Habiba

Hello,

My name is Habiba H. I am 19 years old and I live in Asela Ethiopia. I have lived in the Christian Horizons home in Ethiopia for 6 years now. My father died when I was a child and my mother could no longer take care of me. Over the years Christian Horizons Ethiopia has become my new family. The leaders here are like my mom and dad and I love them very much.

Christian Horizons has taught me many things. I have gained much experience and education over the years and I am excited to say that I am now a University Student. I work very hard for my education and all my my subjects matter to me – I study law. Not only do I live at the Christian Horizons home and study my schoolwork, but I also volunteer my spare time to help Christian Horizons Ethiopia. I work sometimes in the office doing  secretary and other work. I love helping people with special needs. I am excited about what the future will hold for my life and the things I can accomplish to help others.

H.H – Asela, Ethiopia

An Experience Like None-Other

From a world where everything around you is taken for granted, to a world where everything around you is valued because life may depend on it. On July 14^th 2008, I and a few other members had the chance to visit the beautiful country of Ethiopia.

An experience in Ethiopia is an experience like none-other. While in Ethiopia I got the chance to see a whole new way of life that you would never have imagined until you got the chance to actually familiarize yourself with the culture first hand. The majority of the trip was spent in the town of Asela, which is a few hours from the capital, Addis Ababa. Although we were in Asela for what only seemed a short time, great things were being done through Christian Horizons.

As a group, we were able to meet many new faces and also have the opportunity to take part in some of the local projects such as the English school. The English school was filled with children who were eager to learn and they demonstrated their English skills beyond what I would have expected, I was honestly amazed! While in Asela, I got the chance to get to know the children of the girls and boys homes and although their English was good, sometimes the difference between our languages was a minor issue. What I really found amazing however, was the fact that when there was a language barrier, they still tried their best to try and communicate with us. A smile means the same wherever you are so there were lots of smiles! While in Asela, a baby home was opened and within a few days of it being open, a new born and a few toddlers came in and so it was fun to also play and get to know each one of them.

One of Christian Horizons current up and going projects is the local dairy farm. Seeing how successful the dairy farm is makes me excited for other future projects because hopefully they will be just as triumphant! An impacting event on the trip was when Christian Horizons held a meeting for the poor/street mothers to help them find a way to support themselves and their family by expanding the possibility of future jobs. My time in Ethiopia was well spent and I was amazed to hear of all the current and future projects of Christian Horizons because I know that they will be very successful!

 

M.C – Ontario, Canada

 

Truth Search ’08

Christian Horizons was thrilled to be part of Truth Search ’08. There were 30 enthusiastic volunteers representing CH as they ushered the crowd to their seats and assisted with an offering collection. Not only did their time and efforts benefit CH, but they also had a chance to listen in on the rest of the night’s great presentations.It was an encouraging evening and everyone had a good time!

 

A Greater Depth to Love

  

The bed squeaked beneath me, the extruding springs that had initially pinched and scrapped my back were now a comfort. I stretched out like a baby seeing its first glimpse of the world. Through the window the warm Guatemalan sun shone and I smelled the goodness of fresh fruit. In only ten short days I had fallen in love with this country and its people. Suddenly a breeze of realization swept over me, today was the day; it was time to journey back home. My heart ached at the thought of saying goodbye to my new friend Johanna.

I carried my suitcases down the stairs and loaded them into the van. It’s hard to explain the feeling I knew in this moment as I made my way back to Johanna’s wheelchair. For the first time in ten days, Johanna was not smiling. Unable to speak to me in words, she lifted up her mobile hand until it found mine. I leaned down and hugged her. “I love you Johanna,” I whispered, and the tears came, disregarding the wall I had desperately tried to build up to stop them. I watched as a tear slipped from her eye as well. As hard it was, I turned to walk to the van. Johanna made a faint noise and began to rock back and forth. Tears poured down her smooth face. Eventually I joined the rest of the group. It was a dead silent ride to the airport.

Lets go back in time, ten days previously, as I waited at the airport ready and excited to go on my first international mission trip. We would be going to Guatemala City to work with a group home that took girls from abusive or orphan situations and provide them with a healthy and safe environment to live in.

As I waited in the airport, a cloud of thought about the buddy I had been assigned bounced through my head. At one of our group’s weekly meetings before the trip, our leader explained to us that one of the girls, Johanna, was physically disabled and was unable to verbally communicate. I felt a pressing on my heart, and volunteered to be her partner through the different activities. We boarded our plane, I’m sure many of you know the anxiety I was feeling and we arrived safely in Guatemala City.

On arriving at the home we were greeted by thirteen incredibly friendly young girls. We were met with hugs, kisses, and a lot of scrambled Spanish. Johanna was a beautiful young girl. She had long deep brown hair and dark stunning eyes. Her teeth were very straight and she smiled as I imagine an angel would.  

We brought out sidewalk chalk and the girls were colouring the cement blocks they had as a backyard. Johanna was in a wheelchair and was unable to reach the ground, so I held a piece of paper in her lap. Although it was a slight struggle, she could lift her one arm up to grab the chalk from my grasp. She was delighted. Her constant smile and gentle motions touched my heart. Suddenly, she looked up at me and ever so softly lifted the chalk to my lips and began to make me beautiful. The louder I began to laugh, the brighter her face shone. She painted my face with the chalk, then my arms, and proceeded to cover almost all the bare skin she could reach. She inspired the other girls to colour each other and soon we were all running around decorated brightly.

A few days later we had a party for the girls. We had each purchased a pair of pajamas, hair accessories, and other fun things for our buddy. As we presented each one with a small girft, it was if we had placed the world in their hands. After we had dressed each and done their hair in various styles, we went downstairs, put on some music, and let them stride by as if they were models. Again, words cannot describe how I felt at this moment. I was living…no, dancing in…in a miracle.

The last Friday that we were there, we all met in the main room to have a prayer session. We would pray in English and then in return our buddy would pray for us in Spanish. We all sat in a large circle, unified by not only our held hands, but also by our hearts. I was sitting next to Johanna, her hand resting in mine.

We bowed our heads and closed our eyes. The moment I began to hear Spanish prayers, I heard a soft noise. I looked beside me and watched in awe as Johanna faintly began to make sounds. She spoke in little gurgles, words that didn’t make sense to me. I sat in wonder of my God as Johanna communicated with him in her own way. I knew then…and I still know today that she was speaking to God, and that most important, He knew her heart. As the last person said Amen, Johanna stopped her melodious sounds. My eyes remained closed as I continued to process the fact that Johanna has just, in her own unique way, conversed with her creator.

I love Johanna, and love her still – and will continue to love her until the day my memory fails. I learned a great deal from her about love – love that is non-superficial and based on nothing materialistic. I also learned that love for our creator goes beyond words and mental capacity. Johanna will never know the way in which she touched my life. She may not even remember me, but I will forever be grateful to the sweet gentle soul who showed me a greater depth to love.

J.D – Ontario, Canada

  

 

 

 

 

 

Moments I Will Not Forget

 

 

Hello, my name is Sully Andrea Rojas, I’m 14 years old, and from Guatemala.
Since I was a child, my mom & dad have been working on the ministry of helping others in Guatemala. There have been so many moments that I will not forget, some were more challenging, but others were awesome!

When I spent time in the group home when I was growing up and as the group home was growing in size, I can remember that I loved to play with the girls and make new games even it was late at night! Some of the things that were hard for me were that some of the girls that I loved or was my friend moved to another place, and I knew that they will never be back again. Another thing was that I didn’t know if they were all really my friends or if they were kind with me because of my parents. With time I discovered which girls really appreciated me like a friend and they eventually became like a sister. 

While my brother and I played and studied, the group home was taking new ideas. There were new staff, new projects and the place was growing, God was (is) merciful with all of us.
Then, Some things changed, we grew and we had different ideas, and then life showed us some hard situations, but something good happened, the ministry was growing and there were new people helping us and also some girls were more mature.

Also one of my favorite experiences was helping in camps that served people who were deaf and had other special needs, those were really awesome. I will never forget the things that I learned there. After all of these years living with different people, new experiences and especially discovering the different sides of life, I have learned that of course challenging things happened, and some of them really hurt, but God is always with us and He answers our prayers and He give us protection, friends, even money. I don’t know what will happen next or if I will have new experiences but I’m really thankful with God, my parents and all these friends who changed my life or taught me new things.

God bless you

A.R – Guatemala City, Guatemala

Cindy

Hello,

My name is Cindy. I grew up in a group home run by Children’s Homes International (now Christian Horizons). Since my early childhood I have been watching and getting quite involved in many events prepared for children and youth that my parents Rudy & Sully has been leading. Now I am 20 years old. I am part of the CH volunteer team.

I am so greatful for the opportunity to serve people with exceptional needs as well for the chance to participate in a specific club for people with disabilities. The club is called “Club Amigos de Horizontes Cristianos” (Christian Horizons Friends Club). The main purpose of our club is to accomplish friendship, vocational training, and Bible Study. We meet every month Every single meeting there is always something special and new.

God Bless You,

Cindy –  Guatemala

 

The Perfect Proposal

Remember that show on The Learning Channel???

 A proposal is pretty memorable to most. I don’t think I know too many people that can’t recall how their marriage was proposed. From what I hear…it’s a pretty big deal. So big in fact, that you want to share it with family, friends, colleagues, the mailman and other random strangers. For those people on A Perfect Proposal, they’re taking it one step further and sharing their special moment with the world!! Although it doesn’t necessarily even matter how it’s done or if its on TV. The ring could be hidden in your dinner food (I would warn that this one is a little dangerous) or the words could be yelled while jumping out of a plane (I am indeed referring to skydiving), or if the creative juices aren’t flowing so well, rose petals combined with pretty much anything are always a good fallback. Really then…its not the proposal at all. It’s the excitement and joy experienced by two individuals that have finally decided to commit to committing their lives to each other…forever!! Proposals mark the beginning of new exciting relationships and the creation of family. Who wouldn’t want to share that with the world?!

Maybe for you it’s not an engagement story that has you all excited…maybe its something else in your life that you just want to share with everyone… something so exciting or close to your heart that you want the world to know. That is the exact reason this Blog was created. No, I’m not engaged…but I have made a personal commitment and dedication to Christian Horizons and their Global Ministries. It is something I’m so excited, passionate and in love with that it will definitely be a lifelong commitment! I’d call that a marriage…if you want to send a gift feel free.

 

Seriously though, this Blog page – a place for CH Global volunteers and many others, is a safe place where its your turn to “gush” about that new proposal, the commitment & dedication to this cause and a changed way of living that focuses on serving individual’s with exceptional needs – in all we do…and with all of our resources. For more information check out the “About Us” tab on the top of this page.  

 

 

As this Blog is continually updated, look forward to hearing the stories and experiences of other young and like-minded individuals from around the world who are excited to share their stories and experiences. Thanks to the Internet, we’ll make the world a little smaller by uniting here…eventually our stories; our proposals and special moments can be shared. Until next time…I’ll continue sharing my stories with the mailman.