By Pablo Villagran-

After Melissa Shelby discovered Dorie’s Promise at the beginning of 2012, she and her family became avid supporters. Their help included raising more than $4,000 to build and furnish a play room for our children.

A resident of Alexandria, Virginia, Melissa and her four children visited us the first week of May to help with numerous service projects.

“We hope to continue to contribute to the home for years to come,” says Melissa, a member of The Falls Church (Anglican).

“It is our hope—and certainly that of our boys—that we will be able to return to see the children in the near future. They are inspiring and adorable!”

Melissa learned about Forever Changed doing online research. She hoped to find a family mission trip opportunity in which her children (ages 6 to 11) could serve. Dorie’s Promise looked like an ideal fit.

It not only complemented their mission at home, it provided her and her husband with an opportunity to show their kids that others have not enjoyed the same good fortune.

“Until our children were outside their own comfortable circumstances, they couldn’t possibly understand the needs of others in the world,” Melissa says.

The Virginia family wanted to cover their own expenses for their visit and make a financial donation. To show appreciation for the staff, they assembled bags of essential items and treats.

Melissa asked founder Heather Radu if the children had a particular need. Heather told her about our hopes of raising $2,000 to complete an additional room, since our existing indoor play area doubles as a school room.

Within days the Shelbys mailed out letters describing their trip and fund-raising goal. Checks and notes of encouragement soon arrived—so many that they collected twice as much as they had hoped.

“I have never been comfortable asking for a donation, even for a worthy cause,” Melissa says.

“We were humbled by the generosity of our friends and family’s support of our efforts. Their offerings were true gestures of love.”

During their stay, the family visited a state orphanage, the dump, the ghetto and a local school, and worked on a gardening project here. They also took our children to the park and zoo, bought them toys, and spent time with them in daily activities.

Director Alejandra Diaz says the donations collected by the Shelbys are a blessing that will help our dreams come true. Any time something like this happens, everyone here is thankful to God because this is how He shows His love, she adds.

“We are still missing some small parts of furniture and accessories,” Alej says. “However, we keep receiving the help of many people. We will have this room ready soon for therapies of babies and infants.”

When Melissa thinks about what it means to be one of God’s disciples, she can’t help thinking of our staff members.

“Their work inspires our family to do more in whatever way we might to further God’s kingdom,” she says. “We will continue to spread the good news about our experiences and encourage others to get involved.”

By Pablo Villagran-

First of two parts

Taylor Potts enjoyed her three previous visits to Dorie’s Promise so much that she is spending the month of June with us.

“I’m basically pitching in and helping wherever I’m needed,” says Taylor, who comes from Durand, a small farming community in central Michigan.

She has helped the girls in the office, as well as assisting the Special Mothers in preparing meals, cleaning and providing the children a nice home. However, she has spent most of her time with the kids after school.

“With the little Spanish I know, I have helped them with homework,” Taylor says. “We also have played together, helping them release all that pent-up energy they had to hold in during the day.”

In addition, she has worked alongside the mission teams who are a fixture here in the summer. Taylor has the benefit of prior experience, having been here in July of 2010 and July of 2011.

She also visited Dorie’s Promise at the end of last year, when she got here in time to see New Year’s Eve fireworks and enjoy a party with the older children.

In recent weeks, Taylor has tried to be an example of how to interact comfortably with the kids and Special Mothers. During her third week some leaders from her previous trips brought a large group here, which allowed her to see some familiar faces.

“Basically, I’m content doing whatever is needed of me,” says Taylor, who felt attracted to Guatemala because a few close friends have adopted children from the country. “My own brother was adopted, so that has always been close to my heart.”

Her first visit to Guatemala City came because her congregation, Central Church of the Nazarene, organized a trip.

She is glad she signed up for the journey, saying after forming relationships with the kids, Special Mothers and other staff members that she wanted to return so she could maintain those relationships.

Although sometimes experiencing difficulties raising funds, God has always provided the financial means. This reassures Taylor this is something she is supposed to do.

Plus, once she met the children not only did she fall in love with them, she missed them when they were apart, Taylor says.

“Coming back again and again helps me to show these children I love them,” says the Taylor University student. “I get blessed with the opportunity to see them grow, or get adopted, and see the wonderful ways God takes care of everyone in His family.”

A social work major who hopes to graduate in 2014, even though she doesn’t expect to become a fulltime missionary Taylor thinks she can put the lessons she has learned on her visits to good use.

“I would love to work for a non-profit some day, even overseas,” she says. “I also want to continue serving others, loving them and forming relationships with them. I think that social work is a great way to life a life of service.”