A Dream Come True

When I first moved to Jovenes, I lived in the green house with the oldest boys for a year. Obviously I had a lot of changes and things to get used to in the first few months. One was sharing a bathroom/kitchen with the couple who were here at the time. They were very reserved, and sometimes I felt like a nuisance.

Santos and Maria's new home

Then soon after God sent two angels to Jovenes en Camino. Santos and Maria had been serving Jovenes as substitute houseparents for several years when the full time houseparents had two weekends off a month. God then opened a window and allowed them to come work here full time.

I remember one of the first things I came to appreciate and love about this couple was their contagious spirit. They are both so welcoming, humble, and outgoing. They instantly made me feel at home with them, as if I was part of their own family.

Chad and Ronald turning over the house

I remember after dinner one night we were having one of our long, nightly talks, and Maria mentioned that they did not have a home of their own. They had rented a house before moving to live full time at JEC, so on the weekends they had off they usually had to stay with friends or rent a hotel. The point of this time is to relax and rejuvenate since their job is so taxing. And in my opinion, being a guest in someone else's home or a hotel is not always so relaxing in a family of four.

Genesis and Sara (Maria and Santos' daughters)

Fast forward to this week (about two years later), and God's grace is so prevalent. Yesterday our executive director stateside, Chad Hedgepath, turned in the keys to a brand new house here in the valley. Chad and Ronald planned, fundraised, and brought down a group of 10 men from Heritage Church in Franklin, TN to construct the house. Maria and Santos saved for years to buy their own plot of land, and as soon as that was purchased things got moving.

Hermitage COC group turning over the keys to Santos

The boys in the green house also played a large part in helping prepare the land, construction, and a lot of manual labor. Other Jovenes en Camino employees also helped in many ways - such as the cooks preparing food daily to send over to all those working hard in this hot sun. I think this made yesterday so special, because we had all played a part in helping Santos and Maria's family. We all felt the pride and joy of this house being finished. We were able to see their dream come to life.

Part of the Jovenes en Camino family with Santos and Maria

I think Santos said it best when he said, "God is so good, even though I am not. He has worked through others, through the boys, and through us. For that I am grateful for His grace."

This is one of my favorite things about Jovenes. We are one, big family. We help each other out when times get rough. We know we can't live this life alone, so we lean on each other. I'm so grateful to be 25 and have experienced such an incredible story of grace, selflessness, and love.

Thank you, Lord. You are so good to us.

March Update

I cannot believe we are already into March of 2014! Where has the time gone?? It seems like yesterday I returned to Jovenes to spend NYE with the boys. We have already had so many amazing visitors (two being my best friends, Scat and Lindy), and last week we had our first spring break group from Oklahoma. The boys are super excited for all our visitors and sponsors coming to visit this month. 

I have some awesome news to share with all of you. I have committed my heart to another year at Jovenes en Camino. This means, for now, I will be in Honduras for 2014 (Lord willing). After that, it is up to God!

Poppy is now a mommy!

I feel so good about this decision and am ready to see what amazing things He does through the boys and the Jovenes family this year. 

One of the biggest blessings of 2013 was being able to find a beautiful and safe home to rent right down the road from JEC. My landlords are so sweet and always thinking of me, inviting me to dinner, and calling just to check in on me. I feel safe and am able to rest each day without worrying about my safety. This daily alone time is so vital to my work here.  I need this time to relax and recharge. I am an old lady and go to bed at 8-8:30 most nights!

beautiful tree growing in front of my house

I recently decided to treat myself to one luxury after 2.5 years of being in Honduras - CABLE! I now have basic cable to watch movies, sports, etc. I didn't miss it much when I didn't have it, but now I'm grateful to be able to come home, eat dinner and turn on a movie. 

One of the hardest parts of 2013 was definitely my car situation. I know I've complained on here (via blog) and in person to some, but I honestly think I spent more of 2013 with my car in the shop than with me. I am constantly reminding myself that if this is my biggest problem, I'm doing pretty well.

This is the list of what all I had done to my car in 2013:

-new transmission

-new alternator

-new battery (literally last week it died)

-new parts shopped from the US to fix motor issues

-new tires purchased (after a generous donation)

Right now, I desperately need a trustworthy car. My car is a Mitsubishi Montero Sport (2000) and has over 160k miles. Honduras is a very dangerous country (as most of you know), and with an unreliable car, I never know when/where it is going to break down. Not only am I worried about my own safety, but also the safety of the boys and other employees when they are in the car.

ABSS boys wanted to help fundraise

Aside from safety, I feel like such an inconvenience to the other Jovenes employees when I don't have my car. We have to switch cars and rework schedules because my job requires me to take lunch to the bilingual school, pick them up from class, and run errands in the city. Also, I can't do simple everyday things such as going to the grocery store and paying bills.  I can't stay at Jovenes to help with homework and school projects if it's after dark, because it is not safe to walk home alone at night.

My problem is I am not good at asking for myself. I don't enjoy fundraising, but I ask people if its for the boys. I don't second guess asking for them, because I know it's not selfish. So at the first moment I have to turn around and ask for myself, I feel greedy and hypocritical. I have so much in comparison to so many here. 

However, I realize this is something both the boys and I truly need. When I eventually leave Jovenes,  my car will be donated to Jovenes en Camino for their benefit and use. 

Luis Fernando

If you know of anyone who would want to help me, please send them this blog. I can't tell you how much it would mean to the boys and me. They are constantly asking "why did you buy such a bad car?" or "Annie, when will you get your car back from the shop?". I just hang my head and feel like I've let them down. I'm embarrassed that people helped me buy this car, and even though I did all the necessary checkups by several mechanics, I still messed up. My dad constantly reminds me, "that's just the business of buying a used car" and that I shouldn't be embarrassed. 

Can you help us?

For more information on how to help, please email Jessica Steen at jessicas@harpethhills.org