FourHearts

I get carried away when I talk about adoption and orphans.  The rushing river of emotion floods over my lips.  Often, I am met with blank stares. My flood becomes a babbling brook until it finally trickles to an end.  Embarrassing.  Sad.

My sister gets me now.  She has those moments.  The does-anyone-care-that-I-just-birthed-my-burden feeling.  She has a burning passion to help bring an end to human trafficking.  It has been a long, but exciting, path.  What began as a conversation in my Mom's kitchen over Christmas years ago has grown into a support organization for a safe house and task force training classes. I'm proud of seeing her grow into her faith.  She has followed God's direction every step of the way.  When you do that, you get a glimpse of God working in a unique way.

I wrote this story for Danica to post on her Gofundme page to begin their first fundraising campaign.  The story is almost too intricate and laced with God's leading to portray correctly.  Danica needs a novel written!  Regardless, it's a tale of four ladies that were on different paths searching for God's will and a way to serve Him.  Four women who make an unlikely group, aside from their love for the Lord.  God brought them together to create FourHearts, a ministry organization to support safe houses.  I hope to share their burden and perhaps make it a burden you will carry.  Please don't meet my verbose barrage with a blank stare!  Let the words wash over you and imagine how God might be calling you to make a change in this world.  Nothing is too big! 

Hogar En-Hacore was founded in 2011 by Nidza Barreto in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico.  Nidza desired to serve God by enriching abused pregnant girl’s lives.  Her vision was to restore the dignity of abused teens by empowering them through spiritual healing, medical attention, education and vocational training.  Nidza happened upon a property that was abandoned and pursued information on how she might purchase it as a home for at risk ladies.  After investigating and finally contacting the owner, she shared her vision for the property and was met with an amazing gift.  The owner was touched by her passion and gave her this amazing home and land.  Unfortunately, the property was overrun and in need of renovation.  Nidza struggled alone trying to raise the funds to open the home.  Working tirelessly, Nidza ensured necessary repairs were made, but continued to meet with many obstacles.  Amidst these challenges, she laid the framework for what will be a transition home and functioning bakery.

Carmen dreamed for many years of ministering to at risk women and teens.  She thought it was a dream that would fade, until she visited family in Puerto Rico.  A chance encounter lead to her meeting with Nidza, her cousin, and hearing about Hogar En-Hacore.  Thrilled, Carmen returned to Connecticut with a passion to help her cousin in her endeavors.  God gave Carmen encouragement, while she endured several hardships.  In 2015, she heard of a meeting at a local church for people interested in learning more to combat human trafficking.  It was there she met Danica.

Danica became aware of the reality of present day slavery and child trafficking through a conversation with her mother in 2012.  Over the next several years, God created a passion in her heart to help.  After moving to Connecticut, Danica began researching the topic as she felt a pressing burden.  She was surprised to learn that the anti-child trafficking organization she heard of years before was just a short drive from her new home.  After getting connected with the founder of the organization, Danica was spurred along to start a local task force to combat child trafficking in her community.  A list of interested people grew and after several months of preparation, the first task force meeting was held.  Meanwhile, Danica’s family received news of an upcoming move to Puerto Rico.  A Puerto Rican woman came to the first meeting, her name was Carmen.

When Carmen told Danica that her cousin, Nidza, had been working on opening a safe house for young abused girls in Puerto Rico, it was obvious that God had orchestrated the meeting of these women.   Danica’s family will be living only 20 minutes away from the safe house, Hogar En-Hacore.  Since that first meeting, they have been praying for God to connect them with others and guide the way to opening this house and supporting this ministry.

Jules has a love for Jesus and a passion for single mothers, orphans and widows.  She was praying about a way to get personally involved and give.  She wanted to be blessed by being able to watch her generosity play out in the lives of others. After months of praying for the Lord to open doors, she was connected with Danica.  She heard of the human trafficking group and wanted to stay informed.  When she heard about Carmen and Hogar En-Hacore, she knew it was the opportunity she had been seeking. 

The lives of these four women intersected through miraculous circumstances with an obvious purpose.  Their desire is to form a support organization, FourHearts, and assist with all aspects of carepoint ministries.  Their unique abilities, coupled with their passion for bringing an end to human trafficking and bringing healing for abused teens, creates a strong foundation for this young organization.  The long term dream of FourHearts, is to be a support organization to other homes like Hogar En-Hacore.  Realizing this dream will require many hands, and volunteer possibilities abound.  The passion shouldn’t end with these four women, as many opportunities are available to help Hogar En-Hacore open its doors to hurting children and teenagers.

Why isn't Jesus enough?

My sister posed this question over the phone last week.  Our conversation had been punctuated with to-do lists and Easter plans.  In an effort to make an incredible holiday memorable for our children, we were putting unneeded pressure on ourselves.  We finally agreed that our plans and purchases were attempts to battle what has become a worldly holiday.  As a parent, I often feel like I am in competition with an attractive, fun opponent--The World. 

During schooling, holidays, even a mundane Sunday, I feel as if I must make our decisions equally attractive.  Santa doesn't visit our house, but we give you amazing gifts.  No Easter Bunny?  That means more pressure on us parents to create incredible replacement Christian based traditions.  Every fall, I must make our lives seem so amazing, as to avoid the jealous tendencies that might pop up when the yellow bus makes it first trip down our road in August.  The constant competition with an undefeated rival taunts me.

This is when Danica asked, "Why isn't Jesus enough?"  Oh yes.  Why not? 

Must I add an Easter bonnet to the girls' wardrobe?  And a $25 ham followed by a chaotic hunt for colorful plastic eggs?  How does a candy filled egg compare to the Resurrection of Christ?  His sacrifice and triumphant resurrection are enough.  This Holy Day should be about Jesus Christ.  No bunnies nor plastic eggs needed.  Christ's love is enough for us...and our children.

But, how do we show them?  How do I make it okay that in our house it isn't about a basket of junk or a hunt for eggs.  It's a special time of celebration because we know our Savior lives.  Even when our neighbors and friends are cheering about the size of their chocolate bunny and the extra gifts they received this morning, will our children be confident in the choice we have made? 

I'm not sure they will, so I overspend at the Christian book store.  Seth and I chose something special for each of the children, something that won't disappear in an hour long sugar gorge.  Sadly, I'm angst filled as I throw a bag of pastel Hershey bars into my cart later that day.  Just in case.

Maybe next year I will let Jesus be enough.

Thanksgiving Day 7

As you focused on thankfulness for the past six days have you found people, things, or circumstances that are not easy for which to be thankful?

Write out one or more circumstances or relationships for which you find it hard to give thanks.  Express your thanks to God for His help and care in spite of your lack of comprehension of what the end will be.


Tomorrow I'll post what we will be doing for Advent this year.  I would love to hear what you do to make this time of year special for your family!

Thanksgiving Day 6

I hope you have enjoyed the past few days of thankfulness.  I'm a people person, so that sort of thing is lovely to me.  My husband...well, we are opposites.  He would rather have his toenails removed than make a phone call.  The past few days have been hard for him.  Today, this is more his speed:

Meditate on the following verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:18  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God...

Ephesians 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our Lord JEsus Christ

"If tomorrow's supply depended on today's thanksgiving, how much would you have tomorrow?"

Thanksgiving Day 5

Today put your thankfulness into action!

Call, visit, or write some of the people you listed yesterday to express your appreciation for their influence in your life.

You can do it! 

Thanksgiving Day 4

Make a list of others who have blessed or touched your life.  This may include pastors, teachers, friends, people at work, neighbors, or writers.  Put a check mark by their name if or when you have let them know your appreciation for them.

I am a firm believer in the beauty of sending cards.  I delight in receiving them and sending them.  It seems that God brings a special note from a friend when I most desperately need it.  If you can't call or sit over coffee with someone from this list, send them a card.

Thanksgiving Day 3

Express your gratitude for family members.  Make a list of each immediate member and next to their name write a quality in them for which you are particularly grateful.

Take time to thank God for each member of your family and pick at least one from your list to whom you can express gratitude today, either in person, by phone, or other means.  Do not confine your thankfulness only to those who are easy to love or to communicate with, and do not have unrealistic expectations of their response to you.

Thanksgiving Day 2

I hope you enjoyed reading through Colossians!  I'm feeling more thankful already!  As my family crawls through the attic to bring down our Christmas decorations, I'm hiding so I can post day two for you!

Day 2

Take time to identify the specific benefits you have received from God and others.  List the material and spiritual benefits you have received.  Make a list of these blessings and thank God for each item on the list.

Read Ephesians 1 to remind you of some spiritual blessings.

Giving Thanks

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.  Psalm 68:19

Happy Thanksgiving!

When I hear those words, I immediately conjure up images of turkeys, pies, and potatoes. I wish my first thoughts were thankful ones.  Instead, it's all about the food.  It's about food just as Christmas is about presents. 

One year I tried to buck the system.  I was in my late college years, very idealistic and trying to change the world.  I arrived home for Thanksgiving break with a radical offer. 

"How about we fast on Thanksgiving day and send the money we would have spent to a missions work?" I eagerly spouted.

Silence.  A few eyes rolled.

It was too much.  I can't remember the outcome of the day.  I believe we skipped breakfast...but we certainly didn't spend the day hungry.  I understand now, everyone anticipated the traditional meal and my crazy idea a few days before the big holiday was too much. 


Over a decade later, I wish I could do something to make our Thanksgiving day more than a blur of baking and pigging out.  The gorging is the appropriate grand opening for the Christmas season, which has become it's own gorging of sorts.  Tragedy.

Raising five children has made the burden weigh heavily on my heart.  I grasp at any idea to make our holidays more...serene...family focused...Christ-centered.

I would love your ideas--what does your family do to make Thanksgiving special? 

Here's one idea I got from church last night, I believe it's a perfect opener to Advent: 
A week of Thanksgiving

Day 1
Read the book of Colossians (Everett gasped when we told him to read an ENTIRE book of the Bible, but don't fret, it's only four chapters!).  Colossians has at least one reference to thankfulness in each chapter.  Jot down thoughts that relate to thankfulness.  Pay close attention to: 

1:3  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light

2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving

3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving


 

Unlikely Activists

I met a sweet group of believers last spring.

I had known about this tight knit church since last November.  They sent blankets all monogrammed with the church's name and the words, "Jesus loves you."  Each time I handled one of the their blankets I wondered about the people who would take so much time to stitch each blanket.  I got to meet them personally one Sunday night.  They had a service set aside to hear about the trip and the blankets.  It always feels good to me to personally thank a group who worked for the children.

This church, off a country road at the edge of a small town, has been so touched by the plight of the children.  They made blankets but wanted to do more.  An unlikely group of activists, the grandmother of one of our team members decided to organize a "Songfest" to benefit Kind Hearts School.  She invited local musicians for a night of worship.  I found myself, again, welcomed into this small church.

Standing before the crowded pews, I shared the story of the children in Ethiopia.  I poured out my heart, trying to explain that these buildings are more than just a school.  The children who beg and wander the streets are numerous.  They are naked, hungry, and hopeless.  Halfway through the night, the church took up an offering.  That little church on the dead end street at the edge of a small town gave sacrificially.  They generously bought t-shirts and magazine bead jewelry.  At the end of the night, over $1000 had been donated to Kind Hearts school fund.  An unlikely group of people reached across the ocean to pour out Christ's love on children they have never met.

Awesome.

Discouragement

In Ethiopia I got sick.  I was worse than I wanted to admit. My pride kept me from swallowing the magical Cipro that would eventually make me feel better. Half-way into the week with sleepless nights and an upset belly, my attitude started to change. Little whispers of doubt floated past my ears.

I felt inadequate because I couldn't speak Amharic or Oromiffa. I felt inadequate because there are so many children who clamor for attention and goodies. Even with a 10 day trip, there is never enough time. I allowed the doubts to linger too long. They didn't float anymore, but settled near me. I was ill, missed my family, and doubted my purpose on this trip.

"What are you doing here?"

I felt selfish in being there. The sacrifice of time and money for me to be in Ethiopia weighed heavily on my heart. I was standing on the property at Trees of Glory looking out over the buildings and into the valley where the stream runs. I felt discouraged and alone.  Glancing over to my right was one of the Hopechest staff members, Alex. Over the past two years I have come to admire him and enjoy the time that we have with him. He was walking towards me, smiling, and directed my eyes to the swarm of excited children playing soccer.

"They love when you come. Just a few weeks ago the new children couldn't even tell us their names. They were scared, but when you all visit they open up. Only a few days and look at how happy they are.  Your work here is so good." His words were a balm to my soul.

My discouragement? Not from God. Going to Ethiopia? Not selfish.

The two of us stood there smiling.  Alex, because he is usually smiling, and me, because God had seen my spirit flounder and sent a kind word of encouragement.

Obedience

She had a winsome smile as she handed me a large white envelope. A scribbled note on the back read, "Apryl do not open until later." I thanked her and answered a few questions about our upcoming trip, then slid the envelope into my Bible.

A believer listening to the quiet voice of the Lord.

When I opened it later, it was full of twenty dollar bills. Just enough to pay for another piece of luggage, if we need it. This envelope seems mysterious to me, as by my count we have the luggage 'taken care of' and all 500 blankets will arrive in Ethiopia.

It was an unexpected gift. The week before another woman chased me down, because she didn't know how to spell my last name. "God laid it on my heart to give you this. When I heard you say that the blankets were all taken care of, I decided you didn't need it. But I couldn't shake the feeling that the Lord wanted me to give this to you. So, I'm writing this check, use it for luggage, for food, for whatever. I have to give it to you."

Another woman I have only just met, listening to the quiet voice of the Lord.

I saw the Lord's hand in this, but didn't expect that he would bring another woman to quickly hand me this envelope. I can only wonder what needs we may see in two weeks that will be met by this gift of obedience.

Lessons from the Ten Year Old

When Everett was five years old, long before we ever talked about adopting from Ethiopia, he confidently told us that he was going to be a missionary to Africa. He never said he wanted to be a missionary, he said he was going to be a missionary. For the past five years, he's continued to say, "When I'm in Africa..."

I never expected my five year old to declare that he did indeed know what he was supposed to do with his life. I watch this oldest child for indicators that he will grow up to be a missionary. I watch from afar and hope to see some sacrificial behaviors or maturity beyond his years.

But he's TEN. He loves Lego's and reading fiction. He sword fights in the backyard and pretends to be mortally wounded as the dog bounces on top of him. He reads his Bible every morning, but an hour later is yelling at his sister for using his mechanical pencil. He is TEN.

It's so hard to remember that he's got incredible aspirations and hopes, but he's still just a little boy. Yesterday, we had a very busy day. Classes for three hours with our home school co-op, then a fall party that I had to help coordinate. Following the party things had to go without incident in order for us to make it to the missions conference after dinner. The kids left the party with Seth and I had to stay to clean up. On my way out, so far without incident, Seth called. Sally had zipped her belly into the skirt she was putting on. I could hear shrill screaming in the background. Seth, trying to get dinner for the kids, was a wee bit frantic. I told him that he just had to pull it off, or Google a solution. Thirty minutes later, I show up at the house with less than two minutes to grab dinner and get into the van so we could make it to church. I was greeted by Sally, in panties, at the table eating. She looks at me and starts sobbing. Tenderly, she lifts her shirt. She's got a ragged square of skirt and zipper hanging off of her belly.

Okay. This is so something I would do, like crazy. Not at all what I expected to see when I got home. Seth, looking rather sheepish, shrugged and said, "I felt too bad to do anything but cut the weight of the skirt off of her. Then I gave her dinner and decided to wait for you."

So we decided that we weren't going to make it to the missions conference. I heated my dinner up. We told the kids to just go ahead and put on their jammies. Everett, already wearing his coat with his Bible in hand, couldn't believe what we were saying. He stepped into the hallway and looked back with tears in his eyes.

Wait, is this what I've been looking for? These signs that our child really does care about things beyond fun times? He's visibly upset about not attending church...on a Friday night? Tears make their way down his cheeks and he solemnly looks at Seth and I.

"I'm just very sad about missing the missionaries tonight."

Severely chastised, Seth grabbed his coat and the keys and took both boys while I stayed behind to...deal with the zipper. A few hours later three very happy guys return. A Haitian pastor had preached, a Filipino couple had sang with such passion many were moved to tears, and a family from Spain had presented a video of their work.

"Mom, it was the best night ever. I'm sorry you missed it."

And he's only ten.