Thomas Cribbs

Homes of Life in Central America

Costa Rica - February 2013


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Costa Rica 2012 in Review

As we leave 2012 behind and look forward to the coming year, we thought you as ministry partners would benefit from our assessment of the year past and our hopes for the year to come.

 

Significant Happenings

 

Sadly, the September burglary was the most memorable event of the year. The financial loss was significant and the need for a major security upgrade is obvious. Two guard dogs were quickly obtained and seven security cameras were installed. Design, planning and funding of the Security Wall - Phase II is coming along. Construction cannot begin too soon.

 

On a more positive note, visiting teams gave all the houses a face-lift with fresh coats of paint, inside and out. All outside clotheslines were covered with roofs to reduce the cost of running the dryers in the rainy season. The visitor parking area got a new roof. For safety, some monster pine trees around El Rancho were felled while the sidewalks were de-mossed to make them less slippery when wet. Much to our surprise, the Ministry of Health closed down our temporary central kitchen.

 

Reading to Baby Child Literacy and Books was the major program upgrade of the year. Generous donors supported the purchase of 400 books. Reading has become a favorite activity for the children. Finally, the first-ever Staff Orientation Retreat was a great success.

 

Comings and Goings

 

Ashly In 2012, 20 children left Hogar de Vida - 5 returned to their home of origin, 10 transferred to other institutions, and 5 were placed for adoption. New children coming in totaled 16.

 

Natalie In December, a 7-year dream was realized as a home for unadoptable sibling groups opened here in Atenas. Six older children (2 sibling groups) left Hogar de Vida to live in a home more appropriate for their needs. More details on this blessing in the April newsletter.

 

Christy Christy Hepner came to Hogar de Vida in 2010, first to serve as a nurse, and then to become our super preschool teacher. Christy is following the Lord's calling to a new mission and will not be returning in 2013. We are so thankful for the blessing Christy has been to the children and to us. We wish her God's continued blessing in her new ministry.

 

Finances

 

Wow! A HUGE THANK YOU for the fabulous response to our financial S.O.S. in December. Many of you, our ministry partners, opened your pockets and we were mightily blessed with a significant increase in giving. We don't take it (or you) for granted. Thank you.

Hopes and Plans for 2013

Anticipated Changes

 

We are so pleased to announce that a dedicated US volunteer has agreed to take on the responsibility of re-establishing our Sponsorship Program. We are delighted as well to welcome Lucrecia, a local teacher, who is assuming the Preschool Teacher position.

 

Wall Example Construction of the Security Fence - Phase II should soon start soon. The next step will be building an 8 foot tall by 650 foot prefab fence along our eastern border. We plan to start the 1st 200 feet the 2nd week of February. A replacement for Tim's ATV that was stolen during the burglary has been donated, and a secure storage room for that vehicle is up.

 

In response to the Ministry of Health closing our temporary central kitchen, we want to build a permanent central kitchen and two bathrooms next to the Rancho. This will streamline food preparation for the three houses and reduce labor costs. We'll need $15,000 to move ahead with this project.

 

Challenges Needing Prayer

 

With all the bugs the kids are exposed to in public schools, keeping kids healthy is a challenge here. Maintaining a healthy staff is also difficult with what the kids bring home. Dena stays busy on campus covering all our health needs and off campus taking kids to the doctor.

 

Recruiting the right staff is among the most essential things we do. In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins emphasizes the importance of "getting the right people on the bus, and getting them in the right seats." It's especially difficult to recruit new staff with a vision and a heart to serve, caregivers willing to live in 5 days since the children need round-the-clock care, and leadership in the houses with a heart to train and disciple others.

 

Finally, as the mandated requirements for professional staff and services in children's homes continue to grow, increasing our monthly income to meet the expense is a never ending challenge.

 

Needs

 

Our maintenance department keeps hoping for a riding lawn mower to keep our large green area groomed. It's hot work in the summer. For now we just keep buying them new shoes to keep on walking. The Mission needs a good used ATV for the farm work.

 

For staff, we need the salary to hire a Remedial Teacher to tutor our kids who are struggling in the public schools. We also need sponsorships for Caregivers: there are many sponsors for children, but few for caregivers.

 

About Hogar de Vida
  • Capacity for 35 children, 0 - 8 years in 3 houses
  • 14 Tías (caregivers)
  • 3 Professionals: nurse, psychologist, preschool teacher
  • 6 other staff: administrative, maintenance and cook
  • Other buildings: Director's home, missionary bungalow, schoolhouse, 4 offices and conference room, maintenance workshop, El Rancho outdoor meeting area, and 4 team cabins on 7 ½ acres.
  • Annual operating cost: $200,000

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Disclaimer

Children of Promise International does not provide goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part except where noted, for contributions received. Children of Promise International, Inc. is organized exclusively for religious purposes and the only benefit provided to you is an intangible religious benefit. Upon receipt of a donation, a receipt letter is sent and should be retained for income tax purposes. Children of Promise International may direct contributions where deemed necessary for ministry purposes.

 

All contributions are income tax deductible in the United States of America and are made with the understanding that Children of Promise has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.