December Newsletter 2010

Dear Friends —

With grateful hearts, we are celebrating the 50th Holiday Season for Pan American Health Service in Honduras. Nestled near the shores of Lake Yojoa, our beautiful campus remains surrounded by the Hunger Haunted Hills filled with treasures — Something of Value — lives of precious children rescued from hunger and abandonment.

The challenge is being met with your support! As we pause to look back on God’s providences over the last 50 years we see His hand in the miracles of children’s lives who were rescued from hunger and who are now productive adults raising their own healthy little ones. We are joyful as we see small children - once starving - become loving, thriving, energetic people, eager to contribute to those around them. Many children over a period of several weeks have spent their time lovingly coloring the PAHS Christmas card, especially for you.

This is a favorite Holiday activity for them. It would warm your hearts to see how much love and gratitude goes into their coloring. A few of the older children took special time to express their gratitude to you, their benefactors. Avis, 19 years old - a part of our family since she was a toddler - and now a university student majoring in Education, had this to say in her note of gratitude: “Thanks to all your help we can have food on our table, we can study, live comfortably, have clothing to keep us warm ... and are very happy thanks to your support. We know that God will give each of you double blessings... for all you give to each of us”.

These special children have an incredible capacity to love! It is our wish to convey their love through this Christmas poem.

At Christmas time I behold in these An image of Him who died on the tree,

“Mild Mary’s Son acknowledge me; Behold, through them, I give to thee!”

And the voice that was calmer than silence said, “Lo, it is I, be not afraid!

The Holy Supper is kept indeed In whatso we share with another’s need

Not what we give but what we share, — For the gift without the giver is bare;

Who gives himself with his alms feeds three, Himself, his hungering neighbor, and Me.”

- Adapted from The Vision of Sir Launfaul—Second by James Russell Lowell

With love and cheer, Anita Zelaya-Youngberg, RN PAHS Children and Staff