Below are personal notes from the girls at Gates of Hope.  They recently went to a church conference in Honduras called ENCOUNTER.  Thanks to all of you who helped sponsor them, read on to see how grateful they are and how their lives have changed.

The encounter for me was full of blessings. To me I was just going to be a support to the girls. That was good. They were all happy that I was there with them.

But I learned that I needed more. And I want more of the presence of God in my life. It was a beautiful experience.

The girls did not want to leave the kept saying “Tia, I don’t want to leave, I want to stay here!” It was such a blessing to me to see them dancing. To see them stepping forward on their own, without me telling them they needed to, whenever there was a message that was a part of the problems in their lives.

When we were asked to close our eyes and then open them and look around for all the people missing in your lives (mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children) that was the most moving of all. The tears flowed like buckets in that place. And they did not pick anyone from the crowd, they all wanted to be with me. I know that they love me, and I ask God to help me to love them as though they were my own.

We are all grateful for the money donated so we could all be able to attend. I pray God will multiply that and more, many times, in the lives of everyone that gave.

Thank you and many many blessings upon your lives.

Sincerely,
Nilda