My Heart Warmed at Juan's Request
I am still in Honduras at New Life Children's Home after a fun weekend ministering in 3 churches on the northern coast.
Before we left, Juan, one of my New Life son’s, asked me to paint a picture of his puppy. I told him that I would be traveling and wasn’t sure if I could, but I took some sketching material along in case I found time. On the long 5 hour drive from the orphanage property to El Progreso I grabbed my small sketch book and water soluble colored pencils and began to draw out the basic shapes and cover the page with colorful strokes. It still needed water and markers to finish up, which I did the next day at our guest home. I believe I captured his spunky nature, what do you think? Umm… Maybe it lacks a bit more sparkle in his eyes…? Anyway…
Juan is very special to my heart! He was new to New Life the first time we visited. He was about 5 years old, together with his baby brother, 2 years old. The two brothers captured the hearts of the whole family and we all wanted to adopt them on the spot and take them back to Peru with us. That didn’t happen, but a few years later, we moved to Honduras and took over the Children’s Home for my parents, the founders. Juan became a spiritual son and we have always been close. Especially since he became one of Maicah’s best friends, our only biological son, who was 10 years old when we moved to Honduras.
Juan would spend many nights with Maicah especially on weekends.He was included any many family outings to the city, camping at La Tigre National Park, Joya Grande Zoo, and Pulanpansak waterfall just to mention a few. They learned Tae Kwon Do together, took guitar lessons in the same class and had the same sweet temperament. Juan continues to lead praise and worship on Sundays at the children’s home, even though he is in college studying English, which will give him good opportunities for jobs in the future.
Recently he showed me some of his drawings and I invited him to help me on the painting he requested, but he’s busy at school and our time in Honduras this month is short. I didn’t tell him that I would do it, I like surprises! But when finished, I put it up on my Instagram page and he saw it… (I thought he didn’t do social media much??) His response was precious!
He said, “Tia Annette, I saw the paintiiiinnggg!! It is beeeeaaauutiful!!”🥹
I responded, “Oh, You saw it! I’m going to gift it to you!”
He said, “Are you serious? You’re going to give it to me? I love it!”
“Of course I’m going to give it to you! I made it for you!”
“Thank you so much!! And I’ll take good care of it and keep it always!” he promised.
“I want you to know how much I love you, Juan!”
“I love you too!” he finished. Juan is truly a masterpiece in the making and God allowed me to add a few strokes of love on the canvas of his life. What a privilege!
If you haven’t had a chance to buy the new print and feel drawn to the Blue Morpho series, the sale is on for another week and I added all the Blue Morpho collection. I am giving a 30% discount on any print from the Blue Morpho collection on my website for all of my faithful followers.
Use this 30% Discount CODE: LiliesBlue30
www.athiesen.com
Thank you for listening to my heart beat for Juan today!
Annette Thiesen
Declaration from The Word of God
“And this is no empty hope, for God himself is the one who has prepared us for this wonderful destiny. And to confirm this promise, he has given us the Holy Spirit, like an engagement ring, as a guarantee.”
2 Corinthians 5:5 TPT
Let me hear your comments. They mean the world to me!
Annette