Marta: a devoted mother

Originally posted December 6, 2012

Marta pictured with her children Angi and Tobaski

We have several new members of our Breaking Chains family, and some of the newest are a little family headed by a direct, caring mother named Marta.

Marta grew up with Edys, and that’s how she and her little ones became acquainted with us. We started getting to know her a few months ago.

When we gave Marta and her children Tobaski and Angi a room weeks later, we had stipulations. We intended and still do to give her a chance to get back on her feet. We have had issues with families becoming dependent, and we don’t want to inhibit Marta’s independent drive.

Marta appeared from the beginning to have it together, despite many recent happenings in her life. Prolonged headaches, which made it difficult to work, had put her in the financial hole, unable to see a way out. Several unknown men murdered her husband nearly a year ago, leaving her a single mother. Then Marta’s father-in-law moved in to help, but he robbed them of everything while Marta and the kids were out one day.

But somehow her kids still finished this school year in public school, and Marta still goes out and sells spices and a few other small items everyday. All she wants is a chance to become independent. So, we gave her a room, and she promised to keep selling.

If all goes as planned, Marta will begin classes at Mi Esperanza in January like some of our young mothers are doing now. This will give Marta a chance to have a stable job and better income by May and have confidence she can provide for her kids.

Please pray for Marta as we seek to reach our goals together. And please give Marta a chance to relax and spend a wonderful Christmas with her kids and her new family at Breaking Chains.

Heriberto: A wonderful kind of different

Originally posted December 4, 2012

Being too normal is sometimes boring. That’s why we love the quirky personality of Heriberto.

Heriberto has been a friend to our ministry for a while now and has chosen to stay with us for a few nights at a time throughout the year before eventually traveling on. However in September of this year, he chose to stick around for a while longer and has been a more fixed member of our ministry since then.

Heriberto has a sweet spirit and is always willing to help with whatever task is needed. His easy-going nature makes him enjoyable to be around, but it’s his quirky personality that typically provides some free entertainment. He is always good for a joke or a story – typically ones that make the listener say, “umm…what?” at the end because it either didn’t make sense or seemed so outrageous. Heriberto represents that guy or girl in every circle of friends that is just a little bit different than everyone else, but in a way that is perfectly endearing.

Heriberto is one of the more educated of our teenagers and is currently looking for stable employment. We pray that God continues to guide Heriberto toward great things in the future and that he maintains his sweet personality along the way. Please pray about making Christmas special for Heriberto!

Gerson: a changing attitude

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Cyndi and Gerson

Different kids and I have talked…a lot about a mountain of issues. And out of those I have had many machismo talks. I have heard, “But she’s my woman,” as an excuse for abuse of wife or girlfriend more times than I care to replay. And one of the most memorable came from sweet, albeit ignorant Gerson.

You must understand something about the Latino machismo – it comes from generations of hotheaded men feeling protective of the women in their lives. It can also mean generations of misogynistic fathers teaching their sons to think they own their wives or girlfriends.

Throw in life on the streets and what they have seen from (most often) their less-than-role-model fathers, you have a difficult habit to break for many of our young husbands or boyfriends.

Gerson and Cyndi came to us a few months back with a baby Carly Sofia still in her mama’s belly. And even though Gerson sleeps downstairs with the single boys, he and Cyndi still manage to fight like a married couple.

One night I stood explaining Gerson about how to treat women, and he replied, “She’s my woman, Michael.”

Poor Gerson, he said those words to the absolute worst person. I jumped down his throat. He couldn’t listen then, and he spent the next few days outside. But after those days out and a long lecture from me, he has acted like a different person.

Gerson is a kid with a now infant baby. He didn’t know the first thing about how to treat a girlfriend. I have seen him change. He lights up when he sees Carly and respects Cyndi more than he ever has before.

I look forward to watching Gerson continue to grow over the next few months. He’s a sweet kid with a good heart. He wants to learn, and I’m so proud of how he already has. Please celebrate his changing attitude and give him a great Christmas he will never forget.

Cyndi: a new mother finding her way

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Cyndi pictured with Gerson

We have several young mothers at our ministry. Each of them bubbling over with love for their little ones. Each of them want better for their little ones than they have had. And Cyndi   has the youngest little one of them all.

Cyndi has loved her little baby girl, Carly Sofia, since before she was born. She has never once acted like she regrets Carly. She loves that little one.

Cyndi has a lot to learn about all things baby, but she’s willing to listen. She’s willing to learn and accept Christmas, which in reality is what I think makes any good, first-time parent.

We’re not sure exactly what the future holds for Cyndi and baby Carly Sofia within our ministry, but we know we can find the right situation for Cyndi. That may mean beginning classes next next month at Mi Esperanza if we can find the support for her transportation and supplies.

Our team is proud of Cyndi and how she’s responded to motherhood. She’s very attentive and protective of little Carly.

We’re excited to see how Cyndi and her little one continues to grow for the better, and we’re thrilled to help them along the way. Please sponsor Cyndi and her first Christmas as a mother with us at the beach!

Nayeli: a quiet, loving girl

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Nayeli at last year’s beach Christmas

Nayeli is my favorite at Breaking Chains, though everyone says you’re not supposed to have favorites. On my first visit to the BC building a year ago, I met several gorgeous, dirty, affectionate children that hugged and kissed me – a giddy, lovely feeling I’ll never forget.

One child kept hugging me every time I turned around. I was a perfect stranger to her.  Maybe it was because I’m Michael’s mom, and all the kids at the building love Michael. Nayeli and I couldn’t communicate verbally because neither spoke the other’s language. So, we just hugged and tried to play hand clapping games and tic-tac-toe. For whatever reason, she loved me and I instantly loved her back.

Nayeli is 10 years old and the oldest of four children. She has a shy, beautiful smile and loves to dance. She struggles extra hard to keep up with children who have been in private school much longer than she has. Her world seems lonelier at present because her best friend, Pamela, was recently taken from the BC family and sent to live in state custody. Nayeli misses her.

Like all the others at BC Nayeli and her family share one room. This little girl doesn’t have much to call her own – clothes, books or toys; so she appreciates anything she is given. Please consider being a channel of God’s blessing and sponsor Nayeli for Christmas this year.

Antonio: a guarded kid with a lot of heart

Originally posted December 3, 2012

Antonio on the boat on the way to Amapala last year

In our world of very guarded hurting teens, Jose Antonio stands out as guarded and hurting.

Since Antonio is Miguel’s little brother, Miguel and I have spent a lot of time talking about Antonio’s past. In his 15 years of life he has repeatedly been strangled and tormented by his mother and abandoned by the other adults in his life.

Antonio struggles to trust anyone and rarely shows anything but surface emotion. Over the past few months he and I have spent many hours talking and trying to pull him out of his shell. It is an uphill battle with him often sitting stone faced with heartbreaking tears running down his face, but he is learning to trust us.

He’s learning we love him and we’re not going anywhere. When I asked Antonio a few weeks ago what emotion he feels most of the time he sat for a long time then quietly answered, “I feel sad a lot.”

Antonio used to walk away at the mention of prayer, now he sits with my arms around him nodding with tears on his face as I pray over him. Getting Antonio to open up is going to take a long time but moments of joy in his life pry open a window into his heart, if only for a moment.

Antonio loves soccer and working outside.  His favorite chore is working with the plants in our garden. He loves hugs and attention like any kid but doesn’t know how to initiate or ask for it. We have all learned when Antonio is standing beside you looking awkward he is waiting for a hug.  Please help us hug the joy back into this precious boy’s life.