It's official

I posted this on Facebook on November 16, 2006. This gives a little background for our trip.

It is finally official! Alden and I met with the president of the orphange today and we are moving to Honduras in July/August. We will be going back to the same orphange we worked with this summer, Jovenes en Camino. Currently, it houses about 70 boys ages 3-14. There will probably be 90 boys there by the time we arrive.

This whole experience has taught me so much about relying on God, and trusting in Him to guide our lives. I had been interested in Spanish, and Hispanic culture since I don't know when. We became interested in working with an orphange in Latin America right after we got married. I contacted about 10 places, and only one responded back: Jovenes En Camino. And the president of the orphange is American, and lives in Nashville! We met with him, and signed up to go down for a week long trip this past July. God was really making this easier than I expected! The moment we landed, I felt at home. Even though I was a foreigner, I didn't feel that way at all. We went to the orphange, and of course, the boys won my heart.

In Honduras, like many places, have a huge problem with men and the family. When we worshipped with the mountaintop communtity, there were about 60 women, and about 5 men. So there is a problem within the church, of not only men not being leaders, but not even being active with the church. An even bigger problem is that men are often absent from their families. I saw hundreds of women with children in this poor community, and hardly any men. The boys learn this role of a man, and most likely will follow in their father's footsteps. Another problem in Honduras is education and poverty. It is a terrible cycle. Children have very little education, and thus can't get a well paying job. Then they stay poor, and their children are uneducated, and they grow up and be poor too.

I truly believe in the work at JEC. I believe that this orphange could change the face of Honduras. Their primary goal is to teach the boys to be good & responsible men: good fathers, good husbands, good Christians. Secondly, they not only send them to school, but train them for a trade. It is amazing the transformation that these boys go through. They have been abused in all ways and left to fend for themselves on the streets. I could see the physical scars on them from their pasts. And I know that after I am with them longer, I will see their emotionals scars as well. But while I was with them, I saw boys who longed for love and attention, absolutely hungry for it. Boys that were respectful, and didn't complain. Boys that independently would lead a prayer before they ate. Boys with a hopeful future, despite their grim past.

I think about my boys all the time. I miss them so much. I keep a picture of my little amigo, Christian, on my mirror. I can't wait to return and be with them.

It is still a little unclear what our role will be. Most likely we will be houseparents, either full or part time. I know that God will direct us and use us. He has made the path clear so far, and I am confident that he will continue to guide us. I am so thankful for Alden's support, encouragment, and commitment to this work. I am thankful for all the encouragement and the prayers offered on our behalf and for JEC. Please continue to pray for us, and the work at Jovenes.