Recently we returned to Honduras and had the great pleasure of reconnecting with Miriam Medina Rivas. We first met Miriam in 2006 during our first visit to Our Little Roses, a home for over 65 at-risk girls ages 1 month to 21 years in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Miriam greeted us at breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with her infectious smile and indomitable spirit and she prepared delicious and healthy meals for our mission team from St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh, PA. Each year we looked forward to Miriam's laughter, hugs and delicious cooking. But Miriam's greatest impact is cooking 3 meals a day for the 75 plus girls and staff in the home - day in and day out - for over 25 YEARS! She is truly the heart and soul of Our Little Roses, providing physical and spiritual nourishment to every girl. And long after a girl graduates or leaves the program, Miriam stays in touch and checks on her girls. It is no surprise that each girl calls her Abuela.

During our visit we learned that Miriam's daughter had helped her purchase a home several years ago and that unfortunately this home was washed away in a hurricane. Miriam is trying to rebuild a permanent home on a plot of land she purchased several years ago, and she is saving up to build a place she can call her own. She believes she is 3 years away from having enough money to begin construction. She needs just $15,000 more (@ 300,000 Honduran Lempira) to construct and furnish her a home. Currently she is living with the daughter of a close friend and travels over one-hour by bus each way to get to her job.

We have taken this initiative to help Miriam finance her future and provide security and a place to call home sooner. She did not ask for our help, but we cannot think of a woman more deserving. If Miriam has touched your life personally during a visit to OLR, or her story moves you to help, please contribute what you can to help her reach her goal faster. Miriam dreams of inviting the girls to her home someday so that she can shower them with her love and teach them how to cook and nourish their own families and friends.

Miriam has inspired us for over 18 years by her devotion to the girls of Our Little Roses, by her warm and loving greeting to all who support the home, and by her steadfast love of each and every OLR girl. Thank you for your support of this extraordinary woman - your gift will help to secure a safe and warm home for a truly remarkable angel.

Melissa von Stade, Allie and Kathryn Colina