Heading to Honduras
Ron & Jamie (the on-site Directors of Care4Communities) report a beautiful Christmas was had by all! Student directed, the kids of Mazapan (the center where they receive mentoring, education, and sports) made and delivered gift baskets to 5 needy families within the community. This truly enabled these kids to be on the “giving” end of things, rather than the usual “receiving” end. What a blessing to all involved! Even to us, sitting in our cozy home in CO!
The school year in most Honduran schools run February through November. This is to basically avoid the rainy season in the months of November and December. Care4Communities celebrated the graduation of 15 students in November. Many children have come to call “Mazapan” and the Sports Court their home away from home. It is like one big family where issues are worked out, rather than brushed under the carpet. (As if there was even one speck of carpet in Honduras! But, I think you get the point.) The focus is on mentoring through education and sports. It takes time and we thank you, supporters and friends, for hanging in there for the long term. Change does not happen overnight we all know.
Kerry Tichi will be heading to Roatan Jan 20th-25th with winners of plane tickets Dennis & Joanna Huis from the October fundraiser at First Presbyterian Church in Durango. The main goal of the trip is to enroll the next batch of sponsored kids into their schools, touch base with families and schools, and spend time with Ron & Jamie to discuss programs and goals. Lots of photos to come with new information! Please pray for safe travels during this time.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for those praying for the kids and for the changes we have seen take place there and for the financial contributions given. At this point, we are able to continue sponsoring 12 students and are able to provide 2 new students with sponsorships/scholarships. IF you are still considering sending in a donation to help with programs and sponsorships, please know it is greatly needed and appreciated. We have 2 more weeks to come up with our final count on new students. Your donation could very possibly make the difference between a student attending school and not attending school.
Education changes lives for the better. What might you be able to give this month? This year?
Additionally, we’d like to thank those that participated in our informational night at the library in Durango, CO. Coming out on a weekday night in late December is only for the boldest and bravest and you each hold very special places in our hearts! For those who missed it, if you are involved with any kind of charitable giving, please pick up a copy of Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert’s When Helping Hurts-How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself. It is truly a valuable wake-up call to how we go about doing things! If your church or small group would like us to come and share our first-hand experiences with you, please call: Mike 970-749-6081, Kerry 970-749-5095.
Be sure to check out Facebook pages for recent photos, stories, and videos: Care4Communities and The Journey of 2
Many blessings to each one of you in 2013!
Mike & Kerry