Sunday, November 28, 2010

Karla



(Photo by Shari Gaston)

At the age of 14, this beautiful young lady was abandoned by her mother. She was then raped and became pregnant by her biological father. Early this morning, Karla, who is now 15, went into early labor. Due to some complications, she was taken to a hospital in Tegucigalpa, Honduras by ambulance (which took forever to get) and was taken into surgery for an emergency c-section. The sonogram said it was going to be a girl, but much to our surprise, she gave birth to a baby boy!

If you are like most people, you are still hung up on the fact that she was pregnant by her biological father. Stop thinking about it! This is life in Honduras. Young children, especially girls are abandoned, abused, neglected, traded, and raped every day. Even while Gracie was in the hospital waiting on news from Karla, hospital employees came up to her about a 14 year old girl. The young girl had also been raped and had given birth. They were concerned and spoke to Gracie because that young girl would also be going back home with her rapist. Girls and women in Honduras are seen as objects and property just like a cow or a horse. A lot of men there also have a "macho" complex. They take whatever they want by any means necessary, even if it is from their own child. It is very sad, but it is very real.

Monday, November 29th, Cindy, another girl at the mission will be going to court. She and Gracie will both be testifying against Cindy's rapist. Her rapist was also a family member. She has been sexually abused since she was a baby. Please keep both of these girls in your prayers tomorrow. Karla will probably be in the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday. Hopefully Gracie will get to see Karla and the baby tomorrow, which means I will hopefully have more updates within the next 24-48 hours. I will also post more information on Cindy.

I hope everyone has a great week! We serve an amazing God, my friends! He can do ANYTHING!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thankful

When I was in high school, our home-ec teacher had us write letters to our future selves. Upon graduation, we would receive one. I believe the next one came 5 years after graduation (or something like that). I had such a great plan. I would graduate high school and go to college on a music scholarship. After that, I would go to medical school and become a pediatrician. I’ve always loved kids, especially infants, and couldn’t imagine a career that didn’t somehow incorporate children. I’ve always had great interest in medicine, the mind, and why things work the way they do. While in college, I would fall in love, get married, and start a family, when the time was right.

By my senior year, I had my pick of schools to go play at. I chose to stay in the state and took a full-paid music scholarship at UNA. As most of you know, my life was turned upside down during that first year of college. Things changed. I lost my vision and hope for the future. Needless to say, I was gravely disappointed when I received that last letter. Life got in the way of MY plans. I went through a period where I felt like Job. I had lost everything that I once had.

As I recollect all of these things today, the day before Thanksgiving, I find myself being thankful. While my plans sounded great, they weren’t part of God’s plan for me. I honestly don’t know why I stress so much about making my own plans. The New International Version of The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.

How many times have you made your own plans without seeking His will first? What was the outcome? I’ve done it countless times. I still do it. The outcome always leads to frustration and disappointment. I can’t help but think of the song “Seek Ye First” that comes from scripture. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.  I probably could have saved myself a lot of hurt if I had just looked to Him first!

I have to go back to those scholarship offers. The offers began my sophomore year. I was one of the best trombonists in the state. I had offers from all over the state, as well as offers from Tennessee, and offers from the military to play in their bands. I knew I wasn’t the best, but I knew I was good. I don’t stay that in an effort to brag. I say it simply to let you know where I was in my life. I naturally chose the school that offered me the most money. I prayed about those decisions then, but I can see now that I didn’t give God any room to help. It was all about me and what I thought was best.

In hindsight, I can see that God allowed a lot of things to happen over the years to humble me. He broke me of my arrogance and greed. He let me see that it wasn’t all about me. Every day He reminds me of that fact. I am thankful for that now. I am thankful that He loved me enough to not give up on me. I am thankful that He was there through all of the trials and all of the tears. I am thankful that he continues to work on me! Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee’. He has always been there and He always will be… I hope everyone has blessed Thanksgiving. Be Safe!


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

3 more weeks!

In 3 short weeks I will be flying to Honduras! On Tuesday, December 14th, I will be flying out of Huntsville Airport at 6:30AM. I will be flying from there to Atlanta, Georgia. Hopefully, by 10:15 AM I will be leaving Atlanta and arrive in Tegucigalpa, Honduras at 1:10PM. I will be staying at the mission with Lee, Gracie, and the girls, in La Ermita, which is about an hour north of Tegucigalpa. The town of La Ermita is located in the municipio (county) of Talanga and in the departamento (state) of Francisco Morazan.

I am so excited that I can hardly stand myself. I feel full of purpose. I must admit, that I am getting a little nervous too. Life in Honduras is so different from here in the USA. The everyday things we take for granted aren’t commonplace in most of Honduras. Electricity, air conditioning, heat, clean running water, showers, and toilets aren’t found in every home like they are here in the USA.

I have a wonderful source in Honduras who has given me some information on La Ermita ; ). Gracie told me that approximately 80% of people in the town of La Ermita have electricity. The majority of those with electricity only have one or two light bulbs in use. There are VERY few cars. Approximately 20% or less has refrigerators. Luxuries like refrigerators and stoves to cook on are rare. There are approximately a dozen homes that actually have stoves you can cook on. The majority of people use regular wood fires. Maybe 1/3 or less of families have a television. Oftentimes, their family members who have come to the U.S. to work bring back televisions as gifts. Maybe a dozen homes have a toilet that flushes. The majority use an outhouse. 

Those of you, who know me, know that I will be taking pictures of all of this! I will be posting strange pictures of toilets and outhouses and anything else that catches my attention. Just be prepared!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Eyes

I was driving down the road the other day admiring the scenery around me. Since I was a child, I would ride down the road with my mother and comment on the mountains or the sky. I would tell her that things looked like a painting. Indeed, I still think it is. I believe it is the artwork of God. Only He could create such a beautiful landscape.
As I was driving, I realized how we take things, such as our vision, for granted. I found myself thanking God for my eyes. I know that sounds silly, but think about all of the things you like to look at; the faces of your children and grandchildren, a precious puppy or animal that brings you joy, the changing of the leaves in the fall, the beauty of the ocean, the dew on the grass, the fog on the ponds when you awaken early in the morning, or the color of the skies at sunrise and sunset. The list could go on and on.
I then thought about all of my senses. I thought about our sense of smell. The smell right after a rain, the flowers of spring, fresh-cut grass, the smell of cedar, the smell of a baby, your favorite incense or candle, coffee brewing, or the smell of your favorite food being prepared are some common favorites.
Imagine the sounds you like to hear. What comes to mind? Maybe you think about the voices of your husband, wife, and children. Maybe you contemplate other sounds like the rain, the ocean, the crackling of a fire, your favorite instrument, your favorite songs, and beautiful voices singing in harmony. Perhaps the sound of laughter, especially the laugh of a beautiful child brings you joy and even more laughter.
What about our sense of touch? The sense of touch is such a powerful thing. The warmth of a caring body can calm the cries of children. The holding of a hand can bring peace. You can’t put a price on the embrace of another when you are going through a challenging time. A simple hug can do the soul good. All of these beautiful senses and gifts come from God.  
In Matthew 13:16, Jesus says, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear”. Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things…” May we never cease to remember where these amazing gifts come from!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Thank You!

I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their thoughts and prayers. I would also like to thank everyone for the amazing donations for Heart of Christs’ Christmas Challenge 2010. The flip flops, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, play dough, bubbles, bottles, bibs, pacifiers, cars, trucks, jewelry sets, hair accessories, books, balls, clothing items, hats, kids meal toys, have been such a blessing. Thanks to your help, over 1,000 items (and counting) have been collected and mailed to Honduras. All of your incredible gifts will go to children who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas. Below is a photo of just a few of gifts that were collected. There is simply no way that I could get them all in the picture!


I would also like to thank everyone that has helped sponsor me to go on this trip. None of this would be possible without you. I would try to list all of your names, but I would hate to leave anyone out. You know who you are! I am so thankful for each one of you letting God work through you. Whether you’ve prayed, donated, or have simply been an encouragement, I am thankful for you. I pray that God would bless each of you.