Henyi: Offering a warm welcome

Originally posted December 2, 2014

 –HENYI IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!!–

There are a few faces within our ministry that seem to win over people’s hearts immediately, and one of those is Henyi. Henyi’s smile is infectious and her sweet spirit easily draws people to her, including many of our volunteers from the U.S. She lovingly welcomes all those who come to work with us, and they lovingly receive her right back.

We came to know Henyi, along with her brother Tobasqui and her mother Martha, a few years ago when their family came to live with us at Breaking Chains. Following that year, they transitioned into their own apartment. Even though she no longer lives in our building, we still see Henyi often by helping her with homework at Breaking Chains after school and worshipping with her at church on Sundays.

One of the things we worry about with all of the kids with whom we work is their innocence. In a culture where many girls are pregnant or involved in bad friendships and relationships by their early teen years, it’s difficult to not be drawn into the same pitfalls. It’s so difficult to stay on the right course when all that you see leads you toward the opposite. Despite what she sees in her surroundings, Henyi remains mostly apart from it all. And it’s something that we pray she maintains every day. As she enters her teen years, we know that the odds are stacked against her. But we want to fight for her as we do all of our BC kids, and we pray that she and God can walk hand in hand through these tough periods.

We love this intelligent girl and her bright smile. We love watching her sweet interactions with visitors to our ministry and we dream big with her as she thinks about her future. We know that there is so much that God can do with her life if she continues to let him guide her paths.

Please join us in prayer for Henyi daily. And please consider donating to give her a beautiful weekend of bonding with our BC family.

Martha: A loving, single mom

Originally posted November 30, 2014

–MARTHA IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!!–

By Courtney Mathews

It’s no secret that being a single mom is tough. Combine that with the struggles that come along with urban poverty in Honduras, and that job becomes even more difficult. It’s hard to maintain the drive and patience required to be the bread-winner for a family and care for and love your children at the same time. But many women in Tegucigalpa do what they must with the hand they’ve been dealt, and Martha is one of those women.

Martha’s husband was killed a few years ago, leaving her as the sole-provider for her family. After struggling for a time, we came to know Martha through her sister and she and her two children, Henyi and Tobasque, became a part of our Breaking Chains family.

Martha and her kids now live in their own apartment and she is responsible for providing for their day-to-day needs on her own. She struggles at times to maintain everything that goes into living independently, but she works to make sure her children are taken care of. And Henyi and Tobasque are never lacking in love. Martha adores her children and they adore her.

Thanks to their sponsors, Henyi and Tobasque just finished their second year of private school in Tegucigalpa. Martha is responsible for making sure the kids catch the bus to school every morning and she picks them up from our building following tutoring every afternoon. She and the kids also continue to worship with us at Breaking Chains every Sunday. So, even though Martha and her family have moved on from our building, they are still very much a part of our Breaking Chains family. As such, we would love to share another Beach Christmas again with them this year.

Please continue to pray for this loving mom as she learns to provide for the needs of her children every day. And please consider sponsoring Martha to give her a wonderful weekend of bonding with Henyi and Tobasque.

Antonio: A softening heart

Originally posted November 29, 2014

ANTONIO IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!!

 By Courtney Mathews

A few years ago, the teenager in the picture above would not have been willingly smiling at the camera. A few years ago, he would have been closed-off, insecure, and angry (often unable to express why). He was sometimes hard to get along with because of his rough and disinterested attitude. But that was a few years ago, and what a difference a few years can make.

Now, Antonio’s bright face is one we look forward to seeing every time we walk through the doors at Breaking Chains. Over the past few years, we have seen God chip away at Antonio’s heart a little at a time and, in turn, we’ve seen his sweet spirit come to life. He now smiles and laughs easily. He often volunteers to help with whatever task we need, rather than immediately saying no as a defense. He calms down easily in the event that he does get angry about something. And he loves working with our U.S. groups when they build houses because, even though he may be shy at first, he loves the interaction and enjoys using his skills to help others.

Antonio has struggled a lot in the past with self-esteem. He never had an affirming father figure and never had a formal education. He quickly gave up on most learning or training opportunities before they began because they made him uncomfortable and he was scared to fail. But this past year, Antonio has opened himself up to different things and we’ve seen him grow as a result – including completing a learn to read program with another nonprofit called Casa Domingo. Now, he’s even thinking toward the future and the possibility of enlisting in the Honduran military when he turns 18.

There are times when we interact with Antonio and are struck by just how different he is now versus a few years ago. We can’t help but smile every time we see him reading the sports section of the paper or laughing and playing soccer in the building with one of the little kids. We love watching him on the house sites and witnessing the compassion he feels for the families and the pride he feels for having helped. And we love getting his hugs every day.

Antonio is a perfect example of the way God can soften hearts. He still has a long way to go, just like the rest of us, but we can’t help but be overjoyed by God’s grace as we watch Antonio learn to grow, love and trust daily. Please consider sponsoring Antonio so that we can have another joy-filled Beach Christmas trip with him again this year.

Beach Christmas 2014 is coming!

Originally posted November 28, 2014

The beaches of Amapala could not be more different than the streets of downtown Tegucigalpa, and that’s just how we like it. For one weekend every year, we trade in the sounds of car horns and yelling street vendors for those of gently crashing waves and easy laughter. Our teens leave the daily pull of drugs behind and the biggest struggle they are left with is whether to choose fish, chicken or shrimp for their lunch option. Things become simpler. And with all of the other distractions stripped away, we are able to rediscover why we love and fight for one another in the first place.

 

Beach Christmas 2014 is just around the corner! And we would love for you and your family to be a part of it. This year, just like the past three years, we will pack up our BC family and make the 2.5 hour drive and hour-long boat ride to the island of Amapala to share laughs, hugs and a few presents with one another.

Upon arrival, some of our teens will jump out of the boat before we even reach shore because they are anxious to enjoy the water and time spent away from the city. From there, we will spend the afternoon playing soccer on the beach, watching the kids run into the water, collecting seashells or just sitting in a chair and taking in God’s beautiful family and creation.

 

Around lunch time we’ll all gather under the shade of our favorite beach shack/restaurant where a loving family we have come to know over the years will serve us a delicious meal they have prepared. It’s a wonderful way for us to bless their family with a little extra holiday income for all of the ways they bless us with their kindness and friendship.

 

Following some more time playing in the waves, we’ll all gather at sunset in a big circle to share in a time of opening presents with one another. Our sponsors from the states generously make these gifts possible. We love watching as the individuals’ names are called and they come to the center to open a gift as the rest of our family looks on with smiles and cheers. Through the sponsorship, each individual receives one full outfit (including shoes) and one additional gift of their choosing (headphones, earrings, backpacks, an additional pair of shoes, etc.).

 

Following the gift giving, we will end the night by roasting hot dogs, pulling our mattresses together on the floor of an outdoor pavilion and listening to the waves as we fall asleep.The next day we will rise, eat breakfast and lunch and squeeze in as much time on the beach as possible before the boat arrives to take us back to shore and our journey back to the city begins.

 

Beach Christmas has become an adored tradition and something that our staff and residents alike look forward to all year long. Starting around June, our kids and teens were already asking if we would be going back again this year. We love it because it’s the beach – and, hey, beaches are fun. But we love it even more for what it stirs in our family – feelings of love and laughter, of gratitude for the year we’ve been given, and of healing and renewed hope moving forward.

We would love for your family to be a part of this experience this year, and we need your help to make it possible. Each member of our BC family will need a sponsorship of $125 to cover the individual’s food, transportation and presents for the weekend. Additional gifts of any amount may be given to help with incidentals for the weekend or blessings for other families we would like to help during the holiday season.

If you are interested in contributing, please visit the Beach Christmas 2014 page to learn more. We will be posting the profiles of each individual available for sponsorship over the coming days!

 

Giving opportunity: Consider a one-time $25 or $50 donation to school supply costs

Originally posted March 7, 2014

Leticia and her mother worship with Breaking Chains on Sundays. Here she poses with a few school supplies that were provided to her through a donation.

Leticia and her mother worship with Breaking Chains on Sundays. Here she poses with a few school supplies that were provided to her through a donation.

The Honduran school year is already underway, and we are so happy to see the children from our Breaking Chains building settling in for their new year of learning.

Thanks to some generous contributors, all 11 of our Breaking Chains kids are sponsored to attend private school for the new school year. However, there is still one education need with which we would appreciate your help.

At Breaking Chains, in addition to the families who live in our ministry building, we are blessed with a growing church family. Many of the children of families who attend church with us are still in need of the necessary school supplies for the year. Public education in Honduras is free, but the high cost of school supplies keeps many students from attending.

In order to help these families, we are seeking one-time donations of $25 or $50 to help provide school supplies for their children. No child should miss out on an education simply because he or she cannot purchase basic materials like pencils and paper.

The average cost to fill a school supply list is anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the school. Some families have had the means to purchase some items and just need help filling out the rest, while other families need more help. The donations received will be used to help as many families as possible. There is no shortage of need. Currently, we have a goal of helping 10 to 15 families.

If you have thought about giving previously, but didn’t feel like your one-time donation would make a difference, this is a great opportunity. If you would like to make a one-time donation of $25 or $50, you may do so by simply donating online here. If you prefer to send a check, you can write the check to “Breaking Chains Honduras” with “education” in the memo line and send to P.O. Box 20454 Oklahoma City, OK 73156.

We thank you for your generosity and your desire to help these children break the cycle of poverty through education. And we ask that you keep all of the young students in Honduras in your prayers throughout the year!