I know this blog is set up for my stories and thoughts on Uganda, but I have a request. I have this WONDERFUL friend, Kayla Weeks. She and her family traveled to Honduras looking for a vacation, and ended up falling in love with a family in need. They've returned several times to give as much assistance and love as they possibly can.... the story is incredible. I can't give it away because I want YOU to read it. Take five minutes... that's all. I promise it will be worth it. I don't know how we can help, but I hope that these beautiful families receive all that they need and desire. God has a plan, and as sad as this story may be, there's a reason for it. So please, make a difference... help Kayla, help this family. Prayers are MOST important.
TAKE FIVE MINUTES, read her story... I have her contact information if you are interested in helping. Thank you!
Our Honduran Family..
Reina- Mother, Kids- Cindy, Brayan, Lester, Imer, Sayda, Darwin and Senia How much can a family’s faith be tested? After a vacation to Honduras with a couple I work with (Dustin and Jenny) and their two kids (Alex and Abby) and Jenny’s mom (Nina) I quickly fell in love with this country and its need for missions and help. We stayed in a big house with a family on the property that would take care of any needs we had during our stay. This was definitely done and with a smile. Reina would wash our clothes and clean the house every day. The kids would pick up in the yard, get coconuts and fruits, really anything that their parents would ask them to do. Concho was the father, the worker, the main money supply for the family. Beginning this trip we had no idea how bad it really would be but thought it would be nice to bring them a few toys and a shirt each but boy did they need more than that. These kids were wearing clothes that were way too small and some had holes in them. It was very sad to see but looking at the kids faces you would never know. The smile on their faces is like none other. It could brighten anyone’s day. When given their gifts you would have thought you gave them a million dollars. The smiles and hugs didn’t stop for hours. It was beautiful!
After spending a week with the kids it was apparent how much we loved them. We weren’t sure if they had ever been to the city before much less a restaurant. Well they hadn’t. We took them to Wendy’s for their first time and they had the time of their life. Its funny how we take things for granted, like something as small as going to Wendy’s.After departing from this trip we knew that we would keep up with this family throughout the year until we could get back to see them again. We sent them a few packages for Christmas which I believe only one was received. Not such a great Honduran mail system but we were going to try. Communication is tough because they speak Spanish and we know very little. Thank God for Google translate. We would hear from them when they would have access to internet connection or a friend’s phone for text messaging.
One day we got a text message saying Reina was pregnant with child number eight. It was an accident to say the least. Throughout her pregnancy Dustin, Jenny and Nina wired her money for doctor visits and vitamins that she was not able to obtain by herself. As far as we knew all was going good until we received a text saying they found cancer in Reina. She was diagnosed with colon cancer while pregnant with her child. Wondering how in the world they were going to pay for cancer treatments she still held faith and kept her family together the best she could. Talk about a strong woman. The pregnancy was quite painful for Reina but she makes it through. Reina has child number eight, named Jenny after our Jenny. She is healthy at the beginning and Reina begins cancer treatment. This treatment was four hours away in a hospital in the city Tegucigalpa. Three months after Jenny is born she passes away from pneumonia. What else could go wrong right? Mother with cancer and losing a baby, I’d say my faith would be a little testy. Not Reina’s, she stayed strong. What other choice did she have? She would stay for weeks at this hospital for treatment. Concho would have to manage staying with her, working and going back home to see the kids. Seven kids having to fend for themselves without parents, they’re extremely strong kids. Cindy, the oldest daughter was even put in the position of calling a family member and saying we have no food. A 15 year old girl was having to be mommy and had no food to feed her siblings. We can’t even imagine a position like that.
Jenny’s death was our spark to go back to Honduras. We knew we would eventually but after the death we left the next week. We arrived Saturday in Honduras and first thing on our agenda was to see the kids who jumped and screamed and smiled when they saw us. They haven’t seen their parents in over a month because of the hospital being so far away. We once again brought them all new things that they desperately needed including bibles and medicines this time. Overwhelmed with thankfulness they gave us hugs and kisses continuously. They are so appreciative for the littlest things.
We returned home and about two weeks after we got word that Concho had passed away from a heart attack. Just keeping you up on things, Reina lost her three month old baby, has cancer and lost her husband. It makes you wonder why such bad things happen to such amazing people. Questions like those cannot be answered though, everything happens for a reason. As far as we know Reina is home with them but we are not sure for how long. Communication has been weak lately. We pray that they are somehow getting the help, food and love that they deserve and desperately need. Without money coming in I am not sure how they are doing. This is why I am having a garage sale and all proceeds will be going to them. I don’t think there could be a more deserving family. Even if you are not able to contribute, prayers go a long way!! I hope you have enjoyed this and it wasn’t too long. Thanks SO much for your time and for reading this. I know our Honduran family is appreciative as well. Prayers are greatly needed so keep them going. Thanks again
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