Regroup

Today is a day for regrouping.  No one is in crisis at the moment, all is relatively calm, and I’m ready to re-evaluate where we are and where we’re going.  I really want to get back to the basics and ask the Lord what He wants to teach each of these girls separately about Him as well as together.  They are doing devotions in the morning and studying through the basics of the Gospel.  But there are specific things that I want them each to learn.  That’s discipleship right?  Knowing each of them well enough to know their weaknesses and work to show them that Jesus wants to be a part of every part of their lives, even the parts that they aren’t quite ready to give to him yet.  I think we’ll be doing studies on pride, forgiveness, and grace.  I’m still praying through it, so pray for me to have wisdom about this.  We’ve had so many changes and adjustments with a new house mom and I’m not spending nights there anymore and sometimes they feel really jealous for my time.  So pray that the Lord will show them that HE is the one that they need… not me, not the house moms… just Jesus.  And pray as we move forward that they would know more of the Lord and be prepared for life ahead as they grow and learn and start to seek Him on their own.  We desperately need your prayers!

Prodigal son

Last weekend Y ran away.  She didn’t want to go to school, got angry, and acted out of her temper.  It was a few hours before we knew where she was and it was hard to know what to do about it.  I prayed a lot and then just waited.  The Lord was really good to just give me peace in the midst of it and the ability to share that with the house mom who was feeling very responsible.  (I’m not sure she knew what she was getting into with this job!) :)

Friday evening I got to talk to her on the phone and she was bawling her eyes out as she told me that she was really gone, not coming back, and so sad to leave her daughter behind.  I told her I was glad that she was safe, that I love her, that Jesus loves her, and that I wanted her to rest there with her friends and we would talk in the morning.

The Lord did some big things in her heart in the next 12 hours and at 8am she called me and asked if she could come home!  Of course.  I met her at the house that afternoon and we spent about 2 hours talking things through.  She had never heard the story of the Prodigal Son, so we read it together from the Jesus Storybook BIble.  She really seemed to understand the Lord’s great love for her, His patience, and His forgiveness.  I pray that she also saw that played out in a small way through us.  She humbly asked for forgiveness from all of us, even the other girls.  She made the phone calls she needed to make to apologize to her friends that she had lied to when she ran, and then Dona Oneyda made a cake to celebrate that she came home!

This week we have seen a different girl, the Lord knew exactly what she needed to be able to really move forward with us and in relationship with Him.  I’m so thankful for that, although a runaway is never in my plans, He knows what He is doing.

One thing for sure… life around here is never dull.

Newsletter July 2012

July 2012 blog

Encouragement

Last night Y & J spent the night here with me.  We went up to the dorms to see the visiting pediatrician, who happens to be from Columbia and speaks Spanish as her first language… awesome!  Y has been so worried about J having health problems and it was really good for her to just sit down with Gina and be assured that everything is fine and J is growing up really healthy!

At dinner she was telling me about their church small group last week and how the leader was talking about personalities and character and asked her to describe me (I wasn’t there).  She said she told him I was always angry, punished her for everything, and never did anything fun.  Then after I told her, “okay I’ll be like that from now on then, since that’s what you think :)”, she told me it was a lie.

She said some really sweet things, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was that she said, “Susana says yes and it means yes and no and it means no.  I know she wants what is best for me.”  Wow.  I’m so thankful that is how she sees me.  I feel like there are days when I am crazy and all over the place and running here and there being anything but consistent.  But I believe that one thing they desperately need people who love them enough to be honest with them, tell them no sometimes, and more than anything be consistent.  I have been praying that they will be those kinds of moms themselves, and I’m so thankful that the Lord is allowing them to see that in me.  Praise Him for it.

Please pray for Y in particular.  She has some really great days and she is growing like crazy.  But at the same time she still struggles because this new life is unlike anything she has ever known.  She is constantly threatening to run away and has moments of really deep sadness that she won’t and maybe can’t talk about… we are fighting for this girl to know Jesus in a life-changing way. 

Medical Clinic

I love this picture of C helping out at Medical Clinic in Armenia.  She was there all day yesterday with the medical team.  Such a cool way to serve, for us to mix our ministries together, and for her to really jump in and take part in what the Lord is doing here!

River Fun

One of my most favorite things about living here is all the beautiful rivers.  And the babies LOVE the water and the adventure.  I think all the time of what a blast I would have had as a kid going to the river all the time… rock hopping, jumping into the water, looking for fish… it’s a child’s paradise and it starts early.

Last week I took the little boys with us when we took the summer team out to the river in Armenia.  These two rocks are the favorite for jumping… I think E was mad that I didn’t let him try it :)

The only scary thing is that these babies have NO fear of the water.  They will put their face in, drink the water, go under, whatever.  They love it and are not scared.

I’m thinking we have a little fish on our hands…

thankfulness

When G first moved in with us she wanted to start working right away.  She was desperate to be able to pay back some of the “debt” that she felt like she was incurring by being a recipient in this ministry.  What a sweet conversation I was able to have with her about grace and that it is a free gift!  In the Lord’s grace He has given us salvation, but He also gave her a new start through Puerta de Esperanza.

This past week I have seen the girls really start to learn what it looks like to soak up grace and be filled up to overflowing and ready to share that with others.  And it is so cool to watch it happening.  They have a desire to help, not because they feel like they have to, but because they have been receivers of a sweet gift and they are ready to give away what they can as well.  I love that because it is such a picture of the Gospel to me.  God does not call us to “do” for Him because we feel indebted.  Rather He asks us to jump in and work for the furthering of His kingdom because we are so full to overflowing with what we have received.

Last week we lost water for three days and the house was a disaster… dirty dishes, toilets that couldn’t flush, smelly people, you get the point.  We always keep a water reserve, but even that had been used up.  When the water finally came back on the girls offered to come over and clean with me… it was so awesome to have their help and the house was spotless when they left!  Friday we went over and helped pack up hundreds of pills for the big medical team that came in this week to do clinics.  The girls loved it and wanted to know when we could go back and help again.  Monday I had to pinch hit as a translator for the dentist and the girls had to wait around in the heat and masses of people for 3 hours until I was finished.  I fully expected to hear complaining, but C had stepped in and was doing intake, G was playing with babies and everyone was so happy to be serving in some way.  Erin was so thankful for C and she is going to be going out all day tomorrow to help again.

I love that we can plug them in, that the Lord has given them hearts to serve, that the ministries of team Honduras are overlapping… its just sweet to see :)

The Final Days of the Pit

This is my optimistic side writing today.  I made the decision this week that the frustration and emotional wear caused by my dear red Ford Escape is just not worth it and I hope that we will soon be parting ways.  Thursday afternoon the car managed to have two separate and unrelated car problems that both ended up with me stranded on the side of the road.  Enough is enough.  It is so far from reliable.  So I’m going to try to sell it.

Upsides:  It has lots of new parts!  Since last May I have replaced the alternator, the fuel pump (twice) and filter, refilled twice with Freon and then finally replaced the AC compressor and fixed the leaks, the shocks, the thermostat, the wheel bearings, the break pads, 2 belts, 2 radiator hoses, the battery, the tires, rebuilt the engine, fixed electrical problems, and repaired a radiator leak.  By the end of next week it will have a new front windshield and new paint job on the side with scratches and the wrong color red paint.

Downsides: I have poured more money than I want to remember into this ridiculous car and gone into debt doing so.  I’ve put off selling it for so long because I don’t want to have to start again with tags and fees and tires, etc.  I just kept thinking… surely this is the last thing that will break.  But I think its time although I still don’t have any money, I think in the long run I will save money.

As you know from my fundraising for a car the first time, MTW doesn’t do cars, so all of this comes out of pocket.  I will probably not be able to get a new car for what I will sell this car for, since I can hardly recommend it, although it is full of new things!  So I guess I’m asking you readers to prayerfully consider helping me upgrade to a car that is safer and more reliable.  If you are interested in supporting me in this way, know that it cannot be tax deductible, but you can donate to me by giving cash or a check to my mom or mailing it to her at

Darcie Innes
1338 Falkirk Ct.
Cary, NC 27511

Due HIS name

Psalm 29:1-5“Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.”

This is the LORD.  This morning I am struggling in my heart with obedience and trust and wisdom, and I was so struck by this verse.  This is the God that I serve.  He deserves all the glory.  He is powerful and mighty, He is majestic and strong.  And yet, Scripture tells me that He is personal.  He knows me.  He loves me.  He is working for my good.  And I don’t think I can trust Him?

For me obedience has everything to do with trust.  If I trust the Lord, I mean really trust the Lord, then I trust that what He asks of me, what He says in Scripture, is not just a list of rules that He made because He was in bad mood.  If I trust the Lord’s love for me then I can be sure that what He asks of me He asks because it is really for my good.  As the Jesus storybook Bible puts it, “the Bible shows us how life works best.”  When I lean into Jesus and His love for me than I respond by obeying because I trust that my Father in heaven wants what is best for me.

And sometimes I don’t.  Sometimes I don’t trust and I don’t obey.

Psalm 39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in YOU!”

Praise the Lord that He does not hold a list of our sins against us.  Our hope is in HIM.  Our hope for forgiveness, for grace, and a changed heart in the future.  Today I’m holding on to the promise that I have a Father in heaven who has good for me, who loves me, who changes my heart to know more of Jesus, who forgives for my laziness, my distrust, and my disobedience.  I want to believe this for myself and I want it to overflow out of me into my ministry that these girls will know Jesus in such a personal way that they will run to HIM and lean into HIM and trust His love in their lives.

Ganchos

Yesterday I bought 1100 coathangers for about $200.  Good price?  I think so, but how should I know.  Who has ever bought 1100 at one time before?

However, I just want to tell you that the Lord is in the details.  We went to a store in San Pedro Sula where I was looking at coathangers for the clothing store we’re going to start.  I was just running my mouth about things in Spanish to a friend who was with us when this guy from behind interrupts me.  He had overheard our conversation and wanted to share some advice.  He owns a laundrymat and knew all the places in town to get the best deals on hangers and shelves and manikins and everything.  He went back to his office and emailed me maps to all those places so I wouldn’t get lost.  What?!?  He is awesome.  And he saved us tons of money.

Then we get to the store in the market that sells the hangers and I start talking to the guy about what we’re doing working with single moms, wanting to help them become self-sustaining, etc.  So they knock $50 off the price of our hangers.  Again… what?!?

I’m not a good networker.  I don’t ask for free stuff because I’m a missionary.  I was just talking.  But the Lord knew the timing was right both times and provided for us in two very tangible ways.  That’s amazing.  So thank the Lord for that!  Keep praying for us as we look for a safe place to rent and try to get the store up in running in the next few weeks!

Guest Post!!!

Shannon asked me to write a guest blog giving my first impressions of Honduras.  As a disclaimer, I've only been to one other Latin American country, once.

So, my top ten initial impressions of Honduras:

1.  Honduras is hotter than Hell... without air conditioning.  Although, I suppose Hell also lacks ac.

2. Police don't drive around in cars.  Instead they have checkpoints throughout the city, as does the military, with really big guns.  Sometimes they want to check the trunk, but other times they only ask questions like "Is everything legal?" or "Do you have a gun?"

3.  It gets dark here around 6:30 which makes me feel exhausted by 10. 

4.  Shannon has water from 6-10 am and 5-8ish pm because people are stealing water in a neighborhood nearby.  This never occurs to me until I have a handful of soap that I can't rinse off.

5. The heat isn't as big of a deal to me as the fact that the steak is well done.  I want my beef rare or medium rare, and this meat is well past rare.  The pork and chicken are great, but I'm a beef girl and this does not work for me.

6.  There are fresh juice places everywhere.  They're amazing.  I’ve been here a week and I’ve visited them 3 times and plan to go again!

7.  Did I mention the really big guns at the checkpoints and on each security guard at each store?!?

8.  The power lines look like the fridge art my three year old adopted nephew sent me. 

9.  Things I've seen while driving:  horses and buggies, a man in a wheelchair in the MIDDLE of an intersection, a pickup full of people with people sitting in lawn chairs holding a mattress over their heads, a rickshaw full of coconuts, a man walking through town carrying a streetlight, and a van with speakers on the roof.  I'm pretty sure if I die while I'm here, it will be in the car.

10.  My sister rocks!  And God is moving here.  I love watching all the friendships she's so good at establishing, despite only speaking the language two years.  So proud of her.

We've been some fantastic places.  La Ceiba has mountains, rivers, and the beach.  I’ve met lots of fun people, including precious kids with gorgeous eyes.  I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to be here.

Yesterday

Yesterday I got a GREEN LIGHT to open our used clothing store!  YAY YAY YAY!  We’ve been waiting on some paperwork and approval from MTW, but now we’re ready to go.  The girls are so excited :)  They are ready to work, to have money of their own, and be able to start providing themselves for their kids.  I’m excited to see us take another big step towards being national-run and self-sustaining.  And for all that the girls are going to learn in this endeavor.  So, pray for us to find a good location and be able to get everything set up and ready to go quickly!

Also yesterday G got great news at school!  She has been in school at night in a special class to figure out what grade she should go into.  She had gone to school through 4th grade, but many years go.  She LOVES school and was devastated to miss it while she was in the hospital and sure she was going to come out behind.  While… school didn’t meet for a week in honor of “day of student” (tell me how that makes sense?!?) so she didn’t actually miss much.  And went she went back yesterday they told her that they are putting her in the 6th grade class!  I swear she almost floated to the car.  Graduating from 6th grade is a big, fat, hairy deal and I’m really excited for her.  And just excited to see her so happy and ready to work for something.

The Lord is still moving and working and doing big things, even when I forget to blog :)

Busy week

I have not been a good blogger as of late.  Seems like time is just getting away from me.  This week my sister is here visiting :)

Its been really fun to have her here.  Mom and dad treated us to a night away at a hotel at the beach, and that was a great treat!  We ate good food, laid by the pool, talked, read, and just enjoyed some time away.  We’ve been hanging out some with the girls at Puerta de Esperanza and just enjoying a little time together.  Oh, and we went to one of my favorite spots on the river!  I really live in a beautiful country.

Yesterday we went to celebrate Kate’s birthday with friends at a fun place nearby that has river and beach!  I don’t have pictures yet since they are all on her camera.  But… it was great.  One of my favorite parts of the day was just watching the girls from Puerta de Esperanza play together.  We were wrestling in the water, splashing, and just laughing and enjoying each other.  I know that especially for G, she just really needed a day to have fun.  I prayed yesterday for her to just have a day filled with joy because I just have seen her be really down since getting back from the hospital.  And she really seemed to love her time yesterday, so that made me happy.  And Dona Oneyda was playing with them and enjoying them.  The Lord recently provided a second house mom so that she could have two days off and I think that is making a huge difference.  I’m so thankful.  And the babies love swimming and crashed hard with good naps on the way back.  Good day all around.

The Lord is just really faithful to walk with us through our days right now.  I’m loving it.