Links of Hope

I know I'm late posting this, but better late than never right? :)
On June 29th, an organization called Links of Hope came to Signs of Love La Ceiba, Honduras to teach Deaf women, selected by Signs of Love, to make and sell jewelry with the hopes of bringing an opportunity of self-support and empowerement.

Links of Hope worked with us for about a week and a half, and I do not think Signs of Love will ever be the same!!

Signs of Love hosted a 4 day camp in which the Links of Hope group taught the skill of jewelry making. We brought three Deaf from different villages and two from the school where I teach, to learn the trade.

Take a look at all the fun and learning that went on!

Let me rewind and tell you how this all started.
Two years ago Lucila (far right) was living in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. While living there she was introduced to the Links of Hope team i.e. Alissa Matiya (far left) and Beth Engleman (middle). Lucila learned the trade of jewelry making thanks to these two beautiful ladies. However, one day Lucila up and left Tegucigalpa with her family leaving Alissa and Beth believing they would never see her again. Alissa and Beth told us that they prayed and prayed for Lucila not having any idea where she would end up in life. Would she have people to look after her? Who would continue her education? Would she be in a place where sign language existed? Who would teach her about Jesus and His love for her? Little did they know Lucila ended up in the class for the Deaf where Jessie, my coworker, was teaching last year, introducing Lucila to Signs of Love.
Through out the school year Lucila would talk and talk about these two American women who taught her jewelry making, and how much she loved them. She even showed us photos of her time in Tegucigalpa which included both Alissa and Beth.
One day, Lucila showed Jessie her certificate from her Links of Hope work, giving Jessie a name to the faces and stories. Hoping to give a simple "thank you" to Links of Hope for all they had done for Lucila, Jessie sent them an email which then lead to the Links of Hope team coming to La Ceiba just a few short weeks ago. It was so beautiful to see Lucila reunited with her Tegucigalpa friends and the people that showered the love of Jesus on her, but more importantly seeing a seed that was planted 2 years ago, grow into teaching and empowering more Deaf in Honduras.
We give God all the glory for His amazing and timely plans.
Who else could have written a story this beautiful??
   

Alissa teaching Melkin

Beth teaching Hilda (left) and Vicenta (right)

Alissa telling Hilda she was duing great :)

Nancy (left) and Fanny (right) got to learn as well. Hopefully in the future these two ladies will be able to go into villages to teach the skill :)

Beth and Vicenta

Wouldn't be a Honduran sleepover without a lice treatment.
Fanny's bunny helped too.

Alissa helping Lucila and Beth helping Antonia

Night time called for a game of spoons!! Funny memories :)




During the mornings, Micah (Beth's 7 year old son) got to come to school and help out :)



I was so impressed by Micah, he loved helping the little ones in the classroom!

 Here are a few photos of what the girls made that week:

Vicenta's crochete necklace!! One of my favorites.

Antonia's bracelet. All of the jewelry we will be selling will have this tag, a Honduran coin stamped with "AMOR", the spanish word for love, and the universal "i love you" sign.

Vicenta modeling her creation. She is very skilled at jewelry making!!

Beth and Alissa with all the girls and their certificates after much hard work and learning!

The day after the girls' jewelry camp ended, Links of Hope taught the boys from the school the art of making leather bracelets.
Here is Jose working on his bracelet :)

The finished product! It is made with a Honduran coin in the center.
Love this one.

 Amanda during Deaf church, sending Links of Hope off on their last Sunday in La Ceiba.

We just love this group of beautiful people!! Not only did they change the lives of many Deaf in their short stay in Ceiba, but they faithfully poured out the Father's love on us at Signs of Love like we never could have imagined. Truly touched by each and every one of these amazing people.

If you would like to know more about Links of Hope please visit their Facebook page or website at linksofhope.org