Brayan: a dancing fool

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Brayan opens his presents during last year’s beach Christmas

When I first met Brayan almost a year ago, I did not understand the gravity of what was happening that night. I had been in the country for only a day and had no idea what to expect when I walked into the Breaking Chains building.

I had no idea that I would be in a circle dancing with Brayan, but I assumed all of this was normal. I did not know that Brayan usually did not come out of his room and usually did not really interact with anyone.

But that night, something special happened, it was like he heard music for the first time. I have never heard Brayan say a word and I have no idea what he is thinking. He is mysteriously sweet and clings to his family especially his brother Axel and his grandma CiCi.

Brayan’s father Richard found a school for Brayan, and he starts in February. I know his father will be so proud to see Brayan learn how to function better. Brayan’s a sweet boy, and I can’t wait to see how school changes him.

I was blessed to see Brayan go to Amapala last Christmas and to see him play with Axel and enjoy being with his family at the beach. Please consider sponsoring Brayan this Christmas!

Grandma CiCi: our sweet and spunky grandma

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Grandma CiCi opening presents during last year’s beach Christma

**WE’RE SORRY TO SAY GRANDMA CICI WILL NOT BE ABLE TO JOIN US FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS. SHE WILL BE SPENDING HER CHRISTMAS WITH HER SON.

Everyone loves a sweet grandma. At Breaking Chains we are lucky to have one of the sweetest.

Though Grandma CiCi is technically only grandma to Yahira, Brayan, Axel, and Angi (and great-grandmother to Angel) we like to consider her the grandmother of all of us. She spends the majority of her days helping care for her grandchildren while their parents do chores, work and take classes. Now she is also taking care of babies Ashley and Angel during the day while their mothers Nancy and Yahira take beauty training classes and the regular babysitters (Edys and Suyapa) have a short-term job harvesting coffee.

In her many routes through the building each day doing different tasks for the kids, Grandma CiCi is always ready to stop, say hello with a toothless smile and greet you with a warm hug and kiss on the cheek.

Though she only stands about four feet tall, Grandma CiCi certainly has the respect of her grandchildren and everyone else in the building. But she is ornery as well, just like any good grandmother. During our goal meeting with the families, we asked what we could do as a ministry to help the individuals achieve their goals. Grandma’s answer?: “I want you to build me two houses to live in. When I get bored with one, I will just move to the other,” she said with a mischievous chuckle that made everyone in the room laugh. Then she answered, “No, really I just want to be able to help care for my family.”

Sweet with a little sass mixed in is the perfect grandma combination. Please pray aboutsponsoring this wonderful woman who does so much for her family.

Yovanny: a sweet heart

Originally posted December 2, 2012

We have a lot of smooth-talkers among our crew at Breaking Chains. Our team has experience with them and knows how to spot them. But then we have some who are a little bit weird. Our Yovanny is a weirdo, but he’s the sweetest, most helpful weirdo you ever did see.

Who can blame any of them – after a life on the street, you would have to manipulate or just turn strange.

This 19-year-old has wormed his annoying way into my heart. He asked a hundred million questions and constantly asked for money. He used to always say he would pay it back but never did. So, we have since dropped that act.

But he frequently tells me how special I am and that we help him so much. He loves us very much and feels safe with us.

We can tell very easily this kid has never known love. He’s awkward. His eyes seem to open wider than should be naturally possible. Everyone likes to refer to him as crazy eyes. I have seen many other teens run when he comes.

Yovanny has found a place where people love him with an unconditionally love he’s never know – and that is Jesus’. Please make Yovanny feel special this Christmas and sponsor him to spend Christmas with his new family.

Edys: a mother wanting better for her kids

Originally posted December 1, 2012

Edys (right) pictured with her sister Mirna (left)

Before I came to Honduras, I always wondered how the illiterate survived and how frustrating it would feel to live in a world with symbols everyone around you understood but you didn’t. Then I stepped into a relationship with a family with two illiterate parents and realized how truly limited your options are.

My mother used to get so frustrated when she couldn’t think of another way to explain a math problem to me. I can’t imagine how she would feel if she couldn’t even read it.

I get frustrated when I can’t explain a homework concept to Nayeli or Escarlen. I can’t imagine being their mother and not being able to read even a story to my children. That’s Edys life.

When we enrolled the kids for school, we had to read everything to Edys. But she still beamed with proud knowing the opportunity her children would have. She wants better for them than she had.

Edys may rarely have the ability to do homework with her children, but she jumps at any chance to help, from making sure her girls study to disciplining them if they don’t.

Countless times we have said, “Just make sure [either Escarlen or Nayeli] studies again before she goes to sleep.” Edys will make it happen…always.

We can also always say, “Escarlen isn’t minding” or “Nayeli doesn’t want to do her homework.” And Edys will pounce. Her frequent response, “Well, we’ll just see about that.”

Let me just say I’m slightly terrified of Edys; so, I can’t imagine how her children feel. I have a deep respect for her and what she overcomes every day.

Edys loves her children with all that she is. She and Eugenio work hard. I’m so proud we have the honor of helping this family every day.

Please celebrate this wonderful mother this Christmas and give her the relaxation she deserves but rarely gets.

Amber Michel: a blessed, little girl

Originally posted December 1, 2012

You’ve heard people say, “All babies are cute!” and of course, every mother believes hers is the cutest – but Amber Michel really is one of the prettiest, baby girls you’ve ever seen.

The first time I saw her, she was sleeping despite the fact she was being passed between some of the “older” little girls at BC and despite the fact it was thundering and raining like crazy. The next time I saw her she was stretched out on a blanket near her mama snoozing again. But finally I got to hold her, and she gave me such amazing gorgeous smiles!

Amber Michel is named after Amber and Michael; so she has a lot to live up to!  She is the fourth child of Edys and Eugenio, and her family has lived at our building for a little over a year now.

In the most important ways, Amber Michel is blessed. She is dearly loved by her devoted parents, her siblings and by the missionaries who, by God’s power, have provided her family a home.

With God’s help hopefully we can raise the money we hope to get to move her family into their own home this summer, but in the meantime, please consider sponsoring precious Amber Michel this Christmas.  Diapers and baby clothes are expensive and in short supply  at Breaking Chains – a need that you can help satisfy, Lord willing.

Angel: the best personality in our ministry

Originally posted November 29, 2012

My grandson Angel (see his mom Yahira’s entry to ease your confusion) has the greatest personality of any baby ever to grace this world with his or her presence.

OK I’m biased…he’s my grandson after all. But seriously, he’s a great kid. Look at his face! He’s just starting to talk, and he’s just in the past few months started showing his personality. And what a hilarious personality it is.

Angel along with his mom, Angel has given me laughs in my darkest moments. They have brought my mind relief from obsessing over “what if’s” and have saved my heart from feeling jaded about what’s happened in the past few months.

I love how his face lights up when he sees me, but I especially love seeing how he flocks toward his mama. And she to him. I can’t wait to see him grow and watch his personality change even more.

But I particularly can’t wait to see how Angel continues to change his mother’s life for the better. You might think teen motherhood isn’t the way God intended it. But God is surely working through that little boy to make his mom  fight for herself and her son.

Please sponsor Angel and give his mom and family a memory they will always treasure…or else…

OK just kidding, but seriously isn’t this the best picture?