Thursday, October 06, 2005
Where is daddy?
I assume my son Dakota has asked for me a few times while I have been gone in Honduras. I deeply miss my wife, Dakota and Riley. Being away is difficult...and fun at the same time. But it is never meant to be for too long...or everything would fall apart. And in some cases it is happening as I type. The absence of daddy is slowly draining life out of many familes.
Honduras youth are not deeply troubled with drugs and alcohol. Their biggest challenge is their involvement in gangs. Unlike in the States, they are not in gangs for money or drugs. In this case, they simply need acceptance.
About 700,000 people live in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. And most of the kids...MOST OF THE KIDS...have lost their fathers to work in another country. Yes they are making money and sending it back to the families, but their presence is deeply missed at home. It is a mixed tragedy. A deceptive tool of the enemy. It is family cancer disguised in meeting economic needs. It is harming families, while at the same time helping them through financial troubles.
Youth and children in this city are reaching out to gangs because their fathers are gone making money in another country. Youth and children are living with grandparents or older siblings because work ethic and family financial survival has taken precident. Kids are coping in single-parent...or no-parent homes because of the lack of an economic base in Honduras. More money comes into the financial flow of Honduras from men working out of country and sending money home, than the entire country of Panama gets through its Panama Canal income. Its the LARGEST resource of money in Honduras...yet at the same time, it's a silent serial killer to families.
Honduras is no exception to the missing-dad syndrome. In the States, dads may still be in the country, but they are still gone from the home so often they are not truly raising their own kids. Dads are working long hours--making ends meet--but then get home late and still don't spend quality time with their kids.
I have opened my eyes today to the need to spend quality family time with my boys. They need me. And God has placed me here on Earth to take care of them in more ways than just financial.
Let Family Time become an important part of the day in every home. Maybe as a church we should campaign for this stronger than any other cause.
Think of it...FAMILY TIME CAMPAIGN...an awareness campaign that promotes one hour of quality family time each day. It could change the world. ...one family at a time.
But before I call the media, I better make plans with my family. I need this campaign just like your family, just like America's family...just like Honduras' family.
Daddy....where are you? Son...I'll be home soon.
Honduras youth are not deeply troubled with drugs and alcohol. Their biggest challenge is their involvement in gangs. Unlike in the States, they are not in gangs for money or drugs. In this case, they simply need acceptance.
About 700,000 people live in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. And most of the kids...MOST OF THE KIDS...have lost their fathers to work in another country. Yes they are making money and sending it back to the families, but their presence is deeply missed at home. It is a mixed tragedy. A deceptive tool of the enemy. It is family cancer disguised in meeting economic needs. It is harming families, while at the same time helping them through financial troubles.
Youth and children in this city are reaching out to gangs because their fathers are gone making money in another country. Youth and children are living with grandparents or older siblings because work ethic and family financial survival has taken precident. Kids are coping in single-parent...or no-parent homes because of the lack of an economic base in Honduras. More money comes into the financial flow of Honduras from men working out of country and sending money home, than the entire country of Panama gets through its Panama Canal income. Its the LARGEST resource of money in Honduras...yet at the same time, it's a silent serial killer to families.
Honduras is no exception to the missing-dad syndrome. In the States, dads may still be in the country, but they are still gone from the home so often they are not truly raising their own kids. Dads are working long hours--making ends meet--but then get home late and still don't spend quality time with their kids.
I have opened my eyes today to the need to spend quality family time with my boys. They need me. And God has placed me here on Earth to take care of them in more ways than just financial.
Let Family Time become an important part of the day in every home. Maybe as a church we should campaign for this stronger than any other cause.
Think of it...FAMILY TIME CAMPAIGN...an awareness campaign that promotes one hour of quality family time each day. It could change the world. ...one family at a time.
But before I call the media, I better make plans with my family. I need this campaign just like your family, just like America's family...just like Honduras' family.
Daddy....where are you? Son...I'll be home soon.
