I just got some pictures from Maria.  
 
When the first picture was a train...my mind knew exactly what that meant.  You see, we don't have any working trains in Honduras.  But they do in Mexico.  

This post could very easily take a political, governmental, or ideological bent quite easily, but that is not my point or concern right now.  

Maria got these pictures as two of the children from The Milk Project are on their way to the USA.  Their father was killed last year, and their mother made the decision to leave last Saturday.  I do not think at this point that they are part of the 800-1000 people that left recently from San Pedro Sula.

I read an article today that over 300 people per day are leaving (not counting caravans) trying to go to the USA, just from Honduras.  Not all of them make it.  

Jampool and Maddison are tonight in Tapachula Mexico (just across the border on the Pacific side from Guatemala) where they sent the first two pictures.

I imagine their mother has borrowed money to make this journey, hoping she will have steady work when they get to the USA, and that her children will get to go to good schools and grow up safe.    

Their little sister was left behind though, she is staying with her grandparents.    
 
More could be said.  Right now, I am just praying for safety on this most dangerous trek for the Jampool, Maddison and their mother.    
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We try to write to our Milk Project sponsors every month with some updates on the goings on, prayer requests, etc.  

This month I just felt like sharing that update here, for others to read as well.  

The CIY group that was down visiting us in March brought supplies to de-lice all the kids.  Not everyone had lice, but it was something that Maria had been asking to do for a while.  

Group interaction with the Milk Project has been key over the years.  The day to day operations happen with the Honduran staff, but quite a few of the physical tools they have to work with come from groups, either in what they bring with them, or what they see while they are here and then send down or help us buy.  

Bonus fact...the kids are all in clothes we had on hand for the sewing ministry, clothes we sort out of the clothing ministry supply that is way too big...thus the attractive blue dress here that is actually a very big blue work shirt.





The work in Sampedrana continues, and although it has not been easy for all involved from an administrative perspective and working out a routine for everything, and some parents even changed their minds and pulled their children out due to the project being Christian, the kids are getting fed physically and spiritually,  there is homework help, games, and more.  



One sponsor this month asked for an update on their child for a college project they were working on, and while we try to update profiles every year for all the children, this special request Maria was able to handle.  When I saw this picture and the story that Maria sent with it, I thought it would be good to share it:  This is Angela Paola Escoto, she is ten years old and lives in this wooden house with her mother, sister and little brother.  Her father died years ago.  She is in the fifth grade.  Her mother works as a waitress.  They have many needs including food, and a bed since all three siblings sleep int he same bed.  Paola and her sister take care of their younger brother.  

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We celebrate birthdays every quarter, and March meant the celebration for January-March birthdays.  We do that for the morning session and afternoon session, baking cakes and sharing them.  

Here shown are Elisa, Mariza, Geisel, Cesia, Ricardo and Alex.  As it happens...the day of the celebration was actually Cesia's birthday!  


We started a new fund recently, some discretionary cash for Maria to help with small needs that the kids have off and on during the month, things that can't wait to be budgeted or to ask for sponsor help.  

Recently Maria said she helped Mervin with $4 to get back and forth to a government health center because his mother did not have the money.  

He went because he has been bitten by chinche, which is what we call bedbugs, and they have special care there that they can give for that.  

We are looking forward to using this fund in the future to buy books, supplies, uniform fixes, etc. when needed.  





Here is Lorena, one of our volunteer/scholarship recipients, teaching computer classes recently.  

We are continuing to look at ways to help the kids educationally now and in the future to help them get further ahead.  We are even looking into the possibility of bringing on more staff in the future to specifically help with this, but it is too early on to announce anything.

Prayer requests:
1.  New staff person.  As just said above, we are not sure how this is going to look yet, but praying for God's guidance in this and the best way to proceed.
2.  Encouragement for Maria and the staff.  It has been a hard month in many ways, and just to be buoyed going forward with a renewed energy.
3.  For the spiritual, emotional, and educational health of these 100 children we are trying to reach daily.