Love in all forms

Fathers Day Blog

(Super late sorry I'm a disaster)

Never Grow Up-Taylor Swift

Because You Loved Me- Celine Dion

For my own reasons Father's Day isn't my favorite holiday. I have several friends who feel the same way, while some people post about having the best dad in the world I know several people who don't have many good memories, if any at all. However, being here in Honduras caused me to think about it a little differently. One of my favorite ways to describe God is a father to the fatherless. Since I am literally living in an orphanage currently I started thinking about what exactly that could mean to someone. I realized that being a Father to the fatherless doesn't have to be a hallmark card relationship but can be seen in the way that God provides for his children. I see the love that H2H has poured into the people of Olivos. The kids all adore Shelton and shout in excitement whenever they see his truck because they know laughter and affection are going to be given out. Women in the village are moved to tears when their friends that come on the trips year after year leave. Children who are shy and reserved come to life as they form bonds with people that they once would never have imagined meeting. In the Orphanage today we celebrated the birthday of Sister Terracita(I probably butchered that spelling) who founded the Orphanage years ago. Watching all the kids sing to her and make her cards really witnessed to the impact she has had in their lives. These kids have been brought here for a variety of reasons but for some the workers and other children here are the only family they know. The impact that LOVE has already had on the people here is incredible to me. Tonight I got to sit with the kids while one of the women Rachel lead the daily devotion. It was precious to me to see such a real interaction between her and the kids. They laughed, answered questions, got reprimanded for misbehaving, but more than anything they got to experience someone who is daily part of their lives honestly talking about God with them(From what I could understand my Spanish isn't great). Anyways, I chose these two videos for a reason. I'm weirdly obsessed with Taylor Swift and when I first listened to this song I had just left for college and it brought to mind my nieces(Who I really would appreciate if they stopped growing up). Listening to it tonight made me think a little differently. Part of the song talks about the child being young and not scarred and I realized that stopping that isn't even an option for most of the kids here(and many I've worked with in the states as well). Several of them have scars that are made even more visible by the fact that stitches here are a hack job. Baby Harry is 2 years old and has already spent days in a row of his life more hungry than I can ever imagine being. There are so many kids all over the world(including the US) who have to "grow up" much too quickly. This makes me wonder, while I definitely understand wanting to keep kids from growing up, if providing them love through the hard parts of life isn't a much better option. Children have soooo much potential and intelligence and they absolutely thrive when given love.  I look at people like Sister T,  Rhonda, my bosses at my job back home  Leslie(calls literally everyone love) and Cheryl, or my old Sunday school teacher Mrs. Terra as she minister to women in prison, and wonder how many people will look back one day and say "I am everything I am because you loved me"(See second video ;)) I'm definitely inspired by these women and think they are being an example of "A Father to the Fatherless. To wrap it up this post isn't really about being a father or needing a father(but if you are one LOVE on those kiddos they need you) It's about going out and putting love into the world, especially of children, and watching as more wonderful things than you could ever imagine occur(Reap What you Sow) You don't have to be the perfect mother, father, brother, sister, teacher, child, worker but I truly believe that if you live a life serving and loving other there will be rewards all around(Not that it will never be hard but that is a post for another day)

Be a Light. 

LOVE

LOVE-By Jana Kramer

 

At first I was going to delete my old Blog(with it's grand total of three posts)but I decided it may be fun to look back at where I was 2 or 3 years ago. I was a very angsty 18 year old haha. For those of you who don't know I am spending the summer in Honduras. I'm working with an organization called Hearts2Honduras and they are incredible!H2H Website!I decided to come to Honduras for several reasons. First, I love kids. I love working with kids. They are smart and funny and innocent and literally have their whole lives ahead of them. I believe that there is a reason Jesus says to be like a child. It doesn't mean act like a child, it means love. They love selflessly and they love intensely and they appreciate things that adults tend to overlook. Second, I was struggling after a year that had been pretty intense for me. I needed a change of pace/scenery. I was EXHAUSTED at several points this year, I realize now a lot of  that is my own fault. I work a lot and I have a bad procrastination problem at school and I stress myself out. Third, I needed some time to focus on others and get out of my own head. I get too wrapped up in my head and I let other peoples problems impact me way too much. Serving others is Psychologically proven to spread happiness all around(I'm a psych major so i know this kind of crap but feel free to look it up;)) Fourth, I feel like I can learn a lot from this trip. I hope spending time with people who have so much less than I do will really change the way I think. I'm ready to see how loving others and letting others love me can change my world and my concept of what true love is. 

Now that I have given a little bit of background I will talk a little about the trip so far. I was completely unprepared(SHOCKER). I didn't finish packing until the morning before and didn't text my mom until 1am to ask for a ride(Sorry Mama). I got to the airport and had no idea what to expect and it's been amazing. The kids and the people in the village of Olivos are incredible. They have all been working so hard to build their homes and start better lives for themselves. Driving up to the village each day is great, so many smiling faces and hugs and kisses. The Orphanage is great too. 43 amazing kids live there full time. Many were brought there after being abandoned or suffering from malnutrition. One group of brothers was brought there after a group found them, they hadn't eaten in 10 days. Can you imagine? They are all so sweet and full of life and even though it isn't a perfect environment(What is?) they really provide a sense of family and they get food and love everyday and that help gives them a better chance to thrive. We also have started working with a church specifically for kids on a bad side of town. The pastor truly loves and invests in the kids. The area is known for targeting youth for gangs and drugs, there is an incredibly high pregnancy rate for young girls, and poverty leads to desperation for many of the people. However, we went to two services last week and you could literally see God working. I'm from the city and I could tell the area was sketchy but as soon as you walk into the church it all melts away, These kids seem happy and content, the way only kids do in situations where they feel safe and loved. I'm excited to spend more time with these people and see what happens. I will elaborate more on everything later but this trip has been amazing so far and I can't wait to see what happens next

P.S.-The people who were on the first trip were AMAZING and were a huge part of this whole experience being so great! I love ya'll and miss you already!