March/April 2011 
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Greetings!

Fulps Mar 11If you are one of those people who rely on this newsletter as your only source of news from our ministry, you have probably assumed that we had disappeared from the face of the earth. Life over the last two months has been a whirlwind as we have moved to Guatemala and set up our new home. We have been immersed in language school while also quickly getting involved in ministry here. This, in addition to purchasing a van, learning our way around our new town and country, and practicing the new skills we need for survival have left little time to put out our regular newsletter. I apologize for that omission.

 

We have much that could be reported in this issue, but instead of rehashing old news I would invite you to visit my blog at http://hopeforhome.blogspot.com/. Unlike this newsletter it is updated almost weekly with photos, news, and prayer requests. You can also click the link on the right side of the blog and become a follower so that you receive notice via e-mail whenever a new blog is posted. It is a great way to stay in closer touch with our ministry.

 

This issue will focus instead on answering some frequently asked questions and sharing some exciting news regarding our Encarga pastor training program. Much has developed in recent weeks and we want everyone to be up-to-date on our ministry.

 

We are thrilled to be here in Guatemala, but we are facing some challenges as a family and ministry. So, I will take some time to share those challenges below and ask you for your ongoing prayers on our behalf.

 

As always, thank you for your encouragement, support, and prayers! Because of you we are here and lives are changing!

In This Issue
Frequently Asked Questions
An Update on our Encarga Pastor Training Program
Prayer Needed
At Last...Prabhat Has His Family!
Pray for Lan, Po-Sen
Ministry Blogs
Quick Links
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Building Blocks Adopt Ser:
 
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www.hopeforhome.blogspot.com

Resources 4 Adoption
http://www.resources4adoption.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

I wanted to take a few moments to answer some of the frequently asked questions that many of you may have as well. If at any point you have questions of me regarding our ministry, please feel free to call or e-mail me and I will be happy to address them.

 

            1) What's with the big house?

Hogar de la EsperanzaIf you have seen some of our past newsletters, my blog, or our Web site you have likely seen our new home. It is large and beautiful and, some would say, extravagant. As a result, some have asked us why we have rented such a large and gorgeous home if we are here to care for the poor and oppressed. That question is sometimes asked critically, but usually it is just an honest and good question that deserves an answer.

 

We spent 14 months searching for the right home in Guatemala. Our desire was to find a large but simple home that could accommodate our big family along with the children we would take in. Regular searches on the internet, calls and inquiries with friends in-country, as well as two visits by Wanda and I led us to the conclusion that such homes do not exist in Guatemala. In fact, besides this home the largest home we could find had only six bedrooms, was not handicapped accessible, and did not have a large enough living room or dining room to accommodate our family. And still that home rented for $650.00 a month.

 

When we saw our current home for the first time we were astounded by how perfectly it suited our needs. Not only was the first level large enough to house our entire family along with 10 other children, but it was wonderfully handicapped accessible. Combine that with the room upstairs to house our frequent teams and we realized that we had found the perfect location for Hogar de la Esperanza. With the regular income that teams will provide we realized that we could rent this home for less than $500 a month out of our general budget. More home, less money, and room for our teams. What a blessing God has provided to our ministry!

 

2) When will you begin taking in children?

Wanda & LilahThat is a good question that we cannot answer. The licensing process for orphanages and group homes is both lengthy and expensive. If we go that route, we will likely be waiting for three to four years for our first child to enter. However, we are currently in dialogue with a couple of orphanages here that are considering allowing us to operate under their licenses. This would save a lot of money and time. But even that process takes time.  

 

We are currently building relationships with them that will enable us to trust one another. Such trust is important as orphan ministry in Guatemala is volatile and an infraction on our part or theirs could result in losing their license. Once the decision to partner is made, we still face home inspections and paperwork before we could officially receive our first child. So, it will likely be at least a year-and-a-half before we have our first new family member to Hogar de la Esperanza.

 

3) What are you doing in the meantime?

After reading the answer above, you might assume that we are simply living a wonderful vacation in a beautiful home. While we enjoy our new life here, it is anything but a vacation. While we are waiting for our license, we have more than enough to do:

    • Family at HPWe are continuing intensive language studies to become proficient in Spanish. (We have a long way to go!)
    • We are hosting regular teams from the states (our first team is here as I write this and our summer is almost completely filled).
    • We regularly visit Hermano Pedro where we work with the children, teens, and adults.
    • We will soon be volunteering weekly at Los Gozosos, a special needs group home in Chimaltenango, where I will be doing maintenance, Carissa will be teaching ballet, and the family will be helping with the children.
    • We have a daily ministry to the children in our neighborhood. (Each day about 15 to 20 children and teens come to our home to play soccer and games or just visit. They are being drawn to Jesus.)
    • Brittney and Krishauna are teaching English at Kairos Christian School, a private school for children from low-income families.
    • And I continue as the Director of Hope for Home Ministries, fulfilling the responsibilities that go along with it. 

In reality, life is busier than ever before!


An Update on our Encarga Pastor Training Program

Bob & JaneIn our December Newsletter I shared that we had found a Director for our Encarga pastor training program. In November, Rev. Ron and Melanie Ecklebarger made the decision to move their family and join our Guatemala team. He will be leading that arm of our ministry, and we are excited to have him!

 

An added bonus is that Ron's parents, Bob and Jane Ecklebarger, have made the decision to join them in the move. Instead of using their retirement to kick back and relax, they have chosen to use their gifts and talents for God here in Guatemala. Bob will be assisting in a variety of areas of ministry, including our 4-wheel drive ministry, while Jane feels called to help in the education of the children. We welcome them to our team!

 

Ron and Melanie, along with seven of their eight children and Bob and Jane will be moving down on August 15th. We are excited to have them join us. In the meantime, they are available to come and speak at your church. If you are interested, you can contact Ron at [email protected].


Prayer Needed

PrayingAs we continue our ministry both here and in the states, we have several prayer requests that we would like to share with you. A couple of these requests are financial in nature. We do not discuss our financial needs on a regular basis or make pleas for money, choosing instead to take our need to God through prayer. That is why we are choosing to share with you now, to ask you to take time to intercede on behalf of the need. 

  • When we made our move to Guatemala in January we had secured the financial commitments from churches and individuals to adequately fund our ministry here and in the states. However, we have had a couple of large donors who have not followed through on their giving. We don't know the reasons for that. It could be that they are struggling financially themselves. But regardless of the reason, we have less coming in than is required. Would you please pray that God would meet our financial needs in this area while also praying for His provision for our donors?
  • We are ready to take our first steps into rural village ministry through our 4-wheel drive ministry. The only thing we lack is our first 4-wheel drive vehicle. We will need approximately $10,000 to purchase a used vehicle and equip it for the rough terrain we will face. (Once again, this is NOT a request for funds, it is a request for the prayers of God's people.) Please pray that God will provide both the money and the right vehicle for our ministry.
  • We are still seeking the right person to lead that 4-wheel drive ministry long-term. Will you please pray that God will raise up the right person for that role?
  • We are immersed in language study that requires a lot of time and sharp minds, but our schedules are very full, making it difficult to find adequate time to study. Please pray that God helps us in our understanding, memory, and time management so that we can become adept in Spanish quickly. 

At Last...Prabhat Has His Family!
PrabhatOver the last 18 months I have shared occasionally about Don and Melanie Riley's saga of the adoption of Prabhat from India. This process has last nearly two years and has been filled with delays and frustrations. However, I am pleased to write that they are currently in Indian and have Prabhat at last! Will you please take a moment to give thanks to God for bringing this to fruition?

At the same time, please pray for the completion of the process. The judge's wording on the adoption paperwork has been deemed too vague for the US Embassy to recognize his adoption. At this point, the embassy will recognize them as legal guardians which will enable them to return to the states with him, but will require a lengthy adoption process for which they have already paid in India. Would you please pray that either the judge will be willing to reword the adoption paperwork or that the embassy will change their stance? Also pray for Prabhat and his new family as they begin their life together.
Pray for Lan, Po-Sen 
Lan, Po-SenName: Lan, Po-Sen 
Sex: Male 

Birthday: October 18, 2006

Country: Southeast Asia
Special need(s):

Significant developmental delay, bilateral hearing impairment, epilepsy, Cerebral palsy


Po-Sen is an adorable little boy with a sweet smile. He has been diagnosed with bilateral hearing impairment, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and significant developmental delays. He has been referred to an early intervention program for physical, occupational, behavior, speech cognitive and social skills therapy. A report at three years old noted that he required assistance in aspects of self care, but was able to sit alone and play with toys as well as crawl. He looking for his forever family that will love and care for him and help he make great progress!

For more information on this wonderful young man click here or visit
www.theshepherdscrook.org

Please prayerfully consider giving him a home...your home!

Ministry Blogs

Daryl & ErvinKeep up with the details of our transition to Guatemala and other Hope for Home happenings on Daryl's blog at  www.hopeforhome.blogspot.com.

While you are there, don't forget to check out some of the blogs that he follows and pray for those faithful workers in God's harvest!
Daryl Fulp,
Director
Hope for Home Ministries