Pictures and updates from Guatemala

Hope for Home's group home

For the last 3 weeks I have been in Guatemala learning about orphan ministry.  Our family's goal is to take what I have learned and apply it to orphans in Liberia.  The Ebola crisis in Liberia has made over 2,000 orphans.  We pray that God would use us to help these children.

Home for Hope, a Modern day parable:
Years ago, Daryl Fulp (the director of Hope for Home Ministry) and I were prayer partners in the States.  We met often for prayer and accountability as we prepared for foreign missions.  I praise God that many of Daryl's prayers have now been answered.  Take a good look at the picture of Hope for Home's group home.  There is a beautiful story behind this house.  As Daryl and Wanda prepared to move their family, they made a trip to Guatemala to find a house in which they could begin their ministry.  They searched for days but found nothing that would meet the needs of special needs children.  Reluctantly, they looked at the last home, the nicest house in town.  Their hearts were wanting to live in a simple concrete house with concrete floors but God had something different in mind for them.  God wanted to use their lives to teach a modern-day parable to the people of San Antonio Aguas Calientes.  In Guatemala, special needs children are viewed as being a curse.  These children are among the most overlooked and neglected members of this society.  Today, every square inch of this house is used to help special need's children become all that God intends them to be.  The house is also being used by God to teach the people of this town about God's love.  What's the message?  "God deeply loves those you have overlooked." People are surprised when they see special needs children being cared for in the nicest house in town.  

Meet the children:
The Bible says, "God sets the lonely in families" (Ps 68:6)  For these children, Daryl and Wanda have become mom and dad.  The Fulps limit the size of their group homes to 12 children so that the children are raised in a family environment rather than feeling institutionalized.  One home is now filled.  They are praying that God would lead another family to Guatemala to help open a second home.  This last month, the Fulps have had to turn away several special needs orphans.  Each time this happens, there are tears and prayers made for more people to join this ministry.  Take a look at this home full of beautiful children.

Humberto

Ruavis 

Alejandra

Giovanni

Rafael

Yeni

Brayan

Olimpia

Esther

Racquel

Angelita

Meeting the greatest need, LOVE:
For the Fulps, love looks like 1,800 diaper changes each month, every child's birthday being celebrated, messy play days, countless kisses and hugs, daily devotions.....  Each child in this home now knows what it means to be a son or a daughter.  

Daily Devotions

Countless hugs 

Every Birthday Celebrated

Homemade Cakes 

Count the Cameras.  At one time 5 people were taking pictures of Christian's birthday.  Once an orphan now a son!

Christian's Birthday Party

Daily expressions of love

Happy Birthday Rafael

Outdoor Playtime

Messy Play Day

Messy Play Day

Messy Play Day

Messy Play Day

Medical needs:
Home for Home runs with the efficiency of a hospital.  Medicines are administered and charted, weekly visits are made to the house by the doctor, the psychologist visits the house twice each week, and daily personalized therapy is done for each child.

Poo and Pee charts

Medicines and Computerized medical charts

Personalized therapy for each child

Wheels of Hope Ministry:
Hope for Home Ministry also has a child sponsorship program called Wheels of Hope.  This ministry delivers medical supplies, food, and financial assistance to special needs children throughout Guatemala.  Currently they are working with 70 families each month.

Food is weighed and divided

Food baskets are prepared 

Long mountain roads are traveled

Children are loved on.  Michael - Chromasonal disorder  

Maria - Cerebral Palsy and genetic disorder

Marta Delores - Deaf and Seizures

Yosselin - Hydrocephalus

Andrea - Seizures

Katy - Down Syndrome

Oscar - Spinal injury

Martha - 13 years old with Cerebral Palsy and Malnutrition 

Pablo Michel - Cognitive delay and Seizures

Evening medicines and toothbrushes laid out to administer to each child

Summary of my experiences here:

This week, I will be returning home with my head spinning on how our family can help meet the needs of orphans in Liberia.  I give Hope for Homes an A+ on their ministry.  If you are looking for a ministry to support or a child to sponsor, I highly recommend Hope for Home.  

Hope for Home Contact Information:

Webpage: hopeforhome.org.   

Director's Blog: hopeforhome.blogspot.com

Child Sponsorship Webpage: hopeforhome.org/Sponsor.html