Some local Guatemalan University students made this video about Forever Changed International. Is all in Spanish. Enjoy it.
By George Park-
I'm back in the U.S. I'm so thankful for what the Lord has been doing for the people of Guatemala through me. God's timing is perfect. Heres a video clip of my trip.
By Alejandra Diaz-
A mission trip to Dorie’s Promise can be life-transforming. Just ask Linda Taylor, a homemaker from a farming community in Canada, who visited in December with her youngest son, Stephen.
It was the first mission trip ever taken by the member of Grace Baptist Church in Sunderland, Ontario.
Linda and her son joined six other people from the U.S. They helped lay sod in the backyard, spent time with the children and helped children in the ghetto. Linda also taught girls at a state-run orphanage to make a Christmas poster using finger paints.
“The trip has helped me to see how unimportant accumulation of material possession is,” Linda says. “Being on the mission trip has increased my desire to preach the gospel.”
Building relationships with the children here warmed her heart. She says the kids and Special Mothers were so open and loving that she found it easy to fit and help in various capacities.
Her first day, little ones were already calling her “Mommy.” Linda was particularly touched by her interaction that week with Alex, who requires a wheelchair.
“He had such a beautiful smile and his eyes would light up as I talked and sang to him,” Linda says. “One day, Lester, a three-year-old boy, took my hand and directed me to him. Lester put his hand on Alex and rubbed his tummy, which made Alex laugh. That was such a loving thing for a little boy to do.”
Another highlight came during their trip to the ghetto. After sharing their lunch with a family living there, they walked along a path, handing out candies and supplies to children.
Suddenly, Linda lost her footing and fell. Immediately, two members and children from the ghetto surrounded her.
As she looked up, a young boy with concern on his face extended his hand, offering the Tootsie Roll she had just given him.
“Knowing how much a candy means to a child like this, I was deeply moved by his expression of love,” Linda says. “It reminded me of the verse that ends, ‘And a little child shall lead them.’”
Best of all, Linda knows she was in God’s will every day they were in Guatemala. Reflecting on her experience, she says her trip helped her to put others’ needs first and taught her the importance of prayer.
“When we visited the ghetto and prayed with four different families, the presence of the Lord was so near,” Linda recalls. “I am so thankful for this mission trip.”
Our goal for participants this year is 300. Nearly 260 have signed up thus far. If you would like to help reach that goal and have the same kind of experience Linda did, e-mail us today.
By Don McPhee-
It is an early Saturday morning in August, mid flight between Guatemala City, Guatemala and Houston, Texas. My head is resting against the inside shell of the plane, looking out the window, staring at the blank sky. The tears are a steady flow down my cheek as I look away, hoping no one will notice.
It had been an incredible week; a family mission trip to Guatemala. So many adventures with people I love. And we carefully recorded each one with photos and videos, excited to get back home and tell our story.
Yet in one particular outing pictures were not permitted. But this experience was the most vivid. A haunting snapshot forever planted in my mind.
It is almost five days to the hour that we had arrived at the gates of “the walls”, neatly tucked away outside of Guatemala City, out of sight, out of mind. Our trusted and enthusiastic guide, Joel, was well connected here, as with all other points of entry in Guatemala City and beyond, and was welcomed in by the guards. This well fenced and well protected facility was not a prison, though it seemed, but the Guatemala National Orphanage.
Erika, the on-site physiotherapist, was our guide for the day. She was bright and happy, and it was soon revealed, the shining star of the entire place. She led us through some incredible activities. We did crafts and cake with special needs children. Being so touched by these miraculous gifts of God, that the drool left on your shirt from a hug, or the distasteful aroma from a body, was easily overlooked. A random soccer game continues to be a humbling experience for any Canadian. I was so moved by the teenage moms who gracefully accepted the gifts we brought. Your heart goes out to a 14 year old breastfeeding her baby, with that undeniable love. And of course five year-old Crystal, a beautiful creation, who I got to hold while we toured her quarters. The whole while she smiled as she exhaled thought her breathing apparatus dug into her neck. Not to forget 15 year old Wesley. In his mind still an American, though illegal, who somehow went from McDonalds to rice and beans after being found out. He appreciated speaking English again with us.
But it was the barracks of the toddlers that put me back like no other. The large multi-purpose building was new, but dull and lonely. In the large open room were rows of cribs. There were no Mickey Mouses or those hanging baby things. I don’t remember seeing a doll. In the centre of the room there was a padded gymnastic mat, maybe a place for play time on occasion. This was their bedroom, their back yard, their home.
And there she was gazing at me between the prison bars of one of the cribs in the maze. Her name is Debbra. She is two years old. Her dark eyes drew me. She has a rounded face and straight cut signature black Guatemala hair. Her oval smile revealed perfectly spaced and tiny proportional teeth. I knew she was mine to pick up. She was waiting for me.
The Guatemala National Orphanage is the government’s attempt to centralize the care of those with no place to go. In many ways it makes sense, and I certainly cannot condemn efforts to eradicate a
desperate situation. International adoptions are now closed due to the corruption of a few. Unfortunately Guatemalan parents are not drawn to abandoned children. We were told there were four adoptions since the facility opened two years ago (The orphanage currently houses 900, and growing). There are many reasons for this including poverty and culture. This, absolutely, is not a judgement.
Funds will continue to be limited as there is no political issue here. Hired help is lowly paid and over worked. Donated toys may be intercepted by the staff and brought home to their own desperate children. There are too many children and not enough love to go around. Maintaining physical needs is priority one.
In Debbra’s case, Erika told me later, she had an under developed and twisted leg from being restricted to her crib. How could she run and play with the current staff to child ratio? Let alone have her hand held while she learned. Come to think of it, I don’t know if Debbra can walk. I just held her the whole time.
She was hesitant at first because men, especially tall white men, are not common here. Yet I believe Debbra knew I could be trusted. I held her as I walked around the facility, and we got to know each other. Then, spontaneously, I placed her high over my head with my outstretched arms and let her fall quickly but securely, then slowing so our noses could touch. “Hola!” “Hola!” I said with glee. She giggled. She smiled. She tapped my head with her little hands. Her smile made me smile, her laugh, me as well. It was so rewarding.
We had a good 10 minute streak going when I saw a house mom approach and call her name. It was a scheduled diaper change. Disappointed, I handed her over. Debbra’s dark eyes looked intently at me from over the lady’s shoulder as she disappeared into a back room. I guess we were both saddened. Yet I scanned the area looking for another special friend. I picked up a few here and there, and shared a few smiles. After a bit, I turned around to glance to Debbra’s crib. She was back and standing with her hands on the top horizontal bar. This time there was no hesitation from either of us. She raised her arms and fell into my hands.
Now I had a new program. I lied on my back on the mat in the centre of the room. My hands held her firmly but gently as we played the games I remember doing with my own children. Airplane, horse, tickle! I tried to plant seeds of hope into her little heart with the few Spanish words I knew. “Tu es bonita” (pretty)! “Tu es especial” (special)! “Jesus te ama”! We had a glorious time. She was such a treasure. Her giggle, her smile, her sparkle, all so engaged me. I had forgotten I was the conservative and introverted kind. It was our moment. I don’t know how long we played.
Then it hit me hard! An eerie and distressing sensation came over. What if this was the first time in her short life she felt loved by a male figure? When will she laugh like this again? I have to go soon, what if I break her heart? Will she ever have a Dad? Am I giving her false hope? What have I done?
My sorrow was well founded. I soon heard a voice saying we have to move on. This was only one bullet in an auctioned packed agenda. I stood up and walked, and like our time before, I never let go of that precious little girl. Debbra was joyful and unaware until I placed her in her crib.
Immediately, tears began to flow. Her dark eyes watered. Her countenance shattered. Her arms automatically went up over the bars signalling me to again pick her up. It was haunting. It was gloomy. It was so heartbreaking. I had to walk away before I did more damage. The picture I could not take could not be more engrained. As I turned I saw an adorable little angel sobbing out of control, hands up in the air, desperate for me to save her from this hell. Every wail is now an echo in my heart. I know what she was saying. “Please don’t leave me!” “Please save me!” “I know you love me!”
Everything that happens within the walls, stays within the walls. School is within, outings are few if any. Even when they leave the walls, what do they know about life and love? Internationals can’t adopt, Guatemalans won’t. They say a life sentence is 20 years, with maybe a few years off for good behaviour. This is a prison for “lifers”. Debbra seems like no exception.
My flight has landed. Debbra, I’m so sorry…
Debbra’s Song
Within the walls,
Amongst the rows,
You found my stall,
My dark eyes glow.
I have no baby doll,
Or little pup,
My smile is all,
To pick me up.
I once felt free,
“Hola!” “Hola!”,
You loved me,
Your “bonita”.
Please find the how,
With you I’ll roam,
Save me now,
Please take me home.
One of our recent Mission Trippers, Morgan is sharing her experiences at Dorie's Promise through her blog Guatemala 2011 And the Story Unfolds.
Take a look at her blog for her complete mission trip experience, lots of pictures, and even some video.
By Kaley Kindred-
These precious faces here are because of people investing their time and donations into sponsoring these kids, but the rest of Guatemala doesn't look like this. 
Desi and Joel have it set up so that we continue to bring a chicken lunch to the same family each week. They are trying to pour into this family so much that they may build relationships and continue to share Christ with them each week. This family takes a small little break of going through their trash in order for us to bring them lunch. Any time wasted to them is less money they make. By Amy Dillman-
Death… Death is by far the strongest sense that overtakes me in my nostrils and in my heart. These people do not know their dignity or their value and consequently they live and work in a wretched environment. The trucks dump the trash and the workers, who have paid to be there, begin digging out what the
y will try to sell.
Vultures hover over my head only a few feet away and swarm the trash speaking of the dead things that the people are sifting their hands through. The smell stings my nose even though I am several feet away.
The workers are exposed to dead bodies and needles and they have no idea the sicknesses and diseases they will pick up as they reach their hands into the garabage. This is the most ethical job? Well it is when your choices are a gangster, a drug dealer, a prostitute, or working in the dump.
As we stood on the cemetery grounds looking down at the dump I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. There were people making food and others lining up the eat right in the middle of the trash. There were bulldozers pushing trash towards the river even though people were right in front of them (some have died this way because the bulldozers don't stop and they can't always see in front of them).
We even walked right up to a pile of junk where after a few years or after the people stop paying rent the bodies are dumped. Unreal. Death is the overwhelming feeling here, and I have Jesus the source of life living inside me. What do these people have if they don't have Jesus? If they don't even know their value.
Here you can see the three layers of society. You have the dump at the bottom and then the ghetto and then self sufficiency is at the top where you see the tall building. The dump has about 20,000 people living and working around there. The dump was over two ravines and you could see the rivers open up right out by the dump. The bulldozers push the trash into the river which is why the water is so messed up. Later got to get even closer than this, we got to go down to a family's house who was living and working in the dump.
Loupe, is six years old and lives in the down the street where we had eaten lunch. Desi invited her to eat lunch with the family and our group. During lunch, Lynn, a member of our team, asked her if she wanted to sit on her lap and the little girl told Desi she was too dirty to sit on her lap. I didn't hear her say it but I heard later and it broke my heart. A six year old has embraced the reality of what she lives in and she believes she is too dirty. I was so hurt for her because she must have been told that she was dirty. Either that or she had just learned it from the people around her. Either way she needs her value and worth instilled in her. For that moment that Lynn had her sit in her lap she must have felt full of value.
My prayer is that little girls like Loupe will see their value through Christ's love, hearing that comment forever changed my outlook on life….
Loved with value,
Amy Dillman
Bloomington, IL
By Matthew Sandusky-
I went on this missions trip thinking that it was just another oportunity to serve God in another country. I soon realize that this was going to change my life forever.
I learned a lot that week. In the ghetto I was surprised to see contentment where ever you looked. We ask a lady what she needed and all she would ask for is that you pray for to have enough spiritual strength to get her through the day. I could not believe how people with so little to be content with nothing.
The next day we went to the state orphanage and there we had a party with the special needs kids. There these kids live with next to nothing and it really showed me how fortunate i really was. I started thinking about how much I had and how ungreatful I was. God started convicting me about so many things in my life I needed to change if He was to use me the way He wanted to.
Tuesday and Wednesday we got the opportunity to work at dories promise and the ghetto. There again I saw contentment. We delivered bunk beds to a family and the kids had stayed home from school so they could be there when they arrived and they were the happiest kids in the world. We then dug footers for a retaining wall. The lady that was to live there was in tears because we simply helped her for a couple of hours.
At the orphanage i got to know two of the boys named jonathan and bryan. We hit it off well in the begining and i loved hanging out with them. I'd go down there at night and we would wrestle, have pillow fights, play with my ipod or just goof off. It was awesome to see him having fun and getting the attention that he needed. It showed me how important dories promise is and without it jonanthan and all the other kids might be stuck in the state orphanage or on the streets.
In one week God changed my life and showed me what is important. I now have a passion for guatemala and those kids at dories promise. I know how important dories promise is in building good, strong, christian kids and I know those kids will impact guatemala when they are older. I am so glad I had the opportunity to go on this trip and support dories promise in this way. I will be going back soon.
Forever Changed,
Matthew Sandusky
Princeton, IN
By Charity Norris-
Coming to Dorie's Promise as been a very eye opening experience for me. This was my first overseas missions trip and the first time that I have ever been to an orphanage. I was prompted to come here by a friend who had adopted a daughter from Guatemala six years ago. I came here to serve and help love on the children.
Warmness and love
is the way that I would describe the families that we visited at the Maria Theresa Ghetto. While speaking with the President at the ghetto she described herself as "satisfied". When visiting the homes we gave food to the families and then prayed with them. Their homes were not anything like I have seen before. One of their homes were about the size of my bathroom. The reality of losing loved ones and a house were not just something seen on the news.
She was content and asked the Lord the bless our families. She didn't realize it but she was teaching me about being satisfied. " But godliness with contentment is a great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
On Monday we visited the government ran orphanage. We were able to spend time with the Special Needs Children during therapy. We played, fed and cuddled with some of the little ones in the different complexes. Lastly we visited the Teen Mothers and had the opportunity to pray for them. As the gates closed behind us as we moved from area to area, and the children marched while moving throughout the complex, it gave me chills. I learned that at age 7 years old the children are told they no longer need a mother. They are then given a supervisor. I just wanted to scream for Jesus to return.
I was glad we had a full day at Dorie's Promise the following day. The staff that work here are amazing. Love for the Lord is very evident through the way they nurture and play with the children. "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." – Mathew 25:40
I enjoyed playing dress-up, forming a marching band, jumping rope, feeding babies, building blocks, and just cuddling on the couch. Their smiles and hugs gave me hope. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11
Being here in Guatemala has not only challenged me as a mother but as a believer in the one true hope for this world, Jesus. I pray to always keep the smiles and hugs of these children close to my heart. I want to continue to find ways to help others in need. I want to show others that there is hope and they too can be "satisfied".
Charity Norris,
Williamsport, MD
By John Keefe-
From the time Bekah Jabin mentioned going to Guatemala I thought it would be something that I would really enjoy. I had always thought about taking a mission trip but never took the initiative. I was nervous when we first arrived because I didn’t know what to expect.
As soon as I saw Joel holding the Forever Changed sign I immediately got excited. Joel was very easy to get along with and he welcomed us with open arms. As our group arrived I realized that it was going to be a great week.
The first night was relaxing and we went to bed early so that we were prepared for the week. Going to the ghetto was an amazing experience. The way that the families within the ghetto help each other out is truly inspiring. They do not have a lot, but what they do have they cherish it. The kids in the ghetto showed us around and challenged us to a game of soccer. Even though they were much younger than we were, they beat us handedly.
Lester and Gerson were my Forever Friends and they were very open to me from the time I saw them. They immediately hugged me when I called their names out. I couldn’t understand everything that they were saying to me but it did not affect the time we spent together.
Getting to spend time with all of the kids after the park was one of the biggest highlights of the trip. It was the first time that we all were together and I started to get to know the kids on a more personal level.
The national orphanage was an eye opening experience for me. To think that there are more than eight hundred kids living there and they are unsure of their future was very sad to see. Playing soccer and painting with the special needs children was very fun. They were very good at soccer and their faces lit up when we told them we wanted to play.
On Tuesday we spent the morning painting the walls outside and doing yard work. It was neat to see how just spending a couple of hours made the backyard look very nice.
The most eye opening experience was going to the dump. The people who live around the dump spend every day digging through the garbage in order to make a living. The family that we had lunch with was very kind. They were very happy to have us there and it was very nice to be able to spend time with them. It is incredibly how happy they are even though they have so little.
The best part of the trip was the children of Dorie’s Promise. They are the kindest children that I have been around. I became very attached to all of them in just one week.
Going into the trip I thought that one week would be plenty. Now that the week has come to an end I wish I could stay for many more weeks. It has been an experience that has changed my life. I will never forget the experiences that I had in Guatemala and the children that I shared the week with.
John Keefe
Cincinnati, Ohio