And finally, a baby is born.

This blog is all about a sweet baby boy still with no name.

Births. Births here in Honduras are filled with drama. Do we have the baby at home? Can we even afford the hospital? Do I take these vitamins? How will I pay for formula? Should I get an abortion? Who will take my baby once its born?

Unfortunatly, safe sex and planned parenting are not taught or talked about like they should be. Women suffer. Entirely too much. Many times sexual relationships are forced because they feel they “have to” or they are pressured into it. There is so much confusion. Everyday I talk to women and I hear more and more stories of their relationships. These conversations are just normal now. “My husband is abusive” “I want to leave but I have no where to go” “I stay with my husband because of my kids”…

Everyday I have these conversations and everyday I see more pregnant women. Just the other day a pregnant women was on the bus on her way to the hospital…IN LABOR. By herself. There was no one with her. I know too many 14-15 year olds with babies. Many of them impregnated by older men. Some twice or triple their age.

On top of the struggles that go on at home. Just figuring things out in the labor part of pregnancy is difficult. Here is Miladis story:

This is Miladys 9^th baby. Eight of the kids are from the same father. This is rare. Very rare to have the father stick around but also for so long. No, her husband isn’t perfect. He can be forceful with his kids, hitting them for something silly or taking out the belt to teach them a lesson. He has his faults.

About 2 months ago, Miladis said she was feeling a weird sort of pain and wanted to get an ultrasound done. We found out she would be having yet ANOTHER boy (only 2 are girls). Nothing was wrong.

About 2 weeks ago, her water apparently broke. She was losing constant fluid. She called one night saying that would be the night. She was having contractions. Three days after her “water broke” still no baby. It wasn’t until we were talking to my sister and another nurse in town that things could be bad. That if for sure her water broke, the baby could die from being suffocated inside, almost “stuck”. Well, Haille and I didn’t know any better. We immediately went over to her house at about 8:00 at night and said we needed to go to the hospital. She was hesitant. Apparently in the hospital there has been an infection killing babies and sending other children to a bigger city for intensive care. We finally convinced her that if she didn’t go that night, her baby could be dead before morning. So we went to the hospital. We told Miladis we would cover all expenses, obviously, since her husband Alex was out of a job and they have no money to their name. Our charge to be seen at the hospital was 5 lempiras. That’s 25 cents.

The nurse in the ER told us she just had a bacterial infection and that we needed to go to the clinic to get an ultrasound done to check on the baby. So we took a taxi to the ultrasound place. Its now about 10 at night. The doctor that does ultrasounds wasn’t in. But if we paid the after hour fee, they could call her in. So we decided it was worth it, we had to. The receptionist called. However, because of a gun shoot out in the doctors neighborhood she was too scared to leave. So we went home as well. The next day we went back for the ultrasound. The baby was fine but this time had the cord wrapped around its neck. Miladis lost some amniotic fluid but nothing that harmed the baby. The doctor didn’t know what the water could have been that she lost.

Finally last Sunday, Miguel shows up at the house in the morning. This time for real she is in labor. As Haille and I were to deliver the baby, we threw some things together, hopped on our bikes and sped over. Baby number 9 were thinking is going to come pretty quickly.

But, we waited. And waited. And waited. Still no baby! By this time Miladys (who is also a midwife) was starting to get a bit nervous thinking maybe there is a problem. Luckily some EMT’s from Denmark were in town so I called them over to just check on things and advise us on whether or not we should go to the hospital. Well, they said we should.

The ambulance was called. Miladis was off and the rest of us were to find a taxi and follow behind. We met them at a private hospital (since the public one is basically worthless) only to find out they would charge about $1,500. We put her back in the ambulance (remember having constant contractions this entire time) and the rest of us flagged down another taxi. Off to another private hospital. Luckily they charge $200 for a normal birth.

Miladis is transferred into a room to wait until its time to deliver! We were able to be with her. This was not the state I enjoyed to see her in. Her contractions got more and more intense. As they are getting closer and closer together I can tell she cant take it anymore. During one contraction she yells “Catalina!” Gosh, did my heart just about die.

Finally its time! She is carted away and we wait. Not 20 minutes goes by and we hear crying in the hallway. He is born! A new child of God enters our world at 7:40 pm. The next morning Haille and I go back to the hospital to take mom and baby home. Unfortunately we had to wait longer. Miladis was losing too many blood clots for her to be safe to go home. The nurse said that if she had had her baby at home, she might not have made it. (This was Miladis first birth in a hospital)

Finally they say we can leave. Once we arrive back at the house, everyone wants to see and touch the baby. The youngest, Alyson, notices a change in her mom immediately. Jealousy ensues quickly.

After all the drama and scares, everyone is home safe and sound.

Here are a few pics of this little bundle of joy. 

Alex having a cigarette to calm down

Just minutes old!

Going to see the baby!

Alex guarding the door to make sure no one steals his baby

He's just a little hunny!

Apparently this outfit doesnt fit

Beautiful momma!

Everyone wants to see the baby!

The time I officiated a wedding

So I get a message:

“…we talked about this and both agreed…we kind of want to redo the ceremony with all our friends and family....because you know us both and are very special to us we wanted to ask you if you wanted to do our ceremony?”

My response… What? How? What do you mean?

So after contemplating my fear of public speaking I said yes. Lis, (from Holland) a very good friend of mine whom I met in Honduras and Levi, (Honduran) whom I have known for years from here in Honduras, were to get married.

The day arrived but I really wasn’t that nervous. Inside, maybe I was, but I had a task to do and that’s all I could focus on. So we spent the morning decorating, getting ready and helping Lis with her final touches. 

Family and friends began to arrive. All of a sudden something came over me and I became the wedding planner, coordinator and officiate. Music was in order, first look pictures were taken, guests were seated and the couple walked in. We began. 

 It began with …“Welcome and Bienvenidos a todos que han venido hoy. Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, amigos, familia, from all parts of the world.”

And ended “With the ALMIGHTY power vested in me, Catalina from El Porvenir, I now pronounce you husband and wife, ya puede besar a la novia!”

Telling the story of how the two met

Saying vows

 About to place the rings

New married couple!

Reception

First dance...Bachata of course!

 Just playing MC for the night

If there was one thing to take away from this wedding it would be what I learned from Lis. I know where Levi comes from and I know where Lis comes from. I know their backgrounds and I now know the trueness of their hearts. This is true love. To be completely honest, this wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. No, not because of the extravagant venue (it was in a hotel conference room). Not because of the thousands of dollars it cost for her wedding dress (she made it by hand from fabric bought at the local store). Not for the wedding planner or event rental/decoration company (we spent the morning hanging streamers and hand-made origami birds). Not even for a hair and makeup appointment (we did it for her in about 15 minutes before walking into the ceremony). No, it was not for any of this. What was prevalent the entire day was that none of this mattered. All she cared about was seeing her family and his family together, celebrating this special day. She didn’t need to prove anything. She didn’t even care if his family came in jeans because they couldn’t afford anything nicer. What mattered was that her and Levi were getting married and that was being honored in front of the ones she loves.

I felt like she was teaching me a lesson. Reminding me of God’s love for me. That he loves me unconditionally. No matter what happens. No matter my past. That is what she was showing. She didn’t even know it.

So I just want to say thank you Lis. Thank you for showing and reminding me that love can be true. That it’s out there. Sometimes being a missionary is hard. Some days all you can think about is “well what if I never find anyone” or “if I never came on the mission field, maybe id be married with kids like all my other friends” or the worst yet… “I could never marry someone who doesn’t have money”. But it doesn’t matter. None of that matters. I know in my heart that doesn’t matter I just needed that reminder. God’s timing is perfect and in that I am at peace. As I said in the wedding “May you find peace in knowing that no matter what happens, by holding on to each other things will always work out for the best. May your hearts be one and in that you have everything.”

Thank you Lis.

So these past few months...

I do believe I am the worst blogger there is. Yep. Its true. Mom told me to write a blog so here it goes:

These past few months have been so full. Full of beach play days with the kids, family visits, tutoring, visiting sponsored kids, preparing to move houses, working with mission teams, and everything else under the sun. 

Here's a few pics so you can "see" it all!

In March, HCA dug the bottom half for the bathrooms on the Women and Children Center. 

 In March, we took a few kids to the Jungle where we were able to spend the day overlooking an amazing mountain side and zip-lining. The above pic is of me jumping from that rock into the river!

Here's all the kids resting on the rock

Some of the kids from our Sunday School class with their mother and I!

 For my birthday we celebrated with dinner out on the town and a typical latino photo shoot...no smiles and all.

Haille arrived in June! Haille was a missionary in Nicaragua and will now be working and living with me full time! I am so excited to have her, to see how God will use her and us together to further this ministry!

 After long hours, lots of decision making and waiting, Haille and I finally moved into our new house! We believe this is just one step forward into blessing Finding Hope and what is all to come! We have had many visitors come by to see the new remodeled house, bring us housewarming gifts like mangos and pineapples, and tell us they are there if we ever need anything. Having a community who supports and backs you, loves you, and truly is looking out for you, is the biggest blessing of all. 

Oh, this hair.

Hand washing clothes at our new house...see our visitor in the background?

Jemi and Ever 

In June, Haille and I helped HCA build 4 local bathrooms in town. Here is the grandmother, Dory and little Adolfito who were one of the families who got their first bathroom and shower!

Sweet, sweet Hexyl who is from another family recipient of the bathrooms

Kids following me all day, everyday

Babysitting!

Monthly visit to see the Escobar kids in Jutiapa...this was Haille's first time meeting them!

I am so overly excited for the future of Finding Hope and this ministry. Having Haille jump on board and give her heart 100% to these kids, families and this town is everything I could have asked for. I believe God has her here to do wonderful things. We are excited to move forward with the construction and are praying for the right people to come along and join us in this beautiful future! After overcoming a few obstacles, learning to let some people out of our lives who dont belong, and believing fully and completely in Him, we believe great things are to come. Please join us in prayer that this ministry is to His glory and that everything we do is to His name. 

Rebeccas baby

In my last blog, I talked about being overwhelmed. About needing time to myself. How I felt like I couldn’t help everyone that needed something from me. I was feeling stretched to my limits. Well, a lot of this had to do with school starting. School uniforms and school supplies were being bought, students were registering in classes, and everything else in between had been going on. For several kids in town, who are part of my sponsorship program, I was able to buy or have donated what they needed to start classes on time. Everything from shoes, notebooks, backpacks, uniforms and pencils. Its safe to say the owner was very happy for my business that day.

One family, who is very dear to me, is Rebecca and her 4 kids. Rebecca, 25 years old, is a single mother (father in and out of the picture) trying to “raise” and “support” her children, all under the age of 8. Rebecca has a few personal issues of her own which makes it hard for her to be a “good” mother. Brayan, her 8 year old son, was in Kinder with me 3 years ago, where I first met Rebecca and the family. I met her youngest daughter Juliana (who was just one month old) my first week ever in Honduras. I love seeing the kids grow up, especially in their first years, where they change the most. With seeing them grow up, also comes a deep emotional connection.

As school was starting, I made my way to Rebeccas house to check if she would send her kids to school this year. (Last year was one excuse after another). She said yes but that her twins, Andrea and Royle didn’t have birth certificates and without them, the couldn’t go. Why one would wait 7 years to get birth certificates for their kids, I will never understand. “Well, lets get them then” I said, not knowing what I was getting myself into. So we began our forever – almost impossible adventure of getting birth certificates. (read about this process in a blog I posted 3 years ago http://katlyninhonduras.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-like-were-in-nyc.html its after the tarantula story)

To make a long story short, one morning Rebecca shows up at my house. She shows me the papers and copies she was able to gather and asks me to keep them so they wouldn’t get lost. We start talking about other things like how things are at home, her nonexistent boyfriend and her pregnancy, then she pauses… “Catalina, would you like to have my baby?”

Would I like to have her unborn baby? My throat closes up and Im speechless. She continues…”Because this is my 5^th child, I don’t work and I already have 4 children. I came to ask you because I don’t know anyone else to ask.

I ended up telling her that I would love to take her baby but that I don’t have a stable job or home. I explained to her that I would help take care of the baby whenever she needed me and help with food/medicine/whatever else, until she found a place for the baby. I would help her through this process as well as to look for an orphanage or another option.

So we did. We visited an childrens home and talked about options. I gave her advice as best I could but ultimately the final decision was hers. Then the day came. Friday, March 7^th, I get a call at 4 am in the morning, “Catalina, Im in labor” I rush to Miladys house where Rebecca had planned to give a home birth. 

With pajamas still on and camera ready to roll, we waited. And waited and waited. Finally 11:30 am came around and Miladys recommended we go to the hospital in case there was a complication. Rebecca was against the idea for fear of the hospital (here I would be too, I don’t blame her)

We flagged down a taxi. Already two people in it and Rebecca, myself and her cousin, Samantha were still to get in. No big deal. Rebecca gets in the front seat and the taxi driver asks if her water will break on his seat…haha….so the four of us get in the backseat piled like little kids. On the way to La Ceiba, Rebecca continues her contractions. Seems like the taxi ride is making them come faster. All I can think about is the internet article Allison read about “How to give birth in a taxi” and just hoping that doesn’t happen.

We first arrive to get an ultrasound to make sure the baby is okay. The technician is on lunch break, of course. She comes back and everything shows up fine. It’s a baby boy! We pay the lady and grab a taxi to head to the hospital. Rebeccas contractions are getting worse. First, though, we had to stop by a farmacy and pick up nailpolish remover (apparently if a C-section is necessary you cant have nail polish on). We finally get to the emergency room and go in. No one is there to greet us or tell us where to go. Rebecca has a strong contraction so she stops and I go ahead to figure out where to go. Finally. Rebecca comes over and sits down in a chair where a doctor begins to attend to her. I was told I needed to go register her. With her id number just written down on a piece of paper I go to the register window to wait in line. In front of me is a baby with a broken wrist and a makeshift cast who just vomited all over the floor. Behind me is a construction worker who looks like he cut half his hand with a machete and blood is dripping everywhere. But there we all were, waiting in line to register before being attended too. That’s finished and I go back to the nurse and Rebecca. Samantha is on the floor on her hands and knees taking off Rebeccas nail polish as she is contracting in the chair. The nurse gives me a list of supplies I have to go buy. The hospital doesn’t have anything there, you have to go outside to a little hut and buy the gloves, needles, test tubes, IVs and whatever else. Once that is done I make my way through construction tape in the hospital to find labor and delivery. Found! Rebecca is admitted. Now were given her blood sample to take to the lab.

About 3 hours later we try to investigate Rebeccas situation. No one came out to tell us she had given birth or that it was a good delivery or anything. We caught her being transferred to recovery, wheeling across the construction site hospital.

Here is where all the women stay overnight. In the same bed as their baby. We didn’t know we were supposed to bring our own sheets for Rebecca so she slept on the plastic mattress. See that window in the back? Its broken, leading to the outside where its pouring down rain.

Here he is 18 days old! I got the entire morning to love this little guy J

As for now, Rebecca has a great opportunity working for an extended family member. She cleans and cooks for distant cousins and is given a room for her and her kids. She no longer has to live in a makeshift house of wood and tarp and worry about paying her $15 monthly rent. Being in this new location, also gives her the benefits of having other people around to help with her new baby. Samantha, has said she would like to take care of the baby as well. For now, this seems like a good solution. I will also be around to check on the kids and make sure things are running like they should. Please keep Rebecca and her family in your prayers. She believes in some weird things in regards to evil spirits that can harm her baby. Unfortunately this is way too common here in El Porvenir, even affecting the doctors in terms of prescribing medicine (ex. cant take until after the full moon). Please pray that they will look to the Lord in times like this. Please pray that she finds her worth as a mother and her importance in her kids lives. 

A letter

For the past few weeks, I have been feeling very overwhelmed. I felt like everyone needed something from me from the moment I woke up, until the time I went to bed. My phone never stops ringing. Some days when I just need to be home for “me” time, they end up being the busiest of days. People find me. They come to the house at 7:30 am. They wake me up. My job is not a 9-5 one. It is not Monday through Friday. It is all day, everyday.

I have been feeling like its too much. Like I was being pushed and I just needed to get away. My visa renewal time came just a few days ago and I had to leave the country. It was just what I needed. A short, 3 day break. I went to Guatemala, only to find out I had to go to Belize to get my new 90 day visa. So I did. I left Honduras and arrived in Guatemala on Tuesday, then Wednesday hopped in a small boat over to Belize, got my stamp and came back, the same day. Thursday I ate pizza, icecream, chips and french fries and loved every minute of it. I watched TV in the hostal (wow I missed TV). It was wonderful. Friday I traveled 8 hours back to El Porvenir.

Today, Kenia, a young woman in my bracelet class came to my house. “Its starting again” I thought to myself. She told me she felt ashamed for what she was about to say. “What is it?” I asked. She said she wrote a letter but wasn’t sure if I could read Spanish so she was going to ask me anyways. Here is the translation of the letter (the same she told me in person):

“Hello Katlyn,

How are you?

I hope you are healthy and full of riches with the love of God.

The reason for this note is to ask for a big favor. I am writing to you because I do not have the courage to say it in person. Please excuse me. I feel very embarrassed.

Like I have told you before, my father passed away about 2 years ago and my mother is a widow. She currently does not have a stable job.

This year I would like to enter high school, as I am only missing one year until I graduate.

My mother does not have sufficient funds to help me. I also do not have support from my family.

For this, I am addressing you. I am not sure if you might be able to help by lending me 1,000 lempiras ($50) or whatever you can. I would pay it all back in 4 payments of 250 lempiras each, or you can deduct this amount from the next time I sell bracelets.

If you are able to lend me the money, I would like it for you to accompany me to the high school that I will be attending. Of course, only if it is not a bother. I hope you can help, as this is an emergency case because I don’t have anyone to go with me.

I hope you understand and I appreciate you with all my heart if you are able to do this for me.

Blessings,

Kenia”

Here I was thinking sweet Kenia needed something much bigger, or even something I may not have been able to give her. All she wanted was to be lent money. She wants to go back to school.  About 10 months ago, this is the information card I wrote about Kenia that goes with the bracelets.

“Meet Kenia, she is a 17 year old woman who lives with her 3 siblings and mother. Kenia was enrolled in high school but when her father passed away, her mother’s need for assistance required that she stop attending. Unfortunately, no one in her house works and the family must rely on help from their aunt. Kenia would like to go back to school, and for this reason, she has become a part of Finding Hope. Her proftis will be split between her mother’s financial needs and her savings for the next school year. She would love to study architecture, but says it depends on the type of work that is available”

I am happy to say just short of a year later, she is actually achieving this goal. She IS going back to high school and she WILL finish! Tuesday afternoon I will be going with her to the high school and help her enroll. I am honored that she would ask me to be there for her. I can’t even express how I feel seeing how Finding Hope is working in the lives of these women. To see where we were a year ago, to today, I feel gratified. I know this is the Lords work and for that I am satisfied. 

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!