Profiles of the "God's Littlest Lambs" Residential Children--December 2005
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY CHILDREN . . .
Profiles of the “God’s Littlest Lambs” Residential Children
By Suzy McCall
Missionary in Honduras
December, 2005
INTRODUCTION
Like most parents, I love talking about my children. Until recently, I had six: Sarah (23), Mari (15), Noe (14), Lety (10), Sallie (2), and Elsa (2). Sarah left our household to marry Ramon Sanchez earlier this year, so Astrid Nunez moved in to help me be a working mom. While all of this was happening, we were, as a ministry, slowly (?) acquiring children. As the children arrived, the Lord provided people to care for them. By July of this year, however, we had children in four different houses in Flor, and I began to feel that it was time to consolidate. At first I was not planning to join the new household of 21 children and five adults. However, as we looked at one house after another, I began to sense the Holy Spirit urging me to consider becoming part of this community. Finally, when we found the house that we felt was “the one”, it was obvious that I needed to be here, too. In the practical realm, there was plenty of room for me and my children, and a need for my budgeted allowance for living expenses. In the spiritual realm, it just seemed that I might be of service. All of the other house parents are young, both physically and spiritually, and while I cannot be at home much during the day because of my responsibilities at the Institute, I try to be of some help in terms of focus, direction, vision, and spiritual direction.
My children moved with me, of course, and we have all struggled to adapt, but I have rejoiced to see Mari assuming a leadership role, Noe carrying little ones in his arms and on his shoulders, Lety offering her friendship to children her age who have never been loved, and Sallie and Elsa just adding to the chaos! Sarah and Ramon are integral members of the community as well, and seem to be with us for the long haul.
We are in the process of purchasing a 32-acre tract of land which is 45 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa. Here we will construct “God’s Littlest Lambs Children’s Home”, and there we will plant ourselves for many years to come. We plan to have a working farm, and if all goes as planned, we will contribute foodstuffs to the needs of our daycare center, as well as our own residential kitchen.
“What has happened to the missionary training program?” you might be asking.
Miraculously, God has continued to move and mold our young people in the midst of all of this transition. Walter Flores Almendares has been accepted as part of an international team headed for Mauritania, North Africa in 2006. Jenny Funes will go to Pakistan with Global Teams. One of our teachers, Esther Hernandez, is leaving for Spain this month with her husband Nelson to work in secular jobs while helping with a new church-plant in Madrid. With the founding of “Door to the World”, our first interdenominational, Honduran missionary sending agency, we are receiving calls from potential missionary candidates seeking training. We are working closely with the mission agency, and also with Global Teams and Servant Partners, so that we can have well-trained Honduran missionaries on the field around the world as soon as possible. Keep praying! It’s happening! In our definition of our ministry in Honduras, we call the missionary training program the “heart and soul” of all we do. Our desire is that all of our staff, all of our students, all of our children share a Christian worldview which seeks to share the love of Jesus anywhere and everywhere, but especially with those who have not yet heard, the marginalized, the oppressed, the forgotten, the poor, the deceived. Our children are also our disciples, and we long to lead them into a life-giving, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ which will shape them into “world Christians”, senders and go-ers.
Now, without further introduction, let me tell you about my children . . .
The Hernandez children arrived in Tegucigalpa on September 29, 2004, before “God’s Littlest Lambs” even existed! Their names are Reina (12), Jorge (11), Julio (7), Wendy (6), and Jimmy (6) and Sallie (3). You might be interested in knowing that these children are Mari and Noe’s cousins! Actually, Wendy is Mari and Noe’s half-sister. Mari and Noe have lived with me since they were three years old, so I have known these children for a long time. What I did not know was that they were being abused by several different older male family members. Reina finally shared what had been happening (since she was six years old), and now the children are part of our home. Their first housemoms were Annabel Raebeck, Katie Harrison, Mandie Turner (short-term missionaries) Ruth Fiallos (my god-daughter, and Jenny Funes (LAMB graduate).
Reina is a typical pre-adolescent in many ways. She is very affectionate and has a beautiful smile. At times she does not like to be told what to do (surprise, surprise), but other times throws herself wholeheartedly into the task at hand. She loves to sing, paint, talk, talk, talk, and read books. She is currently reading Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. Annabel, Katie, Mandie, Ruth and Jenny left all of the Hernandez children with a deep love for books, a wealth of Biblical knowledge, and an eagerness to pray. Not bad for less than a year of mothering!
Jorge is known for his gigantic smile. He is small for his age, and had surgery this year to correct a congenital problem in his urinary tract, but nothing slows him down. He loves soccer and basketball, and climbing on top of my van to wash the roof! Jorge has a servant’s heart, is eager to please, and like all of the Hernandez children, is a great hugger!
Julio is our Renaissance Man. He is a scholar (passed first grade with all 100’s!), an artist, an athlete, and a politician. Yesterday he was playing dodge ball in his pajamas and an oversized sweatshirt. He looked like an out-of-place sculptor! He wins people’s hearts everywhere he goes, and if there is a prize to be won, you can be sure that Julio won’t give up until it is in his hands!
From the moment she wakes up in the morning until she closes her eyes at night, Wendy never stops. She keeps her little athletic body moving, moving, moving all day long, and prefers to be barefoot and uncombed. She is an idea person (not that all of her ideas are good ones, mind you), and sometimes leads other children down the path to disciplinary action! She loves to dress up, but then is likely to throw herself into a scuffle over a loose ball, and end up looking like the Cinderella who ran home from the palace looking more like a street lady than a princess! Wendy loves to give presents, smiles and hugs – and get them in return!
Sometimes I feel as if we are still trying to get Jimmy to come out from under the bed. He was a tiny 5-year-old when he came to us, and threw terrific temper tantrums, mewed like a cat, whimpered and cried and screamed – and then curled up in somebody’s lap like a baby, begging to be loved. He has come a long way, but when I walk through the boys’ room at night, I often find him in a fetal position, eyes wide open, in some other world. He is a curious child, and often asks the best question during our devotional times. Last week he triumphantly graduated from God’s Littlest Lambs Kindergarten!
Sallie (Sara Raquel, 2) has been a God’s Littlest Lambs “poster child” since she came to us at six months of age. She loves cameras, and takes beautiful photos. Many months before her older siblings arrived, Mari and I had visited their village and found baby Sallie covered with lice and scabies, sad and neglected. We took her home, cleaned her up, and fell completely and irreversibly in love! She has grown up in my home, alongside Elsa (more about Elsa later), who is five months her junior. These babies, along with Baby Diana, Baby Dennis and Baby Jennifer, were used by God to grow our ministry into what is now “God’s Littlest Lambs” daycare, kindergarten, primary school, and residential care. Sallie’s interests are playing, playing and playing, the more rambunctious the better. I call her my “amazon tigger baby”: big and bouncy. She has shamelessly resisted potty training, and is bored with storybooks, unless they make sounds, or can be listened to while jumping around the room. Sallie is a happy, healthy, hopelessly spoiled toddler.
At times I forget that Moises (6) and Christopher (3) are siblings – yet another symptom of the dysfunctional home from which they come. Moises was in our kindergarten, and one day visited us at the residential home. “Can I live with you?” he asked. His mother seemed not to care, so one day I brought him, along with his little, asthmatic brother, Christopher, too. The mother lives right across the street from LAMB, but never makes it to visiting day. Moises is bright and active. He has a thousand questions. He and Jimmy are best buddies, for better or for worse, and never tire of playing with cars. Moises also proudly graduated from kindergarten this year.
Christopher is still underweight and struggling with asthma. Malnutrition and neglect have resulted in some developmental delays as well, but he is a sweet, affectionate little boy who never tires of saying, “Hold me.” He turned three on November 19, and his house-parents, Ramon (Papa ‘Mon’) and Sarah, gave him a big toy car with lights and whistles. All of the excitement did not help his wheezing! Like most of the children, he calls me “Mama Suzy”, and I seem to be his favorite diaper-changer (lucky me!). If you like having a little arm crooked around your neck and a head snuggled onto your shoulder, you would love Christopher.
Carmen (7), Elias (4) and Cathy (2) are my “house children”. They are from Flor del Campo, and their parents still live on the condemned lot near the river where each of them was born in tiny wood-and-cardboard shack. Their mother is deaf and illiterate, but has worked hard to keep food on the table. Their father is an alcoholic. They came to live with us when Carmen reported being followed to kindergarten by one of the drug dealers who lives in their part of the neighborhood. Carmen was one of the best students in our kindergarten this year, and loves books. She is well-behaved and independent, and holds a special place in her heart for Ruth, my Honduran goddaughter who has been interning with us since June.
Elias was like a “jungle boy” when he arrived at our daycare in April. For months he could not be in a classroom for more than a few minutes at a time. After that, he had to have a personal companion assigned to him, as he knew no personal limits whatsoever. He usually arrived barefoot and in dirty, ill-fitting clothes. Like Jimmy, he has made amazing gains (he can even put on his socks and tennis shoes by himself), but he continues to be used by God to help us grow in the fruits of the Spirit (especially patience!). To Elias, “come” means “go”, and “sit” means “run”! He is fascinated by anything on wheels, and a kiss on the cheek sends him into a spasm of embarrassment. His nickname among the staff is “nino guapo” (“good looking boy”), and he wasvery excited to celebrate his fourth birthday on December 6 (“Buy me a car”)!
Catherine Elizabeth was named by our daycare staff. The three children came to us without birth certificates, and Cathy, at age two, without a name! These little daily difficulties eventually motivated the hiring of a staff person (Dony Palma, a graduate of our university scholarship program) just for legal work. Cathy suffers from chronic allergies, and cries during her sleep every night. She loves to be held (is this getting to be a common theme?), and one of her favorite activities is brushing her teeth. She calls Carmen “mama”, as Carmen, now seven, was the day mother while their parents were out working. Every night we read storybooks and then pray together on our knees by our beds. This little ritual has become a treasure for these three children (“How many stories?” “Time to pray!”), along with being tucked in and kissed goodnight (blushes and giggles every time!). Lety, Sallie, Elsa and these three children share my room at the children’s home.
The Trujillo children came in a set of four: Karla (14) with her baby Johana (2 months) by her stepfather, and half brothers Alexander (7) and Johnny (6). The stepfather and mother were incarcerated because of Karla’s pregnancy, and Social Services sent the siblings to us. They have not spent a day in school. Karla is now learning how to read and write, but suffers from severe depression, so progress is slow. Although all of our children have suffered, I don’t think anyone has moved our staff more profoundly than Karla and Dilcia (more about Dilcia later) Baby Johana is the littlest lamb of all, but will soon be the older lambling of Angelina, the baby we are awaiting in December (more on that later, too!).
Alexander is strong willed, but is learning quickly. He has only been with us for a couple of weeks, and like most boys, enjoys sports and games. He also has a very healthy appetite! These particular siblings have motivated conversations about dental care. Their teeth need attention! Alexander is in a special class during the November-January school vacation to get him ready for first grade in February.
Johnny is quiet and shy, completely dominated by his older brother. While most of our younger children will reach up to an adult to have their hug met halfway, Johnny is more likely to wrap himself around the nearest grownup’s leg. Apparently he has never held a pencil until now, so kindergarten will be a challenging experience for him. He smiles, but with a kind of sadness. Maybe we will discover one day what he is thinking and feeling.
Dunia, Yesenia and Fernando arrived from Social Services the same day as the Trujillo siblings and a lone child named Xiomara. Eight in one day was the most ever! Dunia had her seventh birthday shortly after arriving, and so was quickly initiated into our birthday ritual: after the evening devotional, we pray for the birthday child, then sing and blow out candles, then open presents and eat cake. When I asked Dunia what she would like for her birthday, she whispered, “a doll”. When she saw that I was really listening, she quickly added, “a Barbie”! We have a Special Birthday Box, and you should have seen Dunia’s face when she opened it and found a Barbie look-alike seated in a pink car!
Yesenia is a mischievous, outgoing four-year-old. Her birthday is on Christmas Day. She speaks whatever is on her mind, and sticks her nose into everybody’s business. Maybe she will write an advice column one day! When she sees me coming at night to tuck her in, she invariably covers her head with her blanket and makes me find her, giggling all the while, as if she hadn’t done it every night before. I have been to Yesenia’s former home, and just have to say that she redefines resilience. Why is she so happy and playful? Only God knows, but thankfully He has given children the ability to “bounce back” from adversity. He is, after all, the Great Redeemer.
Fernando is a bit of a mystery man. The doctor says that he probably has permanent neurological impairment, and yet this little boy runs circles around all of us, laughing all the while. I walked out of the kitchen onto the carport the other day and found Fernando pulling his pants up after having just left a little surprise right there on the cement – and this after his house mom Karelia had bragged about his progress in potty training! I couldn’t wait to tell her, especially since I have been such a dismal failure with Sallie. Fernando, like most of our children, was unplanned, neglected, and then abandoned, and yet the Savior of our Souls is intensely interested in each one of their lives. Fernando is precious to Jesus. One day he will understand that, and hopefully Jesus will become just as precious to him.
Xiomara is only one of three children in our home who came all by herself. She is almost exactly the same age as my daughter Lety (10), and sometimes I wonder if Lety’s life would have been more like Xiomara’s if I had not brought her home at age three. Xiomara’s parents never put her in school. She worked instead, selling tortillas, and if she did not bring home the desired amount of money, she was severely punished, sometimes by being made to kneel on the ground with a heavy rock on her head for long periods of time. Xiomara’s Social Services evaluation reads more like a rap sheet, but she has been a model child with us. The other girls in her group elected her as their captain, and just a few days after her arrival, she came to the door of my room and shyly announced that she had already begun to learn how to read. She is very excited about studying, and we have her working hard to catch up. Next week, she and five other children are participating in the Child Evangelism Fellowship five-day annual camp. I am praying she will have an unforgettable experience with God that will plant her firmly on His road.
The Ferrera siblings also came in a group of four: Alexis (13), Patricia (11), Seydi (7) and Dennis (2). Their father died two years ago, and their mother had a very difficult time supporting the family. Finally, she left their village and came to Tegucigalpa to work as a live-in maid (at a salary of $50/month!). She left the children with her sister, but they did not prosper. Seydi failed first grade, and they are all suffering from malnutrition. The mom, Desli, heard about us and called to ask if we could keep the children so that they would be closer to her, and also better cared for. We agreed, but after about two weeks with the children, we decided to take Desli, too. We needed help, and these children needed their mother, so it worked out happily for everybody. It seems good and necessary to intervene in cases of abuse or neglect, and sometimes children do need to be separated from their parents; however, when poverty is the only reason for the separation, it is important to look for other solutions. At last night’s devotional, all four children were crowded against their mom; they couldn’t get close enough. It seemed so right, and I thanked God for making it possible for them to be together again.
Time to talk about our Christmas baby! When Esli (15) came to us from Social Services, she was bitter and filled with hatred. She hated her stepfather for getting her pregnant, she hated her baby for being there, and she hated herself for having what she calls “an ugly life”. She had wanted to stay at Social Services, so she was angry with me, too, for taking her elsewhere. She didn’t speak to me for two months. I gave her the space she silently demanded, and let her talk to others. She would sit in the devotionals with her arms crossed and an angry, disbelieving look on her face. She had accepted Christ as a child, and was angry with God, too, for not rescuing or protecting her. That was three months ago. Today she met with Diana Collins to ask all of her questions about childbirth, express her fears, and find out how to take care of a newborn and how to breastfeed. About a month ago, she and I had our first conversation. Well, she talked and I listened. At the end I told her that I thought her feelings were normal, but that at some point it would be good to start thinking about forgiveness. She said that she didn’t hate the baby anymore, or want to get rid of it, as she had come to understand that the baby was not at fault. I suggested that the baby might prefer a loving and forgiving mother to a bitter and hateful one. The ultrasound last week showed that Esli is having a little girl in early December. She has named her Angelina, and she will be Esli’s first flesh-and-blood glimpse of redemption.
Our newest lambs are Gina (9) Raul (5) and Tony (4), also sent to us by Social Services because of abuse and neglect. Gina seems to have an unquenchable joy. She is always talking, always laughing, always asking questions. She loves to eat. She is also just beginning school, and apparently has some learning problems, but no doubt she will tackle her homework with the same enthusiasm she gives to everything else. Raul and Tony are small for their ages, but are active and obedient. Like Gina, they are grateful for every piece of clothing, every meal, every little gift they are given. Some of our children never look back, at least not consciously, and these three seem very very happy to be with us.
We have finally arrived to our precious Dilcia, who has everybody wrapped around her little finger, even our disciplinary experts (“Suzy, you are too patient with the children! How will they ever learn anything?” smile). Dilcia was three and one half years old when she arrived, but was the size of an 8-month-old baby due to neglect and malnutrition. Her arms and legs were limp and practically fleshless. Her tummy was huge, bloated like a dead toad. Her head had to be shaved because of the lice, and she was totally listless. Wherever, however we lay her down, there she stayed. She didn’t cry, didn’t talk, didn’t look around. Our pediatrician cried, but put us to work. Everybody pitched in to bring Dilcia back. Sometimes when a child comes to us, I whisper to him/her, “Don’t worry – soon you will be waking up from your nightmare.” It took Dilcia quite some time to start waking up, but every little step has created a huge stir in the house: “Dilcia smiled! Dilcia laughed! Dilcia said something! Dilcia stood up!” I have told the children and staff that when Dilcia can run on the beach with us, we will all go and play in the sand and sun. EVERYBODY is helping Dilcia learn how to walk! Ha. She can get to her feet by herself already, but cannot stand or walk without support yet. She is very fearful. Most of the other toddlers are younger than she is, but they are protective of her, and Sallie calls her “my baby”. Of all of the children in the house, her suffering has been the most visible, and her courageous efforts to give life another opportunity have given all of us hope and energy. If Dilcia can do it, if Dilcia can believe, if Dilcia can love, if Dilcia can walk . . . then surely God will heal me, too.
OUR STAFF
Oscar and Karelia have two children, Edgardo (4) and Lilieth (2). Oscar drives a taxi, and Karelia is a hair stylist. Karelia is also a great cook and baby-lover. In addition to being house parents, both take a turn at devotionals, and Karelia also handles the big task of making the weekly menu, keeping track of what is (and is not) in the pantry, and coordinating cooks and kitchen clean-up.
Ramon and Sarah are newlyweds, and do not yet have children. Ramon is working at the Institute as our property and construction manager, and also takes care of our vehicles. He is an auto mechanic who can also weld, do carpentry, and even milk cows! I hit the jackpot with this son-in-law! Sarah handles almost all of the logistics of the children’s home. She coordinates medical and counseling appointments, school records, vaccination records. She also does the shopping for the food, school supplies, and anything else we need. She makes and keeps the budget. She and Ramon are house parents to Christopher, who needs special care, and also help me with Sallie and Elsa.
Ricardo is a single guy who just graduated from college as an agronomist. We don’t have any land to farm yet, so he is coordinating the children’s daily activities, making schedules with the teachers and other counselors. We have some local high school students serving as volunteers during the week, and Ricardo keeps them busy. Ricardo lives with us, and helps houseparent the boys’ room. His roommate is Noe, my 14-yr-old.
Astrid has moved out to the children’s home with us. Many of you know her, as she as been part of the LAMB community for several years. She is a nursing student, and hopes to serve in India one day as a missionary. She helps Ricardo coordinate the daily program, and she also helps houseparent the girls’ room, along with lending a hand with the many little children.
Along with these folks, my children (Mari, Noe, Lety, Sallie, Elsa) and I are living in the children’s home. Oscar, Ramon and I have full-time jobs outside of the children’s home, but have responsibilities in the evenings and on the weekends. We have a day staff as well: Celena (our indispensable, do-everything friend, who has been with LAMB since before we opened our doors); Gloria, Celena’s sister, who mostly helps with the huge task of keeping all of the clothes washed and stored properly; Cesia and Delmys, certified teachers, who work with the children (perhaps you can imagine what a complicated educational challenge we are dealing with); and Esther, our psychologist, who counsels and encourages and evaluates and prays.
We have a creative, committed, Spirit-filled staff. Please keep us in your prayers as we raise these precious children for the glory of God.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BABIES?
Good question. You will be delighted to hear that they are all thriving:
Baby Diana (2) is a permanent member now of Gladys’ family. Gladys is the director of our daycare and school in Flor del Campo. She has three additional children, and Diana looks just like them! In fact, Baby Diana has the exact same name (Diana Elizabeth) as Gladys’ oldest daughter! While Diana’s family remains in contact, they have allowed Gladys and her husband to adopt Diana, and Diana is a joyful, energetic little princess.
Baby Denis (2) has also remained with Manuel and Marina’s family. He is robust and outgoing, bearing no resemblance to the sickly, underweight, limp baby we brought in from the country two years ago. He has recently been joined by Gina, Raul and Tony, our three newest little lambs. Raul and Tony are 5 and 4, so they have livened up the playtime at Marina’s house!
Baby Elsa (2) spent her first year battling chronic asthma. Sleep was a precious commodity in our house. And here I will offer a short commercial for Singulair, the medicine which brought an end to our emergency room visits, and a short thank you to the folks who keep us supplied. Bless you. Elsa is breathing better, talks constantly, and has no trouble telling others what to do. She is four sizes smaller than Sallie, but loves to get into her clothes and hear her scream. What will they be like as teenagers?
Baby Jennifer (2) has also remained where she started: at Esther’s house. Esther and her husband are legal guardians, and would have already adopted Jennifer, except that in Honduras the law stipulates the minimum age for adoptive parents as 30. Nelson and Esther have responded to a call from the Lord to move to Spain as tent-making missionaries, and they will take Jennifer with them. They leave in December 2005.
Baby Sallie (almost 3) was profiled earlier. She remains in my care as part of my family.
A FINAL WORD
This booklet cannot end without saying that these children would still be without home and family if many of you had not said “yes” to our call, and joined us in caring for them, praying for them, loving them. The LAMB Institute started out with a specific vision, a tiny staff, and a small budget. It has grown into a ministry that includes missionary training, scholarships for university students, a food bank, a school/kindergarten, a daycare, and a residential facility. In all, we are directly ministering to more than 120 children, in addition to the ministries to our students, the families in Flor del Campo, and our staff.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
MAY HIS BLESSINGS BRING YOU GREAT JOY AND PEACE AS YOU CONTINUE TO SEEK AND SERVE THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. AMEN.
Correspondence and Helps
If you feel God is calling you to be a part of this exciting ministry and would like more information please contact:
General Information
The LAMB Institute
c/o Susan Clarkson Keller
215 Hickory St
Charleston SC 29407
Email: susanckeller@knology.net
(843) 769-5403
Child Sponsorship
The LAMB Institute
c/o Diana Collins
535 Woodbury Rd
Springfield VT 05156
Email: dianacollins@valley.net
(802) 885-2619
Profiles of the “God’s Littlest Lambs” Residential Children
By Suzy McCall
Missionary in Honduras
December, 2005
INTRODUCTION
Like most parents, I love talking about my children. Until recently, I had six: Sarah (23), Mari (15), Noe (14), Lety (10), Sallie (2), and Elsa (2). Sarah left our household to marry Ramon Sanchez earlier this year, so Astrid Nunez moved in to help me be a working mom. While all of this was happening, we were, as a ministry, slowly (?) acquiring children. As the children arrived, the Lord provided people to care for them. By July of this year, however, we had children in four different houses in Flor, and I began to feel that it was time to consolidate. At first I was not planning to join the new household of 21 children and five adults. However, as we looked at one house after another, I began to sense the Holy Spirit urging me to consider becoming part of this community. Finally, when we found the house that we felt was “the one”, it was obvious that I needed to be here, too. In the practical realm, there was plenty of room for me and my children, and a need for my budgeted allowance for living expenses. In the spiritual realm, it just seemed that I might be of service. All of the other house parents are young, both physically and spiritually, and while I cannot be at home much during the day because of my responsibilities at the Institute, I try to be of some help in terms of focus, direction, vision, and spiritual direction.
My children moved with me, of course, and we have all struggled to adapt, but I have rejoiced to see Mari assuming a leadership role, Noe carrying little ones in his arms and on his shoulders, Lety offering her friendship to children her age who have never been loved, and Sallie and Elsa just adding to the chaos! Sarah and Ramon are integral members of the community as well, and seem to be with us for the long haul.
We are in the process of purchasing a 32-acre tract of land which is 45 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa. Here we will construct “God’s Littlest Lambs Children’s Home”, and there we will plant ourselves for many years to come. We plan to have a working farm, and if all goes as planned, we will contribute foodstuffs to the needs of our daycare center, as well as our own residential kitchen.
“What has happened to the missionary training program?” you might be asking.
Miraculously, God has continued to move and mold our young people in the midst of all of this transition. Walter Flores Almendares has been accepted as part of an international team headed for Mauritania, North Africa in 2006. Jenny Funes will go to Pakistan with Global Teams. One of our teachers, Esther Hernandez, is leaving for Spain this month with her husband Nelson to work in secular jobs while helping with a new church-plant in Madrid. With the founding of “Door to the World”, our first interdenominational, Honduran missionary sending agency, we are receiving calls from potential missionary candidates seeking training. We are working closely with the mission agency, and also with Global Teams and Servant Partners, so that we can have well-trained Honduran missionaries on the field around the world as soon as possible. Keep praying! It’s happening! In our definition of our ministry in Honduras, we call the missionary training program the “heart and soul” of all we do. Our desire is that all of our staff, all of our students, all of our children share a Christian worldview which seeks to share the love of Jesus anywhere and everywhere, but especially with those who have not yet heard, the marginalized, the oppressed, the forgotten, the poor, the deceived. Our children are also our disciples, and we long to lead them into a life-giving, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ which will shape them into “world Christians”, senders and go-ers.
Now, without further introduction, let me tell you about my children . . .
The Hernandez children arrived in Tegucigalpa on September 29, 2004, before “God’s Littlest Lambs” even existed! Their names are Reina (12), Jorge (11), Julio (7), Wendy (6), and Jimmy (6) and Sallie (3). You might be interested in knowing that these children are Mari and Noe’s cousins! Actually, Wendy is Mari and Noe’s half-sister. Mari and Noe have lived with me since they were three years old, so I have known these children for a long time. What I did not know was that they were being abused by several different older male family members. Reina finally shared what had been happening (since she was six years old), and now the children are part of our home. Their first housemoms were Annabel Raebeck, Katie Harrison, Mandie Turner (short-term missionaries) Ruth Fiallos (my god-daughter, and Jenny Funes (LAMB graduate).
Reina is a typical pre-adolescent in many ways. She is very affectionate and has a beautiful smile. At times she does not like to be told what to do (surprise, surprise), but other times throws herself wholeheartedly into the task at hand. She loves to sing, paint, talk, talk, talk, and read books. She is currently reading Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. Annabel, Katie, Mandie, Ruth and Jenny left all of the Hernandez children with a deep love for books, a wealth of Biblical knowledge, and an eagerness to pray. Not bad for less than a year of mothering!
Jorge is known for his gigantic smile. He is small for his age, and had surgery this year to correct a congenital problem in his urinary tract, but nothing slows him down. He loves soccer and basketball, and climbing on top of my van to wash the roof! Jorge has a servant’s heart, is eager to please, and like all of the Hernandez children, is a great hugger!
Julio is our Renaissance Man. He is a scholar (passed first grade with all 100’s!), an artist, an athlete, and a politician. Yesterday he was playing dodge ball in his pajamas and an oversized sweatshirt. He looked like an out-of-place sculptor! He wins people’s hearts everywhere he goes, and if there is a prize to be won, you can be sure that Julio won’t give up until it is in his hands!
From the moment she wakes up in the morning until she closes her eyes at night, Wendy never stops. She keeps her little athletic body moving, moving, moving all day long, and prefers to be barefoot and uncombed. She is an idea person (not that all of her ideas are good ones, mind you), and sometimes leads other children down the path to disciplinary action! She loves to dress up, but then is likely to throw herself into a scuffle over a loose ball, and end up looking like the Cinderella who ran home from the palace looking more like a street lady than a princess! Wendy loves to give presents, smiles and hugs – and get them in return!
Sometimes I feel as if we are still trying to get Jimmy to come out from under the bed. He was a tiny 5-year-old when he came to us, and threw terrific temper tantrums, mewed like a cat, whimpered and cried and screamed – and then curled up in somebody’s lap like a baby, begging to be loved. He has come a long way, but when I walk through the boys’ room at night, I often find him in a fetal position, eyes wide open, in some other world. He is a curious child, and often asks the best question during our devotional times. Last week he triumphantly graduated from God’s Littlest Lambs Kindergarten!
Sallie (Sara Raquel, 2) has been a God’s Littlest Lambs “poster child” since she came to us at six months of age. She loves cameras, and takes beautiful photos. Many months before her older siblings arrived, Mari and I had visited their village and found baby Sallie covered with lice and scabies, sad and neglected. We took her home, cleaned her up, and fell completely and irreversibly in love! She has grown up in my home, alongside Elsa (more about Elsa later), who is five months her junior. These babies, along with Baby Diana, Baby Dennis and Baby Jennifer, were used by God to grow our ministry into what is now “God’s Littlest Lambs” daycare, kindergarten, primary school, and residential care. Sallie’s interests are playing, playing and playing, the more rambunctious the better. I call her my “amazon tigger baby”: big and bouncy. She has shamelessly resisted potty training, and is bored with storybooks, unless they make sounds, or can be listened to while jumping around the room. Sallie is a happy, healthy, hopelessly spoiled toddler.
At times I forget that Moises (6) and Christopher (3) are siblings – yet another symptom of the dysfunctional home from which they come. Moises was in our kindergarten, and one day visited us at the residential home. “Can I live with you?” he asked. His mother seemed not to care, so one day I brought him, along with his little, asthmatic brother, Christopher, too. The mother lives right across the street from LAMB, but never makes it to visiting day. Moises is bright and active. He has a thousand questions. He and Jimmy are best buddies, for better or for worse, and never tire of playing with cars. Moises also proudly graduated from kindergarten this year.
Christopher is still underweight and struggling with asthma. Malnutrition and neglect have resulted in some developmental delays as well, but he is a sweet, affectionate little boy who never tires of saying, “Hold me.” He turned three on November 19, and his house-parents, Ramon (Papa ‘Mon’) and Sarah, gave him a big toy car with lights and whistles. All of the excitement did not help his wheezing! Like most of the children, he calls me “Mama Suzy”, and I seem to be his favorite diaper-changer (lucky me!). If you like having a little arm crooked around your neck and a head snuggled onto your shoulder, you would love Christopher.
Carmen (7), Elias (4) and Cathy (2) are my “house children”. They are from Flor del Campo, and their parents still live on the condemned lot near the river where each of them was born in tiny wood-and-cardboard shack. Their mother is deaf and illiterate, but has worked hard to keep food on the table. Their father is an alcoholic. They came to live with us when Carmen reported being followed to kindergarten by one of the drug dealers who lives in their part of the neighborhood. Carmen was one of the best students in our kindergarten this year, and loves books. She is well-behaved and independent, and holds a special place in her heart for Ruth, my Honduran goddaughter who has been interning with us since June.
Elias was like a “jungle boy” when he arrived at our daycare in April. For months he could not be in a classroom for more than a few minutes at a time. After that, he had to have a personal companion assigned to him, as he knew no personal limits whatsoever. He usually arrived barefoot and in dirty, ill-fitting clothes. Like Jimmy, he has made amazing gains (he can even put on his socks and tennis shoes by himself), but he continues to be used by God to help us grow in the fruits of the Spirit (especially patience!). To Elias, “come” means “go”, and “sit” means “run”! He is fascinated by anything on wheels, and a kiss on the cheek sends him into a spasm of embarrassment. His nickname among the staff is “nino guapo” (“good looking boy”), and he wasvery excited to celebrate his fourth birthday on December 6 (“Buy me a car”)!
Catherine Elizabeth was named by our daycare staff. The three children came to us without birth certificates, and Cathy, at age two, without a name! These little daily difficulties eventually motivated the hiring of a staff person (Dony Palma, a graduate of our university scholarship program) just for legal work. Cathy suffers from chronic allergies, and cries during her sleep every night. She loves to be held (is this getting to be a common theme?), and one of her favorite activities is brushing her teeth. She calls Carmen “mama”, as Carmen, now seven, was the day mother while their parents were out working. Every night we read storybooks and then pray together on our knees by our beds. This little ritual has become a treasure for these three children (“How many stories?” “Time to pray!”), along with being tucked in and kissed goodnight (blushes and giggles every time!). Lety, Sallie, Elsa and these three children share my room at the children’s home.
The Trujillo children came in a set of four: Karla (14) with her baby Johana (2 months) by her stepfather, and half brothers Alexander (7) and Johnny (6). The stepfather and mother were incarcerated because of Karla’s pregnancy, and Social Services sent the siblings to us. They have not spent a day in school. Karla is now learning how to read and write, but suffers from severe depression, so progress is slow. Although all of our children have suffered, I don’t think anyone has moved our staff more profoundly than Karla and Dilcia (more about Dilcia later) Baby Johana is the littlest lamb of all, but will soon be the older lambling of Angelina, the baby we are awaiting in December (more on that later, too!).
Alexander is strong willed, but is learning quickly. He has only been with us for a couple of weeks, and like most boys, enjoys sports and games. He also has a very healthy appetite! These particular siblings have motivated conversations about dental care. Their teeth need attention! Alexander is in a special class during the November-January school vacation to get him ready for first grade in February.
Johnny is quiet and shy, completely dominated by his older brother. While most of our younger children will reach up to an adult to have their hug met halfway, Johnny is more likely to wrap himself around the nearest grownup’s leg. Apparently he has never held a pencil until now, so kindergarten will be a challenging experience for him. He smiles, but with a kind of sadness. Maybe we will discover one day what he is thinking and feeling.
Dunia, Yesenia and Fernando arrived from Social Services the same day as the Trujillo siblings and a lone child named Xiomara. Eight in one day was the most ever! Dunia had her seventh birthday shortly after arriving, and so was quickly initiated into our birthday ritual: after the evening devotional, we pray for the birthday child, then sing and blow out candles, then open presents and eat cake. When I asked Dunia what she would like for her birthday, she whispered, “a doll”. When she saw that I was really listening, she quickly added, “a Barbie”! We have a Special Birthday Box, and you should have seen Dunia’s face when she opened it and found a Barbie look-alike seated in a pink car!
Yesenia is a mischievous, outgoing four-year-old. Her birthday is on Christmas Day. She speaks whatever is on her mind, and sticks her nose into everybody’s business. Maybe she will write an advice column one day! When she sees me coming at night to tuck her in, she invariably covers her head with her blanket and makes me find her, giggling all the while, as if she hadn’t done it every night before. I have been to Yesenia’s former home, and just have to say that she redefines resilience. Why is she so happy and playful? Only God knows, but thankfully He has given children the ability to “bounce back” from adversity. He is, after all, the Great Redeemer.
Fernando is a bit of a mystery man. The doctor says that he probably has permanent neurological impairment, and yet this little boy runs circles around all of us, laughing all the while. I walked out of the kitchen onto the carport the other day and found Fernando pulling his pants up after having just left a little surprise right there on the cement – and this after his house mom Karelia had bragged about his progress in potty training! I couldn’t wait to tell her, especially since I have been such a dismal failure with Sallie. Fernando, like most of our children, was unplanned, neglected, and then abandoned, and yet the Savior of our Souls is intensely interested in each one of their lives. Fernando is precious to Jesus. One day he will understand that, and hopefully Jesus will become just as precious to him.
Xiomara is only one of three children in our home who came all by herself. She is almost exactly the same age as my daughter Lety (10), and sometimes I wonder if Lety’s life would have been more like Xiomara’s if I had not brought her home at age three. Xiomara’s parents never put her in school. She worked instead, selling tortillas, and if she did not bring home the desired amount of money, she was severely punished, sometimes by being made to kneel on the ground with a heavy rock on her head for long periods of time. Xiomara’s Social Services evaluation reads more like a rap sheet, but she has been a model child with us. The other girls in her group elected her as their captain, and just a few days after her arrival, she came to the door of my room and shyly announced that she had already begun to learn how to read. She is very excited about studying, and we have her working hard to catch up. Next week, she and five other children are participating in the Child Evangelism Fellowship five-day annual camp. I am praying she will have an unforgettable experience with God that will plant her firmly on His road.
The Ferrera siblings also came in a group of four: Alexis (13), Patricia (11), Seydi (7) and Dennis (2). Their father died two years ago, and their mother had a very difficult time supporting the family. Finally, she left their village and came to Tegucigalpa to work as a live-in maid (at a salary of $50/month!). She left the children with her sister, but they did not prosper. Seydi failed first grade, and they are all suffering from malnutrition. The mom, Desli, heard about us and called to ask if we could keep the children so that they would be closer to her, and also better cared for. We agreed, but after about two weeks with the children, we decided to take Desli, too. We needed help, and these children needed their mother, so it worked out happily for everybody. It seems good and necessary to intervene in cases of abuse or neglect, and sometimes children do need to be separated from their parents; however, when poverty is the only reason for the separation, it is important to look for other solutions. At last night’s devotional, all four children were crowded against their mom; they couldn’t get close enough. It seemed so right, and I thanked God for making it possible for them to be together again.
Time to talk about our Christmas baby! When Esli (15) came to us from Social Services, she was bitter and filled with hatred. She hated her stepfather for getting her pregnant, she hated her baby for being there, and she hated herself for having what she calls “an ugly life”. She had wanted to stay at Social Services, so she was angry with me, too, for taking her elsewhere. She didn’t speak to me for two months. I gave her the space she silently demanded, and let her talk to others. She would sit in the devotionals with her arms crossed and an angry, disbelieving look on her face. She had accepted Christ as a child, and was angry with God, too, for not rescuing or protecting her. That was three months ago. Today she met with Diana Collins to ask all of her questions about childbirth, express her fears, and find out how to take care of a newborn and how to breastfeed. About a month ago, she and I had our first conversation. Well, she talked and I listened. At the end I told her that I thought her feelings were normal, but that at some point it would be good to start thinking about forgiveness. She said that she didn’t hate the baby anymore, or want to get rid of it, as she had come to understand that the baby was not at fault. I suggested that the baby might prefer a loving and forgiving mother to a bitter and hateful one. The ultrasound last week showed that Esli is having a little girl in early December. She has named her Angelina, and she will be Esli’s first flesh-and-blood glimpse of redemption.
Our newest lambs are Gina (9) Raul (5) and Tony (4), also sent to us by Social Services because of abuse and neglect. Gina seems to have an unquenchable joy. She is always talking, always laughing, always asking questions. She loves to eat. She is also just beginning school, and apparently has some learning problems, but no doubt she will tackle her homework with the same enthusiasm she gives to everything else. Raul and Tony are small for their ages, but are active and obedient. Like Gina, they are grateful for every piece of clothing, every meal, every little gift they are given. Some of our children never look back, at least not consciously, and these three seem very very happy to be with us.
We have finally arrived to our precious Dilcia, who has everybody wrapped around her little finger, even our disciplinary experts (“Suzy, you are too patient with the children! How will they ever learn anything?” smile). Dilcia was three and one half years old when she arrived, but was the size of an 8-month-old baby due to neglect and malnutrition. Her arms and legs were limp and practically fleshless. Her tummy was huge, bloated like a dead toad. Her head had to be shaved because of the lice, and she was totally listless. Wherever, however we lay her down, there she stayed. She didn’t cry, didn’t talk, didn’t look around. Our pediatrician cried, but put us to work. Everybody pitched in to bring Dilcia back. Sometimes when a child comes to us, I whisper to him/her, “Don’t worry – soon you will be waking up from your nightmare.” It took Dilcia quite some time to start waking up, but every little step has created a huge stir in the house: “Dilcia smiled! Dilcia laughed! Dilcia said something! Dilcia stood up!” I have told the children and staff that when Dilcia can run on the beach with us, we will all go and play in the sand and sun. EVERYBODY is helping Dilcia learn how to walk! Ha. She can get to her feet by herself already, but cannot stand or walk without support yet. She is very fearful. Most of the other toddlers are younger than she is, but they are protective of her, and Sallie calls her “my baby”. Of all of the children in the house, her suffering has been the most visible, and her courageous efforts to give life another opportunity have given all of us hope and energy. If Dilcia can do it, if Dilcia can believe, if Dilcia can love, if Dilcia can walk . . . then surely God will heal me, too.
OUR STAFF
Oscar and Karelia have two children, Edgardo (4) and Lilieth (2). Oscar drives a taxi, and Karelia is a hair stylist. Karelia is also a great cook and baby-lover. In addition to being house parents, both take a turn at devotionals, and Karelia also handles the big task of making the weekly menu, keeping track of what is (and is not) in the pantry, and coordinating cooks and kitchen clean-up.
Ramon and Sarah are newlyweds, and do not yet have children. Ramon is working at the Institute as our property and construction manager, and also takes care of our vehicles. He is an auto mechanic who can also weld, do carpentry, and even milk cows! I hit the jackpot with this son-in-law! Sarah handles almost all of the logistics of the children’s home. She coordinates medical and counseling appointments, school records, vaccination records. She also does the shopping for the food, school supplies, and anything else we need. She makes and keeps the budget. She and Ramon are house parents to Christopher, who needs special care, and also help me with Sallie and Elsa.
Ricardo is a single guy who just graduated from college as an agronomist. We don’t have any land to farm yet, so he is coordinating the children’s daily activities, making schedules with the teachers and other counselors. We have some local high school students serving as volunteers during the week, and Ricardo keeps them busy. Ricardo lives with us, and helps houseparent the boys’ room. His roommate is Noe, my 14-yr-old.
Astrid has moved out to the children’s home with us. Many of you know her, as she as been part of the LAMB community for several years. She is a nursing student, and hopes to serve in India one day as a missionary. She helps Ricardo coordinate the daily program, and she also helps houseparent the girls’ room, along with lending a hand with the many little children.
Along with these folks, my children (Mari, Noe, Lety, Sallie, Elsa) and I are living in the children’s home. Oscar, Ramon and I have full-time jobs outside of the children’s home, but have responsibilities in the evenings and on the weekends. We have a day staff as well: Celena (our indispensable, do-everything friend, who has been with LAMB since before we opened our doors); Gloria, Celena’s sister, who mostly helps with the huge task of keeping all of the clothes washed and stored properly; Cesia and Delmys, certified teachers, who work with the children (perhaps you can imagine what a complicated educational challenge we are dealing with); and Esther, our psychologist, who counsels and encourages and evaluates and prays.
We have a creative, committed, Spirit-filled staff. Please keep us in your prayers as we raise these precious children for the glory of God.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BABIES?
Good question. You will be delighted to hear that they are all thriving:
Baby Diana (2) is a permanent member now of Gladys’ family. Gladys is the director of our daycare and school in Flor del Campo. She has three additional children, and Diana looks just like them! In fact, Baby Diana has the exact same name (Diana Elizabeth) as Gladys’ oldest daughter! While Diana’s family remains in contact, they have allowed Gladys and her husband to adopt Diana, and Diana is a joyful, energetic little princess.
Baby Denis (2) has also remained with Manuel and Marina’s family. He is robust and outgoing, bearing no resemblance to the sickly, underweight, limp baby we brought in from the country two years ago. He has recently been joined by Gina, Raul and Tony, our three newest little lambs. Raul and Tony are 5 and 4, so they have livened up the playtime at Marina’s house!
Baby Elsa (2) spent her first year battling chronic asthma. Sleep was a precious commodity in our house. And here I will offer a short commercial for Singulair, the medicine which brought an end to our emergency room visits, and a short thank you to the folks who keep us supplied. Bless you. Elsa is breathing better, talks constantly, and has no trouble telling others what to do. She is four sizes smaller than Sallie, but loves to get into her clothes and hear her scream. What will they be like as teenagers?
Baby Jennifer (2) has also remained where she started: at Esther’s house. Esther and her husband are legal guardians, and would have already adopted Jennifer, except that in Honduras the law stipulates the minimum age for adoptive parents as 30. Nelson and Esther have responded to a call from the Lord to move to Spain as tent-making missionaries, and they will take Jennifer with them. They leave in December 2005.
Baby Sallie (almost 3) was profiled earlier. She remains in my care as part of my family.
A FINAL WORD
This booklet cannot end without saying that these children would still be without home and family if many of you had not said “yes” to our call, and joined us in caring for them, praying for them, loving them. The LAMB Institute started out with a specific vision, a tiny staff, and a small budget. It has grown into a ministry that includes missionary training, scholarships for university students, a food bank, a school/kindergarten, a daycare, and a residential facility. In all, we are directly ministering to more than 120 children, in addition to the ministries to our students, the families in Flor del Campo, and our staff.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
MAY HIS BLESSINGS BRING YOU GREAT JOY AND PEACE AS YOU CONTINUE TO SEEK AND SERVE THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. AMEN.
Correspondence and Helps
If you feel God is calling you to be a part of this exciting ministry and would like more information please contact:
General Information
The LAMB Institute
c/o Susan Clarkson Keller
215 Hickory St
Charleston SC 29407
Email: susanckeller@knology.net
(843) 769-5403
Child Sponsorship
The LAMB Institute
c/o Diana Collins
535 Woodbury Rd
Springfield VT 05156
Email: dianacollins@valley.net
(802) 885-2619
posted by Lamb Institute | 6:27 AM
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