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.

Gangs Everywhere

When out driving on the streets of Tegucigalpa you see newspapers posted everywhere. And you will almost always see an article relating to gang violence: “Gang Kills 17 in Shoemaking Workshop,” “Drug Gang Kills 9 in Honduras,” “Gunmen Slay Footballers in Honduran Gang Attack.” As you can see by the titles of these articles, gang activity is very prevalent, and a huge problem in Honduras.

A Price to Pay 

This is a current gang member who gave his life to the Lord at our church one evening. The last we heard was that he had a "meeting" with the gang to discuss his leaving. We haven't seen him since and are praying that he is okay.

Gang members, oddly enough, have a high respect for God and anyone that chooses to follow Him. And if you want to leave the gang to become a Christian, they will let you, but at a high price. One way to get in and out of a gang is “blood in, blood out.” This means the gang members will beat you, and beat you, and beat you until you bleed profusely, pretty much until you are just about dead, yet still alive. This is how you get in a gang, and how you get out. Yet getting out does not end there. If you have confessed to the gang that you want to follow Jesus, and have received your beating, they will literally follow you everywhere you go for one year. And you better not be caught sinning. You sin, you die. If they catch you in the act of fornication, see a beer in your hand, a joint in your mouth, or even without your Bible, they will kill you.

FORGIVEN

Wow! Can you imagine being followed for a year? Being carefully watched for each and every sin you commit? I don’t know about you, but I think most of us would be dead! Because truth be told, we are all sinful beings. And because of our sinful nature we deserve death. BUT, and I am glad there is a BUT, God sent his Son to take our place. Jesus took on all the sins of the world so that we wouldn’t have to pay for them. We are FORGIVEN. I am reminded of, and thankful for, the verse in Acts 13:38, “Therefore my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

They’re Forgiven TOO

With all that said, another major part of our ministry is witnessing to these gang members, many of whom we find in the boys juvenile detention center. And our church is full of ex gang members who have decided to leave their old life of drugs, crime, etc. and follow Jesus. These men, and sometimes women, have a past that many of us cannot even fathom, many having murdered several people. But there sins are no greater than yours or mine in the eyes of Jesus, and they too have been forgiven. They need to know this truth. They need to know they are forgiven. They need Jesus. And this is why we are here.

Some boys at the Juvenile Detention Center that have given their lives to the Lord. Here they are with their new Bibles!

This past week we had a team of girls from our home church here to work in our ministry. A couple of times during the week we visited the girl’s juvenile detention center. The first time we went Trina and Asher came but the second time it didn’t work for them to come. Every time I go there without Trina many of the girls ask about her. They want to know where she is, why she didn’t come, and when she is coming next. This time was no different.

One of the girls in the detention center is named Keidy (pronounced like “Katy”) and she is one that Trina has grown especially fond of.  She asked me how Trina was doing and then asked if she could write Trina a note. Knowing Trina would be thrilled to get a note from her I told her, “Yes of course you can!” So she ran off and came back a few minutes later with this note folded up for me to give to Trina.

Here is a translation:

For: Trina who is very special to me

From: Keidy who loves her a lot

Hello, the reason I am writing is that I want you to know I like you a lot and I hope you are in good health and are happy to be with your baby. I miss you. May the Lord bless you and keep you and that you are well.

Often Trina questions her value. She wonders if she is useful or if she is making a difference. But then this 15-year-old girl who was convicted of robbery and attempted murder makes a special point to tell her how much Trina means to her. I’m reminded of the old country song by Sammy Kershaw called She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful:

She don’t know she’s beautiful (never crossed her mind)
She don’t know she’s beautiful (no she’s not that kind)
She don’t know she’s beautiful
Though time and time I’ve told her so

I’m so proud of Trina and the work she does in the ministry. She doesn’t think of herself as a leader, yet she leads. She doesn’t think she is useful, yet she makes and impact. She doesn’t think of herself as an example to follow, yet so many look up to her. She don’t know she’s beautiful, though time and time I’ve told her so.

A Song

I recently listened to the song, “Speaking Louder Than Before,” by Jeremy Camp. It’s one of those songs that gets my blood pumpin when I am running. Every word to this song is amazing and thought provoking (you can listen to it here: Speaking Louder Than Before) But if I had to pick the part of the song that gets me the most is in the main chorus:

“We are, we are in desperation

We need to reach this generation

We are speaking louder than before

We are the light to reach this world

We are the salt preserving these souls

Let’s show them the love that we’ve received now.”

This is Osny Isabel...such a beautiful girl with amazing eyes.

Meet Osny

When I think of reaching this generation that’s in despeartion, I am reminded of Osny. Osny is 16 years old and lives in our home for teenage girls (The Eagle’s Nest).  Osny was around the age of 6 when her mother died, leaving her, her twin sister, and little siblings to fend for themselves while living with their grandmother.  As the years went by, Osny began to do some babysitting and caregiving to make some money. One day while walking home from work, 4 men abducted her and raped her repeatedly for 2 days.  She was obviously deeply broken by this incident and told her grandmother about the rape. However, her grandmother didn’t believe her and told her she was a lying to try and cover something else up. Osny’s dad came home from the USA (he migrated to the states for work) and the grandma told him about Osny and her “lying problem.” So her dad, angry at her for causing his mother trouble, told Osny what a liar she was, that she didn’t know what rape really was, and then proceeded to rape her himself to teach her a lesson.  Osny ran away and was picked up on the side of the road by a woman who took her to Tegucigalpa to find work.  After 5 weeks of working, Osny had a nervous breakdown.  She was sent to the mental hospital for 2 months, and then to the government orphanage from there.  That is where Alvin found her and brought her to the Eagle’s Nest.

“I Hate My Birthday”

It’s easy for someone like Osny to feel trapped in the dark. Just this past Saturday I went to the girls home and did an activity with them. We told about some of our favorite things. I asked the girls what their favorite holiday was; it could even be their birthday!  But Osny could not think of one. So I asked her, “What about your birthday?” She just gave me a disgusted look and said she hated her birthday. WHAT?! I have never met anyone, especially a teenage girl, who hated their birthday. I wondered why..Is it because she never got presents on her birthday? Is it because she was never sung Happy Birthday to? Or is it because she is trapped in the dark and doesn’t realize that Sept. 11 was the glorious day that God brought her into the world?  Needless to say, she needs to know the unfathomable love of Jesus Christ.

It’s Time To Speak LOUDER

Living in a third world country has made me realize how we are in serious desperation; desperation for a Savior. And if you read Chad’s last blog entry, you read about why our ministry focuses on this generation; a generation of children and youth who have been forgotten. I write these words again to encourage us all to speak louder; speak louder than you ever have before!

“We are the salt preserving these souls.

We have the love that will be brought.

We are speaking louder than before.”

All the girls from the Eagle's Nest, along with Sarah, who is the house mother. Osny is on my right. This is when my three friends visited from my home church.

Recently I had the privilege of experiencing the corruption here first hand. Alvin and I along with Pastor Ramone, who is the pastor of our congregation in the village outside of the city, were headed to check on the progress of feeding center #3. This feeding center will also be the place Pastor Ramone’s congregation will be meeting. Right now they meet in various homes around the village.

Police Checkpoint

Just as we were leaving Tegucigalpa we came to a police checkpoint. These are very common and I have been pulled over many times in the few months we have been here. It is always a nerve wracking experience since the police here are all corrupt; you never know how they might try and cause you problems. So far I’ve been pretty lucky and only had one cop that was nasty to me. Most of the time they just look at my registration and license and send me on my way. Not today…

This cop was looking to make some money and was intent on finding something for which he could threaten to give me a ticket. This is what they do. They threaten you with a ticket for a violation and then wait for you to offer them some money, which they gladly accept and send you on your way. As Christians we have a policy in our ministry not to contribute to the corruption. We gladly accept whatever ticket they are offering. This cop checked everything on my vehicle. He checked my license, my registration, he checked to see that I had two triangles and a fire extinguisher (which are required here in Honduras) and then he checked to see if I had a spare tire. Well my spare tire has recently been stolen. And that is where he had me. We explained to him that it had been stolen; however, he had no sympathy and said it was a violation and I was getting a ticket. I accepted that and told him I would be happy to pay the fine.

Alvin and I went into the police station with the cop (the checkpoints are always outside the roadside police stations) where he proceeded to write my name on the ticket. Then he looked up and with no shame told us that he would let us go if we made a contribution to the police station. Alvin told him that we are happy to contribute to the police station and that we do so through the church, which is true. However, we do not make those kinds of contributions personally. The cop was persistent and tried to tell us that with the contribution they would be able to buy tires for their vehicles and water for the station. In a way I feel for him, they have second rate equipment and are not paid a lot. But we still weren’t going to bribe him. Alvin explained that all three of us are pastors in the local church and then asked him how we could get on our knees before God knowing what we did. And then Alvin didn’t say anything more. For a few minutes we sat in silence while the cop’s conscience caught up with him. Slowly he lifted his head, handed me my license and registration, and sent us on our way – without a ticket.

When we left that station I was steaming mad. I told Alvin that things like this make me want to pack up and go home. Here we are pouring out everything we have to the people of Honduras and this is the thanks we get. I know we aren’t doing it for thanks and that this sort of thing is why we are here, but I still couldn’t help being angry. Alvin smiled and looked at me and said, “Chad, this is why we focus on the youth. This is why we work so hard to reach the youth of this country with the message of Jesus Christ. This is why we focus on educating them so that they will grow up differently. The chances of us changing men like this are very slim, but if we can get to the youth we have a chance at a better future.” He is right. That is why we don’t involve ourselves with politics. Real change is not going to come from the government. Real change is going to come from reaching the youth through the church.

Y0u Can Help

(following is a shameless plug for support, you can stop reading here if you want)

We could use your help in reaching the youth of Honduras. Our ministry is solely supported by individual gifts and donations. We now have an easier way to give online. To do so visit the Support page of our ministry’s website – mehonduras.com/support/ and click the big blue button. If you would like to know about specific needs we have in the ministry you can visit the Help Now page of our website – mehonduras.com/help-now/