BIG changes in ministry

Big changes.

We are excited to share some big changes with you! We are nervous, excited, fearful, but we know these are all in God’s plan and with that we can rest easy. So we want to share with you our stories, each in our own words

Here is my story:

For years now, Ive always known children would be a big part of my life. In this ministry, children are a huge part of my life! We are closer and closer to completing construction on the Women and Children Center and excitement is almost too much to contain!

But there is something bigger I want to share with you. For quite some time now, the Lord has been working on me. He has been working with my leadership role of Finding Hope, my future in Honduras and what life looks like as a 27 year old single missionary woman.

It’s not been easy. Every day brings its own struggles. I do know however, I am where I am meant to be and every single day is worth it.

So, as this ministry grows, as I grow and realize my place in this world, who I am is becoming more. Its not about me. I have so much love and I feel called to share that love with others. With those who have no one to love them. With that being said, IM GOING TO BE A FOSTER MOMMY!!!

I began the process in February (application and requirements) and found out yesterday that I was accepted!

Yes, I know, its going to be hard. Its the first thing people tell me. Foster care is all about loving a child that might leave. But Im called to do so. Im called to bear the pain of loving a child for the time they are in my arms and forever keeping them in my heart. 

For those of you who are foster mommys, I need you! I need your support! Your words, your advice and most of all your prayers. Pray for the little ones who will be in my care and pray for their little tiny hearts! 

As of June 1, I will begin accepting girls! I will accept one at a time ages 0-4. In Honduras, the foster care system does not help financially with the children. Therefore, I need you to pray for diapers, formula, medicine, doctors visits, and everything else an infant/child needs! The Lord is good, and He provides!

Lastly, I want to share exciting news from Haille! As of August of last year Haille has been studying to become a CNA in Honduras. She has LOVED it! So much so that she wants to continue in her studies and begin studying Medicine in a university in Ceiba. She will have 8 years of schooling - 1 year in Ceiba, 6 years in San Pedro Sula, and 1 year of residency. Please follow her blog to read more about her decision!

https://haillekrieg.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/big-ministry-update-for-2016/

As of June, Haille will move on with her studies and at the same time I will accept my first child. These are BIG ministry changes which means we need BIG prayers. 

If you like to find out other ways you can help, please message me privately or send an email to info@findinghopehonduras.org

"Your son has a cerebral paralysis"

Those were the words Gaby heard Thursday morning. I sat next to her with her son on my lap as we both listened to the Doctors strong words.

...

About a week ago Gaby came to me wondering if I could recommend a pediatrician. She wanted to take her son in for a check up, her mothers intuition told her something was wrong. Her son, Josias, is 10 months old. He cant hold his head up, cant use his hands and can barely stand with someone holding him up. "Im concerned he isn't growing as fast as other babies his age" she said. So, I recommend a pediatrician in Ceiba and she went immediately. 

A few days ago, I got a phone call. She asked if I would accompany her to another doctors appointment, but this time at a rehabilitation center. We went on Thursday. As we sat in with the doctor, he told us the news. "Your son has a high risk form of cerebral paralysis." He was concerned, however, asking Gaby why she had waited until now to bring her son in. 

So here's what happened. Gaby attended all her checkups. She never missed a shot, vitamins, advice. At Josias 6 month check up the nurse told Gaby that her baby was "slower than most" but that he would grow into it. At a 10 month check up the nurse (the same nurse) told Gaby her son was behind, that he had a problem. Gaby, frustrated because the nurse told her he would "grow into it" is now telling her that her son has a serious issue. 

And thats the problem with the health center in Porvenir. They just dont care...Every morning starting at 5 am, people line up at the door to get a spot for the day. Doors open at 7 am. They only accept 15 people. If you dont get a spot, you have to come 2 hours early the following day. Then you wait all day until its your turn. If you leave, you loose your spot. Once you get inside, its chaos. There is only one doctor. The nurses do their daily routines. Its get it done and go home type attitude. Lack of knowledge is another problem. Ive had people go in with appendicitis and get diagnosed with a kidney problem.  Medicine? Forget it. Explanations or further information on a sickness? Dont even try. 

So when Gaby heard that her son was actually sick 4 months later, as any mother would be, she was frustrated. 

We left the rehabilitation center. They gave her a 3 month check up date and appointments twice a week with the physical therapist. As we walk out to the car, I asked her was she was thinking, or feeling. She just shook her head and said, 'nothing'. I wondered if she really understood how severe his condition really is. 

Then we got in the car and shut the door. Tears began to stream down her face. She picked up her sons hand and kissed him. We sat there in silence for a few minutes. Her heart was broken. "I didnt mean to wait to get him help" she says. "I just want him to be better". 

I tried to comfort her, telling her she did the best she could with the resources and information she had. I was hurting for her. 

The following day she had her first therapy with Josias. The therapist began explaining the process of his hands and feet massage. She expressed how important it is to do the therapy everyday at home. I watched from outside, seeing her smile, loving her child just how he is. 

Gaby is one of the 25 women in our beading program. She is one of the 25 fighting for the little things in life. She makes bracelets to buy diapers, formula and now, to be able to bus into town for her sons therapy. Id love to be able to tell her its pay day! Id love to sell some of her bracelets as well as for the other 24 women. 

Please, pray for Gaby, Josias and every women in the program. Because they all struggle, we all struggle. But we all deserve a chance.