Preparing for Christmas with the children at La Providencia

Noche de Paz, Noche de Amor

This afternoon, the staff of La Providencia gathered to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We invited the children of the staff to participate in a Christmas pagent and afterwards we gathered to share a meal. It was simple and wonderful! We listened to the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, intermixed with those wonderful Christmas carols: O little town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World and Navidad, Navidad Hoy es Navidad! Dinner was a collaborative effort, with each employee bringing something to the party. Dona Reina even made torrejas for us! The swing set is finally complete and the children had a great time on the slide!

A few things to remember:  Esmelvin, our "Jose", was unable to come to practice because he was in the field cutting coffee. Two of our angels, Floriselle and Floridalma, had to prepare their costumes themselves as their mother was working and unable to help them prepare. One of our wise men, Moises, didn't have an extra sheet or anything he could bring to use as a costume. Jose Mario, age 8, was traveling home on a bus from camp in Tegucigalpa, the bus broke down and he will return home tomorrow.

One little, two little, three little indians . . .

The Lord's ways are not ours and His thinking is not ours. We are seeing abundant blessings during what appears a dry season. Dry in the sense that we lack one set of house parents and finances are tight. Nonetheless, our Lord showers us with blessings!

The little indians in the first house are wild! There are 3 children age 3 1/2 and two others: 2 years and 18 months old. We have the opportunity to teach, to train, to instruct and to support the children, the nannies and the house parents ( in the second home) with complete freedom. Thankfully, the Lord is gracious and merciful.

Our days have been filled explaining meal planning, discipline procedures and best of all - taking these wild indians outside to play. We have been on the swings, in the woods, on riding toys, kicking balls and always the children are picking berries called nancy. We have been taking them to church and on picnics. We decorated the house for Christmas - but everything was demolished. The little ones couldn't resist - such busy little investigators!

All of our new schedule of time and play with them has provided MANY opportunities for behavior teaching. All five of the orphans know how to throw a good temper trantrum - arms straight up and fall. Thankfully they haven't all done it at the same time.  Like all new challenges, we proceed with caution and fear of the Lord. We are in a battle for their souls. A battle requiring much love, patience, tenderness and like most warfare, not for the faint of heart. We are determined, least this children should be hindered to come to the cross of Christ. We are exhausted at the end of out time with them, but, it is proven that discipline in love is a need of all children. They feel safe and secure when the boundaries are set and upheld. They show it in their face, in their embrace, in the daily changes in their behavior. Praise the Lord for His patience and love toward us. May we continue to be vessels of His love to the children. Praise the Lord that our three older children behave well and are happy to help by playing well and trying to be good examples. Our three go to it with purpose too! They are so cute and determined to do their part to help! Praise the Lord for that!

Israel and I have not been alone - Roberto is now called "Tio Tin", and there is a young family from the village spending their weekends with the children, and of course, the nannies.

    

 Lucia, our lead nanny in the home really seems to love the children. She says, "they just need Jesus" and she couldn't be more right. We are so thankful.

Feliz Navidad!

This week, we traveled between the two homes at La Providencia to prepare the way of Christmas! Two of our teachers, Sindy and Lorena, made large paper Christmas trees to hang in each home.  We gave the children paper ornaments to "hang" on the trees.  We sang songs and decorated cupcakes and Israel hung colored lights on the houses! Feliz Navidad!

And to everything there is a purpose . . .

Two years ago, almost to date, our first house parents moved in.  Today, they moved out.  The Zapata family has moved to Tegucigalpa to be near their families and to return to their former employment.     .  We are confident in the Lord and His plans for the children and this ministry- although we haven't any idea what tomorrow will bring.  Today was an exhausting day of chasing children, attempting to mold Jair's character for the better and trying to turn over fear, worry and burden to the Lord in prayer.  I am comforted by the peaceful fog that has settled over my mind, clouding the "to do list" and concealing all of those "urgent" items.  I am thankful for the ability "to only do the next thing", thankful that I can see only the next step, and not more.  I am thankful for the Lord's tests, practices, peace and provisions.  The difficulties in this world are much too great for me; how delightful to leave the solutions to the Master.  And so, we rest calmly and quietly, in prayer waiting for the Lord.

Dear Abba, Jehovah-Jireh, Master and Savior, we thank you for your care and provision.  We thank you for your purposes and plans. We thank you for our salvation through Christ.  We ask you for your abundant blessing and protection upon Jair, Douglas, Fanny, Kenneth and Alma and those who are caring for them.  We ask for your hand of provision upon the ministry of La Providencia.  We ask for your wisdom and encouragement for those leading La Providencia.  Please reveal the next step to us Lord.  Please light the pathway that we may see if we should turn to the left or to the right.  Help us to honor you and to give glory to you O Lord.  Guard us and protect us Lord that we may serve you well.  In the name of Christ we ask these things, Amen.

Seasons of Change

La Providencia is feeling the affects of the economic situation in the United States and the political instability in Honduras.  Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the current budget.  We are in the midst of making some difficult decisions regarding our staff and all areas of operations. We do see the blessing in the necessary changes.  The Lord is so gracious and blesses us in ways that the world may view as weakness.  But, He shows Himself always faithful always strong.  This week, the administrative office is moving from Siguatepeque into the clinic at La Providencia. Within a month, the Providence In a Box store will also move to its new location on campus.  We are continuing to praise the Lord for this season and to put our hope in His plans for the days ahead.

Academia La Providencia teaching staff

Our wonderful teaching staff for the 2010 school year:

Profy Luz Garcia, interim director and 1st grade, Profy Lorena Gonzalez, English instructor 4 yr. Kinder/ 5yr Prepa, Profy Sindy Osorio, Bible/Art/Music and P.E. instructor, Profy Katherine Marrow, English instructor 1st grade, Profy Jamy Calderon, 4 yr. old Kindergarten

Academia La Providencia (ALP) serves the children in the surrounding village of Augas del Padre and the children of La Providencia.  The school opened in March, 2008.  The first academic year will be complete in November.  The school is a private bi-lingual academy.  Thirty-two children from the village are currently enrolled in the academy.  The children are served a well-balanced snack and lunch each day.  The teachers supervise the children's hand-washing and dental hygiene.  Students also receive medical wellness care from La Providencia. Sponsorship or donations are necessary to provide education, nutrition and health care for each academy student.