Winterfest Arlington: Going to inspire and leaving inspirED

Originally posted January 31, 2012

It’s an odd sensation to look up to someone younger. Most of the time, we look to generations that have gone before us for guidance, wisdom, motivation and encouragement. But sometimes, a glimpse of the future can be even more inspiring.

Last weekend, Breaking Chains had the opportunity to attend Winterfest Arlington, an annual, 3200-person Christian youth conference in Texas. While there, we had a booth at the back to promote the ministry and sell some small items to raise funds. Our time was spent reconnecting with youth we had met previously through trips to Honduras, as well as meeting new teens and adults and telling them our story for the first time.

We were privileged to have many conversations with teens last weekend who want to do something different with their lives. Some are already volunteering through homeless shelters and inner city ministries, or traveling abroad to serve God’s people during short breaks in their school schedules, or devoting themselves to prayer and saving funds to support missions they care deeply about. They are teens who aren’t satisfied living for the next day of high school, but see life’s bigger picture.

One such teen is Elijah Weaver. We know Elijah personally from his trip to Honduras with the awesome youth group from Oakcrest Church of Christ, but we also know that he and other teens from the church spend time at a local urban ministry in Oklahoma City. Breaking Chains was blessed to receive the Sunday morning contribution this year at Winterfest (thanks again to all who helps us raise $11,500!). To intro the contribution, Elijah used his creativity to channel his experience in Honduras through an on-stage spoken word poem. It was such a cool thing to hear the passion we have for the ministry coming through the words of a high schooler. Just one example of someone using God-given abilities to inspire others – including us. (Hopefully we will have a video of the poem to post soon).

Another story is a group of teens and adults from Ft. Smith, Arkansas who came down to work with Breaking Chains last spring break. Since the trip, they have taken their passion for the needy and fostered it by starting a Laundry Love site in their own city. Now, once per month, they meet at a laundromat and serve the homeless and low-income population in their area by doing laundry free of charge and sharing in fellowship. What an awesome and encouraging idea! (They are always looking for financial donations to maintain the ministry, so if you are interested in giving to projects within the U.S., we suggest talking with them).

Those are just two of countless examples. We went to Winterfest to tell others the story of our ministry, but left being just as inspired by the stories of the attendees. There is something about seeing 3200 people pour out their hearts to God through worship that makes you feel hopeful; That God is continuing to work through the generations, and that even though things in our world can seem rough, a fire is brewing in such a unique and radical way among some teens that you just sit on the edge of your seat, and wait for the gust of wind to start the show. It’s a “one body, many parts” philosophy – and we are so thankful to see how the other, younger parts are moving in big ways.

We are looking forward to being a part of Winterfest: Round 2 in Gatlinburg this Feb. 17 to 19! Hope to see some of you there and hear your stories!

40 for 40: A Texas-sized thank you to Winterfest Arlington

Originally posted January 25, 2012

Greetings all! As you know, we are in the middle of our 40 for 40 campaign – an attempt to raise $40,000 through the Winterfest Arlington and Gatlinburg Sunday morning contributions to secure a $40,000 match offered up by a pair of generous donors for the purchase of our building.

We were blessed to be present at Winterfest Arlington this past weekend and here are the results: Approximately 3200 teens and adults attended the event and the total Sunday morning contribution was just over $11,500! Breaking Chains could not be more happy about this outcome. A source has told us that this is FAR exceeds the typical Arlington contribution.

Thanks so much to all who supported us by donating to this endeavor. We are blown away and so thankful to our friends (new and old) who showed up for us and those we serve in a BIG way. We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support.

If the next Winterfest follows suit, given its size, we should be on track to meet our goal of raising $40,000. But, we can’t just rest and hope that will happen – we need the help of the Gatlinburg attendees!

So there you go Gatlinburg. Arlington stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park – now it’s your turn. We are praying and counting on you to help us meet our goal of $40,000 and beyond to bless those living daily in Honduran urban poverty.

Thank you again to the Arlington crew. Your generosity means more than you know, and we are so privileged to have you stand alongside us in the effort to show Christ’s love to Tegucigalpa. See you soon Gatlinburg!

View from inside the Breaking Chains building

Huge praise: All four children sponsored for school

Originally posted January 18, 2012

We are sending praises to God and big “thank you”s to our supporters once again, because as of last night all four of our kids who will attend bilingual school in February have received full sponsorship.

Arol, Dayana, Escarleth and Jonatan will all have the opportunity for a bright future through the gateway of a great education – and we could not be more grateful to our sponsors who have made it possible. School begins in February, so the kids are knee-deep in tutoring lessons from Michael and Corey to try to get them prepared, and the school supply and uniform shopping will begin very soon. We will be sure to post pictures and updates as they become available.

If you had been thinking of sponsoring one of the kids, please keep praying about that decision as we search for more education opportunities for the rest of our kids and vocational school opportunities for our teens. We will be calling on the support of the BC community again to help support that effort.

If you would still like to donate to the education fund for incidental costs that may arise, or to help prepare for sponsoring other students, you can donate on our website via PayPal, or send a check with “education” in the memo line to: Breaking Chains Honduras, 14301 Middleberry Rd., Edmond, OK 73013.

Thank you again to all of our supporters. We are so humbled and grateful to have you standing alongside us! We can’t wait to see what doors will be opened for these kids as God guides them through this unique opportunity.

God never ceases to amaze me

Originally posted January 12, 2012

We now have a sponsor to cover Jonatan’s education fully. We prayed that God would provide patrons for all four children, and we have nearly received full sponsorships for all of them. But we still need your help.

Escarleth doesn’t know how to read yet, but she’s learning. Corey and I were working with her today in the BC office. We have flashcards we have started to use that have the letters and then words that begin with that letter.

As we practiced, Escarleth began sounding out the words for the first time. I almost cried. I’m not sure I have ever felt prouder of someone in my life.

Please consider helping Escarleth with what she still needs. A generous couple has agreed to pay her monthly costs, but we still need support for her upfront costs of $500. If you can spare $20, she can use it. All we need is 25 people to give $20 or 50 to give $10. Any small amount will give this sweet child a chance – a chance to keep learning and expand her curiosity.

Many blessings to all of you and thank you for giving Arol, Dayana, Jonatan and Escarleth this education opportunity. Please pray we get the $500 for Escarleth’s upfront payments. And thanks to those who are giving this little girl a way out of her family’s cycle of poverty.

God provided for Jonatan, Dayana, Arol’s needs and the monthly costs for Escarleth. I know he will gives us the rest that we need. He never seizes to amaze me with his amazing power. To God be the glory for the generosity shown to these kids we love so much.

Giving a little girl a chance

Originally posted January 17, 2012

This is Dayana’s profile from last year. Last school year, Dayana had a tough time adjusting to her new school environment, often acting out in aggressive behavior. However, after taking some time off, Dayana returned to school much improved and even became a reliable little helper to her teacher. We pray that Dayana continues down that road to success as school begins this year.

Dayana wearing her new Christmas clothes

We now have full support for Dayana to attend bilingual school! We of course are thrilled and moved to have someone invest in her future. We thank God for providing someone for her.

We know she will struggle with this new environment having spent her life either on the streets or in a homeless shelter. But she’s a bright, little girl with potential to break through her chains.

We pray for her success to her Creator who loves her much more than us. We thank our Father for giving her a Stateside family who wants to give her the chance she has never had.

Dayana is, to say the least, ornery. We love her dearly, but her behavior reflects where she has grown up. I have seen much improvement in her as of late.

A few weeks ago, I began taking one child at a time out of the building to play games at the house, to eat, to buy groceries. Anything that will give them a chance to get out of our building. Since Corey came back from the States, we have done these outings together.

Enjoying the carnival on New Year’s

When I took Dayana for the first time, we had several conversations about her behavior. I explained that I would not take her any other places if she doesn’t learn to obey. The conversation went as follows:

“Dayana, you must learn to listen, when one of us tell you something,” I said.

“Who?” Dayana asked.

The adults around the building that are in charge of you like me, Amber, your mom, Cor…” I began to explain.

She then interrupted to say, “What about if I listen to you and Mommy Amber and not David or…”

I chuckled. “No, you don’t get to choose who you listen to, little one,” I interrupted. “If you want to spend time with me outside of the building, you must start act right and do what we ask.”

Nothing like a five-year-old girl bartering for who she has to listen to. That’s our Dayana – very bright however frustrating, at times. We’re all looking forward to putting this bright, ornery girl into a school to see her flourish. As you can see, she’s very smart.

Thank you to the family that agreed to support her future. We can’t thank you enough for giving her this opportunity. Blessings to all of you.

Letting His Light Shine

Originally posted January 10, 2012

This is Jonatan’s profile from last year. Jonatan thrived in his first year of school, regularly making the honor roll and winning the affection of both his teachers and classmates. Following success in kindergarten, Jonatan will begin first grade this year.

Jonatan is a born people-pleaser. I can see Jonatan doing just about anything he puts his mind to. With the help of a good education, the sky will be the limit for this little guy.

This six-year-old is always the first of our kids to try to help with any project we are doing at the building and is quick to be upset if you tell him you don’t need his help.

All he wants to do is help others, and he does a great job with helping his little sister Rosie. He is the first one on the scene when Rosie is crying. He’s always there to tell her everything will be okay and give here a great big brother hug. I hope we can continue to help Jonatan and his great heart grow into a young man that can be an example for other children.

We can’t wait to see this little goof grow into his own person. He lives in the shadow of his older brother Arol among his family now. Unfortunately, their mother Belkis has favorites, and Jonatan isn’t one of them. Neither Arol nor Jonatan are to blame for this, and both deserve to break free of their chains and find who they are meant to become.

Jonatan’s so excited to start school that he has already begun asking me to teach him English words and phrases. He has mastered a few such as “Go,” “Stop” and Michael’s favorite “Wassup.” He loves asking me what Spanish words mean in English, even if sometimes it isn’t entirely necessary that he knows that word. One night he was…well, gassy. He then wanted to know what that word was in English.

So, if you ever get the chance to meet Jonatan, he will have no difficulty letting you know when anyone is farting at the building.

I see so much promise in Jonatan that I get excited just thinking about the possibilities a good education will give him. There are so many giving souls at our building, but not many of them are six years old. I know that Jonatan has a role to play here in the future of Honduras, and his first step to achieving all he is meant to do is a great education.

Please consider helping Jonatan break the chains of poverty with any donation you can give to this boy’s education. He needs you and this so much! If you would like to share in Jonatan’s future, see the link named “Education funds” above to see what help this boy needs.

To help or if you have questions, email me at corey@bchonduras.org or my co-director of education at michael@bchonduras.com.