December 1, 2007

These emails from Stan brought much joy this afternoon. Because YOU joined with us, this is your celebration too!

From Stan:
Martha's graduation is tomorrow at 5:00 PM at the Encuentro school auditorium. I bought her a dress and shoes and this afternoon she, Lucy and her mother went to buy her some accessories.

We did a practice last Monday evening at the school. The fathers escort the daughters and the mothers accompany the sons.

Everyone from the home is going and Julie will be busy early tomorrow fixing everyone’s hair and makeup. The girls are excited and scurrying around trying to borrow a dress for the graduation.

I think I told you that Martha is the first in her family to graduate from high school.

Not bad for a disadvantaged girl who was abused, neglected and raised in a dirt floor shack in rural Colombia. 

Three plus years ago, she had no hope of an opportunity to shine for God’s Kingdom. 

Now she wants to use her  artistic talents to help others.

I am hoping to save some money and take her, Cindy and Julie (the graduates) out to eat sometime in the next couple weeks. 

Cindy graduates December 9 and Julie December 18.

Today is Lucy's 18th birthday so we will have cake and soda later on tonight. She got her grade report and is at the top of her class (8th grade).

I'm so proud of her!! Remember she started late in school and even didn't go  to school some of the time when she was younger. Next year she will be in 9th-10th grade (two years in one school year)

This past Thursday evening I went to Encuentro School for the final grade reports. Everyone attends this Christian school except three girls.

All of the girls except two had all A's & B's. Those two had C's in Algebra and the rest A's & B's.

Cindy Avila graduated from her Christian girls school this month with all A's & two B's. Tati Pena receives her grade report next week as does Lucy Hernandez from their schools.

However today, Lucy received an award that she is at the top of her class. I am sooooo proud of all of them.

The director at Encuentro told me that they were impressed at the level of learning and discipline of the girls. He also told me that he wished all the parents were as concerned about their kids as we were in the foundation. Just wanted to pass this good news along and say THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

In His Service,
Stan

If you feel led to celebrate with us by helping with the graduation expenses, the donation info is below or you can click on this link to our website and make an easy, safe online donation http://www.hopefulheartsministries.org/Pages/Contribute.html

Most of all, celebrate with us and rejoice! Because of you these girls have a safe environment where they have the opportunity to develop their potential to serve in God's Kingdom.

We are grateful for your support through many difficulties. If we share the sufferings of Jesus, we will also share His joy and this is the joy part!

We are deeply grateful you've been willing to join with us arm and arm to bring about these successful results. Praise God with us today as we rejoice in His goodness!

May God pour out His Love and Blessings on you,
Sharon Gibson

November 1, 2007

Stan has been having some heaviness in his chest, shortness of breath and some other symptoms The doctor wants to run some tests because this is not normal.

Since Monday, I've been trying to work through the communication issues with the insurance to get the tests Stan needs done at the hospital in Colombia.

It's such a challenge again dealing with overseas hospitals, language issues etc. Very stressing and time consuming. I'm comforted knowing I can do my part to help work this out.

Stan told me last night, "You are my lifeline there in the USA."

The cardiologist is leaving town and won't be back until Tuesday so we need these tests done today. Stan wants to come home but the cardiologist said he needed to wait 30 days to be strong enough to travel. With the new developments, it will be longer because she wants to monitor him.

Would you pray with me that:

* Somehow the communication needed between the insurance company and hospital will come together today and Stan will get the tests and help he needs
* For total healing in Stan's body, soul, mind and spirit and strength, comfort, wisdom as he continues to deal with the issues at the Girls Home and for people to help him
* For provision for us personally as the copay for the medical bills continues to grow - we've personally invested all we have in helping the kids and to support us doing this work.
* For strength, wisdom and comfort as I continue to deal with all this and all the responsibilities I have here in the USA that support the Girls Home and the kids in Brazil

On this truth we depend,

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Thank you for your love, care, prayers and support. We do not take this for granted and could not go on one day without them. We are truly grateful and the kids are grateful.

May God pour out His Love and Blessings on you,

Sharon Gibson

October 25, 2007

Two emails among the many I receive from Stan stood out to me this week.

This first email shows the reason Stan makes the sacrifices he does even when he doesn't feel well. As you recall, he had a major heart attack the first of October.

Stan writes:

Just yesterday, a BIG moment happened for me. I attended a presentation for Martha, one of our older (age 19) and original girls of the ministry. This took place at her Christian school and was a requirement for her graduation. The critics or judges were composed of two professors from the school plus a well known Colombian artist whose’ work has been exhibited at the American Embassy and other world renown galleries.

Her exhibit entailed nine different art expressions of the Apocalypses and was highly received. Martha’s spiritual growth is evident. If you could have seen her two years ago, you would marvel at the change in her life.

Talk about a proud papa!!! Martha’s background of poverty and abuse is startling, considering what she has endured most of her lifetime to arrive at this point.

Her statement at the conclusion of the day was, “Daddy, I have found my identity in God and art." Our desire is to take Martha to the United States in 2008, to explore further higher education opportunities and scholarships in the field of art.

You see, this is what our ministry is all about, “Giving Hope For The Future, One Life At A Time.”

In Christ,
Stan

The second email he wrote about how he is feeling, "I get exhausted just walking up the stairs. My biggest need is to have someone come help me run the home day to day work.

Daily, I want to pack my suitcase, and go home to Arkansas. Then one of those brief moments rises up and little arms hug your neck and say, “I love you daddy.”

Would you pray with us for the Lord to

* Raise up some immediate help for Stan to help lift his load while he is recovering from a major heart attack?

The woman who was going to coordinate volunteers from the church left for a month and nothing has happened.
* Stan would like to have a missionary couple and two strong women leaders to staff the home for a more permanent solution.

This is difficult when we don't have a steady income to offer them. But then, as you know, this is an ongoing miracle journey.
* Continue to pray for ongoing spirit-led provision. The girls are needing clothes and shoes. They do have a way of growing!
* Pray for someone with organizational, secretarial skills to come alongside and help me 4-6 hours a week on a volunteer basis.

Stan and I have not shrunk from sacrifice but we are both more than a little stretched.

The story of Martha is the reason in a nutshell, why we do what we do, why we endure the suffering and why we make the sacrifices we make.

King David's quote continues to inspire me, "I will not offer to the Lord something which costs me nothing."

It's your prayers, your support and your care that enables us to do this work that makes the difference for girls like Martha.

Because of you, Martha has an opportunity to discover and fulfill her God given talent and continue to seek to fulfill her purpose here on earth.

As always, we couldn't do it without you! You endear my heart to you with all your words of encouragement, prayers and financial support.

May God pour out His Love and Blessings on you,
Sharon Gibson

He saw to it that justice and help were given to the poor and needy - Jeremiah 22:16