Friday Alvin and I stopped at Casa Alianza (Covenant House) to see about picking up our foster daughter Osny. It has been some time since she has spent the weekend with us. For those of you who don’t know, Osny used to live in our girls home but for various reasons is now living at Casa Alianza and spending the weekends at our house. When we walked in we met the director of Casa Alianza. She said she wanted to meet with us about Osny. After waiting 20 minutes finally the director and a psychologist were ready to meet and took us back to her office.

For the next hour and a half they explained the situation with Osny. That is, after Alvin told them Osny’s story. Interesting that they knew nothing of her story or why she was there. NOTHING! They didn’t know she had been raped by her father and four other men. They didn’t know she had been abducted or that she had a nervous breakdown. They didn’t even know where her home town is or that her mom is dead or that her dad lives in the US. You would think the psychologist who has been meeting with her would have some clue.

After Alvin enlightened them, the psychologist began enlightening us. She told us that Osny has been very depressed and has said things about killing herself. So they are concerned she is suicidal. The psychologist has also diagnosed her as bi-polar and has prescribed her medication. However, Osny says she is not crazy and does not want to take the medication. They seem to think that when she has taken the medication she was better. But because she won’t take the medication and they are afraid she is suicidal they are considering committing her to a local psychiatric ward. Not out of concern for Osny but to protect themselves. If she were to commit suicide they don’t want to be responsible – that is exactly what they said: they don’t want to be responsible.

The director also went on to tell us that they were not going to allow her to leave on weekends to be with us anymore. She said that the rules state that the children can only leave with family members and since we are not family they will no longer let her leave to be with us. Alvin explained that her mom is dead, her dad (who raped her) lives in the United States, and her grandma lives in La Ceiba, 6 hours away. But that didn’t matter, we are not family and that is the rules. Again, they explained that it was to cover their own liability – and ours but I’m pretty sure they don’t care about our liability.

In a futile effort, Alvin continued to explain that our goal is to help Osny and to provide her things she needs like clothing etc. Often times in Honduras you can get your way if you are offering to relieve someone of their responsibility. The attitude it, “If you are going to do it and I don’t have to, then go ahead!” But this didn’t work either. Instead this was their answer, “We can provide her with everything she needs here. The only thing we can’t give her is affection.” They can’t provide affection. No wonder she is depressed. She has lived a life absent of affection, it is one thing she craves. Oh how my heart breaks over this.

Alvin and I were on our motorcycles so after we left the meeting we pulled over on the street a block away to talk about what was said. Just as we pulled over, there was Osny walking up the street. As soon as she saw us her face lit up and she ran to us giving both of us huge hugs. She was all smiles until Alvin started explaining to her what happened at the meeting we had just been in. She began to cry when she heard she couldn’t come with us on the weekends anymore. Alvin assured her we haven’t given up and encouraged her to have patience. She was sad but seemed strengthened by his encouragement.

Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds for Osny. We haven’t given up on her but for now there is not much we can do. She is in their custody and so what they say goes. Here in Honduras rules have a tendency to be strict one week and then relaxed the next. So we will see. Our hearts break for her. We know God is in control and so we continue to pray for his protection and grace over her.

Three of the girls: Quendi (17), Mayra (17), Kimberli (11)

A House Full of Teenage Girls

You all know by now about our home for teenage girls, The Eagle’s Nest. We currently have 5 girls in the home from ages 11-17. I have shared their stories many times. But each of these girls come from poor stricken backgrounds, along with sexual and/or physical assault from a family member. I know their stories like the back of my hand, and I get sick, angry, and heart broken knowing what each has been through.

Growing Up is Hard to Do

We were all once teenagers, or some that read this may even be a teenager right now. And we all remember how difficult those teen years were. We remember the peer pressure, the trouble with friendships, the clicks, the competition, and let’s not forget puberty and all those hormones!

Me and Blanca, who is 15 years old.

We remember that growing up was, and still is, hard to do. So imagine all those difficulties, along with rape, incest, abuse, hunger, not a parent or teacher or guardian who loves and corrects you, and extreme poor living conditions. Throw those all together with 5 teenage girls in one home and you can about imagine the stress, chaos, and hardships that occur on a daily basis.

Chad and Quendi at her graduation from 3rd grade.

Prayer and Direction

A few of the girls in the home do not get along. This causes a lot of trouble in the household, and is a constant struggle among them. Some days are good. But some are bad. Right now they are bad. There are some girls in the house that are instigators and button pushers, which leads to actual physical fights between some of them. You would never guess it upon seeing them for the first time. But trust me, they all have a feisty side that you do not want to tango with! But this is their way of defending themselves and how they have grown up. Which is why they need a lot of prayer and and a lot of direction.

Special Times

The girls are always asking us, “When can we come over?” Almost every time I see them, I can count on getting asked that question. So they came over today and we had a great day. We made cards for others, we listened to music, decorated cupcakes, and we took them out for pizza. I also shared a verse with them today, knowing their recent struggles at home, and I hope they will take it to heart and live by, Colossians 3:12-14:

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Me and Claudia, who is 15, and one of the newest to come to the Eagle's Nest.

L-O-V-E

Chad and I love these girls and look at them as our own daughters. So we love it when they call us Mami and Papi! I have never known anyone who has craved love so badly like these girls do. And they will do everything they can to try and receive attention and affection. And we are not about to deny them of what they crave, because each of them deserves love. Please pray for the girls as they go through this difficult time in their lives. And please pray that we are able to guide and direct them through it, with love.

OSNY 

Osny Isabel

I’m sure you all remember Osny, a young girl who used to live at the Eagle’s Nest, but recently had some behavior issues and chose to leave, returning to the custody of Family and Child Services of Honduras. Once she was back in Casitas, she realized how much she didn’t want to be there. Whenever Alvin and Chad would visit with teams, she was in tears. She quickly remembered how good she had it at the Eagle’s Nest.

Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa

Osny was recently placed in a different transition home for young girls. One of the privileges of this home is that after two months, if you’ve had good behavior, you can leave on the weekends and live with a family. Well, Osny has had such excellent behavior that they are allowing here this privilege early! And this is where Chad and I, and Asher, come into the picture. We are the blessed family who gets to take Osny in…starting this weekend. We moved here with the intent on someday having our home be a home to others, and God has called us to give Osny a second chance; but more importantly to show her love.

Please Pray

We understand that this is a major adjustment and will not be easy. I feel a bit stressed and overwhelmed and unqualified. But God chose us to do this and we cannot be disobedient to Him. We do ask for continued prayer as we take on this new role of “parenting” a teenage girl, cause to be honest, we really have no idea what we are doing!

**To read past stories on Osny, go here:

Speaking Louder

Letting Go Is Hard

I sometimes wonder how I make it through each day. With all the sadness that I see and hear, I wonder how I am not surround by buckets of tears. I am going to share a couple of stories that I would like to ask you to pray about, because the women in these stories need prayer.

Loss

Out of the 60 babies born per day at Hospital Escuela, there are usually 1-2 mothers who lose their babies to premature labor or other causes. But yesterday when we visited the hospital, we learned that five mothers had lost their babies. Alejandra, who is 21 years old, was one of the distraught mothers who would leave the hospital without her firstborn child. What’s even worse is that she was placed in a room with five other women, all who had their sweet bundle lying right next to them! I felt that I should pray for Alejandra and comfort her somehow, someway. I sat next to her on the bed and put my arm around her. I wasn’t prepared for what would happen next. But she latched on to me, put her head on my shoulder, and began to sob. I didn’t know what words to give her, so I just held her and prayed over her. My heart was breaking for her breaking heart. Please pray for Alejandra.

Strength

Me and Keidy at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Some of you may remember Keidy, who we have mentioned in previous posts. She is a young girl in the Juvenile Detention Center that has a very special place in my heart. You may also remember another post about the horrible things going on in the Center, mainly the act of lesbianism. Chad visited the Center last week with the mission team that is currently with us, and discovered that Keidy had a black eye from one of the girls in the Center. Keidy has left that lifestyle and is trying to stay on the path of righteousness. Because of her godly choices, some of the girls ganged up on her and beat her up. I was in tears when I heard this. But I was instantly reminded of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Please pray for Keidy.

Okay, so maybe some days I do have buckets But this is why I am here. I often don’t feel qualified for this role that God has called me to. But like I’ve said before, God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. And I am called.