January eNewsletter
January 2023 eNewsletter
Farewell to Natalie and Kenna
God made each one of us with unique gifts and talents for a reason, and this is particularly true in the great legacy that each one of our missionaries who have served at Farm of the Child leaves behind. Our missionaries fill the walls of Finca with their love, compassion, and spirit of service.
Sometimes it seems like missionary life is one long series of “goodbyes” and “hellos.” “Goodbye” to family and friends and their home country and culture; “hello” to new teammates, new customs, a new country, and new local friends. Then it’s time for them to leave their now-close friends. This time has come for our beloveds Kenna and Natalie.
It seems that it was just yesterday when both arrived in Honduras, and now the time comes to say goodbye, so they can say “hello” to something new is here. It is sad to say goodbye, but even in the tiny snapshot we have seen of their lives, it is clear to us that their time at Farm of the Child, has shaped them into the strong, faithful, and bold leaders that God created them to be. We cannot even imagine the depth of emotions they must be feeling as this chapter of their lives comes to an end. Saying goodbye is never easy, but what we can say for sure is that the positive impact of the care and service they provided to our children and staff will far-reach future generations.
Kenna and Natalie, thank you for your spirit of service. We pray that you are able to use your experience at Farm of the Child as a springboard into the future, where hope, and love, and immeasurable joy await as you continue to serve the Lord with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. You will never be further away than our hearts.
Graduation Time -Generation 2021-2023!!
Graduation is a major life milestone, and it certainly calls for anyone and everyone to say, "Congratulations, Graduates!" But this is a particular special time for our children at Farm of the Child. Education breaks the circles of poverty, and we are so proud that eight of our residents are now able to dream for a better future. Bravo graduates! The sky is your limit! Fly high!
This Month in Pictures
END OF THE YEAR APPEAL UPDATE
Thank you for believing in our mission!!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generous contribution to our end of the year appeal "Build with Us". With the help of supporters like you, we were able to achieve our goal, and MORE!
Thanks to the commitment and the trust of our donors we were able to raise $180,000. This funds will be used to continue supporting our programs, and will allow us begin the planning of the new center where in the future we will be serving the residents who graduate from Farm of the Child.
Your contribution has made such a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve – THANK YOU for your kindness and generosity!
If you have not made your gift yet, please do it today. Your gift will help us continue our work helping over 1500 people in our clinic each year, educating 120 students in our school and helping 20+ children in our homes to heal and thrive.
Child Spotlight
Then Jesus said to them...
“Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
In this passage, Jesus is saying ‘whoever welcomes a little child in his name’ is the greatest man (or woman). Why is ‘welcoming a little child in Jesus’ name so important’? And how can we welcome a little child in Jesus’ name. So “why” and ‘how’ are the two questions we want for you to think about today.
As we praise the Lord for new beginnings, we would like to invite you to consider answering these questions, by sponsoring one or more of our children this 2024.
Children growing up in poverty begin life with acute disadvantage and face uncertain futures, but as a child’s sponsor, you'll be able to see your impact firsthand and support them in their fight to escape poverty.
Sponsoring a child at Farm of the Child is a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need and change his future.
*To maintain our children’s privacy, any personal information and full pictures are only open to current sponsors through a secure portal
Staff Spotlight
Our Sors
Too many people worldwide are hungry, homeless, or don't have a school for their children. At Farm of the child, we are so fortunate to count with the support of our Franciscan Religious Sisters (Sors), who have taken action to support us in alleviating this kind of suffering, by serving our children. They provide not only religious instruction, but also classes on our school, serve on our Honduras Board of Directors, and many other meaningful activities.
Our Franciscan Sisters, have their sandals on the ground, seeing first hand where the needs are, and serving our mission with all their heart. We are grateful for them!
Pray with Us
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Ruth E O'Brien. Ruth was a great friend and supporter of the work of Farm of the Child, and we are grateful for her. We pray that the Lord grant her eternal peace, and may the memories of her faith and love, bring comfort to her loved ones.
Healing prayers for:
Clarissa Washer
Mrs McKee
For Jim Durham who passed away from lung
cancer this year.
For Monsignor Charles Slade Crawford
For our current and former missioneros.
For our benefactors: For those who are
ill, we pray for your healing touch to be upon them; for those in need of hope,
that Your light will scatter the darkness in their life and fill them with Your
love; for peace to reign in their hearts and the hearts of their loved ones.
For our current and former residents,
that they may always listen to the voice of the Lord and walk always with Him,
especially during difficult times.
Epiphany Prayer
May we each day open the window
of our worlds, inviting the fresh
Light of Epiphany to flood us
with hope, to bring us fresh insight
and to fill us with grateful joy.
May we see the world around us
with new creation eyes,
filled with potential and brimming
with promise. May our lives be
a continuous unfolding into God’s grace, revealing new vistas
that expand our faith horizons.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
and by his name we are saved.
Amen.
Our Lady of Suyapa, Patroness of Honduras, pray for us.