Babies, babies and more babies

So many new babies born recently my heart can’t take it!

This is sweet Jan Jordan born the early morning of January 13, 2014. Just 2 days ago! Mother, Pamela gave birth at home, with luckily a smooth and safe birth. 

Meet baby girl with no name (yet that is). I offered up the name Catalina but I guess they need to think over it, haha. She was born also on January 13, later that night! Yasmira (15 year old mother) also gave a home birth. Miladys was a busy midwife for both moms! Too bad both babies were born at night, otherwise I would have been there to experience the birth!

Next, we have Isis (born about a month ago). Kerlin is the mother, also a member of the womens work program, bracelet making! …speaking of which, I need a name for this group, got any suggestions?... 

This is Sonia’s new baby boy (which I forgot his name). Her daughter Brittany was in Kinder when I taught there. Unfortunately, her husband was shot and killed in August (http://katlyninhonduras.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html ) and will never know his little baby boy. 

 Lastly, this is Sandras little boy, who was born just a week before baby Jostin passed away in November. (http://katlyninhonduras.blogspot.com/2013_11_01_archive.html)

Little Estephen was born just before Christmas (no picture) and I am still expecting several other babies to be born in the next few months! Yikes.

As I sat holding each and every one of these babies tears filled my eyes. My heart ached for them. My thoughts were consumed with their precious lives. They don’t know the life they have been born into.

Pain

Suffering

Heartache

My thoughts turned to their future. What would they be like as they grow up? Will they also have a child at the age of 15? Will they be the first in their family to attend high school? Will they be involved in drugs? Do they know their families are already struggling to provide and now they have another mouth to feed? I wonder about these questions. I wonder about their little bodies. About who they are. About who they will be. 

Im at Pamelas house and I look around. I see cardboard walls. I see the outside from holes in the floor of the house. I see a roof caving in. I see the dirt floor. I also see a mother. A mother who cares so much about her new baby boy. I see his name written on a piece of paper “Jan Jordan” next to her bed. She asks me if that is how to spell it. I see a father cooking rice and beans while his wife rests. This is rare. But this is love. They ask me to borrow money since Fernando (the father) hasn’t been paid at work yet. “Yes of course”. We sit in silence. Jan, just a day old, rests in my arms. I love him. I love this family. This is what makes my heart sing. No matter how hard this family might have it, no matter if they have food on Monday or not, they have love.

I sit with Kerlin. I enter her house, ducking on the way in as to not hit my head on the tin roof hanging down. I duck again as I enter her room. There are things nailed to the walls to make space. A puddle gathers by the door from a leak. It makes it muddy. She is with her new baby. The grandmother offers me something to drink. I never turn it down (here that is rude, even if you don’t want it, you must take it!). So I take it. Yucky banana soda…I sit with baby Isis and make small talk with the family. **Please pray for this family. This is Kerlins info card for her bracelets. 

“Meet Kerlin. She is an 18 year old young woman who lives with 8 other family members in a humble home. The family’s only source of income results from the efforts of the grandfather who is restrained to a wheelchair. His street begging feeds the family of 9. When asked what happens when there is no money for food, Kerlin’s mother explains, “We deal with it, what else can we do?” Due to financial restraints, Kerlin only attended school up until the 5^th grade. She wants to be a part of Finding Hope to learn something new. She says she will help her family buy food and other necessities with the profits she makes.”

Then I sit with Yasmira. She is 15. This is her second baby. I worry about her. Her first baby only lived 3 days due to a lung problem. The father is older. Much older. She is too young. She doesn’t understand and her mother doesn’t do anything about it. I am scared for this little baby. Yasmira isn’t ready to care for a child, still a child herself. I don’t want to leave. I want to hold his baby forever.

I want to hold each baby forever. I want to give them a future. I want to give them my love. I want them to know they are special. I want to show them Jesus. 

What 2013 brought me..

As I sit here and think of 2013, I think of where I was a year back. A year before one of the greatest years of my life. I think of how lost I was. If you followed my blog in Nicaragua, you know I was aching. I was trying to find where I belong. I was trying to find God's will for my life. It soon became clear I was meant to be back in Honduras...and thats where I went. 

So here is what this year was all about for my ministry! 

I arrived in El Porvenir the first week of February with many ideas, thoughts and plans in mind. Little did I know what God had waiting for me! In April, I began a sustainable bead work program for women, which had such a considerable impact that I began a second group in June. There are 17 women in the program making bracelets from recycled magazines. Their children and families have received substantial benefits from these bracelets. Their proceeds have been able to buy school supplies, medicine, food, and more. It’s been awesome to see them improve in their work but also grow to know them more personally. 

In July, I met with the city board members of El Porvenir to present Finding Hope’s mission and purpose. Just two weeks after meeting with the board, they donated a great piece of land to the Women and Children Center. In August, I received the official documentation of the land, and 3 days later, we began to land fill and place a temporary fence on the lot. A local missionary couple, Scott and Susan Ledford, through Missionary Ventures, have partnered with me on this project and are heading mission teams throughout the construction process. In November, a Canadian team came down and we were able to fully complete the foundation. In December a second team came to help with the floor level construction! We will have ample space for the children center, an office, the beading program and a sewing cooperative! 

This year I was also able to start a sponsorship program with 6 children each in the program for different needs. There are Nayeli, Denadi, Michele and Josue, four siblings taken from their abusive, neglectful, drug and alcoholic parents, whom have overcome obstacles most of us can never even imagine. In March they moved in with their aunt where all 4 kids are now safe, fed and loved. Then there is Johanna, whose mother could not afford school supplies to send her to school. This year she received materials, a backpack and uniform to be able to attend school! Lastly, there is Jostin, whom mournfully passed away November 8^th at just 7 months old. He suffered from a congenital heart defect which prevented him from getting the amount of oxygen his little body required. Jostin received help for his specific needs but unfortunately his illness was so progressed, he could not make it to one year. 

Just recently I was able to start a Sunday school, partnering with a local Pastor and feeding center. Teaching the word of God to these little ones has been such a joy! Being a part of their lives in such a personal way and connecting with their families has been the biggest blessing. This year has been full of surprises, relationships, emotional rollercoasters and spiritual growth. It may not be easy but it’s definitely worth it. I am even more grateful for where God has placed me and this mission and very excited to see what the New Year brings!

I am so blessed. This was an exciting year and I would like to thank you for partnering with me and Finding Hope. None of this could have ever happened or grown to where we are today without you. Thank you for your support financially and spiritually. If you haven’t already, please “like” Finding Hope on Facebook and visit www.findinghopehonduras.org for more updates and pictures! With the New Year brings many more needs into the ministry. If you are able to help please consider being a monthly sponsor and be a part of something big. Click the “donate” link on the website and sign up! Our biggest need is help with construction costs so that we can complete the center and start accepting kids!