Almost back!

Landed safely in Miami :) now just customs, security, and one more plane away from being home. Miss the kids already!!

Saturday Prayer

Saturday, March 13^th

Saturday is always a special day at the Foundation. Every week neighborhood children enjoy a community program sponsored by the Children of Love Foundation, which is similar to the Bible School we provided this week. Today is extra special however, because police officers and the mayor of La Paz will be visiting so that we can thank them and honor their work. Please pray that the people of La Paz will see the Children of Love Foundation as a place that cares for them with the love of Jesus. Also, pray that the relationships with the political leaders of La Paz will grow and then provide greater opportunities to spread the Gospel.

"Greater love is none than this: that he lay down his life for his friends" - John

Our group has just finished bible study a few minutes ago after yet another fun filled, adventurous, and exhausting day.  Every night, after we sing with the children and pray before their bedtime, or St. Luke's team gathers in the chapel for a quick Bible study and discussion.  In these meetings we share our highs and lows, or anything else that's on our mind.  While every night has been filled with great thoughts and discussion, tonight was different.  You must understand that for the past 5 days we have all been running around after children, teaching bible school to hundreds of kids every day, and doing so many other small things that it all catches up to you.  In addition we all have shared so many priceless, amazing, and indescribable experiences together as a group that the "shock" of the feelings and emotions catches up with us as well.  Tonight, Bible study began with a short story read by pastor Abel about Dr. Maximillian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest who was incarcerated at Auschwitz during world World War II.  This man volunteered to trade places with a condemned man at the camp.  The offer to trade places was accepted and as a result, Dr. Kolbe died in a portion of the camp dedicated to execution through starvation.  Silence filled the room after pastor finished reading the story.  

Today in morning and afternoon bible school, we taught the children a similar story. More than 2,000 years ago, a man named Jesus willingly traded places with you and me.  This man was true God; A man that loved us so much that he came down from heaven to earth.  He took upon himself our sins, was crucified for them, and then rose again so that through him we can have new life.

It is truly remarkable to see the total dichotomy of good and evil in both of the stories.  While the Nazi's were brutally executing him in a camp dedicated to death, Dr Kolbe sacrificed his life so another might live.  Christ was put to death a horrific and barbaric way, by the very people he came to save.  While not to such an extreme degree, the same situation exists here in Honduras.  All throughout the country, specifically from what I have seen in La Paz, poverty is rampant.  The people live in such primitive structures with none of the amenities nor comforts of home.  Hunger is a normality for many of this city's residents, primarily children.  Good male role models are few and far between, women are seen by men as the person who has the baby and makes the food.   Many people here know of God, but do not know him nor of his unconditional love.   And then in the midst of all of this seemingly hopeless despair, there is an oasis in the desert, so to say.  And it is the Children of Love Foundation. Here, orphans who come from the most dire and horrible situations are cared for, loved, and are taught of the love of Christ.  Here, the kids can have an opportunity to have a normal life.  Words cannot describe the feeling you get when you get a hug from one of the kids here.  The warmth and unconditional love given to you by the child is remarkable.  The hug and smile from the child in itself are proof that Christ is alive and well here in Honduras and that he can turn a seemingly hopeless situation turn into countless blessings and opportunities.

I pray that this place continues to grow and I also pray that the children here continue to grow in love and faith

See you when we get back!

David

my week

I thought I knew what to expect from this trip before I got here because of stories my sister Leah had told me and pictures she has shown. My expectations have been met and exceeded. I have received love and hugs from people I hardly know but feel more warmth from than some people I have known for years. I cooked with the women in the kitchen in a flurry of chaos of trying to feed 200 people when we were expecting 50 and the only way to communicate was gestures and eye contact. There where a lot of laughter and hugs after. I have seen dwellings that would be condemned in the states but to these beautiful people it is home. I don't know if I have ever seen a place that God is so obviously present in my life. Even the poorest of people in this community want to share what they have. There is a young boy Walter who lives behind the Foundation. He and his family have next to nothing yet today he brought us nuts from a tree by his house and yesterday he shared mangos with us. That to me is amazing. I think so many of us take for granted what we have and feel sometimes we cant give because we need to make sure we have enough for ourselves. I myself am guilty of. However, I hope when I get home I will remember the people and experiences here and remember that I have more than enough to share. Thank you God for this opportunity to get perspective on life and my faith. I can't wait to share more when I get home. Night every one!

Friday Prayer

Friday, March 12^th

Our final Bible School lesson with the children today, focuses on the Resurrection of Jesus. Because He lives, we will live forever with Christ. Please pray that the children can see themselves as God’s beloved treasure and that Jesus will always love them and care for them. Also today, we will be bringing gifts of baby clothes and infant supplies to new mothers at the La Paz hospital. Pray that the citizens of La Paz see the Foundation as a source of generous Christian love, and that the Holy Spirit would draw them to know more about that love.

STEVEN DUDA'S BLOG!!! <3 <3

Today was a very crazy day.Instead of our usual 20 older kids who show up for the morning VBS session we ended up with 200 kids. We were running around like chickens with our heads cut off the entire morning. Apparently the teachers closed school and instead took the kids to VBS. In addition to the chaos, I was walking outside of the chapel when I stumbled on a kid lying on his stomach losing his lunch. I immediately found Mama Dorris and she took care of the kid. Mama Dorris said the kid overheated and I possibly saved his life by stumbling upon him. After the morning chaos the rest of the day went pretty smoothly. 

Wednesday as told by Tio Alex y Tia Natalie

This morning we woke up bright and early to delicious Honduran coffee. We were assigned chores and picked up garbage around the Foundation, which was a good bonding experience with Rosibel. The kids find our random Spanish sentences amusing.

The first group of kids arrived, and we started the day with musical chairs (Natalie: I broke one of them sitting down too quickly) and limbo, which the children loved. It was very shocking to us all when during the message when Pastor Abel asked the kids if they needed to earn God's love, and they all replied "si." It's good to know that children who know so little about the Bible can learn the good news of the gospel. They also had so much fun making bracelets with beads. The afternoon group painted with watercolors. They were so proud of their paintings, and even made some for their "tios y tias." (Natalie: Alex painted a bright orange Jesus fish on my head that many of the children laughed at.) (Alex: That was pay back for the bright blue streak she painted down my cheeks.)

After a yummy dinner, one of the kids, Walter, took us to his house and offered us mangoes. He climbed up to the top of a tree in his backyard and tossed us down several mangoes. It's amazing that those here who have so little are so willing to give what they do possess. Edty, who works in the kitchen, gladly cut the mangoes up for us and we put salt on them (after a long and confusing conversation with Walter in Spanglish about what to put on them).

Finally, we had an awesome (POSSUM) service led by pastor Ed. We took communion with some of the confirmed children and at the end, the kids received quilts made by a group at St. Luke's. Their faces lit up at the sights of them, and they were even more thrilled when they saw the patterns sown inside. Now we're blogging on the roof under a perfectly clear, starry sky. BUENOS NOCHES!!

Love,

Alex Domka and Natalie Farruggia