Without a doubt, our current society lacks role models. Many children in Honduras are raised only by a mother and sometimes by grandparents and, as a result, boys and girls grow up in an environment with poor discipline and direction.

In most cases, character is formed on the streets through the practice of bad habits and contact with negative influences that unfortunately take the lives of these boys and girls through the path of delinquency, gangs and crime.

This is precisely the issue that concerns the church in Honduras and that is why our ministry and the church are working together to shape the character and discipline of many boys and girls in the city of El Progreso.

Located in the north coast of Honduras, El Progreso is an emerging town founded in 1927 as a banana trade center. El Progreso grew in the 1970s into a commercial and transshipment center for Caribbean ports.

El Progreso is also the home of five child development centers and a Taekwondo training center that is benefiting more than 250 children through a Complementary Intervention. This extraordinary activity is getting the attention of boys and girls and is a valuable tool that is helping to improve each child’s character.

Every boy and girl is told from the beginning that Taekwondo is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing their life through training of the body and mind; in other words, the right way to use all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world.

According to the instructor Duman, everything started in this city with the visit of a generous Korean man who resides in the United States and comes to Honduras every year to share his Taekwondo knowledge with the young people. Duman was involved from the very beginning and was trained by Master Young along with other young people who are now serving as instructors.

Duman started as a tutor and has conducted the Taekwondo training for kids at the Niño Nuevo en Cristo Student Center for one year.

“This has been a wonderful experience for boys and girls, certainly a great opportunity for the kids to stay in good shape and also keep their minds busy in the sport.”

Children who participate in Taekwondo training have responsibilities and duties to fulfill in order to continue with the course: be punctual with schoolwork, respect everybody, and attend church and the child development center, among others.

Boys and girls are told that it is an honor to be part of the training, a wonderful experience that will not only prepare them to face a hostile situation but also to help them to set rules and goals in life. Parents strongly support these classes because they are keeping their children away from bad things.

Johnny started practicing Taekwondo two months ago with the rest of the boys and girls from his child development center. Like everything new in their lives, children enjoy wearing the Taekwondo clothing and attending the training sessions. Even though there is so much exercise to do, kids are always willing to go through these sessions.

“This is just the beginning, and I know that with the time it will require us to work and practice hard, but I look forward to it because I’m enjoying it very much.”

Johnny is 12 years old and lives with his parents. Currently in 6th grade, he attends the center twice a week where he learns about the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of mankind. This is also where Johnny opened his heart to the Lord.

Johnny is a white belt just like his friends, but is determined to work hard in order to earn a yellow belt.

For Denilson and his mother, life has been difficult. Denilson lost his father two months ago because of the dangerous living conditions in the city, but the child development center has been with them all the way. Denilson is also 12 years old and is participating in this training where he has found the space to release the tension and anger of losing his father.

Jaison is a bright 10 year old boy who has been training for one year. He is now a green belt and is excited about what is coming up in his life. Jaison comes to the center every Friday and Saturday morning.

“I have learned about the life of Jesus, songs and Bible verses, also to keep a good testimony and to do well to everybody.”

Purple belt Sonia has been practicing Taekwondo for a year now and improves each day through hard work. Sonia, like the rest of the children, also opened her heart to the Lord and learned many things at the child development center.

“I have learned that the Bible is inspired by God and that we have to respect everybody; also we are all God’s children, He loves us and He has a special plan for everybody.”

Kensy and her friends practice almost every day at home but also come to church at least twice during the week for approximately two hours to practice, which is also the case for Luis. Luis tells us,

“This discipline has kept me away from other things, which is good. Instead of spending so much time in front of the television set, I’d rather improve my movements.”

Every Wednesday and Saturday, several groups of children from different child development centers meet in their respective churches for weekly training. Kids ages 5 to 16 attend regularly to improve their skills and to get in good physical condition.

The change has been overwhelming in the children’s attitude and behavior; it has been simply a great strategy to bring out the best of every child and to fulfill the Word of God:

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6, KJV

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

We first began our ministry in Honduras in 1974 when child development centers were opened in Guatemala and El Salvador.

In 1998, our ministry in Honduras became more official after we responded to the impact Hurricane Mitch had on this country. In 1999, operations began from the Honduras office and the Child Sponsorship Program was started. In 2007, the Leadership Development Program began.

Today the ministry in Honduras is made up of 175 child development centers and approximately 41,000 children are registered. The Leadership Development Program, now in its third year, is benefiting 57 young people.

During the past 11 years of ministry, we have established solid collaborative relationships with other institutions, local authorities and churches. This has increased the impact on the lives of children.

Country Director

Yolanda Rodas joined the ministry in 2003 as a Partnership Facilitator. She was then promoted multiple times, and in 2010 she was appointed Country Director.

Growing up in an economically poor family, Yolanda’s parents did everything they could to support her and her three brothers. Yolanda and her brothers never suffered from a lack of food, education or love. Even with their own economic difficulties, her family always made room to help the needy.

These values and principles instilled in Yolanda from her early childhood years have prepared her to serve the needy children of Honduras with great passion.

Prior to coming to our ministry, Yolanda worked at a bank as a facilitator and credit analyst for small businesses. Yolanda has a degree in industrial engineering from the National University of Honduras, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Eastern University in Pennsylvania.

Implementing Church Partners

Implementing Church Partners are local churches in Honduras with whom we work to deliver child development programs and ministry in the field.

• Spiritual Climate
  Generally the spiritual climate in Honduras is healthy. There are many different denominations with a variety of doctrines. There is significant growth in the number of believers, but there are challenges in keeping the new converts growing in their faith. There are also challenges with reaching the youth because of the complex social situations in Honduras.
• Unique Challenges
  Implementing Church Partners face the following challenges:
  • Many child development centers are located in high-risk areas that have high crime rates and are controlled by gangs.
  • There is high staff turnover at the child development centers.
  • Parents are relatively uninterested in keeping their children at the centers.
  • There is a high rate of unemployment and family disintegration.
  • Frequent changes are made in Field Manuals, which makes implementation difficult for Implementing Church Partners.
• Contributions
  Implementing Church Partners provide the use of their buildings and facilities, human resources and labor for construction projects. Implementing Church Partners also spend time supporting the children and their families, provide additional food for the children, offer financial assistance for the center staff and families with very low incomes, and create additional lessons related to the beneficiaries’ curriculum.
• Church-to-Church
  The ministry in Honduras does not currently have any formal church-to-church partnerships. However, some Implementing Church Partners within Honduras have entered into somewhat of a partnership with each other.

  Churches have had cluster-level meetings to strengthen church networks and foster best practices. Some partnerships have resulted in discounts on purchases as well as donations and support for children with special needs.



• Partner Development Activities
  We develop partners in Honduras through training in child protection and other topics, Complementary Interventions funds, pastors’ networks, facilitation, cluster meetings, and a radio show that has aired every Saturday for the last six years.

  During the radio show, center staff, pastors, children and experts have shared their thoughts on various child-related topics. The purpose is to encourage and challenge other churches to do more on behalf of children living in poverty.

  An important part of partner development is the opportunity for new and existing center staff members to learn and observe best practices from other partners. We call these churches “mentor” churches. Mentor churches are Implementing Church Partners that have been effective in the management and implementation of the Child Sponsorship Program.

  New and existing partners visit mentor churches to learn practical ways to effectively implement the Child Sponsorship Program. Also, we have selected “Field Guides” from different areas who guide and advise church partner staff in holistic child development. They are responsible for various trainings, such as accounting, sponsorship issues, curriculum and health.

Child Sponsorship Program

Your sponsorship of a child in Honduras provides a variety of benefits.

Children attend child development centers at different times depending on their school schedules. There are also different times for different groups of children because of the limited size of the center facilities.

• Meeting Times
  • 3 to 5 year olds: 8 to 15 hours per week, spread out over 2 to 3 days after school
  • 6 to 8 year olds: 6 hours per week, spread out over 2 to 3 days after school
  • 9 to 11 year olds: 6 hours per week, spread out over 2 to 3 days after school
  • 12 to 14 year olds: 6 hours per week, spread out over 2 to 3 days
  • 15 to 18 year olds: 4 hours per week, spread out over 2 days

  

• Nutritional Support
  Each child receives a snack, such as fruit, cereal and milk, every time they attend the child development center. The centers try to provide each child with a full meal every two to three visits.

  A meal consists of meat, cereal, vegetables, fruit and natural juice. These meals are nutritionally balanced and prepared by trained staff. Children who are suffering from malnutrition get extra rations or are given additional nutrients per a doctor’s instructions.

  Our goal is to provide the children with nutritious food every time they attend the center because food is not provided at school.



• Vaccinations
  We monitor vaccines at every medical checkup. If a child is behind on vaccinations, we refer the parents to the nearest health center. Vaccines for children are provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health.
• Specialty Curriculum
  Some Implementing Church Partners have implemented a curriculum from the Community Center for Preschool Education with the purpose of providing registered children with a preschool education.

  Tutors have a certification as “Educators in Preschool Education” and they implement this specialty curriculum along with the certified curriculum.

• Extracurricular Activities or Community Service
  Children participate in sports tournaments, camps, field trips and service to churches. These activities occur anywhere from monthly to yearly, depending on budget and other child development center activities.



• Vocational Activities
  Vocational training is important because either the adolescents do not want to pursue a college education or their families cannot support them in this.

  Implementing Church Partners make an effort to identify training needs and seek ways to provide for these needs.

  

  We offer a variety of activities for adolescents, including sports and music. We also offer vocational training in such areas as beauty, baking, welding and computers.

  Other public and private entities offer training in electric work, woodworking and automotive repair.

  Public institutions that offer vocational skills training require the beneficiaries to purchase some materials, but the overall costs of the courses are absorbed by the government.

• Parent Involvement
  We hold parent meetings every two to three months to discuss topics such as domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism and discipline.
• Areas of Expansion for the Child Sponsorship Program
  We would like to expand in the northern region of the country because there is a high level of poverty, gang activity and drug trafficking there.

Leadership Development Program

• Universities Attended
  The students attend public governmental, private Christian and private secular universities.
• Location of Universities
  Most of the universities are located in the capital city.
• Service Opportunities
  Students serve at nursing homes, schools and universities, child development centers, hospitals, libraries and at the ministry office.

  They also serve children in their neighborhoods, volunteer for health campaigns, and evangelize in their communities.



• Leadership Development Program Meetings
  The larger Leadership Development Program group meets twice a year to cover curriculum topics. They meet in smaller groups once a month to plan community service activities or have Bible studies and sharing time.

  They also have occasional get-togethers for birthdays and other special celebrations.

• Mentors
  Many of the ministry’s office staff serve as mentors to our Leadership Development Program students.

Complementary Interventions

Our core Child Sponsorship Program, while comprehensive, does not address all obstacles to a child’s healthy development. The Complementary Interventions program was created to work with our holistic child development model to provide additional services, such as our AIDS Initiative, Bibles for all children, disaster relief and clean water.

Typical Complementary Interventions in Honduras include:

• Oral health needs
• Vocational training scholarships
• Spiritual retreats for teens
• Preschool Education Centers in some child development centers
• Multiple trainings for the Implementing Church Partner staff
• Relief kits containing canned goods, bottled water and other items
• Materials for restoring damaged houses
• Clothing, basic furniture, etc.

Highly Vulnerable Children

The needs of highly vulnerable children in Honduras include:

• Temporary shelter for children living in abusive environments
• Nutritional and psychological support for children and parents with HIV
• Attention to children who are orphaned, HIV positive, handicapped, sexually abused, abandoned, physically mistreated, exploited or have terminal illnesses

Children at the Manantial de Vida Student Center in Honduras are taught that they are future leaders of the church. Some of those young leaders are featured in this video created by our staff.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

The House of Diamonds Student Center in El Guanabano, Honduras, serves people whose livelihood is found in garbage. But that doesn’t mean they’re garbage themselves.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

I recently received a letter from Ada, my 13-year-old sponsored girl in Honduras. Compassion had sent me a note letting me know that her father had passed away. This letter was the first Ada had written since that time.

My father has died.

Then Ada said something I didn’t know:

Now both of my parents have died.

My heart sank.

I live with my brothers and our grandmother now.

We are thankful that our parents are home with Jesus, but we miss them. My brothers and my grandmother and me, all of us, we miss them so very much. I have an uncle who looks like my dad. Whenever we see him, we remember how much we miss my dad.

Strange how some things don’t get lost in translation. Not at all. A broken heart rarely does.

I don’t know what it’s like to lose a parent. I’m blessed that both of mine are still alive and that they choose to be a part of my life. But I do know what it’s like to lose someone you love.

My first experience with the tragedy of the death of someone I deeply loved happened when I was thirteen. It rocked my world, and in so many ways, it shaped and continues to shape me.

So my heart breaks for Ada, a beautiful teenage girl whom I have never met, save through an exchange of letters brokenly translated from Spanish to English and back again. It breaks not because I know her pain, but because I know the pain of a shattered heart.

I know that God can use this experience to draw her closer to Himself. I know He can make something beautiful from a broken world that has been forged together with the fire of His presence.

I also know there is an enemy who would like to use this moment to destroy her. And as Ada’s sponsor, I need to do my part to help make sure that doesn’t happen.

Since receiving her letter, I’ve been praying for Ada a lot. I have also been digging through Scriptures that contain an outpouring of grief from the human soul. The words I keep coming back to are the uncensored and unashamed cries contained in Psalm 77:

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted….

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

And then, after unloading the grief in his heart, the psalmist says this:

I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy.

Never one for covering up his emotions, the writer of this song asks the questions that are burning in his heart. Questions about who God is, his love, his faithfulness, his compassion – in essence, God’s very character.

But then he remembers. He remembers the works and miracles of years gone by. And he remembers: God is good. Tragedy comes. It rocks our world. But God is still good. He is still here. He is still holy. He will still redeem our lives.

And so I pick up a pen to write to Ada and offer what little encouragement I can. I kneel down to pray words of peace over her life. I shed tears over the pain I can feel encompassing her fragile heart.

And I thank God that tragedy will not have the last word in Ada’s life. I trust Him for that.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Greetings, good wishes, and the expression of love and hope to a special person are contained in the letters you write to your sponsored child. Letters are a great opportunity to enter the world of your child and family, a wonderful experience and adventure that ties the ties your lives together.

The Honduras Compassion office receives an average of 15,000 to 18,000 letters per month. The handling of so many letters and packages requires a well-trained correspondence team. This group of people takes their job seriously and knows well how to manage the pressure of receiving so many letters. Every one of them is an expert in every process and committed to keeping up the good work.

Jackie Rivera has been in charge of the translation process for nearly two years. Jackie’s responsibilities are testing and evaluating the translators, training them, distributing and receiving the letters, and coordinating payment for the work performed.

“Each letter has a great value and represents a child with dreams and hopes, and behind the child, a family willing to welcome a new person in their lives.”

The Honduras office has a group of 25 translators who translate every document from Spanish to English. Most of the translators are professionals who have a steady job and do this activity to generate extra income. Full-time students also help translate and depend on the income to finance their education.

Jackie looks for people who are fluent in English, experienced translators and active church members. Every potential translator takes a test on English grammar, structure and idiomatic expressions. They must receive above 90 percent to become a translator.

Once the translator is selected, he or she goes through training before beginning. The translators are informed about their responsibilities, what is expected from them, their deadlines, and essential information about our ministry.

Most translators get 100 to 150 letters per week. Translators who have had good performance and whose weekly grade is 98 percent or above are rewarded with more letters. A seven-day period of time is given to the translators to complete the translations.

Translators are also asked to look for potential stories as they read and translate the letters.

“We ask them to detect potential stories through the letters as we want to share with others what this ministry is doing in Honduras,” says Jackie.

Ruth has been translating for Compassion for three years now and is currently employed by USAID in Honduras. She translates approximately 200 letters per week.

“I do really enjoy translating as this activity keeps my mind busy. It is great to hear from the children in the development centers, their interests, goals, hobbies and about their communities.

“I know that this ministry works with children and churches and that it is a Christ-centered organization. What I like the most about my participation in this process is that my work is important to facilitate the communication between the sponsor and the child, and that is why I feel committed to do my best in what I’m doing right now.”

The correspondence team is aware of the power and importance of each letter. The work never stops as the children continue writing to their sponsors and the letters from abroad keep coming down to the Honduras office.

The simple act of writing is easy, but many sponsors get caught up with the busyness in their lives and neglect this area that gives so much hope to every boy and girl in our program.

Children simply become overjoyed as they get letters and photos; these let them feel that they are special and loved, and that is why the Honduras office applies themselves with excellence to connecting lives through letters.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Protestant churches, especially evangelical churches, have undergone a tremendous growth in Honduras since the 1980s. Denominations such as the Methodists, Church of God, Seventh Day Adventists and Assemblies of God are among the most popular and can be found in all parts of the country.

The evangelical church has played an important role in Honduran society. Now government authorities seek counseling and look for an objective opinion from the church regarding different issues that affect the country.

The evangelical church sponsors social service programs in many communities, making them attractive to the lower classes; its leadership generally exerts a conservative influence in politics. Currently, the evangelical church is growing rapidly across the country.

The power of God through His church is essential in helping families out of poverty – simply because when put into practice, the gospel of Jesus transmits hope, peace and faith to the people.

A local congregation can give a sense of belonging, spiritual safety, friendship, fellowship and encouragement. The church also helps families to train their children and help the community to work together, and gives the opportunity to serve others in need.

The most important reason given by believers as they participate in a local congregation is knowing that members help each other. In other words, God has given different abilities and skills to different believers, and He wants us to work together for the common good.

No project, activity or plan can fail if the church of God is in it; the Compassion ministry knows this.

Currently, 175 churches are now fighting the good fight in different areas of Honduras, facing issues such as gangs, insecurity, crime, poverty and violence. The church has gained the respect of those who are not followers of Jesus, including the heads of gangs, because of the work that is being done in every community in Honduras.

Pastor Carballo knows that there is a spiritual war going on and it requires a strong church. A genuine and courageous man, Pastor Carballo has been directing the Filadelfia Church for nearly 15 years.

The Filadelfia Church is a congregation of 300 people who strongly believe in the power of God to bring transformation to their community. It is located in the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, right in the neighborhood of Chamelecon – well known because of the presence of gangs. It is a very poor area but home to hard-working people.

In spite of the dangerous situation in the community, the church has decided to fight back.

“We are fighting and not giving up because we will win this location for Christ. We are taking prayer time very seriously, and we are seeing the change in the people. We know that it will take time, but at the end we will see the fruits of our efforts. The Lord is and will be with us always, so that means that we cannot fail.”

Against all odds, the church has gained the respect of these rebellious groups, ironically some of whom have their kids registered in our Child Sponsorship Program. Deep in their hearts, these people know that the church and its child development center are doing good things for their kids.

The Filadelfia Church is doing the job that not everybody will assume – a complicated and risky mission, a challenge that can only be achieved through the sustained work of the Bride of Christ.

As part of our ministry to the world, the Church is to preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. No other organization will do this work; it is the mission of the church. Every worker is needed – some on the front lines, and some in support. Just like the Scripture says, some will plant, some will nurture and some will harvest, and. as we work together, Christ will cause the Church to grow.

The local church has become a way out of problems, an oasis of love and attention, and a place of hope. Families come to church to find the right path to conduct their lives and eventually many of them become members and servants in different ministries.

The Pena de Horeb Church is located in the conflictive community of Suazo Cordoba. This congregation is working hard to rescue the children from bad influences. It has developed three programs: Royal Rangers, Castillo del Rey and Girl Scouts in order to keep young people busy and out of trouble. Currently 150 young people are participating in these three ministries.

It all comes down to this: The church is not just essential, it is necessary, imperative to change lives and bring social, spiritual, and physical development in this troubled society. Communities see their congregations as a shelter of love, a ray of hope in the midst of the difficult living conditions, a place where their children receive spiritual values that will make them better citizens in the future.

Right in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, the Corazon por Honduras Church is already seeing the fruits of its hard work and discipleship groups. This is an active congregation whose mission is to gain Honduras for Christ.

This ministry has 30 churches in the country, and this evangelistic movement has spread out to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic. The church has 50 discipleship groups and several ministries like Sunday school, leadership school and youth meetings.

For Pastor Reconco, the congregation leader, an imperative need is giving the best attention to the children.

“I have seen a positive change in the children and a change of attitude from how they express themselves now. Many children used to say bad words and were disobedient to their parents. Now that they come to the church they have been able to improve in this area and this has been possible because they feel now part of this program. They feel loved and also they enjoy coming here as they have time to play with other kids, learn about Jesus, and have a nutritional meal.

“I’m telling you that many parents encourage their children to come to church and the child development center because they have witnessed a wonderful change in their children.”

This congregation is committed to spread the gospel of salvation as it is only in Christ that every man and woman can live happy and complete.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10, NIV).

Our first duty is to our family, then to the church, and then to the world around us. The second-greatest commandment is to love our neighbors.

The evangelical church across the country is defying the adversity and chaos of the current society, still standing and winning the battle each day as many people are coming to the Lord and changing their habits and way of living. Today the church and Compassion Honduras join efforts to bring transformation through Jesus.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Children at our centers in Honduras are given the opportunity to celebrate their culture and display their unique talents each year at a fair that 20 centers have come together to host.

For three years in a row, this innovative activity has been held in the historical city of Comayagua, which was once the capital of the country after Honduras gained independence from Spain in 1820.

At the central plaza, one can appreciate the cathedral, which was inaugurated Dec. 8, 1711, and the City Hall, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The plaza is where the residents gather to celebrate the local holidays and concerts of marimbas, among other activities.

It is precisely in this location where the 20 centers prepare with anticipation. The fair includes things such as folk dancing, crafts, textures, paintings, pottery and different kinds of foods. Many girls make necklaces, which always sell well at the fair. Entire families will be involved in creating the crafts to sell.

Honduras holds proudly a special kind of dance and music called punta, which is a circle dance: One couple dances in the middle of the circle and the other participants sing and clap their hands. The children are able to participate in this piece of Honduran culture, learning and rehearsing the traditional dances to perform at the fair.

Of course, another big part of the fair is food. The Honduran cuisine has a heavy emphasis on corn, peppers, tomatoes and beans. Coconuts are used more widely in this area than in neighboring countries, and numerous fish dishes reflect the country’s long Caribbean coast. Popular dishes include conch soup, flour tortillas with beans and roast beef, and a panoply of tropical fruits for dessert. Talented cooks prepare traditional dishes to be served at the fair.

On the day of the fair, the work starts early with the placing of marquees. The children help by putting up chairs and tables and helping the center staff set up all the products. The food stands and the skilled cooks get ready when the show is about to start.

Soon people from the community start to walk around the place. The crowd cheers the children as they show their folk dancing skills. Backstage, children rehearse their special presentations, and some of them pray with their leaders for the new souls who will open their heart to the good message of love of Jesus.

One priority of the celebration is to present the gospel through the living testimony of children who are registered in different centers. One by one, groups from every center head up to the stage for a special cultural and evangelistic presentation, including messianic dances, mimes, choreography, and songs to exalt the name of Christ.

The churches and centers look forward to this time each year when all gather for one purpose. Not only do the children get a chance to show their unique talents, but they also share how the Word of God has changed their lives, and how our ministry is working with the local church to bring transformation to this troubled society.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

I have been feeling challenged lately to get closer to the heart of Compassion, where we interact with sponsors, churches and children. I recently read a quote from a top executive of a large retail chain (I can’t remember which one — maybe Best Buy). He said, “I have never wasted a day visiting a store.”

Now, of course we don’t have stores but, I believe that sentiment is true for me — especially with visiting the field. I always learn something when I spend some unhurried and unplanned time in the field where I can really observe and learn and listen.

Heroes

It is especially valuable when our church partners are not aware of my position, and we can avoid a lot of the protocol and formalities. But those opportunities are rare and difficult to come by.

So, I planned a trip to do just that. I arranged a trip to Honduras where I spent six days at two different child development centers in the central zone of the country. I wasn’t sure how successful I could be as an “Undercover Boss,” but I’m very grateful to the Honduras Country Office who did a marvelous job of setting this trip up so that I could be a regular guy without any fanfare or protocol.

I slept on the floor of the center facilities and ate at the centers with food lovingly prepared by church staff. The purpose of my trip was to spend time “up close and personal” with our primary customers — the beneficiaries of our programs and our Implementing Church Partners (ICPs). I wanted to learn how they experience Compassion.

I also wanted to shadow a Partnership Facilitator (PF) for several days and gain a more intuitive and experiential understanding of how they fulfill their responsibilities and what their day to day life is like. And I wanted to be open to what God wanted me to see and hear and feel.

So, without trying to give you six days’ worth of journaling, I’ll highlight a few impressions, observations, realizations, affirmations and God-messages for you.

Lots Going On

There is so much going right with Compassion’s ministry.

OK, that may sound simplistic, but it is not. It was actually quite profound to see the number of things that are working as they are designed to work, and to observe numerous changes enacted over the last five years to create improvements that are now implemented and working!

Our ICP pastors and center staff are heroes.

We know this, but it is so inspiring to see time and again. These are passionately dedicated men and women who live day in and day out to help Compassion-supported children and their families and to reach out with God’s love to their communities. I met some incredible people of faith, people we can be proud to have wear the name “Christian” and the name “Compassion.”

I was able to spend a couple of hours walking through a very poor community with Pastor Guillermo late one afternoon. We saw the “underbelly” of the community as we visited homes of Compassion-assisted children and talked about the overwhelming social problems in the neighborhood, but I never once heard discouragement in his voice. Our ICPs are relying on God to provide for their immense needs and to sustain them with hope. And we play a part in that hope.

They are so thankful for our partnership (and here I don’t just mean money). Yes they need the money, but they really appreciate the support and guidance that our PFs and the local office provide. They appreciate the prayers of the sponsors and know that they are part of a global movement of God’s people.

Field-based Facilitation Works

Field-based facilitation is the best move we have made since going direct to the local church (instead of working through missions or denominations). This is work that is carried out by facilitators who live in the area of the centers instead of working out of the Field Offices.

OK, I probably can’t prove that statement, but that is how I feel. Honduras has gone 100 percent to field-based facilitation and they love it! The PF whom I shadowed was remarkable. Her name is Lastenia and she is the Compassion brand for the 13 centers/ICPs in her cluster, as well as for the other churches in the area and the local government.

Lastenia lives our brand fully and represents us wonderfully. We would be highly fortunate to have more PFs like her. She lives a few blocks from one of her churches, and her farthest centers are two hours away. Most are within one hour’s drive. She visits her best-functioning centers once every three months, her “needs improvement” centers every month, and her “needs significant improvement” centers every 15 days. (She took me to centers of all types, not just to her stellar centers.)

She is in constant contact by phone, text and e-mail with her centers (I saw this instantly for five days!), and is very much a part of their lives and community. She is seen as a friend, a mentor, an expert and yes, at times, a supervisor. Her focus is definitely on her ICPs. She connects with the Compassion Honduras office and is very much part of Compassion, but she is definitely a field person.

Lastenia’s closest contacts and friends are at the centers, not at the office. This is huge! She is closer to the center staff than to the office staff. Those are her colleagues and friends. This is an enormous paradigm shift and I can see that it bears amazing fruit.

Rapidly Becoming Outcome-driven

We are rapidly becoming an outcome-driven organization.

In Honduras, the center directors talk about outcomes. The PF talks about outcomes. Other field staff talk about outcomes. The Project Planning and Budgeting Form / Annual Opportunity Plan process focuses on outcomes.

One of the center directors we visited has started tracking his own milestones and indicators on an individual child basis because he wants and “needs” that information! In terms of the primary value of outcomes (clarifying intent), we have made enormous progress.

Using Local Resources Is a Must

Centers are leveraging local resources.

This PF has mobilized her centers to garner other resources outside of Compassion, and they are doing that quite successfully. The ones we visited had relationships with other international funders and were gaining significant advantage from partnerships with local governments. All of this strengthens the church and the center and provides additional opportunities for the children.

Leaping Into Technology

Honduras has taken leaps into technology at the center level.<

Part of the effectiveness of the Honduras model is the use of technology. Nearly all of their child development centers have Internet access. They do their planning and much of their work on computers. Honduras has contracted one cell phone plan for all the centers, staff and Leadership Development Program (LDP) students, so there is no extra cost for calls between those parties. This allows for free and direct communication. Center workers who had no previous experience with computers now take pride in their technological savvy.

Creatively Using CIVLatin America can make good use of Complementary Interventions (CIVs).

Our experience has showed a lower use of CIVs in Latin America. If this PF is the wave of the future, that will turn around quickly. The PF I shadowed is a CIV queen! She knows how to spot complementary needs and she knows how to make the system work. And she is relentless! I saw an HIV/AIDS peer activation project, income-generating projects, water projects, sanitation projects, computer labs, vocational training and more. All seemed very appropriately targeted to child development outcomes and were greatly appreciated by the center staff and pastors.

Desperately Poor Situations

We are working with children in desperately poor situations.

It had been seven years since I had been in Honduras. Development has clearly taken place in those years. Globalization of retail is everywhere. Infrastructure is improving. The use of technology is ubiquitous. (Everyone has a cell phone!)

At first glance, it may appear that we don’t need to be working in Honduras anymore. But just beyond the main paved roads lies the real Honduras where most people still live very difficult lives and many, many children are denied the basics that they need to develop healthily. We visited desperately poor homes and heard many a story of hopelessness and despair.

We met a 10-year-old boy forced to act as the head of household because his mother had died and his dad was an alcoholic who had taken in a 13-year-old girl as his new mistress. We met a family of 13 who live in one room, and visited three families that are sharing the same house. We heard of the immense pressure on teenagers to quit school and go to work, of young girls being given away at 13 or 14 years old to any men who are willing to feed them.

One of our hero child development center directors, Yanira, just registered 20 new children, and she is scared. These are the most “at-risk” kids they have registered yet (compared even to the ones I just spoke about!).

These are the children of gang members, murderers and prostitutes. These are the children of people who break in and steal from the center, who steal tilapia from their CIV-funded fish pond.

But Yanira is trusting God to guide them and protect them, and to transform not only the children but their entire families. We are meeting very real needs.

Children Need to be Known, Loved and Protected

Children need to be known, loved and protected.

Child abuse is a huge issue in this area of Honduras. Children fall victim to physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The centers serve as safe havens. The center workers are lovers and protectors.

Scott Todd wrote in the introduction to our new Compassion publication, Shared Strength, that “Compassion is committed to the local church and maintains long-term partnerships with more than 5,000 indigenous churches in more than 25 countries for the shared mission of protecting and developing children.”

I like the way that is said, and it very aptly describes what I observed in the centers I visited. They are “protecting and developing children.” Pastor Guillermo (whom I mentioned above) has visited the homes of every sponsored child in his center. He knows them. He knows their families. He knows their struggles. This allows him and his team to be relevant to the needs of the children.

Highly Vulnerable Children (HVC) Coming Just in Time

One ICP recently took a huge “step of faith” and started a “cottage” for abused and abandoned sponsored children. They were suddenly confronted with seven children who had no place to live for a variety of horrible reasons.

The church had access to a home, so they set up what we have called a “cottage” with a child development center tutor serving as the live-in house mother, but they had no idea how they were going to sustain it. They didn’t have the needed money, but they felt compelled to take the step of faith anyway, praying that God would provide for their needs along the way. They stepped into the Jordan and the waters had not yet parted.

It was a God moment for us to be able to share that as of the new fiscal year they would have access to financial support from the Highly Vulnerable Children’s fund to help support these desperately needy children! They were overjoyed! And I was overjoyed that God let me see this little glimpse of how the hard work of staff at the GMC and throughout Compassion is meeting real needs in a timely fashion. This was a God message to me: “Your labors are not in vain!”

Well, if you got all the way to the end of this “undercover report,” you get a gold star! I share these highlights with the hope of encouraging you that your labors are not in vain. Our work is bearing good fruit and much fruit.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

“Write your sponsored child – you have no idea how much it means to them,” said the worker at Sendero de Amor Child Development Center.

While it didn’t surprise me, I hoped I wouldn’t hear this while I was at the center.

The truth is, I’m not really one for writing letters.

I’m not sure that I should be admitting that, given that I work for Compassion, but there it is. At 31, I’m part of a generation of Canadians for whom letter writing is virtually a foreign concept.

Facebook? No problem.

Twitter? Easy.

E-mail? Sure.

But to sit down and write a letter? That’s different.

Writing a letter feels very formal. It’s not something I do with my friends. So when I wrote my first letter to my sponsored child four years ago, it was … strange. And, in all honesty, it never got easier. Writing has always felt a bit awkward. But as often as I could for a long time, I faithfully wrote.

At the beginning of 2010, things kind of went off the rails. Life got in the way and before I knew it, it had been six months since I’d written a letter. Now I was in Honduras, visiting some of our church partners and getting ready to meet my sponsored children.

At nearly every development center, I had the chance to ask the staff if there was one thing they wanted me to communicate back to Canadian sponsors. With the exception of one center, it was always the same thing:

“Write your child.”

I eventually asked why it was so important that we write. Here’s what I learned:

When letters are distributed, it’s a big celebration. The children who receive a letter are so excited that they can barely contain themselves. They show their friends their letters and can’t wait to share it with their families, too.

But for the kids who don’t get a letter … it’s a hard day. They’re happy for their friends, but their hands are empty. They feel left out. They feel unloved.

Ouch.

When sponsor visit day came, I knew the first thing I had to do was ask my children for their forgiveness. Hearing these stories made me realize just how much I’d – however inadvertently – hurt these kids who we care about so much. And the look on their faces when I told them that I’d done wrong showed me that, yes, I had hurt them in my failure to write.

When we write our children we’re giving them something to celebrate. Even when it’s a short, silly, awkward note that takes us forever.

But, as awkward as it is for me, knowing the difference it makes in the lives of our children helps me to know that it’s worth it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a letter to write.

Aaron

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Almost a decade has passed since Vilma Canales completed Compassion Honduras’ Child Sponsorship Program, yet this 27-year-old woman still recalls those years as the best time of her life.

Growing up, Vilma lived with her mother and her two sisters, Sandra and Anahi, in Honduras’s western state of Copan, well-known for being the location of the Copan Ruins and home of the Mayan civilization.

Vilma’s childhood was normal despite the family’s lack of economic resources. Her mother was the backbone of the family, a hard-working, single mother who provided for her daughters until the last day of her life. Vilma and her sisters never knew their father.

When she was registered at the child development center, Vilma was a very shy girl. As time passed she overcame her shyness and became interested in knowing more about the Lord and the Bible.

“I came to the development center through my older sister who was working as a volunteer. It was in 1997 when I opened my heart to the Lord, the best decision that I have made in my life.”

As a child, the economic situation at home was difficult, and adding to the difficulty was the fragile health of Vilma’s mother. Vilma knew in her heart that she was not alone and that the Lord was in control of her family.

Just before passing away Vilma’s mother asked Vilma for two things: to look after her sisters and to do something good with her life.

“With the death of my mother, I felt lonely and hopeless. I was really concerned because I was left in charge of my sisters.

“It was quite difficult because of our lack of economic resources. I got a scholarship to finish my education because it was right when I was starting high school that my mother passed away. I worked as a volunteer at the church and received an offering that somehow helped me to feed my sisters.”

“During all that time I received nice words of encouragement, love and support from my sponsors, this lovely couple, for nearly 10 years. I thank God for their lives.”

Throughout the years, Vilma and her sisters have seen the hand of God in every need.

“God has been faithful to us. We are much better now because both of my sisters are working. I know that this is only the beginning of a better and new life for our family. I have seen the help of God all this time. Even in the worst times, He was always there providing for all our needs.”

Vilma completed the sponsorship period and was able to graduate from high school, but she wanted more and continued pursuing her dream of becoming a professional. She obtained a college degree from the National University of Honduras.

“I’m so happy that I fulfilled the promise that I made to my mother. I was able to accomplish this with few resources and hard work. I praise the Lord for this great blessing because I can inspire others to achieve their dreams, because anything is possible with God’s help.”

But there was also another wish in Vilma’s heart. She loves Compassion’s ministry and didn’t like the idea of being away from the children.

“I wanted to continue with this ministry because I consider myself a product of Compassion.”

So when the news came to Vilma that the Honduras country office was looking for a Partnership Facilitator for the western region, she was immediately interested and started to pray.

“I thought that this would be a great opportunity to continue with the organization and work for the children in my region. I went through some interviews with office staff, including the Country Director, and while going through all this I prayed a lot with all my heart for this position.”

Vilma was the strongest candidate for the position, and she received the job.

“I felt overwhelmed with so much joy and gratitude to the Lord, I started to cry. I was at the center and my pastor was with me when I received the news, and I still recall her words: ‘Vilma, the Lord blesses those who have been faithful’.”

Vilma is currently serving on the worship team in her congregation and enjoying life with her sisters. She hopes to support the churches she’s been assigned so they can continue with the holistic development of the children in their communities. Vilma knows Christ is needed in these communities and in this society.

“I’m going to serve 13 development centers in my area. It is great to be able to make this journey again and see many children coming up through the church with hopes and dreams.”

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates