Thankful for my Fall...

It had been several nonstop days, and I was incredibly tired physically and mentally.  I had been juggling several different projects, people and the inevitable 'unexpected'.  I awoke tired and wanted more than anything to return to my bed rather than my morning routine of reading my Bible, journaling and spending time with God.  I said a quick prayer and asked God for just a few more minutes of sleep.  As I covered my head and almost drifted back to sleep, I heard God's beckoning voice calling me to arise and listen.  So I got up and sought Him.  My reading settled on Philippians 4:4-7.  Rejoice in The Lord ALWAYS....  Do not be anxious... With prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God...  And the Peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

I walked a few laps around the campus praying and laying all my concerns for each individual child and loved ones in my life at the feet of Jesus.  I could feel the weight lifting with each word and step and felt myself transforming, refreshed and renewed.  I continued to sing praises to God as I showered and prepared for the day.   I walked out of my door with energy and excitement.  Not from an energy drink or caffeine, but from the precious Spirit of God, which was pumping in my heart and through my veins. I love my mornings with God and His rejuvenating therapy in just spending time with Him.

As I walked across to the office building I think there was a slight spring in my step as I continued to sing praises to God.  Then I was rudely interrupted by a stepping stone that had become unbalanced and decided to bolt me to the ground.  It was like something you would see in a movie.  Me smiling, singing, gliding across the lawn, then straight to the ground with my knee grinding hard into the rocky steps.  Ripped my pants, took a few layers of skin off, leaving my knee bloody and bruised and most of all....killed my joy.

I quickly jumped up and went into the office and tended my wound, then just sat at my desk and cried.  Yes, my knee hurt, but more than anything my heart hurt.  It's like in that one moment, Satan took my joy and all the truths God had filled my heart with that morning and flushed them down the toilet.  I sat for a while in silence and felt sorry for myself and then the Voice of Truth pushed through my whining and reminded me HE was still with me.  The same as when He walked and whispered sweet comforts in my ears in the morning, He was also there with me as I fell and even as I sat at my desk sorting through my thoughts.  He will never leave me or forsake me.  Yes, God...I remember.  Thank you Lord for holding my hand...even when I fall.

Where God is at work, Satan will attack.  When we are full of God's joy, something will literally push us off course and try to steal our peace.  When God is moving in the hearts of His people, something will come to distract and take the focus off of HIS plan and back to our own weakness and needs.  As I limped around throughout the day with a sore knee, I was constantly reminded of my morning fall.  But more significantly of our daily falls.  Something I frequently tell the children is:  "We all fall.  What matters, is that we get back up and move forward. Don't just stay there." 

 We are not defined by our mistakes or scars, but strengthened by them.  God can take our worst mistakes, failures and disappointments and use them to transform not only our hearts and lives, but those of everyone we meet. 

Thankful for my fall......

Sanctuary - Thoughts from a Hospital Room

Faith Home has had quite a few sicknesses and problems over the past few months.  I am doing my best to give each problem to God and seek His wisdom for healing and answers.  I must admit that at times, I feel that twinge of stress where I think "I have no idea what to do".  Then as if someone is poking me in the ribs with an elbow, I hear that still small voice that says "you don't have to know what to do, just listen and follow".  And so that's how the days go, when all seems out of control.  I stop, listen and marvel at how God works out the details...when I remember to step aside and let Him move.  

The past few days in the hospital with Fernando were starting to get to me last night.  I would read my Bible and pray and feel God's sweet release, then I would pick up the bags of worry for Fernando and the others and then start hashing out all the things in my mind that are going on.  I try to keep singing and smiling so Fernando doesn't see the worry on my face.  

Around 9:00 last night I started feeling uncomfortable and itchy and lifted my shirt to see an ugly rash covering my stomach and back.  My first reaction was panic.  Now what?  I can't reach Hector or anyone at Faith Home because the cell service has been messed up in that area for two weeks.  Yes, I am in a hospital but the doctors are all gone for the night.    I don't want to leave Fernando and check into the emergency room to get meds.   I can wait, but what if it gets worse?  The nurses came in and thought it was an allergic reaction and said I should walk down to the pharmacy and get meds.  

As I walked the long corridor to the pharmacy I kept thinking "seriously, what more can go wrong?"  Then the familiar poke in the ribs came and the God's comforting voice that said "listen and follow.  Give it to me."  So I did and I felt the weights lift off my shoulders as I prayed, purchased some meds, floated back to the room and drifted off into the sweetest sleep one has ever had in a hospital chair.  The rash is weakening and my faith is strengthening. 

My morning devotion today was -appropriately- about Job.  I truly appreciated the words and thoughts that reminded me that close communication with God is the only source of comfort, no matter how devastating the circumstances.  I love that in the midst of Job's grief of the most horrible sense of loss --HE PRAISED GOD.   I often sing when I feel emotions of stress, sadness or frustration creeping in.  One of my favorites is "Sanctuary".    'Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and Holy, tried and true, with thanksgiving, I will be a living sanctuary, for you'.   

So whatever this day holds, God I give it to you.  I lay it in your faithful hands and trust that you will work in and through me and that Your Glory will be shown as you heal the sick, strengthen the weak, protect the children and show mercy to me in spite of myself.  

A Gift of Love

What do you want for your birthday?   Simple question and for most people, there would be a long list of wants.  But for Wilder, one of our newest Faith Home children, it seemed like a foreign concept.  He looked puzzled for a few minutes and then he said "I want to go visit my brothers and sisters for my birthday".   My response "okay, we can do that, but what do you want-- for you?"  He quickly replied "only that".   So after some prompting and suggestions, he finally understood that he would actually receive a gift for his birthday.  He decided he would like some shoes....some cool ones. 

For most of our children who have grown up at Faith Home, they EXPECT a gift and always know months in advance what they want.  But for 11 year old Wilder, this was a pleasant surprise.  He can't remember ever receiving a gift for his birthday.  He was so excited when we showed up at his house in the morning and the entire house sang happy birthday to him.   He grinned from ear to ear as he tried out his new remote control car and held up his new clothes and shoes.  When he spotted the mound of candy in the bottom of the bag, he immediately started handing it out to every one in his house.  I have never seen anyone more appreciative of a gift.  The greatest gift for him was the gift of love.  Humbling and inspiring!

Wilder came to Faith Home in August of this year.  After his arrival, we discovered that he has siblings (complicated story).  He has such a heart to see and help them.   As we arrived where they are staying, the looks on their faces as they squealed with joy and hugged each other was priceless!   The oldest boy cried as he held Wilder close.  I watched as Wilder carefully handed out the candy, stuffed animals and cupcakes we brought for them.  I listened as they visited and caught up on each others lives.  And I choked back tears as the youngest boy held on to my leg and told me not to leave and that they wanted to go with us.  Oh how I wanted to take them.   They need help.  They need a home with 3 meals a day...every day.  They need to experience the love Christ and the love of a family as Wilder is now experiencing.  And they need to be re-united with their brother and experience the hope that he now has and wants to share.

Please pray with us for Wilder's siblings.   Pray that God will provide new house parents and the funding needed to bring more children to Faith Home.   Please pray about how you can join us as we help children, like Wilder, grow to break the cycle of poverty and abuse and share God's gift of love with others.

God Bless,

Christina Massey, Director

Faith Home Ministries

faithhome.honduras@gmail.com

www.faithhome.net

Please consider how you can give back from what God has blessed you with. 

Donations can be sent to:

GBIM 

100 Stinson Drive

Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Please Write 'Faith Home' in the memo line.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We have so many things to be thankful for on this day:

GOD - His amazing Love and perfect plan ... and that He allows us to see His Glory shown in the lives of the people around us.

THE FAITH HOME CHILDREN - The blessings we receive from them as we help them know God and discover His amazing plan for their lives.  

THE FAITH HOME STAFF - The sacrifices each of them make to be here as God's hands, feet and heart to our children.

THE HONDURAN PASTORS - The passion they have for spreading the gospel to their people and the encouragement they give to our Faith Home family.

OUR FAMILIES - The love and support they give for us to be apart and fulfill God's calling on our lives.

OUR MISSION FAMILY - Those who give of their time, money and most importantly ...HEART, so that we can continue the work God has called us to do in and through the Faith Home children.

If I were to list names, I would never stop because I realize that the list of people - PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE - who have contributed to Faith Home Ministry in Honduras is endless.

     Because of those who have gone before us, the way has been paved

     for this amazing ministry.   We stand upon their shoulders as we carry

     the torch to ignite God's light in a country that desperately needs HIS

     love.  

     Because of those who presently support and encourage us, we are able

     to carry on the day to day ministry that allows us to witness God

     changing hearts and lives.

     Because of those God is currently equipping and preparing, this

     ministry will continue on, until the love of Christ is introduced to every

     person in this country...and the ends of the earth.

THANKFUL is a very small word to express the depth of gratitude I feel on this day, but I pray that you hear my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

God Bless,
Christina Massey, Director
Faith Home Ministries -Honduras

faithhome.honduras@gmail.com

Rest in Peace Felix Ariel

Felix Ariel Hernandez Medrano was born on April 3, 1994  in El Progresso, Honduras.   We don't know the full circumstances of the first few years of his life, but at age 5 he was rescued and given the hope of a future in Faith Home.  He ran from the van upon arrival at Faith Home and hugged the tree by the dining hall as if holding on for dear life.

As Ariel grew into a tall, dark and handsome young man, he enjoyed the opportunities Faith Home provided.  He had a beautiful smile that melted hearts.  He worked hard even though he suffered from asthma.   He loved to play soccer, drink pepsi, share with others and hang out with friends.  After Little Angels school, he attended a technical school in San Pedro.  When he worked with the medical teams, you could see God's heart flowing through him.   Ariel left Faith Home last year, after turning 18, and was currently living in San Manuel.   

Ariel had a new job in Tegucigalpa and Hector was to take him to the bus at 6am on Monday.  He was so excited about this new opportunity and the changes that would follow in his life.   Tragically, Ariel was murdered in his sleep just 2 days before this new juncture in his life.

Please pray with us as we seek peace and help the children cope with the loss of their 'brother'.  We may never understand why, we can only trust in God's amazing love that will carry us through the days ahead and remind us of the value of Ariel's life.  

Ariel's first Christmas at Faith Home

Ariel working with the Med team this summer

 

Prayer Requests

 





Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:6




Please continue to pray for Karen (Daniella) as she recovers from pneumonia. She is doing much better and getting stronger every day.

 

 

 



Tio Marcos started Radiation treatment this week. Please pray that this treatment will rid his body of the cancer and he will have a full recovery.



 



Otoniel goes back Monday for the long awaited surgery. Please pray that God will guide the surgeons hands and bring Otoniel through the surgery and healing process quickly.



Iris is a beautiful 6 year old girl who lives near Faith Home. She has birth defects and is now suffering from severe malnutrition due to the inability to keep down food. We are helping her with meds and nutrition. Please pray that God will ease her pain and Iris can have a better quality of life.



This baby girl lost her mom during birth. She is living is a very poor -full house- with her grandma, who is struggling to survive. Please pray that God will help her to grow up safe and healthy.



Irma's legacy was helping others and rescuing children from the streets of Honduras. She was murdered in her home this week. Please be in prayer for her family, friends and all of her 'children' whom this tragedy will forever change.



 

 

Thank you for praying and supporting the ministry of Faith Home. It is because of people like you that we are reaching the country of Honduras for Christ, through our children.   Please continue to pray for our Faith Home children, as they grow to understand God's purpose for their life... to become the men and women God created them to be.

God Bless,
Christina Massey, Director
Faith Home Ministries -Honduras

 



faithhome.honduras@gmail.com www.faithhome.net

Donations can be sent to: GBIM 100 Stinson Drive Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

faithhome.honduras@gmail.com

www.faithhome.net

Donations can be sent to:

GBIM
100 Stinson Drive
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901





 

Lord Break My Heart....

I remember praying a few years ago "Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours". A sincere prayer of seeking God's will and a desire to join God's activity in the lives of others.  Today was a very real reminder of my prayer and of God's desire to show His heart for the broken through us.

Maria and I went to visit a family in San Manuel to see if we could bring them into a physical therapy program that we are working on for next year.  As we entered the gate of their home, I was admiring the beautiful flowers and shrubs that surrounded their house.  Then my eyes lifted to see a little girl run out and jump into Maria's arms, happy to see her.  She smiled and then we followed her inside the small block house.  I looked down to see two boys laying in the floor with makeshift diapers on and one larger boy leaning against the corner.  None of the three could walk and the two smaller boys couldn't sit up on their own.  The hair was rubbed off of the back of their heads from squirming around on the concrete floor and their bodies had numerous sores from the hard floor.  They turned and looked up at me with their dark sparkling eyes and incredible smiles.

Maria immediately got down in the floor and started talking to them and playing with them.  With my heart breaking, I choked back the tears and got down to visit with them also.  The boys were all born with a disability and haven't  developed the muscles needed to sit up and walk like most children. They are 8, 9 and 22.   There were 3 more siblings.  The 4 year old girl, Diana, I met as we entered, one boy placed in a childcare facility and one that had died.  The mom was scurrying around cooking rice on the stove while going back and forth between the kids, taking care of them.  Maria explained about the foundation that could help them with physical therapy and the possibility of them starting in February.  The mom's face was glowing with hope as Maria talked about the possibility of teaching them to walk.

I can't imagine losing a child, letting one go to be raised somewhere else, trying to care for a 4 year old -very active- little girl and caring for 3 more disabled children... especially in poverty stricken circumstances.   I can't imagine what kind of quality of life they will have.   I can't possibly imagine what their future will hold,  but I can see God putting together pieces of a puzzle to bring them hope.   So my prayer shall continue to be  "Lord to break my heart for what breaks yours" AND "Lord allow me to see Your glory shown in the lives of others."  Thankful today for seeing God's hope...in the midst of a broken heart.