STARFISH AND ICTHUS KIDS
by Dr. Steve Brown, Icthus Board Member
Years ago, a story captivated me. It was about a boy at a beach covered with starfish. The boy picked up the starfish one at a time and threw them back into the sea. A passerby said to him, “You’ll never make a difference with such a vast number of starfish.” The boy picked up another. “It’ll make a difference to this one!” he responded.
This story reminds me of what’s happening at our southern border. Thousands of immigrants, many of whom are children on their own, are striving to make it in the United States to escape extremely difficult conditions in the countries they are fleeing.
This situation seems so overwhelming. What solution is there?
Icthus Amigos are like the boy throwing starfish back into the sea. One by one, children are helped physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and are finding a caring, compassionate Heavenly Father. Trained Icthus leaders are reaching these kids, many of whom are living in fear of gangs, poverty, and despair. Icthus brings hope to children, helps them to develop godly character, and gives them practical tools to resist negative forces.
Through Icthus you have the opportunity to be like the boy at the seashore by making a difference in the lives of children, one at a time.
FROM ICTHUS CHILD TO GOVERNMENT ENGINEER
David Parra is a former Icthus kid in Chile. He is a Civil Engineer. He went through all the Icthus programs. His mother, Deysi, started Icthus in Chile. This is what he shares about Icthus:
"I have no doubt Icthus was key in my personal growth. It gave me the tools to face many problems in my life. If there is something that summarizes my Icthus life, it's 'Do for others more than what you do for yourself."
Today, David works for the Ministry of Environment in Chile's government.
Amigos, like you, help children in Latin America with Icthus. Many of them grow up to become leaders that build better countries, like David.
RODRIGO, ICTHUS ALUMNI TRANSFORMING GUATEMALA
Rodrigo Morales from Guatemala is one of many Icthus alumni working to make his country a better place. This is his testimony:
"I'm Rodrigo; I am 23 years old. I want to tell you how vital Icthus is for my life. I started Icthus at age 6. I always remember the meaning of the Icthus salute. Love God and your neighbor as yourself.
When I turned 15, I became a guide. I had to obey God carrying out the great commission and teaching the youth. I learned leadership from my guides and was responsible when I became one.
Now, I have finished law school. I’m going to be a lawyer who respects people and the law. Most importantly, I want to serve God with my career walking in integrity. I will always wear the belt of truth to keep all my armor in place!" (This refers to what he learned about the Armor of God in Icthus.)
Icthus Amigos, like you, encouraged Rodrigo to become a change agent in his community.
YOU HELP ENCOURAGE KIDS TO DO SERVICE PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
This story shows your impact on the communities of Icthus children.
Villa Nueva, Cortez, is a town in Honduras. A 5-minute walk in its streets is enough to see many families' poor conditions there. The public-school lacked resources to provide quality education to all children. In schools like this, children often sit on dirt floors to be in the class.
Pre-pandemic, the school desperately needed new desks and chairs.
Twenty miles away, in San Pedro Sula, an Icthus group heard about the school in need. They decided to raise funds and buy materials to repair old desks and chairs. One Saturday, the kids traveled to the school in Villa Nueva. They fixed broken legs, sanded, and put a fresh coat of color on the old desks and chairs.
By serving their communities, Icthus children learn to be good citizens. Amigos like you helped make this happen!
YOU ARE A PART OF THE SOLUTION
It breaks my heart, Steve Brown’s too (above), that so many unaccompanied children are coming to the USA thinking they have no other option. It’s overwhelming but there are solutions!
In fact, as an Icthus Amigo, you are a part of the solution. When you provide kids with Icthus ministry in Latin America, you help them grow, have a future, and make their communities better.
This is an important solution. The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and he won't depart from it." Giving a child hope and abilities changes them, their families, and communities.
This newsletter gives you a glimpse of the solution you help provide. The Honduran children who did the service project and the two outstanding young Icthus alumnae dedicating their lives to make things better are examples of the difference you help make possible.
Are you able to help a few more children? If so, please use the enclosed coupon. Also, if you aren’t already one, consider joining our Padrino monthly giving club. A little every month helps more children. Just $20 a month provides Icthus to 2/3 of a group (groups average 15 to 25 kids).
Thank you for being a part of the solution.
Don Weisbrod, Director & Co-founder
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