Yovanny: Our lovable goofball

Originally posted November 21, 2013

Yovanny (left) with Escarleth at the water park

–YOVANNY IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2013–

By Courtney Mathews

Some kids find their way into your heart with an incredible ease. And others force their way in with an almost annoying persistence – to the point where now you couldn’t stop loving them even if you tried. That’s our Yovanny.

I love Yovanny – we all do. He is a goofball. And sometimes boasts a neediness that wears our patience paper-thin. But he is lovable, and his desire to draw nearer to God and put his life on a better path make his more annoying moments more bearable.

This awkward guy doesn’t, at first, seem to fit the description of an individual affected by life on the streets. He isn’t hard. He doesn’t have tattoos. He smiles effortlessly and shows affection generously. But he does have a past that he doesn’t want to return to, and a story that urges him forward.

Yovanny bounced around between various centers throughout his life, spent some time on the streets, and was involved in street theft and selling marijuana. With a father serving a long sentence in prison, he has seen a glimpse at what his future will look like if he follows a similar road. And he doesn’t want that.

Yovanny is also one of our teens who is most interested in the Bible. He has certain passages that he will cite as his favorite and is interested in discussing his faith at any time.

We are thankful that this goofy guy has found a home with us. Yovanny is currently searching for work to provide a more stable life for himself. Please join us in prayer for Yovanny has he continues this journey and pursues a life of faith. 

Richard: A proud papa

Originally posted November 21, 2013

Richard with his wife Suyapa and son Axel at Axel’s graduation. He was so happy and proud – despite his lack of desire to smile for the camera.

By John Carson

-RICHARD IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2013-

Sometimes when I am with Richard around our building, I think to myself, “We could not be any more different.” Then I see him walk into the building with one of his children, or I see him helping his son with special needs down the stairs. And I think, “there is a father who loves his children.” That is something that is consistent in Richard’s life, despite any mistakes that he may have made in his life. He desperately wants a better life for his kids and grand kids.

In my time of knowing Richard, I have never seen him more proud than the day his son, Axel, graduated kindergarten. He was beaming at every step of the ceremony! I saw his eyes as he watched Axel get his diploma, and it was like he could see the future that could come.

Please consider sponsoring Richard to give him a chance to spend a fun Christmas with his family this year. He will be the dad consistently in the waves with his kids throughout all of Beach Christmas.

Melvin: A boy of few words

Originally posted November 21, 2013

By John Carson

-MELVIN IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2013-

One thing I like to do when I’m around the building is play with Melvin when I can. As shy as he is, that sometimes proves hard to do. I sometimes come up to him and say “talk to me,” or I ask him a question that he has to answer with words rather than by nodding or shaking his head. His reaction of shock is funny to see. He’s not exactly a big talker.

Melvin will start his second year in bilingual school in February, moving up from pre-K to Kindergarten. We can’t wait to see how many more English words he will learn but still refuse to say to us!

It’s hard for me not to think of Jesus’ words, “let the little children come to me” when I see Melvin. He has such a joy in his heart when he is playing, and he loves doing the activities in church. He is such a sweet, shy boy.

I’m excited to see Melvin grow up and turn into a wonderful man and a great father like his dad, Eugenio. If history proves true, he will be a strong, silent type like his father. And that is not a bad thing.

Please consider sponsoring Melvin’s Christmas experience this year. He adores splashing in the waves of Amapala, and we hope you’ll make that possible again this Christmas!

Nayeli: Passing on the blessings

Originally posted November 21, 2013

Nayeli (right) with Pamela following their school’s Independence Day parade

By Courtney Mathews

–NAYELI IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2013!–

There are few concepts more beautiful than that of “paying it forward.” Recently, during a dinner table conversation with several of our Breaking Chains kids, the “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question was posed. After a round of nurse, lawyer, and race car driver responses had been uttered, it was Nayeli’s turn.

Her first response was “an astronaut.” Everyone chuckled a little at her answer, but soon quieted as she followed up by saying that she also really wants to help people. That she wants to open a foundation or a center for underprivileged kids or single mothers. That she has been blessed, and she wants to be able to similarly bless others..

I couldn’t help but smile at that response, or escape the warm feeling in my heart as the rest of the kids around the table echoed her sentiment. It was so great to see the kids actually “get it.” That small conversation reveals so much about Nayeli’s heart. She has such a sweet nature and a desire to serve. I pray that God continues to foster that sweetness and opens doors for her to share it with others.

Lucky for us, Nayeli recently watched a movie about space that scared her out of being an astronaut. (Which is good, because I don’t think Honduras has a space program). So hopefully she will continue to pursue her passion for helping others. We can’t wait to see what Nayeli in 15 years looks like, because the present-day Nayeli is pretty amazing.

Dixon: Our spunky new friend

Originally posted November 21, 2013

By John Carson

-DIXON IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS-

When we have new residents at Breaking Chains, they usually are quietly respectful at first, feeling very out of their element. But few jump into leadership positions within the first few weeks of being with us. Dixon proved different. Within weeks of being here, she volunteered to help with kid’s class on Sunday. She has now done it for two weeks in a row along with one of our other teens, Yovanny.

Dixon has bounced around different centers and homes like lots of our teens. She lived most of her childhood with her mother in La Ceiba on the North coast of the country. After her mother passed several years ago, a friend of her mother’s took her and her sister in until that friend could no longer care for them. That family friend had to put her in a center in La Ceiba. Then after a brief, unhappy stint of living with her aggressive father in Roatan, that same friend of her mother’s brought her to a center here in Tegucigalpa. She talks about her family and personal history with quiet sadness.

Dixon has now come to live with us, and she is already making her mark around the building. Her spunky personality made an appearance her first night out to feed on the streets with us on a Friday night. At one point, it was just Dixon and I handing out food and about a dozen people were around us all with hands out for food. Some kept calling her “Nixon,” to which she responded by saying “I’m not Nixon, I’m Diiixxonnnnn” (with a touch a sass). She had a similar response when someone kept hounding her for chili sauce, she said, “Well go buy some then!”

Along with her fiery nature, I have seen a gentleness in her spirit towards the little ones in the building. She is always so sweet to the kids and loves to play with them when they are around her. I am excited to see what God has in store for this wonderful girl. 

Suyapa: Beyond the wall

Originally posted November 21, 2013

By Courtney Mathews

-SUYAPA IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2013-

Suyapa has four children that live with her at Breaking Chains: Yahaira, Brayan, Axel and Angi. But you might not know it if you were just eavesdropping – because she doesn’t like for the children to call her “mom.” That, coupled with her tough exterior, might lead you to believe that she is distant from her children. But that’s far from the truth.

Suyapa puts on a hard front. Her past life experiences have taught her to do so. But if you can see past the initial wall, you are sure to witness several sweet moments. Like her kneeling to re-tie the strings on Angi’s dress that have come undone from skipping around the building. Or walking hand-in-hand with her mentally challenged teenage son Brayan as she leads him down the stairs to help him take a bath. Or smiling with pride as her son Axel walks across the stage at Kindergarten graduation.

She loves her children. And more than anything else, they are the reason she presses forward. Suyapa certainly has her ups and downs. She has her attempts and failures, and she and we both share frustrations with one another. But through all of Suyapa’s inconsistency, her adoration for her family is constant. It’s a peek through the crack in her tough shell, and what can be glimpsed on the other side is beautiful.