Walking in Faith
What a joy it is to be able to share this update with you. We hope these words will encourage you and bring you joy as well as provide specific reasons to pray. We lift you up in prayers of protection, perseverance and faith.
As always, there are many wonderful things to report on. Before we dive into those blessings, let us share with you some of the challenges we are dealing with.
Challenging Financial Times
An ever-weakening dollar is impacting our buying power. Since 2017 the dollar to peso exchange rate has fallen by 20%. Though the giving has remained faithfully constant, the purchasing power is less. Add to that $4000 in maintenance costs on the car and truck and we have been pinchin’ pesos . Also, starting January 2025, one of the sources that gives directly to Casa Hogar Elim will be reducing their monthly giving by $500. All that to say it’s tight and about to get tighter for us and for the orphanage in general.
This has caused us to look hard at all expenditures. Things like pizza once a month and more elaborate snacks are being replaced with basic seasonal fruit and thankfulness that other groups come in occasionally with pizza . We have also discontinued all support for the tilapia farm and the goats. Mama has always dreamed of doing something with these that would bring money into the orphanage, but it has not come to fruition and as of this summer we stopped funding these areas.
While we are always thoughtful about spending and are getting more creative in how to stretch the money, we know that our support base needs to expand to help bridge the gap. We are creating a short video that we hope you will feel comfortable sharing with your network of friends and family, to help us expand the base. Look for it in your email in early November. But don’t wait on the video. Please share the opportunity with those you know so that more can join this amazing adventure. Every dollar counts - even giving $10 a month is helpful when you have a lot of people participating. We thank you for considering this and look forward to what God has in store!
Now the fun stuff.
Transforming lives and expanding opportunities
One of the first things we noticed when we visited Casa Hogar Elim in 2009 was the children’s inability to think about a future, to dream about what they might become. While heartbreaking, we knew that education and vocational skill building along with spiritual development, would be a game changer. And what a difference it has made! The kids are dreaming now of becoming import/export agents, accountants, engineers, clothing
designers, cosmetologists, and carpenters. Those who used to think of entering the military to look cool with guns are now speaking about how they would choose the marines over the army because they are interested in tech or mechanics. Their mindsets are changing.
This year we have the highest number ever of kids continuing in high school and university and we need help meeting this need. The 10 students are Cristofer, Willy, Itzel, Cristian, Cris, Monse, Erick, Lluridia, Valeria and Adrian. Per student per quarter tuition is $365, per year $1460. Payments are due in October, January, April, July.
We currently have 10 kiddos in Junior High, 21 in Primary and 3 in Kindergarten. This summer brought us 9 little ones, ages 2-5. We will be planning a preK program for them. I say ‘will’ plan because my partner in
crime, Carli, is back in Frisco for a few months. Her education is in early childhood development, so these munchkins will benefit from her knowledge.
The iStation reading program has been a big hit. In part, because when they advance in levels, we go get frozen yogurt but also because the work becomes more interesting. The youngest ones are clamoring to get on board because they see the older kids enjoying it. Those who do read well already are using the same program but in English to become bilingual.
The carpentry workshop is really coming into its own, led by Maestro Jorge Barrios. Monday through Friday Adrian and Maestro build chairs, tables, dog kennels and plates for restaurants. Kitchen cabinets are next. The younger boys spend Saturdays with Maestro learning basic skills from sanding to tool use and shop maintenance. The money from sales of these items goes to purchase more materials and provide food and medicine for the orphanage. This year they have brought in just over $7500. Approximately 40% goes to materials/tools, 10% for occasional treats for the workers and the rest to Casa Hogar for food.
We are developing a certification program with 10 levels from basic skills and tool use to heavy equipment and product creation, and finally running a workshop, finding customers, pricing and advertising. Adrian has begun his first cabinet which puts him at level 7! His desire is to open a carpentry workshop and he is well on his way. In addition to carpentry, Maestro teaches installation and maintenance of mini splits and air conditioners, as well as giving a basic understanding of electricity.
Being Present for the Moments
I felt very called this year to be more present in my time with the kids. There’s a lot of work with this many kids but I know the precious memories are in the quiet moments tucked in between the rest of life. Here are some moments that transpired as I adopted this attitude of being present.
Alexis (17) and Carlos (14), hanging out in the center while I was working. I stopped and sat down with them and what followed was a deep conversation about God, the bible, emotions, and how to be a Christian in this broken world. Many more conversations have come from that first and I have found Carlos quietly reading Jesus Calling.
Jeff (9) reading in the front room while I worked with the kids on homework. I thought I would find him reading about cars, or the sea, or something funny but nope, he was reading Jesus Calling. I showed him how the devotional worked, one page per day of the year. I checked on him a couple of times and realized he had read the whole introduction as well as 17 days of devotions! I pointed out the bible texts at the bottom of the page and he said he didn’t know how to look for them. We got to spend time going through the bible, talking about books and chapters and verses. Now he comes in daily for his reading.
Gabriel (13) came with me to the store to get snacks. I sent him to get a cart and after he returned I showed him the older woman who got a cart right behind him. We talked about being aware of who is around you so that you can be helpful and how he could pull a cart for her and then get one for himself. He thought about it and said “Yes, that would be good manners”. After that, throughout the store, he looked for opportunities to be helpful.
Monse (16) I noticed a change in her attitude, a pulling away from people, and looked for a moment to sit with her and see what was going on . After the usual ‘nothing is wrong’ she opened up. A falling out with a friend had hurt her heart. I was so happy to see her and the friend reunited a few days later. Her beautiful smile and sassiness is back!
I have so many of these moments I could write forever. Like everyone, these kids are seeking connection. While we do a lot of fun things together, I know that it is in the quiet moments in between that their hearts are fed. Thank you for supporting us so that we can be here to meet this need!
Your continued support of these children and the work we are doing with and for them is, to us, a reflection of Gods people walking in faith. Faith in God’s love for these children and His desire for them to have every opportunity to live into the life He planned for them. We speak often with the children about how the things we are able to do are funded by the many wonderful people who have followed God’s calling to help His children. They give thanks for you and so do we!
Thank you for being examples to us of what it is to walk in faith. We pray blessings over you and your family. Carpentry School – building vocational skills and producing products for sale.
Cabinets, dog kennels, chairs, ottoman tables, certification exams, we’ve got it all!