Forever Changed International

Phase One Complete!

Pablo Villagran — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:33:16 +0000

By Pablo Villigran-

With summer almost upon us, we were overjoyed to see phase one of our backyard reconstruction project completed in late April.

The work started last summer before a sinkhole interrupted progress and sent us back to square one—making this milestone that much more enjoyable.

Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and contributors, we now have new grass, new plants, and a beautiful covered patio with spacious seating for our children, staff and guests.

Three mission groups helped with different aspects of the project, including putting in the grass, painting walls and cleaning the whole area.

It was wonderful to see both children and adult volunteers working with so much enthusiasm, knowing that they were helping us to have a better, safer place where our children can play.

In addition to volunteering their time, these groups made monetary donations to pay for the grass, paint and various tools.

With phase one completed, we are embarking on phase two, which we hope to start this summer with the arrival of more mission groups.

It will include preparing the area with woodchips prior to setting a large play structure in place. The structure will contain swing sets, slides and other equipment. We also hope to plant more flowers and trees.

However, we still lack a crucial component for phase two—money. We haven’t raised the last portion of the $20,000 we needed to complete phase one, so we will proceed with phase two as God provides for various expenses.

Phase three is still on the drawing boards, but we are thinking about building a woodhouse, installing a sand box, and putting in more swings for infants and toddlers.

We have yet to meet with an architect to finalize plans, which have shifted as work has proceeded.

Even though we have had to proceed at a gradual pace, there is no doubt these upgrades have improved life for everyone at Dorie’s Promise.

Our children have enjoyed the yard and patio. Even though they aren’t able to play there every day yet, we are close to organizing various activities for them. The staff and mission team members will also enjoy these opportunities.

The covered patio is especially wonderful for staff members, who now have a more pleasant setting in which to enjoy meals and a comfortable place to rest after dinner.

Our hope is that work on phase two can be finished by the end of this summer, with the timetable for phase three depending on remaining fund raising efforts. This need represents a fantastic project for a mission team or other group that wants to play a significant role in the lives of Guatemala’s orphans.

From Fear to Smiles

Pablo Villagran — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:23 +0000

By Pablo Villigran-

When two-year-old Jose Pablo Monterroso came to Dorie’s Promise in May of 2011, his fear and nervousness showed through timidity that sometimes led to an outburst of tears.

Jose wound up at our home because of a judge’s order. The facility where the court originally wanted to send him was full.

Since Jose’s arrival, the court has placed advertisements in Guatemalan newspapers, hoping to find relatives willing to care for Jose. While we aren’t certain how long he will be with us, we are committed to offering him the best possible care during his stay.

Miriam Morales, the Special Mother who watches Jose most closely, has observed a lot of changes since he came to our home. Initially, she says, the infant expressed himself by using words that only the Special Mothers could understand because they spent so much time with him.

“At first, he used to cry but now he has overcome that fear, thanks to the love that the mission groups have shown,” she says. “I think another reason he has overcome his fear is because Jose sees people coming more often to carry him around and play with him.”

Jose loves to play, especially around the ramp outside. Miriam says he has a special way of playing.

He picks up the smallest things he can find, such as seeds or breadcrumbs, then brings them to her and places them in her hand.

Miriam says she lets him do that because it is a good way for Jose to learn how to pick up things. However, she has to keep a close eye on him because sometimes he tries to eat the items.

Jose is a strong baby with sturdy legs, the Special Mother says. She notes that during the last wave of illness at the home, he was the only baby who did not get sick.

He also seeks plenty of attention. Jose wants to be the first for everything, such as when the Special Mothers feed or dress the infants.

“He acknowledges me, too,” says Miriam, obviously very touched. “When I go downstairs he immediately looks at me with his beautiful eyes. Sometimes he starts throwing me kisses. Pablo is not a child who likes to give hugs but he definitely perceives the love that I feel for him.”

Jose is one of the children at Dorie’s Promise who needs additional monthly sponsors, since he is only at 52 percent of full support.

Sponsors are vital to each child’s well-being. They have provided Jose with health care, medications, spiritual development, a home, food and education.

Sponsorship is a commitment. We don’t just ask that you send a check for $35 each month, but that you pray for your child, exchange notes with him or her, and get more involved in the orphan’s life.

If helping a child like Jose enjoy the promise of healthy development and future happiness appeals to you, contact us today.

Thank You Ms. Margaret

Arwen McGilvra — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:28:59 +0000

Thank you Ms. Margaret for the books! We love them…

Cozy & Comfortable

Alej Diaz — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:07:42 +0000

By Alejandra Diaz-

Future visitors to Dorie’s Promise who notice children wearing decorative flip flops will be seeing tangible evidence of a recent outreach by Girl Scout Troop #633 from Hough Street School in Barrington, Illinois.

As part of the troop’s 2012 international outreach, the fifth-grade students also fashioned colorful plastic plates for our kids. The project concluded with a late March visit by troop leader Beth Bach, her family, and 12 other team members.

Beth’s daughter, Peyton, 11, represented the troop. In addition to Guatemala, another member and her family went to Rwanda over spring break.

“The highlight for me was witnessing how happy the kids at Dorie’s Promise are,” Beth says. “It’s a phenomenal home and the children are entirely blessed. My daughter most enjoyed playing with the kids and doing crafts with them.”

Beth learned about Forever Changed International last November while investigating short-term mission trips. FCI proved to be the best option. That led to her troop choosing Dorie’s Promise, as well as Africa, as places to bless and visit.

At their February meeting, members collected donations of basic necessities for African children. For Dorie’s Promise, each girl chose a particular child to create a plate and flip flops for; they also sent blank plates and undecorated flip flops for older children to work on in March.

During their visit the team had the older children design flip flops for the Special Mothers, which gave them an opportunity to thank these incredible women with a special gift.

“They were just thrilled with them and eager to choose a pair,” Beth says. “What a special touch it was to have the kids present them.”

In addition, the team helped children create fun bottles. They filled them with rice and small items that would get buried in the rice, but surface as kids moved the bottles. They also made juggling balls by filling balloons with rice.

However, Beth says the kids ultimately had more fun playing in a shallow box of rice. Their other special activity: a Splash Day of playing in water, which Peyton enjoyed too.

The mission included a huge boost for Dorie’s Promise. The team delivered 40 blankets (valued at more than $3,500) for our nursery. They were donated by Barefoot Dreams of Southern California.

Founder Heather Radu had requested the blankets to replace worn-out bedding. Since Beth couldn’t afford them, she wrote to Barefoot Dreams CEO Annette Cook to request a donation.

“I had no idea that blankets, which inspire the whole nursery décor, were so expensive,” she says. “God truly touched (Annette’s) heart. They were impressed with FCI and more than eager to help. They were even more touched when I sent them the follow-up photos.”

If you would like to make a similar impact on the world, contact us for information about a mission trip.

Students Make Video

Pablo Villagran — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:45:29 +0000

Some local Guatemalan University students made this video about Forever Changed International. Is all in Spanish. Enjoy it.

Volunteers Mean We Don’t Do It Alone

Arwen McGilvra — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:52:43 +0000

By Alejandra Diaz-

Last week I wrote about the largest mission team to ever visit Dorie’s Promise. While it is exciting to see this increase, we are blessed by local volunteers like Omar David.

Omar David is a native of Guatemala who later moved to Costa Rica after his father died. His mother remarried an Italian American who worked for the Foreign Service.

Finally, the family relocated to Maryland, where Omar went to junior and senior high school. After earning degrees in business administration and economics at the University of Maryland, he returned to Guatemala in 1984.

“I try to help in any way I can,” said Omar, who visits every Thursday to deliver food and other supplies. “It feels almost selfish to me because I get much more out of the love the kids give me than I could ever give to them.”

He first heard about the orphanage from our medical director, Dr. Francisco Castro, whom he met on the tennis court. Several months later, Omar’s niece contacted him, asking where she could come and help. Dr. Castro offered her the chance to work at the orphanage.

A year later, Dr. Castro visited Omar’s sporting goods distributorship to make a purchase.

When Omar asked if there was anything he could do to help Dorie’s Promise, Dr. Castro replied that he was short on vaccines for the children and caretakers.

“From that moment on, I started calling associates and friends,” Omar recalls. “I was amazed at how many of them wanted to help, but just did not know how they could do so.”

Although his primary personal objective is raising funds for vaccines, medical supplies and other needed medications, Omar took his involvement a step further.

Last October, he started coming on Thursday with donations, including a Thanksgiving dinner in November. Instead of turkey Omar and his son brought ham and all the trimmings, plus cake and pie.

Each week Omar delivers donations from friends and fellow church members— everything from toys and clothing to milk and food. His friend, Luis Ayala, offers produce each week from his farm, such as plantains, bananas, lemons and tomatoes.

Omar is working to arrange a trip for the children to the tennis club where he is a member for an exhibition game featuring players sponsored by a sporting goods manufacturer. Plans include a tennis clinic for the kids.

“In addition, my congregation has been looking for outreach programs,” said Omar, who belongs to an Episcopal church. “I hope to get them involved in either raising more funds for medicines, or helping with the outreach program the orphanage has with the dump.”

Omar isn’t alone. We have students and others who provide everything from companionship to dental services. All are serving God as they help us fulfill our mission to act as His hands, feet and arms to Guatemala’s needy children.

Phase 1 Done

Pablo Villagran — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:46:23 +0000

The first phase of the backyard reconstruction has been completed! Check out the pictures of the sun deck and eating area for the children, staff, and mission teams. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN! Now on to PHASE 2.

Freddy Enters Sponsorship Program

Arwen McGilvra — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:27:54 +0000

Freddy is the latest child to enter our sponsorship program. Smart and talkative, Fredy appears to be quite happy here, even though he has had some adjustments to make. While living with a family, he was used to having his own room and receiving more special attention. So his first days at our orphanage weren’t too easy.

Freddy is a four year old boy with a big smile on his face, a that smile touched our hears the first day he arrived. Even that first day when everybody was strange for him, he was smiling and being very friendly. He has now adjusted perfectly to the other kids in the jungle room, and every morning he is willing to go to the little school for preschoolers here at Dorie's Promise.

Freddy also loves to give hugs. Our Special Mothers have taken extra care with him, since they know it is not easy for a toddler to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings. Teacher Claudia Roncal has also been affirming and affectionate.

Freddy loves everything related to the movie Cars. He also loves learning new songs and playing with the other kids his age.

Setting a Record

Alej Diaz — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:13:22 +0000

By Alejandra Diaz-

As a sign of the growing interest in mission trips to Dorie’s Promise, in early March we hosted the largest team to ever visit. Grace Christian School of Bennington, Vermont sent 24 people to Dorie’s Promise—8 adults and 16 high school juniors and seniors.

The group renovated a house for a poor family in the ghetto, as well as distributing donations in the ghetto, the city dump and a state-run orphanage.

“We were really excited to receive such a large group,” says Missions Assistant Pablo Villagran. “We wanted to make them feel at home. It was a challenge because we did not have enough space, but we thank God for providing a solution.”

The family they helped included two children. Their father hadn’t worked for a month because he had been caring for his seriously-ill wife.

Pablo calls it a “blessing” to have such a large number of hands to work on various projects, noting that many team members pitched in without even being asked for help.

“Another advantage of having a large team was to see how God changed so many lives on just one trip,” Pablo says.

The younger children were excited to see so many visitors. Often, there aren’t enough missionaries for one-on-one time with the kids, but on a trip to the zoo one team member accompanied each child.

Still, there were obstacles. Renovating a small dwelling made it difficult for helpers to move from one side of the house to the other, Pablo says. Arranging transportation and getting everyone to the site on time presented logistical problems, too.

“Debriefing was also a challenge,” he recalls. “Sometimes it was quite long due to the number of people who had questions and comments.”

The volunteers gave high marks to their visit. Leader Jennifer Morse had served as a coordinator for two previous missions to other places. She ranked this one as the most organized, enjoyable, life-changing trips she has ever taken.

“I would advise other teams planning to come to bring plenty of items to donate to needy people,” Morse said. “I would also let them know that they need to be prepared to be changed forever— because this trip will change those who are willing to be open to God.”

Volunteer Emily Steadman says the greatest thing she experienced was love. Although she says the children come from bad situations and their lives aren’t picture perfect, Emily still saw numerous happy, beautiful faces.

“It didn’t matter that I was different, my friends and the children took me in like one of their own,” she says. “That’s something you don’t feel in the United States—complete acceptance and love. The people of Guatemala are filled with love, joy and contentment for what they have.”

If such comments are tugging at your heartstrings right now, contact us for more information on arranging a trip to Dorie’s Promise.

Special Mother Nohemi

Alej Diaz — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:12 +0000

By Alejandra Diaz-

While each woman who cares for the children at Dorie’s Promise deserves the name of “Special Mother,” occasionally we spotlight a particular one to provide a close-up of those who play a key role in our work.

The mother of five daughters and a son who has passed on, Mirna Nohemi Pena has been on staff for seven years.

“It is a privilege and opportunity to bless the children and myself,” says Nohemi, one of our supervisors. “I feel like a part of each of them. I am committed to give them special service, which I offer with happiness and responsibility.”

Nohemi says working with the children is a source of health and happiness. Not only do they make her smile, but seeing them grow into healthy young people stirs feelings of joy—and tears.

Not surprisingly, she likes everything about her job, particularly when she sees the blessings children get from visiting missionaries and the smiles that cross their faces whenever a team arrives.

This Special Mother’s favorite experience involved a young boy named Miguel, who later was adopted.

When he arrived, his tough background made him difficult to control. However, thanks to Mama Nohemi teaching him about Jesus Christ and good moral values, when he left he had a better basis for life.

This is happening with another boy at the home she is guiding, a task that gives her purpose. Brayan was also difficult to control when he came to Dorie’s Promise, but now recognizes rules and instructions. This progress and the positive role she played in Miguel’s life represent special memories.

“I felt a strong connection with Miguel,” Nohemi says. “He is one of the kids that I remember with love. One of my wishes is to see him and be able to talk to him. When he was adopted, I was sad he was leaving, but at the same time I felt happiness. I met his adoptive family and they were a great family.”

As a partial fulfillment of her wish, she recently got to watch a video of Miguel singing and playing music, which brought her happiness.

Nohemi’s dream is to continue serving at the orphanage, since she works here for more than a paycheck. She wants to leave an indelible mark on children and comply with God’s purposes for her life.

“Another dream is to see my kids growing and having a better future,” she says. “I want to see them grow and know that they are doing great things with their lives.”

Please pray for Nohemi’s family and that she will enjoy a long life. She hopes to have the opportunity to see her grandchildren grow up and be able to continue supporting her father.

Pray for Dorie’s Promise as well as we carry out this vital work among Guatemala’s needy children.