Back To School ... Take 2!

Back in August I started writing our “Back to School” blog post. Momentum had definitely been building for our kids to finally return to in person classes on August 30th. We were very busy shopping, planning, preparing, attending school meetings, etc. When it was all said and done, we felt like we had a great game plan for our 3 girls, attending 3 different schools with, 3 different schedules. Carolina started her senior year of high school, Natalia started her 1st year of junior high (7th grade) and our daughter Ayantu started her final year of elementary school (6th grade).

As we anticipated the first day of school, we received some incredibly sad news that one of the beloved teachers had passed away from COVID. A man at the age of 48, leaving behind his wife and 3 little kids. The government decided to postpone school for another week for a time of mourning.

September 6th came and the new school year had officially begun. The girls have classes 2 days a week from 8:00-1:00 PM. Unfortunately the schedules are all different. We’ve got a Monday and Tuesday, Monday and Wednesday, Tuesday and Thursday, and then sometimes a Friday depending on the work load. After the first week, Jackie and I were talking about why in the world this felt more complicated then when we would just pile 13-15 kids into a van every morning and haul them off to school for a regular schedule of 8:00-3:00, Monday thru Friday.

The first week of school was a success. The girls adapted very well to the new protocols, smaller classroom sizes, seating arrangements, face masks, no recess or lunch, etc, etc. Sadly though, that only lasted a week for our daughter. No sooner had school begun, that it had to be shut down for 2 weeks due to individuals getting COVID. Hopefully this doesn’t become the new norm. 2 days of school, 2 weeks of shut down.

Our health and wellness program continues to be a blessing. We started this when the orphanage shut down back in March of 2020. This has been an incredible way that we can partner with kids and their families to help bring assistance through financial aid, clothing and supplies, encouragement, tutoring, etc. Rather than have kids return to the orphanage, we have been able to help keep them with their families. One of those boys, Edgar, lives with his mom Lucia about 15 mins away from us. There are no good school options for him out there so we were able to work out a schedule and plan to get him to the elementary school here in town. He is in 6th grade and has classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lastly, I wanted to give an amazing report regarding the House of Blessing Golf Tournament we had on September 11th. It was truly an amazing and special day. Golfers, volunteers, churches and businesses from all over helped make this event possible and a wonderful success. We were able to raise over $8800. Please check out this short video recap we put together.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Until next time!

Jason

HOB Golf Tournaments

It is definitely that time of the year to start talking about and promoting the House of Blessing (HOB) Golf Tournaments. 2021 will be extra special as we will be having not one but two tournaments. The Classic Golf Club will once again host our Washington tournament on September 11. We are also very excited to be announcing our first ever tournament in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. This will be held at the Winston Trails Golf Club on October 16. These tournaments are always a wonderful time as people come out for a great day of golf, hanging out and raising funds for House of Blessing.

When COVID-19 hit Mexico, the HOB orphanage had to temporarily shut down. Most of the children in the home were reconnected with their family members. It was during this time that the HOB leadership began to reevaluate things and look for new and creative ways to continue to help the children and their families, as well as the local community.

As the pandemic continues to bring difficulty and challenges in Mexico, we are hoping that participation and funds raised from this year’s tournaments will help HOB pursue their new and expanded mission. It has been a blessing to continue caring for children and their families as well as, assisting single/widowed mothers and their children, and help bring relief and support to the local community.

You can find out all the great details for both tournaments at our website, www.hobgolf.org. Not only are we looking for individuals to come out and play, but also for volunteers, sponsors, raffle prizes, etc.

If you are interested in volunteering, helping or sponsoring one of the events, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us at golf@thehouseofblessing.org or 915.316.9496.

Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you either in WA or FL.

#GIRLDAD

On January 26 2020, NBA great Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter and 7 other individuals.  After this tragic accident the #GirlDad went viral.  Dads were inspired by Kobe to be more supportive dads to their daughters and to share stories of how their girls have changed their lives.

In an interview with ESPN anchor Elle Duncan, she shared with Kobe that she was pregnant and expecting a girl.  Kobe responded with a high-five and told her ‘Just be grateful that you’ve been given that gift because girls are amazing.’  When Elle asked Bryant how he and his wife would feel about having a fourth girl, Kobe responded, ‘I would have five more girls if I could.  I’m a girl dad.’

For the past 10 days, my wife Jackie has been visiting family and friends in Seattle.  Its been a bit hectic trying to balance my normal duties and then my Mr. Mom duties.  I’ve done more cooking, cleaning, laundry, garden watering, carpooling, tutoring and navigating girl drama and emotions, then I have in a very long time.  Lets just say I am all the more appreciative of all that my wife does for the three girls and myself.  I can’t wait to have her back home tomorrow. 

Fortunately, the girls have done a great job helping out.  There has been minimal complaining and maximum volume of talking, laughing and singing.  

The other night the 4 of us went for our normal evening walk with our 3 huskies.  It was that night in particular that I will never forget.  As the girls were walking slightly in front of me, I had a bit of a revelation.  All three girls, Carolina (16), Natalia (12) and Ayantu (11) have either lost their biological father or never had the opportunity to meet him.

Carolina’s dad died of a brain injury when she was 7 years old.  She was then abandoned by her mom and raised by her grandparents until she came to live here at the orphanage in August of 2016.  Natalia never met her dad.  Her mom, Angela, told us that he left shortly after Natalia was born.  Angela has never heard from him again.  We have been caring for Natalia since August 2015.  And then their is our daughter Ayantu Faith.  We adopted her from Ethiopia when she was 11 months old.  Antu was left on a dirt road just days after being born.  She was found by some women walking to work and spent her first 10 months in an orphanage.  By God’s grace, Ayantu joined our family on February 14th, 2011.

As I continued to watch these three beautiful girls walk and giggle, I was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.  What an honor and privilege God has bestowed upon my wife and I to not only raise our daughter Ayantu, but to also care for Natalia and Carolina.  It has been one of the greatest joys in my life for the past 15 months to have Natalia and Caro live in our house with us.  They moved in with us when COVID-19 hit Mexico.

I don’t know what God has in store for the future of Natalia and Carolina or how long they will live with us.  But, for the moment, I am treasuring every second and opportunity I have to be a father-like figure in their lives.  I’m praying daily for wisdom and discernment of how to raise and care for these girls. I am searching for ways to have conversations about God’s saving Grace, His Love and how much He treasures and adores them.  And I am most definitely and forever will be, proud to be a #GirlDad.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world.

I want to give a shoutout to my two brothers Joey and Jeremy.  Between the 3 of us we have 7 girls and no boys.  This past Thanksgiving our three families gathered in Nashville for a wonderful time together. We sure do love our girls, Lucy, Mae, Opal, Ayantu, Evangeline, Violet and Nora.