Our Little Roses Home for Girls

Click here to read a message from our missionaries to Honduras

God sees no divisions. Yet these steps divide two worlds. What will you do to change that?

These are words painted on the stairs up to the second story of the Our Little Roses Administration building. From the balcony, you can see across the barbed wire fence to the bordo, where families squat in cardboard, makeshift homes along the levee. The water is browned by trash, but the children bathing in it are not burdened by the despair because they do not know always know what lies on the other side.

The words captured on the staircase are also the essence of the Our Little Roses ministry. We go because we believe we can change lives, including our own. We believe in the power of relationships. This year was Christ Church’s 20th summer trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras and we celebrate how many lives have been touched and changed through this mission. 

Over the years, more than 200 Christ Church parishioners have held hands, shared meals, worshipped, played soccer, painted classrooms, danced beside little ones, built bookshelves, designed jewelry, cooked meals and shared laughter, hugs and tears together with the girls of Our Little Roses. 

One such life was touched this summer as a new member of our team joined the team with her daughter, a Christ Church parishioner. On our first full day in San Pedro Sula, we visited the Institute for Honduran Families and Children (IHNFA). 

This is the official social services institution of Honduras, with over 22 orphanages across the country. The children of IHNFA suffer the same level of poverty as those families on the other side of the barbed wire.

Diane came away from the experience interested in why and how these children met such a fate. She left energized to do more for these children, who receive nothing more than a roof and some basic food items each day. 

 At Our Little Roses, the girls receive more than shelter and food. They are provided with a loving environment where they learn to take care of each other and live very full lives. The girls learn to value the relationships with each other as well as with the mission teams who visit them each summer. One of the newest girls at the home, Claudia, came from one of the IHNFA orphanages just before the Christ Church team arrived. 

These new missionaries came away interested in sponsoring a girl and approached the Director of Our Little Roses to inquire which girls might need a sponsor. The girl was, indeed, in need of support. As fate would have it this Christ Church missionary and her new Honduran friend formed a meaningful bond during the trip. 

During our final night, as is our tradition, we asked one or two of the team members to speak to the girls about what the trip has meant to them. We had the opportunity to hear about the special bond formed between our American volunteer and her Honduran friend.  She spoke about how much the girls at Our Little Roses touched her heart. One of her first experiences in Honduras began by visiting the home where Claudia had first lived.

Ron Hoekstra, Christ Church missionary in Honduras also shared how he knew “It was time” five years ago when God called him to travel to Honduras to visit the girls. He talked about how he is reminded of that each time he visits with them. 

The experience led Ron and his wife, Linda, to serve as missionaries in Honduras for the past year. They returned for a second year in August 2010.

As you look to the times in your life when God tells you, “it is time,” we hope you will consider joining us for the 2011 summer mission trip.

2012 Mission Trip July 21 through 30

Sarah DeCamps & Liz Hoekstra – Honduras Mission Team Leaders

The 2012 Our Little Roses Mission team will travel to Honduras July 21 – 30, 2012. Contact Sarah DeCamps or Liz Hoekstra if you are interested in the summer mission trip. Click here to email Sarah. Click here to email Liz.