So today marks the beginning of Lent. It was interesting today to see so many "ashed" foreheads. Like most Latino countries, Honduras is predominantly Catholic. I don't think I've ever lived somewhere where that was true before now. In the deep south, where I've lived the last twelve years, you saw very few practicing Lenters. For the past five years, I was fortunate to be part of a community that does encourage the practice of Lent. Giving something up as a way to invite a connection with the Christ has become a very important part of my "spiritual rhythm". The practice itself is not what I would call enjoyable.... but sacrifice never is.
Yesterday I visited a young man and his girlfriend at the hospital and celebrated the birth of their child. They are just 17 and live in Mololoa, one of the poorer places we work. Life for them just became infinitely more difficult. When the young man told me that he and his girl were expecting, he was very embarrassed, but more than that, he was scared. I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Now what was he going to do? For two years he has been working full time to support his family. His father had become ill (he passed away a little over a year ago) and it had fallen to this young man to find a way to provide. He has done a good job of it, but unfortunately he has done what many here do... meet a girl, fool around, and wham...BABY! I asked him what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to do the right thing. I think I surprised him when I told that I had done the same thing! I was 18 and Lori and I could get married, but essentially it was the same. Met a girl, fooled around and wham... BABY! I hope he got some encouragement from knowing that this situation can work out. Lori and I are doing great, we have two great kids, two great in-law kids, and two amazing grandchildren. I shared that what he had done has certainly not worked out in an ideal way or as he expected but he now has an opportunity to make the next right choice. You can't go back, but you can make right choices going forward.
Please pray as they move forward.
Grace & Peace
Yesterday I visited a young man and his girlfriend at the hospital and celebrated the birth of their child. They are just 17 and live in Mololoa, one of the poorer places we work. Life for them just became infinitely more difficult. When the young man told me that he and his girl were expecting, he was very embarrassed, but more than that, he was scared. I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Now what was he going to do? For two years he has been working full time to support his family. His father had become ill (he passed away a little over a year ago) and it had fallen to this young man to find a way to provide. He has done a good job of it, but unfortunately he has done what many here do... meet a girl, fool around, and wham...BABY! I asked him what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to do the right thing. I think I surprised him when I told that I had done the same thing! I was 18 and Lori and I could get married, but essentially it was the same. Met a girl, fooled around and wham... BABY! I hope he got some encouragement from knowing that this situation can work out. Lori and I are doing great, we have two great kids, two great in-law kids, and two amazing grandchildren. I shared that what he had done has certainly not worked out in an ideal way or as he expected but he now has an opportunity to make the next right choice. You can't go back, but you can make right choices going forward.
Please pray as they move forward.
Grace & Peace
posted by Mark at 9:59 PM
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