You Can't Change the Whole World

Two weeks ago I went to Bemus Point, NY, on the edge of Lake Chautauqua, a beautiful spot on this earth. It wasn't a pleasure trip or a sightseeing expedition. It wasn't even a shopping expedition! I went because a core group of us from the Honduras Mission team were meeting with two other groups from New York who also minister to the dear people of La Villa San Francisco, Honduras.

What a time we had! What appreciation and admiration I gained for a very godly woman who got this all started in the first place.

Sonnie (pronounced SAW-nee) is in her 70's now but still going strong for missions! She began this journey by sponsoring a child through Compassion and grew to have a desire to meet this little girl. The tot was from Honduras, so she made plans and WENT. Sonnie felt, "You can't change the world, but you can change the world for one child." When she got there, she not only met her sponsored daughter, but also laid eyes on an orphanage full of boys. The boys found their way into her heart and she travelled back to NY with a passion to see each of those boys sponsored by someone in her circle of Christian friends. Thus was born the ministry of The Promise Children. Her vision was accomplished and spread; three years passed before she was able to make a 2nd trip and take some of her church family with her to meet the boys in person. They held a Vacation Bible school for the boys and invited other children from the villa to attend as well. Sonnie said, "You can't change the whole world, but you can change the world for one orphanage."

Sonnie was educated at CMU (it was called Carnegie Tech when she attended) and her degree is in Home Economics. She began to get a bug to teach the women of La Villa San Francisco to sew. Somehow she managed to get sewing machines to Honduras and held a two week class for 20 women .....I saw pictures of them in their completed skirts and blouses (complete with button holes!) In the years that followed, Sonnie taught the women to bake; to cook; to prepare nutritious meals; and most recently, to decorate cakes! All of these home ec classes were not just to make the women better housewives. She saw the plight of the women there (the men mostly impregnate the women and leave them to raise the children alone) and wanted them to be able to have a skill to create a business out of their homes. Although a poor village, there are those with money who will pay for tailoring, a decorated cake, and baked goods. Genius! Sonnie said, "You can't change the whole world, but together we can change the world for one community." What a great role model! We need more Sonnie's in this world!