August 21, 2010
Caregiver Wellness training retreat, Honduras in conjunction with the Children's Health and Education Fund. Nearly 70 people have registered for the Caregiver Wellness Retreat coming this August. The list includes social workers, volunteers, nurses, psychologists, and family caregivers from several of the clinics, hospitals, and care homes in Tegucigalpa, HN. Each one of these workers will touch the lives of hundreds of children. The ripple effect in action: one person CAN make a difference. Visit www.chefca.org to view what is happening in Honduras


October 11-14, 2010
Washington, DC
Children's Hospice International 21st World Congress, Marie will deliver  Caregiver Wellness presentation to a new audience of international hospice professionals.

The faith of a child- submitted by Ellie, a nurse in Mexico

Fri. Oct. 2, 2009

Sandra C. loves to worship and her style is unique. This morning, her voice cut through all the others singing and, by itself, carried my heart to God. She was in a private moment, but still I had to look at her. Twenty-nine and gorgeous, she has rich brown hair and dark almond-shaped eyes that express much more than her mouth. Her head leaned slightly down and to the right; arms extended stiffly out in front. By the furrowed brow and pouty lips, one may have thought she was in pain, but I knew it was pure passion. “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26) Sandra’s song was an impossible blend of plaintive moaning and holy praise. It was a window into the depth of Christ’s love for her and an intimate sharing of His passion and joy.     
“Gracias, Cristo!” we sang over and over. Sandra’s gratefulness to God sounded profound. Yet, confined to a wheelchair by Cerebral Palsy and dependent on others for all her care, I wondered for what was she grateful. Few people at the mission can understand her garbled speech, so, many, as I did at first, assume she is mentally handicapped. Nothing could be more untrue. Two years ago, after I’d become accustomed to walking by her or throwing her a quick smile, we heard her testimony. A friend who had taken the time to really listen, read us the story of Sandra’s life: the complications at her birth, her father’s faithful care, and her strong dependence on Jesus Christ. These were simply details; the fact that struck my innermost being was that I had underestimated her. Here was a bright young woman with a great sense of humor, understanding of two languages, an ability to write music and absolute passion for the Lord and His people! “Lord, I want more of you! Lord,I want more of you! I want to feel you in me all of my life!” Sandra wrote these lyrics and whenever we sing them in sala, respect for this woman overcomes me, that what she desires most, before a healthy body or clear speech, is intimacy with her Savior.
There is a wide chasm between the way I viewed Sandra before and how I do now. Listening to her story, hearing her voice, getting to know her; these things gave me entrance to her being, where I could grasp her true beauty and have a relationship with her. As I used to ignore Christ until the Bible opened up His story to me, the voice of Jesus gave me access to God, and I entered into the miraculous state of friendship with the Divine. Thank you, Sandra, for reminding me - He hides His greatest treasures for those who seek Him most earnestly!   “Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”