tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976990464996807532024-03-13T13:54:06.303-07:00The Children's Home ProjectWhat was supposed to be a one year commitment to Honduras has turned into a long-term passion of loving and fighting for abandoned, abused, neglected and beautiful children. These kids are changing my life and changing me.Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-2799675664118451642011-08-05T14:01:00.000-07:002011-08-05T14:34:19.125-07:00First Nueva Esperanza team<div>I got back two weeks ago from leading my first team to Nueva Esperanza (and I seem to be having a hard time getting my head in the game!) There are so many things I'd like to say about this trip but I can't figure out a way to do it without babbling. </div><div><br /></div><div>For a week we spent the mornings painting ceilings (really, really high ceilings!) in an Orphan Helpers project called the Genesis Center. In the next few months, this will become the new school for all of the kids in Nueva Esperanza as well as the hub for community volunteers. In the afternoons we made babies smile and rocked them to sleep, chased toddlers down the hall after yet another attempted breakout, traced dozens of coloring pages, painted fingernails and tried to get the blasted cheap bubbles to blow good bubbles! </div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, it was so much more than this. Spending consecutive days in Nueva can be hard. So it was also a week of strength, perseverance, growth, stretching and eyes being opened to uncomfortable truths. And I loved every minute of it. One of the things I struggle with the most is how best to communicate to all of you what Nueva Esperanza and Proniño are like, what these kids have been through, what their daily lives consist of and how you can help. And what I'm finding is that I can tell some individual stories (and plan on continuing to do so) but it's really hard to understand unless you've experienced it. And I love the process of walking with people as they're experiencing it. I think my favorite parts of this week were the one-on-one conversations I had with teammates as they wrestled through what they were seeing. </div><div><br /></div><div>To the team: Thank you for giving your all. Thank you for pushing yourselves to spend time with groups or ages of kids that weren't your first choice. (They grew on you, right?) Thank you for asking tons of questions because it showed me just how much you really wanted to understand. And thank you for your openness and honesty each night as we debriefed the day! </div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOryCvn0EKkHV7QLek7rtAGAjgOzpsgJX8lut-FqfOPIBnkdUDYOchCUA5-7aogXaLDsqEkxo9v1gIFslREw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Here's a slideshow of our week!</div><div><br /></div><div>And if you're interested in experiencing this for yourself, there's still two more trips this year!</div><div><br /></div><div>September 10-17 ($550 + the cost of airfare) Focusing on Nueva Esperanza</div><div>November 5-12 ($650 + the cost of airfare) Focusing on Proniño</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know if you're interested!</div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-67210786631007958612011-07-13T21:27:00.000-07:002011-07-13T21:49:59.383-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRqGGgxGq5qQQNFAwuqCGmxveEDAZ9AfjKvjh655ZvePAwCp1Lfr1Y_L5zgLVnJa5rdM_gAn6diSgBrOv0lUITDNTUflMCaAnwdkvJlfxSCNNMnQfl1cHvUnaMtQabJSTlefJhq4Jnzw/s1600/422.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRqGGgxGq5qQQNFAwuqCGmxveEDAZ9AfjKvjh655ZvePAwCp1Lfr1Y_L5zgLVnJa5rdM_gAn6diSgBrOv0lUITDNTUflMCaAnwdkvJlfxSCNNMnQfl1cHvUnaMtQabJSTlefJhq4Jnzw/s320/422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629060151212774050" /></a><br />Today was r.o.u.g.h. For some reason, I've never spent much time with the toddlers at Nueva Esperanza. Yesterday I spent the afternoon there to help out two girls on my team. And I met Angel. All the kids were running around and he was just laying on the floor, staring off into space. I remember my first thought being that I don't think I'll ever be able to understand the depth of his loneliness. I picked him up off the ground and put him in my lap. He stared deep into my eyes and started weeping. He didn't make a single sound. Just had tears leaking out of his eyes as he stared at me warily. I got him to lay his head on my shoulder and we stayed like that for a while. <div><br /></div><div>As soon as I could, I went back to him today and took him out of the toddler room to walk around the center. I was looking at his arms and legs and noticed dozens of little scars all over him. He has 5 brothers and sisters in the center and I made a beeline for one of the brothers. Enrique told me that they were from their mother hitting him with tree branches when he won't go to sleep. Unbelievable. When I saw him staring off yesterday, I assumed he was shell shocked from recently arriving in the center and not having his mom or siblings around to care for him. Now I know that chances are good that he's never, ever had a feeling of safety or security in his life. </div><div><br /></div><div>He was snuggled close to me for a little over an hour, then the time came that I had to go. I explained to him that I am coming back tomorrow and will get him. Then I put him down. He stared at me as tears filled his eyes. His whole body was stiff as a board, in the same position as when I put him down. Only now had tears streaming down his crumpled little face as he watched me walking away, more tears falling the farther away I got. I felt like I was ripping his little heart out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier in the week I was talking to my teammate, Lauren, and she said she feels like she's going to spend this week getting the kids to let her in, just to walk away from them at the end of the week. I now fully understand what she meant. I can explain to the older kids when I'm coming back, and they understand the concept of time. But Angel is old enough to get attached specifically to me, but can't grasp 'tomorrow'. What am I going to do when I have to say "I'll see you in two months." In the long run, is getting this precious two year old to trust me going to help him or hurt him? </div><div><br /></div><div>To quote part of Lauren's amazing and brutally honest <a href="http://gretchenbstevens.wordpress.com/">blog</a> "Staring back into my eyes, without speaking a word or making a movement, they tell me that their story is more than either of us can bear." </div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-26780827252694023902011-06-16T09:56:00.000-07:002011-06-16T20:26:05.314-07:00First Honduras teamTwo weeks ago I led my first team to Proniño. And I'm happy to say that it went very well! Thank you to Paula, Randy, Gwen, Katy and Brad for being my guinea pigs. =) I was so impressed and encouraged to see how much the team threw themselves into the work and threw themselves into getting to know the boys. And I'm grateful for the patience shown when we repeatedly heard "The plans have changed..." and "You can get started in just a minute..."<div><br /></div><div>Top 5 moments of the trip for me (in random order):</div><div><br /></div><div>1. When Jose Luis told Paula to close her eyes and open her mouth, and she actually did it. It ended up being a stick of gum, but it seriously could have been anything...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19FTojJKSysF1iFsm0o_qo_TGvMNk870dw5-gtLKieXpLOmX80CfxOz7Xj0D5ViRgl3QrIquMvLBmLgQaoYxC1EDohKu3Heeib-sDXseYx1UPHLF3Gp29NK5tiM8DfLxEZwz-rByAQmA/s1600/P5310187.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19FTojJKSysF1iFsm0o_qo_TGvMNk870dw5-gtLKieXpLOmX80CfxOz7Xj0D5ViRgl3QrIquMvLBmLgQaoYxC1EDohKu3Heeib-sDXseYx1UPHLF3Gp29NK5tiM8DfLxEZwz-rByAQmA/s320/P5310187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618936088332909826" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Jose Luis</div><br />2. When Milton whispered to me that he would like to marry Gwen. I blogged a while ago about how your presence, even for a week, really makes an impact on the kids. Case in point.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKQSE5v9ZmJ7uHTjUgYxw9qwu7LoYMFx0Avfduqb4QlUVsmjugrxTwrSfFRpnkHOlvNoJexh_fZpnfVYmKGbGzCdy50hyphenhyphenS5c0OjGNXE9wptfq8O890yMB36Th1rv0mj_Y9wj5k8enQho/s1600/DSC06643.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKQSE5v9ZmJ7uHTjUgYxw9qwu7LoYMFx0Avfduqb4QlUVsmjugrxTwrSfFRpnkHOlvNoJexh_fZpnfVYmKGbGzCdy50hyphenhyphenS5c0OjGNXE9wptfq8O890yMB36Th1rv0mj_Y9wj5k8enQho/s320/DSC06643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618936087416945154" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Milton and Paula</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Sharing a gigantic meal with various types of meat with the team then finding out that that circular meat with the weird texture that made me gag a little is in fact huevos de toro. I'll let you google that.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIzRO81bxSo7vOjGRdBJIdPDkI-VEJ12kmIjbNHarwZgh-Zoy7TPpdGSA-LfswT-5Ccxqw6q-B4Ue-aOIPWTubNGUiSkFAf1E5VyugcmdW-Km_ocSyPcEwpsDylUuX_ezefur6dhU_4Q/s1600/P5300154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIzRO81bxSo7vOjGRdBJIdPDkI-VEJ12kmIjbNHarwZgh-Zoy7TPpdGSA-LfswT-5Ccxqw6q-B4Ue-aOIPWTubNGUiSkFAf1E5VyugcmdW-Km_ocSyPcEwpsDylUuX_ezefur6dhU_4Q/s320/P5300154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618884200009649666" /></a><div><br /></div><div>4. Seeing how happy the boys were when they each received a stuffed animal donated by my mother-in-law's friend, Alejandra's, children. (That was a mouthful.) Who knew 15 year old boys would like a stuffed animal so much??</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXhUnpojrsI5QpSbAMn7Hm8M_NAdd9yEEuhOo0hjquS27MC0NT1ShpwZrmeDDJlIJxcU_ffuvPFyxSUt3iNhpcPNPT0H_K2TxEs8BuoxWk1W0Vcd8AkzqjtTgz0trtFOR5lOer1Otryk/s1600/DSC06881.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXhUnpojrsI5QpSbAMn7Hm8M_NAdd9yEEuhOo0hjquS27MC0NT1ShpwZrmeDDJlIJxcU_ffuvPFyxSUt3iNhpcPNPT0H_K2TxEs8BuoxWk1W0Vcd8AkzqjtTgz0trtFOR5lOer1Otryk/s320/DSC06881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618882392099884354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rodolfo and his new friend</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>5. The moment when we finally received a mini-jackhammer and no longer had to pick ax through the foot and a half of cement we needed to remove. I can still feel the relief wash over me.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeox9RzzBtFkprbMd33Xj_afFZK6UFs2Kk0CMgNghnWJ_ZIQHTx1ZcfvNFdOfjRhZmCIAg8jhgjBbdxo-CE1wca8bSooYTt3-phh09geFUShFJrhFgcGsJc9NpjmjeBcrG1bhJ48yTRU/s1600/P6010270.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeox9RzzBtFkprbMd33Xj_afFZK6UFs2Kk0CMgNghnWJ_ZIQHTx1ZcfvNFdOfjRhZmCIAg8jhgjBbdxo-CE1wca8bSooYTt3-phh09geFUShFJrhFgcGsJc9NpjmjeBcrG1bhJ48yTRU/s320/P6010270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618882386589849234" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Randy</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGQBH4T_RLbheJCkwazxASKdOy-TpduVFDZZ7fXCYBE2fVOHkBXgnQHuqMgZKRgmbd5kRvFmbOuDtbBHdIx3dI6p5yMXJ_UwcfIy9Z7um_e9GvJhWPuSzb_BdcFV69gOf7GiXRzp0gE/s1600/P6010281.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpGQBH4T_RLbheJCkwazxASKdOy-TpduVFDZZ7fXCYBE2fVOHkBXgnQHuqMgZKRgmbd5kRvFmbOuDtbBHdIx3dI6p5yMXJ_UwcfIy9Z7um_e9GvJhWPuSzb_BdcFV69gOf7GiXRzp0gE/s320/P6010281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618882378732365026" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Gwen</div><div><br /></div><div>And one of my favorite pictures of the week from Nueva Esperanza...</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3AX3Qq4XgF5HnM4Q81jZsR9IvdzqzVoxYGMuGGZ15O-jZCLE2Igv8zeEKfbK674dwLWH3gXwBk01ojo3BxbC5GTZQOLhtssKQwDkR9IdwVPmE20qgqMnbOJLHcKhOxgv1xEKwFcgMZM/s1600/DSC06912.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3AX3Qq4XgF5HnM4Q81jZsR9IvdzqzVoxYGMuGGZ15O-jZCLE2Igv8zeEKfbK674dwLWH3gXwBk01ojo3BxbC5GTZQOLhtssKQwDkR9IdwVPmE20qgqMnbOJLHcKhOxgv1xEKwFcgMZM/s320/DSC06912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618882371084487106" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=radfrYQ7C6w">here</a> to watch a slideshow of the kids and our work! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping that after you watch this you'll be filled with an overwhelming desire to experience this yourself. Never fear! There are 3 more opportunities for you to come! </div><div><br /></div><div>(This is coming up very, very soon but I thought I'd put it out there anyway...) </div><div>July 9-16 (Nueva Esperanza - $550 + the cost of airfare)</div><div>July 16-23 (Proniño - $650 + the cost of airfare)</div><div><br /></div><div>September 10-17 (Nueva Esperanza - $550 + the cost of airfare)</div><div><br /></div><div>November 5-13 (Proniño - $650 + the cost of airfare)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-7337963054553521102011-06-09T07:19:00.000-07:002011-06-09T07:35:09.567-07:00I love it when 'accidents' happenI got back from Honduras on Monday and as usual, I have so much to say! I had an incredible team with me working in Proniño and had an incredible day with one of the boys and his family, but I decided to blog about the shortest story first. (I also really need to go to the store. Sean went once in the 15 days I was gone and bought milk, yogurt, buns and orange juice. Our situation is desperate.) But anyway...<div><br /></div><div>There's this kid named Kenneth who I know from Nueva Esperanza. He escaped in October and after worrying about him for a few weeks, my friend Yann happened to bump into on a bus and we've been able to keep in touch ever since. He has a fairly random situation in that he's living with a family that took him in without knowing him at all and he works with the father in the house, driving a little horse and buggy type thing around gathering scraps of metal that they later sell. It's not ideal. He's 13 and in the 2nd grade and not currently going to school. And when he gets sick he's too embarrassed to tell them about it or impose on them by asking for help. But he's not living on the street and he's not using drugs. And it's kind of sad that from other situations I've seen kids in, that means he's doing pretty darn good. But every time I go back, I call the guy he's living with and arrange a time for me to pick Kenneth up for lunch.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISyTFNyoVtiB19X3UwWSm9UQd5x490ivyOZ-_Vwz5twlQqXbh12sMpqnhoGTQrVddJ6bXa_mpWvwwxWEdcA_4xy_Ct3XI3oHj5olEJ2w0Dbhou1-XqnVJTNEm5I2DhY6ZUQppTRQq-uY/s1600/DSC06370.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISyTFNyoVtiB19X3UwWSm9UQd5x490ivyOZ-_Vwz5twlQqXbh12sMpqnhoGTQrVddJ6bXa_mpWvwwxWEdcA_4xy_Ct3XI3oHj5olEJ2w0Dbhou1-XqnVJTNEm5I2DhY6ZUQppTRQq-uY/s320/DSC06370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615959442789802274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Our most recent lunch outing. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">This trip was no different and on my first Thursday in Honduras we had plans for lunch at Pizza Hut. We ate and chatted. But for some reason that day, I was really, really tired. And it's hard to understand another language when you're tired. And he doesn't exactly enunciate, which just added to my difficulties. I got to the point where I was just nodding and pretending to understand, telling myself I only had to do it for another 20 minutes or so and then I could take him back home. Out of the blue he suggested that we go to downtown San Pedro and hang out at the square. Now, I had been counting down the minutes for a while and I'm really good at not doing something that I don't want to do, but I sternly told myself that I only get to see him once every 2 months and if the kid wants to hang out at the park, then that's the least I can do for him. So I agreed. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">And man am I thankful I did. About 2 blocks from the park I noticed a kid walking down the street with a familiar gait. I did a double take and realized it was Victor. Victor is a kid who has lived in Proniño (40 minutes away by car) for about 4 years. I hadn't been in Proniño for a few days so I had no idea he had run away. I swung my car into a parking spot and quickly got out. I said his name, told him I had no idea he had run away and immediately sat down on the curb to let him know I wasn't planning on physically grabbing him and forcing him back to Proniño. I asked him some questions about why he left, when he left, where he's been and if he's hungry. Yes. So we headed to Pollo Campero. I called Kevin to try to get more info on why he ran and he asked me to pass the phone to Victor. Kevin asked when he was coming back to the foundation (Never). Kevin asked again and he said "I'll probably come back with Jenny." Phew.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXbt3fB9fwIiDV-df9eA7sVcb5DbciscASKQeHrMzCphL17RPtnxffxgM5esGG50ABHyDu2xEBz5TP6yN2Lw28KmfVfA3hZo9xbqkOWt7XihgEiw5nQycbetVq1ms7TKlXingnewj-Xk/s1600/DSC06371.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXbt3fB9fwIiDV-df9eA7sVcb5DbciscASKQeHrMzCphL17RPtnxffxgM5esGG50ABHyDu2xEBz5TP6yN2Lw28KmfVfA3hZo9xbqkOWt7XihgEiw5nQycbetVq1ms7TKlXingnewj-Xk/s320/DSC06371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615959430960513778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kenneth and Victor on my way back to Progreso</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the thing that gets me and what I just can't shake is how random and coincidental this was. I really, really didn't want to go downtown. But if I hadn't gone, Victor would probably still be on the street. Makes me shiver to think about. Victor is NOT a street smart kid. I'm so, so thankful I stumbled upon him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OKaHFhMChBSgchXwRitXCh7hF_nLtz9Sqp0ffALVVrtDGKOnewuwr1ZlfbCAMgWdLhZF9sE-Zjiz9KPayT9AgAqGuZmMssbiaKuhpKXsaVAZKcP4utlY86-oNHhydj8njJWvoZ3etx4/s1600/DSC06820.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OKaHFhMChBSgchXwRitXCh7hF_nLtz9Sqp0ffALVVrtDGKOnewuwr1ZlfbCAMgWdLhZF9sE-Zjiz9KPayT9AgAqGuZmMssbiaKuhpKXsaVAZKcP4utlY86-oNHhydj8njJWvoZ3etx4/s320/DSC06820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615959422382301842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A week after he ran away, Victor's back in the foundation and returning to school.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the 3 trips I've taken to Honduras this year I've 'stumbled upon' 3 kids. I don't know. Maybe it's because it's a 'small' country. Maybe it's because there are so many out there on the street that I'm bound to find a few. But it feels like more than that. I'm so thankful Victor's safe. And I'm so thankful that I'm able to be used in this way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-23849802299711404312011-04-27T07:20:00.000-07:002011-04-27T17:26:50.520-07:00Happy Birthday Richar!<div style="text-align: center;">It's been a while since I've given any updates on Richar. And since today is his birthday I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to talk about him!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlmJCuinHh6y1lCKJZzHfJ5Ps1oOHMoIPecLGdXHfG2-jTupVQeUkHlFvy2g2gMpfKtNMbRLyQCt88tH3EmPJlnBOJh-ReEB0Qls1jaalZvx1oCNJKwvxmFxV2aeaBew7ITySBPJctew/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrAwOes1Iz7ui2PFazOhUH8DaTxJ0yHNfUrD5EzsdoV4jddu6DYzHNAOlI48GxGhm2MDLmQ-KESlnNv7_FvUJAdDRrS1l8-CjAxOFrdxeup0fhyphenhyphenBsFb5mUcKAKJrDlBjcm_7AXhL-fp8/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrAwOes1Iz7ui2PFazOhUH8DaTxJ0yHNfUrD5EzsdoV4jddu6DYzHNAOlI48GxGhm2MDLmQ-KESlnNv7_FvUJAdDRrS1l8-CjAxOFrdxeup0fhyphenhyphenBsFb5mUcKAKJrDlBjcm_7AXhL-fp8/s320/IMG_2223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600419515212805042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">He says that he's 15 today, but I have my doubts. . . His birthday is also close to the one year mark of when we first met. (Read about it <a href="http://seanandjennykast.blogspot.com/2010/05/week-at-orphanages.html">here</a>. You have to scroll down a little!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FEagOlUy8kKn1fzaSirWhrJMoO07o4jg15zYaZSw_Ke8f5ct4Uq56EFxYR7ZE79d1A2Ao42pSWbHx9Pzk-nMbUx0nFjcY1-3Tk-9IanzlqrIwDTJp273fZXLxLzNxNf3v-dZRInCY8U/s1600/Day+9+%252823%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FEagOlUy8kKn1fzaSirWhrJMoO07o4jg15zYaZSw_Ke8f5ct4Uq56EFxYR7ZE79d1A2Ao42pSWbHx9Pzk-nMbUx0nFjcY1-3Tk-9IanzlqrIwDTJp273fZXLxLzNxNf3v-dZRInCY8U/s1600/Day+9+%252823%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FEagOlUy8kKn1fzaSirWhrJMoO07o4jg15zYaZSw_Ke8f5ct4Uq56EFxYR7ZE79d1A2Ao42pSWbHx9Pzk-nMbUx0nFjcY1-3Tk-9IanzlqrIwDTJp273fZXLxLzNxNf3v-dZRInCY8U/s320/Day+9+%252823%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600419509205794466" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I first met him. I remember blogging about him last May and writing about what he was going through. I remember being filled with such determination that I have to do something and yet fear that as time went on, this boy and his story was going to find a comfy place in my long term memory to be thought of once a year when I looked at pictures. I remember finding out his birthday had just passed and being disappointed, thinking, what are the chances I'll still be in contact with him a year from now? I am so thankful that a year later I can still write about him as I sit in a coffeeshop, waiting for my phone to ring with a call from Honduras so I can wish him a happy birthday. (To which I know he will respond "Thanks. Is Sean there?" Why, oh, why does he like Sean more than me!?!) And I'm so thankful that we were in Nueva Esperanza that day last year because I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for this fierce and protective love I have developed for him, that has blossomed into love for so many. And I can't think of anything in the world that I'd want to do more than work and fight for these kids.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>But back to Richar... I had hoped that when he was moved to Proniño in August, his angry outbursts involving tearing his clothes to shreds would cease immediately. No such luck. Then he ran away in December. He was found 2 weeks later but the whole ordeal made me realize that he could get mad one day, run away and I could literally never see him again. This terrifies me. It was so hard for me to leave in January because I knew that no amount of promises from him would actually mean that he'd definitely still be there in March. But, thankfully, he was. And multiple Proniño employees said that he's improving. I talked to him about it one day and told him what the staff was saying. He hung his head a little bit and said "I got angry last week." I asked if he had to go to "the box". (The box is a room that the kids go to when they are a danger to themselves or to other kids. And when he loses it, he seriously develops nearly super human strength!) He looked up quickly and said no. That in itself is an improvement! One day when I arrived at Proniño in the morning, one of the employees told me that Richar is improving and he wanted Richar to sing a song dedicated to me. So cute. I sneakily recorded it. I had my camera in my lap, so that's why it's at such a weird angle. At around the 32 second mark you can see Richar look directly into the camera and then up at me as he realizes I'm videoing him. =) </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxR1RNoWPiNgz8YN7iz3t3zoPIqXc7TiRlwDW93jQVmMEFZ1bQei5h80EEwKxw39Kw7tij28UY8XK7DCc6gVw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>A birthday request. I've realized that Richar being moved to a safer location simply isn't enough. He's an amazing child that has experienced various traumas in his short life. The only way that he'll become a stable, healthy and productive adult is if he receives some professional help. Proniño used to have a psychologist on staff but due to financial difficulties she was let go last year. One of the goals for The Children's Home Project is to raise funds for a psychologist. This is probably the biggest and most expensive goal, but it will also produce some incredible, long term positive results for many kids. I need to raise $600 a month to meet this goal. This would cover the cost of a full-time psychologist working with 20 children. The reality is that we could probably use five psychologists! But we'll start with one. This goal could be met by the monthly donations of an individual, church, organization or a combination of sources! Please let me know if you can help the project and the kids in this way. Or let me know if you think your church or organization would be interested and I will follow up with them! With YOUR help I'll be able to write a post on his "16th" birthday about how the box and his anger is a distant memory. And you'll be helping numerous kids in such a significant way! </div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And once again...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlmJCuinHh6y1lCKJZzHfJ5Ps1oOHMoIPecLGdXHfG2-jTupVQeUkHlFvy2g2gMpfKtNMbRLyQCt88tH3EmPJlnBOJh-ReEB0Qls1jaalZvx1oCNJKwvxmFxV2aeaBew7ITySBPJctew/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600413956394398930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >Y </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >R</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >Y </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >R</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >C</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >R</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " >!<span class="Apple-style-span" >!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-9103513584280553502011-04-13T18:05:00.000-07:002011-04-18T17:59:05.154-07:00Trip dates finalized!<div><span class="Apple-style-span">I was reading my friend Allison's <a href="http://obulamu.com/">blog</a> yesterday when I ran across a quote that I absolutely love from 'Irresistible Revolution'.</span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arimo, arial, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">“Over and over when I ask God why all of these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I can feel the Spirit whisper to me, “You tell me why we allow this to happen. <strong><em>You</em></strong> are my body, my hands, my feet.” - <strong>Shane Claiborne</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arimo, arial, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; "><strong><br /></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; ">I remember being stilled and convicted by this when I read it the first time. And it had the same effect this time. I spend so much time begging him to do something about this. To protect these children. To make them feel loved. To bring people into my life and theirs that will make both small and large differences in their lives. And I always feel like the responsibility is gently nudged back my way. We are his hands and feet. No matter how much I pray, he's not going to snap his fingers and make everything alright for them. He will give us strength, wisdom, passion or endurance for our journey. But we have to take the first steps down that path. And I'm nudging you to take this journey with me.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLLRinyRmMg_QuPDhp2hXofGHiLYsIxLjhB1gKWIAFdAgFA-UrEyDXy3dMs-mKcxvF2ZT9QmYl0p5sh4A8iHjD_jOV7iKZzRELDVxJy7Wg6InCaWtDJxdt8iQRSdHUROORTSucuaCYDA/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLLRinyRmMg_QuPDhp2hXofGHiLYsIxLjhB1gKWIAFdAgFA-UrEyDXy3dMs-mKcxvF2ZT9QmYl0p5sh4A8iHjD_jOV7iKZzRELDVxJy7Wg6InCaWtDJxdt8iQRSdHUROORTSucuaCYDA/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597089485973613570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My best friend, Jen, with Tania, Magdiel and Juan at Nueva Esperanza in March</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >The trip dates and costs have been finalized for the rest of this year. I hope that if you've been moved by the stories of these kids that you'll seriously consider participating and getting to know them personally, and that you'll tell others. Lots of others!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I was reading my friend <a href="http://www.jesstock.blogspot.com/">Jess' blog</a> this morning and something she said really resonated with me. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; " >But God does His work with smallness. It is our lack that He desires. Our limitations, our fear, our inability. He takes these few small loaves, the widow's mite, this ordinary life, and this is where he chooses to do His work.</span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Trip Dates... </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">May 28 - June 4 </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">July 9-23</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">September 10-17</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">November 5-13</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Trip Info...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>Proniño trips</u></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; line-height: 16px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">The trips in May and November will be focused only on Proniño (the center for former street boys ages 8-18). Our main project will be to build a portion of the center's perimeter fence. And being with the kids! (There may be some break dancing involved...) Here's a little video of the kids. Please ignore the information at the end! </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvBsu6Pon8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvBsu6Pon8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cost</b> for May 28 - June 4 is $724 + the cost of airfare. I realize this trip is coming very soon, but my goal was to have 10 people on the team and it has recently dropped down to 6! A little bit of encouragement - I recently checked the cost of tickets and they were $100 less than they were a month ago. =)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" > <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b>Cost </b> for November 5-13 is $650 + the cost of airfare.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><u>Nueva Esperanza trip</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; "> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The trip in September will be focused only on Nueva Esperanza (the government center with boys and girls ages 0-14). Our work project will happen in conjunction with another organization called <a href="http://www.orphanhelpers.org/">Orphan Helpers</a>. They will soon be reopening an abandoned center adjacent to Nueva Esperanza. This center will be a school and mentoring location for the kids in NE. Then the center can use the current classrooms as additional dorms. This will enable them to separate the sleeping quarters of the typical kids from the special needs kids, giving those with special needs some much needed safety and protection. We'll be sprucing up the place and helping to get this center ready to be utilized. We'll also be helping in the nursery, and playing with the kids! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b>Cost </b>for September 10-17 is $550 + the cost of airfare.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;" ><u>Nueva Esperanza AND Proniño</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " > <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The July 9-23 trip will be two weeks long and we'll be working in both centers. So, if you just can't decide in which place you'd rather invest, why not both? =) Or you can choose to participate in only the first (Nueva Esperanza) or second (Proniño) week. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b>Cost </b>for both weeks is $1000 + the cost of airfare</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b>Cost </b>for July 9-16 only (NE) is $550 + the cost of airfare</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " ><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cost </b>for July 16-23 only (Proniño) is $650 + the cost of airfare </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; " > </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-family: arial; line-height: 16px; font-size: medium; "> </span></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-91013304223762975272011-04-01T11:29:00.000-07:002011-04-02T16:24:51.244-07:00And he's backI told myself that today was going to be a day of hours of reading and journaling. I'm reading a book called "Permission to Speak Freely" by Anne Jackson and it's excellent. But I just read this:<br /><div><br /></div><div>"How many times have you been encouraged by reading a story in the Scriptures or hearing a story of how God has been faithful in someone's life? Doesn't that kind of confession move your heart along to search for the same kind of hope?" </div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately put the book down so I could share my stories with you because man do I have some stories of hope. Sometimes it feels like feast or famine. Sometimes it seems like nothing is working out for these kids and I feel so overwhelmed (last week). Other times the joy just keeps building as I hear one thing after the other that makes my heart want to burst with happiness. I have three for you today.</div><div><br /></div><div>#1 WILMER'S BACK!!! Kevin found him on Wednesday. I figured when Kevin found him it would go something like this: Wilmer sees Kevin and hangs his head sheepishly. Kevin says "Come on, man, I've been looking for you everywhere. Everyone's worried about you and they all want you to come back." Wilmer says "Really? [Because the only reason that made sense to me for him still being on the street was that he must feel like he's messed up too bad to be let back in the center.] And with a huge smile plastered on his face he skips over to Kevin's truck and they happily drive back to Proniño. Here's what actually happened. He was found in a sewage canal, high as a kite on glue and belligerent. Kevin, 2 older boys from Proniño and a helpful homeless man each grabbed an arm or a leg and carried the struggling and furious Wilmer to the truck. He didn't calm down once he was in the truck so they headed for a police station to see if they could put him in a holding cell until some of the drugs had gotten through his system and he wasn't a danger to any of the other kids. Thankfully, it ended up not being necessary. He calmed down at the police station. Still fuming, but calmer. Then Kevin, the 2 older Proniño boys, Wilmer and the 4 other kids they found on the street headed back to the center. 24 hours later Wilmer was asking Kevin when he was going to be able to move back to his old room and if Kevin could get him some drawing materials. He's back. I'm sad that he apparently had no intention of coming back on his own and I'm sad that he went back to drugs so quickly. This has blown a lot of my theories about why the kids do what they do and I'm dying to have have a long conversation with him in May about what was going through his head. But at this point the important thing is that I CAN have that conversation with him, because we know where he is. And we know that he's safe.</div><div><br /></div><div>#2 One of the other kids that Kevin found on Wednesday is <a href="http://seanandjennykast.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html">my friend Edgar</a>. I knew him when he lived in Nueva Esperanza, found him on the street a few weeks after he escaped from NE and brought him to Proniño. Then he ran away in December. And was found 2 weeks later. Then he ran away 3 days before I got there in March. When I was there in January I told him that I was planning on selling our truck in December, but decided to wait because if he and Richar were still on the street in January I was going to need a vehicle to look for them. He spent much of that day asking me over and over "Why didn't you sell your truck?" (So I could look for you.) "Tell me again why you didn't sell you truck?" I sent him a letter telling him when I was coming in March, so when he ran away 3 days before I arrived I had a hopeful theory that he wanted to be looked for. But Jen and I went to the gas station where he usually begs at least 20 times. No Edgar. It was so weird being in Honduras and not seeing him. When I opened my computer on Wednesday afternoon I had an email from Kevin and all it said was "Got Edgar". Woohoo! I called him to get more info but by that point he had also found Wilmer, and things were pretty chaotic, so one of the kids answered. Once he figured out it was me he said "Jenny, I've got a friend of yours here." And he passed the phone to Edgar. It was so, so good to hear his little voice! I told him how happy I was and how worried I had been. I asked him why he ran - "Because of some boys." I thought that meant that some kids had been picking on him and I asked him who it was and he said "Robert wanted to run away so I left with him." That's kinda the problem with Edgar. He's always up for an adventure. If only someone could figure out a way to make him always be up for being safe and cared for then it would be great to stop these little adventures every 2 months! </div><div><br /></div><div>#3 Final awesome story of this blog. (Keep in mind that I found out about these 3 things in a 20 minute window. Again I say, feast or famine.) I started chatting with a guy on Facebook as soon as I got off the phone with Edgar. He said that he had sent a picture of Richar to me from when he visited Proniño last week. After a few minutes I went to my hotmail account to check it out, saw this and gasped:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93ndbWy70jnqbw1fd2sBn9LYmvn75CY57dSS6QnYkLjp-O1bFQHL2JQhRr1Kbzq_jayxC4EoXVTrNEat97izDQH-4dEQobDt0kXseL5wmcNC8lviv_2G4aSVHr15PD-ejRAjHju3R9Xo/s1600/la+foto.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93ndbWy70jnqbw1fd2sBn9LYmvn75CY57dSS6QnYkLjp-O1bFQHL2JQhRr1Kbzq_jayxC4EoXVTrNEat97izDQH-4dEQobDt0kXseL5wmcNC8lviv_2G4aSVHr15PD-ejRAjHju3R9Xo/s320/la+foto.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590684784087404946" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93ndbWy70jnqbw1fd2sBn9LYmvn75CY57dSS6QnYkLjp-O1bFQHL2JQhRr1Kbzq_jayxC4EoXVTrNEat97izDQH-4dEQobDt0kXseL5wmcNC8lviv_2G4aSVHr15PD-ejRAjHju3R9Xo/s1600/la+foto.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>That's Richar and that's definitely Proniño, but do you recognize the other kid from my <a href="http://seanandjennykast.blogspot.com/2011/03/struggling-with-unbelief.html">last post</a>. It's Moises!!! He's been transferred from Nueva Esperanza!!! I couldn't believe no one had told me. But I was happy that at least I knew! I talked to Kevin about it on Friday and he didn't know the details of how he got there but he said that Nelson was grinning ear to ear and the two of them walked all over the center with their arms around each other all day long. My heart has been hurting so much for Moises, just thinking about what he's going through every day at Nueva. I'm so so thankful to know that he's finally reunited with his brother and that he's in a place where he can learn and grow as a kid and not have to live in survival mode.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I still don't understand why it didn't work out for me to bring him to Proniño 3 weeks ago, but it feels like maybe that wall in front of my face is crumbling a little bit...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Only 53 more days til I get to see them! Ugh, way too long. Now back to Permission to Speak Freely. Seriously, I highly recommend it.<br /><br /></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-2691230619965764942011-03-23T12:15:00.000-07:002011-03-23T13:59:56.465-07:00Struggling with unbelief<div>Maybe someday I'll be able to start a post without prefacing it when it's a rough one. Today is not that day. This post is a little rough.<div><br /></div><div>I first met Nelson and Moises when they arrived in Nueva Esperanza in August of last year. I found them huddled in a corner, crying. They were brought to NE because their step-dad tried to kill them. Pretty traumatic. But then they arrive in NE, the new kids, and they are constantly being hit by other boys and their food is being stolen by the kids. They were completely shocked and overwhelmed by what they were experiencing. It killed me that there was nothing I could do. I sat with them as they cried and made sure everyone left them alone while I was there, but that's it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next few months, Nelson learned that in this place, it's survival of the fittest. And survive he did. He became one of the biggest bullies. I would try to get some alone time when I was there and remind him of what it was like when he first arrived, and how he's doing the same thing to other boys that was so hard for him. But in order to survive you need to throw reason out the window. The climax of his reign came when I was there in January. I made sure I was in the center during lunchtime so I could try to prevent some the food stealing that happens. Before we all went to the cafeteria I found Nelson standing over a kid who was crying in the corner. I pulled him away and we went to lunch. I watched as the crying kid got his food, sat down at the table, looked at the food for a minute, then picked his plate up, walked over to Nelson and gave him his food. So, not only is he stealing food from other kids, he's intimidating them before they even get to the cafeteria! But Nelson wasn't stealing the food for himself. All the extra food he got went straight to his brother. Was what Nelson was doing wrong? Absolutely. But he was going to great lengths to protect his brother.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S14En_cME0nhyTlrKSnDgIYUgyfF5srhXlgHtYdOkIdyohk7XZGHuyMraDC9Ueu6Ijw5oDUvbpIVvijzMQiolxOxZcVqo5w5_3SEkM3JyjVq109bY7PNeeeAhaOcR44aV8PTvZWC1vo/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S14En_cME0nhyTlrKSnDgIYUgyfF5srhXlgHtYdOkIdyohk7XZGHuyMraDC9Ueu6Ijw5oDUvbpIVvijzMQiolxOxZcVqo5w5_3SEkM3JyjVq109bY7PNeeeAhaOcR44aV8PTvZWC1vo/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587365291873196322" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Nelson and Moises (Notice the amount of food on Moises' plate. This was at the end of lunch.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S14En_cME0nhyTlrKSnDgIYUgyfF5srhXlgHtYdOkIdyohk7XZGHuyMraDC9Ueu6Ijw5oDUvbpIVvijzMQiolxOxZcVqo5w5_3SEkM3JyjVq109bY7PNeeeAhaOcR44aV8PTvZWC1vo/s1600/017.JPG"></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div>Fast forward to February and as I was looking online at pictures of new kids at Proniño I was shocked to see a picture of Nelson. He had been transferred from Nueva Esperanza. And he was doing great. Nueva Esperanza has the tendency to transfer the 'bad kids' to Proniño. But then once they're in Proniño, they excel. Because the reality is these aren't bad kids, these are kids that are surviving and you'll do some crazy stuff in order to survive. (Think Lord of the Flies.) When kids arrive in Proniño, they usually spend the first 3-6 months in Nueva Vida which is the first level and it's more restricted. Nelson made it to level 2 in a little over a month. What does that say about his true character?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TnFqw1RqH-XhXAvTZJJym0ghWVJShPulLhqIkPpqRBvkuWg8a-5kRuaWgP1DBdYq2Gs3BVKPBvRDGcVNUlG74Z2wLt_I1IEPiLRi4Wp3RkZjQtTg7J9gw9uhqNYxKUzucF6ifizClBA/s1600/Day+1+%252834%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TnFqw1RqH-XhXAvTZJJym0ghWVJShPulLhqIkPpqRBvkuWg8a-5kRuaWgP1DBdYq2Gs3BVKPBvRDGcVNUlG74Z2wLt_I1IEPiLRi4Wp3RkZjQtTg7J9gw9uhqNYxKUzucF6ifizClBA/s320/Day+1+%252834%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587365284983460962" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nelson on his bed in Proniño with a picture of him and his brother that I brought for him.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div>The problem is, Moises is still in Nueva and Nelson was his protector. I talked to the Director of Proniño about it as soon as I arrived in March and he immediately said he wants to bring Moises to Proniño. (Insert praise for Proniño!) I talked to the Director of Nueva Esperanza and she said that she just needs to get permission from the judge or caseworker in his hometown and then I can take him. Wonderful! But I had this nagging fear. Things rarely work out smoothly in Honduras. This was on Tuesday and I was supposed to take him to Proniño at 9:30 the next morning. I prayed and I prayed. Got a call from the Director that I won't be able to bring him Wednesday, but probably Thursday. I prayed and I prayed. I emailed a few prayer warriors and asked them to pray. I sat with Moises Wednesday afternoon and felt like it was August again. He cried and cried telling me what he was experiencing. Every single morning he wakes up to a kid on top of him hitting and hitting him. Every morning. I cried out to God that that would be the last day he would experience this. I get a call from the Director saying that I can't take him on Thursday. At this point I'm stressing in my most polite and urgent Spanish that the last day I can take him is Friday. Thursday evening she says "Don't worry. We'll take him there later." </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMzKVsQYZKfUfDKADB4mdh35jL9cTBrpLS-mrgH-afE8j0xWHYsWptnC5w9hIlaFGCalExABvGB9MTao6ne3ZQgJUKQ7GEFv95_Rye3ov0amTN084jeMkNyeRxV1-ZCL3wW4cLeBaRJg/s1600/Day+3+%252840%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMzKVsQYZKfUfDKADB4mdh35jL9cTBrpLS-mrgH-afE8j0xWHYsWptnC5w9hIlaFGCalExABvGB9MTao6ne3ZQgJUKQ7GEFv95_Rye3ov0amTN084jeMkNyeRxV1-ZCL3wW4cLeBaRJg/s320/Day+3+%252840%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587363149585685394" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moises in Nueva in March</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And I don't doubt that eventually, Moises will be in Proniño. But how much is he going to have to endure before that happens? I don't normally expect my prayers to be answered exactly how I want them to be. I'm fine with coming to God with a struggle, desire or need and trusting that things will go according to His plan and that His plan is better than mine. But this one has left me flabbergasted and feeling a little empty inside. Everything was all set. All we needed was a simple phone call with the go ahead. Instead, Moises is still waiting to experience some sort of justice and protection in his life. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">And I haven't been able to shake this feeling that my prayers for these kids are being sent out into this great void. Or that I'm shouting them at this wall and they're just bouncing back and slapping me in the face. Which brings me to part 2 of this post...</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMzKVsQYZKfUfDKADB4mdh35jL9cTBrpLS-mrgH-afE8j0xWHYsWptnC5w9hIlaFGCalExABvGB9MTao6ne3ZQgJUKQ7GEFv95_Rye3ov0amTN084jeMkNyeRxV1-ZCL3wW4cLeBaRJg/s1600/Day+3+%252840%2529.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnGtwi-l255QkmRHOzdckDZbHF7fRQiL_qqo4wEcL8q-ktvofdqpELYhFZjs-U4s4xvDiSCK7nJ__7-liz1ba0X3zQk0BU7pkGqtr_UaGAno91OrSLOPyx9gj_Sp9KKzbp7uje2OUotc/s1600/Day+8+%252836%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnGtwi-l255QkmRHOzdckDZbHF7fRQiL_qqo4wEcL8q-ktvofdqpELYhFZjs-U4s4xvDiSCK7nJ__7-liz1ba0X3zQk0BU7pkGqtr_UaGAno91OrSLOPyx9gj_Sp9KKzbp7uje2OUotc/s320/Day+8+%252836%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587363143410936434" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wilmer and Jen - who he turned into Cousin It</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This is Wilmer and he is incredible. He's been in Proniño for 3 years and before that he was a 10 year old crack addict living on the street. He's come so far and has so much potential. He's smart and funny and artistic and strong (but I did beat him in an arm wrestling competition last week. It was a challenge.) And even though he has a rough past he's overcome so much and is now one of the most stable kids in the center. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnGtwi-l255QkmRHOzdckDZbHF7fRQiL_qqo4wEcL8q-ktvofdqpELYhFZjs-U4s4xvDiSCK7nJ__7-liz1ba0X3zQk0BU7pkGqtr_UaGAno91OrSLOPyx9gj_Sp9KKzbp7uje2OUotc/s1600/Day+8+%252836%2529.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYAkw04sgboa9PzCXMeofDgeeJLGqKo08k1k98dbXPFNm_6RzJffrDJhSTp2jgIBGbBsq35vpKDeT0eaRmdHKVyCBNBQOwe8nod1GE5BirZqkBdnQUoJc0pZdGHAZF9j6zibDh4snWs/s1600/Day+1+%252849%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYAkw04sgboa9PzCXMeofDgeeJLGqKo08k1k98dbXPFNm_6RzJffrDJhSTp2jgIBGbBsq35vpKDeT0eaRmdHKVyCBNBQOwe8nod1GE5BirZqkBdnQUoJc0pZdGHAZF9j6zibDh4snWs/s320/Day+1+%252849%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587363140382416306" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">A painting by Wilmer!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYAkw04sgboa9PzCXMeofDgeeJLGqKo08k1k98dbXPFNm_6RzJffrDJhSTp2jgIBGbBsq35vpKDeT0eaRmdHKVyCBNBQOwe8nod1GE5BirZqkBdnQUoJc0pZdGHAZF9j6zibDh4snWs/s1600/Day+1+%252849%2529.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdgrQ9-8rqGNzLLtuYen16Kczont86ng_FaRuIYmLweVW988q0WvdCVIIMd2SCxngtoWE_l-skvZndykd9Hi8cqwdnfDD0ioYtw3C8fWMVYqINFqsiIThsIwwjqubIu82UNishpjPMMs/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdgrQ9-8rqGNzLLtuYen16Kczont86ng_FaRuIYmLweVW988q0WvdCVIIMd2SCxngtoWE_l-skvZndykd9Hi8cqwdnfDD0ioYtw3C8fWMVYqINFqsiIThsIwwjqubIu82UNishpjPMMs/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587363138196740930" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Wilmer 'driving' (steering) my truck 2 weeks ago. Don't worry, we were going 10mph on a deserted road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But Wilmer ran away on Monday night. I don't know all the details, but it's something along the lines of him getting in trouble and being both ashamed at what he did and angry at what his punishment was, so he left. I'm afraid for him. I'm afraid for what he'll experience on the street. I'm afraid for the decisions he'll make. And I want a miracle. I want to open my email and find an email from Kevin saying that he's been found or he came back on his own. But I have that current issue with my prayers and the wall. So I just feel sick and worried and helpless. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdgrQ9-8rqGNzLLtuYen16Kczont86ng_FaRuIYmLweVW988q0WvdCVIIMd2SCxngtoWE_l-skvZndykd9Hi8cqwdnfDD0ioYtw3C8fWMVYqINFqsiIThsIwwjqubIu82UNishpjPMMs/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUrlGoleqwNY3bbzjdRHQ8mBSv-aBqHqCm4WJ3dGmwX2-uw946wathO2LSfuSCJ9pbwaMTVq_era6BEo1eZ79rQ6Lw8xndo1GNELfSFAfuRwkACn1UbCuvgxCUUV2Fw-7HJRUQKijIDA/s1600/IMG_2130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUrlGoleqwNY3bbzjdRHQ8mBSv-aBqHqCm4WJ3dGmwX2-uw946wathO2LSfuSCJ9pbwaMTVq_era6BEo1eZ79rQ6Lw8xndo1GNELfSFAfuRwkACn1UbCuvgxCUUV2Fw-7HJRUQKijIDA/s320/IMG_2130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587363132331907554" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Lord, please remove this weight of unbelief that is dragging me down. Remind me that you love these kids even more than I do. And you want justice for them even more than I do. Please protect Wilmer. Please bring him home soon. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-69578251134684654412011-03-17T08:58:00.000-07:002011-03-17T16:39:33.329-07:00A sweet reunion<div>I'm back from Honduras and as always, it's bittersweet. This was such a great trip as I got to spend a lot more time with the kids than in January. And the more time I spend with them the more they are opening up to me and oh how I love learning about their lives, their families, their dreams.<div><br /></div><div>There are many stories that I want to share with you, but one definitely sticks out. It's about Tania and Deybi. When I started visiting Proniño last September there was a boy that I was sure that I knew,but couldn't figure out how I could possibly know him. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjJeCcl7mvTz70xsoILTFGe2YBqXxcdrq9XsD1PLCMDyivJbifii6OPFsJMfmPpygdbbE6_Ru-XNrn5dcOMoLCnsWQlmrcx8J4zOPfA0kriSOvRqAPZCdksDGuXlmSzWvvc8KUh6bHME/s1600/038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjJeCcl7mvTz70xsoILTFGe2YBqXxcdrq9XsD1PLCMDyivJbifii6OPFsJMfmPpygdbbE6_Ru-XNrn5dcOMoLCnsWQlmrcx8J4zOPfA0kriSOvRqAPZCdksDGuXlmSzWvvc8KUh6bHME/s320/038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585090032685927506" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Deybi</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjJeCcl7mvTz70xsoILTFGe2YBqXxcdrq9XsD1PLCMDyivJbifii6OPFsJMfmPpygdbbE6_Ru-XNrn5dcOMoLCnsWQlmrcx8J4zOPfA0kriSOvRqAPZCdksDGuXlmSzWvvc8KUh6bHME/s1600/038.JPG"></a>After a few weeks of staring at him (and him probably wondering 'Why in the world is that gringa always looking at me??') I realized that he looks identical to one of the sweetest girls in Nueva Esperanza.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgd1l2FxntOzbOHG-NxHnEUMLdOl-F9NO6OWblyuEuyBkJuxsGWygG8OXU0diwVLYP0f2GcIXGpAdQ7T4TpmMrmIgR7wDowEKeEdC9LHltK5sR2HfkjoU2J29Ut9JV8mYkqK72-glQZk/s1600/Day+2+%252888%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgd1l2FxntOzbOHG-NxHnEUMLdOl-F9NO6OWblyuEuyBkJuxsGWygG8OXU0diwVLYP0f2GcIXGpAdQ7T4TpmMrmIgR7wDowEKeEdC9LHltK5sR2HfkjoU2J29Ut9JV8mYkqK72-glQZk/s320/Day+2+%252888%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585088644630257826" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Tania</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgd1l2FxntOzbOHG-NxHnEUMLdOl-F9NO6OWblyuEuyBkJuxsGWygG8OXU0diwVLYP0f2GcIXGpAdQ7T4TpmMrmIgR7wDowEKeEdC9LHltK5sR2HfkjoU2J29Ut9JV8mYkqK72-glQZk/s1600/Day+2+%252888%2529.JPG"></a><div>I asked her if she had any brothers. (Yes.) I asked her if she knows where they are. (I think one of them lives in Proniño.) Eureka! The next time I saw Deybi, I showed him a picture of Tania on my camera. He just stared and stared and stared at her. This started a few months of me bringing messages back and forth between the two of them on my camera. And I thought that this was all I could do...</div><div><br /></div><div>This trip, as I was going to talk to the Director of Nueva Esperanza, Tania stopped me and asked me to ask the Director if she could somehow see her brother. I figured the chances were slim to none, but she asks for so little that I knew I had to at least bring it up. To my amazement the Director said that it would be ok! So Friday morning I arrived early to the center and then set off for Proniño with an IHNFA chaperone and an incredibly excited little girl. Tania had been taken away from her physically abusive father 2-3 years ago and hasn't seen any family member since.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived at Proniño and Deybi was the one that opened the gate for us. (He earns some spending money every week for doing this chore.) I immediately could tell that as far as he was concerned today was just any other day. I parked my truck and asked him if he knew who I had with me. He looked confused and said no. I said "Really? No one told you?" "Told me what?" he asked. I said that I have Tania with me and at that exact moment she climbed out of the backseat of the truck. The blogging part of me wanted so badly to catch this moment on video or with a picture, but I didn't want anything to distract them from their moment. So instead, I have this beautiful picture in my head of him seeing her, running around to the other side of my truck and hugging her so, so hard. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn4sL5HzivbCH6sJ9nwXIsS_W9kPcqPvgmFUmjay4kDVnOZTiN8pauGuO1OgTKac8RxaHrbLDGjCK_UWD-Wl_Q6Tsbz6jRtMiwlcWbMIzJPY_Fq8JSuyJi57Ctu6ClMdRLQmyylMZ93o/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn4sL5HzivbCH6sJ9nwXIsS_W9kPcqPvgmFUmjay4kDVnOZTiN8pauGuO1OgTKac8RxaHrbLDGjCK_UWD-Wl_Q6Tsbz6jRtMiwlcWbMIzJPY_Fq8JSuyJi57Ctu6ClMdRLQmyylMZ93o/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585088637225929762" /></a></div><div>They spent a few hours together and he gave her a tour and she got to meet all of his friends. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn4sL5HzivbCH6sJ9nwXIsS_W9kPcqPvgmFUmjay4kDVnOZTiN8pauGuO1OgTKac8RxaHrbLDGjCK_UWD-Wl_Q6Tsbz6jRtMiwlcWbMIzJPY_Fq8JSuyJi57Ctu6ClMdRLQmyylMZ93o/s1600/012.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlZqWHkhajyu-q03vIijAzSBlQMfvOV89Sx4rQ35rXZeCaagyTLQoxGmpC5b1Orl05TydgQzMOdpBnBVZ0cak1BgPYJw9CmxlGY2FfoLD-fGL63_vJZlivyx7B9CtgZNO6bRZushApRc/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlZqWHkhajyu-q03vIijAzSBlQMfvOV89Sx4rQ35rXZeCaagyTLQoxGmpC5b1Orl05TydgQzMOdpBnBVZ0cak1BgPYJw9CmxlGY2FfoLD-fGL63_vJZlivyx7B9CtgZNO6bRZushApRc/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585088628299631394" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Then she hung out with him as he got ready for school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJvxVhokZ6gRoRbD-nQzKxh2QA75sAv_c9-faG_mzsAIYTvS7Oq-CA7OHH4Q-Zo2iIaBjub_xJYsNE0-5KljYquEyYW6nNVgmFfgp5BVmlTy2pFd0JSe7dnNU6-gGqFNntzBn8THfoM/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585088626144337218" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Aren't they both just so beautiful??</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJvxVhokZ6gRoRbD-nQzKxh2QA75sAv_c9-faG_mzsAIYTvS7Oq-CA7OHH4Q-Zo2iIaBjub_xJYsNE0-5KljYquEyYW6nNVgmFfgp5BVmlTy2pFd0JSe7dnNU6-gGqFNntzBn8THfoM/s1600/014.JPG"></a>But the story keeps getting better. The kids haven't seen their mother for years and years. When Tania was still there, one of the Proniño employees asked for detailed info on where their mom's house is. I thought it was a little odd that he was so interested. But then when I arrived on Sunday, there she was! The employee had tracked her down and brought her for a visit. Deybi opened the gate for my truck as usual and then practically dragged me over to where she was so I could meet her. "My mom's here! She looks identical to Tania!!" He was absolutely glowing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRtVGQ7zjHH7pmf1G05_Pf2sYrNbYkPkNV83_fyL03A6UvzO2xd1V3noSqMRIUHSFQP8Q74Atpie0f5pF2xADylfKv2rDcqkpMYL_Dt3jTUDpazUL8smluK2F0lc18M64qU6mOlwvHZM/s1600/067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRtVGQ7zjHH7pmf1G05_Pf2sYrNbYkPkNV83_fyL03A6UvzO2xd1V3noSqMRIUHSFQP8Q74Atpie0f5pF2xADylfKv2rDcqkpMYL_Dt3jTUDpazUL8smluK2F0lc18M64qU6mOlwvHZM/s320/067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585088620179755026" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Deybi and Gloria</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRtVGQ7zjHH7pmf1G05_Pf2sYrNbYkPkNV83_fyL03A6UvzO2xd1V3noSqMRIUHSFQP8Q74Atpie0f5pF2xADylfKv2rDcqkpMYL_Dt3jTUDpazUL8smluK2F0lc18M64qU6mOlwvHZM/s1600/067.JPG"></a>And I know it seems too good to be true, but the story keeps getting better. When I brought Tania back to Nueva Esperanza she was understandably filled with joy and sadness. So happy to have seen her brother but sad it can't happen more often. She leaned against me and cried for a very long time. She cried for her brother, but seeing him also reminded her how much she misses her mom. But then on Sunday I found out that she's not going to have to wait very long to see her! The amazing employee that found Gloria is planning on picking her up again today with Deybi and heading to Nueva Esperanza so the three of them can be together for a visit. The first time in 6 years!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am so impressed by and thankful for this employee. It's the one day that he has off every week and he's still 'working'. He's genuinely excited that he has the opportunity to do this wonderful thing for the family. And people like him is what sets Proniño apart from other places. He doesn't see this as just a job. He understands that he is an integral and important part of bringing joy into the lives of these kids. And their joy is important enough to him that he's willing to sacrifice a bit in order to make it possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am so thankful to have been able to witness these reunions and wish that I would've been there today to see Tania's reaction to her seeing her mom. I'm sure it was more beautiful than words can describe.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><div> </div></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-51325918843366620712011-03-08T16:58:00.000-08:002011-03-08T20:15:46.209-08:00Just a little videoAfter getting stuck in Minneapolis then having a 20 hour layover in Atlanta, I'm finally in Honduras! <br /><br />And here's a little video of what's been happening so far at Pronino...<br /><br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1-sC05WI9txMqGsCWn0HVjKva3j_fz1Fqs8B7S5GyhsU-rkmgOekJC0OpxkMzXB6oYLTKSh-ThSJaNgR7fA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Looking forward to the rest of the trip!</p>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-14517959169243738652011-02-26T13:58:00.000-08:002011-02-26T15:48:53.826-08:00Exhaling<div>A few weeks ago my mother-in-law and I were talking about Nueva Esperanza while we were supposed to be watching the Super Bowl. It's been almost a year since she spent 3 days there and she still thinks about the kids a lot. She talks about the kids a lot. She prays for the kids a lot. She knows the kids made an impact on her but she struggles with whether or not being there really made a difference in the kids' lives. She asked me "Do you really think we made any impact on the kids at all?"<div></div><div><br /></div><div>I knew my answer was an adamant yes, but I couldn't immediately think of why... Did the kids' lives significantly and permanently improve because of those three days? No. The best way I could think to describe how worthwhile her time was, was to talk about Sean. There are many reasons why I married Sean. We share many of the same interests, we work well as a team, love dogs, love God, have fun together, I think he's pretty darn cute, and the list goes on. But probably the number 1 reason is how safe and secure he makes me feel. I know without a doubt that he always wants what's best for me, cares deeply for me, believes in me and will fight for me. When I think about Sean it's like a deep exhale. It's complete safety. It's guaranteed acceptance and the freedom to let my guard down. I feel at peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's what we can bring to these kids. Most likely only for a little while, but any amount of time that we can feel safe and peaceful is rejuvenating. It's life giving in an environment that can often feel quite the opposite.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0c1lRjxsYAQOK5oz-1B9pje-SOgj_4jodQG8K1xM6rKBhi-y17MSBCr1Rb0FTDrBvJba68OO8JODS_8QBumjCmLSS9MnsWQu4Vx55eUavA1vo6RDj5rXZ0EX1w71L00vMgR_N4GhoPo/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0c1lRjxsYAQOK5oz-1B9pje-SOgj_4jodQG8K1xM6rKBhi-y17MSBCr1Rb0FTDrBvJba68OO8JODS_8QBumjCmLSS9MnsWQu4Vx55eUavA1vo6RDj5rXZ0EX1w71L00vMgR_N4GhoPo/s320/IMG_2658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578136089744195890" /></a><br />When you braid a little girls hair, learn a boys name - and remember it the next day, or hold hands with a toddler as you walk to the playground you're telling them that they matter and that they're worthy of being known.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJGGVR6ZXP-ZCRHiCiXbqZ5FMz_-_EshSwEXh9IFvPw6YXp2CobDCBO19usv9rjrCaal6SEAgQonLPPao_EXai8O09Ig7pgfHBAVU9ODF-Ngxvq6T4bZPMKQq6MPSufSt2geVFCEOoJw/s1600/Day+1+%252833%2529.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJGGVR6ZXP-ZCRHiCiXbqZ5FMz_-_EshSwEXh9IFvPw6YXp2CobDCBO19usv9rjrCaal6SEAgQonLPPao_EXai8O09Ig7pgfHBAVU9ODF-Ngxvq6T4bZPMKQq6MPSufSt2geVFCEOoJw/s1600/Day+1+%252833%2529.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJGGVR6ZXP-ZCRHiCiXbqZ5FMz_-_EshSwEXh9IFvPw6YXp2CobDCBO19usv9rjrCaal6SEAgQonLPPao_EXai8O09Ig7pgfHBAVU9ODF-Ngxvq6T4bZPMKQq6MPSufSt2geVFCEOoJw/s320/Day+1+%252833%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578136087657961842" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Can you list every person in your life that has ever made you feel safe or important? Of course not. But each person was important in forming who you are today.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnFn1gEYT0l-5wPq5Ymv-wfVmXSi3SX-Xw9GBUCZzU9oxvnz4L9rtW8zpcYJGsuWdW9QkMFlI90HeVaZ_0q8snfp1o9z8KZoKN15aw7GKqNNuAkXhJNU_1DMzLz1Jybt98DQUXGQwWUI/s1600/Day+2+%252892%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnFn1gEYT0l-5wPq5Ymv-wfVmXSi3SX-Xw9GBUCZzU9oxvnz4L9rtW8zpcYJGsuWdW9QkMFlI90HeVaZ_0q8snfp1o9z8KZoKN15aw7GKqNNuAkXhJNU_1DMzLz1Jybt98DQUXGQwWUI/s320/Day+2+%252892%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578136078734499394" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I will be leading 3 teams to Honduras this year and I would like you to join me. Join me in creating a safe space for them to exhale.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This quote is part of a recent blog post by <a href="http://ehaynes.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html">Mary Elizabeth</a>. She is a college student who did an internship with Buckner last summer and spent lots of time in Nueva. I can't agree more with her words... </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"One thing that we do so often here in the States is talk about the orphans and afflicted in the world. We even have compassion for them. But oh how different it is to hold them in your arms, to hold their hands, to look at their beautiful faces and stare into their eyes. <b>It changes everything</b>." (emphasis mine)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Will you join me?</span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></div><div>July 9-23 The first week we'll be in Nueva Esperanza (government center with boys and girls ages 0-14) and the second week we'll be in Proniño (private center for street boys ages 8-18) You have the option of attending both weeks or only the first or second!</div><div><br /></div><div>Cost: </div><div>July 9-16 (Nueva Esperanza only) $550 + the cost of airfare</div><div>July 16-23 (Proniño only) $650 + the cost of airfare</div><div>July 9-23 (Both centers) $1000 + the cost of airfare</div><div><br /></div><div>Details for the September trip to Nueva Esperanza and the November trip to Proniño will be determined soon!</div><div><br /></div><div>Please contact me at jkast@hth.org if you are interested!</div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-9208794158535394082011-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:002011-01-27T08:40:41.181-08:00I think I'm a magnet<div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">I went back to Honduras January 6-13 to teach a class about Honduran childrens' homes at Heart to Honduras' Year of the Child conference. It was excellent (the conference, not my class!).<span> Pastor </span>Fredy did such a good job of finding speakers and it was so wonderful to see and hear Hondurans really stepping up and fighting for the children in their country. They also had the opportunity to learn about very important things like sexual abuse and Honduran laws regarding children. Way to go Corazon Para Honduras!!<span> </span></p></div><div>The rest of the week was focused on Nueva Esperanza and Proniño. Joy of joys!! So, my plan was to leave Santa Elena, where the conference was held, and head to San Pedro in the late afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was roughly an hour outside of San Pedro when I spotted two kids walking on the side of the road that looked strangely familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I made a u-turn and slowed down near them and couldn’t believe my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was two kids from Nueva Esperanza, Jose Antonio and Domingo, one of which I’m very close to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My last day in at NE in November Domingo gave me a bracelet that I’m still wearing today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> What are the chances that I would happen to be in the country when they decided to run and that I'd happen to be driving down that road and happen to notice them amongst the many people walking or riding their bikes??? I couldn't believe it.</span></div><p></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbzjL9L02ELjt63A73W8pX2F8fYofiRO9r3VuFzo5O2cwpRQxmdeWfv1BQEmKRhYAaauyb9Y-9mikM86c5SlMNuIR5tZ3TxgHfRhXqNyQnaOaETjXeMSlzZJhbwD40tFsUkLOG1tSGEE/s1600/NE+-+Elder+y+Domingo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbzjL9L02ELjt63A73W8pX2F8fYofiRO9r3VuFzo5O2cwpRQxmdeWfv1BQEmKRhYAaauyb9Y-9mikM86c5SlMNuIR5tZ3TxgHfRhXqNyQnaOaETjXeMSlzZJhbwD40tFsUkLOG1tSGEE/s320/NE+-+Elder+y+Domingo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566527387658305762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">From November - Domingo is on the right, showing his vibrant personality...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie7LTwTsA5ZbRQPxx11z-AkytKy4FB0MGnoPXzsji7scFQAPZ9F_u4Bdk1esKg7rBDFjGjZ4A2iowS_vWVVg_D5jMQETfmCvNg-SjpBCv9POnJ4Yzo5_l2eHKr4CoOE-17uus1jh3pTY/s1600/Abel+y+Jose+Antonio.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie7LTwTsA5ZbRQPxx11z-AkytKy4FB0MGnoPXzsji7scFQAPZ9F_u4Bdk1esKg7rBDFjGjZ4A2iowS_vWVVg_D5jMQETfmCvNg-SjpBCv9POnJ4Yzo5_l2eHKr4CoOE-17uus1jh3pTY/s320/Abel+y+Jose+Antonio.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566527385183757794" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;">Also in November, Jose Antonio (on the right)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We stared at each other in astonishment for a few moments, then I parked the truck, got out and hugged them for a very long time.<span> </span>They had escaped from NE the day before through a hole in the wall.<span> </span>(People make these holes from outside the center.<span> </span>If you walk along the perimeter you’ll see dozens of patched up holes. I don't understand what motivates people in the neighborhood to do this.) <span> </span>I asked them why they left and they said it was because an employee shaved their heads really hard.<span> </span>This may seem like a silly reason but a) the kids hate having their heads shaved.<span> T</span>hey usually try to hide until the razor has been put away again. And those that managed to avoid getting shaved smack the shaved ones really hard on the head.<span> </span>b) They do shave the kids’ heads really hard.<span> </span>You can always see lines on their heads afterwards from how hard the employee pushes.<span> </span>These kids have been through enough – why make haircuts traumatic also?<span> </span>c)<span> </span>I think it’s more that the head shaving was the last straw than the stand alone reason to run.<span> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">They were excited to see me at first.<span> </span>Then I asked if they wanted to go to Proniño.<span> </span>Jose Antonio was interested.<span> </span>Domingo was skeptical.<span> </span>I made a phone call and while I was talking they started walking away.<span> </span>By the time I got off the phone I had to drive to catch up to them.<span> </span>When I got out of the truck they started running.<span> </span>I shouted after them things like “I just want to talk!” and “Let’s go get something to eat!” And finally, “Domingo, I still have your bracelet!”<span> </span>At this they slowed down and started heading back towards me.<span> </span>We squatted on the ground and talked for a long time.<span> </span>They were headed to Santa Barbara to look for Domingo’s family. (A 4-5 hour drive from where we were.<span> </span>No idea how long it would take to walk.) <span> </span>I asked him why he was taken from his family to begin with.<span> </span>He said his dad hit him, but he would avoid him this time.<span> </span>I wanted to take them to Wendy’s but they were afraid that I was going to trap them and take them back to NE.<span> </span>Domingo kept saying that he doesn’t want to be locked up anymore.<span> </span>He wants to be able to make money and buy snacks and go see friends and walk around and explore.<span> </span>It was breaking my heart because I wanted him to go to Proniño, where he has the opportunity to get an education (he’s 14 and can only crudely spell his name) and safety, and yet I understood what he was saying.<span> </span>At one point he even asked me “Jenny, why do you get to be free?<span> </span>Why do you get to drive wherever you want?”<span> </span>I simply said that it’s because I’m an adult, but I know that what he was saying is that he doesn’t want to feel like he’s in a cage.<span> </span>But to respect his wishes would be to allow them to continue on the 3+ day journey alone with no food, money, shoes or shelter, which I couldn't do without a bit of a fight!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>I finally convinced them to come to Wendy’s and they were so cute and excited.<span> </span>And man did we get some stares.<span> </span>They looked fairly normal from neck to knee, but their closely shaved heads and dirty, dirty bare feet were drawing some attention.<span> </span>Thankfully, they were completely absorbed in their food and didn’t seem to notice.<span> </span>We talked and ate and when the air conditioning became too much for them we moved outside.<span> </span>I kept trying to direct the conversation to Proniño and Domingo kept directing it back to his family.<span> </span>At one point in the conversation he told me that his original plan was to escape, head to the States and call me when he got there.<span> </span>But he had lost my phone number so he decided to head home instead.<span> </span>This made me think that home was just one of his few options, more than his family being his number one desire.<span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">But after a while he started asking me for some money so they could take a bus to Santa Barbara.<span> </span>And I kept telling them no.<span> </span>But it was killing me.<span> </span>It seemed obvious that they weren’t going to come with me, so I was going to have to leave two children alone to find somewhere ‘safe’ to sleep that night and I wouldn’t even give him money so at least they could go directly to Santa Barbara instead of walking, bare-foot, and encountering who knows how many dangers?<span> </span>It was also dawning on me that I was probably never going to see them again.<span> </span>And I did what most distraught women do – I got a little weepy.<span> </span>I tried to hide it, but they noticed the catch in my voice.<span> </span>I got up to leave when Jose Antonio said “He wants to go to Proniño!”<span> </span>Oh geez.<span> </span>I asked Domingo if it was because of my tears and he said yes.<span> </span>Awesome, I had just succeeded in emotionally manipulating the poor kid.<span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Nevertheless, we got in the truck and headed for Progreso.<span> </span>He was so, so quiet.<span> </span>He told me he was sad.<span> </span>I asked if he wanted to change his mind and I could take him back, but he said no.<span> </span>A little bit later he said “We’re going to Proniño because that’s what you want, right Jenny?”<span> </span>Ugh.<span> </span>I explained to him again all the reasons why it’s good, but asked him again if he wanted me to turn around.<span> </span>Again, no.<span> </span>But then a wonderful thing happened – he started asking me lots and lots of detailed questions about Proniño.<span> </span>Do they have electricity? (Yes) Do kids steal your food? (Not that I know of.) Does everyone have their own beds? (yes)<span> </span>How long will it take me to get to the 2<sup>nd </sup>level where I’ll have more freedom? (3-6 months depending on your behavior) Do they pull your teeth out there? (Jose Antonio lived at Proniño for a while last year and apparently soon after he arrived he had a tooth pulled.<span> </span>So he told Domingo they pull your teeth out.<span> </span>I asked Jose Antonio if that tooth hurt really bad before they pulled it? – Yes.<span> </span>So I explained to Domingo that they’ll help him with any bad teeth, not pull them out for fun or punishment!) <span> </span>I was so proud of Domingo – that he was able to identify some of his fears and then voiced them. When we got to Proniño we were met by Rodolfo, who probably is the friendliest and happiest kid in the center. Perfect! He greeted the newbies and with a bit of encouragement told them how much he loved Proniño and hasn't ever tried to run away. I couldn't've planned it better...<span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I spent part of his second day and all of his third day at Proniño.<span> </span>When I saw him his 2<sup>nd</sup> day he immediately started crying.<span> </span>He said that everyone had been really nice and no one had messed with him.<span> </span>(I was worried about that because he’s a fighter and I thought maybe he’d pick some unnecessary fights to show everyone not to mess with him – which completely backfired at NE.)<span> </span>He said he liked the food and everything was very chill.<span> </span>But he still had a strong desire to be free and with his family.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Day 3 he was really excited that they had put him in 2<sup>nd</sup> grade.<span> </span>He told me that he still wanted to run away, but he was going to wait til he had completed 2<sup>nd</sup> grade, because "getting an education was important".<span> </span>=)<span> </span>That was fine with me!<span> </span>I’m hoping that after a year of being in school he’ll decide to stick around for 3<sup>rd</sup> grade as well!<span> </span>At the end of that day, as I was saying goodbye, I got all choked up again.<span> </span>I told him I was worried he would run away before I came back.<span> </span>He asked me when I was coming back and I said March.<span> </span>He thought about it for a minute and said “I can wait til March.”<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYcvRUR4vVKW54flhg2QTT74fN5xrbTRaXcrdFErnLgK9D5O54saodIGQHKxnRmioHWxqCiRZtyefjl9QaDYEj9nqqOc4zV5Yzo0IfaqKEHoieacNRdE7bnAfw2doirHChvrrAWWKED4/s1600/111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYcvRUR4vVKW54flhg2QTT74fN5xrbTRaXcrdFErnLgK9D5O54saodIGQHKxnRmioHWxqCiRZtyefjl9QaDYEj9nqqOc4zV5Yzo0IfaqKEHoieacNRdE7bnAfw2doirHChvrrAWWKED4/s320/111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566527380687883506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Richar and Domingo in Proniño</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I have no idea if he'll really stay. That desire for freedom is so strong in him. One bad day or one disagreement with another boy and he could be gone. But I'm hoping he'll take advantage of this opportunity. He's such a smart and resilient kid, and I pray that he'll be able to change the course his life has been on!</div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-38577102210995839892010-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:002010-12-29T09:56:11.145-08:00Good news, bad news then awesome news...<div>I'll start this blog with a wonderful update on the Proniño Christmas sponsorship. As of December 12th, ALL of the kids are sponsored! (That's 3 days before the cutoff date.) And there were at least 10 other people that were planning on sponsoring a child, but they had already been snapped up. Thank you to everyone that sponsored a child, wanted to sponsor a child or just wanted to talk to me about these kids. I never get tired of it. =) And for everyone that sponsored, I'll be coming back with pictures and videos for you in January. So fun!<div><br /></div><div>But there was something else going on at the same time that I didn't want to blog about because it was so opposite the joys of the sponsorship program. In the first week of December my very worst fear happened. Richar ran away, along with Edgar and 2 other boys I don't know very well. I couldn't believe it. And I felt so helpless being here in the States. The first day I was in a bit of a fog. I think I spent a lot of time staring at the computer screen. The second day I got mad at them for making poor decisions. Mad at Edgar because I took him off the streets less than two months ago!! I just didn't understand how he could forget how much he hates the streets so quickly. And mad at Richar for putting me through the emotional ringer. It's a selfish reason, I know. The third day I emailed everyone I know in Honduras asking them to look for the kids and telling them where they might be able to find them. And then I just waited and prayed and hoped and hoped that I'd get an email telling me that they had been found. There were some encouraging moments - like when the Rink family in Texas decided to sponsor Edgar for Christmas even though they knew he wasn't at the home. They decided they were going to pray for him to be safely returned to Pronino by Christmas and they wanted to make sure that he had some gifts waiting there for him. So awesome. But in general, I was spending a lot of time worrying. Worrying that they were hungry, cold, would turn to drugs and that I'd never see them again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two weeks after they ran, they were found outside of a grocery store in San Pedro by the efforts of a few amazing Pronino employees that drove around and around and around the neighborhood trying to track them down. I finally got that email I'd been waiting for - telling me they're safe and spent the next hour jumping around the house and calling people to share the wonderful news. I'm heading to Honduras in less than two weeks and am so excited that I'll be able to see them, but there is this nagging voice in my head saying "It's probably going to happen again."</div><div><br /></div><div>So many people have asked me why the kids run away. And I really wish I knew the answer. All I have are lots of theories. So, I thought I would share them with you and maybe we can get a discussion going. I would love to hear other people's insights. My number one theory is that the kids make decisions based on how they are feeling right now. Pronino is a home full of street smart pre-teen and teenage boys and they tend to resolve problems with their fists as opposed to talking about their feelings. I think that when they are mad or upset they just want to remove themselves from the situation. So they leave. I think Richar is a perfect example of this. When he's angry, his anger takes over everything and rational thought just goes out the window. There is no thought of what am I going to eat tonight? or where am I going to sleep? It's just a thought of I don't want to be bothered anymore!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Theory #2 is a desire for adventure. Things can get pretty dull when you eat, sleep and play in the same building all day every day. And the first day on the street, going wherever you want, doing whatever you want, is probably appealing at times. Once again - very little thought about the day after or the day after that. I think Edgar would definitely fall into that category. He's bored and sick of the kids making fun of him (the back of his head's pretty flat and some of the kids like to pretend that it's a landing strip, which Edgar really doesn't like) and someone whispers a plan to run away. I could see him being down for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Theory #3 is that they want to return to their families. Many of the kids have parents and siblings and some live nearby. And absence makes the heart grow fonder. No matter how bad things were with the family, it's still family. It's your identity, your roots. And that desire to be loved and cared for by your parents doesn't go away. And no matter how much we tell them that they have the opportunity for a good future by going to school and getting an education and that their parents will make them beg on the streets or sell vegetables from a cart for pennies, they aren't at the stage developmentally that they can really make a good decision. One of the boys that had run away 3 times in the 4 months I was able to go regularly kept leaving to find his mom. I talked to him one day after he had been found and returned and asked him what he was going to do when he was 30. He looked at me with shocked eyes and repeated incredulously "30?!?!" That's when it really hit me that it's hard to think that far ahead. And not just for "these kids". Few 12 year olds in any country could consistently make good life decisions! He just wants his mom.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what's the answer? This is the part where someone reading this writes a comment and solves everything. Please. I don't know that we'll ever have an answer that works 100% of the time. But I have a theory for this, too. =) We keep going out, looking for them and bringing them back. It's like the parable of the lost sheep. One is missing, so we leave the rest and search high and low for that little sheep until he's back with the flock. Show them that even if their family isn't going to fight for them, someone is. And even though they don't fully understand it, keep telling them that there is a future for them and they deserve to be given a chance, sometimes over and over again. And there are stories of kids that were so unstable, kept running away, kept being brought back, then stabilized. There's an amazing kid in Pronino that was on the streets, addicted to crack at age 10. He was brought to Pronino, then ran away. A worker found him on the street again, but he wasn't willing to return. Finally, he was convinced to come back and now he's drug free and in school. And he's so smart! Someone told me that the kids call him the scientist because he's so inquisitive and always wanting to learn. Can you imagine what would've happened to him if people weren't persistent in bringing him back?</div><div><br /></div><div>So I fear that they'll run again, but I also hope that with some persistence, this will become their home, even if it's not the one they would've chosen! </div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaz2-hq3SN79XIjowOh0Nlt_k0WLts0s_6VCrby15WpPu-BGHV2ljN4e2SgoX34WtTOUxBOKpFJCbKyb53xolQry-TssIEEy84HU5Mx21wLRojkaMJ0l8XyizXu15v0pyy9OJWn_zJLk/s1600/Richard+on+our+outing+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaz2-hq3SN79XIjowOh0Nlt_k0WLts0s_6VCrby15WpPu-BGHV2ljN4e2SgoX34WtTOUxBOKpFJCbKyb53xolQry-TssIEEy84HU5Mx21wLRojkaMJ0l8XyizXu15v0pyy9OJWn_zJLk/s320/Richard+on+our+outing+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556155305209712578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Only 9 more days til I can see this wonderful child again!</div><div><br /><div> </div><div><br /></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-60699446810669890132010-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:002010-12-09T16:42:48.017-08:00A few more featured kidsThank you so much to everyone who has already sponsored a Proniño kid! In 4 days you've sponsored 18 kids. AND I've had the chance to talk to a few people that I haven't talked to in YEARS! So, there's so much that I love about this. I love helping the boys have a wonderful Christmas. I love getting to talk about them so much. And I love reconnecting. The only thing that hasn't happened so far is I haven't had a stranger interested in sponsoring. Any strangers reading this blog right now???<div><br /></div><div>The 2 boys that I featured in the last blog have been sponsored so I thought I'd feature a few more! There are some up and coming superstars in Amor y Paz (Love and Peace). </div><div><br /></div><div> <img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_yoba.jpg" /> <img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_LuisFernando.jpg" /></div><div>This is Oscar Giovanni, 14 and Denis Gabriel, 14. These are two very creative kids. They put their heads together and wrote a song, then they had the opportunity to go to a studio in El Progreso and record it. Click<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR0BXU4HHDo"> here</a> to watch them perform at a local talent show. It's not the GREATEST video ever, but hey I'm an amateur!</div><div><br /></div><div>And the kids in Proniño love this song so most of them have it memorized from start to finish. So <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idpIyJiZSNY">here</a> you can watch some of the cuties singing it acapela! Some of the kids in this video that haven't been sponsored yet ....</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/Porfirio.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Porfirio, 13 Lead singer #2 in the video</div><div style="text-align: left;">Porfirio is usually my sidekick. He's one of the most kindhearted kids in Proniño. He has a few younger sisters that are in another home that he's able to visit sometimes (one of the awesome things about Proniño - they encourage and facilitate visits with family members) and the love he has for them is so touching. He's convinced that he's going to be able to go back to his mom by the time I get back in January. And he wants this so badly that I want it for him too, but man am I going to miss his huge smile and big hugs if he's not there when I return!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_WilmerLV.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wilmer, 12 camaflouge pants in the video</div><div style="text-align: left;">There are two Wilmers in Proniño. Kevin, the street outreach worker, is close to the older Wilmer, but this guy is MY Wilmer. When he smiles he gets these wrinkles around his eyes that will just melt your heart. I'm really good at telling the kids no when they ask for things. Can I have a sucker? No. Can you buy me an MP3 player? No. But at least twice I ended up bringing snacks or candy for all the boys because somehow Wilmer got me to agree to bring something for him. But I try hard not to bring gifts for only ONE boy because I don't want to leave anyone out so I had to bring it for all. Even with Richard - I didn't bring anything specifically for him until my very last day! But somehow, this one kept charming his way into candy and snacks for himself which meant for the entire center!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_P1010108.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roger, 13 background face maker in the video</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is mi payaso (my clown). I blogged about him a little bit in August. We first met when he was living in Nueva Esperanza. One day in June I noticed that he was missing and they told me he had run away. He was the first kid that I knew of that ran away. And he was the first kid that I worried and worried and worried about. UNTIL I found a picture of him on Proniño's website along with a story about how he was found! Click <a href="http://www.pronino.org/page14201948.aspx">here</a> to read that story on Kevin's blog. If you sponsor him I guarantee I'll come back with a video for you...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_Davey.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And finally Deybi, 8 made a cameo in the video wrestling with Wilmer</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kind of anti-climactic but I don't know him very well. But he's super cute!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you want to bless these kids with an awesome Christmas for only $25 go to <a href="http://pronino.org/Christmas2010.aspx">http://pronino.org/Christmas2010.aspx</a> and click the donate tab under the photo of the child, or children you want to donate to. Make sure that you specify which child (or children) you want to sponsor! And then let me know who you chose because I'll bring back photos or videos of your child in January. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gracias!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div> </div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-5312531962162088042010-12-06T08:24:00.000-08:002010-12-06T13:58:17.242-08:00An opportunity for NavidadI think this may be my first ever short blog. Thought I'd mix things up a bit. =) In my last blog I listed some ways that you could get involved and help these kids from the States. One of the ways was to make a wish come true by helping out with Christmas gifts. Well, Proniño has set up a very easy way for you to make that happen! A donation of $25 will cover the cost of their Christmas gifts. I've been sitting here trying to think of something that costs $25 to put things in perspective, but nothing catchy is coming to mind. Umm, for the cost of 5 drinks at Starbucks! Or for the cost of 2 books! 25 songs on itunes? Anyway, for $25 you can make a kid feel special! If you click <a href="http://pronino.org/Christmas2010.aspx">here</a> you can see all of the Proniño kids and choose your child. Maybe you want to choose them because they look like someone you know, or because their name is similar to yours - come on Richard, you know you want to sponsor Rigo. Or you can contact me and I can tell you more about most of the kids - because giving is always more fun when you know a little something about who you're giving to. For instance, there's<div><br /></div><div><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_cristian-noe3.jpg" /></div><div>Christian Noe. </div><div>I have a ton of respect for this kid. Tempers can flare quite easily, but every time I see him, he's getting in between the ones that are about to fight and trying to distract them with some humor. Just such a good kid. And he's an aspiring <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHS4yJquEo">magician</a> and<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4E1hiSNFPE"> breakdancer</a>. This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ud6M9iVzTM">video</a> is just bonus...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n604/kodidodi/th_Derrik.jpg" /></div><div>Derrick</div><div>If you have seen my wrists lately you'll see 2 exquisite bracelets compliments of the handiwork of Derrick. Who knows, if you sponsor his Christmas I may have a bracelet for you when I return in January!</div><div><br /></div><div>My hope is that I'll be able to get 30 of these kids sponsored before December 15th. If you decide to sponsor a child, please let me know so I can update my goal! And please let me know if you have any questions!</div><div><br /></div><div> I have 3 so far. 27 more to go! </div><div><br /><div>And I can bring pictures or videos back from my trip in January so you can keep connected with them. =)</div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-49780471252913754282010-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:002010-11-30T20:52:52.401-08:00Back in the US of A<div>On November 17th I moved back to the States. Oh, how bittersweet this is. There are many things that are so nice about the States - the chairs are so comfortable (sounds weird, I know, but I keep sitting down here and thinking 'Wow! I am SO comfortable!'), the food is delicious, there are zero potholes in the road to avoid, I understand what everyone is saying and when I forget to lock my car door nothing is stolen when I return...yet. But man is there a hole inside me. I was nervous that when I returned I'd spend a lot of time crying. I haven't cried at all. But I have spent a lot of time floating. And not the good, elated kind of floating. It's the foggy, directionless type of floating. But after a considerable amount of time journaling and a considerable amount of time talking to my wonderful friend Ann who went through this type of transition not too long ago, I'm feeling a bit more like myself today. So instead of spending my day missing the kids I'm going to spend my day planning for my future trips to Honduras.</div><div><br /></div><div> That's right - I may be home, but my time in Honduras is far from over! And there will now be many opportunities for all of you to come back with me and meet the wonderful kids you've been reading about! A few months ago I realized that there is no way that our time here could simply be over in November. And there's no way that we could drastically improve the lives of these children in a few short months. And when you get to know the kids, really know them, their name, their story, and when you earn their trust, you can't just file that away as a period of your life that is now closed. I had this crazy idea that maybe I could come back every two months to lead missions teams to the centers. I thought, that's insane, you can't find a job that will allow you to leave for 10 days every 2 months! But this whole year was more than I had ever dreamed of. I strongly believe that it didn't happen to have good stories to tell my friends, or to shape my character or world view. There is a reason that I met these kids and God is a big enough God to lead me to a part time job that allows me to have lots of time off if that's what I'm supposed to do! Within a few weeks I was approached with a part time job that is a perfect fit. The details are still being worked out but it was enough to encourage me to go forward with this plan.<div><br /></div><div>The goal of this project is to show the children in Nueva Esperanza and Proniño the love of Jesus by facilitating an increase of love, safety, nourishment and hope in their lives. This will look a little bit different in each center. The highlights of what we want to do is to:<div>1) Develop a core group of consistent Honduran volunteers that will mentor, help with homework, do Vacation Bible School and in general form consistent, positive relationships.</div><div>2) Bring 6 North American teams per year for work projects and to spend time with the kids. (3 to Nueva and 3 to Proniño)</div><div>3) Increase the amount of protein and vegetables in the children's diet in Nueva Esperanza through donations from the States and from Honduras.</div><div>4) Recruit monthly sponsors for the boys in Proniño.</div><div><br /></div><div>And how can you help with this program you ask? Oh, there are many ways. I will continue to make number lists because, well, I like number lists. Many of the details are not yet finalized but I want to share the things that are in the works!</div><div>1) Consider joining one of the teams that will be travelling to Honduras in 2011. Tentative dates are in May, July, September and November.</div><div>2) Sponsor a child in Proniño. You will be able to have regular contact with your child and an opportunity to tell them just how special they are when you meet your child on a trip to Honduras. (See item #1) =)</div><div>3) Along the same lines, I am hoping to find some churches or groups that would be interested in learning more about and helping these centers. I'm brushing up on my public speaking skills so please let me know if your church or group would be like for me to share about the kids! </div><div>4) Make a one-time or monthly donation to Heart to Honduras at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hth.org">www.hth.org</a> that will support the children's home project.</div><div>5) Proniño is doing something special for the kids this Christmas. All of the kids have written down what they want for Christmas. It ranges from 5 chocolate chip cookies to an MP3 player to "that all of the children in Proniño lead a happy and healthy life". (Not even lying, one of the kids wrote that!) If you are interested in checking something off this list, ESPECIALLY the last one, let me know and I'll email you the list once I get it on Thursday.</div><div>6) I will be going back to Honduras in January for a week. If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to donate new or gently used boys clothes, shoes, belts and new toiletries and hair gel let me know and I'll bring it down! (Or you could mail it if you live outside the Phoenix area.)</div><div>7) Please pray. Pray for these kids. That they would have joy, safety and a future. Pray for this project - that it would help to change the lives of hundreds of kids. And pray for me - that I would stay constantly focused and always learning better and better ways to help these amazing children.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now for a few photos, just because...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1b7xN_1T3iXFQRuHMXy3KHjIbd76CWBUgqTRXHzht56E2b7DHLg1pWbf4jQiZsShi5eQSHEl9HGcM5us2Xt31W5p_PjP11hh4A9AwBCuGy7tb8oCKFXs78lUZOBsEEoy8s-_mW6B_7U/s1600/Richard.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1b7xN_1T3iXFQRuHMXy3KHjIbd76CWBUgqTRXHzht56E2b7DHLg1pWbf4jQiZsShi5eQSHEl9HGcM5us2Xt31W5p_PjP11hh4A9AwBCuGy7tb8oCKFXs78lUZOBsEEoy8s-_mW6B_7U/s320/Richard.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545565642502109602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure Richard would have a better shot if not for the lovely sweater he's wearing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlM-q9f5m3m56zxD9b25GDb_xbGY0lWdO-24DuZR_ORm_C3aWJs2y2l_BAaWZbm7uTLs0sqtsyIVUDCLcFipOj5q37WXo_fSBHk2zyz78Xy90-Cc2e2uJB12jM1QxHbgl0D7h9auPiN8/s1600/Oscarito+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlM-q9f5m3m56zxD9b25GDb_xbGY0lWdO-24DuZR_ORm_C3aWJs2y2l_BAaWZbm7uTLs0sqtsyIVUDCLcFipOj5q37WXo_fSBHk2zyz78Xy90-Cc2e2uJB12jM1QxHbgl0D7h9auPiN8/s320/Oscarito+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545565637091054386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">He INSISTED on carrying my backpack around. He didn't seem to mind that it's the same size as he is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3HnEZQT0YP184g24zbrezWvPWIm5BM1P3-Bciqryu9S_xmyVm6mbhgGLhCTzcmsqTFatqVwQrzdeZVjDdA3MIgzK6iUqi2SgVdefyXF5xsJCg2eLg_qWb1nW4ui1do4w4sOOEuY8GRY/s1600/NE+-+Josue+Nahum+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3HnEZQT0YP184g24zbrezWvPWIm5BM1P3-Bciqryu9S_xmyVm6mbhgGLhCTzcmsqTFatqVwQrzdeZVjDdA3MIgzK6iUqi2SgVdefyXF5xsJCg2eLg_qWb1nW4ui1do4w4sOOEuY8GRY/s320/NE+-+Josue+Nahum+%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545565617590354706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This guy is definitely high on my prayer list. This is Josue Nahum. He's been in Nueva Esperanza for around 2 years. He had a group of pretty good friends, but they all have either escaped or been transferred to other centers and now I fear that he is pretty depressed. I used to spend a lot of time making him stop picking on other kids, but now when I'm there he almost always is sleeping. I'm glad he's essentially ignoring the smaller kids, but I'm not happy with the alternative. My last day I woke him up to see if he wanted to play soccer with a group of visitors and he just didn't. He told me that he has no interest in doing anything. This is not good at all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGkL-9lSoc9rvO0YptTSm33KnUH9lyq0uZipz0ITT3P0yQ0hTFkT4VGkMNwhq8myYGODrFDi1l-yiH_rzcl1B1RpEVs_OMySp03PDxHqkUeJPhRACMiH1fqDBcKDelej3838diT52Y_8/s1600/Nueva+Vida+boys+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGkL-9lSoc9rvO0YptTSm33KnUH9lyq0uZipz0ITT3P0yQ0hTFkT4VGkMNwhq8myYGODrFDi1l-yiH_rzcl1B1RpEVs_OMySp03PDxHqkUeJPhRACMiH1fqDBcKDelej3838diT52Y_8/s320/Nueva+Vida+boys+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545565615329181154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Love this picture of some of the boys in Proniño. Every one of them looks hilarious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyecv7jvXEkRCGma-QYeIvtl01-qsyAAFuB-V7JCMnieKX63DNL5MAyYHI1DMUXO5k9Ro32-Gkg3WhmAvuEURP0lMr-hR8c1EYhIaEtWyv82_6AbKMkP7Nwg2i9ua2EvohZuAJbNgkpY8/s1600/NE+-+boys.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyecv7jvXEkRCGma-QYeIvtl01-qsyAAFuB-V7JCMnieKX63DNL5MAyYHI1DMUXO5k9Ro32-Gkg3WhmAvuEURP0lMr-hR8c1EYhIaEtWyv82_6AbKMkP7Nwg2i9ua2EvohZuAJbNgkpY8/s320/NE+-+boys.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545565607939166962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And a gaggle of Nueva Esperanza boys. There are soooo many more....</div><div><div><br /></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-51853945603980303362010-10-31T18:01:00.000-07:002010-11-01T07:01:28.745-07:00My friend Edgar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXtVQKdj4jrZVO0_q7q0p3HKsAijAfeFbT6YBfZlXxNFJjwkc6bQ1C1sxCcxKwChwL6lmTVwEomuiq2gf6VWW52lWgzHA6hJEEW2c8UaFpISkh_elti7IaE3LEMk7D8BZ9-E7N22lcQE/s1600/DSC02860.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534384621706698930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXtVQKdj4jrZVO0_q7q0p3HKsAijAfeFbT6YBfZlXxNFJjwkc6bQ1C1sxCcxKwChwL6lmTVwEomuiq2gf6VWW52lWgzHA6hJEEW2c8UaFpISkh_elti7IaE3LEMk7D8BZ9-E7N22lcQE/s320/DSC02860.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Edgar. He is one of the first Nueva kids that I got to know. He has an incredibly flat head and gets made fun of a lot and always says that he's ugly, so I've always tried to hang out with him and boost his self-esteem a bit. About 5 boys have escaped from Nueva recently and with so many kids leaving I was nervous that he would try to leave too, and then two weeks ago, it happened. He escaped with 2 other boys. He used to live in Pronino so I called Kevin (street outreach worker from Pronino) and he suggested I look in a particular gas station in San Pedro because that's where he found him last year, begging for money. That Saturday night I decided to stop at the gas station on my way back to Casa Elias to buy some ice cream and look for Edgar. I parked my truck and started to walk around when immediately I saw a little person walking in the dark between two cars. Edgar. Seeing him walk out of the shadows is a sight that I want to burn into my brain. I just hugged him for a long time. I called Yann and he said to bring him to the house to eat dinner and then we'll figure out what to do with him. We went into the gas station to buy ice cream and I'm sure we looked like quite a pair. A gringa with the boy that had been begging for money all week strolling around looking for ice cream. Ha!<br /> As soon as we got to the house Yann noticed that something was off. He said his eyes looked a little bit messed up. I was just so excited to have found him that I didn't notice a thing. Yann sat him down pretty quickly and asked him about his week. And specifically if he had used any drugs. Yes. Ugh. He had gotten high on Resistol (glue) twice. Glue is a huge problem with street kids here. It's really cheap to get and it takes away any hunger or thirst pangs that the kids have. And it makes you feel happy. What would you want to do when you're hungry, thirsty and unhappy? Make all of those things go away. And the glue does that for them. He had gotten high that day and apparently was still feeling the effects of it.<br /> We ate pizza and played games and then it was time for bed. We decided that we would move two mattresses into the living room and Edgar and I would sleep out there. I had heard from boys in Nueva that Edgar would sometimes hit kids while they're sleeping and we didn't want to put David in any danger. Once we got settled in, Edgar spent the next hour babbling away. He told me more about life with his father before being put in various centers. Some good things like trips to Copan and going to his favorite restaurant, and others like “He hit me a wire. Here is one of the scars. But he's my Dad, so ...” followed by a shrug. He told me about how he survives on the street – sleeping on the ground behind a bank, which gas station guards were nice and which were violent, that the older kid I found him with did a lot of drugs but protected him, that an American lady gave him 50 Lempiras. But mainly he just kept rubbing his arms and legs and saying “I'm so clean!” And “I'm so happy!” (In both English and Spanish.) And “I'm wearing boxers!” (Underwear is definitely a luxury here.)<br /> The next morning was probably one of the best I've had here. We woke up and watched cartoons and ate pancakes.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNe7RtlkTsbB5tesrPNay7I8eBfi0kxDXq_ilQs0gNHnvsXLxQUKrnshtxMgwVkJE8DZzA_e1XTUinI_LQCrH8-Or7HksBNNdLHWbjuZzLeeAdVwK5fTEp7OH-azyWHeg3tY5pCeWUc/s1600/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534384616558615058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyNe7RtlkTsbB5tesrPNay7I8eBfi0kxDXq_ilQs0gNHnvsXLxQUKrnshtxMgwVkJE8DZzA_e1XTUinI_LQCrH8-Or7HksBNNdLHWbjuZzLeeAdVwK5fTEp7OH-azyWHeg3tY5pCeWUc/s320/033.JPG" border="0" /></a> He helped wash a bed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXk6AXlwRCs1wNXBXicqtdObXE4XQECadcYEOKlLPI63HtWaKJp0a7HYkrCliUN2QCAsVJuncPIPex6hezsaLUoouxdKNyaElMG4BWjxUS0oufdR7PLDwmxcAWkGw9MtJqjtGgq42vDY/s1600/035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534384610690913042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXk6AXlwRCs1wNXBXicqtdObXE4XQECadcYEOKlLPI63HtWaKJp0a7HYkrCliUN2QCAsVJuncPIPex6hezsaLUoouxdKNyaElMG4BWjxUS0oufdR7PLDwmxcAWkGw9MtJqjtGgq42vDY/s320/035.JPG" border="0" /></a> I taught him how to play some games on the computer. I just kept thinking - I can't believe that last night he would've been sleeping on the street. No child should ever have to do that. </div><div align="left"> Then the time came for us to figure out what in the world to do with him. He had a history with Proniño so I could try to take him there, but they are more or less full so I wasn't sure if they would take him. Yann suggested we go check out a center called Sampedrana. He usually talks pretty badly about this center so I was skeptical from the beginning. It is a Honduran organization that gets so much money donated to them every year and yet very little of the money actually reaches the center, BUT the director has a VERY nice car. So frustrating. But it's a place to sleep, they get three meals a day and they are allowed to leave the center during the day, which is better than the street. So, I went with Yann to check it out. It was terrible. Absolutely terrible. So dark and depressing. I ended up having to go sit in the car and wait for Yann. I just kept hearing his little voice “Jenny, I'm so happy!” and then I'd think of bringing him here and my eyes would well up with tears. I more or less cried the whole way back, then tried to pull it together when we arrived. Edgar knew where we went so he immediately pulled me aside to ask how it was. I tried very hard to explain it to him in a way that focuses on the facts, not the turmoil of emotions I was feeling. I didn't get very far when Edgar interrupted me and said “Jenny, your eyes. They're wet.” Oh my goodness. His tenderness was like a punch in the stomach. I hugged him, then went to the bathroom to have a serious talk with myself to pull it together! Next, we ate lunch and Yann was explaining to some visitors what was going on and that we were trying to figure out what to do with him, which for some reason made me all emotional and AGAIN he said “Jenny, your eyes again?” Ay, yay, yay. </div><div align="left"> It got the point that I couldn't put it off anymore, we had to go Proniño to see if they would accept him. But first we had to get him some clothes. (His dirty nasty ones were still wet.) So we went to a department store. He was wearing my sandals and a pair of my shorts that I had made 'tighter' by cinching it with clothespins. I'm sure we looked totally normal... He quickly picked out an outfit, but the best part with the escalator. It was his first time on an escalator and as we got close to the top he squeezed my hand sooo tight and then jumped to solid ground dragging me behind him. </div><div align="left"> Then it was time. We headed over to Proniño. What were they going to do? They are really hurting financially and I want to HELP this organization with their financial troubles, not make it worse by bringing another kid. And yet, what could I do? I couldn't drive him back to the gas station and wish him luck. So, there I was, about to make waves (which I hate more than most things). We arrived and the Director happened to be there. (It was a Sunday evening.) I was prepared with a speech and all the reasons why they had to take him. I greeted Reginaldo and simply said “I found him begging at a gas station in San Pedro last night.” and Reginaldo immediately welcomed him and asked him about his time on the street and told him that if he was going to live in Proniño again then he has to change his behaviour (I guess he was really out of control last time.) Now I was about to cry from relief. This is one of the many reasons why I love Proniño so much. Yes, it wasn't ideal to add another child, but they aren't going to send the child back to the street. So now, two weeks later, Edgar is adjusting to life in Proniño. As he's getting comfortable I'm definitely seeing the rotten Edgar more than before, but I believe in him and I tell him that every time I see him. And he now has hope. Hope for an education. And now he can do more than just survive. </div><div align="left"> I was talking to him today and mentioned that I hadn't eaten lunch yet (it was 3 o'clock). He gasped and said “Poor Jenny! You haven't eaten yet?” I hugged him as I thought about how not long ago he had gone days without eating and how now I know that he had lunch and I know that he will have dinner and then after that he's going to go to his own bed and sleep. And I am so, so grateful. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC0hbT50fSd3fM8WwT3tZixwqt8EkMzulkcSnrb0ttY-qBwMozFrPv6THaDmhJ-ZFbg_rRtK1iZsGfFpada4-lUdmhCiUh4YNpLNZRtMh0Gz7oHM0pyGdvv_NC8FmyugJwcXfiiN6q70/s1600/Day+4+(8).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534384603438334386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC0hbT50fSd3fM8WwT3tZixwqt8EkMzulkcSnrb0ttY-qBwMozFrPv6THaDmhJ-ZFbg_rRtK1iZsGfFpada4-lUdmhCiUh4YNpLNZRtMh0Gz7oHM0pyGdvv_NC8FmyugJwcXfiiN6q70/s320/Day+4+(8).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p align="center">At Pronino!</p>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-60336994098488850522010-10-09T20:44:00.000-07:002010-10-09T20:45:41.321-07:00The Story of DavidI have another post! ... That's on the other blog... You're just one click away!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://nuevaesperanza.chrioliving.com/">http://nuevaesperanza.chrioliving.com/</a></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-41652886132487724162010-09-29T15:08:00.000-07:002010-10-01T08:15:50.430-07:00Big changes and so quickly!!!<div>Sean left Honduras this morning. Yeah, I know, kind of sudden, huh? Wow, have the last two weeks been a whirlwind! The reason why we went back to the States recently was because Sean had an interview with the Mesa Fire Department. Two days after the interview he found out that he had made it on to the next round (Yay!!!) and that the next round starts on October 2nd (What?!?!) The next round is an internship for 4 consecutive Saturdays. We fairly quickly realized that he can't pass up this opportunity, so he has to leave, and I'm doing too much for the organization to leave without much notice (and I'm having a hard enough time thinking about leaving these kids in November much less NOW), so I have to stay. I can safely say that never in our wildest dreams did we think that we would be spending the last month and a half of this experience apart from each other. =(<div><br /></div><div>And for anyone who is worried about me being alone...</div><div>a) We just finished moving me to one of the apartments behind our office that is surrounded by a fence topped with barbed wire and we have a watchman with a gun.</div><div>b) I am going to be driving to San Pedro by myself sometimes, but I'm going to be staying with some friends for a few days a week so it will actually lessen the number of times that I'm driving by myself.</div><div>c) Our car windows are very tinted and I only drive on main roads during the day with all doors locked. =)</div><div><br /></div><div>Please be praying that Sean will continue to be moving on to the next round until he is a full-fledged fireman!</div><div><br /></div><div>We've been talking for quite a while about bringing Chamaco to Nueva Esperanza to meet all the kids. (Especially since I showed a bunch of the boys videos that we have of him and they got really excited about a dog.) We knew it was probably going to be pretty chaotic so we decided to bring him on Monday so Sean and I could be together and help each to keep him protected. It was a really wonderful day! The pictures might be overkill but I think they're so funny!</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-fiZBNNac1kBhdVemRoj1sAcr5FtQh_39c6_VD3ja-yFSFg5pnSXdmT8GGTIZzPVMm_zbx7pMZc1GRoxP3sihqeYthroTNycUaENKQ3bpVBc-w5O5chO4SJpnuM_8eQvfvzz89sggE/s1600/DSC02931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo-fiZBNNac1kBhdVemRoj1sAcr5FtQh_39c6_VD3ja-yFSFg5pnSXdmT8GGTIZzPVMm_zbx7pMZc1GRoxP3sihqeYthroTNycUaENKQ3bpVBc-w5O5chO4SJpnuM_8eQvfvzz89sggE/s200/DSC02931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523093330317341586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Richar romping around with Maco.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-itqISpqzXq6ooeu_jQqxvrSwZQLg7wu5l6sIFU3AoHOPAqRoyNnhRfTjVgi5Yoe4MBwXOgZsEN8NKwRPVOSvyqZ-rHm_snOY9qcHUlDIzrTpAkeJA0BSrbncHvGXjSwi90VI_JZ46I/s1600/DSC02938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-itqISpqzXq6ooeu_jQqxvrSwZQLg7wu5l6sIFU3AoHOPAqRoyNnhRfTjVgi5Yoe4MBwXOgZsEN8NKwRPVOSvyqZ-rHm_snOY9qcHUlDIzrTpAkeJA0BSrbncHvGXjSwi90VI_JZ46I/s200/DSC02938.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523093329285136402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">He's great with kids. He doesn't bite. I promise!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuRGoXtYWD-lr7pOxXFDT9wltXBr1dRzaRCoq9mq0vh6aTvBWqZAvAZ0Pp_213RXFLhDQW88fRL2ECsEHxO9pgdx-FE1QYVgLCzhuBd4w9UJcmLNcsseUxuOELu-uPhf1FgFy84R-OB0/s1600/DSC02940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuRGoXtYWD-lr7pOxXFDT9wltXBr1dRzaRCoq9mq0vh6aTvBWqZAvAZ0Pp_213RXFLhDQW88fRL2ECsEHxO9pgdx-FE1QYVgLCzhuBd4w9UJcmLNcsseUxuOELu-uPhf1FgFy84R-OB0/s200/DSC02940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523093320804317026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now we're at Nueva and the fun begins! They were pretty impressed that they could put their hands in his mouth and nothing happens.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsYjhHXkhbwrzCbAAXtKJXWPsCjns3ZUC_ahDJlKv_HcxhqnuJ5MZk3LFek6PCERkA5IwCxoFLwQFx_07tcmrkz32Y-PfYwoK7cKd7ME7BKNfKQ13L8SWBFhy6KPut4-H7ayueHipmbI/s1600/DSC02941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsYjhHXkhbwrzCbAAXtKJXWPsCjns3ZUC_ahDJlKv_HcxhqnuJ5MZk3LFek6PCERkA5IwCxoFLwQFx_07tcmrkz32Y-PfYwoK7cKd7ME7BKNfKQ13L8SWBFhy6KPut4-H7ayueHipmbI/s200/DSC02941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523093315549779154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Give up Chamaco. It's futile to try and escape!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErlJNXcq1iUjfMWTIvGMe9U_sHiuLunug4X06kZs7uniacrDFOCJPBKBSpZ-w6t11tDllbovQcqgYNxcRXQMqht-T6y-bpdtTkvFocyZ7EW69lgavzpoTdJSqL4gXm2gZxK6uw7wJxcI/s1600/DSC02942.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErlJNXcq1iUjfMWTIvGMe9U_sHiuLunug4X06kZs7uniacrDFOCJPBKBSpZ-w6t11tDllbovQcqgYNxcRXQMqht-T6y-bpdtTkvFocyZ7EW69lgavzpoTdJSqL4gXm2gZxK6uw7wJxcI/s200/DSC02942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523092232064515938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Please pay special attention to Noel, with his hand in Chamaco's mouth and the delighted look on his face and the kid in the background holding on to Chamaco's tail.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCpRJjxGAqMmkpwMXu99e3AKnm8LJFapbn-watRqoR3t0AXOZIBdAskKK2dBzXT9qkHSxjryYWZ5wQPB0XHG8V4uMifa3ozInAJjbhRTgaRM7-gFy14VFx4mWcAmDsKLHObJNENE7gjw/s1600/DSC02943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCpRJjxGAqMmkpwMXu99e3AKnm8LJFapbn-watRqoR3t0AXOZIBdAskKK2dBzXT9qkHSxjryYWZ5wQPB0XHG8V4uMifa3ozInAJjbhRTgaRM7-gFy14VFx4mWcAmDsKLHObJNENE7gjw/s200/DSC02943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523092224430500626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They really wanted him to look at the camera.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ry1ed1B5yLdIU_hTKLN6_-ki61ag2-VWlL9ghE-VRKCzLm1igvmZ7ExjkwHV-xiL-WUhwsnHpbvqz9C9fLhigzXo3vx1bJkQUfRt16SvKuEmMx6vKs1noBUxGXRXaOr0KdJXxr7sW2Q/s1600/DSC02944.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ry1ed1B5yLdIU_hTKLN6_-ki61ag2-VWlL9ghE-VRKCzLm1igvmZ7ExjkwHV-xiL-WUhwsnHpbvqz9C9fLhigzXo3vx1bJkQUfRt16SvKuEmMx6vKs1noBUxGXRXaOr0KdJXxr7sW2Q/s200/DSC02944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523092218912317554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Blurry, but funny nonetheless. I imagine Maco thinking something along the lines of "Is this ever going to stop??"</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncv7QgQd2pmw6TTdFIYydEBeOKiDFL4MOej394Zm06gH_N22-RwaE0fErqw8ygqsmMKAJO1dmXrukkxHXQI0DJ-ARsg6RTzpDtUd5JoIRDDDndMKz0_yB3-s5HRURyCTUCajKTBo59yA/s1600/DSC02945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncv7QgQd2pmw6TTdFIYydEBeOKiDFL4MOej394Zm06gH_N22-RwaE0fErqw8ygqsmMKAJO1dmXrukkxHXQI0DJ-ARsg6RTzpDtUd5JoIRDDDndMKz0_yB3-s5HRURyCTUCajKTBo59yA/s200/DSC02945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523092217414803538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Fp3pAJGkLCHwtsf4ih9GUjzkjhES_rMRTOujCHZcW-9hQDvd7UJisW_AciDX1PdkqPXgeGwSozwO_9Q3MBemA-pBFBbuIKEcZw-jdWyJDWrirKLqdp8-IV7MOYuhgTGAWyM7DlpueWE/s1600/DSC02961.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Fp3pAJGkLCHwtsf4ih9GUjzkjhES_rMRTOujCHZcW-9hQDvd7UJisW_AciDX1PdkqPXgeGwSozwO_9Q3MBemA-pBFBbuIKEcZw-jdWyJDWrirKLqdp8-IV7MOYuhgTGAWyM7DlpueWE/s200/DSC02961.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523091120437456274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK68dSp5AQ6EUmYWTIq-4dgv01N__hzQFyh_dV5w_cXQxUWfq9gDipBUQZeP5zTqBtZM8bmGt1I3XvOCV11zqFnExgbvetx983ZtYWjKkkmMQwbvG53qPdTcSKhxX1P5Jz5yWHE-p4WMo/s1600/DSC02970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK68dSp5AQ6EUmYWTIq-4dgv01N__hzQFyh_dV5w_cXQxUWfq9gDipBUQZeP5zTqBtZM8bmGt1I3XvOCV11zqFnExgbvetx983ZtYWjKkkmMQwbvG53qPdTcSKhxX1P5Jz5yWHE-p4WMo/s200/DSC02970.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523091114089535890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sean realized that if he walked Chamaco around then at least the kids didn't sit on him quite so much. I was talking to some other kids for a lot of this and ever few minutes a pack of kids would walk by lead by Sean and everyone shouting "Chamaco! Chamaco!"</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5Rf_KZfX1FrWvb_HzCIKPusv1ET0XdF6ABdyh8eyuqJZI3WVIObtqC3jVENUP5R2O_hry0sLzoOHGR9jnHu13wwEi6rIjcuqiS8Cd0jVFZCgEfDTDczswGVbCqHphbRSU6SLNaKK960/s1600/DSC02962.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5Rf_KZfX1FrWvb_HzCIKPusv1ET0XdF6ABdyh8eyuqJZI3WVIObtqC3jVENUP5R2O_hry0sLzoOHGR9jnHu13wwEi6rIjcuqiS8Cd0jVFZCgEfDTDczswGVbCqHphbRSU6SLNaKK960/s200/DSC02962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523091106762316690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This one's my favorite. Please note that the same kid (in the white and blue striped shirt is, once again, putting his hand in Chamaco's mouth.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">He was such a good sport!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9oSmAzL7-0WDfPjcV8mhF53IbGemo3EJ4SVkdeuVM1K8GuqIaHsO-XH3cylKkHDvvNa4BlA1MyWZE6Cj0gDJ3UnHMHrf_GXHgQwJdvwxmOTKg339JAAp8t_8gHYSJKg-6TUxGFfcigI/s1600/DSC02939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9oSmAzL7-0WDfPjcV8mhF53IbGemo3EJ4SVkdeuVM1K8GuqIaHsO-XH3cylKkHDvvNa4BlA1MyWZE6Cj0gDJ3UnHMHrf_GXHgQwJdvwxmOTKg339JAAp8t_8gHYSJKg-6TUxGFfcigI/s200/DSC02939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523089881308412114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And here's a picture of us with Richar right before Sean had to say goodbye. So sad. I'm taking him to a psychologist on Monday. We don't actually have an appointment, but we're hoping they can fit him in. I've been talking to his teachers and employees at Pronino a lot about him. They all agree that he has some serious anger problems and they don't know what to do with him. BUT they also ALL talk about what a good kid he is and that he's so smart with lots of potential. It's so encouraging to me that he's at least in a place where everyone can see the good in him regardless of his behavior problems. And his teacher said that he never ever has explosions in class. He just focuses on his work. So it seems to happen only during down time when they don't have much to do. Please keep praying for him! I'm off to Pronino right now. I have a Spiderman puzzle that keep a bunch of them entertained for a least a little while!</div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-37473290013217455402010-09-26T13:27:00.001-07:002010-09-26T13:30:45.811-07:00Heavy, heavy heartI've started another blog for my church in Phoenix (Mesa to be exact) - Chrio Communities, that is specifically about Nueva Esperanza, other centers in Honduras and hope. I'm still figuring out how to mesh the two blogs but right now it's just kind of confusing! In the meantime, I have a sad update on Richar on the other blog. Here is the address! <a href="http://nuevaesperanza.chrioliving.com/">http://nuevaesperanza.chrioliving.com/</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-8416048016501479182010-09-09T14:36:00.000-07:002010-09-09T15:20:26.800-07:00Just a quick updateThanks to a Facebook post from my cousin-in-law Tina I realized that I really need to update Maria Yesenia's status. We're still waiting. =( When I was at the center last Monday, Sean and I met with the Director and social worker to work out something that we could do for her. The Director called the parent and he said that he would come on Tuesday of this week by 8:30am. He lives in Gracias (I believe I said Copan in my last blog) and that's a 9 hour bus ride from San Pedro. But, if she saw the doctor on Tuesday then she most likely could see the cardiologist on Wednesday (the only day of the week he sees these patients.) So, we had everything arranged again. I was going to go get them in the morning, take them to the doctor and then German graciously volunteered to take them back so I didn't have to drive to San Pedro twice in one day. I asked the Director to call me when he arrived and then I would hit the road. We waited, and waited, and waited. He never came. Never called. He still hasn't come and it's Thursday. I understand that it's a long uncomfortable bus ride, but his daughter is so, so sick. I don't understand why he didn't even contact us to tell us what's going on. And what's even worse is that Sean and I are going to the States next week. So that means she'll be waiting for at least another week and a half before she can see the doctor. Honestly, I'm feeling really helpless in this situation. I'm usually pretty good about being able to offer someone assistance and if they don't take it, and it ends up hurting them, I understand that this was their choice. But this is so hard because Maria Yesenia isn't being given a choice. Her choices are being made for her and they are very bad ones. Ugh. Keep praying. Pray that another route would open up for her next week and that someone else will be able to fill in the gap with Sean and I gone.<div><br /></div><div>I really hope that I have better news about this next time!</div><div><br /></div><div>Quick Richar update as well... Sean and I finally got permission to volunteer and I got to see him last Wednesday. I was so so excited. I had met with the Director of Pronino in the morning and he gave me the ok to start volunteering... on Monday. But it was killing me to wait til Monday so I got permission from the Street Outreach worker to go that day. =) When I arrived no one could find him for a minute and my stomach flip flopped thinking he had run away. Nope, they found him on some steps reading a very outdated encyclopedia in English. Well, ok, not reading, looking at pictures. We then sat for the next hour or so with some of the other boys and I translated parts of the encyclopedias for them. You know, like snakes, astronauts, intestines - gross! Roger (the other kid I wrote about in the last blog) found the page about Phoenix and I said "That's where I live in the States!" He then very persistently begged me to point out my house to him. So cute. But unfortunately I just couldn't quite place it. =) </div><div>Then on Monday of this week I went for my first volunteer morning. Sean couldn't come because he's in the midst of two really big projects. =( The plan is for me to teach math, because the theory is that math is the same in every language. The thing that I forgot until Monday morning is that I really struggle with numbers in Spanish. So when I asked Salomon what 7x4 is and he said 28, I definitely told him he was wrong. Hmm, this might be a problem. But in general I'm pretty excited about it. There are only 8 kids in class in the morning and I'll be working with them in groups of 1-4 so I think I can handle that! And again, it was good to spend the morning with Richar. Towards the end of the morning when the kids were getting bored and restless some of them started taunting Richar and he made some moves as though to start a fight, but he quickly calmed down. I told him I was proud of him and he asked me some things about elephants. I think thats his way of saying thank you? Maybe. </div><div><br /></div><div> We're going to Pronino on Saturday to see them one more time before we go to the States for a week, which brings me to my next point of discussion. Both Sean and I will have an extra empty suitcase that we're planning on filling with clothes and toiletries for the boys at Pronino. I'll be in Phila (Ohio) and Sean will be in AZ so if anyone from Arizona or Ohio wants to donate some gently used boys clothes, shoes or toiletries (think pubescent boys without deodorant. They need them some deodorant...) let us know! </div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-83929797357483429192010-08-27T11:46:00.000-07:002010-08-27T12:36:41.731-07:00He was right outside the gate.Everything was ready. Today was going to be such a good day. We were going to get a baby the medical attention she desperately needs. German was right outside the gate, talking to the guard. Then we found out that a little piece of paper stating that the government has legal custody doesn't exist. And we had to cancel the appointment. <div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO0BkOaDUvRd1GGWKMdLwxcm7e9VVbCNBcfkKngPOlmMI3FwN9EVL98rDzGu1WRsJVuz81T1y66Uc7R6htXeN8NQOblE_apTrImsy4BR72cif3AgKLVdr4EfRTMUlpZ2l_0rFUEN0qMw/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO0BkOaDUvRd1GGWKMdLwxcm7e9VVbCNBcfkKngPOlmMI3FwN9EVL98rDzGu1WRsJVuz81T1y66Uc7R6htXeN8NQOblE_apTrImsy4BR72cif3AgKLVdr4EfRTMUlpZ2l_0rFUEN0qMw/s200/IMG_2632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510165404626832050" /></a>This is Maria. She is the youngest of a family of 6 six kids currently living in Nueva Esperanza. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ptavZAlYccRzskZLV0Y97HN7ztEerfbzQNdDrbqhJSngHWVstra_Sby0W28RC1kcF7s8jdW8zz1GrJBgrfSNut5yAB7ESCHW3eU0eCA5zioEt1FJu2MVg8ULxa-AopdAe5DhjZe7TzA/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ptavZAlYccRzskZLV0Y97HN7ztEerfbzQNdDrbqhJSngHWVstra_Sby0W28RC1kcF7s8jdW8zz1GrJBgrfSNut5yAB7ESCHW3eU0eCA5zioEt1FJu2MVg8ULxa-AopdAe5DhjZe7TzA/s200/IMG_2630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510165392984454002" /></a>When my friends Megan and Debbie were here in July, Megan spent a lot of time with her and quickly noticed that something just wasn't right. Mainly, she was incredibly listless. Had no interest in doing anything. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3szs6Tdz50JKWklTBWPep88j72eyx84HG1tnHWTFY9-eBI0MX4A8pqwIqZdC6f7Ul_JwesPpEsajYwDv2XIibkvaoq_cN7T_oKul-wo6gp2-qMetA9twmC4d5Ad06HFm2_Aoj3nZD7c/s1600/IMG_2520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3szs6Tdz50JKWklTBWPep88j72eyx84HG1tnHWTFY9-eBI0MX4A8pqwIqZdC6f7Ul_JwesPpEsajYwDv2XIibkvaoq_cN7T_oKul-wo6gp2-qMetA9twmC4d5Ad06HFm2_Aoj3nZD7c/s200/IMG_2520.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510165382262098802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Megan and Maria</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the second week that Megan was here we were seriously concerned. She had lost a significant amount of weight and could barely hold her head up. When I came back the next week I was happy to hear that she was in the hospital. Perfect! She'll get the help she needs. Two weeks later she was back and looked no better. She was actually worse. So last Friday I decided I really need to do something about this. I went to a malnutrition center in a town near my house to plead her case. They said that as long as she didn't have any other serious illnesses (that they aren't equipped to treat) then she could come. I just needed to get her medical records sent over there. In my mind this was all going to be taken care of by Monday. To make a long story short, I found out that she has bronchitis and may have a heart problem, but she has been waiting for about 2 months to get in to see a specialist. And in the mean time she is getting skinnier and skinnier. The nutrition center said that they wouldn't take her til she's seen a specialist. (Which is frustrating because they have babies dropped off on their doorstep sometimes and they still start to treat them before they have a diagnosis from a specialist. Why is this case different!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She referred us to a place called Fundacion Bernabe down the road that has a cardiologist. We went and were warmly received by the Doctor. She said that we had to bring the girl to Bernabe today or Monday to have an initial appointment, then they could refer her to a specialist and be seen on Wednesday. Sean and I have a very full day on Monday so it needed to be today. We were ready to drive to San Pedro (about an hour and a half one way), get the child and an IHNFA worker (chaperone), drive them back to Bernabe, be seen by the doctor, and return them both to San Pedro. It was going to be a whirlwind day, but this child NEEDS some medical attention. Then I realized that one of our co-workers, German was in San Pedro. Perfect! We made arrangements for him to pick up Maria and the worker and bring them here and Sean and I would take it from there. Except there was a glitch. Bernabe needs a copy of the paper that says that IHNFA has custody of Maria. But Maria and her siblings aren't in Nueva Esperanza because they've been orphaned, abandoned or abused. They are here because they have a very loving father who unfortunately cannot provide for them financially. So it's essentially like the government is babysitting them for a while. So they don't have legal custody, and the father lives in a town 3 hours away from San Pedro and even though he'd be happy to give consent, we couldn't get to him in time for him to sign anything. We begged and pleaded with Bernabe to just see her today and we promise we'll get the consent form by the time she sees the specialist on Wednesday. Nope. No consent, no appointment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So we had to tell German to come back. He was literally on the other side of the gate. He was 100 feet from Maria. He had a vehicle to transport her. But he had to turn around. Because of one piece of paper. </div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-62579078764891802922010-08-24T08:53:00.000-07:002010-08-24T11:55:12.625-07:00RICHAR HAS BEEN MOVED TO A HAPPY(er) AND SAFE(er) HOME!It is with great, great excitement that I write this post. Let me give you a little background info leading up to yesterday. After meeting Richar in May I started researching private homes around Honduras. I heard about one called Pronino that is for street kids and supposedly is pretty good. I planned on contacting them about Richar, but then one day Richar was 'singing' a bunch of Michael Jackson songs to me. (Keep in mind that he doesn't speak English, but was singing to me in 'English' which was more like babbling to the tune of "Billie Jean is not my lover". Priceless.) I asked him where he learned these songs (since there is NO music at NE). He said he learned them when he lived in Pronino. (Excuse me???) I asked if he liked it there and he shrugged his shoulders. So I forgot about it.<br /> Then about a month and a half ago a coworker, Sue, emailed me a link to the website. I spent a few hours reading everything I could about it and got angrier and angrier that he was sent away from there. These kids go to school, have a computer lab and are part of an organization that has a goal to "rehabilitate, educate and reintegrate" these kids and provide education so they can have a future. It's not a family, but it's a definite improvement. So, I emailed them and politely asked why they sent him to Nueva. A month later I received a response saying that he wasn't sent away, but ran away in January. They've been looking for him and would love to have him back if Richard wants to return. Two reactions - If it's a great place, why did he run away? BUT I liked that Kevin (street outreach worker from Pronino) was giving Richar the option to come back. Kevin was also very frank with me - this is a place that works with kids taken off the streets. Although it is a nice place, some of the kids can be pretty rough, they're survivors, and fights aren't uncommon. If you read this blog in May, then you know how Richard responds to getting in a fight so there's a good chance he got in a fight, then bolted in his anger. So, Monday I was excited. Tuesday, I was confused about why he would run and if this truly is a good place for him. Wednesday and Thursday I spent worrying about him running away again. Nueva is not a nice place, but at least I know where he is. The streets? Not an ok option. Friday, I decided that Pronino will give him options in life, IF he can stick with it. And he has to be given that opportunity.<br /> On Thursday I went to Nueva to talk to Richar about if he wants to go back. All the boys were watching a movie (a rare treat) so I was having a hard time getting him to focus on our trivial conversation about where he would live while Toy Story was on. =) But in general, he said that yes, he wants to go back and no he won't run away again. (I hope, I hope, I hope!) So, my plan was to visit Pronino Monday morning, then go back to Nueva to talk to him again (without a TV distracting him) to make sure he still had the same answer. <br /> Ok, now I digress for a minute to tell you about another boy. (This is related to Pronino, I promise.) His name is Roger and I called him mi payaso (my clown). One day in early July I went to Nueva and he wasn't there. I asked where he was and the employees told me he ran away. I asked where to and they said to the street. Gulp. So for the next month, every time we were in San Pedro I was constantly scanning the corners where street kids beg or wash your windows for a little money trying to find him. I was so worried about him. How can a silly kid survive on the street? Last week after I received the email from Pronino about Richar I spent some time looking at their website again. Kevin has a blog and I went to it to look for pictures of any kids that I recognized. This is the story I found: <a href="http://www.pronino.org/page14201948.aspx">www.pronino.org/page14201948.aspx</a>. It's a story about 3 brothers in Pronino. One ran away in June of last year and they couldn't find him. They tried one last time at the end of July and found him. Then I saw the picture - the found kid was Roger!! I was so happy he was in a safe place. And this made me even more excited to go to Pronino on Monday. <br /> My understanding of how Pronino works is that when the boys are taken off the streets they spend 3 months to a year in the 'intake' center called Nueva Vida - new life. Many of the boys are addicts so there is a detox process. These kids don't leave the property for school or field trips. When they have proven that they can handle more freedom, the younger boys move to a house called Los Vencedores - the overcomers and the older boys go to Amor y Paz - love and peace. I know there is another center up in the mountains where they learn a trade like welding, electricity, carpentry, etc but I'm not sure what age is in La Montana. So, we arrived at Pronino yesterday morning to find a big field with a handful of buildings. There is a fence, but it's not threatening like the 20 foot concrete walls with barbed wire on top like they have at Nueva. Some of the boys saw us coming and opened the gate for us. Little things started popping out to me. The kids had long hair. (They shave heads at Nueva.) I asked Kevin if everyone shared clothes or if each kid has their own. Each child has their own. We found Roger in Los Vencedores. It was everything I could do to not just immediately grab him up in a huge hug. He recognized that he knew me, but didn't remember my name and or why he knew me, so I thought it would probably be weird for some gringa to squeeze all the air out of him with my hug! I successfully resisted. We continued the tour and Roger tagged along. As we were walking I kept tussling his long hair since I had decided that this wasn't the time or place for bear hugs and had another wonderful realization. His hair was clean! Again, this is not the norm at Nueva. <br /><br />We got to the classroom in Nueva Vida (intake center) and Kevin cries out "He's here!" I had no idea who he was talking about until the classroom door opened and there was Richar's smiling face! He gave all of us hugs then immediately went back to his seat and kept working on his school work. Kevin talked to him for a minute and Richar said "I'm never ever leaving this place again!" (Oh, I pray that that is true.) We continued on our way so that they could back to class. After a while I asked the question I was the most nervous to hear the answer to: Can we come visit Pronino? Kevin said "Sure!" (Huge sigh of relief) Hmm, but I think it's only on Sundays. . . and only once a month. (Punch in the gut) I quickly tried to explain that we wouldn't be coming just to see Richar. That we would want to be volunteers that would be working with all the boys - seeing Richar would just be bonus. He said, "well, if you can commit to 3 months..." I explained that we do actually have other jobs! He told us to write up a proposal of what we want to do and he'd present it to the director. Pray, pray pray that this works out! <br /><br />We stayed til Richar was done with class and then talked to him for a few minutes. He was just so happy to be there. And seriously, after 3 days of brushing his teeth (no toothbrushes in Nueva) they are literally whiter. I made him show me his teeth again and exclaimed about how white they are and he dug in his pocket and proudly produced a new toothbrush! AND when he left us to go to lunch he ran to the outside sink and washed his hands first. I know that I'm making a very big deal about some small things but I just love that he's being treated like a human with a future as opposed to an animal in a holding tank. And Pronino has a sponsorship program so we are going to try to find a way to sponsor him at least in part while we're here and then in full when we get home. I know there are going to be many hard days ahead for him, but today I'm just feeling so much joy and hope!<br /><br />(I really wanted to take a picture of him yesterday. Especially since he was wearing oversized swimming trunks with the Incredible Hulk on them. They may not have fit, but I'm pretty sure he specfically picked those shorts - the kid's obsessed with superheroes! But I would've had to interrupt lunch and since he's new I don't want to draw any more attention to him than is necessary. So next time I'll have a picture of him - probably still in the Incredible Hulk shorts. And a picture of Roger with so much hair!)<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who has been praying with me for this wonderful child. But don't stop! Don't stop praying for him or the other kids at Nueva. There is still much to do!Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-81621383795034798392010-08-06T12:52:00.000-07:002010-08-16T13:46:02.568-07:00Long time no blog...<div><br /></div><div><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">I can’t believe that it has actually been months since the last time we’ve posted. Those months literally feel like days. Well, maybe more like weeks. Hmm, and months are a combination of weeks so ok, it’s been months! And boy oh boy have we had some full ones! After my last post I wanted to keep everyone constantly updated on the orphanage, but frankly, I think I got into a bit of a rut. I wanted my next post to be in all caps, RICHAR HAS BEEN MOVED TO A HAPPY AND SAFE HOME AND WE HAVE SINGLEHANDEDLY ENDED ALL SUFFERING IN NUEVA ESPERANZA! When that wasn’t how things were unfolding, I didn’t know what to do. And more than anything I just wanted to BE there. I wanted to be hearing the kids’ stories and breaking up fights and teaching them stepping routines and being a consistent person in their lives. But I have many, many other responsibilities. A month or so ago, Sean had a sit down with me in which he said that he knows how much I want to be there but if I really want to make a difference in the lives of these kids I need to form a plan. Ugh, totally right. So, I’ve spent a lot of time since then thinking about how I really need to start coming up with a plan. And thinking about it. And thinking some more. I guess I should actually call it daydreaming because my thoughts were completely without direction!</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">The jump start that I needed has finally come – I recently gave a tour to a small Heart to Honduras group and one of the guys, Keith, was greatly moved by his experience there. And thankfully, Keith seems to be more of doer than a thinker! The goal is to have groups of Honduran volunteers visiting the orphanage one day every week to teach VBS, play with and get to know the kids. This will hopefully start in September. I visited yesterday with a Pastor from Choloma, Honduras and he and his wife were shocked by the scarcity of resources and the fact that the kids are kept in their rooms for hours during the day instead of being outside playing. Their response was “When can we start?” It’s so encouraging to see a need and immediately know that they want to be part of meeting it. Please pray for us as we talk to other Pastors about getting their church involved in the center. I want to continue bringing groups of North Americans whenever I can but the reality is that these kids need to have some people consistently coming back and forming relationships with them. And that can only happen with Hondurans!</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Some photos of recent happenings:</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">The 2nd week of July brought 2 amazing blessings. Debby Skidmore and Megan Elliot, girls I graduated with from Malone came here for 2 weeks to work with the kids. I've talked to Debby once since graduation - Megan not at all. Megan and I became Facebook friends in June. She read this blog and sent me a message saying "This may be crazy, but I want to come." A month later I was picking her and Debby up from the airport! Totally amazing. We had such a great time reconnecting and serving together. It's amazing how you can lose touch with people for 5 years, then pick right up where you left off. Such a blessing. Debby and Megan - Thank you so much for coming!!!!</p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX6Y96W8YDjHhp6glFbWWURoP1tocgeNFsgI4IjGwBtH1-UCgyOl8wyjW9NQyOFbRpIZ18sQxMuZx5Mh4Vy4ae4c5YGl9L4WdiVl3NdJ-uZEKlWSaq8MwDWVc-16OIX5fbCb0APpU4ps/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502403920993381490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX6Y96W8YDjHhp6glFbWWURoP1tocgeNFsgI4IjGwBtH1-UCgyOl8wyjW9NQyOFbRpIZ18sQxMuZx5Mh4Vy4ae4c5YGl9L4WdiVl3NdJ-uZEKlWSaq8MwDWVc-16OIX5fbCb0APpU4ps/s200/IMG_2658.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Megan with Richar, Jaison and Domingo. At the beginning of their time here I said that they might be surprised by which group of kids grabs their heart the most. When I first came I wanted to work with babies, only. Then these darn boys totally stole my heart and now everything I want to do for Nueva Esperanza is because I know if I help all the kids, these guys will also be helped. Megan made it pretty clear that she was interested in holding babies and she didn't think the same would happen to her. By the end of her time here, here main focus was also the boys. =) You never know what to expect!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOtRv5VHwgWUA5LambEv-BFNNEbVzRqTnxNDLHsf-WbYwqBs9DzUHGs5OJ6pazKXvtuKnVQ6QPCMhsE5hce-XPytCaTzlQ_JMa2xJ7feOXC128GFEGSdODI5xsUizPXYLSdZN4_T3NgE/s1600/IMG_2636.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502403912866048274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOtRv5VHwgWUA5LambEv-BFNNEbVzRqTnxNDLHsf-WbYwqBs9DzUHGs5OJ6pazKXvtuKnVQ6QPCMhsE5hce-XPytCaTzlQ_JMa2xJ7feOXC128GFEGSdODI5xsUizPXYLSdZN4_T3NgE/s200/IMG_2636.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Debby with one of her favorites - Elly. Debby was also amazing to me. There are many, many kids in this center with special needs. (Which are going completely unmet.) There are about 10 kids in the nursery ranging in age from 1 to 15 that are severely handicapped and are unable to do anything on their own. Debby had a really hard time with these kids. Their situation just really affected her deeply. And yet, as soon as she got back to the states she emailed asking for more information about two of the kids because they were so on her heart. I just love that instead of being relieved that she was away, she embraced the fact that this made an impact on her life and she wanted to know their stories. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqpgN2AWbL8VAR2bXoHqSUe9pD4XBybqQ0J3fYLT_QC01_pg7yNgraASZqSJ99t4R_TNj61D-Jusk5DUhlPSVM0S8ZyWaRNnrKPUYvnZNqoNZIIDSOFxFczz7VlxiqPBoSRRhLcNsOI0/s1600/DSC02457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502403903916752130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqpgN2AWbL8VAR2bXoHqSUe9pD4XBybqQ0J3fYLT_QC01_pg7yNgraASZqSJ99t4R_TNj61D-Jusk5DUhlPSVM0S8ZyWaRNnrKPUYvnZNqoNZIIDSOFxFczz7VlxiqPBoSRRhLcNsOI0/s200/DSC02457.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The three of us at Pulhapanzak falls. </div><br /><br />Day of the Indian:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt2jTxEApDag39F5Q54dSzOdlbEraGd9OslBY0ewQ5E-mC4f4oI6nZSGYG13pkpmZdE4htqESYZWgI6vsXhoVhPQ0f0H8BVJ26s3DPTpeSklD8nOMVcwPlfCQFtxQ3jAefWnYrZ_L6qY/s1600/IMG_3114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502396522726555394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt2jTxEApDag39F5Q54dSzOdlbEraGd9OslBY0ewQ5E-mC4f4oI6nZSGYG13pkpmZdE4htqESYZWgI6vsXhoVhPQ0f0H8BVJ26s3DPTpeSklD8nOMVcwPlfCQFtxQ3jAefWnYrZ_L6qY/s200/IMG_3114.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">July 23rd was the Day of the Indian here in Honduras. It is a celebration of a man named Lempira (now this is the name of Honduran currency). He fought against Spain (I believe!) for Honduras' independence. Or something like that. I'm awful at history. Especially when I'm getting the history lesson in Spanish. But the point is, all the kids at Nueva were little indians on this day. They had a performance, and all the kids dressed up. It was amazing. Isn't she such a beautiful little indian princess? Thanks to Orphan Helpers for making this day happen!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe6YUWK7wUhsAdE8hFjFze5hiUqFkvOy-eYFZDCU5QtreFMFmJdRVcVC3vDMMl5ZfhO5P_9nUe1jlK2HXSFtIR9II95LrsJcAtcoL6q44MRq7lCzk_5HkFZI_zfKJPmIWuftfG_MIjKA/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502396520125655122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe6YUWK7wUhsAdE8hFjFze5hiUqFkvOy-eYFZDCU5QtreFMFmJdRVcVC3vDMMl5ZfhO5P_9nUe1jlK2HXSFtIR9II95LrsJcAtcoL6q44MRq7lCzk_5HkFZI_zfKJPmIWuftfG_MIjKA/s200/IMG_3048.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">All the kids that weren't in the performance still had special hats and their faces and chests painted. They were so cute!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6AOnOp1tZ0CnseHUj_h5q5FmjWfmPRNGdArbxvccfU80MSNE3pi-hGwrv4wKG78GeKLt9hhSfazjg6Mu-LI5QwwaX80TU9LsmX6RdNgeTqYopumAE4uU6QmF49OkTMD9fq4CgMj99iY/s1600/DSC02489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502396513933769490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6AOnOp1tZ0CnseHUj_h5q5FmjWfmPRNGdArbxvccfU80MSNE3pi-hGwrv4wKG78GeKLt9hhSfazjg6Mu-LI5QwwaX80TU9LsmX6RdNgeTqYopumAE4uU6QmF49OkTMD9fq4CgMj99iY/s200/DSC02489.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">10 kids performed a cultural dance. It was all very awkward since they are at an age where they are awkward with boys and awkward with their bodies. Which of course, just made the whole thing endearing. =)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuBOGwKNtV8UJ4ByWBrH2r-qv20XCV-GVyxGyHD0Oq_byqE-u1J27Z2tNCZBTA1XAcnNxn3plWNhLl9gV3svc0ogNfGpjiHWRBBvr4VUvHHSCALdlbeQBlqupC4Jc7pPCnX7XB1OwPPY/s1600/DSC02486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502396501752408690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuBOGwKNtV8UJ4ByWBrH2r-qv20XCV-GVyxGyHD0Oq_byqE-u1J27Z2tNCZBTA1XAcnNxn3plWNhLl9gV3svc0ogNfGpjiHWRBBvr4VUvHHSCALdlbeQBlqupC4Jc7pPCnX7XB1OwPPY/s200/DSC02486.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the boys that were part of the dance performance. Keep in mind that most of the boys were at least the a foot shorter than the girls. Oh, to be 12 again! Towering over all the boys!!</div><br /><br />And now for Richar<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cPLZtZHJIxTcC3rlcRP8kD3x5clrArDga8i-4PjS3q9rNWWMwaV2wEqDacU1td4j9_Ji0Q-zxR-LqACEDfxHVGkG5LKWyniUOtpmumtSmJQ9-j8j0S1OwrMM_deAK5ejJ6BZKL_JVgc/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502389814048256562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cPLZtZHJIxTcC3rlcRP8kD3x5clrArDga8i-4PjS3q9rNWWMwaV2wEqDacU1td4j9_Ji0Q-zxR-LqACEDfxHVGkG5LKWyniUOtpmumtSmJQ9-j8j0S1OwrMM_deAK5ejJ6BZKL_JVgc/s200/IMG_3058.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here he is at the Day of the Indian celebration. I wish I could say that so much has happened since our last blog. But, alas, he's still here. After doing lots of research and contacting privately run centers I hit dead end after dead end. The Director told me that if I find him a family in Honduras to live with she'll try to work it out that he can go there. A foster parent sort of situation. So I talked to a Pastor of a large church here in Honduras thinking that surely a family could take him in. The Pastor's response? Taking a boy of that age (his file says he's 10, he says he's 14) is dangerous. Haven't heard anything since. So for now, I'm trying to go as often as possible and am always looking for opportunities to have one on one conversations with him. He has started asking me to take him to live with us in Lake Yojoa. Which breaks my heart a little bit. Especially because I've actually entertained the thought quite seriously. God has a plan for this child. I really want to be part of making it happen! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVCo-yJcNn59-23QRbZagqq5IttQdCZwL9z6e_OvtjvZaoLaZo4y__L_4VJk40EvARLwW3YrfpCj73p1H9cve-84GIZlnPn_dIw2_PVMRzT2etILH2qBX2D8b7hhVNuSdU3QArmTXKAE/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502389805830397330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVCo-yJcNn59-23QRbZagqq5IttQdCZwL9z6e_OvtjvZaoLaZo4y__L_4VJk40EvARLwW3YrfpCj73p1H9cve-84GIZlnPn_dIw2_PVMRzT2etILH2qBX2D8b7hhVNuSdU3QArmTXKAE/s200/IMG_2596.JPG" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">I really love this picture because it captures him being a silly child. I want him to have a life filled with this! Not fear. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU1VEaolZ9DuCVQ446D249hwPXZ8ov5yA3qymjiVSI2w3FM4Wo7A1sTCqhMXyjjE__g4sLLrcVaSP8WuX2UhJPa7oJ3OEqe_kC9EnTN5yPfoCHg0UWkFPjtNDM-ZIwGyx5M5E2q67AlQ/s1600/DSC02450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502389801672295266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU1VEaolZ9DuCVQ446D249hwPXZ8ov5yA3qymjiVSI2w3FM4Wo7A1sTCqhMXyjjE__g4sLLrcVaSP8WuX2UhJPa7oJ3OEqe_kC9EnTN5yPfoCHg0UWkFPjtNDM-ZIwGyx5M5E2q67AlQ/s200/DSC02450.JPG" border="0" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">His past is still a complete mystery to me. I know that some of the details from the last blog are wrong. He wasn't separated from his family when trying to get to the US. He was taken from the home when he was 4 because his parents hit him with a belt. When he was 7 he escaped from a center and tried to get to the US via train. But unsuccessfully. He was 'adopted' by a family in Honduras for 3 years, but he can't remember the name of his adopted father, which seems strange. And then recently he told me that when he was a baby he lived in Nueva Esperanza. So nothing really makes sense. And the Director let me see his file. It consisted of the fact that he was male and that they found him wandering the streets when he should have been with his adoptive family. They weren't even sure of his age. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The good news is that the other kids aren't picking on him nearly as much! I've only seen him get angry one time and that was when someone took his spot at the window. And he simmered down pretty quickly. The boys that were such bullies to him before now just sort of ignore him. It's probably been 2 months since he has had a significant bruise or wound, which sadly, is saying something. AND I've never once seen him take advantage of a weaker child. Which for some reason makes me swell with pride. =) It also gives me hope for him. Somehow he's managing to not play the game. At least when I'm around. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pray that the next time I blog (3 months from now? Ha! Just kidding!) I will have better news about Richar and about all these kids in general!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197699046499680753.post-1526190904672707382010-05-10T11:27:00.000-07:002010-05-12T08:01:49.695-07:00A week at the orphanagesIn our last post we begged my mother-in-law to come to Honduras and spend a week in San Pedro holding babies in an orphanage. Well, after an incredible and potentially life changing week, Edna and her sister-in-law Deanna left Honduras on Saturday!! Thanks again to you both for coming down here and loving these amazing children.<br /><br />Before last week, Sean and I had been to the Nueva Esperanza orphanage twice, but only for fairly quick tours. It´s amazing how you start to see the heart of the matter when you spend consecutive days there. The first day and a half we spent nearly all of our time with the babies. There are roughly 25 babies and severly handicapped children in this room. The bottom line is that the workers are taking care of the basic needs of these children and have no time for loving, bonding or cognitive development. We tried to give the kids some much needed one on one attention and cuddle time, along with singing to them and playing games. Potentially my favorite moment was when I was holding a child (probably about 1 year old or a little younger) and I just stared into his eyes and he stared back. He would switch between staring at me and searching my entire face, just taking it all in. Here are some of our favorite pictures.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEBvBOsbP0MSeL-swo98KU4YlNsuCT7Ga4pY2VkrFkTHcwmScng74Q77AjKRlC_2sbOKSIGLxZKZ5j1A2R4bgu1MnujVZFAi4RoOUgNqXzco7gq9VfzHrK7uUyUUWiObmzrj96eKQxCk/s1600/DSC02162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470396591645272866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEBvBOsbP0MSeL-swo98KU4YlNsuCT7Ga4pY2VkrFkTHcwmScng74Q77AjKRlC_2sbOKSIGLxZKZ5j1A2R4bgu1MnujVZFAi4RoOUgNqXzco7gq9VfzHrK7uUyUUWiObmzrj96eKQxCk/s200/DSC02162.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sean and Denise. She looks just like a kewpie doll!</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG_a3QYmTE4OVWex3dmPSAlZjprP_jLbVj3y9ZxfZfVBahgsXiVJmT-l0sMbelQSFcIS8S0Jli4Aark_WT2yqbNPZ2Ao2ReESrEux84yBS6b63Vy-tGZWBRtpwrUD7Q_xru6lDfwcxVs/s1600/DSC02127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470396581514519618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG_a3QYmTE4OVWex3dmPSAlZjprP_jLbVj3y9ZxfZfVBahgsXiVJmT-l0sMbelQSFcIS8S0Jli4Aark_WT2yqbNPZ2Ao2ReESrEux84yBS6b63Vy-tGZWBRtpwrUD7Q_xru6lDfwcxVs/s200/DSC02127.JPG" border="0" /></a>I absolutely love this picture. Deanna bought a bunch of baby toys (there were a few stuffed animals, but no toys at the center). This little girl just looked and looked and looked at the new toy. So precious.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhBsRhu5EDw32WLBDLaJ8de1Yv-SlEKLEbVfZYXkfvudem8Vqm8eFZllls012DjubcExSqdreFaFl1JxxZWA0QqL5QXBekJ986revVRnYsKvvjintLl5v7xJbk7vw53M681gbpfCu4wk/s1600/DSC02121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470396572175940482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhBsRhu5EDw32WLBDLaJ8de1Yv-SlEKLEbVfZYXkfvudem8Vqm8eFZllls012DjubcExSqdreFaFl1JxxZWA0QqL5QXBekJ986revVRnYsKvvjintLl5v7xJbk7vw53M681gbpfCu4wk/s200/DSC02121.JPG" border="0" /></a>This was Sean's cling on all week. She is an adorable little girl, but only smiled a handful of times while we were there. Sean got her to warm up a little, but only after a LOT of loving.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGavELFrHqMO7UnJauAH1Wq4WTolliiL5W7b0hGDFHnM7kkgl33iE5AXbDKIUswQJu2PQnQUobPZSouIoV5lujII83RTEV9VcRbGFR8ZOqJn2LrLxoA5zTGILnFdPtMPjrg-9zlZvav5M/s1600/DSC02138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470053276396529458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGavELFrHqMO7UnJauAH1Wq4WTolliiL5W7b0hGDFHnM7kkgl33iE5AXbDKIUswQJu2PQnQUobPZSouIoV5lujII83RTEV9VcRbGFR8ZOqJn2LrLxoA5zTGILnFdPtMPjrg-9zlZvav5M/s200/DSC02138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEQY04qyDnS6HPgg5xJQcJI5AE0-LfCiJdbr2I-Y8-6s2El_eslG1dlwSY_RiUUrTZ89eq3iMqtaSvr1YaKM2SooXEvXI-GGSxP_wRoXalEve8iy2pNfsFEi4OTv-rBuoF2SliOoPPZM/s1600/DSC02102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470051337010334594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEQY04qyDnS6HPgg5xJQcJI5AE0-LfCiJdbr2I-Y8-6s2El_eslG1dlwSY_RiUUrTZ89eq3iMqtaSvr1YaKM2SooXEvXI-GGSxP_wRoXalEve8iy2pNfsFEi4OTv-rBuoF2SliOoPPZM/s200/DSC02102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The best part about this picture is the kid in the back. What exactly was going through his mind when we took this picture!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLDIfTyquYPPUXN2AJMNUsodgKHu87KyczapNym1yOg21JM1B063-8DjHp-60Hp_Z2lxpr-PwuhVC-oL_jG0kPQZ0pO6HQW2xTocwIPpjc-spqXd3ADhUiowBoyBn65Z4Mnz4zvIn018/s1600/DSC02094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470050358465192162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLDIfTyquYPPUXN2AJMNUsodgKHu87KyczapNym1yOg21JM1B063-8DjHp-60Hp_Z2lxpr-PwuhVC-oL_jG0kPQZ0pO6HQW2xTocwIPpjc-spqXd3ADhUiowBoyBn65Z4Mnz4zvIn018/s200/DSC02094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is Cynthia Gabriella - a.k.a. Princess. If Deanna could adopt, this child would be heading to the States!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdzxqxWOehltyWKYRix7js_IQbVLHrxWA0MWIapK0jf1SL-odQBtelNj-4mE6dmvYZYbDPyK-M7FTxbKLquEOpsBKTC04jDtarypNdGgUeXAhj43G4COU44VVuA6DlxXiDszU_M1RAPk/s1600/DSC02085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470034166538141746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdzxqxWOehltyWKYRix7js_IQbVLHrxWA0MWIapK0jf1SL-odQBtelNj-4mE6dmvYZYbDPyK-M7FTxbKLquEOpsBKTC04jDtarypNdGgUeXAhj43G4COU44VVuA6DlxXiDszU_M1RAPk/s200/DSC02085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Edna and Deanna holding some of the youngest.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamucaznQPaqRI9N5omjKaUjFR4oS3cEUNhyphenhyphenbnpmwRrGOsWLKCJkAVUcm0X-epbGLxdbOnUrdRx_YL_FWi1wk8JC1mZ89K0OwETfxdIW-okNfHp-baKBXsRMG0OM8nliy0JYYfVwhffuo/s1600/DSC02090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470034155578815938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamucaznQPaqRI9N5omjKaUjFR4oS3cEUNhyphenhyphenbnpmwRrGOsWLKCJkAVUcm0X-epbGLxdbOnUrdRx_YL_FWi1wk8JC1mZ89K0OwETfxdIW-okNfHp-baKBXsRMG0OM8nliy0JYYfVwhffuo/s200/DSC02090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This was our all time favorite picture of the week. Edna just gave this little girl's hair a trim. It looks like she's not too sure about her new look. Then we have Cynthia Gabriella in the back with her gigantic eyes thinking Oh, no!!! Am I next???<br /><br /><br />This is where our time at the orphanage got really hard. I debated on how detailed I should get with this story, but Sean said that I should tell it all, so here goes. This might be hard to read, but I do believe this child deserves for his story to be known. It´s very detailed, but I don´t want to forget a moment of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTEUz4Pd5O1Pjk1SZpMJ9KzonazhEsHeFcZ8smHKhX9KAZszDqki0yBlfVGvbfnTOiBPTt0hwkNwNcGfSZOLx1mlhehWOCzboG7Ey3aMvA3mSjBp6lUvjhD9XGIdujqFXXEDECVFw6Zo/s1600/DSC02153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470034148907688162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTEUz4Pd5O1Pjk1SZpMJ9KzonazhEsHeFcZ8smHKhX9KAZszDqki0yBlfVGvbfnTOiBPTt0hwkNwNcGfSZOLx1mlhehWOCzboG7Ey3aMvA3mSjBp6lUvjhD9XGIdujqFXXEDECVFw6Zo/s200/DSC02153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is Richard. </div><div align="left"><br />His sweet smile and the hell that he lives in has really rocked my world. Whenever I let my mind wander, I always come back to him and to what we experienced last week. Tuesday afternoon was the first day that we did much with the older kids at this orphanage. After lunch we bought some watermelon and wanted to give all the kids a piece. As Edna and Deanna were cutting the melons, Sean and I were in the cafeteria with the boys (ages 5-12). It was incredible chaos. I noticed 2 boys fighting and went to break it up. One of the boys was Richard. He was crying and the boy he was fighting with was laughing. I seperated them and tried to get Richard to talk to me, but he was crying too hard. Other boys kept coming up and were pushing him or taunting him as I tried to talk. So I just became his protector during the watermelon ordeal and made sure the kids stayed away from him more or less. Later in the day, I was talking to two girls when another fight broke out. Again, it was Richard, with another boy. The female employee was standing a few feet away doing absolutely nothing. I asked her why she wasn´t doing anything. She said that she doesn´t want to get hit. I asked if I could do something. She said I´d get hit too, but that I could. I grabbed Richard and pulled him away. He struggled for a while, got away from me and ran outside onto the gravel driveway. He then started throwing rocks at people in the building. At this point 4 of the older boys came strutting down the stairs and across the courtyard. I wish that I could describe the way they looked. The image is burned into my brain. You could tell that this was not the first time they have been called upon to take care of Richard and you could tell they reveled in the power they had been given. Each of them grabbed either an arm or a leg and started dragging Richard upstairs to the boys room as he struggled with all his might. I followed closely to make sure they didn´t pull a limb out of its socket or bash his head on the floor. A crowd of boys was following throwing things at him as well. We got to the boys room and I thought they were just going to lock him in there to calm down. Nope. They were going to force him to calm down. They were shoving him against the wall. Pushing him down and sitting on him. Hitting him. At this time we had about 12 other boys in the room joining in on the fun. I couldn´t take it anymore and asked the worker if we could have all the kids leave. As they were all leaving Sean came into the room with me. The worker left with the kids and locked the three of us into the room. Richard was crying and yelling so hard and loudly and he was tearing the cloth covering of one of the mattresses. I held his hands to try and make him stop. He then took his shirt off and proceeded to shred the shirt into tiny pieces. Sobbing and yelling the whole time. Sean and I just sat next to him as he yelled "I want my mommy!" "I don´t want to be here!" "God help me!" After about 30 minutes the worker brought him dinner, but the rest of the boys filed in as well. We sat near him and made sure that no one took his food as he ate. Then he went off by himself and laid down on a bed. It killed me to leave him that night, knowing that there´s a good chance all of this was going to happen again. </div><div align="left"><br />I saw him again on Wednesday. We talked for a while. He had two shots that morning and he definitely seemed calmer. I talked to some of the girls about him the day before and they said that Richard doesn´t have friends because he is crazy and he had the devil living inside him. It absolutely kills me that he is growing up believing this. I definitely think that he has many issues, but I did not see a crazy child. I see a child who is DAILY being abused by his peers and has absolutely no power to stop it. He tries to fight back, but he hasn´t hardened himself enough yet to fight ruthlessly and without emotion. Therefore, he is an easy target for these boys who need to constantly prove that they are tough (in hopes that others won´t mess with them.) </div><div align="left"><br />During our conversation on Wednesday I also learned more about his story. (I am hoping to go back again on Thursday this week with a truly bilingual person so I can make sure that I fully understood him.) He was born in Veracruz, Mexico. When he was four, his family decided to illegally travel to the States by riding on the tops of trains. This is dangerous for healthy, athletic, 20 something men, much less a family with small children. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/interactives/journeyborder/">Click here for more info about the trains.</a> At some point in the trip, he was seperated from his family. The government couldn´t find his family so he spent time in an orphanage in Mexico. Then he was adopted by a Honduran family. They fell on hard economic times and gave him back to the Honduran government. Can you imagine if this is true?? Can you imagine having a poor, but loving family that you are seperated from, then grow up in this absolute hell??? He gave me the full names of his parents, uncle and brother. If anyone has any idea how to go about searching for this family I could really use some guidance. </div><div align="left"><br />And now the question for us is what are we going to do? I saved some of the rocks the boys were throwing at Richard because I do not want to forget and go back to life as usual. Have you ever read Lord of the Flies? This is that book brought to life. And we kept being reminded that these are children! On Wednesday, Sean and I were hanging out with them and they were showing us all of their gang signs. One of them reminded me of glasses, so I turned the gang sign upside down with my fingers and made "glasses" over my eyes. The next moment all these tough, violent boys were ALL making sunglasses as well. One person I´ve talked to about this said we need to get this place shut down. But if we shut it down, they are just going to go to some other overcrowded, underfunded place. Also, Sean and I kind of have free reign in that building. The director trusts us and allows us to come whenever we want. I don´t want to have these doors closed on us so that we don´t even have access to the kids at all. So, we are going to be rallying the troops here. We´ll be trying to gather as much information as possible about adoption options, hiring more staff, training the staff, moving some of the boys (Richard!) and babies to other, less overwhelmed locations. I am open to suggestions, information or expertise that any of you may have. Uncle Larry - how do I track down Richard´s parents? EZ - do you know how to find information about immigration/adoption laws in Honduras? And once again, for anyone that has even an inkling of a desire to come down here, there is a need, and no matter what skills you have, they are needed here. And for everyone else - please pray for these children. Pray until you can´t anymore, then keep going. And pray that this stays at the forefront of Sean´s and my mind. We want to move a mountain here, and it´s really easy for doubts to creep in about whether or not that mountain can really be moved. </div></div>Sean and Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01008368870292096027noreply@blogger.com3