Cruz de Chatarra

Any and Nohemy posing for the camera with the statue at the Cruz de Chatarra.

The spring break groups have started. Sunday we headed to the Cruz de Chatarra with all of the casa kids to worship with the group. It was great to actually have worship in english.

Although I don't think some of us were prepared for as windy as it was.

praying hands

Thanks to Angie Husband's preschool class for praying for all of us at CASA!!!! We hung up all of the praying hands to remind us that we are covered in prayer!

Thanks Angie!!!!

happy happy birthday

Happy happy birthday to Josue and Any!

They both turned four this weekend. Any turned four on Friday and Josue on Saturday. Any looks more like a 2 year old and Josue more like a 3 year old. Hard to believe that they really are 4.

Chicken Soup

Ready to be washed and cut.

Reina, Doris and Josue even helped clean the chickens. After we put them in hot water they helped pull the feathers out.

Denis even brought his wife over to help.

We got chickens for the kids to take care of about two years ago. They were little tiny chickens and hadn't even started laying eggs yet. The kids waited and waited for them to start laying eggs. Finally months later they started to lay eggs. We have been eating off of their eggs the past two years. Well over the last couple of months a few of the chickens and the rooster have died. Also they have started only putting about 8 eggs or so a day. We use to get around 30 a day.

The chickens are old and tired of laying eggs. So we decided it was time for a new set of chickens to start the process all over again. So we decided we were going to kill all of the chickens and eat them. Only one small problem, no one wanted to kill them.

Well yesterday morning the staff were discussing who were going to kill the chickens. No one wanted to. Denis said his wife would and he would go to the house and get her. Well in the time he went to get her Dorian caught wind that no one wanted to kill the chickens. He was on his way out the gate to go to town but he said he would quickly kill them all. So all 25 of them were killed with a quick snap of the neck in a matter of 5 minutes.

Reina, Denis, and Josue started gathering all of the chickens to start cleaning them. It took all morning to clean them.

Elvia was in the kitchen doing the dirty work. She was opening and gutting the chickens. All but three of them got done yesterday. This morning Elvia and Antonio are finishing gutting the last three while Dilcia works on cooking a big pot of chicken soup for the kids for lunch.

We are hoping they will all still want to eat the chickens. The kids knowing that these were the chickens they use to take care aren't doing so well with the fact that we are going to eat them.

We shall we when everyone gets home from school how many of them do eat their chicken soup.

As for now the kids get to rest a couple of days from taking care of chickens. The new ones should be here soon.

Preschool

Yair is unsure of his first day at preschool.

Here is the preschool gang!!!!

Doris, Any, Josue, Cris, Reina, Nicole, Yair and Halle!

Nicole has started doing preschool with several of the kids here now that school has started for the rest of the kids. She has Any, Yair, Cris, Josue and Halle (her daughter), Reina, and Doris. Reina and Doris do different homework but they are just as excited to be in preschool with the rest of the kids. Doris was making no progress in school or Teleton. She no longer doing either of them any more. She is approaching 15 years old. I think she would be the oldest there at the grade school. We decided not to send Reina to school this year because it a lot of work and stress on the staff when it comes to homework and she really doesn't understand what she is going and gets stressed a lot. She never really could do her homework and a lot of times it was the adults spending hours upon hours of doing homework with her. So she is still getting homework from Nicole but things she will be able to do with little to no help.

Jan 2012 Update

January 2012

The kids enjoyed their last full month of being on break from school. Mid-February they return to classes. Which means we are back to early mornings and afternoons doing homework. The staff have survived the three month summer break of having all the kids at home every day. The staff are so ready for the kids to be back in
school and most of the children are ready to go back too. There is a lot of work getting 15 kids ready for a new year here in Honduras. We have to get them registered and get their uniforms and book bags ready. Most of the kids are all beaming with excitement and ready to get to school. There are a few who are a bit nervious. We have two who are going to be in high school this year. It is new for them (and us) and they are quite nervous. I know with out a shadow of a doubt they will do just fine.

While we were in the states Casa took in three new children. Two twins; brothers Olman and Josue. They are two months old. Korbin is only a few days older than they are. They came here itty bitty and weak. They are slowly growing and getting their strength. They still have a long ways to go yet so please remember them in your prayers. We also a little boy named Cris that has came here to live. He is 4 years old and a sweet little ornery kid. Chris had a hard
time adjusting at first but he seems to be doing better now with learning the rules and schedule and adusting.

Korbin turned two months old! He continues to do well, he has out grown his preemie clothes and and is up to 9 lbs now. He is such a gift to us. After many tests and Dr. appointments we are finding out what a real miracle Korbin is to us.

While in the states I had to have a bone marrow test to get further results on my blood issues. For now it seems that I will just have to be on blood thinners and monitor my clotting weekly. There comes a lot of anxiousness as I am on Coumadin for life and getting my INR levels to be theraputic. Although God is bigger than all of this and HE will take care of me.

We made our way back to Honduras the 30th of January. We didn't tell any of the staff or kids we were coming back yet and they were all so surprised to see us.

Please pray that Dorian and I will be used by our Father to bring glory to Him in all we do.

Blessings~

Dorian, Karen and Korbin Guido

Kari Jobe

"Here"

Written By: Kari Jobe

“God, I’m broken. I feel lost and helpless. My heart God, my heart hurts and I don’t understand where you are or what you’re doing. Help Me.”

This song “Here” was written out of a broken place. Have you ever gotten news in your life where you felt shattered? You felt shaken up? A shaking not of your faith in God, but a shaking of everything you thought you knew to be true in your life. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s unknown. This is a time that the only thing you know to do is fall to your knees and cry out to God for help.

Psalm 46:1-7 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge… Be still and know that He is God.”

Let Him be an anchor for your soul. A gravity that pulls you back and pulls you into a place to comfort you. To strengthen you. To sustain you. He is a refuge in the midst of the storm. He cares for you. There will be things in our lives that we walk through that are hard. But His grace will get you through. Just breathe in His presence and keep moving forward. We hold onto the promises of God and we will make it through the hard moments and have a stronger testimony and a deeper faith in our God. Don’t stay shattered but let God’s grace flood your heart and give you peace. You will find Him here.

Write down some moments where you experienced hard moments but you know God’s grace and strength helped you through.

~Kari Jobe

Fearless

Katy

Out of all of our kids Katy knows no fear! She can climb the highest tree, get on top of the biggest dog (that she doesn't even know), jump all around from one thing to another and on and on goes the list, you get the idea. Well earlier this week she was outside rollerblading and she grabbed on to the back of one of the bikes the Antonio was riding and starting yelling faster, faster. Well before long she fell and skinned/burned her arm on the bike tire. We saw her skin has been rubbed off but didn't think much of it, with 24 kids we can't go running to the hospital for everything.

Well last night at shower time she couldn't get her shirt off because her shirt was stuck to her skin. Dilma cleaned it up and put iodine on it and dressed it. We talked and decided this afternoon I would take her to the Dr. to see if I could get some cream or something to put on it. Well this morning when Terri was changing the dressing it was stuck to her skin once again and had to pull it off. Then she started bleeding and bleeding and bleeding. Terri had to hold pressure on it to get it to stop bleeding.

Terri and I decided that we needed to get her to the Dr. sooner than later. So I dropped the kids off at school and then we to the local hospital her to have her checked out. They told me they would need to keep her overnight and hopefully would be able to come home Saturday morning.

First of all in the hospital we can not have phones. So I could not call anyone to tell them they were going to keep Katy. Katy was a little worried and was having a hard time understanding she was going to spend the night in the hospital. She started to get a little teary eyed. After getting her all checked in I told her I needed to go get her some things and check on Korbin and I would be back later with some stuff to give to her.

When I returned to the hospital I found her with three puzzles she was putting together and some toys on her bed. She was loving it!!! I had packed a bag for her with snacks, slippers, unos cards, coloring sheets and personal items. She told me she thought she could stay there for a week! She is keeping the nurses on their toes as she quickly disappears from her bed and wonders the hall to the playroom to find more toys. Also I think she has made friends with all of the nurses/cleaning ladies and told them all sort of stories!

This evening one of our staff is staying the night with her. Let's hope she gets better soon and she gets to come back home tomorrow.

Back to school they go......

Brayan and Pamela

They both have orientation all week. This year they are at the high school/ middle school. It is a big change for both of them. They are a little nervous about all the new surroundings this year but they will do just fine. Monday they start their first day of class.

Adonis (2nd grade)

He is super excited to be in school this year. He came to live here at Casa last March, but because of behavior problems we decided we would wait til this year to but him into school. So he is super excited to be in school after waiting all last year. Also today is Adonis's birthday! He turned 9 years old!!!

13 kids in 1st thru 6th grade. There was a lot of excitement for all of them today as they headed back to school today.

Lupe (1st grade)

Preschool ~ Josue, Any

Homeschool ~ Reina

Kinder ~ Cris

1st grade ~ Lupe and Maryuri

2nd grade ~ Adonis and Nohemy

3rd grade ~ Sisi and Katy

4th grade ~ Ana, Jose, Daniela, Fernando, Cindy and Rosy

5th grade ~ Jackson

6th grade ~ Antonio

7th grade ~ Bryan and Pamela

It is always good to get them back to school after a long summer break but there is always a lot of responsibility that comes with them back in school. Early morning and long afternoons of homework. Lots of school meetings! Here is hoping that 2012 is one of the best school years yet. Hoping that they will not miss too many days of school as they have in the years past.

PJ's

Bryan

Every year the kids usually get a new pair of pj's from grandma Joyce (Joyce Foreman). The kids love love love their new pj's!!! They usually have their pair from the year before worn out by the time the new pj's come around they are in need of the new pj's. Especially the boys who are a little bit harder on their pj's and seem to wear holes in their knees of their pj's, I know that seems hard to believe.

Thank you thank you thank you grandma Joyce for the new pj's. The kids love them!!!!!

Jackson

Doris

Ana

Reina

Cindy was so excited about getting her picture taken with her new pj's that she put them on before she even took her shower. She wanted to make sure I got a picture of her in them for Grandma Joyce.

Fernando

Nohemy

Maryuri nd Katy came to the apartment this evening making sure that I took a picture of them to send to grandma Joyce.

adjustments

Josue

Olman

Our house parent, Mirian has lots of adjusting to do. Although she is doing wonderful with the 5 new kids that she has taken into her house. I thought with her taking all of these new kids she would be super stressed and ready to run far away maybe when I got back from the states. Although she is getting help from others and seems to be doing really well with the change. Continue to keep her and the new kids in your prayers as they all continue to adjust.

Babies

Little did I know Korbin would be the big baby at Casa. While we were in the states twin brothers were taken here at Casa. They are tiny. One is as little as when Korbin was born, around 4lbs. The only thing is they are two months old and so is Korbin but they are still struggling to gain weight. Their birthday is the 25th of November and Korbin's is the 21st of November. Four days apart but they look a couple months apart comparing their size.

Today I had to go over to the other house to talk to one of the staff and I had Korbin with me so we decided to take a picture of all three of them together.

Here is Josue, Korbin and Olman

In awe...

About two years ago we started trying to get pregnany and start our family. Well we quickly found out it was not going to come so easy. I had been told in the past by my Dr. that I might have trouble getting pregnant due to having polycystic syndrome.

Dorian and I both have a love for children. This was truly our hearts desire to have children. We began to pray and pray and ask God to bless my body and give us a child. After a year went by we got very down and out and frustrated. Wondering if this was even ever going to happen. We finally searched out for help with fertility drugs. We tried several options with no avail. Finally we tried a different one where we would take a series of injections.

After two years of trying we finally were expecting in April 2011 . It felt so unreal. After waiting two years which seemed like eternity. I clearly remember the nights we would lay in bed and pray and pray to God for our child. At times I thought he wasn't listening. It became hard on me and I began to those faith. It hurt deep down in places thinking that I would never birth a child. Although once again I have to remember God had things planned and in his perfect timing, not ours.

I am coming to find our baby boy is truly a miracle baby. We had so many odds against us but we had one bigger than all of those odds on our side too....GOD.

I had a near to perfect pregnancy! Just felt great all of the way around. Korbin was to be born around December 31st. Just in time to ring in the new year. Well things turned out a little different. He made his way into the world November 21st, 2011 . We were suppose to fly home the 22nd. We thought 6 weeks before we as due was plenty of time, well we sure were wrong. My Dr. was even shocked to see that Korbin made his way onto the world so soon.

Soon after Korbin was born I developed a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis. We got back to the states to have further testing only to find out I have Factor V Leiden. Women with this disorder usually have many miscarriages and it is very hard to carry the baby to term alive. We were even more humbled how God had his hand in all of this. Well now we came to find out I have a heart shaped uterus. Even more odds against us. Our GOD truly is amazing and so ever faithful. He is bigger than anything!! Nothing with him is impossible. We are so ever grateful for Korbin our miracle baby. I am just reminded when we call on Jesus and believe all things are possible!

Don't stop believing! He will carry you through! Call on Him and give him the desires of your heart and believe that whole heartily, but you must remember it is in His timing not ours.

Hungry

I Am Hunger

read›
Lamentations 2:18-20
Lift up your hands to Him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in
every street they are faint with hunger (v.19).

In a previous article, I wrote about four severely
malnourished siblings that I have been daily feeding.
The children—Joshua, Mirika, Ashaba, Katseme—
look drastically different now that they’ve been receiving
nutritious food on a regular basis. Their stomachs are no
longer bloated and their skin is no longer covered with
sores. And their hair is no longer falling out in patches.
Often, I think back to the unusual way I first met the
children. The oldest, Joshua, was caught stealing food in
my house. When I asked him why he chose to steal rather
than ask me for food, he replied, “Because I am hunger.”
Lamentations 4:9 claims, “Those killed by the sword
are better off than those who die of hunger.” If being
stabbed is a more pleasant way to pass on than starving
to death, it’s no wonder hunger drove Joshua to steal.
Intense hunger depletes a person’s strength (Job
18:12). It causes children to faint (Job 17:5; Lamentations
2:19), and causes the lowly of society to scrounge for
food in desolate places (Job 30:3).

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO), “The new estimate of the
number of people who [suffered] chronic hunger [in 2011]
is 925 million.” Our God is a God who surely desires
that these hunger statistics improve. Just as He “satisfied
[the Israelites’] hunger” by providing meat and manna in
the wilderness (Psalm 105:40), God longs to open His
hand and “satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing” today (145:16).
Let’s join Him by praying earnestly for the millions of starving people around
the world, and by seeking tangible ways to help “satisfy the hunger” of His
“treasured ones” (17:14).

Love

I'm sorry for passing judgement instead of extending LOVE.

I think we all need to try a little harder at extending our arms wide open with love.

Keeping the evil one away

There is power in HIS word! We must be on guard and ready for the attacks the evil one will throw our way.
Satan is always looking for His next chance to tempt us (1 Peter
5:8). That’s why we need to guard against weakness and isolation through
accountability with fellow believers. We can also memorize Scripture that will
help us face and defeat temptation. Then we’ll be equipped to resist the devil
and send him packing (James 4:7).

Martín Luther King Day

Enemies

read›
Matthew 5:38-47
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the
children of God (v.9).

I am forced to preach under something of a handicap
this morning,” said Dr. Martin Luther King on a
November day in 1957. His physician had instructed
him to stay in bed, but King insisted on speaking.
Paraphrasing the words of Jesus, he declared to
the congregation at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in
Montgomery, Alabama: “You have heard that it has
been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine
enemy.’ But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven”
(see Matthew 5:43-45).

As an African-American living in the southern United
States, which was stained with the sin of racism, Dr. King
preached under an even more virulent handicap that gave
his words all the more validity. “How do you go about
loving your enemies?” he asked. “Begin with yourself.
There might be something within you that arouses the
tragic hate response in the other individual . . . When the
opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy,
that is the time which you must not do it.”

As we consider our enemies and the animosity we
harbor toward them, we’re wise to remember that we
were once enemies of God! (See Romans 5:10.) But now,
as we have believed in Him, “our Lord Jesus Christ has
made us friends of God” (v.11). We now have the “task of reconciling people
to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:18). That’s why God tells us not to avenge ourselves,
but rather leave it to God who says, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back”
(Romans 12:19).

The way to defeat our enemies is to show them the astonishing, Spirit-filled
love of God.

Grateful

There is no luck in my life. I am just BLESSED!!

Thank you again to all of you who have prayed for us through my health issues and Korbin's birth. We are blessed to have such great and caring people in our lives. The encouragement is what keeps us going. Satan so easily would like to steal our joy. Which is easy to do when we loose our focus. I pray that this year is a year that our focus is totally and completely on HIM.

Dec. 2011 Update

December 2011

Happy New Year to all!!!! Hope that you all had a great New Year's Celebration and Christmas. Hope it was full of making new memories and spending time with friends and family.

We made it back here to the states to celebrate Christmas with my family. I think everyone was a little bit more excited about spending time with and celebrating the birth of Korbin.

Korbin is thriving and doing wonderful. As for me we are still working on blood tests and Dr. visits to see what we can find out. Hope to get some answers and determine if any treatment is needed.

To start the month off we had an appointment with the American Embassy the 1st of December to apply for Korbin's U.S. citizenship and his passport. We got all of the papers completed and handed in the same day and even got his passport the same day. Which was a miracle in it's self.

Upon arriving here to the states Korbin and I both have had Dr. appointments. Thank you so much to all who continue to remember us in prayer. Korbin has a clear bill of health but Dr.'s recommend I continue to get health treatment and testing done here before returning to Honduras.

Many of you might remember me talking about two little kids named Any(Annie) and Yair a few months back. They were only with us at Casa for a short period of time. The judge made a ruling for us to return the kids to their mother. Well that did not last long at all. They were soon put back in the system at IHNFA (children's services). We have been waiting for about two months for them to do a full investigation and get their paper work done to get them back to CASA.

Well right before Christmas they were given back to us. So we went from 19 kids to 21 kids. Pray for them and their adjustment, the other children as they adjust to new kids in the house and the staff especially their Tia Mirian who will be taking care of them full time.

This year we had one child in kindergarten, Guadalupe. She graduated the first week in December and will be going on to first grade in February. The kids continue to be on their "summer break". Enjoying all of their extra free time. February and the start of a new school year will be here before we know it. Although not too sure it can come fast enough for the staff that is with them 24/7 right now!

Thank you again for all of the prayers and encouragement for Korbin, Dorian and me during this last couple of months. Wishing you an abundant of blessing in 2012!!!!

Blessings~

Dorian, Karen & Korbin Guido

Resolutions

I never have been one for resolutions but here are a few things to think about. Hope you are challenged to make a difference and step out of your comfort zone be HIS hands and feet to those around you. Don't wait till next year start NOW!!!! 2012 just might be the year for changes.

Shane Claiborne's 12 Resolutions (Hopes) for 2012

12. Do something really nice – that no one knows about.

11. Spend more money on other people than I spend on my self. Love my neighbor as I love myself. And love myself as I love my neighbor.

10. Laugh often… especially at advertisements that try to convince me that I must buy more stuff in order to be happy.

9. Learn a new life skill – like carpentry, pottery, or canning vegetables. Teach someone else 1 life skill I know how to do.

8. Love a few people well, remembering that what is important is not how much we do but how much love we put into doing it.

7. Write a letter to someone I need to say thank you to. Write another letter to someone I need to ask to forgive me.

6. Track down a critic or someone I disagree with and take them to lunch. Listen to them.

5. Compliment someone I have a hard time complimenting… and mean it.

4. Choose life. Do something regularly to interrupt the patterns of injustice – do something to end violence, bullying, war, capital punishment and other mean and ugly things.

3. Pause before every crisis and ask “will this matter in 5 years?”

2. Get outside often and marvel at things like fireflies and shooting stars. And regularly get my hands into the garden… so when I type on the computer I can see dirt under my fingernails.

1. Believe in miracles. And live in a way that might necessitate one.

---
Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way and author of books including The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President.

Birthday's

A little behind with the Casa birthday's.

Doris & Guadalupe had a birthday Dec. 12th!!! Doris turned 14 years old and Guadalupe turned 7 years old.

Jose had a birthday Dec. 26th and he turned 10 years old.

Ana's birthday is today Jan. 4th and she turns 11 years old.

Then Jackson's birthday Jan. 11th and he turns 10 years old.

Have been horrible at blogging lately but hope to get back on track real soon. Here is hoping that 2012 is a better year of blogging for me.

happy new year!!!!

Happy New Year to all! Hoping that 2012 is a blessing for all. Excited to see the ways God continues to move and work in our lives!! We are so blessed to being doing what we do. So unworthy to be chosen to do the work we do but are grateful for the opportunity placed before us.

May 2102 be a year we get all are challenged to get out of our comfort zones and do something about those hurting around you. Be HIS hands and feet!!!!!

November Update 2011

November 2011

Started off the month refreshed as I started the month off ending the
Women of Purpose Retreat. It was a huge blessing to so many of us
missionaries. The ladies that came to put on the Women of Purpose
retreat are some dear sweet women who have helped me in my walk and
encouraged me along the way. They gave me a small baby shower for
Korbin before heading back to the states. It was a blessing to get a
few things for Korbin.

The kids finished up their exams. They finished up the school year and
now are on their summer break. It is always challenging trying to find
enough to keep 19 kids busy when they are on their break. I was only
there working with them for one week on their break. Please be praying
for all of those caring for the children right now. It is always long
long days and with 19 kids their is always some sort of

adventure.Usually never a dull moment.

Our state run license (IHNFA) expired and we have been busy completing
and turning all of paper work that has to be done to renew our
license. Upon completion of our paper work we were waiting on our
yearly inspection. Well sure enough IHNFA showed up to do their
supervision on the home. This is a huge relief to have that done
before I went back to the states. Now we are just waiting on our
actual license to be done and handed to us. Things move at such a slow
rate in Honduras. We have learned lots of patience as it always seems
to be a waiting game.

We were surprised as Korbin made his way into the world 6 weeks early.
He was born November 21st, 2011 @ 10:46am, he was 4lbs & 8oz & 18.6
inches. I experienced contractions all weekend long and went to the
Dr. the 21st Monday to see if I was still ok to fly the 22nd Tuesday
to come back to the states. Wasn't sure if I was having braxton hicks
or if I was really going into labor. The Dr. quickly informed us that
he was going to have to do an emergency c-section. The baby was breech
and I was quickly progressing as I was already dilated to 7 upon
arriving at the Dr.'s office. We got to come home thanksgiving day.
Upon arriving at home we had to keep Korbin warm as he was unable to
regulate his heat yet and we had to feed him with droppers or a
syringe. Quickly we worked his way up to drinking out of a bottle. I
experienced pain in my lower left leg after coming home from the
hospital. Thought it was a pulled muscle or something but after a few
days the pain just got worse. So went to get a doppler ultrasound done
and found out that I had Deep Vein Thrombosis. Between the c-section
and the DVT Dorian and my mom had to take turns taking care of Korbin
and me.
Thank you for all of your prayers for baby Korbin. Continue to keep
him in your prayers that he can grow and get stronger each and every
day and for me as there are tests being ran to further understand the
blood clot.

Blessings,

Dorian, Karen and & Korbin Guido

6th grade graduation

Today was 6th grade graduation. The first of many hopefully here at Casa. Pamela and Bryan are the first here at Casa to graduate from 6th grade. Graduating from 6th grade here in this country is huge. As many do not even complete 6th grade and many others graduate and then do not continue their education.

Proud of both Pamela and Bryan an this huge accomplishment!!!

They are both are already a little unsure about high school but I am sure they both will do just fine.

Pamela and Bryan signing the book from the school, making it official they are no longer 6th graders!

Bryan and Pamela

Korbin Xavier Guido

Korbin Xavier Guido

Korbin surprised us all and made his way into the world November 21st, 2011 at 10:46am.

He is slowly adapting as is mommy an daddy.

School is out............

Today was the first official day of the kids school "summer break". No more classes til Feb when they start the new school year. We still have 6th grade graduation, kindergarten graduation, report cards and end of the school year parties. Although as for now the kids have no more classes til next year. Today they started their out of school schedule. It is all about finding enough things to occupy their time and that are beneficial for them at the same time. Something for 19 kids to occupy their time is challenging at times. Giving them too much free time they just end of getting into more trouble.

October 2011 Update

October 2011

We started the month off by going to Nicaragua to visit with some of Dorian's family. His mom's birthday was Oct. 2nd! and she was thrilled to see us. It was a much overdue visit as It had been over a year since I had to been with Dorian to Nicaragua to visit his family. It was very HOT and my pregnant body actually did ok with all of the traveling and all of the heat.

Here in Honduras, we had almost two straight weeks of rain. The kids hardly had classes due to all of the rain. There was lots of damage done here in the south of Honduras. We just had very wet and muddy grounds and leaks but not too many problems for us here in Santa Ana.

Korbin continues to grow inside me. The month of October marked the 7 month mark. Time is quickly approaching for Korbin be here.

This month marks 5 years since Cindy, Maryrui, Katy, Reina, and Fernando have been here at CASA. It also marks 6 years since I moved here to Honduras. Crazy how time flies. The journey I have been on the last 6 years has taught me so much.

The last weekend of the month I got to spend with the Women of Purpose team from home. They came here last year for the first time to put on a retreat for all of us english speaking missionaries. It was a huge blessing as we made many new friends, new contacts, and just got to relax and spend the weekend speaking english . This year was not any different. It was a huge blessing!!!

Blessings~

Dorian and Karen Guido

Christmas

The Christmas tree is up. There are a few of the kids who have been asking me when we were going to put the tree up. Well yesterday the tree was put up. We usually put it up close to the 1st of Nov. A little late this year so a few of the kids got a little antsy. Rosy and Pamela helped put up the tree and did most of the work.

Now the kids are singing Christmas carols and asking how many more days til Christmas. And the countdown begins for the kids.

Women of Purpose...Revive

Sisterhood like we have never experienced. Women of Purpose came to Tegucigalpa this week to encourage the missionaries here. They loved up on us, pampered us, helped us do some heart searching, and we had some wonderful coveted time to spend alone with God. Many of us are so alone here, many communities are isolated but as we became one, we realize we are not alone and we can do this!!! Ezekiel 37, now these DRY Bones can live again! (as put in words from a friend of mine from the weekend)

It was super good for my hear to be around some people that are warriors and great strong christian examples.

Prayer Cluster!!!!!

Games

The other morning the kids all decided they were going to start the morning with being bored and complaining. So Dorian decided he was go to think of games for all of the kids to play. Sometimes it is hard to get all of the kids to cooperate and get them to focus on the game at hand and without fighting. Although they did pretty well except a few of the older ones got a little bit of competitiveness in them and were not very good at wanting to be patient with the younger ones.

Team number 1

Team number 2

Still waiting.....

We continue to wait for the paper work to be completed to take back Any and Yair into our home again. We do know they are at IHNFA again and we are just waiting for the paper work to get done. Since they were in the system such a short time the judge is asking for lots of paper work and a complete investigation in their case this time around. So it is taking a lot longer to get them back into our home. Marc is planning on taking the social worker Monday morning to help get some of the investigation done on their case. They government office for children services (IHNFA) has been on strike and in all sorts of problems. So they are telling me they do not know when they will get the case work done on these children as they do not have the government vehicles for transportation available to finish the investigation. So that is were we are going to try to help out and Marc is going to go with the social worker Monday morning and we will go from there.

These are the most recent pictures of Any and Yair. I snuck in to see them during nap time at IHNFA the other day. Praying soon they will be back into our home! Mirian and all of the kids are anxiously waiting their arrival back!

Chilly

I am finally enjoying some fall weather. The rain has stopped finally and we just have a few sprinkles here and there. I think everyone is much happier with it being cold than rainy.

The kids sure are much happier. They get to go outside now and jump, run, scream and just be kids and get all of their energy out. Also with the rain stopping the kids are back in classes. Only a few more weeks and they are out for the school year. Won't be much longer.

I know much of you are experiencing much colder temps. Although for Honduras it sure does get pretty cold and windy here at night. Usually in the low 50s every morning. Although the way some of the Honduran people bundle up you would be sure to think it was going to snow.

Thank you for all of the prayers for those who have been effected by the rains. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue to recover.

A ray of sunshine

The kids were finally able to get outside today and run, play, scream, yell, and be kids!!! They have not been outside since last week sometime. It looks like we might see the end of the rain, FINALLY!!! This afternoon they were outside from 3 til 5:30! Let's hope tomorrow there is even more sunshine!!! Because of all of the rain they kids have not had school. It is nice to have a break from homework with the kids but it is a headache some days to have 19 kids inside all day long. We are ready for them to get back on schedule. They are also anxious to get back to school and get outside and be able to play also.

Continue to say a prayer for many who have been effected and even though the rains have stopped there are many who have lost everything.

and the rain continues...

The rains continue to fall. We are now going on day number 5 of it raining here in Santa Ana. Last night as I tried to sleep I kept waking up as I heard the heavy rains beat down on our tin roof. There was even one point last night I woke Dorian up and said oh honey I feel so bad for these people that have water running through their houses and inches and inches of mud in their house.

Many have already lost their homes due to landslides and many are on the verge of losing their homes. Bridges, livestock, crops, homes, have been destroyed.

All despite all of the destruction many people continue to put their trust in God. Their faith is amazing!!!!

Took this little section below from another missionary living here in Honduras.....

"Many people have said that they haven’t seen flooding this bad since Hurricane Mitch destroyed southern Honduras in 1998. But despite all of the destruction, I have been encouraged and blessed today. The hope and trust of the people here is amazing. One sister told me today, “God is in control. He knows what he is doing. Sometimes God takes good things away from us, but he only does it to help us rely on him more. It’s a lesson. I know he will carry us through.”

Please say a prayer for all of those being affected by the rains.

rain, rain, and more rain

We have seen a lot of rain in the past two days. The kids have been inside for the most part the last two days. Heaven help us all..........19 kiddos inside all day!

It has been cold and dreary. I love the coolness as it makes me feel like I am tasting a little bit of fall in the air. Fall is by far my favorite time of year.

Although we hope to see a little bit of sun soon. It is hard to get all of the clothes washed and dried with little to no sun. As for now we are trying to stay dry and sane with a house full of 19 kiddos who are more than ready for some sunshine.

Sept. Update 2011

September 2011

We ended August with two new children here at Casa. After just a few weeks of being here, they were given back to their mother. It was very hard on all of us. We never know when any of the children under our care will go back to their families. We can only love on them and try to give them a better life while they are here at Casa. So we went through a period of adjustment when the two came to our family and now we are adjusting to being without them. It has really taken a toll on their house Mom Mirian. So for now we are back to 19 kiddos as part of our family. We are currently in process of getting new children from IHNFA again and that is a very long, strange process.

We are counting down the days until sweet Korbin is here. September finds us at 6 months and ready every day to welcome him here. The children eagerly await his coming also.

This month the children all celebrated children's day and independence day.
The children do love celebrations and costumes, etc. It gets kind of crazy with around twenty children to get ready for celebrations but they enjoy it so much. The children have just finished their thrid grading period and we are now in the home stretch. It won't be much longer til they are on their "summer break".

Dorian continues to work with his club nutrition and getting clients. It lets him make his own schedule. So it is super nice to have him around most of the time if I need something.

I want to apologize to many of you for late responses to emails and few updates on my blog. We have been without internet and continue to have problems. Hopefully we can get this fixed soon.

Blessings~
Dorian & Karen Guido

Visit to Nicaragua

Dorian with his sister, mom and some of his nephews.

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Nicaragua to visit Dorian's family. His moms birthday was Oct. 2nd so Dorian wanted to be there for that.

All of his family were very happy to see us. It has been over a year since I had been there so it was a long over due visit. I survived the heat!!! That is always one of my worries when we go there. Sometimes it is more than my body can take and with being pregnant I was not too sure how my body would handle it but I survived!

Happy Birthday Maria!!!!

Dorian and his momma

Snickers

Really I have not had too many cravings while I have been pregnant. I seem to have the same appetite.

Some days when Dorian is coming from town he will call and ask me what I would like him to pick up before he heads home. Well I guess I mentioned to him snickers a few times. Well one week he was at the grocery store and decided he was going to buy me a box of like 50 snickers!!! WOW!! That is way more chocolate than I need. I had the box of snickers for months. Although I started to realize that there were snickers that were missing..............

I went to make a flurry one evening and was going to use the snickers and found that there wasn't any left. I doubted that Dorian had ate them because he is not much for sweets. I asked him if he knew where the snickers were or who had ate them. He didn't seem to know anything and assured me that he had not touched them. Didn't really think much more about it.

Well the next morning Pamela meets me at the door of the girls bedroom when I go in to wake them up. She had found several wrappers under the girls bed and some in their book bags. Two of the girls had found out that there was a stash of snickers here in the apt and they stocked up.

Although they are paying for them now. They get an allowance of .50 every week if they are on good behavior. Well they snickers are a little over .50 here to buy so now with their allowance they are paying back all of the snickers they stole and ate. I think it is going to take them a good while to pay them all off.

Teleton

Yesterday two more of our kids started Teleton. There are several here with special needs and the school system here does not have any programs to help those with special needs.

We have have had Mayuri, Doris, and Reina in Teleton for a few years. Although as of yesterday Fernando and Guadalupe started classes. Fernando seems to get things confused when he reads and writes. He will be entering 4th grade next year and for his age he is behind on reading and writing. Guadalupe has speech problems. She is very hard to understand and has a hard time pronouncing words. So she will be with a speech therapist to hopefully help further her along.

We hope to see improvement with Fernando and Guadalupe as they start their classes in Teleton.

any y yair

It looks like Any and Yair will be coming back to CASA for sure. Last Friday when we were at visitation I went into the office (children's services) to see if they knew anything about Any or Yair. Well sure enough last week they were turned in to IHNFA and are back in the system. Now it is just a waiting game for us to see as to when we will get them back here at CASA. They are now working on new papers with the judges office to get them back into our home. There are so many kids who need help, you would think with us being willing to take them they would work a little faster to get them to us. So any day we should be getting a call and they will be back with our CASA family again. Who knows if that means tomorrow, next week or next month. You never know here with the way the system works here.

After going to the office I went to the house where they were staying to see them. Although they were both in nap time but I still managed to get a picture of them.

Any and Yair...back again?

When we take new kids in here at CASA we always know that there is a chance that they could be returned to their parents or be taken from us for any given reason at any given time. Although it doesn't stop us from investing and loving on them. It does hurt places deep down in us to have to let them go.

Many of you have read about Any and Yair. They were only with us a few short weeks when we were informed we had to return them to their mom per judges order. She had gotten paper work done and showed whatever to the judge it was that she needed to show to get the kids back in her care. It was a total shock to us the day she showed up at the gate and showed me the papers stating we had to give her kids back.

Well this past Monday I got a phone call from a shelter for teenage girls. They wanted to know if we were willing to take back Any and Yair. I guess their mom had showed up and was living at this shelter but the rule is no kids at the shelter. We told them that they need to go back through the judges office or IHNFA (childrens services) and give us a letter stating they were to come back to CASA to live.

One of our staff memebers also saw them this week begging on the side of the street under the hot sun with their mom. Any recongnized the staff memeber and began to yell for her and the mother ran away with the children.

It is just so sad to think of what they are going through. I just wish their mom could look to her children's well being instead of her being selfish and wanting her kids and then not being able to take care of them.

Supposably paper work is in progress again to send Any and Yair back here to CASA. Please be praying for these two little kids and that their mom can see past her selfishness to look for the good of her own kids and put them back in the system to give them a better life.

quote

It’s easy to learn facts. We know that eating too many cheeseburgers is
bad for our health, and we know that our failure to forgive is toxic for our soul.
The problem isn’t our knowing these facts, however; it’s the need for doing, for
action. —Winn Collier

Cake

Cindy and Maryuri with their birthday cake!!!!