This blog is to keep you posted on my travels to Honduras beginning summer of 2008.
I had sent out the following letter letting you know about my reasoning for this upcoming trip:
In January of 1994 while on a study abroad trip to Mexico (required by the state of Wisconsin to become a teacher of a foreign language), I visited an orphanage. Although orphanages had existed in the United States, it was before my time and I only had movies like “Annie” to relate to them. This was first-hand experience for me of children who were either abandoned or who had lost their parents and had no other relatives to take them in. This was also the first moment in which I felt a need to help.
Serving in an orphanage has been something that has been on my mind constantly since this first experience, but I haven’t had the opportunity or the means to do it until now. Back in 2005-2006, I began searching for orphanages online. Because of my abilities in Spanish, I stayed partial to those orphanages in Spanish-speaking countries because I believed that’s where I could be most effective in my service.
I have been feeling that God has been putting this vision of service onto my heart more and more over the past few years, so because of this I had set summer of 2007 as the date to begin my summers abroad. As all of you know...last summer I was pregnant with Kaylyn. That put yet another halt to going.
I had told Bob of my desire to serve when we first met back in 2001 and had mentioned it here & there ever since. But that tugging I’d been feeling at my heart has been getting stronger each year, so this spring I spoke to my husband once again (for the first time since 2006). I was a little nervous because that would mean Bob would be staying back with all 4 kids this summer…but to my surprise, my wonderful husband said “go”…that now is the time.
I know our children are loved completely, not only by my husband and me but also by our close family and friends. I know that they will be well cared for, even if I travel to an orphanage to serve other children. I believe that ALL children should feel that they are loved and wanted, which is why I want to give of myself to those children who have been abandoned by their families. Eventually when they are old enough, I plan to bring our children with me to serve along-side of me.
Okay, so with all of that said, let me share the details:
I have been in communication with a Christian orphanage in Honduras called Orphanage Emmanuel. Their website is: http://www.orphanageemmanuel.com/ if you’d like to check them out.
I will most likely be going from August 2nd – 16th this year…the dates have been scheduled into their calendar; I just have to wait for confirmation & then get the plane tickets.
My goal is to take 2 suitcases and a carry-on (I still have to check with the airlines for restrictions)…and ONLY come back w/ my carry-on. So I would like to take some much needed supplies down there. After speaking with their U.S. contact, she mentioned they are really in need of stuff that is“consumable”…meaning:
- toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, shampoo, wet wipes, deodorants, and socks & underwear (in all sizes).
- She also mentioned some outside games such as jacks, marbles, jump ropes, etc.
I would love to take as much as I possibly can fit in those 2 suitcases.
If any of you have “an extra or two” of any of the above lying around in your house & would like to send it my way to take with me (if you happen to see me, whether visiting or at church or you just happen to be in our neighborhood) – that’d be great! PLEASE – DON’T GO OUT & BUY ANYTHING!!! I don’t want to put anyone out, and hopefully w/ all of the people I’m sending this too, the suitcases will fill up w/ just an item here & there.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!
LoriAnn Harmon
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