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New Pila in the Dump – Family Thrilled!

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

October 2011

By Desi Stephens

Last week I wrote about the partnership Dorie’s Promise has with Safe Passage, a group providing education and social services to hundreds of children.

One of the many stories that has arisen from this partnership is the pila—a water station—that one of our mission teams installed for a poor family living near the city dump.

The team consisted primarily of teens from the youth group at Central Church of the Nazarene in Flint, Michigan. They got connected to us through fellow member Cinda Rachor, one of our board members now in the process of adopting a girl from us.

This particular family sorts through garbage to find paper, plastic bottles, tin and other items that they can sell to different vendors.

The team met them after starting their day with representatives from Safe Passage. Installing the pila brought the mission volunteers considerable rewards.

“I was personally blessed by helping them and seeing their faces after we put it in their house,” Jeff Glitz says.

“The joy they expressed over just having something to keep water in to wash their clothing and dishes just made my day.”

C.J. Pettus says the experience opened her eyes to a lifestyle that she couldn’t imagine living. Yet the people they helped were amazing, she says.

“We only had a simple water station to give them, but they gave us so much love,” says C.J. “I can say that some of the most gracious hosts I have ever had came from an unexpected location. Meeting them showed me the importance of relationships instead of objects.”

Mission Coordinator Joel Juarez says the pila proved to be a great happiness for the family.

Their old pila had broken and all the water flooded their work area, sometimes spoiling the paper they collect.

“It is very useful for them, especially for their daughter because she can wash her clothes and all the dishes from the family,” Joel says. “The new pila is something very special.”

The family appreciates more than the water station, though. They love the mission team visits, the food they receive weekly, and the clothing that some teams have brought them, he says.

Helping poor families in the community not only expands the work Dorie’s Promise does, it has been an eye-opener for Joel.

“My life will never be the same,” Joel says. “It is easy to walk close to these areas and shrug, ‘poor people.’ But being with them, getting to know them and their stories, and learning about their dreams make me feel God is giving me an opportunity to do something for them.

“My life has been forever changed. God has shown me things that are really important, like family values, and to appreciate what we have. Because people living in bad conditions are thankful with what they have.”

SPECIAL NOTE: We are still working to totally fund out medical program for the children of Dorie's Promise.  We need your help and support.  Consider a special gift today!

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Safe Passage

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

By Desi Stephens-

One of our partners in carrying out our mission in Guatemala is Safe Passage, a group that provides approximately 550 children with education, social services, and the hope of moving beyond their family’s impoverished circumstances.

We formed a working relationship in December of 2010, when a staff member of Safe Passage gave one of our mission groups a tour of the national cemetery and the adjoining dump in Guatemala City. It provided them insights into the reality of the extreme poverty faced by many residents.

Many families have lived in the dump or surrounding, poor communities for generations.

Many mission groups get a first-hand look at this situation by meeting a Safe Passage member at the school these children attend. The staff member shares the history of the organization and their work in helping children impacted by the dump.

Because of our partnership, a number of mission groups have donated school supplies to Safe Passage. They also have had opportunities to visit the Creamos jewelry shop, where women who have lived at the dump have the chance to make jewelry from paper goods.

In addition to selling their products to our groups and other customers, the women have an opportunity to learn job skills.

Dorie’s Promise has also benefited from this partnership. Safe Passage recently donated two washing machines to us and has given us extra food from their supplies.

Nearly every week Safe Passage takes the time to greet visitors on our mission teams and spend time with them. Ultimately, our joint efforts are making a long-lasting impact on at-risk children.

While no children from Safe Passage have entered the orphanage, we have extended our services to the organization’s social worker. If they feel that some of their children need a safe, loving home, they can use our services in working with the Minor Court to facilitate the transition.

Amilcar de Leon of Safe Passage credits the partnership with enabling them to meet many potential sponsors and donors.

The donations and school supplies they have received has helped reduce demands on their budget and helped them maintain their programs, he says. “We believe that because of these strong relationships we can work together to make a real difference in Guatemala,” de Leon says.

We agree. It has been a pleasure to work with Safe Passage as they have reached out to others and served us as well. As our partnership approaches its first anniversary, we look forward to seeing how we can strengthen relationships and continue serving the children of Guatemala.

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Death to Life

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

By: Don McPhee-

We are surrounded by death…

From on top of a huge cliff I stare below to the famous Guatemala City Dump, the largest of its kind in Central America. To me it appears as Hell’s marketplace. Hundreds race after the latest rubbish from city trucks. The trucks from the wealthy parts of town are the most sought after. Several entrepreneurs set up an umbrella and sell food in the mist of the trash, knowing there are many hungry workers nearby. Tents are visible and they act as warehouses for gathered supplies. Bulldozers scurry, layering garbage and dirt while pushing towards a river. There are many hazards of the job including being pricked by infected discarded needles, or being levelled by a bulldozer. We practise caution from our observation point, as mudslides are common, and tragedies have occurred as a result.

Immediately behind me is the Guatemala City Cemetery. To view the dump, we had tracked through the cemetery to the edge of the cliff. There is no better location for this graveyard as despair can be continuous. Location does matter as well when maintenance fees are not paid on a tomb, as the body is removed and conveniently thrown over the cliff into the dump; from grave to grave. The cemetery is massive, stretching it seems for many square miles. Typical decor includes a colossal wall of tombs with rows of slots for bodies, sealed with a headstone. Most tombs are sub-standard representing the final resting place of the poor. Green moss is common over the surfaces, and everywhere is the foul smell of death. Those that can afford it have a professionally engraved marking, while the rest have some encryption hand written in the cement seal. There are also some upscale tombs with roof peaks, steel barred windows, crosses, and marble decor.  We observe a huge structure reserved for relatives of one of Guatemala’s riches families. On this day there is a funeral and we witness a worker climbing a ladder to place the body in an upper empty slot. He then completes the task with a cement seal.

Up above and all around, flocks of vultures circle and perch. The ultimate symbol of death. They number in the thousands. They rest on the tombs. They take a break on the dead trees. They loop about looking for something lifeless to devour, not discriminating between a dog or human body part, or any other rotten remains.

And straight ahead, on the other side of the dump, lies a ghetto. The ghetto dwellings are called “cobachas” and are the best attempt for a home that can be made from discarded metal, plastic, and wood. Many have dirt floors. We saw our share while in Guatemala. Most furniture or appliances in these dwellings would not be accepted for the poorest of the poor in Canada, there would be an outcry. I never realized a white fridge could turn rust brown.  

Our next venture after observing the dump, cemetery, and the vulture guard is to visit one of these cobachas across the way. We will arrive with gifts and a chicken dinner for two families.  We race back to the truck and began our journey to the other side, our trusted guide, Joel, always leading the way with confidence.

Our entrance into the ghetto does not provide relief for our burdened hearts. Was this a community or just an extension of the dump? To its credit, it was at least a somewhat organized heap. Bottles, plastic, cans, and other materials are separated and usually enclosed in large cloth or plastic bags. But they are all over the place; on the sides of the street, in the homes, and throughout the alleyways. Apparently it is common to sleep on the stacks. Random pieces of litter spot the dump spoils. Packs of dogs are throughout. They are thin and sickly. I observe several drinking from polluted puddles on the streets.

The cobacha we approach is no exception. There are two families living and working in this dwelling. While honoured to be their guest, we are troubled by their circumstances. Masses of sorted garbage are both inside and outside the home. The residence seconds as a sorting facility for the spoils of the day.  My precious friend and missionary partner, Martine, is frozen in time at the entrance of the cobacha. She is still and staring, nervously holding the dinner in plastic bags high in the air, while dogs hover around her feet and flies target the exposed rolls. Her face says it all.

We venture into life. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Romans 8:6…

Things turn around dramatically as we meet the dear people, our people of fellowship. Regardless of their surroundings they have resolved to be happy. I am touched, as before we enter, a lady insists on sweeping the floor. I see no point in sweeping a dirt floor, yet, to her, it is her way of glorifying God with her best for others. She makes a path in the house and lays stools for us to sit. The first room in the house contains a rafter on the left where another lady is pleasantly engaged, arranging papers gathered from the dump. A number of scrawny cats within the mess are her company. We are all so impressed with everyone’s spirit of thankfulness. They are a content people. What a lesson to observe.

Martine is now fully active in the conversation, and has also made it her personal mission to minister to the ever increasing legion of cats at her feet by contributing a portion of her lunch. Not only do cats eat French fries, they are Lovin’ It! Joel indicates it would be very acceptable to throw our chicken bones to the dogs outside, which is easy to do when there is no door. If you thought dogs shouldn’t eat chicken bones, well don’t wake these dogs up! My daughter, Courtney, strikes up a special bond with an eight year old girl, Allison, and with her caretaker, a 20 year old Guatemalan princess.

In retrospect, I consider the economy of the dump. To these people it is hope and a way. It provides a means for 20,000 residents. It is a viable alternative to recycling companies. There is harmony in the practise. A system is in place for workers to access their portion of a truck load by laying hands on the side of the truck to claim their space before it unloads. There are no fights, and rights to a truck are respected. Legislation now prevents children from working in the dump. We were also fortunate to previously visit an organization called Safe Passage, and one of their ministries is to remove kids from the dump setting, and provide educational alternatives. All dump workers are licensed, and no entry is allowed on weekends or beyond the 12 open hours in the weekdays. The ecosystem includes a network of wholesalers and retailers of the recycled goods. This is their work, and they do it well, and do it with pride.

I had carried into the ghetto thoughts of hopelessness, while the residents were living life and peace despite their circumstances. While I thought we would be blessing them, they have blessed us.

A sign from above. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” John 6:63b…

The lady on top the rafters smiles and gestures. Amongst the stack of papers she was sorting, she discovers a prize. She holds up her hand, and in it is a coverless but complete Bible. She lays it aside so it can be kept and treasured.

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200th Mission Tripper Booked for 2011 (NEW RECORD)

Friday, September 9th, 2011

By Bradley Burck

We've had a banner year with our missions program!  Last year we had 154 people visit Dorie's Promise.  As of this moment, we have 200 people booked for 2011 (and we're still going strong)!  We started the year with some staffing changes that left us concerned about the future of our program.  But in true Dorie's Promise fashion, our team rallied and really focused on promoting our program with people we knew and making sure the missions experience was an amazing one.  All that hard work is paying off!  Thanks to everyone who helped us make this possible.  Our missions program is key to helping us with the finances to take care of the children in our care and really keep Dorie's Promise running.  THANK YOU! 

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Within the Walls

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

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.

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Love & Orphans

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

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.

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Reality of Guatemala

Friday, August 12th, 2011

By Kaley Kindred-

Unfortunately the reality is that most of Guatemala does not look as promising as it does to the kids here at Dorie's Promise orphanage. 
 
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.  
 
We spent another amazing day at the dump yesterday.  I am part of a  mission group  of 20 this week, so we had lots of donations to give out to the people living in the slums.  
 
We wanted to give these kids a pinata party, so that is what we did.  The people of the slums were so excited for the kids that they blocked off the road so no one would get in the way. 
 
As much fun as it was to see these kids stuff their shirts and pockets with loads of candy, it was even more fun to see these kids engaged in one of our missions group men sharing the gospel and having Joel translate it.  For that many kids and mothers, they all listened so well.  Walking away and watching the kids holding their tracks explaining the gospel and their new Bibles, I knew that God was going to do something in someone's life that day.  We may never know who came closer to the Lord yesterday, but we know that some of those people may have heard of the gift of Christ for the first time that day.
 
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. 
 
It's still hard to process for me because one day a week of missions groups bringing donations for the people of the dump is not enough.  It is not enough for these people to move out of the slums or to even buy something other than garbage bags to sleep on, but we just continue to pray that these people will find their value in Christ and know that they are loved.  
 
And then tonight…oh how I love precious moments like these….every time I tuck the little 3-4 year old girls in bed, I cry. 
 
I was in there tonight helping them all brush their teeth and get in their beds.  I walk around and every little girl gives me kisses.  And then I try leaving, and each girl says, "mama kaley, mas besas."  (more kisses).  Seriously, if adoptions were open, I would have way too many kids! Bedtime is so special to me because it just reminds me of bedtime at home with my little sisters.  Whenever I'm home, I usually end up snuggling them and falling asleep in their beds.  I wish I could fit in their tiny little bunk beds here and do that with a different one each night!
 
The only thing that keeps me from going emotionally insane is knowing that Christ has His hand on all the kids here at Dorie's Promise.  These kids are loved, loved, loved by their special mothers, Desi, Joel, and the other staff here.  They are being taught about Christ's love every day here and that is something to praise Jesus about!
 
Impacted by Jesus,
Kaley Kindred
Bloomington, IL
 
 

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Value

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

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 they 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

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Forever Changed in One Week

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

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.

bryan jonathan and meI 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

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Satisfied

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

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

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