Oct 27, 2011 - Sometimes inspiration comes to us when we're quietly meditating ... or when we're observing or listening to something intriguing or beautiful... or in the case of PLN work team member, Michael Rivas, when you're on the roof of a cottage in Catacamas, Honduras. His love and affection for the children was nurtured by and is a natural extension of the love and many years of hard work that his parents (Dr.Mike & Dr.Darlene Rivas) and grandparents (Harry & Sarah Hodges) have devoted to PLN.

So this spring, Michael was once again working at PLN, this time with a Harding University work team whose goal was to replace the roof on one of the cottages. As he was up on that roof he started watching and thinking about the children who are rapidly growing into young adults. Being a young man himself, he recognized they were on the cusp of making their way into the world on their own and wanted to do something to help prepare them. He approached his parents with his concerns and help with developing a plan. They started by building a team of professionals with the skills necessary to mentor and aid these young adults. Along with themselves, the team included Dirk Smith, Alex and Krista Cone, Sijle Immerstein, Tracy Clark and Taryn Smith, each of whom brought their unique skills & talents as seasoned professionals & supporters. Their overall goal was to begin a mentoring process to help them recognize their talents and skills and to use them responsibly for God, family, community and themselves.

Their plan came to fruition this spring when they held a week-long mentoring workshop at PLN with the older children/young adults . They had focused workgroups on many subjects some of which included how to actively & purposefully become a positive role model in the lives of the younger PLN children & how to foster mutual respect with their house parents as they strive for independence. The end result was a week of intense interaction resulting in a greater understanding of the talents, responsibilities, and blessings they have been given by God and by everyone who supports and prays for them.