Where adoption is stigmatized and the average new mom is just 15-years-old...

In Honduras, 50% of children are born to single moms. 80% have no father named on their birth certificate. And the average age of a first time mother is just 15-years-old. Poverty cripples homes, and often single mothers are forced into abusive situations in order to provide for their children. Giving children up for adoption is severely looked down upon by Hondurans.

Last week, I talked with a missionary who is making a difference in this crisis. She started a home for unwed teenage mothers. The goal of the home was to be small, with 4 girls as maximum capacity, plus their children. Many of the girls come from children's homes who aren't resourced to care for babies. Through her contacts in the local church, Shannon hired a motherly Honduran woman to be a house mother to teach the girls how to cook local Honduran food, care for their children, and Honduran ways of life that will help them become mature, self-sufficient adults. The name of the home is Puerta de Esperanze, in English: Door of Hope.

Since it's beginning in 2011, eleven girls have come through Door of Hope, ages 13-20. About 90% of them have been physically abused; all of them have been verbally abused, told they are worthless, unloved, unwanted. Shannon and her Honduran staff speak and show the gospel of Jesus into these girls' lives, helping them to understand for the first time that they are precious and invaluably loved. A new 13-year-old girl by the name of Cindy, is just soaking it in.

At Door of Hope, the girls receive a financial allowance, which the staff helps them use to budget costs for food, housing, clothes, diapers, formula, transportation, education costs, and anything else needed for life ongoing sustainable life after they leave Door of Hope. Door of Hope also helps the girls gain life skills (often as beauticians) to support their families financially, and helps guide them through their early stages of motherhood. Typically, the girls live at Door of Hope for about 3 years before they are ready to launch on their own in healthy, self-sustaining situations. Most of them have accepted Christ through Door of Hope's ministry. Even the girls who have not, still maintain good relationships with Door of Hope and see the the home's community as their closest family. Upon leaving Door of Hope, the girls are often the most semi-successful person in their families, breaking the multi-generational cycle of poverty. It is truly a family-transforming incarnational ministry!

Next week, I've been invited to share about this ministry at a large church in Birmingham. I love the role I have of being a bridge of information and resources between ministries like Door of Hope and believers here who can participate in the ministry through finances, prayers, and sending people to help. One specific personnel need on the Honduran team is for a counselor or psychologist to work with the girls and staff of Door of Hope, as well as help train the pastors to effectively shepherd their congregations. Please pray with me that God will fill this need!