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Mission Honduras International
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty ... One Child at a Time |
February 2010
Newsletter
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Greetings!
As we begin this Season of Lent, we reflect and reconnect, slow down and simplify, in preparation for Easter. We hope this will also be a time
for deepening our relationship with those living in poverty throughout
the world, and especially in Liberia. To learn more about Liberia, we
have provided some resources on our website.
We are also launching the new Liberia Mission documentary series - Children of Hope: The Liberia Mission Story. This six-part documentary series will be released on our website during Lent - one segment each week - on the next six Fridays. "Children of Hope" tells the story of Liberia Mission, Inc. through some of its most remarkable children. Click on the picture below to watch the trailer.
In this issue, you will also find a letter with news from Liberia Mission which shares some exciting
developments, including a new adult literacy program for people in
surrounding villages and partnership with the Archdiocese of Monrovia. There is also information we felt important to share with you.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support and for all you do to bring hope and a brighter future for children living in poverty.
God bless,
Bob O'Dwyer
bodwyer@missionhonduras.com, 773-809-4008
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Mission Honduras InternationalIf you are having trouble opening the video, click or copy
and paste this link into your browser: www.liberiamission.com/video.html
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| Greetings!
I wish all of you could be here to see the growth and prosperity happening at Liberia Mission Incorporated (LMI) and throughout the country as well. Your financial support and prayers are making a huge difference in the lives of so many people in Liberia that it is hard to adequately describe it.
SPECIAL CLASSES / WORKSHOPS
I would like to thank two people in particular, Clarisa's parents, Renato and Ethel Chavarria, who came to Liberia Mission to experience first-hand the joy of our children as well as the daily struggles of the average Liberian. Ethel came for a month and a half last July and conducted daily Spanish classes for the children, taking two of them in particular under her wing, Aaron Lawyee and Saytu Peter. Not a day goes by without one of them asking about Grandma Ethel. Her presence at the mission was a life-changing event not just for her but the children and employees of LMI. And last month Clarissa's father completed a 3-week stay with us during which he, too, conducted Spanish classes. He also set up and directed a Human Sexuality seminar for the older children. Based on Holy Scripture and Catholic doctrine, the five-day workshop addressed God's plans for our bodies, marriage, and the consequences of sexual activity outside of marriage, among other topics. The children absolutely loved the workshops as did Helena Gonyon and Harris Mulbah, our long-serving House Mother and Father. God Bless Ethel and Renato. Their love and dedication for the children and staff at Liberia Mission will be felt long into the future.
NEW ADULT LITERACY PROJECT
In another bit of exciting news, Clarisa and I are honored to inform you that LMI, in partnership with the governor of Blacktom Town, Mr. Tom Dennis, embarked upon an adult literacy project for Liberians. When Governor Dennis approached me about allowing the adults of the surrounding villages to use two classrooms at Saint Anthony of Padua School for night classes, Clarisa and I were determined to help him. (Since we each have a background in education, we were moved by the idea of grown-ups who had never walked into a classroom before taking steps to educate themselves.) Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. In my orientation meeting with the villagers, there were tears of joy and a deep appreciation to all of you and us at the mission for providing the much needed classrooms to conduct their classes. All I can say is that it is one of the most beautiful and inspiring things I have ever seen in my life. I feel that this is one way for the Liberian people to say "Enough war and violence; enough being fooled and deceived. We are going to empower ourselves!" Please pray for the project's success.
 STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH ARCHDIOCESE OF MONROVIA
Liberia Mission is also eagerly awaiting response from the new archbishop, Lewis Jerome Zigler, who we have asked to visit our mission in order to offer a Mass of Official Blessing for the church and to preside at the Confirmation of a number of our children. Clarisa and I have developed a very strong and effective relationship with the Archdiocese of Monrovia and they have been more than supportive of our efforts with the children. We are blessed to call them "great and loving friends."
ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO SHARE
We are also excited to be welcoming American Franciscan priest Father Don Halpin, one of our new spiritual advisors, who will be with us throughout February. Everyone at Liberia Mission is very excited to meet our new family member and welcome him.
As you can see, the blessings from God are coming in faster than we can process them. Hopefully we can share many of these personal blessings and stories about the mission children directly with you later this year as Clarisa and I begin "touring" the States starting in September. For more information about the tour and how to bring Jerome and Clarisa to your community, please contact us.
A CHILD'S REQUEST
To close I will relate a little story about one of our children named Zinnah Sackie, who asked me, "Uncle Jerome, if I write a letter to everyone in the United States saying thank you plenty for the sweet food we eat you can mail it for me?" I told him that I would try and get his message to as many people as I can. Please know you are truly making a difference.
Until next time, we leave you in peace and prayers,
Jerome and Clarisa Cabeen
Directors
Liberia Mission Incorporated
Liberia, Africa
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For Your Information
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We regret to report that Mission Honduras International has been forced to engage legal assistance in order to defend MHI, our donors and, most importantly, the children we serve. Please know that a donor has volunteered to pay 100% of our legal costs. We assure you that absolutely no donor money is being used for legal expenses. This action has unfortunately been necessary because of actions by APUFRAM International (AI). APUFRAM International was formed to continue funding APUFRAM and thereby enable them to avoid the requirements for funding placed on them by MHI out of concern for the safety of the children. The actions of MHI have been supported by the Franciscans in both the U.S. and Central America. Additionally, the Franciscan Vicar and acting Provincial of Our Lady of Consolation Province and, consequently, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), have prevented APUFRAM International and Fr. Emil from fundraising in the U.S. until further notice. For more information, please contact us. Again, we assure you that no donor money given to support MHI and Liberia Mission is being used for legal expenses.
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About Mission Honduras International / Liberia Mission
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Mission Honduras International is dedicated to breaking
the cycle of poverty for children and families through material and
spiritual support and a Catholic education.
Learn more on our website!
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