Miurel Isabel, Mi Amorcita

Most of you know my passion for Nicaragua, but many do not know the story of why it's so important to me. Many of you have also heard my testimony, and how my relationship with my dad has been reconciled. But most of you have not heard HOW we were reconciled, and how my experiences in Nicaragua play into our new relationship. Most of you have never heard about how the Lord used a little girl named Miurel Isabel to change our lives.

My dad and I have been through a lot in my long, long life ;] What started out as confusion lead to frustration, which lead to anger and resentment. By the time I was nineteen, I was bitter and hateful, unwilling to truly forgive him for anything. I didn't want to believe things could ever be different.

About 2 1/2 years ago (still nineteen) I went on my first trip to Nicaragua with Forward Edge International, a missions organization. I was excited, for obvious reasons, but had absolutely no idea what I was in for. I knew the moment I stepped out of the airport, that the Lord would be doing something crazy. I just didn't know He was going to play the conviction card :p

Our main location during this trip was Villa Esperanza, a home for 24 girls (at the time there were only 16. In a few months, another 8 will be added, for a total of 32!!!!) that previously lived in the garbage dump. These girls have endured much- starvation, lack of education, all forms of abuse, illness, prostitution etc.. At Villa Esperanza, the girls not only have food, safety and education, but they are given a knowledge of who Christ is.

After getting situated in the Villa, we were allowed to go see a few of the girls. The first girl we approached was the seven year old Miurel (She turned ten yesterday!! :D), who was playing on the playground. She was super, super cute, but ohhhhh so incredibly sassy. She began making fun of me right away, causing the other girls to join in. Now anyone who knows me, knows I always gravitate toward the naughty and mean kids, but having the first Nicaraguan I met make fun of me right off the bat was a little... Strange, to say the least. I was totally thrown off! But after getting some encouragement from a few team members who had been there before, I decided not to take it personally. I eventually understood it to be a defense mechanism- a way for her to figure out just how conditional my interest in her would be. A way for her to figure out if she could trust me. Something she most likely learned while living in the dump. Well, I wrote the book on defense mechanisms, so I knew exactly what she was doing.

I decided to keep playing and laughing with her, even at my expense. I wanted to show her I was going to love her no matter how mean she would be, and that there is nothing she could do to push me away. It should be no surprise that she didn't buy it on that first day.

The next day we went to La Chureca, the garbage dump. After going through what's called, "Hell's Gate", which is the entrance to the dump, we passed many of the truck drivers. We were told all about their... "activities"... By that I mean how they take sexual advantage of the kids. We witnessed children jumping on the trucks, willing to sacrifice their bodies for the first pick of the trash.

Ever since I was little, I've understood about child prostitution and have had a passion for those affected by it. It's always been something that makes me super angry. But I was shocked at how calm I was as I looked at these men who abused these children. I was shocked at the lack of anger and hatred toward WHO they were. Heartbreak, yes, but not hatred. The face of a sassy little girl I met the day before kept flashing through my mind, and rather than feeling anger for WHO they are, I felt a sense of love. I knew that I needed to love these men, despite the things they did and continue to do every day. Just as I was going to love Miurel no matter what, I knew I needed to love these men no matter what. Which lead me to consider the fact that I needed to love my dad, no matter what he's done, and continues to do. It was also a reminder that I sin too, and the Lord doesn't rate sins, so if He could forgive me, I could forgive others. I wasn't happy about this...

That afternoon we returned to the Villa for lunch. Another team member had gone up to see some of the girls and said Miurel was asking for me. I totally did not believe her, but decided to go see for myself. Sure enough, as I walked in to her house, she called out my name, gave me a huge smile and ran in my arms. Even though I couldn't understand word for word, I knew she was apologizing for her attitude the day before. That moment will forever be embedded in my mind.

Throughout the rest of the week, her and I were together as much as possible, and I loved every second- dancing in the parking lot of Tip Top, sassing at David for pouring water on her, playing monster on the playground, calming her down when she got angry about dirt on her hands... even saying goodbye to her (twice). On our last evening, I was so upset because she was super sleepy when we said our goodbye's. I told her I love her and will miss her, but she was practically asleep. I was a blubbering mess. But the next morning, she ran over just before she left for school and gave me a hug and the biggest smile I've ever seen. It was like she knew that wasn't the last of it. I knew immediately I would be sponsoring her...

Going home was extremely difficult, but I knew the Lord had something for me to do, and that was to truly forgive my dad. I knew that just as I was willing to love Miurel and the truck drivers no matter what, that I could love my dad no matter what. After some time, my dad noticed my change in attitude, which caused him to change his attitude and certain behaviors. He finally forgave himself for all the pain he caused. My dad is no longer the same person. Instead, he is now my greatest encourager, and ironically, the person I trust the most today.

I have an amazing relationship with my dad today, because the Lord used a little girl to remind me of forgiveness and unconditional love.

The following January I returned to Nica for a week and was able to see Miurel again :D  We had so much fun, but I won't bog you down with the details!

I was also able to visit her a few times while I was there for my summer internship last year, but it wasn't nearly enough time with her :[ But this is where the good news comes in... !!!

I have an amazing opportunity to visit Miurel this upcoming January! This trip is designed for sponsors to have significant time with the girls we sponsor. This will be an opportunity to not only have fun with her, but we will do service projects together, and I will have time with her family that still lives in the garbage dump.

But I need your help!  The total team fee is $855, but I must send in a $200 (applies toward team fee) deposit ASAP! It is first come first serve, and there is a limited amount of slots open. In addition to that, I am currently estimating the flight will cost roughly $800 (I'll let you know for sure). Please prayerfully consider how you can support me during this trip—either through prayer, financial support or both.

This is Miurel living at the dump...

... But this is Miurel living at Villa Esperanza...

I don't sponsor Miurel so she has food and a safe place to sleep at night. I sponsor her so she can come to understand the Lord's forgiving and unconditional love- something He taught me using her. I sponsor her because I want to be used by Him to impact her life, the way He used her to impact my life.

Villa Esperanza is about to bring in eight more girls that are currently living in La Chureca, the garbage dump. But they need more sponsors! If you would like more info on sponsorship, please click here :]

 

This is a drawing I did last night of Miurel and her sister dancing (Thanks to Val Hooks for the photo reference :)

15X18 inches

$75 ($30 goes directly to Villa Esperanza, $45 goes to team fees for the Sponsorship Trip in January)

Las Riquezas de la Gracia: Pamela

Next up for Las Riquezas de la Gracia, my new series of drawings, is Pamela from Casa Havilah! For details on what the series is all about, as well as an explanation of what Casa Havilah and La Chureca are, please click here! If you missed the post about Sara from Villa Esperanza, you can read that here!

I'm very excited about the chance to share some info on Pamela! I didn't get to know her that well during my internship last summer, but just learned a little about her today! That's what I'm loving about this series- I get to do all this "research" and learn more about these kids!

 I believe Pamela is either ten or eleven, and currently lives at Casa Havilah (a home for girls that previously lived in the dump and it's surrounding areas) with her little sister Ashley. Here is a little note from my friend Ayla, who was an intern at Casa Havilah for a while. Back in 2009, she and her team did a weekend at Campo Alegria, and before Pamela even found out Ayla would be her leader, Pamela clung to her. Her and Pamela became very close, and she was given the opportunity to hear about her life:

"Her mother had left her father, her younger sister Ashley and herself. I remember her saying she chose the drink....alcohol, over us. I believe she was 7 at the time. She was constantly on my heart and when God gave me the desire to work as an intern with Casa Havilah it was my mission to see her again. I was able to do just that the week before I had to leave. She remembered me and that she called me Mama, and at that point I already knew she was going to be moving into the rescue home with her younger sister. It was a painful blessing to know that the girl who kept my heart in Nicaragua was going to be at the place I was meant to leave, but I knew that she would be loved and provided for by so many wonderful people and her father would be blessed as well."


Wow. "She chose the drink over us"... talk about heart breaking...

Pamela and her little sister Ashley moved into Casa Havilah January of last year (I think!). What's funny, is that I had gone on a trip to Nica with FEI in January (must have been just before they moved into Havilah), and had spent a little time serving at the school, totally not aware that Pamela and her sister were only a few feet away! Later that day, I heard the girls that were helping, were so sweet and enthusiastic about helping- I had no idea who they were until a few months later.

The first thing I noticed about Pamela, is her incredible smile. Apparently she hates her smile because the other girls make fun of it. But when she smiles, her whole face seems to beam, and you can't help but smile yourself. I don't think I've seen anyone with a better smile- and I'm not just saying that. When I think of what a smile should be, I think of Pamela.

The second thing I noticed about Pamela, is that she seemed more independent than the other girls. This makes sense now, knowing a little about her situation. She never seemed concerned with being different from the other girls. She seemed pretty tough in a physical sense, but very, very sweet. I do remember one night, she asked me to pray with her, and it was the most sincere request I got from all the girls while we were living with them. Its obvious she has a big heart.

So here is my drawing of Pamela! It was really difficult for me, because I couldn't get her smile perfect- which is what it is...

Also, I apologize for the graininess- I don't have the best camera ;] And big thanks to Lily Plourde for providing pictures and allowing me to use her photo as a reference!

My prayer for Pamela right now, is for her relationship with her Pops. I pray that their experience will only draw the three of them together. I also pray that the Lord will use this to shape the kind of girl Pamela is to be, and be a good big sister, leading and guiding Ashley to the kind of of girl the Lord wants her to be.

I also pray for her mama, wherever she may be. Not only for her protection, but that she will realize how wonderful her daughters are, and seek them out and drop "the drink". That she will realize a relationship with her daughters is more important.







Te quiero, Pamela! No dejes de sonreir, chica!

*A portion of the proceeds from this drawing will go directly to providing for Pamela's needs at Casa Havilah!

Las Riquezas de la Gracia: Sara

Sara, seventeen years old, was picked at random for the first drawing of my new series, Las Riquezas de la Gracia (Spanish for "the riches of grace", for details on what this series is all about, please check out my previous post! This post will also explain what Villa Esperanza and La Chureca is)! I think it's fitting that she is the first, simply because of the way the Lord has been working in her life, and her incredible faith in what, at first, seemed impossible to her.

To this day I don't know the details of her past (don't need to know), but I do know that she struggled big time when first moving into Villa Esperanza. But I also know the Lord has done huge things in her life since He took her from her previous home, La Chureca, which is the city dump.

"My relationship with God wasn't very good before. I didn't go to church, I didn't believe in Him. I didn't think that God would help me with my problems and that I would always live in poverty. But now I'm seeing that God got me out of there, and is going to get my family out too. And now here in the Villa, they are teaching us to go to church, read more of the Bible, to pray and pray for others."

 I heard a lot about Sara before I ever met her. I heard a lot about how she was struggling when she first moved into the Villa and the different behaviors she had developed while living in the dump. To be completely honest, I was scared of her :/ and doubted whether or not her and I would get a chance to connect and begin a relationship- I wasn't sure if she would trust me. On my first trip to Villa Esperanza in March of 2010, I only interacted with her a few times, but I blame myself for that. On my second trip, in January of 2011, she sought me out, and blew me away.

On that second trip, I was given an opportunity to share something very personal with all the girls at Villa Esperanza. I shared about how the Lord used them to change my attitude toward someone in my life that I had struggled with for years, and because my change in attitude, the Lord was then able to restore this relationship. It was very exciting to be able to share with them the fact that there is hope in Christ, and that He can change hearts, whether your own, that of another, or both. I was able to share that Christ heals and restores people we don't think could ever change.

After sharing this, Sara gave me a huge smile, which I didn't expect at all, and asked to share something. She told me something extremely encouraging, and I know she had to have been attentive to what the Lord was wanting her to say. I remember standing there stunned, not sure what to say in response. The following day, she wrote me a letter, asking for prayers because of her relationship (or lack of) with someone in particular, and that she would be praying for me as well, especially about the newly restored relationship. Then, on our way to the beach, she showed me her photo album, and explained a little bit of her family dynamics. Suddenly it wasn't such a problem that I couldn't speak Spanish- we were comfy just sitting together. She let me in.

Sara was recently asked how people can be praying for her. She asks for prayer for her brother to come to know the Lord, family's health, and strengthened relationships with the other girls at Villa Esperanza. She is also very thankful for those who are praying, and for her sponsors.

So here is the drawing I did of Sara!

The Lord has not only rescued Sara from living in the garbage dump, but has also given her hope. He has taken someone who did not feel loved and safe, and provided for her and given her the opportunity to impact and encourage others (me!). He is continuing to prepare her for the plans He has for her, which are greater than she can probably fathom!

Please be praying for Sara and her family. Pray for the doubt that probably sneaks up on her- the doubt that she is loved and that there is hope. Pray that she will continue to trust the Lord and be obedient to His plans and guidance. Pray that she will feel encouraged as much as she encourages others.

If interested in sponsoring Sara or any of the girls currently living at Villa Esperanza, please click here!

 "Sonrie porque Dios esta contigo, ok!"

-"Smile because God is with you, ok!" Sara wrote on my letter :]

*A portion of the proceeds from this drawing will go directly to providing for Sara's needs at Villa Esperanza!

Las Riquezas de la Gracia

I'm back ;]

It's been so long since I've had any artwork to show! I started a painting a few months ago inspired by a girl in Los Cedros, but I just couldn't get it right! I kept trying to "just finish it", and I think my lack of enthusiasm was showing in the painting, and that's why I couldn't get it. So for now, we're putting it on the back burner, so I can focus on a few other projects I've had in mind!

I just recently started a series of paintings inspired by La Playa Gigante, a beach we visited on my internship, so keep a look out for that! But first I would like to share another series I just started, which are drawings of each kid in the three different "homes" I served at in Nica: Villa Esperanza (24 girls), Casa Havilah (10 girls) and Casa Robles (6 boys). These children previously lived in La Chureca, the city dump, and it's surrounding areas. The children of La Chureca face all forms of abuse, disease, starvation, lack of education, suicide and child prostitution. They have no hope and do not believe they are loved or that there is a point to their lives.

But Villa Esperanza, Casa Havilah and Casa Robles are homes for these children, not only to provide a clean place for them to live, safety, food, education, and life-skills, but for them to receive the hope Christ gives- the "riches of God's grace" (the title of this series is "Las Riquezas de la Gracia" which means "the riches of grace" inspired by Ephesians 1). They are "taught about a loving Savior and are encouraged to love others as He would." (Villa Esperanza site).

^"4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us.... ¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."

                                                                                                  Ephesians 1:4-14

I will be doing a drawing of each of the children currently living in these homes, but also the ones that I have met but are no longer living at the homes. For instance, when I served at Casa Havilah, there were thirteen girls living there, but Vanessa, Sugeydi, Jocelyn and Andrea are no longer there. There is a new girl, Karen, that I have not had the pleasure of meeting, but am excited to learn more about her. And Kener and his little sister Luisa are no longer at Casa Robles.

A portion of the proceeds from each sell will go to that house (Villa Esperanza has a specific sponsorship program, so it will go directly to that particular child).

I'm doing a total random selection as to the order, but Sara from Villa Esperanza is first!!! :D It will take forever, so if you're stoked about a particular child, please be patient!

Her post is coming soon :P

 

Its been so long since I've posted anything, let alone art! Let's just say I'm just now getting over a bad case of  "artist's block" :P I have been working on a particular painting since September! I just wasn't feeling it, but decided to just work through it. I'm almost done though, which will allow me to focus on a few other projects (I've got a series of paintings and a series of drawings that I've been trying to get started)!

But last week I stumbled upon something I've been totally stoked about since! I came across a bunch of amazing photos taken by Tom Seipel, a full time missionary living in Managua, Nicaragua. I met Tom last summer during my internship, and was blessed to be able to work alongside him. Not only is it obvious he loves the kids we were serving, but it's also obvious he loves the Lord big time. But I didn't know he is such a good photographer! He's even going to let me use them to help me with the series of drawings I will be starting soon!

The photos I came across are of a few of the girls currently living at Casa Havilah. This is a home for thirteen girls (though it may now be fourteen. I believe the new girl is named Luz! I never got to meet her, but have known of her for quite some time. If that's not her name, please let me know :P) that previously lived in the garbage dump and it's surrounding areas. Each of these girls struggle daily, dealing with their painful pasts and current situations with their families. They have endured all kinds of abuse- things most of us can't even imagine.

*****^^^ Tom cleared it up for me- Luz is not her name, it is Karen! And there are actually ten girls at Havilah now days :/

The week we (the interns) lived with the girls at Casa Havilah, was actually the hardest week of internship for me. One girl, the youngest, sat us down and told us the awful things that happen to her when she goes home. I was sad and frustrated to think that this is what happens to so many children. I constantly had to reflect on the Lord's promises and the hope we have in Him. But I was also so blessed that week. The girls are amazing, and I can see the Lord working in their lives.

What I really love about these photos, is that they really capture the girls' personalities (especially the ones of Ashley, the ultimate model :P). Ashley is super spunky... Jaquiline is just sweet... Marie Elena is shy... Pamela has the most amazing smile in the world (I know that's not a personality ;])... just check out the photos and you'll see what I'm talking about ;]

 

I really have no clue what the girls are doing in that previous picture. But I still like it! Now we just need to get Tom to take pictures of all the girls at Havilah, and Casa Robles (home for boys) :P He definitely has a gift!

For more of his photos or for bigger sizes, please check out his facebook!

^^Another photo taken at Los Brasiles, a school!

Thanks Tom!