Journey of Faith Karen and Mike Madsen in Honduras

Life at Orphanage Emmanuel Continues

7/20/2013

It is hard to believe we have only a week left on this trip to spend at Orphanage Emmanuel. Mike and I have been blessed by the children, the staff, the volunteers and the teams that come weekly. Each new aquaintance or friend has given what they can of themselves to enrich the lives of the children God has brought here. Each day begins and ends the same with the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening but each day also brings new challenges and roadblocks. No two days are ever the same and God is always here and always answers prayers. In His wisdom, he brings what the children need. We in our wisdom sometimes stand in the way and sometimes, when we let go of our pride, we are able to get out of the way and let God use us to provide what the children really need.

Sunset on my walk home after a group session with the teens in the Toddler House.

Cindy's new friend, Zoe, Mike's niece.

Mike and I were delighted to welcome Zoe to our home in Honduras last Sunday, July 14. She is Mike's 17 year old niece from Edmonton, Canada. Zoe is working in the Infant House and has already won the hearts of the babies, even my special Jefferson who has moved to the Toddler House though he is not quite 2 years old. Zoe has been practicing her Spanish with the teen moms and other volunteers. What a blessing it already has been to have Zoe with us this past week. Thanks, Amy Ogg, for sharing your daughter with us. Wish we could keep her.

Mi tres amigos!

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Daily Life at Emmanuel

7/7/2013

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Singing Happy Birthday to Suly (in the blue dress)at her 23rd birthday party. Suly lives in the infant house and works in the small boys house. She is junior staff and a good role model for the younger teen mothers in the infant house.

Lined up for school.

There are about 30 teens and young women who live and/or work in the infant and toddler houses combined. Some work in the store, kitchens, other houses or places throughout the orphanage. The school is in session from 8:30 until 11:30 then from 1:00 till 2:30. They do chores before school, during noon break and after school to help keep their houses in order. They are typical teens and young women who like to have fun and tease each
other.

Sunday Diner at the Madsen's Biscuits and meatloaf (recipe on the side)

I began facilitating psychoeducational groups this past week with 21 of the girls ranging in ages from 13 to 20+ Our first discussion was on self-esteem. Through an interpreter we talked about the value of positive self-esteem. In Genesis, God tells us that we were created in His image. In I Cor 6:19-20 Paul tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and "Therefore honor God with your body." We honor God when we take care of ourselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Exercise is one activity that can help elevate esteem and improve our physical wellbeing. God provided the opportunity for the girls to participate in a fun exercise session with a Zumba DVD in a box of Special K I bought in the Wal Mart in Tegucigalpa! Saturday's session was Zumba time.

Toddler House

Crock Pot Meatloaf
Ingredients:
3 pounds ground beef
4 cups bread crumbs
2 cups ketchup
    (substituted 14.5 oz diced tomatoes)
1 cup onion, chopped
4 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
16 slices American cheese, cut into strips
    (substituted 10 slices of cheddar cheese)
6 ounces tomato paste, canned
    (substituted 4 oz of ketchup)

Directions:
1. Make a liner out of foil for easy clean up.
2. Combine ingredients except cheese and tomato
     paste. Shape half of mixture into a loaf and
     place in the crock pot.
3. Arrange the cheese strips on the meat and top
     with remaining meat, pressing edges together
     to seal. Place in slow cooker.
4. Top with tomato paste. Cover; cook on Low 6-8
     hours or High 3-4 hours.

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Small But Mighty Team Arives From Georgia

6/21/2013

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Reverend Kathy Lamon preaching on Sunday with Francisco as her interpreter.

Sunday morning worship in the sanctuary.

A small team from Georgia arrived including several members of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. This week Dr. Tara and Dr. Frank tuned up the dental clinic where children received much needed dental care.

Hanging around on a Sunday afternoon

Francisco and the "some of the girls" from the Infant and Toddler Houses

Dr. Tara checking out everyone's smiles.

Reverend Kathy Lamon spoke at the Sunday and the Wednesday evening services. Worship begins with about 35-45 minutes of singing alternating between English and Spanish. The children raise the rafters in both languages.

The girls in the kitchen aim to please. A birthday cake for Rachel.

Tomorrow is Saturday and the team is leaving for home. It was great to have them here and we will be sad to see them go. Their help in the dental clinic, painting, worship and the many other things that may seem inconsequential have been greatly appreciated. They have been a blessing to us and to Orphanage Emmanuel. We are so honored to have been able to spend some time with them and wish them well as they journey home.

David thanking Charlie and Abby for their 3 years of service at Orphanage Emmanuel.

Also leaving on Saturday are Charlie and Abby Smith and their 2.5 children. They are returning to Texas after serving faithfully here in Honduras.

Prayer Requests: Safe travel and good health for the Team and the Smith family who are returning home this weekend.

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Infant House

6/15/2013

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In case you haven't guessed, my favorite place to be is at the Infant House. Brandy is in charge of the house, overseeing the care of 10 infants under the age of 3 and the moms and other older girls who help keep the house functioning smoothly around the clock.

I usually arrive between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM to help with breakfast. The babies have been up since 4:00 AM, are bathed and dressed, and waiting in their highchairs for breakfast.

Brandy and Lydia

Ready to say grace.

I can't decide who is my favorite!

This morning the babies had oatmeal with milk and Moon Pies. At snack time, Poppie brought by individual servings of Low Fat Granola. At lunch, the babies had Ramon Noodles and vegetables Tonight the babies had rice and vegetables with broth and Kool Aid.

The moms and staff eat the same thing as the babies except they get bigger bowls and larger servings. Tortias are served several times a week. The other volunteer and I made pancakes for the Moms this morning.

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Getting Settled Again

6/10/2013

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Monday, June 10
Our first week at Emmanuel has been a very busy one. A new team arrived on Thursday afternoon from Macon, GA. This is the same church that sent one last year while we were here so it has been good to renew aquaintances begun last June. The team is doing a variety of things: painting staff appartments, Kindermusic, laying lamenant flooring in the new boys house, preaching, singing, and most importantly, loving on the kids.

Deliveries for outlying town

Big Girl's Yard

We were moved to a different appartment on Friday. Views from our bedroom window facing west. This is the rainy season so the clouds are
low and come in daily, sometimes for a shower, a sprinkle or a pour. But the son never fails to brighten each day with a few bright rays.Horses, cows, dogs, roosters, geckos, and woodpecker sounds mix with the music and voices wafting through the always open windows. Guiamaca is just outside the gates between here and the main road to Tecgucigalpa.

New House, New floor

Medium girls House

New Boys House

Having fun at the Infant House

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Great Landing---Drop and Stop

6/8/2013

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Tegucigalpa, Honduras

June 3, 2013, Monday : Thanks to Ron and Betty Winkowski, we arrived at the Hartfield International Airport in plenty of time to have breakfast with the Hernandez family. Max and Katja are on staff at Orphanage Emmanuel. They were returning from a six week vacation to Denmark with their three children, Gabrial, Simon, and Esther. We were all met in the capital city of Tegucigalpa by the orphange van. After a stop at the tienda for a few groceries during a huge thunderstorm, we headed for Guiamaca with clothes a little wet, but not not our spirits. Catching up with friends is always exciting. We thank God for all our family and friends who have supported us in our efforts to make this trip a reality!

June 4, 2013, Tuesday: After a good night's sleep we enjoyed coffee with Max and Katja before getting to work. I spent the rest of the day today washing the kitchen, putting away the food, and setting up our living space. Organization is key to having time to spend doing the things we love. Mike began inspecting kitchens and bathrooms to make a list of repairs and other work that needs to be done. Mike attended the male staff and volunteer Bible Study tonight. We have not been able to access the internet. I visited Katja to send out a few messages of our safe arrival.

Max and Katja Hernandez leading Circle Time for the whole orphanage on Friday morning at 6:00 AM

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Forward>>

Life at Orphanage Emmanuel Continues

Daily Life at Emmanuel

Small But Mighty Team Arives From Georgia

Infant House

Getting Settled Again

Great Landing---Drop and Stop

Michael & Karen Madsen

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