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.