2017 in Pictures

We rang in the New Year surrounded by friends from our local church!

Unfortunately the only picture I snapped of Karen during her week long stay with us was a really grumpy looking picture, but we did have some joy filled moments as well! Early on in the year, we worked to remove her from the abusive situation she was in and find her a long term, healthy environment where she can continue to pursue a full and happy life.

The year quickly got busy as back-to-school time meant getting together uniforms, school supplies, and school fees for the now FIFTY sponsored kids in Los Pinos! We literally reached new heights in the community as God continued to expand our reach. The ministry also hired a part time tutor to provide extra support to the kids who need it most.

 

Next, we celebrated with Carlos as he (nervously) took a big step and moved into his new living situation as he continues to prepare himself and step into adulthood and independent living. I worked to make sure that all of the kids leaving the collapsed ministry had a place to go and path forward, while Carlos was the most difficult due to his lack of any supportive family. Throughout the year he completed a four month long welding class and his second to last year of high school, while being pushed out of his comfort zone into independent living.

I celebrated four years of living in this beautiful country!

The kids and I were blessed to attend the annual Honduran Fellowship retreat to meet and connect with other missionaries here in Honduras.

All year long, we were blessed with visits from both friends and family, and to visit friends of ours in other parts of the country.

For the kids and I, this year was characterized by new experiences and overflowing joy! We learned new things, went new places, and loved every second of it!

This year, the ministry was able to trade up our problematic car. Praise God!

We celebrated fourth of July with a house full of friends and fireworks! The kids and I have established plenty of our own traditions now, mixing both Honduran and American customs.

Over the summer, my kids got to meet a few of the families I work with in Los Pinos and be a part of my ministry time with them, teaching them about loving and sharing with those who find themselves in very different situations than our own.

I was able to introduce my first missionary group to some of the families in Los Pinos, opening the door for more future opportunities and connections!

I continue to praise God for the chance to pour into Jennifer’s life for another year. She had a really tough year marked by devastating loss, but through it all, she continues to turn to God and continue forward towards her dreams , not allowing circumstances to trip her up. She stayed with us for part of the year while she was physically and emotionally recovering, and now it is a joy to see her back up on her feet!

The kids started 4^th and 5^th grade!

We attended the Independence Day school parades to celebrate all of the sponsored kids marching!

Around Christmas time, we hosted many family events for those of us who came out of the old ministry where I previously served. Things there might have collapsed, but we remain a family who gets together whenever we can, especially since many of them have little or nothing else to claim as family. Now that everyone is just about adult age, our time together is so much fun and I know we are forming traditions that will last for years to come! 

A few of the families in Los Pinos surprised me by throwing ME a Christmas party and thanking me for the support throughout the year. What a special day!

And then all the unseen, unphotographed moments - all the real ministry moments when tears are shed, encouragement is poured out, and prayers cover a myriad of situations. This is the heart of the ministry. These moments are best left uninterrupted by the flash of a camera, but they are certainly the most important moments. I couldn’t even begin to recount all of these moments that God has blessed me with this year, but I can tell you it’s been a beautiful year. It has been a year full of forward progress, love and provision from our Heavenly Father, and true community change. Shame has been driven out by love. Lies have been driven out by Truth. We’ve seen revival in hardened hearts, family reconciliation, and kids defeating the lie that they can’t actually accomplish their dreams. The community is changing, and that change is due to small sparks of change in the hearts and minds of the people. Behind the walls of each of these homes, there are unique situations, struggles, and so many reasons for hope. Being intimately involved in the lives of these precious children of our God really is the privilege of a lifetime, and I'll always be grateful for the opportunity to see His hand so clearly moving in their lives and their community. Praise God for an incredible 2017!