Diestafano’s family: Our generous beach hosts

Originally posted December 3, 2015

By Amber Foster

Every year at the end of November I get a call from Hermilinda asking if we will be returning to Amapala this Christmas. Hermilinda and Diestafano are the parents of a tribe that has lavished their love and care on us each year as we invade their little beach. They run a little restaurant on the beach that normally seats about 20, but when our clan rolls in they have borrowed tables chairs and decorations to accommodate us all.  

Over the years I have watched their six children grow up and the older ones have kids of their own. There are now grandkids swinging in the hammocks and loving on our cheeks. I cherish this family and the way they have allowed us into their hearts. They have a small house in town, but most of the family of 8 live on the beach in hammocks in the little restaurant hut.

They feed us all of our meals right on the beach from their little fire oven kitchen. It is a blessing to share life with them and each year we try to give them a little token of our appreciation by giving them each a Christmas gift and monetary gift towards their family. Please help us give back just a little to this family that gives so much to us.  

Leonardo: Our loving house parents’ son

Originally posted December 3, 2015

By Amber Foster

Oscar and Alba have become so dear to us as our stand-in parents to each young person that comes through our doors. Their combination of structure and understanding has allowed them to grow into the hearts of all of our teens. We are excited to be able to invite their young son along with us on our Beach Christmas celebration this year.  

Leonardo is 13 and just finished up the 8th grade. I haven’t spent a lot of time around him, but each time that I do he is friendly and polite.  He has an easy manner with his parents and it is obvious that there is a lot of love between them. Leonardo doesn’t spend much time at our ministry so we are excited about the opportunity both to get to know him better and to let our teens see their family in action. The teens have so few examples of a healthy family, especially from other Hondurans, so we believe that this will be a wonderful chance to witness the love and acceptance that every one of our kids desires.  

Please help us celebrate the Rivera family and offer this wonderful example of family to our teens at Beach Christmas this year.

Wualter: Our youth minister and soon-to-be newlywed

Originally posted December 3, 2015

*WUALTER IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2015!

By Amber Foster

Over the past year and a half Wualter has become an irreplaceable part of our ministry. His official title is youth minister, but he serves as so much more. He is a mentor and guide to our teens and an eager volunteer to anything that might need an extra hand.  

Wualter and I have spent many hours talking about the ministry and the love that has grown in his heart for what we are trying to do. He is the first to admit that it started out as just a job and has grown into a passion. Wualter has also stepped up to be our interim preacher while we are searching for a full-time replacement. Song leader he isn’t, but he does his best and treats the congregation with love and care. I don’t believe that there is anything we have asked of Wualter that he hasn’t eagerly and efficiently completed.  

For the past two years Wualter has been saving up to marry his sweetheart Nuria. Their courtship is something he speaks of often to our teens as they tend to rush into and out of relationships. He has shown them the benefits of waiting and devoting yourself to one women, and two weeks before Beach Christmas he will finally make it official.  Wualter and Nuria will be wed on Dec 12 and hope to return from their honeymoon in time to join us. Help us celebrate this adorable couple and a man that has dedicated more than his fair share to see this ministry succeed. 

Edis: Seeking a better future for her children

Originally posted December 2, 2015

(Edis, pictured on the right, with her sister Mirna)

By Amber Foster

Mama Edis with her pack of kiddos trailing her into church – this is the image I see when I think of Edis. Always looking slightly tired, slightly disheveled, shy, but with a deep love for her children. I have seen this sweet, quiet, woman turn into a tiger when she felt the need to defend her babies. Edis lives and breathes family.

We have spent the last few years trying to help her see the potential for change in their precious faces. She struggles to see a future any different from her own in her babies, but she’s starting to. She’s pushing them to reach their potential. This year all three of her kids in school passed their respective grades. It was an uphill battle, but the incline gets slightly less each year. Watching hope grow in a mother’s eyes is a powerful thing, and we pray that that hope continues to grow and change the lives of her four children.

Edis probably won’t start a conversation with you, but if you start talking to her, you’re in for a treat. She has an incredible sense of humor and desire to bring joy. She has instilled in her children her shy but playful manner and it’s fun to watch that develop in them.  

Edis and her family have joined us the past few years at Beach Christmas, and each year we watch with deep joy as they lay down their defenses and relax together as a family. Help us provide that opportunity once again to this wonderful mother.

Dixon: A big personality and a bright future

Originally posted December 2, 2015

*DIXON IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!

By Amber Foster

To know Dixon is to love her. Her bubbly personality and eagerness to please draws people to her. Once you get to know her, you encounter the fiery young lady inside. Dixon sometimes struggles to control the instinct to fight against anything she views as controlling her, but she is fighting, and she is winning.

Dixon just finished 8th grade. Next year she will go on to complete two years at once of high school. I have no doubt that God has big plans for this girl who has drawn my little girl into her heart. Dixon frequently babysits for me and upon arriving at our ministry home, Rosie tears up the stairs calling for Dixon. She will often come down with some bangle or new hairdo that Dixon has shared with her. Dixon is a leader in our youth class, and if one of our children’s class teachers is absent she happily, and efficiently, assumes the role of Bible class teacher.  

Dixon’s life has not been easy. She has deep trust issues with men and invokes fight or flight when she feels confronted by them. But she’s growing. She has her first boyfriend in Santoni and while we keep a close eye on the relationship, it has been endearing to watch them open up to each other. He strives to protect her heart and is being rewarded with one of the most caring hearts we’ve seen come through our doors.

Please help Dixon join our family Christmas celebration and continue to open the doors of her heart.

Arturo: Our hardworking introvert

Originally posted December 2, 2015

*ARTURO IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2015!

By Amber Foster

If we’re not careful, we forgot shy, hardworking Arturo is even there. He wakes up early in the morning, does his chores, and heads out to work at an auto body shop before anyone else is awake. He comes home in the evening in time for dinner, eats quietly, and retires to his room. When sought out, Arturo’s conversations are usually shy and obliging with a lot of apologetic smiles.  

We are still getting to know him.  He joined our family again, after a brief stint about a year ago, only a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that Arturo fell on the autism spectrum. He’s committed to his schedule and does very well as long as everything goes according to plan. He’s not a fan of affection but doesn’t dismiss it either. His sweet face lights up when given attention, and I’m looking forward to getting to know him a little better at Beach Christmas.

Arturo has mastered the art of blending in. Help us help him learn how to stand out and feel special this holiday season.