Prayers

Man alive, I've missed so many things.  I wish I had the time to sit and write about all the many things that God has done and is doing in PDE here, but I will try to give a short recap.

Our 13 year old C has been with us for over two months now.  She is adjusting SLOWLY but surely.  She is mess and requires much patience of those who are constantly loving on her.  She has a lot of baggage and never learned so many of the things that a normal upbringing teaches.  We are still working on defining the lines of what is right and wrong as far as her past and trying to slowly prove every day that she has people who are for her, who are on her side.  Understanding God's love and grace is a struggle for her and she hasn't gotten it yet, but amazingly, God is softening her heart and she doesn't blame Him for her past as she once did.  So, we see Him moving.  She desperately needs your prayers.  In two weeks she will start in a private school in 7th grade.  I made the decision to put her private school because her needs are so great and she needs to be in a Christian environment where she isn't going to get lost.  She needs to know her teachers and be counseled and loved on and have people be able to really pay attention to her.  She needs a team of people who are for her.  This will cause a financial stretch and if anyone wants to help C have this experience, it will cost about $80/month.  Let me know.  I really believe this is the best and most healing option for her, so we are faithfully trusting that God will provide.

We have a new girl who we are planning to move in next week in time for her to start school as well.  Her name is M and she is 17 with an 8 month old boy.  I will try to get a picture soon :)  We met her through Beti who used to live with us who has been helping her as best she can although with her own limited resources.  She will be going to 8th grade an night, same as C, so they will be able to go together.  We will probably need to get her a bike as that is how the other girls get too and from school.  If you'd like to send $200 to buy M a bike, please let me know!  She is also interested in studying baking, so we're looking into classes at a local school for that as well.  They should be free!  We will just have to provide materials.  I have no idea where she is spiritually... and I am anxious to find out.  So please pray for her as well.

C just finished up her practicum in beauty and is out looking for a full-time job.  She will be working full time as well as doing the 8th grade.  We've seen this kind of schedule lead to short tempers, less time with her son, etc.  So we are starting now to work on the heart issues and talk with her about how her time in the house will need to look although she will be really busy.  She is still explosive in her moments, but learning so much.  She was able to write out her testimony for me this week to share at a pastor's conference here in La Ceiba and I cried as we talked it through.  God has done so much in her life in a year and a half.

K is ready to go back to school for 5th and 6th grade this year and just got registered for beauty school this year as well.  She has been doing sewing, but we are switching tracks because her eyes just aren't good enough for sewing.  She gets terrible headaches and it makes her unable to concentrate and then she gets very frustrated.  So pray that she will not feel disappointed or behind as she starts something new.  This will be a two year track and we are hoping that she will love it and feel very successful!  She was actually able to accompany me this week to share in person at the pastor's conference and I could not be more proud.  I felt like I was her mom as I beamed with pride as she was able to clearly share her testimony and the truth of the Gospel!

This afternoon I need to have a really hard conversation that I am dreading.  Its been months in the making, but its time to do it.  Please pray for me to be full of grace and yet to speak the truth.

So grateful for each of you who care about and pray for this ministry even in my long blog absences!