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Healing Hearts

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Ina and Noel

There are so many meaningful reasons for being involved with Esperanza…for me, the most important one has been to help save (or change) a life. Yet there are numerous other reasons as well, and one which quickly comes to mind is the incredible people you meet along the way. Today I am thinking of Mrs. Ina Melen, an airline ambassador with American Airlines who generously volunteers her time transporting children for medical treatment, and over the past few years has become our admired friend.

Recently, I was scheduled to travel to Honduras to bring Noel to Boston for his annual cardiac evaluation. However, life took me on a different journey and I needed to be home with my family for a medical crisis. I quickly thought of Ina and hoped she would have the time to travel to Honduras to accompany Noel to Boston. I contacted Mrs. Margaret Whitehead (director of  American Airlines’ Children’s Escort Program), explained our situation and inquired about Ina’s availability. She quickly reassured me that there were many volunteers available, but when she confirmed Ina would be the one to help, I was immediately reassured.

I cannot adequately describe what is involved with Ina’s journey to assist with a child’s trip to the United States.  She is up at the crack of dawn to complete a round trip from Boston, MA to Tegucigalpa, Honduras….involving many hours, several connections and trips through Customs. It is never an easy process and there are always complications, yet Ina handles herself with grace and determination. The children in need are her motivation and we are her beneficiaries. We have always appreciated Ina’s service, but now in our time of special need, we realize her gift of  “healing hearts.”

Abuelo (a.k.a. Grandpa) to all

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Keyla celebrating “Abuelo’s” Birthday

Today we are mourning the death of Richard (“Dick”) Kimball,  Esperanza-Hope for the Children’s greatest financial supporter, and more importantly, “Abuelo” to all the children who entered his life over the years. Both Dick, and his wife Martha, have welcomed these children as part of their extended family. Their involvement has included hours of babysitting, visiting children at the hospital, celebrating holidays and birthdays (including one where Abuelo and 2 children danced together on the coffee table!). Children have loved staying over night at their homes in Lexington, MA and especially on Lake Champlain in Colchester, VT.  Our friends in Flores, Honduras have been holding him in their thoughts and prayers and we are grateful for their support.

He is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

-David Harkins

GOD BLESS YOU NOW AND FOREVER…DIOS LE BENDIGA AHORA Y PARA SIEMPRA

Painting Squares for Hope

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Checkout what Our Journey for Hope is up to! They’ll be in Lexington, MA this Saturday at Pilgrim Congregational Church (55 Coolidge Avenue) selling squares for people to paint and send their messages of hope.

They’re coming back!!!

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It’s official…their tickets are booked…Noel (10) and Astrid (7) will be returning to Concord, MA on June 14th and spending their summer vacation in the States. Special thanks to Charlie and Nancy Morrison for providing Astrid’s transportation so that she will have the opportunity for follow- up medical care at Shriners Hospital in Springfield. And thanks to many of you who have befriended them over the years and continue to be actively involved. Your relationships are so valuable, and are truly shaping their lives in a positive way.

Concord Journal Article On Honduras Prison Fire

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Concord Journal ArticleCheck out the Concord Journal’s article on the Honduras Prison fire with quotes from Emily. http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/x1640247871/Concord-residents-in-Honduras-during-prison-fire-tragedy?img=1#axzz1nVn9hQB1

What Is So Captivating?

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Honduran Rainbow

Often times I find myself in conversations about Honduras. People seem intrigued that we go “there” and wonder what we “do” and…”why?” I have never felt that I could adequately explain my answer…my usual responses are: “because of the people”, “our hearts were captivated” or “it just feels like what we should be doing.” But it’s more than that…it is a part of my being.

Sadly, Honduras has become more dangerous over the years and this month the Peace Corps will be removing their volunteers. Others ask me, “will you still go back?” And the answer is, “yes.” Our relationships are too deep and important to not return. People are depending on us and we value the impact we can make.

I need to follow my heart…and don’t want fear to deter me.

Thank You

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Thank You from Esperanza

Dear Esperanza Supporters,

We’d like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for your financial and moral support. We are truly grateful for your faith in our work and sharing our vision of helping others in need. Together we can make a difference in the lives of many. May you all enjoy the holiday season and have a happy and healthy 2012.

Our gratitude to all,

Tom, Emily, Ana and Ricky

(Don’t) “Love That Dirty Water”

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Dirty Water in Honduras

Three days away from our departure to Honduras. I have spoken several times this week with our friend, Ana. During one conversation she announced, “the (tap) water looks like coffee!”

Clean water is something I truly appreciate every day, although it does impact me more strongly just before I leave for, and when I return from Honduras. One day this week, I found myself thinking about it as I was simultaneously filling the dog’s dish, placing a pot of water on the stove, running the dishwasher and the washing machine. Many things happening at once, but oh, so simple when you have accessibility!

I began envisioning how different my life will be next week when we have “clean” water available twice a day at the spigots, at the end of our road. We will fill our gallon jugs and bring them home to use for cooking, washing the dishes and bathing. Having water in limited quantities truly makes you realize it’s importance.

Honduras has a population of 6.5 million people and less than 1/2 of the population has access to clean water. Each year there are 50,000 deaths of children under the age of five who die from contaminated water. Eighty percent of the illnesses in the country originate from the infected water supply. More than 1/4 of the population lives without sanitation.

Our church (Pilgrim Congregational, UCC) has been working with PLAN International to help bring clean to the village of Flores. It has been a very long, involved process but we are excited to report that a technical study is currently under way. Perhaps “our dream” of clean water for Flores, will become a reality.

Our next step…

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A week from tomorrow Tom and I will be headed to Honduras for a month. We head off on a “leap of faith” in this new adventure. Last July, Tom retired from private practice and is now working part time at Brigham and Women’s nursery. This decision was made for may reasons, but primarily so that we could extend our time volunteering in Honduras.

We are filled with many emotions…excitement, curiosity and a bit of fear. Although we have traveled there for the past ten years, it has always been for a more limited time. Mostly I leave with a sense of wonder…will I have more times of “spiritual enlightment” or feelings that I am on a segment of “Survivor?”

Thankfully, we go with a deep sense of faith and a knowledge that our family, friends and church are supporting us.

Feliz Dia de Ninos!

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Today Children’s Day is celebrated in Honduras. I just hung up the phone with Noel, and his younger siblings, Lizzie and Maicol. They were calling to thank us for the pinata we had bought, and they were filled with such excitement and appreciation! It reminds me once again that small gestures can bring such joy to others.

Tom and I will spend some time today thinking of the many children we have been  blessed to have met during the past 10 years. Unfortunately, we cannot remember all their names because some were fleeting moments in our lives. Yet others have touched our hearts so deeply and we think of them as  “our children”, along with the six we have here in the states.

May all the children we have met, and will meet, feel our love today and every day throughout the year.