than expected too. But, we made it with all our luggage (Gracias a Dios!) and we arrived safely. There was a lot of frustrations at the first airport in Honduras. Our flight was delayed indefinitely, and our luggage was not where it was supposed to be. After jumping through a lot of hoops, speaking a lot of Spanish, and releasing a lot of nervous sweat, we got our luggage fiasco taken care of. I had become a little discouraged, and I thought, God, it's a our first day. Maybe a little break? And then, we went through security to our departure gate, we could see a full arc rainbow through the huge windows. We both just stopped, and admired its beauty for a while. I guess God was reminding me that He keeps His promises, and that He will continously care for us, even during storms. So maybe it was a good start to our first day in the country after all.
After we arrived in La Ceiba, we stayed with Sarahi's family, who have been very hospitable to us. For those of you who don't know Sarahi, she is from Honduras and just happened to be living in Nashville this summer. She and I helped each other with Spanish/English, and she volunteered her family for us to stay with while we went to language school in La Ceiba for 2 weeks. I can't help but think that God put us together this summer. What a blessing to have a friendly face holding a sign saying "Bienvenidos a Honduras Alden y Candass Boss!"
We took the boat over to Utila, a small island off the coast of La Ceiba, to begin our language school. The people here are great, so laid back and friendly. We had a full week of Spanish school, and are making progress. We also learned to scuba dive while here, and that has been a fun experience as well.
We leave on Sunday for Copan. It will be a full day of travel 6:30 am to 5:30 pm (if everything runs on time...which as you could guess is quite contrary to the culture.) We have heard good things about Copan, the school, and the host families. We will be staying with a family that the school will assign us. I think that it will be good, at least the other students have said it was good for them.
I am excited about our time in language school, but I can't wait to be with my boys at Jovenes. When I see the little brown boys on the island, I see the faces of my boys. I miss them, and can't hardly wait to be with them.
Thank you all for your prayers. We love and miss you all.