In the beginning of 2011, as a new graduate of elementary school, Kenci passed into the “leader in training” position. She was excited about becoming a leader, but it was clear that she still lacked the maturity. Insecure in her responsibilities, Kenci often seemed unclear on where to draw the line between being a camper and a leader. Needless to say, when she was hired just one year later as a youth leader at Camp Hope, I was interested to see what role Kenci would play on our team.

I am proud to say that this shy camper has blossomed into a bold, silly, loving, and CAPABLE leader! Last week, on just the second day of camp, Kenci won leader of the day. Never have I been so full of JOY to present someone with the silly plastic “leader of the day” trophy. Kenci had impressed me in countless ways that day: through her constant energy as a team player, her gentle steadiness in discipline, and especially through her endearing and hilarious dramatics as “little Honduras riding hood” in a Bible class skit. I could not believe my eyes (or my heart bursting with pride!) as I watched Kenci act as a real leader that day. The excitement on her face as she received the leader of the day trophy was just the cherry on top! I am convinced that these moments are exactly what we are working for. Camper into leader: it’s real!   -Katie

In 2011 we have seen growth. We have seen change. We have seen transformation.

UPH has more than doubled in size and is now a support network for more than 250 children and youth in Copan Ruinas.

We have seen the number of youth grow to a figure that probably makes us near if not the top employer of youth in Copan Ruinas.

We have expanded our support network by providing opportunities for children and youth to be involved in Genesis Art School, offering free art classes that are both taught and directed by Hondurans.

We have conducted pilot programs in multiple neighborhoods – all with positive feedback – and received final confirmation of our new site: Camp Agape in San Pedrito Abajo. We have nurtured our relationship with the pastor of that church, Pastor Nahun, who has now accepted the task of constructing and building new rooms specifically for Camp Agape.

We have been part of the first leadership transition for UPH; from a founding program Director to his replacement. Despite the transition we now see an even stronger Camp Hope, with growing rapport among the community, leaders and parents. We have seen all regularly attending children from Camp Hope graduate to the next grade, which is due in large part to increased efforts during homework time and relationships with teachers.

We are moving forward with two new mini-programs of UPH. One offering scholarships and educational support for ASP graduates wanting to continue in high school. Second, building upon our existing relationships in certain neighborhoods of great need with smaller programs called Campitos.

We have increased the number of summer interns, allowing us to open a new camp; Camp Peace.

We have seen our youth mature and take large steps towards being the servant leaders that we envision them becoming.

We have watched rebellious youth return and take charge as leaders among their peers and among UPH children.

We have witnessed timid youth publicly step into the light of their relationship with God.

We have seen chains of the past be broken as our youth develop into the fullness and richness that God intends for their life.

We now see the fruit of a stable youth program; extending it’s DNA through the lives of the leaders that we are empowering.

We have seen more success than we dreamed possible in all program areas and we are excited about the opportunities that await us in 2012.

Praise God for the year of 2011.

Embarrassed, 11 year old Jennifer mumbled something under her breath while hiding behind a friend. I knew her answer before actually hearing it. What 11 year old girl would have a favorite musician other than Justin Bieber?

Sure enough, her answer came loud and clear. Justin Bieber.

But then she paused, adding with a smile, “And Pink Floyd”.

Jennifer, with her unique musical style, is enrolled in cooking and voice classes at Genesis School of the Arts. She is one of many children in Copan who dream about the Arts and are looking for such a creative outlet. Until Genesis school, there were no opportunities for children to experience the Arts.

Last week Genesis opened the current semester with more than 125 children enrolled in classes of art, cooking, music, dance and drama!

Check out the video below for more about the history and vision behind Genesis: A UPH School of the Arts.

- Blair

 Every month for four weeks at a time I have a “special club” at camp hope for a select number of children to participate in something a little more special during recess.  This past month I had a special club where each week we did different types of colouring.  Olga happen to be apart of this club.

 One of my favourite parts about having a special club is the level I get to know the kids who participate.  Taking the time, away from all the chaos of being with everyone else, we go into one of the classrooms to do the Project.  I get to see a different side of who these children are.

 Olga in particular this past month has stuck out to me.  She is eleven years old and only in grade one.  She is a lot more quiet then most of the children.  However, Olga has a glow in her face.  She always seems to be at peace with herself, with others, with her surrounding.  She tries very hard at her homework and when she finishes she is really good at helping the littler ones with the Reading.  Something about her is different.  Today, when working on a special Project she was the last one to finish.  She took her time and wanted to do her best.  There is something so gentle about her. 

 I think she has an understanding about something the others don´t.  Even though her education may not be the greatest, she is thankful for it.  Even when people aren`t particularily nice, she is kind to all.  I think she has hope: for others, herself, her family, her future.  She sees more in life.

 It is because of children like her and the hope that she has, that makes me want to do what I am doing.  These kids are special, they deserve this hope; a hope resting on the foundation of God.

-Tiersa

I should back up a bit and tell you a bit about myself and how I got to this crazy place. Hi, I’m Jason and I’m the newest addition to the team here at UPH. I am from Northern Ireland and am currently on a Year Abroad from my university in St Andrews where I study French and Spanish. I arrived here on September 5th and am here until next August after the summer Camps. So…

Part of my job this year is assisting the New Sites Director Kourtney plan, prepare and run Pilot programs in different neighbourhoods. This week we are in a barrio called San Pedrito Abajo and last thursday and Saturday Kourtney and I went around the neighbourhood getting the word out there, registering kids for the program and generally just getting to know the people up there. This experience will go down as one of the most formative of my life. Entering some of the homes really had a profound impact on me. I have seen poverty before but to be confronted by it so-to-speak to such a degree is something completely different. It’s very difficult to realise just how much God has blessed your life and how seemingly unblessed these people are.

Its during these times, I feel, that we come to a crossroads, do we believe that life is capricious and some, like us, are lucky while others aren’t? Or do we content ourselves in the sovereignty and love of God, knowing that He truly wants the best for us?

Gradually, I am coming to the second option. God’s plans are not our plans, and I truly believe that He is here in Copan, moving in the hearts of the people here. As much as myheart breaks for the poor and marginalised here in Copan, I know that the LORD’s heart is eternally breaking because of the injustice all across the world. It is through experiences like these that I am so thankful and blessed to be working with an organization like UPH, I am seeing lives change before my eyes. God is cultivating in me a heart for the poor. God is using UPH and He is using me to change the lives of the people of Copan. To realise this fact is awe-inspiring and humbling. I rejoice in it.

Jason

This past weekend, two of my fourth graders showed me a little bit about love and service to others. It was 7:30 at night and my leaders and I found ourselves in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood, walking some of the Camp Hope kids home after a special day that had gone especially late. In Copán, no matter the season, 7:30 pm means almost pitch darkness, and hiking up a mountain at this time of day would be no easy task. But that was exactly where new camper Olga lived: at the top of the mountain that looks over Nueva Esperanza. So Olga, youth leader Johnatan, and I set off on a nighttime trek.

I will not sugar coat this one: I was not happy about our luck. I was tired and hot from the day, and was supposed to be meeting some friends to watch a movie that night. But just as I was getting really whiny in my own head, I heard two little voices yell from behind us, “Hey guys, wait up!”

It was Ruth and Brayan, equipped with flashlights and an energetic bounce in their step, coming up the path behind us. Ruth and Brayan both live in the center of Nueva Esperanza. But instead of going straight home to their houses to eat dinner or watch TV, they chose to accompany us and light the way on our walk to Olga’s house—and why not? If you have a flashlight and someone else has a long dark walk ahead, why not take that chance to love and serve them?

As for me, I might not have chosen to show the love that they did that night; at least not with the attitude I was carrying. But these two fourth graders certainly changed my grouchy perspective in 2 seconds flat. We had a wonderful hike. We laughed and talked happily together the whole way, and Olga’s family was very thankful for our effort. And best of all, together we were able to share the joy of seeing God’s glittering, miraculous creation laid out before us from the top of the mountain.

People might frown and say, “You could have used that money more prudently.  You could have spread the resources and impacted more kids.  Instead of serving 30 kids chicken, you could have fed 60 with peanut butter sandwiches.”  Maybe.  But people who make these comments are often the same folk who take nice vacations, enjoy a good bottle of wine, and send their kids to soccer camp.  Kids remember special nights.

The teens waltzed into the Restaurant Llama Del Bosque on the main street in Copan about 6pm.  Usually frequented by tourist, not by those who serve tourist, tonight it was rented by UrbanPromise.   The young woman dressed in the Sunday outfits, the young man sported slacks and Oxford Shirts.  Each teen was allowed to bring two guests—some brought parents, some a brother or sister, others their sweetheart.

The teens had been part of the UP Honduras StreetLeader Program—teens who are hired and trained to counselors, mentors, and coaches for younger children who attend the UrbanPromise day camps.  Tonight they were honored.  Tonight they were praised.  Tonight they were given their pay” check.   Tonight they ate rice, beans, chicken, beef and drank Coca Cola.

Erlin, a sixteen year old, brought his mother and baby brother.  Erlin is one of 6 boys.  His mother is a cleaner at one of the local schools.  I could tell he was proud—proud to accompany his mother to such a nice restaurant, proud to bring home a paycheck, and proud to have made a difference in his community.

“The children love me,” he beamed.  “When I’m leading games they flock around me and listen to me.  I’m like a big brother.”

But Erlin’s smile got a little bigger when he picked up an envelop with his summer paycheck.  Of course, it’s not about the money.  Kids like Erlin are drawn to UrbanPromise because it’s fun and it offers hope.  Yet sometimes hopeneeds to be able to buy an extra bag of rice, or another bottle of baby formula for your little brother.  Sometimes hope needs to be able to buy a mother a new dress, or a trip to the beauty salon.  Sometimes hope needs to be deposited in the bank for a rainy day.

- Bruce Main

Diego was entering first grade. Last year I watched as Diego pounded
the floor in tears when he found out that he was too young for camp.
This year, as soon as we opened registration up to  first graders,
Diego was there. Signed up and ready to go.

On this second day of camp, Diego was especially happy. The look on
his face showed that he truly did believe in heaven on earth. And he thought that he was there.

After an opening program of the moose song and skits it was time to dismiss the children to their classes. Catherine, an intern, stood up and sent 1st-3rd grades to art – and then 4th-6th grades to cooking. I did not notice at the time but Diego went joyfully on his way with the second group, the older kids. Diego is five years old.

Throughout the morning I visited all the classes, each time noticing specifically the smile on Diego’s face. It was not until the final class that I became aware of his misplacement.

I watched as the kids swarmed around the teacher playing a game of  tag. And there was Diego. Smiling from ear to ear. Head tilted upward staring in awe, slight confusion but complete joy as they played around him.

Dwarfed by children 6 years older and twice as tall, I now raealized that Diego was completely out of place. He had been mixed up in the wrong class, with no one his age, leaders speaking a foreign language, probably understanding little of what was taught or the games that were being played.

You would have never known by his smile and his joy.

At the end of the day Jimmy, the Director, told Diego that he had been in the wrong group by mistake. Diego shook his head with conviction and assured Jimmy that everything had been perfect.

We are called to aspire for this same joy.

- Blair