By Perla Camacho, program manager for a Samaritan’s Purse project that supports children’s homes throughout Honduras
Lety, Kenya, and Juanita Villanueva lived at the Alpha and Omega orphanage for over seven years. Their mother took them there in 2004 because she could not provide shelter, food, clothing, and education.
Lety, the oldest, was very dedicated to her studies and always excelled in school. She also showed an interest in learning to play the guitar and played beautiful Christian hymns in church meetings. Kenya is also very smart and enjoys singing in the choir. Juanita, the youngest, is in primary school.
During the seven years they lived at the home they trusted in God to be brave, face the world, and obey Him. When Samaritan’s Purse helped the orphanage start a bakery as a microenterprise, the sisters participated and learned to make different breads, cookies, desserts, and pastries. The goal was to provide a tool they could use to support themselves in life.
Recently, the three girls moved back home with their mother. They wanted to continue with their studies but there was not enough money for Lety to go to school. An older sister offered to help her get work illegally in the United States.
It was not a coincidence that Project Santiago staff members did a home visit shortly after that. Lety had planned to leave without telling her mother. God guided us to speak with her of His faithfulness, and to tell her that she could trust Him, knowing that His plan is perfect. Even in the darkest of times, we have nothing to fear because He is on our side.
We talked and prayed with Lety and encouraged her to depend on God. By the time we had returned to the office, Lety called us and said she wanted to wait and fully trust that God would help provide for her future here in Honduras.
We found a small scholarship to help supply Lety with basic school needs, including supplies and uniforms. Samaritan’s Purse is also helping the mother to learn how to bake bread and cookies to sell to support the family. The microenterprise training that we provided for Lety and her family has been a blessing because through the sales the mother can buy necessities for the house and her daughters’ studies.
This November, Juanita will graduate from the sixth grade—slightly higher than the national average for education—and will finish as one of the best students in her class. Lety is in high school and has a desire to go on to study hospitality and tourism. Lety and Kenya have also devoted time to singing and playing the guitar, and they have started performing in church.
We have made a great friendship with these three sisters, listened to their problems, and prayed together. Even in the midst of their economic difficulties, they are very hard-working. We are very proud of them.
“But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God‘” (Psalm 31:14, NIV).
