by Lisa Steele
FLM Executive Director

En Español

Experts tell us that there are 10 things every child needs to survive and thrive: interaction, loving touches, stable relationships, a safe and healthy environment, self-esteem, quality childcare, communication, play, music, and reading.

As Christians, we know that we must have Christ at the center of all of the above. For many years we have provided these needs for the children under our care at our Por Los Niños residential homes in Catacamas. We have provided loving, Christian caregivers in a nurturing, safe, and caring environment for many vulnerable, abandoned, or orphaned children. Studies have shown that residential home care is far superior to the older standard of “orphanages”. But we also know that placing a child in a home with a loving family is superior to residential home living, if done properly. When possible, we are trying to reintegrate families after months, or even years, of training, home visits with family members, and looking at needed resources.  For those children who are able to be reunited with family, or who are old enough to leave our village, we provide monthly follow-up care with our social worker and psychologist to stay true to our mission to “partner with God and set the lonely in families”.  (Psalm 68:6)

 

This past year we began our Foster Care Program in conjunction with Honduras Children’s Services. This was an arduous process, but has already reaped great benefits for the five children we have placed. Through local churches we interview potential foster families who then must undergo a strict training and certification program. Once graduated, the families are eligible to welcome a child five years or younger into their home. When I visited Honduras in January, I had the privilege to meet with two of our foster families and the children who are under their care along with our Director of Holistic Care, Karla Ponce, and our Psychologist, Kerin Acosta.

Both children were obviously well-cared for and definitely loved! It was beautiful to see the interactions between the foster parents and the child. Both homes were a safe and healthy environment for the children where they are  lovingly cared for. The lives of these children are changed forever.

In the coming months, I will be sharing more ways we are growing and providing loving, Christian homes for the children in Catacamas.  God is expanding our reach and showing us ways we can show His love and care for more vulnerable children and families in Honduras. Whether it is through our existing residential care, our Christian Bilingual School that is open to the community, our Cultural Arts program for children, building safe homes in our “Building Dreams/Construyendo Sueños program, foster care, or family preservation workshops, we see God’s Hand each step of the way as we dig deep and are “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season.” (Psalm 1:3)

Please keep the children, staff, board of directors, and the community of Catacamas in your prayers.  And prayerfully consider how you can serve with us in the coming months as we continue to grow and thrive.