Fund Raising Dinner on Saturday

Children of Love Foundation
MUSICAL DINNER

When: April 25, 2009

Where: SOCIEDAD CUBANA
5088 Hoffner Ave. Orlando FL. 32812

Time: 6PM to 12.00 A.M.

Music by; Group IRIS

Donation: $25.00 - $30.00 at the door

Information call-407-273-0753

Click here for a Print Out.

Home Again

It is good to be back again with family and friends. Our airplane flights went smoothly. No trouble getting through customs. The Lord blessed this trip from beginning to end.

If you've read through this blog, you will also realize how difficult it was to leave our friends and new family in La Paz. The Children of Love Foundation is indeed a special place. The children are learning about the Bible and are praying together each day. In a society that doesn't have a lot, the foundation provides them with a good home, good food and good care.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We are so blessed that we have a tremendous opportunity to help the Lord provide a hope and a future for these children. Please consider sponsoring a child ($60/month) or just making a donation to their regular expenses. (You can see http://childrenoflove.org for more information or donation through St. Luke's Lutheran Church electronically [note Children of Love Foundation in the Miscellaneous notes section].)

If you haven't looked at the pictures and videos from our trip, please take a moment to see all that we did during the week.

Photos are on Picasaweb at http://picasaweb.google.com/childrenoflovefoundation/

and recorded videos are available at both:
http://colf.fliggo.com/ and
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/children-of-love-foundation

In miami

We have landed. Everything is on time. See you soon

Christ is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!

You might say that Easter in Honduras started with a bang.   At 3:30 in the morning the bell beckoned, and we met for our daily routine of a devotion, prayer, singing, and hugs.   Bang! Bang! Bang! Fireworks began our celebration, and by four we were walking the dark streets of La Paz.  Carrying a lantern and a boom-box, we greeted all those we met with singing and the words "Christ is risen, Alleluia!"  What a wonderful reminder of the women running from the tomb to tell others that "He is not here!  He is risen!"  This Easter was full of favorite (and unique) memories that I know we will treasure for years to come. 

We returned from our walk at 6 am. and tuned in to St. Luke's Easter service.  It's incredible that from so far away we could feel so connected to what is going on there.  Thank you to everyone at St. Luke's, especially the technology team and all those responsible for the special music for the day.  We really appreciated a bit of home and family on such an important day.  

Having already celebrated for the past 3 hours, it was time for an Easter egg hunt for the children; you should have seen the excitement on their faces as they all ran to search for eggs.  We also had Easter baskets prepared, so the children had plenty of sugar to eat as they awaited their breakfast.  Good thing we had visited the dentist earlier in the week! 

After some delicious Easter omlettes, we had a bit of free time to read with the kids, color, nap, and have Youth Group with the older children.  Having a special time with the teenagers was something new this trip, and (in spite the frustrations of the language barrier) we had some great conversations and bonding time.   The kids agreed that they'd like to try having Youth group with future St. Luke's groups, and also that they would try to meet once a week on their own (with some guidance from us).  

In the afternoon, a few members of our group went traversing the mountains on a quest for hammocks, while the rest stayed behind for some quality time with the kids (spit ball fighting Tia Leah?)  We also did tye dye and Florida shell mobiles with the kids for special Easter crafts. 

This evening was my favorite because of our good-bye luau for the kids.  They loved the balloons, popcorn, coke with little umbrellas, leis, glow sticks, limbo, dancing, and time together.  We took a break in the middle of our fiesta to say a few words to each child, give them a friendship bracelet and St. Luke's shirt, and enjoy our Easter cards and cascarones from the students at St. Luke's.  

It was a fun-filled evening that was finished far before the kids were ready, but then again we'd been up since 3:30 so it was definitely time.  After our devotions, prayer, and singing we exchanged hugs and "Buenas Noches" one last time.  Can our time here really be over already? The adults headed to the roof to check out the moon and stars and to enjoy the last of our snacks and each other's good company.   

Tomorrow we head home, taking with us our pictures and many great memories, and leaving our love for the beautiful children here.  We are all very thankful for the amazing opportunity to share the good news of our risen Lord.  Christ is Risen, Indeed.  Alleluia!  

  

It's Easter

I'm up late and just realized it's Easter in Florida.  Had another great chat at the evening and realized how important it is for the children of this home to know the love of God the Father through the gift of His Son.  We have talked again this week at great length as to how best to help these children.  

And then I realized again, this is the issue that God had with us.  How to help His children have the best life and best future possible.  As I sit here now, I know that He has given me the best future: Heaven.  And yet, He also gives me the present.  The peace of knowing that He guides my steps even when I don't want Him to.  The peace of knowing that He prepares things for me that I don't yet understand.  That He is looking out to provide all of my daily wants and needs even though I have nothing to offer Him in return.

I am so glad to call Him my Father.   Have a Blessed Easter.

Holy Saturday

So much done in so litttle time.  We started this day with the usual beautiful cool morning with a great group for the weekly Saturday program.  We sang, talked about Jesus crucifixtino and watched a DVD on the week from Palm Sunday to Easter.  Then we took the children to the aquas calenites (hot springs) which the children absolutely loved.  There was live music and lots of people in the very very hot pools.  We  then took the kids home and headed to Cumayagua, a city of 111,000 for a little r&r. Off to bed early because we will rise and shine at 3:00 am to walk the streets of La Paz  singing praises on Easter morning. The last few days we have witnessed many processions throughout Honduras - it must be a traditon for Holy Week. Goodnight!  

Amazing. Sitting in a mall in Cumayagua Honduras with free wireless. We had a great swim with the kids today even though the place was packed. 80 kids for the morning program too. We will write more later.