Nancy: Moving forward with purpose

Originally posted November 29, 2012

Nancy pictured with her daugher Ashley

Nothing seems to give a person more purpose than being responsible for the life of another. That is certainly true of our young mother Nancy since giving birth to her preciousone-year-old Ashley.

After living away from Breaking Chains for a while, Nancy returned to BC this summer with her husband Josue, baby Ashley and a new sense of purpose. In September Nancy began beauty training classes through a local women’s ministry called Mi Esperanza. It has been amazing to watch her grow in her skills and self-esteem at the same time.

She is eager to show off her new skills by offering to give manicures to the members of our team and even washed and straightened my hair so I could “look pretty in the airport” on my way home from my last trip to Honduras.

We had a meeting with the families in the building in early October to talk about their individual goals. Nancy said, “I want to continue my schooling, eventually have my own salon and provide a good life for my daughter.” If Nancy continues to move forward as she is now, I have no doubt she can make that happen for her family and now for her second little one on the way.

We are so proud of Nancy for the responsible mother she has become and her desire for a better life. Nancy and her family will always have a special place in our hearts and we would love nothing more than to be able to give them a memorable Christmas. Please help us do so!

Suyapa: Never too late

Originally posted November 29, 2012

Suyapa opening presents at last year’s beach Christmas

Going back to school and wanting to improve your life is difficult for any adult. It is especially difficult for an adult with four children living in urban poverty.That is the story of Suyapa.

Suyapa lives at Breaking Chains with her husband Richard, children Yahira, Axel, Brayan, and Angi and grandson Angel. For the past few months Suyapa has been taking elementary school level classes through another organization in the city. Though she is well into adulthood, she is still just learning how to read and write – but she IS learning. And she knows that through learning she can make a better life for herself and her family.

Suyapa is quiet at times and not the easiest to read on the surface, but a deeper look shows an immense dedication to her family, a great work ethic and a strong will – a will that we pray continues to drive Suyapa to positive places. She is a great example to her young children that it is never too late to improve and grow.

Please help us make Christmas special for Suyapa and the family for which she works so hard.

Yahira: an unlikely connection I hope I never lose

Originally posted November 29,2012

Yahira (left) during her beauty training class with Nancy (right)

Among our team we all have kids we connect with more than others, ones who connect with us more than other team members. For Amber and I two of those are best friends who have been with us for over a year now – Miguel and my child, Yahira.

I have looked at last year’s blogs the past few days. Some make me laugh to see how kids and adults have changed. Some hurt to look at to see faces who have chosen a life on the street. Some I can’t bare to look at all to see my Ochoa kids or those faces we lost to tragedy.

But some bring me joy that helps me through all the pain. Those make me beam with pride to think we’re maybe doing something right.

When I look at Yahira’s blog I can’t help but feel amazed at what she’s come through and how she’s filled my heart with such pride. This teenager became my child. She calls me mom, and I call her daughter. Everyone jokes and calls her one-year-old son, Angel, my grandson. Yes, I realize how strange that sounds being that I’m 24, but I love them dearly.

This year Yahira unfortunately developed an addiction to drugs. I have seen her change from a quiet, innocent girl to one with addictions who we have struggled to trust at times. But I have watched as our love and connection have motivated her to stop using hard drugs and drastically decrease her marijuana use. She still struggles. That’s the nature of addiction. But she fights through it for her son, for us and for herself.

Yahira knows without a doubt we love her. And I know with that God has done something incredible. She has come out of her shell and into a person who cares deeply. I could not have handled the last few months of our Ochoa kids’ struggles without my Yahira.

When we talked about what we’re grateful for a few weeks ago, she said, “That I have changed a little.” I pray we can make her see she has changed a lot, for the better. Please help us celebrate her heart and give her a wonderful Christmas.

What our kids have waited for all year

Originally posted November 29, 2012

You can walk into our building and ask any of our seasoned residents what their favorite memory of their time with us is, and they will without fail tell you the same thing. They’ll say, “When we went to Amapala.”

When we had the thought for Christmas last year, we had no idea the amazing experience we all would have – the little kids, the teens, the adults and our whole team. Christmas at the beach became famous around our Breaking Chains family. Those who went last year have been telling each newcomer about our adventure all year.

Our Amapala trip has become a motivation for several to behave or for some to do what is required to reenter the building.

As cliche as it may sound, we became a family through our trip last year. Connections and friends formed in ways we never saw coming. And we’re thrilled to see what new friendships with new faces from this year.

Just like everything we do, we can’t do this trip without each of you. Please consider sponsoring one of our residents for our Christmas trip to Amapala on December 19 and 20 for just $125.

To let us know who you would like to sponsor, click on their individual blog entry and tell us in the comment section (be sure and leave us your email address too). When you’re ready to send the funds, click here to donate and follow the instructions to donate online or by mail. Be sure to include the name of who you wish to sponsor when you donate.

We will do our best to keep the list updated as residents receive sponsors. Please double check in the comment section that your choice isn’t already sponsored. And forgive us if something happens and you get an email asking for you to make a second choice. We’ll do our best to avoid that.

If you can’t do $125, you can donate any amount to our general Christmas fund, which will help cover any surprise expenses. We thank all of you for your constant support of our ministry. We are continually moved by your generosity. And may you and your family have as wonderful a Christmas as we know ours will.

Praying for an appeal

Originally posted November 14, 2012

Hi everyone,

We just wanted to let everyone know that the lawyer we have been working with began the appeal process yesterday to attempt to get the children (Pamela, Arol, Jonatan, Dayana and Rosie) returned to our custody. We don’t have much information, other than the appeal process has started. We will be sure to update everyone as the situation develops and as we receive more information.

Please continue to keep everyone involved in your prayers. We so appreciate all of the love and support already shown to us.

For more immediate updates, please “like” our Facebook page:facebook.com/bchonduras.

Bendiciones,

Breaking Chains Honduras

Still searching: An Ochoa kids update

Originally posted on October 20, 2012

One week from yesterday was when the five Ochoa children (Rosie, Dayana, Jonatan, Arol and Pamela) were placed in IHNFA, the Honduran family services system. It has been a roller coaster of a week since then that has seemingly left us with more questions than answers, but we are holding on to the hope that God is working through every rise and fall.

Rosie, Dayana, Jonatan, Escarleth, and Arol at Interamerican Schoo

As always during times of heartache here in Honduras, we have been incredibly blessed by the overwhelming support of those who know and love our ministry. We cannot say enough about the outflow of love we have received. Thank you to everyone for your prayers, encouragement and offers to help. It means more than you know. Here is what has happened since last Friday:

After the kids were placed in IHNFA, we contacted an IHNFA lawyer we know and who we know is also friends with the judge. He told us to meet him at the children’s home on Monday morning. We arrived but despite calling and waiting, he never came. Rosie and Dayana happened to be running around the grounds at one point, so they ran up to us. We were able to hug them and talk to them for a couple of minutes before an IHNFA worker took them back to their houses. Although we ached to see them for longer, we were comforted that they both looked well, were safe and that we could assure them we loved them. Since it was not a visitation day and our appointment with the lawyer had fallen through, the IHNFA workers told us to come back on Wednesday during regular visiting hours and we would be able to see the kids.

We arrived on Wednesday morning, though, and were told that only family members could enter. Belkis was there and was able to enter to see the kids; however, they told us we would need to have a paper from the judge granting us visitation permission.

We tried to meet with the lawyer again on Thursday at the judge’s office to try to get a visitation paper, but he did not show again. He then called and told us to meet him at the children’s home on Friday morning to discuss visitation. However when we arrived on Friday, he said there was an order saying that we could not enter the children’s home and that we would still need to seek out the judge’s permission to grant visitation. We are still praying about how to best approach the judge.

At this point, we personally have only been able to see Rosie and Dayana for a couple of brief minutes. However, we have been incredibly blessed by the support of both Interamerican and Santa Monica schools. The director and assistant director of Santa Monica (Pamela’s school) were both able to go and see her on Friday. They were able to see that she was doing well, assure her that she will still be able to pass this school year, and let her know that we are trying desperately from the outside to work something out to see them. Five teachers from Interamerican school (Arol, Jonatan and Dayana’s school) were also able to get in for a brief period on Friday. They were only able to see Arol when he passed by for a few minutes, but they were able to reassure him of the same things: that the children are loved and missed, that the kids would all pass the year, and that we are fighting for them every day. All of the teachers confirmed that despite missing us and their friends, the kids are all safe, healthy and doing well.

Pamela and Nayeli being sill

We cannot speak enough for how God has worked through these schools in our lives and those of our kids. Nine months ago when we were choosing schools, we could not have imagined how perfectly God had accompanied those decisions. Not only are both of the schools providing a great education to our children, but they love them, fight for them, believe in them, believe in our ministry and are bending over backwards to help. They continue to go above and beyond what is expected of a school/student relationship. We can only describe the teachers and directors as blessings from God that He clearly had worked out ahead of time for us before we ever signed a single enrollment paper, and we are so thankful for them.

We have also been incredibly blessed by friends in Honduras who have connections throughout the Honduran political and child services systems and are willing to help. We have talked to everyone from concerned friends, to children’s home directors, to counselors, to ministry workers, to lawyers and everyone in between. The challenge for us now is allowing God to guide the path that we take in the middle of so many options.

A sentiment that has been carried throughout various conversations is the importance of our relationship with the children’s mother, Belkis, in order to move forward. We pray that God can work through our hearts and that of Belkis to be able to work together in love to do what is best for the children.

In this situation, it’s tough to know when to push and when to pull, when to fight and when to be still. We know that God’s hand is over all that we do, we just need prayers for wisdom to find the avenues He has laid out for us. And prayers that we continue to trust Him even when things don’t work according to our timeline, with the clarity we desire, or with the decision making power to which we are accustomed.

Please continue to join us in prayer for the well-being of our children, the heart and mind of their mother Belkis, the heart and mind of the judge, and our personal wisdom and comfort. God is all-knowing, we are not. And he is working everything out for good.