Mountain of Light
Page Creator: douglas Wharton
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¨...this tiny city on a hill...¨
About my nonprofit:
Montana de Luz
Montaña de Luz, which means Mountain of Light, is a place of rescue and hope for children with HIV/AIDS in Honduras who have been orphaned or abandoned. Our mission is to give these precious children what...
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Fundraising target: $5,000
Total raised so far: $5,958.00
Fundraising progress
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My personal message:

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

Online Donors to date:
Display Name Date Amount  Comment
air'n & kris 12/21/2006 $29.00 happymerryjollyhappyjollymerryCHRISTMAStoyou 
aaron & kristina 12/8/2006 $30.00 in the spirit of the season... joy & peace. 
Colleen 12/4/2006 $50.00 Holley & Casey's mom - I'm impressed with what you do. God bless. 
aaron & kristina 11/23/2006 $27.00 love 
kristina & aaron 11/14/2006 $25.00 love. 
air'n & kris 10/24/2006 $22.00 blake, doug, molly - rock n roll 
A and K 10/18/2006 $100.00  
Natalie Baribeault 10/14/2006 $10.00 Not much to give - but I hope God blesses you with it! 
air'n & kris 10/13/2006 $37.00 so, what're you guys gonna do with all your extra money... 
Friends from WV 10/3/2006 $1,000.00 Your service inspires us. 
air'n & kristina 9/15/2006 $39.00 doug, molly, blake: rock on. 
kris & air'n 8/19/2006 $5.00 a small seed of love from c-bus 
air'n & kris 8/15/2006 $40.00 "...God, who began a good work within you, will continue that work until Jesus returns." (phil 1:6) 
MCF 8/8/2006 $100.00  
aaron & kristina 7/25/2006 $30.00 it was good to you for a second on friday. hope your visit went beautifully.  
A & K 7/6/2006 $37.00 with love from columbus 
aaron & kristina 6/21/2006 $20.00 "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." -matthew 5:9 
Friend 6/21/2006 $50.00 God bless! 
Brad 6/13/2006 $60.00 Doug and Molly--This is $5 a month for one year for Rosario's home...Love you all. BT 
Aaron & Kristina 6/11/2006 $23.00 Doug & Molly, we will continue to pray that love and peace will reign over the two of you. 
airn & kristina 5/20/2006 $30.00 "don't get discouraged or give up... [you] will reap a harvest of blessing soon." gal. 6:9 
aaron & kristina 5/9/2006 $22.00 keep up the good work ya'll. 
Tom 4/30/2006 $100.00  
aaron & kristina 4/28/2006 $30.00 welcome to sunny ohio, you crazy cats. doug, i owe you a raison d'etre. 
people's republik of ENC 4/22/2006 $100.00 "yeah. now i think there cannot really be anything better... " 
Kati Wharton 4/22/2006 $50.00 I'm not related to you guys and found this site by "coincidence", but God moved my heart to give. 
aaron & kristina 4/11/2006 $10.00 press on warriors of the light - we'll pray as often as we think of you. peace, -air'n & kris 
firstthings 3/28/2006 $100.00 In honor of Mark Palmer 
aaron & kristina 3/23/2006 $30.00 doug & molly - keep up the good work 
airnmac 3/4/2006 $15.00  
K's Mama 3/4/2006 $170.00 For the Kingdom 
Kristina & Aaron 2/18/2006 $27.00 We think of you both often and send our love and prayers. You are doing such a beautiful thing. 
Tim G 2/5/2006 $200.00 Praise God from whom all blessings flow! For His kingdom! 
K's Mama 2/4/2006 $170.00 For the Kingdom 
Obadiah 2/3/2006 $50.00 Hey guys! I'm reading your blog and praying for you guys every day! Your ministry is awesome. 
Les 1/28/2006 $25.00 I don't have much, but I could only imagine if my little man were one of yours... 
Curtis 1/26/2006 $25.00 doug, you've changed my life and continue to change lives everyday. 
the Smith family 1/11/2006 $150.00 Molly the girls say God bless and love you 
K's Mama 1/6/2006 $170.00 for the Kingdom 
Waggoner Family 1/6/2006 $100.00 Be assured of our love and our prayers 
JL 1/6/2006 $50.00  
The Cogars 12/30/2005 $700.00 God bless you and your ministry! We love you! 
ML 12/29/2005 $50.00  
Jim and Ruth Hall 12/28/2005 $100.00 You are showing Christ's love. May He bless you abundantly! 
Katie Gabler 12/28/2005 $25.00 Merry Christmas- I am praying for you all! 
Joe and Holly Colando 12/28/2005 $100.00 Everyone misses you and sends you their love! Merry Christmas! 
Brady S. Clements 12/27/2005 $25.00 Good Luck 
David 12/27/2005 $100.00 From the Kids at Warren Woods Church of the Naz (December Good Neighbor Offering)  
Roommate 12/25/2005 $100.00  
taller brother 12/24/2005 $100.00  
Friends from college 12/24/2005 $1,000.00  
Sam Bean 12/22/2005 $100.00  
Your "little sister" 12/22/2005 $100.00  
Friend from columbus 12/22/2005 $100.00  
* Total raised online: $5,958.00
Amount raised offline: $0.00
Grand Total: $5,958.00
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