Anthony and Jennifer (43 seconds)

 

Canadian Tire money equals MUCHO FUN!!

We have definitely learned that playdough is a HUGE hit with the younger children. At both projects they had a great time with it. Today the kids loved showing me/us their creations and then they REALLY liked when I’d take a picture and then they could see the picture (I think I have about 6 pics of one little girl who kept wanting me to take her picture). So all of you who saved Canadian Tire money - the playdough we bought at Cdn. Tire was very well received. Also, we bought megablocks (Lego) at Cdn. Tire and as Rob mentioned, that too was a big hit - once they children figured out what to do with it. Brett couldn’t build fast enough- they all wanted him to build things for them.

Puzzles were a hit at this project as well - and here the children seemed to know how to “do” a puzzle - unlike at the last one.

The kids were making bead necklaces with stuff we brought down and some were playing checkers. Lindsay and Emily enjoyed playing with Jennifer and Josselin (Tonen’s and Light’s children) - especially liked the Magnetix!!

Josselin was quite shy at first, but soon she and Jennifer were going everywhere hand in hand with Lindsay and Emily. Many of the little girls wanted to play with Linds and Emily - it was a day we really didn’t want to end.

Visiting the girls’ homes was amazing, sad, hopeful all rolled into a lot of mixed emotions. Dave and Shelly, just before we left Jennifer’s home she brought out her bike - from You!! - with birthday money you sent! We all watched as she scooted out her house and tried to bike around the very bumpy “yard” she has. Awesome!!

I will let the Light’s tell you re Josselin’s home - may I never complain re my home!!!

bye for now

Julie

 

Where to begin?

We have been SOO impressed with the work that Compassion is doing through these two amazing local churches. The love these pastors, workers, teachers, have for these children is so quickly evident. As we walked through the neighborhoods in both projects kids were hugging the project managers and workers all along the routes!! Both churches are ministering to their areas in phenomenal ways. Don’t ever think that by sponsoring a child you are only helping that child. Both churches that run these two projects have a passion to reach into their communities, share the love and hope of Christ and bring very practical help to the families. They talk a lot about changing the children’s perspective because for so many poor children/families poverty is all they know and all they think. So these projects both work to give the children/families a new perspective of what their future can be. They also want the children to learn trades, computer skills - even English, so that they can be released from the poverty cycle.

As we sat at around a table at project 268 today, we were all overwhelmed with what an incredible thing these people are doing. They have a fabulous cement building that has been painted so brightly for the children. They have three simple cement rooms, but they have created a great joyful atmosphere for these children. I really don’t know how to describe things to you, except to say we all came away with such confidence re what the project is doing - it’s vision to keep growing and reaching more children from this extremely poor community. If you have ever doubted if a dollar a day can make a difference - be assured it makes an immeasurable difference in entire communities!!

Julie

 

Sibling sponsors!!!

Hi guys,

Julie here for my first blog - I could type tons, but tonight I will start with the joy of meeting a lot of our church’s sponsored kids. A real surprise was that we have many sponsored siblings. Dave and Marion and George - your kids are siblings. Norm and Shelly and Rachel and Jeff we got a pic of your cuties - Melody and Kenia - sisters!! Keith and Rita and Jeff and Krista, Antoni and Iris are bro and sis!! So we will have pics of their home. We told them we lived down the street from you. (Unfortunately your “stuff” is in Brett and Lindsay’s luggage which is still “somewhere”( however, we’re sure it will get here and Abram will ensure it gets to Iris.

Speaking of siblings, Brett felt he made a friend with Dave and Shelly’s Jennifer’s brother. The Light’s gave him a football when we went to Jennifer’s home and he brought it back to the project. Then they had a game of soccer. We missed you Cliff!! Brett tied his new “friend’s” shoes and had a great time playing with them.

Bye for now

Julie

 

Antoni

We visited with Antoni today. He was very happy to receive the things you sent, Keith. I also bought some towels for the family. Anotoni’s face was shining with the excitement. We visited his house and met his family. They live in a very nice house, compared to others we saw. We are having a great time. We are all tired from the day and ready to cash it in for the night. and it is only 7 pm. Will talk to you later.

 

Sherri

Sherri and Cliff, it was a joy to meet Claudia who barely cracked a smile at first (typical 13 year old girl), but then to see her smiling as we took her for lunch, met her family, bought her clothes at an ultra American style mall. We conveyed your deep regret in not being able to be there in person and took lots of pics for you.

Rob out, until tomorrow!

 

Kids at Play

It was such a thrill to give the school the resources we brought. First let me tell you the Compassion project is an extra event in the day of each child. They go to public school half a day where many of them fail each grade 2 or 3 times. The Compassion school teaches them the Bible and then also helps tutor them in the subjects they take at school so they won’t fail

The kids were totally unfamiliar with doing puzzles. They had no grasp of how to approach doing them and they weren’t sure how to use the Lego. So it was great as we all got down on the floor and played with them. Lindsay played play-dough with our sponsor child, Brett helped show kids how to build structure from Lego, Emily helped immensely in all areas. Ed learned how to do a puzzle! We all then helped serve lunch, a stew/rice combo. We now have a much better understanding of what they-don’t have, which is pretty much everything. This was a true joy for us.

 

Safe in Tegucigalpa - Laidlaw’s & Light’s have arrived!

Hi everyone. Just heard from Rob and the group. All are safely in the hotel in Tegus. They are tired from the journey but ready to represent us, and God, over the next days as they visit the projects. As you can imagine they are very disappointed that we (Flints and Tonens) won’t be joining them due to delays in our flights, but I reassured them to carry on and that we will be with them in spirit. My heart is sad for sure, but I will remain faithful that beyond our understanding at this time, it is all part of God’s master plan. So, God bless you all, thank you for your prayers and support….and please keep praying for the continued safety of our Lifebridge family travelling in Honduras this week! Flints out