Doug and Molly (pictured below) are family to Kerri and I. It would mean so much to us if you would read Molly's speech and then donate $5/mo. to the orphanage they will be serving in... or anything really.
send payment to :
815 North High Street Suite GG
Columbus, Ohio 43215
MOLLY's SPEECH
------------------------
It was just six months ago that I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. This was something I had been praying for, desiring and hoping for. And it has changed my life forever. The decision was to move from my comfortable home in Columbus, Ohio – to a small village in Honduras called Nueva Esperanza.
Nueva Esperanza means “New Hope”. It was named this with the purpose of building new homes, a new start, for victims of hurricane Mitch. Hurricane Mitch was absolutely devastating… much like what people in the south are experiencing today… with the exception that the people in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in Central America, couldn’t begin to rebuild. Nueva Esperanza was built with money given from Catholic churches and organizations in the United States. The homes are smaller than most living rooms in the U.S. and tend to hold families of 8 or more. But Nueva Esperanza is special for another reason as well. It is also the home of Montana de Luz where children with HIV and AIDS are given a new hope in their suffering. And this is where I am the new director.
To be poor… feels helpless. To be poor and have AIDS is a life of despair and death. But it doesn’t have to be. Montana de Luz means “Mountain of Light”. It began five years ago as a hospice – a beautiful place for children to die in peace. But with donations from people in the United States and abroad, we are able to provide children with much needed medication, nutritional meals, and a clean stable place in order to continue in life. In five short years Montana de Luz evolved fromm a place to die to a place of life, growth, learning and health. It is a place of hope where our morgue has turned into a library and where Miguel, a 13 year old boy, is president of his school and dreams of being president of his country.
Currently we have 23 children living at the project. We would love to at least double that amount, but it all depends on funding. Honduras holds 60 % of AIDS cases in Central and South America and has the fastest growing rate of children with AIDS. And it is worse off now than Africa was 15 years ago. Most of our children received the HIV virus through the birthing process and from sexual abuse...
Yulisa is just one little girl that has suffered such abuse. She is 10 years old and has been abused for 2 years. Sister Leondarda from Limon has been helping her but without a clinic, Montana de Luz is Yulisa’s only hope of escape from abuse and sickness. When I visited her home, her mother tried to convince me that there was no reason for her to leave Limon. She told me that Yulisa was happy and healthy. This was coming from a single mother of 6. And Yulisa is her only hope. Being the oldest, Yulisa leaves school early every day to help with meals and take care of younger siblings. Yulisa loves school. Math is her favorite subject, she’s beautiful, creative and enjoys playing with friends her own age. When I asked Yulisa if she felt safe in her own home, she told me that she didn’t. She lives in fear from men coming into her home and sickness entering her body. We are currently in the process of rescuing Yulisa to give her a safe haven, good education, and a chance at a healthy childhood.
I also want to tell you about Deybi. He is our most recent child admitted. He is 7 years old with the body of a weak 4 year old. When I met Deybi he had been in the hospital for 3 months. His parents would visit him (both of whom are HIV positive) and since Deybi refused hospital food they would bring him rice, bread and coffee on a daily basis. Deybi was so thin he could barely take a few steps at a time... But Deybi has amazing strength from within. He has hungry brown eyes, long lashes, and rarely smiles… but when he does smile, time stands still as his dimples deepen… and you are invited and able to share in his happiness. This happiness was shared more and more every day that Deybi was at Montana de Luz. Even though he battled through daily fevers, he managed to gain a couple of pounds and begin walking on his own... Unfortunately though, a month after being at Montana de Luz, he had to be readmitted to the hospital where he was poked and prodded as a case study for over a month. Even though we visited every day, brought tv/vcr, books and music to entertain him, he was understandably miserable and longed to return to Montana de Luz, his new home... Today I give glory to God and am excited to say that a week ago Deybi’s wish was granted. He loves being back at Montana de Luz. He never goes to bed hungry, he has clean water to drink and in which to bathe. He has people that love and care for him as well as 24 hour playmates. We had prepared a wheelchair fro Deybi, but he is determined to walk on his won, with hopes to run or ride a bike one day.
Yulisa is one of thousands of children suffering in Honduras. There are only three orphanages that accept children with HIV. Montana de Luz is one of them. Deybi is one of 23 children at Montana de Luz… One of 23 that are living instead of dying. If it weren’t for Montana de Luz, these children would not have a chance at life. Montana de Luz exists due to our loving Father in Heaven and because of people like you who donate time, prayers, money and concern to Montana de Luz.
I urge you to get involved in the lives of Honduran children. Please choose to get involved in Montana de Luz. These children depend on you. Come and visit the children, we have a mission team program set up... or support one in our sponsership program where you can write the children and they can write you. There are many ways to get involved. You can make the difference. You can choose life for a child without a choice. I will be down here in front after the service for those of you that have questions.
Thank you for your time, consideration and prayers.
Thank you.
__________________________________
currently playing:: Denison Whitmer: Are You A Dreamer?
No comments:
Post a Comment