Dearest friends, family and loved ones, new and old,

We bring you salutations of joy and we bid you peace during this, our first Christmas in Honduras. We hope that this letter finds you well and provides you with a brief respite during this busy holiday season.
Following our perfectly lovely wedding (thanks to all of you), a wonderful five days in Ft. Myers Beach, and an all-too-short trip back to the States for another wedding (congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Ash!), we finally settled into our new home in Barrio Santiago. Our house is a simple orange-brick A-frame with a tin roof that absolutely sings during the rainy season. While we cannot claim any of them as our own, our yard is generally occupied by at least half a dozen chickens, grazing cattle and horses, and more fire ants, scorpions, snakes, and spiders than Molly and I care to know about. But for now, at least, it is home, and we feel more than blessed to call it just that.
The reason for that, of course, lies just up the mountain and carries the name, Montaña de Luz. This ¨Mountain of Light¨ is home to twenty-three children, all of which are orphaned, and all of which are HIV positive. For the past six months Molly has been the Director of Montaña de Luz, and for the last two of these months I have been fortunate enough to shoulder some of that burden with her. It did not take long for either of us to figure out that this is not a job. It is a lifestyle, or more appropriately, a way of being. We cannot ´clock-in´ or out. We cannot ´call off´ (or slack off for that matter!). When we are awake – and even when we are asleep, we are responsible for all of the children, the staff, the food and medicine, the finances, the safety, and the general well being of everyone that lives on, works at, or is associated with Montaña de Luz. In fact, there is hardly a moment in the day when we are not consciously aware of some problem that needs solved, some relationship that needs reconciled, or some issue that needs attended to. So why put ourselves through this? Why take on such a heavy burden? Because, quite bluntly, without the care provided by Montaña de Luz: the shelter, the clothing, the nutritional diet, the clean drinking water, the life-saving medication, and the invaluable care given to each child…every single one of these little ones would die in no time at all. Moreover, we believe that Jesus, whom we call ´The Christ´, and whom we celebrate and praise this Christmas Season, is to be remembered all the days of the year, and celebrated with our very lives. Whether by comforting the mourning, feeding those who hunger, providing shelter for the orphaned, or simply giving to those in need, we proclaim together that the Kingdom of God has been revealed to us through His Son. Because without all of these things ¨peace on earth and good will towards men¨ would just be another verse in a Christmas carol. For us to know peace is for us to show good will! And that means placing those that are beneath us or behind us above ourselves and before ourselves. This is what it means to serve the ´least of these´. This is what it means to love our neighbors, and even our enemies. Only in this way can we show the world the love of God that has been demonstrated to us by Jesus Christ. And only in this way can we pray together that the Kingdom of God might be seen here on earth, just as it is in Heaven. And that is precisely what brought Molly and I to Montaña de Luz. With the hope and desire to stand on this mountain, this tiny city on a hill, and reflect the Light of God into this otherwise dark and broken place. More times than not, it is a daunting task. But we are committed, to one another, to our Father in Heaven, and to these little children to be that Hope, and reflect that Light. Humbly, however, we cannot do it alone. Without the consistent financial support, frequent visits, and precious prayer and encouragement, Montaña de Luz (along with all of the children that live there) would cease to exist. Our work here would not only be hopeless, it would be impossible. If you wish to help us with a gift this Christmas, your contribution would be warmly received. But truly, we do not hope to speak solely to your pocket book! Consider how you can help Montaña de Luz in this coming year. Sponsor a child (this could be done as a family or as a small group). Get in touch with us and let us know how your recourses (of materials, experience, etc.) may be of use. Or plan a trip down here with a group from church or work or school! Basically anything you could do or give would be a blessing to us. And although you more-than-likely know about Montaña de Luz through Molly and I…and Yes, contributions are tax deductible…we ask that you give with a much deeper significance. These are the sick. These are the orphaned. These are the Least of These. Help us to provide them with all of the care and attention and hope and love that can only be found when God’s People proclaim the Kingdom of God with their lives as well as their voices! May the Grace and Peace Of our Risen Lord Be upon you this Season, Douglas and Molly Wharton