My Students

I have spent the past 10 months with the same 18 kids. My students. They were the constant this year for me. When I was missing my family and friends, or if it was dealing with the deaths of some of our teenagers, or missing the Ochoa kids, my students were always there. They kept me busy, they tried my patience, they kept me together when I was at my breaking point. I don't think they will ever fully understand how much they taught me this year and how important they are to me. When the year started my goal for our class was to be a team. Seems simple enough, work together. Well put together 18 kids from totally different backgrounds and upbringings and that is a tall order. We worked hard though. When we started the kids wouldn't each lunch together or play on the field together. When the year ended I had 18 kids that were inseparable and would defend each other through thick and thin. I had students who could all do a pretty good Mr. Corey impersonation also. My students will always have a special place in my heart and I wanted to give them something for them to understand how awesome they are. I'm a poor missionary so buying them all Playstations was out of the question. So instead I wrote them all a personal letter. I told them each about their strengths and how they have grown and learned over the past year. I told them each how proud I am of them and how they each have so much potential to make a difference in the broken country. Yesterday was report card day at school and each parent that came to talk to me could not stop talking about how much their child loved and cherished that letter. Needless to say I cried a few times. These 18 kids will always be "my students." I can't wait to watch them grow and have an impact on the world around them. I will be there to help them along if they need help from Mr. Corey.

Our Kids

As you probably know my role with Breaking Chains is mostly entirely with the kids. That being said as you know most of the kids are part of one family. Recently the kids have been living with Michael, this is due to some unfortunate events that transpired with their mother, Belkis. The kids had been doing great with Michael and I have been able to spend even more time with them. As if I didn't love these kids enough already, this just strengthened it. We were hoping that this situation would become permamnent, unfortunately on Friday afternoon the kids were taken to IHNFA (child services). The condition of the place they are in currently is far from ideal, but they have a roof over their head which is important. We didn't get to say goodbye, and we are not entirely sure what happens from here on out. We go Monday to speak about what we can do, please pray with us as we face the unknown. Pray for our kids as much as you can, they need everyone they can to be on their team. Pray for Michael, Amber, Courtney, David, and I as we feel the unimaginable pain of separation from our kids. Pray for me Tuesday morning as I go to school for the first time this year without being able to see the sweet faces of my kids and not being able to watch Jonatan and Arol play at recess without a care in the world. The pain I am feeling is impossible to describe, everywhere I look I see their faces, and it destroys me. I know God is in control but please pray that my faith doesn't waiver in this, one of the strongest storms I have every faced....

Didasko Water Park

You know how the saying goes "If you can't take the kids to the water park, take the water park to the kids!" Maybe I made that up but it sounds good. This past weekend David and I packed up a giant inflatable from the garage and headed out for an adventurous day. We were going to celebrate a belated Children's Day with the kids. We were accompanied by my friend Lilian who was on her first trip out to Didasko. The kids knew we were coming but didn't know what we were bringing with us. We showed up unloaded the car and started filling up the inflatable. The kids were in awe. They saw this giant toy full with a pool, sprinkler and not one but TWO slides! It took about ten minutes to get one of them to jump in because they were just so amazed. After the first kid jumped on there was no stopping them. All of the little kids were having a blast. Some of the older kids like Bryan and Diana were hesitant at first, acting "too cool" to be part of such childish games. However that was soon forgotten as all of the kids were playing together. It was awesome to see the kids enjoy the day with each other without fighting or getting bored. It was non stop enjoyment for three hours. Even two really big kids joined the fun (David and I). We have some great pictures from the day and hopefully we can go back soon!

So you are telling me it's September already?!

Wow, didn't think I would have to say it again, but again I'm saying sorry it's been over a month. Can't tell you how busy the last few months have been, and when I finally have some relaxing time... boom asleep. Some amazing things are happening here in Honduras and I'll be keeping you all posted in the coming weeks and months what my future will look like here. Let me tell you I am beyond excited about what is in store! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as my ministry in the country evolves into something truly amazing. Now back to what has been going on here. We had our last few groups come through and even had a new group stay with us here at the house, it was their first time in Honduras and they had a great time with medical clinics, and of course a trip out to Didasko! Plus they were pretty great cooks, so they are welcome back anytime. They left some food, medicine, clothes, and toys for us to bring back to the kids. This past weekend we had time so we headed out to deliver some much appreciated supplies. It was also the week of Juan Pablo's birthday so I brought him a new watch and a bunch of candy, he was beyond excited! David and I spent the afternoon playing with the kids and having a great time! Here is Juan Pablo the birthday boy!

This past month has also seen some amazing moments in school. We had our first ever "Camp Day"! We went to a national park and played games and competed in races all day! This included the teachers, I was sore for days. It was great to get out there with my students and compete, the green team put up quite a fight. Sadly we finished 4th, out of four teams.... I was so encouraged however watching Arol and Escarlen participate and see all their classmates cheering them on! I love watching them with their friends and teachers, they truly love their new school! Speaking of Arol and Escarlen, grade cards were this week. Arol, yet again, is on the Honor Roll! We are so proud of him and all of the hard work he has put in this year! Escarlen saw her grades take a little dip in the third partial, but with hard work and extra studying, improved in almost all of her classes! Jonatan has been doing his work very fast and unfortunately for him that means he was doing his work with many mistakes. He was kept off of the Honor Roll so that his teacher can help reinforce the lesson that we need to take our team and complete assignments in the correct way.

I don't think we won this one....

Preparing for the next intense battle with my lineup card Yesterday at school we celebrated Children's Day or in Spanish Dia del Nino. This basically means kids get to play and eat candy all day, so that is exactly what we did at school, I behaved the same as the kids, and then went home with a headache. Dayana was able to attend the events yesterday at school! She behaved perfectly all day, you heard me right, she behaved perfectly all day! We are so proud of her and pray that she continues to improve so that we will see her back at school full-time this coming year.

My Class on Children's Day

Again sorry for the delay, but I hope you enjoy keeping tabs on me. I ask you to keep me in your prayers as I continue my work here in Honduras. Pray for patience and guidance with the coming adventures. Thank you all for your support both financially and spiritually!

My First Honduran Birthday

Last year for my birthday I was thinking about moving to Honduras. I celebrated my birthday with some friends at King's Island amusement park! I had a great time, one of my favorite birthdays. Just about two weeks after I packed my bags and ended up in Honduras. This past Sunday was my very first Honduran birthday. Everyone here had been asking me what I wanted to do and really I had no idea. Finally, David asked "you want to go to Didasko don't you?" Well of course. So my birthday started out pretty awesome, no power. So I took a cold shower in the pila (meaning I just poured cold water over my head) Then we went to take Cristian to school. After that it was out towards Didasko for a lunch of chinese food and paddle boat riding. Yes, thats right, paddle boat riding. There is a Chinese restaurant that has a man made lake out front with paddle boats, so of course we had to spend the five dollars and take a paddle around the lake. After that out to one of my favorite places, Didasko Children's Home. It is hard to imagine me ever being in a position to say that what I wanted for my birthday was to go play with 20 some kids. Honestly, I couldn't have imagined a better birthday. The chorus of "Cor" when I got out of the truck and spend a few hours talking and playing with some of my favorite kids was just what I needed. After Didasko it was off to church at Breaking Chains. I was thrilled when during worship time Leopoldo, one of the street kids I haven't seen in a long time, walked through the door! After church we talked and played and it was great to see him after such a long time of not knowing where he was. Then after church, sushi! I love sushi so this was quite a treat for ol' Mr. Corey! Then it was back home to skype with my family, I was tired so I was only able to chat for a little while before it was time to go to bed. It was probably my best birthday I can remember!

Minor, David, and Juan Pablo I love these boys!

I picture with the birthday boy!

Leopoldo and I at church!

Normita likes to play with my hair :)

Always More Kids....

I always talk about the kids I love out at Casa and Didasko, but right now my place isn't out in those places. My place is on the Primera Avenida at Breaking Chains and I have plenty of interactions with the children of the surrounding area. I guess sometimes these interactions get shuffled away in my head. I always go to those children's homes when we have groups, so they stick out in my head more as being different and noteworthy. Recently however I am spending more and more time conversing with the "Street Kids" of our community. One of these kids just recently came back into our Breaking Chains community. Leopolodo, I remember from church when I first moved here almost a year ago. I remembered speaking to him a little bit as we sat on the fountain one day. Well this last Sunday and Monday he came back to visit but is still just as reluctant to discuss his living and family situation but that doesn't stop his big smile from overtaking my heart on sight. He is a sweet kid and I look forward to doing what I can to improve his current situation on the streets. Oh Noey... Literally the cutest kid I have ever come across. I see him at least once a week as he comes regularly to the building with his father and older brother. Noey is young, and unfortunately the other day I saw him huffing glue as we took a group out to shop in the market, seeing such a young child using drugs is heart wrenching, especially when they are screaming your name from across the street. Noey has a family, and I know they care about him, I just hope and pray that they begin to take a more active role in keeping him occupied during the day to keep him out of trouble. Jonathan a.k.a. Chaka is Miguel and Antonio's little brother. He lives with his mother out in Ciudad Espana but still comes everyday after school on the bus (sometimes over an hour long trip) to visit his brothers and us here at the ministry. He is such a sweet, quiet kid. I haven't really had many interactions with him until recently, but these last few visits he spends the afternoon playing and chatting with me and I have loved that. He obviously has a lot of trouble at home and looks forward everday for a little escape into the city to see his brothers and us gringos here at Breaking Chains. I am so thankful to be an escape for him, but I also pray that I can do more to help him avoid the path his brothers have taken to end up homeless. I am so thankful God has sent me here to Honduras. I am so thankful that I have been able to slowly learn Spanish and begin to interact and love on the people here more and more everyday. The people I have met have, and continue, to change me everyday. The more people I meet the longer the prayer list gets, the more torn my heart becomes, but the more love I am able to spread.

Emerson and Jose de la Cruz

Last Sunday our Breaking Chains team suffered and unexpected loss as two of our teenagers were killed. We spent the past week with the street community as we mourned their passing. Only 14 years old. An entire life filled with violence and abuse. A kid who only wants to be loved. A sweet kid with a hard shell. Emerson. I love Emerson. He is very soft spoken, but most of the time had a big hug ready for me. The last couple months have been very hard for Emerson. Demons from his past resurfacing to cause more pain for him. However, the past few days he had seemed to be doing better. Just a few days ago we were building a house in the most beautiful place I have ever been to. We finished the four walls and were taking a break. Emerson and I sat looking at the view for a little while. Just leaning on each other and talking about how beautiful the view was and how we would both like to live here one day. We also talked a little about soccer because he had a game the next day he was very excited about playing in. This is how I will remember Emerson. I will remember him looking out into the distance and seeing nothing but God's beauty. I will remember him with my arm around him knowing that he knew how much myself and the rest of our team loved him. I will remember him as a 14 year old kid, forever young. Emerson is with our Lord now. He is in a place where the violence and pain of the streets can no longer hurt him. He is in a place where he is embraced in God's unfailing and everlasting love, and because of this I am at peace.

Jose just wanted to be loved. He was one of the sweetest souls I have ever met. He lived a hard life of violence and neglect, but when he found God and are ministry he slowly made strides to change. I can't tell you how many late nights we had with Jose talking about giving up his addictions. Finally something stuck and the last few weeks with him he was clean and more lovable than ever. If you have interacted with our ministry you will remember Jose, he lost half of his arm to gang violence a few years ago and has been disabled ever since. He never let this set him back and always tried, and accomplished, anything he could do with his limitations. One of the lasting memories I will have of Jose will be the stories told by everyone who witnessed him show God's love this past week at a special needs orphanage. To see the pictures and him giving back the love he has been shown brings tears to my eyes. I love these two boys. Let them be a reminder to us all that the world we live in has violence and pain, but there is also hope and love. Let them show us that with God's love changes can happen. We will remember them as children of God, who just needed someone to teach them what God's love really is. Please as always keep our team and our kids in your prayers as we continue to show the love of Christ in our day to day ministry with the street community in Tegucigalpa.