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.

More than a Sunrise to Me

I am always amazed at the unique new sunrise that God brings each morning.  The color explodes in the tapestry of the Heavens as I look up and get a glimpse of God's splendor.  Each day a unique combination of color and light, unlike any other day before.  A constant reminder of a new day and new, unique opportunity to see God create a work of art in us and in the lives around us. 

As I climbed the mountain this morning, I could see that rising over the other mountains was an amazing array of light and I knew another awesome sunrise was coming.  As I turned the bend to ascend to the top of the mountain, the scene was unfolding behind me.  I wanted to look back, but yet I wanted to get to the top in good time and turn to see the fullness of it all from the highest point.  I continued on with anticipation of what I would see when I got to the top, fighting the urge to turn and spoil the surprise of the precious new sunrise. 

It made me think of all the times in my life that I have wanted to look back and just 'check' to make sure I hadn't missed something.  All the times I have had to will myself to continue on, trusting in God's amazing plan and anticipating the splendor of His glory.  There are times when we see His plan unfolding before our eyes and there are times we must just continue on, moving forward and trusting in Him. He will reveal something unique, beautiful and amazing...in His timing.

Today I enjoyed a refreshing walk, a wonderful time of fellowship with God AND the bonus of a gorgeous sunrise!

 

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.    Psalm 145:3

The Things We Don't Talk About

 

 

I have learned over the past year to write my to-do list in pencil. The list changes frequently, especially in order of priority. What I think is top priority, quickly gets replaced by the set of eyes in front of me at the moment, as I have to decide what needs taken care of now and what can wait. Sometimes I have to look a little deeper into those eyes to see that it's not really about whatever the latest request is. That is usually an excuse to come around, because something deeper is going on behind those eyes. Sometimes they end up sharing and sometimes we sit in silence for what seems like an eternity and I quickly forget my to-do list and pray for whatever it is that they can't talk about. Our children have stuff buried deep inside their hearts and minds that sometimes their smiles can't hide. Sometimes I feel guilty sharing about our beautiful, peaceful Faith Home and leaving out the stuff that hurts. The reality of raising children who have been abandoned and abused, breaks my heart and often brings me to my knees in tears. We have been taking several of our children to a psychologist and have many more who need treatment as well. We don't want to just put a bandaid over the gaping wounds of their hearts, we want to help them find healing. We have found a psychologist who has agreed to come and work out of our clinic on the weekends to evaluate our kids and give them the best course of treatment. This is something that will be an ongoing priority for this ministry and it will cost money. About $750 a month that we don't have in the budget. I don't know who or where the money will come from, but I am trusting and knowing that God will provide. So as I look at my unfinished to-do list, I think of one of our girls who now has eyes filled with hope instead of defeat. I think of the amazing youth service we had last night after hours of a porch full of kids practicing for a drama that spoke of 'not waiting until its too late'. Some of those kids who a few months ago could care less about anything. I saw them come to life and work together as a team and minister to others. I also see others with empty eyes, full of pain and despair that I so desperately want to help. I pray that we can get them all the help they need to live life to the full, the way God intended them to. I pray that we can help them become powerful witnesses to the world around them. Please pray with us as we seek healing for our children. May we always remember to write our to-do lists in pencil and the needs of the person in front of us on our hearts.

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