What Joy!… A House Full Of Kids

Providing Family-Care to Six Honduran Children & Youth

You know about our 4 Honduran kids from previous letters and how God has brought them into our family. Your inquires, your support and your prayers for our kids mean so much. Allow me to give an up-date and share the latest news. As you may remember, Isabel was the 15 year-old gang leader who we came to know in 2003 through our prison ministry. You wouldn’t have liked her during her 1^st year in the juvenile detention center… before she came to know the Lord. Her 2^nd year there was quite eventful: she gave birth to her son, Jonathan and shortly thereafter she herself was “born again” as she placed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But, also, during this year her grandfather died who was the only stable adult male figure in her family, and then her mother died, too. She was not able to say, “Goodbye” to either one nor attend their funerals. She realized the tremendous needs in the lives of her 4 younger siblings; it was that same year that God gave her a burden for them… and she began to pray… and with such fervor that Michelle, Nuris, Kevin and Jimmy miraculously wound-up in our house as our foster kids. Her 3^rd year she was an example to all the other detained girls, as she grew in her faith. When she turned 18 she was moved to the adult women’s section where she spent her 4^th year incarcerated and continued to grow in the Lord.

Recently, in early May Kim and I made our weekly trip to the town where the prison is. There we heard to our surprise that Isabel was being released that very day. Through a course of events that afternoon, Isabel and her 2 ½ year-old son came home with us that very night. As Isabel joined her 4 siblings at our house, little Jonathan was acquainted with his 2 aunts and 2 uncles. And, once again, Kim and I became parents to a needy youth… but for the first time to 6 all at once (including one in diapers!). What joy, to have a house full of kids!

Like her brothers and sisters, Isabel needs a refuge. The life of an ex-gang member newly released from prison is a delicate situation. We’ve known 4 youth in similar situations to be killed shortly after their release. Isabel knows the dangers and is most grateful for our help. She only goes out with us or with a female police captain who helped her much during her years in prison. But, what she enjoys most is a “home”, enjoying time with her brothers and sisters in the house.

We want you to pray for our kids by name. Nuris, Kevin and Jimmy have been attending a private Christian school-after 3 years of not attending school. Michelle and Isabel are in a home school program allowing them to “hopefully” pass 2 grades in one year making-up for several years without school. They enjoy our church, “Koinonia Baptist Church”, which is the same church that started the school this year where the 3 attend. Their report cards this month where all A’s & B’s. We are all enrolled in various classes at the public sports complex just 3 blocks from our house, including: soccer, swimming, tennis, and track. Michelle recently started taking guitar at a music school near our house. So, needless to say… we’re in “full swing” around here.

In closing, please know that we need your help: prayer and financial support. Here is our greatest prayer need; since Isabel has come to live with us… it is for her and our safety. Isabel’s ex-boyfriend is still very much a gang member and in the past wanted very much to see or take his son, Jonathan. He didn’t know when Isabel was to get out (none of us did). But, word travels fast “in the hood” and we are not sure what he’ll do when he knows that she and Jonathan are living in our house. He, too, needs the Lord to change his life, but if he will not change then, prayerfully, he will not come around. We also need financial support as our house hold expands. Please remember that Kim and I have no ministry or program that generates revenue, in other words all of our ministries are given to the mission field without cost to any Honduran. We carry the responsibility to raise our funds… not only for our missionary expenses (salary, health ins., newsletters, etc.), but we have to raise resources for our 5 areas of ministry, including our newest ministry… fostering our 6 kids.

Please pray, lift our kids to the Lord, and give, as the Lord directs. Regarding your gifts, you can direct them to the ministry area that touches your heart the most. For example… if you wish to give specifically to our foster ministry (the newest of our 5 ministry areas with the greatest funding need) you may direct you gift accordingly. Kim & I need help with expenses for groceries, tuition, school supplies & uniforms, added fuel expenses, extra curricular classes, clothes, etc. We’ve formed a budget that covers all these expenses for less than $12 a day per child. Through our 2 decades with YFC, God has met every financial need because our supporters like you pray and give as He leads. You are so appreciated! You know what is so beautiful? We do what we can… that which is possible and God takes it and He does the impossible, the changing of a life or even a family... for generations to come.