Francois: Exuding love and life

By Amber Foster

-Francois is sponsored for Beach Christmas!-

Five-year-old Francois is the youngest of one of the sweetest families we have the honor of working with. I love seeing him ride into church on the back of his daddy’s motorcycle beaming with pride and carrying a helmet that’s bigger than he is. There is no question that he adores his father, or that the feeling is mutual.

Francois’s tiny body holds a big heart that is eager to learn and quick with a smile. He takes painfully awkward posed pictures but the most adorable candid shots you can imagine. He lives life all in with a look of joy and wonder on his face almost constantly.  

Francois is studying hard in kindergarten this year and loves school. He’s a polite little boy who is loved by all who meet him. Help us share our Christmas adventure with a boy who will truly squeeze every ounce of fun out of the experience.

Michel: Our shy little school lover

By Michael Carson

-MICHEL IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Oh Michel, my little namesake – how we love your sweet face. Michel is the baby of the Silva clan, and she doesn’t exactly speak unless she’s decided you’re worth it. Let’s just say most of us aren’t worth it in her eyes.

This little one is just a beauty, but it’s hilarious watching her around the school yard. She screams at the other kids, but as soon as an adult speaks to her, she falls silent, losing any motivation to speak. I would say she’ll probably grow out of it, but most of her siblings are just a grownup version of this. But, wow, does she love school! She was so excited to start school this year and show off her backpack and lunch box to everyone who would look but not speak to her hopefully.

We’re looking forward to seeing the future of this shy, little one. We hope she finds her voice in whatever way means success for her. Please consider blessing little Michel by sponsoring her Christmas trip to the beach with her whole family!

Escarlen: Fighting for a better future

By Michael Carson

-ESCARLEN IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

When Escarlen graduates, I’m going to feel like I’m graduating all over again. But we’re going to make it with God’s everlasting grace…somehow.

Escarlen is a part of our original group of students we began in bilingual school five years ago. She has a beautiful heart and love for others. She isn’t a bookworm. She loves school, but she has to fight to make good grades. And she comes from a family who isn’t highly motivated in the schooling area. Neither of her parents ever learned how to read or write. So, most of her motivation comes from within. And as you can imagine, sometimes that's hard to find as a 12-year-old.

So, Escarlen and I have talk after talk after talk, or at least that’s what it feels like sometimes, to keep her motivated. Sometimes, I play bad cop. Sometimes I play good cop. Sometimes I enlist another team member. No matter what we make sure Escarlen knows we believe in her. We push her because she's worth it. We push her parents to push her. God’s grace is abundant, and we believe all of our children, young adults and parents deserve those second, third and fiftieth chances. They need only ask for it.

Please reward Escarlen’s fighting spirit with a trip to the beach with her Breaking Chains family!            

Juan: A proud papa

By Michael Carson

Juan is one of the quieter dads in the education program, and that’s saying a lot to tell the truth. He’s incredibly humble. When we asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he said, “Whatever you would like to get will be a blessing.”

Juan is quiet, but he loves his family fiercely. Any time his girls Allison and Jennifer have an event at school, he is so proud to watch them perform whatever it is. He just sits there in the audience and beams. Then when it’s over, he praises them so sweetly.

Although he continually struggles to find work, Juan is always searching for a way to provide for his family. He never gives up searching when he’s without work and works hard to keep the job when he does. Juan is a man of few words, but we’re proud to know his gentle, hard-working spirit.

Please consider giving this man the break with his family he deserves, and sponsor him for Beach Christmas 2016!

-If you are interested in sponsoring Juan, please click on the blog title and leave a reply in the comments section. The full sponsorship cost is $150. You can donate online via the donate page of our website. You can also send check contributions to P.O. Box 20454 Oklahoma City, OK 73156. 

Maholy: Our joyful and excellent student

By Michael Carson

   -MAHOLY IS SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

Maholy doesn’t say much, and often she fights her shy nature just to tell me when she needs something for school. I always know she needs something when she’s standing close to me acting a little nervous. Despite her shy nature, she is one of our most responsible students in the program.

Maholy’s grades are always consistently good. She consistently behaves in school. The most her teacher ever tells me is that she talks too much in class, which I find slightly ironic considering her few words in both Sunday school class and with me. Her teacher always tells me how well Maholy does in class and how responsible she is.

I look forward to seeing Maholy’s success as she continues in our program and what she chooses to do with her success in the future. Help us reward Maholy’s responsible nature and sponsor her for Beach Christmas 2016.

Victor: Becoming a part of the family

Victor (left) making bracelets with Ricardo and Bryan

By Amber Foster

-VICTOR IS NOW SPONSORED FOR BEACH CHRISTMAS!-

We’ve known 19 year old Victor for years. He has struggled mightily with his own attitude and with poor decisions that wouldn’t allow him to accept the love being offered to him. Victor has come to talk to us multiple times about having an opportunity to stay, but we never felt like he was in a place to put forth the effort it takes to say no, every day every moment, to the call of the street.  

When Victor came in the fall to talk to me, again, I really didn’t hold out a lot of hope. He seemed different. He seemed like he wanted to change, but we weren’t sure. He was so deeply entrenched in the “freedom” that is found on the streets that we weren’t sure he would be able to follow the rules daily and treat others and their belongings with respect. We were all happily wrong. 

Victor is doing wonderfully. He is kind and loving and eager to start back to school next year. He is responsible when given the opportunity to succeed, and he is openly affectionate and grateful for the love being offered him.

Victor has bounced around a lot and struggles to accept love, but he’s trying. He has his moments when his past catches up to him but quickly corrects his bad attitude when he’s reminded of it. 

Victor is our newest family member and I’m so excited to share our family beach trip with him.  Help us show him that family is about love not biology and family is forever.