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| Greetings! |
 Those who know me know that I am not a fan of Halloween. I don't think badly of my friends who choose to celebrate it, but it just isn't for me. The main reason I don't like it is because it reminds me so much of my life prior to Christ, consumed by death and fear. Since coming to know Jesus my life has become the antithesis of Halloween.
But as we approach October 31st I find myself recalling my childhood fears. From around nine years of age, I used to stay up late watching Shock Theater on Saturday nights with my dad. Frankenstein, the Werewolf, Dracula, and the Mummy were the common companions during those late nights, and the nightmares that often accompanied those viewings were my companions long after the credits had rolled.It was no wonder that I was deathly afraid of the dark and the noises that seemed to start as soon as the lights went out.
I remember many times creeping quietly into my parents' bedroom and waking my mom. (Dad was not nearly as soothing in the middle of the night!) She would walk me back into my bedroom, stroke my hair, and tell me there was no such thing as the boogie man, and I would quietly drift off to sleep. That is one of the wonderful things about parents. They help to dispel your imaginary fears and stand with you as you face down the real fears.
So, I find myself thinking a lot about the children of our world who do not have parents and are facing fears. For most of them, their monsters are not the stuff of B grade horror films, but real life terrors. Loneliness, rejection, hunger, illness, bullies, and disabilities are the creatures they face each day and night. And many of them do it alone, without a mom and a dad to soothe them and fight those monsters.
That is why we do what we do. Each time we see a child come into a loving home they are welcomed by a family that will soothe their fears and help them face their monsters, both real and imagined. Thank you for all you do to make that a reality in so many children's lives! | |
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Coming Home: Immaculate & Steven
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 As of the publication of this newsletter Ron and Melanie Ecklebarger are in Uganda to complete the adoptions of their two newest children, Immaculate and Stephen. The Ecklebargers may seem familiar to you as they adopted three children (Joshua, Agnes, and James) from Uganda a year-and-a-half ago. This time their journey will provide a home to two children who desperately need both a family and medical attention.
 Immaculate (age 10) suffered paralysis from the waist down after a bout of cerebral malaria. She has lived with her grandmother who has struggled to care for her. Stephen (age 13) has faced a variety of health problems that has resulted in damaged lungs and stunted growth. These adoptions will make the Ecklebargers a family of ten.
Please pray for Ron and Melanie as they seek to cut through the red tape and frustrations of the Ugandan court system. Also pray for Stephen and Immaculate as they adjust to their new life and family. |
| Next Steps to Guatemala |
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 Wanda and I have just returned from Guatemala where we spent ten days meeting with ministries, realtors, and key contacts to plan for Hope for Home's expansion into Guatemala. The insights and guidance we received were crucial as we prepare to open a group home there for children with special needs.
Depending upon the sale of our home, we hope to make this transition this spring or early summer. However, there are many things that need to happen before that is possible. Please join us in praying for the following needs:
- Our search for a new Director for HfH is ongoing. Please pray that God will raise up the right man for the job.
- Additional funding is necessary to make this step. Please ask the Father to provide every penny necessary at just the right time.
- As mentioned, we have to sell our home, vehicles and most of our possession. Please pray that God will provide the right buyers.
- We are looking for just the right home in Guatemala (we will rent during the early days of our ministry there). Please pray that God will lead us to the right facility in the right place at just the right time.
- We are prayerfully considering partnering with an existing orphanage in Guatemala for the sake of licensing and guidance. Please pray that God will give both that ministry and us guidance to know if that is His will.
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| Another Ministry Team Needs Your Prayers! |
 Hope for Home will be leading another ministry team to Guatemala from October 31st through November 8th. This will be a team of six people who will be ministering at Hermano Pedro, Casa Jackson, and more.
Please take time to pray for this team. Specifically, we ask that you pray the following:
- That they will see the needs of the children and the country through the eyes of Jesus.
- That they will be able to communicate the love of Christ to the children with which they work and the adults they encounter.
- That each member will return to the states changed and empowered by God to challenge the church to response.
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Pray for Samson |
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Name: Samson
Sex: Male
Age: 5 years
Special need(s): Down Syndrome
This one is a little cute little stinker, with beautiful blond hair and blue eyes! Curious about the camera and happy to smile for us too! Ready for his new family to come for him. Will it be you?
Samson is healthy and a very happy and social child. He is fortunate that he has not already been sent to the institution, but he is facing that VERY shortly. He needs a family right away! Samson is quite a high functioning little boy, and will absolutely thrive in a family setting. Please consider giving him the chance to grow up the RIGHT way!
Sampson is facing significant risks of being declared unadoptable. Please act soon!
There is a $1950.00 grant available toward his adoption!
Please consider giving him a home...your home! To inquire about Samson please click here. |
| Don't Forget to Track Daryl's Blog |
 If you would like to learn more about the journey behind our big move you can do so by reading my blog at www.hopeforhome.blogspot.com
While you are there, don't forget to check out some of the blogs that I follow and pray for those faithful workers in God's harvest!
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Daryl Fulp,
Director
Hope for Home Ministries
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