Moving with the Spirit

Yesterday we celebrated my one year anniversary at Alas de Aguilas. One year ago I went to a women's retreat. A friend asked me to give her a ride home when the retreat was over. She didn't really want a ride to her home, she needed a ride to her church, Alas de Aguilas. Little did I know that would soon become my home too. Praise God for sending me there.

The message yesterday was about spiritual sterility. When we are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit is our way of feeling God's presence and communicating with God. To live without the Holy Spirit in our daily lives leaves us sterile and barren as Christians. We cannot bear fruit.

Looking over the past year I see so many changes in myself. Yesterday, without knowing that it was my one year anniversary, my friend Oneida told me that she remembers a year ago when she first met me. She said I was not cold, but very distant and without much emotion. Now she says I am happy all of the time and so friendly. Yes, it's true. I am much different now than I was a year ago. Praise be to God.

After the service a friend approached me and asked if I would go serve at an orphanage with some others. I said I would love to but I already made plans to eat with Oneida and her family. They didn't have much food last week when I visited so I figured we could get some rice and veggies and a chicken to make Arroz con Pollo. It's cheap and it feeds a ton of people. But God had different plans.

A lady from the church took Oneida's kids to lunch and a museum. Since Oneida didn't have to look after her kids, she offered to come with me. God set that up perfectly! Oneida and I were treated to lunch by Jorge Saramiento. Then he took us to an orphanage for girls who were sexually abused. It was incredible to see how the afternoon unfolded.

Jorge and I played with the kids. A young man we brought with us and Oneida stood back and watched. When the games ended a lady took me aside and asked if I knew the history of the place. I said no, I really know nothing. I told her that my friend invited me to visit, so I came.

She sat down with me at a table. At first I thought, "Oh no. They see white skin and think I have money." In the end, they did need money. But I really believe it was not my white skin, I believe it was God who had them sit down with me.

They explained about the program. They house and care for 19 girls between the ages of 8 and 19, all of whom were sexually abused. Some have physical and learning disabilities. All of them have a story - the grandfather abused them and now the grandmother will not allow them to come home because he was convicted; all of the women of the family raised money to get an offender out of jail and now he is abusing younger sisters; the mother died giving birth and the father turned his older daughter into his "wife". At 14 she had to care for her younger siblings and perform wifely duties for her father. Lots of sad stories.

But these ladies are doing good things! Every child except one is in school. There is a psychologist and a social worker there with them. The staff  are teaching the girls to be self sufficient, making sure they will be able to do something to earn a living when they leave. They are also encouraged to dream big. Each of the girls have special gifts. The staff notices and supports each girls' strengths. One is great with animals, another with plants, another is quick to attend to anyone who is hurt...

The girls have formed a family of their own. Nobody gets visits on their birthdays from biological family, although they could have visitors. Most of the families have disowned the girls for "telling on" the offender. So they celebrate with their new families - the "sisters" and "aunts" they live with every day.

The location is exquisite. They could house even more people. In fact the Honduran counterpart of DCFS would like to place 15 more girls there. But there is no money. The private owners have not been able to pay a salary for 5-6 months. They went with out electricity for 6 months. There is a hole in the cistern, so all of their water is held in two big plastic swimming pools.

Two of the dormitories for the girls

The cistern with a hole

Swimming pools, but no swimming here! This water is for the homes

I walked into that place thinking they were living in the lap of luxury. By first appearance, it seems that way. The more time I spent there, the more I realized they are sinking, and sinking fast. The owners have told the five ladies who work there that they will close in December, unless the ladies can come up with a plan. If the place closes, the girls will either go back to the homes where they were abused, or to the streets. Neither situation is good.

I think if they had dropped all of that on me at once, I would have felt hopeless and overwhelmed. But they talked to me about the girls first, then showed me around the property. I asked if they had help from a group of men, would they have projects for the men, and that's how I learned the swimming pools were not for swimming. The lights went out as we toured the sleeping quarters and one of them let it slip that they just had the electricity turned back on after being without for six months. As we were saying good bye they said they hope we return to visit the girls. They said as long as the girls are there, they will remain to take care of them, although they haven't been paid in 5-6 months.

None of this was presented as a complaint. It was framed as, "If you know anyone who could help." I immediately thought of a friend of mine who runs a similar project. She is a wise business lady and may be able to offer advice. They said they would LOVE any advice she could give and would make themselves available whenever she can come, or they could go to her if that is better.

I was not allowed to take photos of the girls because of privacy laws, but I did get some photos of the crafts they are doing to raise money.

Beautiful Planters

Hand painted with love

Another fundraising project, gardens inside of a tire

More tires for planters

When I got home I posted photos on Facebook and got responses I never expected of people who would like to help. But I knew we shouldn't get all wrapped up in emotion and "go off half cocked" as my Dad used to say. (I googled that to make sure it isn't something vulgar.) It seems wisest that we assess the best way to help.

Maybe their most immediate need is to plug up the cistern or build a new one. But if they are only going to be there for a few more weeks, then there is no sense in spending money that way when there are mouths to feed and salaries to pay. The ladies who are working for free have their own families who are going without an income. I asked the people who want to help to be patient. We can't throw money at the situation and walk away. We have to figure out what is the most effective way to help in the long run.

Sleeping quarters

Guess what is inside this bottle (see below)

Gas for the lawnmower

When you can't afford electricity or gas
this is how you cook for 20+ people

A goat = milk!

The barbed wire that kept them safe has fallen down
and needs to be replaced

Steel radial tires
Good thing it's a spare

Today I got a message from a lady I met at the last conference. She referred me to another missionary whose whole mission is to help failing ministries! That person and I have been in contact throughout the day. She believes God brought the two of us together for a reason. I believe God sent me to that orphanage for a reason. (I hate the word "orphanage" but use it for lack of one better.) We are brainstorming about what to do. Right now, the women from the orphanage are sending a list of immediate financial needs, as well as their normal monthly budget. We'll see how to move forward from there. If it is God's will, He will show us how to intervene.