Brittany’s dad died just a few weeks ago after being shot
and killed. There are two stories explaining his death. The first is that he
was being robbed (riding a motorcycle home from work) and the other is that
this person who killed him, wanted his job. Either way should give you a good
idea of how the economic situation is here in Honduras. Sadly, a 5 year old little
girl doesn’t have her daddy anymore.
This conversation with Brittany made me think about the many
families I know here in El Porvenir with heart breaking stories. Last week, I
met Ondina, a middle aged woman who lost her sons, her husband and her brother.
I am unaware of her full story but just 5 minutes into meeting her and asking about
her life, she was in tears. This dear woman is afraid for her life. She lost
everything she ever knew.
There is Danillo. Gaby’s husband. Mario. Celina. Berta’s
cousin. Maria’s uncle. The list goes on. All trying to make their way for the “American
Dream”. Desperately wanting to work. Their only solution? To risk their life by
going to the states illegally. Tortured. Put through hell to just try and make
a few bucks. And that money? Not even for them! They will send it home for
their family. I have been interviewing
several women in the bead program (www.findinghopehonduras.org)
just about their lives, their work, their families, etc. Wanna know what the
number one answer is when I ask about jobs? “I would LOVE to work, there is
just nothing available.” Here are a few answers
-
“I tried to find work in several restaurants in
the city. I am 35 years old. They said they wouldn’t hire me because they are
only looking for attractive 18-25 year olds.”
-
“I graduated high school with specialized
studies in Accounting. However, there are no jobs hiring”
-
“I am a teacher! I have been for years. I still
teach. But I don’t get paid. The government hasn’t paid its teachers in months”
-
“Honestly, I would work in whatever I found. If
it meant house cleaning, I’ll do it. If it means cooking, I’ll do it. It could
be office work, construction, department store assistants, selling food on the
side of the road. Even though I went to high school, it really doesn’t matter,
I will take whatever comes my way.”
Then there are the twins and their cousins, whom I help
tutor once a week. Alejandra and Andrea are ten years old. Their mother left to
the United States when they were just two, in order to provide for her
children. She has been there ever since. The only mom they know is through
Skype. They are living with their grandma, along with a houseful of cousins and
extended family members. Their cousins, just the same, must deal with mom
living so far away. Mom who cannot come visit them, if she does she will not be
allowed to return to the states. Mom, whom they cannot hug.
I can’t forget about little baby Jostin. Jostin is 5 months
old dealing with so much. His two main arteries are leading to only one lung,
where they should be leading to both. He only receives half the oxygen that his
body needs. As a result, he has blue fingertips, blue palms, blue toes, blue
lips and a blue face when he cries or coughs (which happens more often than
not). In addition, his mother cannot afford the right milk for an infant as his
age. He is not getting the proper nutrition he needs, on top of his breathing
problems. His body is so small. He is so fragile. He needs surgery. The doctors
here (Honduras) cannot help him. He needs the expertise and equipment that
doctors in the U.S. can perform for him, but he is Honduran. This surgery is
long overdue. It may be too late. He is suffering because his country can’t
help him. His mother can’t help him. (Don’t worry, I have an army of supporters
in the states who are working hard on finding a solution for little baby Jostin.
Please keep him in your prayers as we are trying our best!)
There are cases and cases just like these. What hurts the
most is that I have seen both sides. It breaks my heart to see Bessy talk to mom
on the phone telling her about a funny story that happened today. Then to meet
Bessy’s mom in the states and have her ask me (because the Bessy she left
behind was years ago) “How is my daughter? Is she skinny? What do you guys play
together? Is she learning a lot?”. I have met the mothers. I have laughed,
talked, and played with the daughters. Unfortunately, that is the closest they
have. “A hug from her to you”
The difference between their situation and mine?
Circumstance. I just happen to be born in Pennsylvania. They just happen to be
born in El Porvenir, Honduras.
Sometimes, most of the time…almost always… I wish with all
my heart, that I could change places.
