Do you remember the story of the child-headed household – the orphaned teen girls who did not smile when the team from Ohio arrived to build them a house? Do you remember that a member of the team led the two younger girls to Christ as she shared with them the comfort Christ had given her in the loss of her husband and the comfort He could give them in living with the tragic deaths of their parents? (See the October 13, 2010 e-news or the Spring 2011 print newsletter.) We wondered, did they just “pray the prayer” because the North Americans were building them a house? How are these too-young-to-run-a-household girls managing the gift of a house? See how they are doing and read about their “Prodigal” Brother by clicking here.
We just got back from a 10 day trip to Honduras and wanted to give an update on the girls we helped build a house for last summer. When I asked how I could describe how they are doing to you guys they said simply that they are joyful.
In the way of “looks” the house looks “lived in” now. The back door now opens to a restroom with toilet, shower and sink. They have running water and electricity! There is now a fence around the property, a gate to get onto the property and a guard dog outside the front door.
We were not able to see Bexy ( age 17) or Darian (almost 1) because they are in San Pedro Sula where Bexy has a job cleaning house and watching children. (She is working to earn enough money to pay for the lot the house is on.) The girls (Ada – 15, and Julia – 13) tell us that Darian is walking now! They have been gone for a month and Ada and Julia hope to have her back home soon.
They told us that Bexy knew nothing of God until we placed that Bible in her hands and has since been attending church and put her faith in Christ. Praise God, their brother Eduardo (age 16 – whom we had not previously met – or even known he existed) came back to the family about 1 ½ months ago after an extended time “in the world.” The girls described it as “he used to party all the time.” He was very pleasant and friendly.
Eduardo told about coming back, getting to know the pastor, and coming to know the Lord. He now spends a lot of time with the local pastor and helps him make those lovely candies we tried. He is very encouraging to have around since Ada, Julia, and Lizi (age 2) are living alone. Lizi is very attached to him. Ada and Julia were very confident that the 6 of them living under that roof know Christ and attend church regularly.
When we first came in the house the girls immediately started showing us everything they have been learning in church and school. They showed us lists of favorite Bible verses and showed us sermon notes they had taken. They showed a lot of knowledge of the Word, how to find books of the Bible, etc. Some of the verses they were showing us had some solid truth of how to live as a believer, so that was encouraging! They both also showed multiple things they were working on in school. Julia goes to school from 7am – 12pm, and Ada goes from 6pm – 8/10pm. That way they can alternate taking care of Lizi at home. They both said it’s very easy to take care of Lizi and they don’t mind.
We went to the house to see them on a Monday and they requested that we bring them back to Canchias where we were staying so they could visit their grandmother who they never get to see because they can’t pay for public transportation to get there and back. So we gave them a ride and they spent Monday to Saturday with Grandma and old friends in Canchias. We were able to see them when we had time during the week and then took them back on Saturday afternoon.
One night we went to meet their grandmother. She lives in a small hut WAY up the hill and is the only adult taking care of 10-15 kids at any one time. She has corn and sugar cane that she feeds them with. She is very old and every time we saw her that week she looked very worn out and tired. She continues to inherit grandchildren to take care of. (She told us of another son’s recent death by machete.) She was very hospitable (giving us sugarcane juice) and thanked our team VERY profusely for the house we provided the girls. She is a believer and attends the church in Canchias where we saw her twice.
When we took the girls back, their brother wasn’t at home. They immediately assumed he was down at the pastor’s house. What a wonderful thing! We found him there and were able to spend some time with the pastor catching up. The church there in La Colonia is growing. The best part of the visit for us wasn’t anything said; it was observing how well the girls and Eduardo – and even Lizi – knew the pastor, how at home they seemed, and the joking/fun relationship they seemed to have with him. No Spanish was needed to understand the MAJOR change in all of their lives since last July!
During our visit the pastor told us how he was encouraging Ada to teach Sunday school to the smaller children. She is willing, just a little nervous. It was great timing to give them the gift we had brought of a “Beginners Bible” in Spanish with pictures and simple language telling Bible stories. Something many of us grew up with, but they wouldn’t have the opportunity to get. On the inside cover we had written – days before that conversation – that maybe they could help teach the kids at church with it too. How ironic! Uh, I mean, how well God prepared that!
They are spreading the joy that the team shared with them, both for LIFE and for CHRIST, to others in their village – what more could you ask for?!!!
