Blessings...

Sometimes Laura and I sit and talk during our nights at Jovenes and marvel at just how blessed we are.  Out of all the organizations and orphanages not only in Honduras but in the whole world, we ended up at Jovenes en Camino.  Our hearts found a place there and we fell in love.  The past year has been one of ups and downs for the both of us, but it is during times like last week when we are with the people that we have grown to love like family, that we are assured that God has a plan for our lives and, more importantly, He has a plan for their lives.

We had an incredible week and it went by way too fast but we also learned so much and were able to teach the boys some important lessons.  One of my favorite things that we did during the week was what I like to call "El Dia De Los Juegos!" (The day of games).  Tia Sarai, Laura and I split the Casa Rosada boys into three competing teams. We explained to them that the next day (they did not have classes that day) the three teams would be competing in the categories of: work, respect, obedience and, of course, games!  We were strangely reminded of Hogwarts because when the boys did something good, they earned points, but when they did something bad, they lost points.  So it was funny to see them all "try" to be on their very best behavior.  So the next morning we got up and went to work first. My team was assigned the "cancha" (the basketball court).  We had to pick up all the trash and cut the grass around the court. I proudly watched them work hard (and of course took my turn using the machete, and I might also add that I wasn't completely terrible!). It is such a neat experience to actually work with the boys. I guess in some ways it makes me feel better that they see Laura and I come and work with them instead of just playing all the time.  After an hour of cutting grass and sweeping up the court, our time of work was finished! Next on the agenda was for the teams to compete in five or six different games ranging from, uno and miniature basketball to relay races and soccer. It was during the games that the category of respect was really tested (the boys are extremely competitive).  So at the end of the day Tia Sarai, Laura and I had a meeting to determine respect and work points. Unfortunately we had to give some of the boys low scores on these categories, but this is where the cool lessons happened.  We drew a giant chart on the whiteboard and wrote down all the scores with the boys straining to see what scores they got.  Tia Sarai's team won by leaps and bounds but as we were writing down the scores we noticed that the boys weren't as concerned with which team actually won, they were simply concerned when they saw they were given a low score.  Yes they wanted to win but, more importantly they wanted to win individually.  These boys hearts are in the right places.  They don't want to be a poor sport or disrespectful, but just like us, they are human and they mess up sometimes.  It was neat to get to teach them this lesson. The next day we told them that we were making cake and having a party for the team that won. What they didn't know is that everyone actually got cake!  It was during this party that we explained to them that although Tia Sarai's team had the most points, it is not always about points.  It is about acting out of respect and kindness all the time.  We taught them that good behavior is worth a reward.  It was such a neat experience to be able to, in a way, discipline the boys, but then still receive their hugs as they were going to bed that night.    

                                       

God is really at work at Jovenes en Camino.  They boys are learning so many valuable lessons.  They are learning about the love of a family, the love of friends and the love of God.  And I truly believe that each boys feels loved in each way.  I thank God everyday for the house parents who have devoted their lives to basically being parents to these boys.  They treat them and love them like they are their own children.  Just in the week we were there, I saw the house parents show such love and even shed tears for these boys.  It brings my heart joy knowing that these boys are so loved and cherished.


                                     
Continue to pray for Jovenes en Camino.  Pray that these boys continue to feel loved by God.  Pray that they continue to have a passion to learn and succeed.  And pray that they yearn to have a personal relationship with God. Pray for the employees and most importantly the house parents who are raising these boys. Pray that they will have patience daily and that they will continue to follow in God's footsteps as they instill character in these boys.  Also, there are many exciting things happening for Jovenes right now. I encourage you to visit the facebook page and website (there are links available at the top of the blog page).  On October 12 at 8 am, there will be a 5K run to raise awareness and support for JEC.  Please consider running with us, it is going to be a lot of fun!  There is more information about the run on the website and facebook page.

We love you all!
Dios te bendiga!

Hannah y Laura