November happenings

Hogar Rosalinda 

(Nutrition Training Center)

A few weeks ago, Mirko graduated as the program's first graduate!  Since then we have been waiting for our next mothers to come. This time has not been idol however, and the last few weeks have been spent in writing curriculum for nutrition and health training for mothers who come and for community education.  One long term hope is for community education in this community, and others.  Another advantage for me is that I have some extra time and have gotten to be more involved with the other areas of the ministry this month. Specifically, I have gottne more time to help with the kids in the grouphomes.

Pre-Christmans Snuggles

Hogar de la Esperanza homes

In the group homes, the Fulps, Chapins, Alvarezes and the huge team around them continue to open their hearts to the love and care for these kids so precious to God.  One growing vision however is a home for our children as they age out of the system. We have 4 children who are or will be 18 or older in the next few months. They will not be able to stay in the homes, but there is no quality place to send them.  Most kinds in our homes cannot return to their families. A few months ago, God began stirring in the hearts of those who have loved these children for years. Our friend and head nanny, Luisa, and her family have the passion to continue the care for these, our kids.  Much needs to happen for this vision however, so please be in prayer for all that God will do in this home for adults.  

Humberto was so excited for his birthday that he planted his hand right in the cake!  

A few of the older kids

Our Kids

Yenni

Yenni has been in the Fulp home for over 6 years.  She is from our town, and came when her grandmother could no longer care for her.  Yenni has noonan syndrome, which has physical and intellectual affects. She is nearly 18 and is one of the children who would move to the adult home when it opens.  Although she is 17, she is intellectually closer to a preschooler in speech and comprehension. Yenni is loud, joyful, in your space, and one odd cookie. She can be overwhelming to newcomers, but her presence is greatly missed when she is away.  

Yenni always wants another photo

Esther

Esther was abandoned without any information.  She has autism and is nonverbal, so her name and birthday were assigned by the courts.  She is said to be 5, but we are convinced she is a few years older than this. Esther has profound autism, so she often chooses to be outside, apart from the noise of the rest of the home.  She can be easily overstimulated, so at first iIt can be hard to know how to connect with her. Once you learn those connections however, she is a sweet and precious girl and you want nothing more than to find her smile!  

A fantastic smile

El centro de partos el pozo 

(Birthing Center)

El centro de partos el pozo recently received a much needed mini miracle!  A hand held ultrasound wand that attaches to an ipad, making it very transportable.  With this, Stephanie and Joy and the team can expand the quality of care they are giving mothers.  An ultrasound is so necessary for mothers coming. In the past we have had to send mothers for an ultrasound when we believed she had miscarried.  That meant sending her, alone, to learn this information, and process it. The ability to check such a simple thing is so very important! Also coming soon will be the training of a few local women who can work with our team on site.  

This portable ultrasound wand plugs right into any ipad

Showing a young mother har baby for the first time

Aliento feeding program

The feeding program continues to touch lives on an individual level.  The hearts in the Taryn and her team know that loving on each child is so much more than just feeding them.  They run and play, and paint nails, and braid hair, and talk and show simple, radical love to these kids. Each child is precious.  Each child is at risk. One recent dream is to help establish a presence in the schools to help teach the boys to be Godly men, and the girls to be Godly women.  This would transform his community where there are no positive male role models, and basic survival has been on skill in manipulation for generations. The love the team pours out shouts another way, another kind of love.  God is on the move.  

Last week Taryn and her team began a project where 10 well behaved kids get to paint a picture that will later be taken to the US, and sold to individuals who wish to help support the program, and pray for specific children as well.  The kids were very excited, and this is an opportunity for them to be involved and have ownership in the program.   

Josh is ready for the kids, and getting sime baby time while waiting
(Yes, that is Mirko!)

First set of artists

The kids surprised the team a few times by setting up the massive tent ontheir own!
(Photo credit: my thumb!  I am not a photographer!!)

Rural village ministry

Our rural village ministry team continues to give out long hours to serve families in their homes.  This month I had the privilege to travel out with some of the guys and visit families I had regularly seen when I first came. I had not seen them for 2 years.  I met new families, but also saw just how many children have died, and we no longer get to visit. As always, the love in these visits was humbling. These are precious kids that the world discards.  When we show interest in loving them, this resonates with a family who loves them alone, without the community support of their neighbors. This kind of love is deep and strong, and an open door to the love of God.  

The road

New friends

Personal

Thanksgiving is always a conflicting time living far from my family.  I know they get together and I don’t get to see it, and I know that my nieces and nephews are growing by leaps and bounds and I miss that too.  However, being involved with our kids here is a blessing beyond words. I love getting to share in their lives. It’s hard to think of a thanksgiving without a million kids around!  

Thanksgiving day parade

Turky time!

Prayer

Please continue in prayer for the kids and workers are hogar de la esperanza across the board. Pray for the women coming to the birthing center, that they may find love and hope. Pray for the children in Acietuno, that they may learn a way of truth and love that is different from the world they see around them. Pray for the village team that they may continue to share the love of Jesus with every word spoken.

First Graduate of Hogar Rosalinda

Hogar Rosalinda has it's first Graduate! 

Mirko and his Mother Esther have come so far, and are the first to finish the program of nutritional training at Hogar Rosalinda.  
I thought I would share his weekly photos to show his physical improvement.  So much more however was his emotional growth.  

Mirko

Before arrival

When they arrived, Mirko had little strength, didn’t move much, cried and smiled little.  Over the last 8 weeks I was blessed to watch his transformation. Mirko suffered from Hepatitis before arriving, and although he had improved some, he still had a ways to go. 

Week 1

Mirko was pretty shy at first, and would not warm up fast to newcomers. He would also cry hard whenever his mother was not in view. In physical therapy he did not move very much on his own. He did not have much strength and was very behind for his age.

Week 2

Mirko enjoyed traveling by bus to church in Antigua.  It means a full morning carefully planned to ensure he could get his feedings on time.  

We would arrive to church early for a picknick lunch.  Esther would diligently work to feed him in this new setting while we practiced planning days away from home and health eating options.  

At the same time, church became more and more important, and exposed both mom and son to Christianity based on relationship rather than religious traditions.   

Week 3

Celebrations were in order when Mirko so quickly passed our of the classification 'severely' malnourished, and into 'moderately' malnourished. He was growing in strength and could so things on his own.  Also, his bright personality was coming out in full.  Mirko is a joy!  Further, after 3 weeks, a deeper trust and relationship was forming with his mother.  There are a lot of cultural differences that come out when living in a bi-cultural home.  How you deal with health concerns is a huge difference, and in the beginning there was tension about some of the differences.  With every positive step however, trust grew. 

Week 4

As trust grew in physical care, doors also opened for deeper conversations.  At first I had wondered why for so long God only placed one mother and son in the home.  However, as trust grew, it became apparent what we had talked about at the beginning- that this home is a home of discipleship as much as a nutrition training center.  Esther and I grew in our friendship, and more and more opportunities came into play to talk about Christ in a tangible way, not just in a superficial way. 

Week 5

Mirko Continued to show growth in personality, weight, strength, and mobility.  I the mean time, his mother showed growth in leaps and bounds in interest in learning his care, and proacivity in seeking out information about his nutrition. 

Now our lesson times did not feel like an obligation, but a good way to learn.  Also, our morning reading of the scripture was  no longer seen as a bother, but a welcome part of our day. 

Week 6 

Esther was now planning for the future, and what would be the best for her son's growth. I both loved watching her plan, and hurt when things would fall through. 

Esther had come from a challenging family life, and was hoping to give something better to her son. 

Week 7

Mirko could now scoot across rooms alone, and was beginning to lift himself off of the floor on his hands and knees.  He also began some self feeding.  He was still behind for his age, but had come so far!  Also, his smile has the deepest dimples! 

Esther also had come to life.  We would prepare a meal together in unity and flow so well we almost didn't have to talk!  She would smile in photos, and had asked about baptism at our church.  So we went together to the class for preparation and I watched Esther attentively answering questions and seeking answers. 

Now when we would pray together at meals, she also would pray quietly.  When she would describe how something at home had fallen through, she would say that she could take her strength from God because she knew he was in control.  

Week 8

With graduation and discharge around the corner, Esther and I both were sad but excited.  We have become friends, so parting is hard.  At the same time, it is the change for new beginnings, and a better life for Mirko. 

Esther is a loving mom who cares for her son even when its hard.  She now takes comfort in God's unfailing love.  Mirko is full of joy and a delight.  He has grown in strength, and even has some little fat rolls on his thighs.  It has been an honor to walk with Esther and Mirko through this time in their lives.  Now they are beginning as a young family, fresh, healthy, and centered on Christ.  

Getting to witness the transformation in Esther's life was a blessing beyond belief.  What an honor to get to see her baptized as well!  

Mirko's ride home

It is always hard to say goodbye.  Every hard goodbye is a cnahce to praise God for the friends he has provided.  Thank you God for Esther and her impact on my life!!



My heart is very full and I understand now why God only sent one mother for this time.  He had so much he wanted to do in Esther, and in me.  God is so good!  

Always in my heart!

Gaining momentum

Hogar Rosalinda

Today marks one month of Hogar Rosalinda being open.  This has been so challenging, so painful, so beautiful, and so growthful.  There has been a lot to figure out in running the home, living biculturally in my daily life, and application of nutritional concepts.  Communication is hard beyond the obvious language barrier. How we communicate daily challenges is also far different so that even when we use the right words, we misunderstand each other's meaning.

By far the hardest part has been the realization that by design, this program means I don’t get to care for the children here, I have to encourage, motivate, and at times push my mothers here to do the care themselves.  This is hard because I am also teaching a method foreign to them. It is hard to get someone motivated about something that seems useless to them. Once results are seen, then things are much easier because trust is being established.  The results however are only part of the real idea in this home. Really, this is day to day discipleship. That sounds great until I’m exhausted and life with those I’m trying to influence. If I say something, and don’t demonstrate it in my life, even in the middle of the night when I am woken for something, what does that show?  One way I'm learning is how I talk to myself- If I get irritated about not being able to make tortillas and give up trying, how can I then ask a mom to learn new concepts in health?

You can always find the gringa's tortillas! 
My moms are good and patient teachers!

Smiles and laughter in supper prep.

I'm learning new foods while my mothers
are learning what's in these foods.

Hogar de la esperanza homes

The group homes are overflowing with love as always!  Casa Alvarez is still awaiting that final signature. In the mean time they are loving little Anali as well as various other areas of the ministry.  In Casa Chapin, life adjustments to two fewer children and anniversaries of little ones now with Jesus show what a love God is working through them. In Casa Fulp, little Jarred has been placed back with his mother.  This is always a challenging and complicated situation for everyone involved. We pray that his mother continues to show progress in his care, while hearts at the home are missing a little boy they held for the time they had him.  For more, check out https://www.hislove4us.com/, https://www.facebook.com/light2guate, http://carissachapin.blogspot.com/2012/05/everything.html 

Jarred has now returned to his mother. 
We have loved the time we had with him.  

Danilo full of smiles in Casa Chapin.

Our kids

Mirko

Mirko is the first child in Hogar Rosalinda.  He came with his mom Esther, who loves him so much she would move into the gringas house an hour from anything familiar!  A lot is different here, and the schedule for feedings is a lot of work. Esther has stepped up for her son however and is learning a lot.  Mirko is a joy and smiles a lot. He has gained a lot, and has new energy and strength. He eats well and wants to walk. It is exciting to see his growth, but so much more so to know that his mom has been the one empowered to help him get here.  

At first, smiles were hard to catch

Weight bearing and wanting to walk!

Too cute for words.

Ruavis

Ruavis has lived in the first grouphome, casa fulp, for years.  When he first came to the home he was in active crisis and seized nearly nonstop.  With proper medication and lots of love he improved greatly. His muscles settled down and he because quite snuggly.  Over the years he has had some ups and downs. Overall he has slowly declined a little at a time. In recent months he has declined still further and this poor little guy now hurts most days.  His muscles are tight, and he has days of very pore color or circulation. Please pray for comfort for Ruavis. On these bad days it seems his time with us is limited.  

Holding Ruavis is getting hard with all the spasms.  

El centro de partos el pozo

Stephanie Konrad and her team continue at the birthing center, and reach women with pre and postnatal care.  More importantly they are building relationships with the mothers who come. Last week, the centers first baby delivered on site returned for a check up.  Carlos is now 6 months old and looking good! What a blessing it was to work with Stephanie at the birthing center for a year! Now I have to be content to see all that God is doing from a short distance!  To learn more what that looks like, check out Stephanies blog at https://stephaniedkonrad.wordpress.com/ 

Stephanie with baby Carlos, the center's first delivery on site. 

Aliento Feeding program

Taryn Fulp has been heading up for a few months now a feeding program in Aceituno Escuintla.  Her team includes many short and long term volunteers who love the kids. This program has been helping feed many children who are not getting nearly enough and struggle with malnutrition.  So much more important however is the stories that are heard here. Taryn and her team are building relationships and giving an hear to many children who have never been ehrad. I encourage you to check our Her blog at https://tarynfulp.blogspot.com/ to learn how God gave the program its name.  Also invest a few minutes to see the video TJ alvarez made to show the heart of the ministry there.  https://youtu.be/lt7PorZmJxw

Going for tortillas.

Tary's passion for her kids.

Rural village

Our team continues to travel out and continues to minister to families in remote areas who care for their children with special needs.  This is a beautiful, hot, sweaty, long day much of which is spent in a car. The team continually shows love and compassion in some hard situations that confront them on a far too frequent basis.  They love with the love of Christ which goes beyond compassion fatigue. Here are a few blogs by team members who travel out. http://hopeforhome.blogspot.com/,  http://blog.dickrutgers.com/.  

Osman is in need of prayers for
his aggressive seizures.  

Samuel is one happy guy in his new chair.

Personal

This month has stretched me so far.  What I have found is that wherever I have lacked, God brought together what was needed.  When I was emotionally drained, He would bring someone to visit with my mothers or myself.  When I lacked the nutritional knowledge, he provided an expert specifically interested in continued support forma far.  When I felt alone, he sent time and time again more and more faces and hugs than I can count. So very many people have visited, encouraged, prayed, and messaged words of comfort. God showed his community at work.  More than this, he continues to teach me that in all things, to give glory to Him.

This leads to something I hate to admit.  Not all stories in this home will be a success.  Can I give that to God? Can I pour out all I have into someone, emotionally go all out and not build barriers to protect myself, and know that if a choice beyond my control is made, that I can only cary the weight of the choices I can make?  Can I give to God the hearts I can no longer affect, and emotionally continue to openly pour out into others who come? Can I continue to serve God with my everything even when I perceive failure as a result?  

Mirko getting a haircut.

Therapy with Lindsey.

Prayer

I would ask for prayer for so many areas of the ministry, so many kids, so many desperate situations, and so many workers. Specifically I would like to lift up in prayer my second mom and child to come.  They decided not to continue at the training center. This breaks my heart. I want to keep sharing the victories as B gains weight and as I gains confidence.  I want also to see them grow in Christ. Both were precious in this home, and have a hold on my heart. I don’t know how God will continue their story, but I pray that He is glorified in it.  

An empty room is a daily reminder of needed prayer

A name for the Nutritional Training Center

A name for the Nutrition Training Center

The Nutritional Training Center has been running for a week now. This has been an incredibly challenging week in figuring out all the ins and outs of what it takes to run a home with mothers and their children. There is a lot involved from detailed recording of what a child eats, to determining the best coarse of care. The challenges go beyond that into communicating the importance of such detailed planning in a way that makes sense. Communication and education are also major factors, as culture and norms are being challenged in many areas. There are also medical concerns, social aspects, and spiritual components.

We have decided to call the center Hogar Rosalinda. This name has deep significance to myself, and the ministry. Rosalinda was a precious baby girl who entered our home at 11 months. She had a number of extreme allergies that let to severe malnutrition and frequent illness. Her family cherished her, but they were very poor and did not understand her severe allergies or needs. She would nearly die and be hospitalized because her mother would feed her bread. The doctor would ask why she gave her bread, and didn't she know that with her allergy this would make her very sick? She would simply reply that she was crying because she was hungry, so she gave her something to eat. They cared for her so much that when they thought the hospital would remove her because of her medical state, they stole her from the hospital. PGN went to remove her from her town, the men of the town came out with machetes and said “you can't take our child”. She again grew severely ill, and eventually, her mother saw that she was dying and surrendered her to PGN. They truly loved her, they just didn't know how to care for her.  

Rosalinda was 9lbs when she entered our home. We were told she had a heart condition, severe brain damage, and severe malnutrition. We soon learned that she did not have any sort of brain damage at all, but was in fact one of the most intelligent babies her age we had ever seen. She knew what she wanted and was stubborn as anything. She was beautiful, and perfect. I loved her so much. We all did. She loved sitting on the table with us after supper. She didn't have the energy to crawl, or lift her head for long, but she wanted to move, so she would pull herself along on her belly inch by inch into the next room. You always had to be careful because this tiny baby would just be anywhere moving on the floor following after an oblivious Olimpia who would scoot in circles around her. Rosalinda could also be quite the rascal and could challenge patience because she had so much personality.

Rosalinda was very slow to gain any weight. She lived with us for a year as we got her weight up some, but although she gained, it was not nearly enough. The nutritionist we took her to seemed stumped and could only suggest more and more formula until she drank 48oz a day. Meanwhile her mom, who loved her deeply, kept up with every visit, even though it meant hours on the bus, for her just to spend two hours with her daughter.

Eventually the decision was made that Rosalind was gaining too slowly and despite our close work with the nutritionist and doctor, it would be best to place her in a local malnutrition center. This center was well known and highly regarded. However, shortly after we realized the challenges of working with malnutrition centers. We would try and visit but time after time the standards for visits would have change, or we would even be turned away. She was still under our legal care, yet tests would be done without ever notifying us, and we would face hostility in trying to see her or figuring out why these test were being done. Eventually her legal placement was changed from our home, and visits slowly stopped. 

Last year, around May, we got wind that Rosalind had been returned home to her family some time earlier. She had lost weight again, and grown sick with the same respiratory infections and chronic diarrhea which had always plagued her. Although she was very sick her family feared removal again so they did not seek help, and Rosalinda died. We didn't know until 3 weeks after her funeral.
Rosalinda was a beautiful little girl who could have lived.  Her family loved her and wanted her, but didn't understand her care. We learned first hand how much separation there is between malnutrition centers and communication with families. Little education is given, and less training. This sets the child up for failure when they return home to an environment that is unsafe for them, and led to their malnutrition in the first place. 

This home is named in memory of a little girl who was precious in the sight of God, her family, and us. I hope to honor God by loving and caring for these children that they may one day have a life, and that their mothers may not come to know the loss Rosalinda's mother knew.

Family communication and empowerment was the main drive in this new nutrition center. We could have taken more children in if we only brought the kids. But the mothers who come here will leave with a healthier child, and the empowerment to change their environment. God is also using this home as a way to reach into the hearts of the mothers who come.

My prayer is that every child who comes leaves healthier, and every mother who comes leaves knowing she is loved by God and us. May God be glorified by every life that enters Hogar Rosalinda.