A Real Home: The Story of Four Orphans
In July 2009, the Lara siblings arrived at Hogar Esperanza in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, after a seven-month stay at the state orphanage. Rubén, Noé, Blanca and Delmi were taken from their parents for causes such as severe abuse and neglect. The four children arrived at Hogar Esperanza in typical condition: malnourished, and full of parasites and lice.
During the year between the state orphanage and Hogar Esperanza, the children’s parents did not once inquire of their whereabouts. The emotional and physical health of each child improved drastically over just a few months at Hogar Esperanza, as is the story of every other inhabitant of the home. The three oldest children were excited about starting school for the first time. The Lara siblings were taught to pray and were becoming accustomed to a stable family. From the first day they arrived at Hogar Esperanza, the children’s countenances transformed from cold and hard to open and affectionate. As they were shown love and acceptance for the first time, a transition was taking place in their hearts. The children were overheard giving accounts of an abusive father. Administrator of Hogar Esperanza, Angie McInvale, promised the siblings that they were safe in her care and would never have to experience the horrible things that they had before. This was their opportunity to actually experience what it felt like to be a part of a caring home.
Unfortunately, this was not the scenario for long. One dark and drizzly November evening just before dinnertime, Child and Family services showed up with a letter to retrieve the children. The Lara siblings were removed from the care of Hogar Esperanza without warning. Against the suggestions of the Child and Family Services, a judge decided to re-open some old files and replace the four children in their parents’ care, without even asking the parents if they desired to have the children back. Confused and disoriented, the siblings departed on a three-hour trip without even being permitted to eat their dinner. This left the staff and the other children of Hogar Esperanza in an extremely unsettled state as they cried and prayed for the return of the four children who had already become like family.
Five months passed with no news of the children and Angie had eventually come to accept the fact that she may never see them again. However, the Lord is faithful and Thursday, April 14, 2010, Child and Family Services brought the children back to the open arms of Hogar Esperanza. The details of how this came to be are still unclear but the judge had somehow realized that it was not the best decision to place them under the care of their parents. Child and Family Services contacted Angie, and after staying at the state orphanage for one week in horrific living conditions, the Lara siblings arrived safely back at their home at Hogar Esperanza.
This story is such a testament to God’s faithfulness, love, affection and grace. It is a beautiful illustration of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a HOPE and a future.” The stories of Rubén, Noé, Blanca and Delmi are not finished but have just begun. The miraculous events that have already taken place is evidence of God’s hand in their lives, and it is exciting to anticipate what they will become and how the Lord will use them for His glory.
We ask that you continue to pray for these four children. They are still at the beginning of the healing process: emotionally, spiritually and physically. The older ones are starting school for the very first time. Pray that the Lord will open doors for growth and expansion of the homes as He wills. One of the higher officials of Child and Family Services in San Pedro Sula commented on how dramatically Hogar Esperanza stands out among all the children homes in the country.
Angie McInvale, Missionary to Honduras
Project Number 065-0128
Hogar Esperanza, Project Number 101-9026
© 2010 Church of God World Missions
