Jimmy: Finding confidence and growing in accomplishment

Originally posted December 7, 2015

*JIMMY IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2015!

By Courtney Sullivan

Over the years, our ministry has enrolled several teens in education programs with varying levels of success. Many of our teens/young adults have stories and pasts that creep up and prevent them from achieving what they’re capable of. Sometimes, it’s just easier to quit. That is why we are so proud of Jimmy for finishing his year of high school.

Jimmy could easily have let his life circumstances get in his way, but he didn’t. He fought his way through and is ready to tackle even more next year. Jimmy can come off as quiet at first, but he enjoys meeting new people and learning about their experiences. Along with the rest of our teenagers, Jimmy attended a youth conference at Baxter earlier this year, and he said his favorite part was getting to meet so many new people. He also loves working with our U.S. groups, and jumped at any chance this summer to join them on a house build or play soccer.

Jimmy identifies himself as gay. Over the years, that has caused a lot of pain and rejection in his life from people that he loves. But we are hopeful that God is providing new experiences to Jimmy. He often attends church on Sundays with our house parents or youth minister, has found friends among our BC teens, and is being constantly poured into by our BC staff and volunteers. We are hopeful that through the love of those around him, Jimmy realizes the love of the Father and will find his worth in Him.

Jimmy has been with us since last year, but this will be his first Beach Christmas with us. Please consider sponsoring this hard-working teen for a wonderful time of relaxation on the beach with our Breaking Chains family!

Rosie: A little girl with a big heart

Originally posted December 5, 2015

*ROSIE IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2015!

By Michael Carson

Everyone who is a part of our ministry, North American or Honduran, knows our little Rosie. She’s a mess and a half with a heart of pure gold. She may be ornery. But she loves, and she loves freely. She loves in a way most adults only wish they felt comfortable doing.

Rosie will turn seven in May and will begin second grade in February. She’s rambunctious, hilarious and so smart. We’re excited to see her love for learning only continue to grow. She has so many talents and wonderful parts of herself to share with the world. But my favorite virtue of little Rosie’s is her ability to love.

When John and I were in the States, Dayana stayed with Amber and Rosie. Dayana naturally missed us and at times had a hard time keeping a positive attitude. One night we Skyped with her, and I knew when we got off the call she was sad. Amber later told me a story.

As Dayana closed her conversation with us, Rosie ran up and threw her arms around Dayana’s neck. She said, “I know you miss them. When my mom is gone I miss her too. But when they’re not with us, they’re with us here.” And little six-year-old Rosie then pointed to her heart.

The sky is the limit for the love this little girl can share with the world. And I for one look forward to what she will bring to our ministry and who she will help feel the unconditional love of Jesus as she grows up around Breaking Chains.

Please sponsor Rosie and give her a great beach trip with her family!

Antonio: Turning it all around

Originally posted December 5, 2015

By Michael Carson

We have watched a lot of teens fall back into addiction over the years, and our hearts are broken as a team each time. We know how hard it is to break the cycle, which is why we couldn’t feel more proud of Antonio and all his hard work.

Antonio started at the beginning of this year using crack cocaine and came to us within a few days, terrified of how helpless he felt to this addiction forming in his body. He begged us to send him to rehab, and he spent the next two and a half months in a rehabilitation facility several hours outside the city.

When he finished the program, our friend David Logue from Mountaintop Ministries agreed to take Antonio to his small boys’ home. We didn’t want Antonio back in our downtown facility with the temptation of drugs so close by for him. We’re so grateful to David for taking in Antonio, investing time and money into him and believing in this quiet, sweet boy. Antonio worked all summer with different U.S. volunteer teams building houses and serving others.

Now Antonio leaves the house each morning around 4:30 a.m., catches the bus and travels outside the city. He works with a Honduran team doing a building project for another local ministry. He does that all on his own.

Antonio has made such a transformation over the course of this year and has seized his opportunities at a fresh start. He joined our BC family nearly four years ago, and he’s changed so much from that scared little boy who he once was. He let God transform him into a determined, kind-hearted young man. And I’m proud to know him.

Please reward Antonio’s transformation with a relaxing trip to Amapala with his Breaking Chains family!

Luis: Providing for his family

Originally posted December 5, 2015

*LUIS IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS 2015!

Marjorie, Maholy and Francois are three of our newest private school kiddos. Their mother Erika is always front and center in everything they due, fighting so hard for her kids. But we don’t see their dad (to Francois)/step-dad to the girls) Luis as much. He’s always working.

You might interpret that as negative, but in this country that means he’s providing. It would be easier to stay at home or leave his family, but Luis works hard and maintains a steady job to feed his family.

We would love to encourage Luis to come to church more often, and we’re hoping by inviting him to Beach Christmas we can build a stronger connection with him. We also believe in strengthening the bond in his family. We know positive memories create strong connections within families.

Please consider creating a positive memory for Luis’ family and sponsor his relaxing, fun Christmas experience in Amapala this year. You will give him his first trip to the beach in his life!

Juan: A proud father

Originally posted December 5, 2015

By Michael Carson

I had the distinct pleasure of watching Allison’s father Juan gush over her graduation this week, and I felt like I got to know him in a very important way.

Juan is very quiet, often solemn. He experiences a lot of back pain that makes it difficult for him to work constantly, which puts pressure on his wife to provide for their family. But I don’t believe that’s what Juan wants. He wants to provide for his family as much as he can. At Allison’s graduation I saw Juan’s heart.

As the presenters announced Juan’s name, he beamed with pride at his little girl. His face was bright in a way, even Lorna said, it had never been before. Lorna said, “It’s so important for him to experience this. He keeps so much inside of him. But today he got to be just a dad. He got to be proud of his little girl.”

We’re looking forward to having Juan be a part of Beach Christmas for the first time and give him another positive memory with his family. This little family deserves to celebrate Christmas in a relaxing, fun way with the rest of their BC family. Please help Juan celebrate Christmas with us in Amapala!

Escarlen: Growing in confidence to succeed

Originally posted December 5, 2015

By Michael Carson

Out of all the kids we work with in our ministry, Escarlen has probably struggled the most academically. Her lack of self-confidence has always kept her from doing her best. But slowly God is working on little Escarlen’s heart through a wealth of people to show her she’s worth the fight.

We enrolled Escarlen in bilingual school four years ago, and she has lost her way at times. But with a lot of encouragement she continues to pick herself up. She will start fifth grade in February, and we couldn’t be more proud of Escarlen’s continual efforts to better herself.

Escarlen once in the middle of class called out her classmates for teasing a new kid for being different. She said, “It’s not his fault he’s new. We should be his friends.” We believe in this beautiful heart Escarlen has. She wants to help others, and we hope we can give her the proper education to do that on a grand scale in the future.

The only obstacle for Escarlen’s success is herself. We constantly have to remind her that she is worth it. She is wanted, and she is loved. God created her for a purpose, and she only need to seize the opportunities given to her and work her hardest in the process.

Help us continue blessing this little girl and showing her how loved she is by so many. Please consider sponsoring Escarlen’s Beach Christmas experience this year!