Restoration of the Nations: Israel

Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2013

They Came Looking For Him

Last Thursday, I (Sandra) stopped by San Sebastian School to let Israel and Noel know that I was in town and to meet me after school. The school was empty except for the director, associate director and the boys' teacher. The classes had been dismissed early.

I chatted for a few minutes with the ladies. They told me that they were so proud of the boys and the progress with their studies. They said that the boys were extremely polite and well behaved. It was a joy to have them in their school.

Well, as a proud "mama", I walked out of the school with my head high and spirits soaring. I went on to do my errands and would catch up with the boys when I got home.

Later that evening, Preston spoke to me that Israel had told him he "did not want to go back to school". I was reeling because this announcement was so unexpected after what I had been told earlier in the day by the teaching staff. I went to Israel and asked him if something had happened at school with the kids to make him not want to continue with school. He said no. I had my doubts, but I told him that if he wanted to take the next day off from school, we would allow it and we would talk in the morning.

Israel was with us the next morning for devotions since he stayed home from school. He was quiet, which is nothing unusual for him; but he was sad. He is a very sensitive young man and gets his feelings hurt easily. I asked him if the kids at school were being cruel to him, or if they had said something that hurt his feelings. He would not admit to anything, but he did say that he did not like the kids. This I knew was not true; and I also knew that I would not get the real answer from him.

So, I tried to talk to him from another angle. I spoke to him about how sometimes kids can say things that may not be kind or they may be jealous because a lot of attention had been shown him lately by the teachers. We encouraged him to not let anyone rob him of the opportunity of completing school this year. We spoke to him of the importance of getting his promotion certificate so that we could pursue finding a school next year that would accept him in order for him to hopefully complete "high school". We talked about all the roadblocks that would be put up to get him to quit, to not realize his dream of getting his diploma, and to not achieve the ability to be able to work at a job that would allow him to take care of himself and his future family. The discussion ended by asking him to think over what we talked about and give us an answer in a couple of days.

During the mid morning, Noel came home from school early and he was accompanied by his teacher and 2 classmates. The teacher wanted to talk to us and to Israel. She was concerned about Israel not being in school. Noel had told her about Israel's comment the night before. She had talked with the class and was able to find out what had happened to prompt Israel's announcement. The class received a reprimand about their behavior. She was deeply concerned that Israel might not return to school.

Thus, they came looking for him. They, the teacher and 2 classmates, road the bus through town and out to our home. They came to talk to Israel and ask him to come back to school. She, too, encouraged him to NEVER give up. It meant a lot to Israel that there are people in his life that care about him. It meant a lot to Preston and I that the school cares so much about Israel that they would come to OUR home to talk. We were not asked to come to the school for a discussion, they came to us.

Israel went back to school today. He came home excited because he had aced his exam. Exams are in full swing at school prior to the first report card. This young man is in his first year of school, taking a combined 5th and 6th grade and he is almost 19 years old. He is 5 years older than the next oldest student. He is a young man of courage, struggling some days to keep up with his peers academically. He deserves to be celebrated.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

School, a First for One Young Man!

We are in the beginning weeks of the Nica school year with all the boys attending. Schools are tightening their policies of appropriate criteria to enter school. Most and I mean most of the males of Nicaragua are uneducated. Young men either drop out of school in their 3rd year or don’t attend at all. If you are a male and decide you want to continue pursuing your education after a time away from school, then it is almost impossible because of the age restrictions imposed by the schools and proof of the last grade completed. Getting records of the last grade completed can be difficult because generally they never completed a grade. Also, if they move around a lot, the records get lost or they are too far away to go back to the community to retrieve records.

Having said all that, we are so excited that 2 of our boys are in school, Noel and Israel. San Sebastian is a small privately funded school that was an answer to our prayers. This is Noel's 2nd year at the school He was several years out of school before we discovered San Sebastian. Israel had only been to school 1 year in his brief life and did not complete that year. We are very grateful to the director of San Sebastian for agreeing to allow Israel to attend school.

Both boys are combining the 5th and 6th grades into one year of study. When they complete this year of school, they will have an official "promotion certificate" that should allow them to proceed to the secondary (high school) level.

Noel and Israel have birthdays in July and they will be 19 years old. Think of it, 19 years old and studying at the 5th & 6th grade level. I am so very proud of the boys for their courage to be in a classroom of younger students. This privilege also speaks of the character of the boys and the trust that the director has in them to conduct themselves in a manner that is not threatening to the other students.

Freddy is returning to Jose Madrid for his 8th year of study. He is 2 years older than his peers, but that is not a critical age difference. He has 4 years remaining before he gets his final graduation certificate. Freddy has a problem with staying focused. This could be a result of poor nutrition in his earlier years or ADD. We are not trained to make a proper evaluation.

Once we received the decision from the school director to allow Israel to attend school, we had the task of shopping for school supplies at the last minute. We want to especially thank Randy, Steve and Moni for their generous donations which allowed us to get all that was needed to prepare the boys for school. The funds also helped to pay the bus fare for the first month and purchase a pair of prescription glasses. Israel has been having vision problems. I noticed that he had difficulty reading when we were having English classes. He could not read anything unless it was close to him. The donations allowed us to have his eyes tested and purchase the needed glasses.

Shopping was quite an adventure; these boys have definite ideas on how they want to look. If you have ready any of our past posts, appearance to a Nicaragua male teen is their top priority. The boys were frantically trying to find pants that had tapered legs, they did not want to accept the fact that they were limited to the type of shirts and pants they were allowed to wear. All students in Nicaragua are required to wear the basic white shirt and blue pants or skirt. Each boy was bought 3 shirts, 2 pants, shoes, underwear, socks, backpacks and school supplies. (side note: The other day when I was doing laundry, I was joking with the boys that they never had so many pair of underpants before)

We had to stay on our toes because the vendors want to take advantage of the gringos. Everything gets priced to us far above what a local would buy it for. When the boys are with us, they help to talk the price down to a more manageable sum. There are no dressing rooms in the market, so usually the boys are bare chested in the aisles trying on shirts. Or they might be behind a blanket held up by a worker so they try on pants in private. How many workers do you think sneak peaks at the boys? Just wondering......

The boys are very happy to be going to school. They understand that it is crucial to their future to get an education. All the boys had been studying English as part of our vocational program for the last 8 months and are doing very well. The boys understand English quite well and Israel is especially good in speaking the language. There is a world of possibilities that await them and they are on their way to discovering them. Homework is sometimes overwhelming for them because they are so far behind in their years of study compared to their peers.

There was an election for class president at San Sebastian and ended in a tie. The teacher broke that tie by announcing her choice for president - our Israel. She said she felt that he would be the most responsible of the two. Another proud moment for us.

Friends, donors and partners, we can't begin to describe the difference that your support has made in the lives of our boys. They are proof that anyone can turn their lives around with the loving support of others. And those of you who have blessed us with your visits, you have seen first hand the exceptional boys that they are. They are loving, kind, desiring to grow into Godly men and forever grateful that you care enough to help them.

If you want to continue to support them, our donation page is safe and easy to use. So much of their life is about study now, but as teenagers they need other things to occupy their minds and time. They each have musical talent and desire to continue with lessons that have been halted indefinitely due to funding. Noel plays the drums, Israel the piano and Freddy the saxophone. Please keep in mind that we strive to use every dollar wisely. Using your debit and credit cards cost us in processing fees. Would you consider making your donation by check draft? https://www.egivingsystems.org/37718

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for them.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Israel's Going to School

There are no words to describe our excitement today. Israel is able to go to school. This is a HUGE event for him. He has attended one semester of school in his whole life, but was not able to complete that grade because of 100 cordobas. 100 cordobas is equal to $4.15. The facility where he use to live did not give him the 100 cordobas to complete the course. 100 cordobas can be a big expense for people here; however, they have no problem finding money for candy, sodas and countless hours of cell phone minutes. Sometimes, education is not important to many people of this nation.

Israel will be 19 years old in July. He will go to a small private school with Noel starting on Monday which is the first day of the school year. The director of the school has agreed to allow Israel to attend. She knows first hand how well Noel did in school last year and that he is a well behaved young man. She has as much confidence in Israel as she put into Noel when she gave her consent for him to attend school.

The boys will be studying 5th and 6th grade in a combined study for the year. Imagine being 18 1/2 years old attending primary school with kids half your age. There are a few other youths that are a little older than the acceptable age but our boys will definitely be the oldest in school. This school is for the primary years only. They do not educate students beyond the 6th grade.

The benefit of the boys going to this school is that they will have a report card showing that they completed the 6th grade. This important document should allow them to attend the secondary (high) school next year. Schools are getting more strict about the age requirement to attend school. We can certainly understand their concern for the students. There could be social and security issues with having kids 5 plus years older than the majority of the students attending school. There are special secondary schools that have programs where the students take 2 grades in one year. This is our dream for the boys after they complete primary school.

The boys know that education is important. Their chances for meaningful employment soars when they can list on the application that they have completed high school. Israel will excel in school. He has been teaching himself how to read, write and speak English. His thirst for knowledge and education drives him to spend hours each day in study. The happiness within him is so apparent. He will be able to participate in a normal ritual - attending school.

Israel was in prayer mode when he was at the meeting with the director. He was continually and quietly Praising God during the interview. And, God was faithful to answer his prayers.

We need help with the expense of preparing Israel for school. Would you consider donating to buy his shoes, school uniforms and school supplies? He will also be riding the bus to school everyday which will cost $7 a month. Our donation site is easy and secure. https://www.egivingsystems.org/37718

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Israel

Israel Antonio Hernandez Ramirez is 16 years old and comes from Honduras. He is the middle child with 9 siblings. His parents do not live together.

Just when you think the stories about the boys' backgrounds couldn't get any worse, you hear one more. Israel has been at the Remar Leon facility for almost 2 years. He suffered extreme abuse back in his native Honduras and it caused him to act out. He had a father and uncle that tried to kill him. He tried to cross the border into Nicaragua and was captured and had to spend 4 months in prison when he was 14 years old. He also has told us that his life would be in danger if he returned to Honduras. A Christian recommended the Remar facility and that is now his home.

When we first met him, he was quiet and had a hurt look about him. As we've come to know him, he has opened up and is a lot more outgoing. He is transforming before our eyes. This kind of change can only come by a touch from God. See for yourself the change in him.

He is always very helpful with the other boys in class. There is a protectiveness that he displays towards some of the other boys. He works very diligently on the projects. During class, he likes to sing to himself and his voice is deep and beautiful.

He had been attending "public" school on Saturdays and studying English, but circumstances have recently prevented him from continuing his studies. It is evident that he understands us more than he lets on. He wants very much to be able to continue his studies.

His desire is to serve the Lord and be a good example to others. He would like to stay on at Remar and serve in their ministry.

We enjoy Israel's presence in class. He truly is a special boy and God will use him in huge ways.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Mission Team Visit

Recently, a small group of people from multiple churches in the High Point, NC area traveled to Nicaragua for a short term missions trip. We were privileged to have them stop in Leon and minister to the students in both sessions of the school. Pastor Eddy from La Casa del Padre Iglesia in Managua accompanied the group.

The team prayed over the morning session and immediately started getting Words of encouragement from the Lord for each of the boys. One of the students is an adult who pastors a small church in an adjacent town; Pastor Oscar was deeply touched by the group's visit.

On the following day, we took time to talk to the class about what they had experienced. The boys said they were grateful for the prayers and the Words spoken over their lives. Pastor Oscar shared that it was a miracle for him. The mission's group had no idea that he had been wondering how he was going to feed his family that day because he had absolutely no money. Before the group departed, they blessed him with money.

One of the boys was absent from school when the team visited. We did a quick teaching to the class about how to hear from God; then we asked each of the students to share a Word with Nelson. Every one of the boys and Pastor Oscar received a Word from God to encourage Nelson. As each one spoke to Nelson the message they had received from God, it became evident that there was a connecting theme throughout. Nelson received a tremendous blessing from his peers. We typed up what had been spoken, dated it and gave it to him for future reference.

It is hard to describe the changes that have taken place in Nelson from that experience of knowing that God notices him and used his fellow classmates to pray and encourage him. He has come alive and exhibits a new found confidence.

The team stopped by the school to meet the afternoon session. God showed up in a powerful way. Tears flowed, hearts were touched, walls crumbled, lives were forever changed. Each boy was touched in an individual unique way, a healing that was designed especially for him from Father God.

A father's blessing was spoken over the boys in each session by Mike Adams from Center City Church and his wife, Sharon followed with a mother's blessing. Most of these boys do not live with either parent and the boys in the rehab facility haven't known the presence of a parent in a long time.

We invited the boys of the afternoon session back to our house at the end of the next day's class for refreshments and some dialogue. We could see the changes in their faces, in their walk, in their peace and we wanted to hear what they had been experiencing during the last 24 hours.

One boy, Michael, was still emotional and he said he didn't care if his friends saw his tears. He said there was a time when no one would see him cry, but now it didn't matter; God changed that for him.

Israel is the young man from Honduras who is very quiet and keeps to himself. The changes within him seem to be the most noticeable amongst all the boys. His face is so much softer and when we ask him what God is doing in him, he says "something new, every day".

One of the changes we have implemented in the classes is the addition of HUGS. We announced that it would take effect immediately. At first some of them were a little stiff, but most of the guys now welcome the hugs. A couple of them enter our presence with their arms wide open in anticipation of getting their hug.

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