The year began with our annual family vacation to the beach. We are so thankful to God for the generous donors who make this yearly event possible. We loaded 30 kids and 10 adults onto a school bus and waved good-bye to three little ones under the age of four, one handicapped young adult and 2 adults who stayed behind to keep an eye on the house. We headed to the coast for a four day adventure. We spent time playing at the beach, shopping in the little town nearby and visiting a nearby water park. For most of the kids, this is the only time during the year that they even leave our small town of San Andres. It gives them an opportunity to see another part of their country and enforces
enhances the feeling of family. Nothing bonds a family together like family vacation! It was a great end to summer vacation, and the kids were then ready to start their new school year.

Shortly after the new school year began in January, a team of 20 mostly of home school families came and did something that had never been done before. They took responsibility for the home and sent the staff away on their first staff retreat. The team leaders had spent significant time at the home and knew the ins and outs of taking care of the kids, so the staff was able to leave with confidence that the kids were well cared for. It gave them a chance to get away for a little while and just enjoy each other's company without numerous interruptions. The team joked that it took 18 of them to do the work of 5 Guatemalans, but they got the job done. The staff returned refreshed and ready to go.

Through the rest of the year we received 7 more teams. Teams are such a blessing. They bring joy, activity and Godly input to the kids in the home. They bring rest and encouragement to the staff. They help with physical improvements and maintenance of the facilities. And most importantly they bring the saving work of the Gospel to public schools in the surrounding villages. Last year we had a total of 129 visitors come to the home. Over 1,000 students in public schools heard about Jesus Christ. Most of these team members become life time supporters and pray for the home on a regular basis, something we value greatly!

We are amazed how much a dedicated team can accomplish in a week. Not only do they feed into the kids and bring the Gospel to the surrounding schools, they also do much needed work projects around the Home. Like the old proverb says, many hands make light work. Last year, teams built kitchen cabinets, ran hot water to the baby's bathroom so workers don't have to haul hot water, dug a drainage ditch for better dispersal of rain water, put in drop ceilings and ceiling fans in several kids' bedrooms, installed a new roof over the TV room, put a coat of paint on main outside corridor, bedrooms and bathrooms. We are thankful for both the seen and unseen things the teams accomplished in 2012!

During 2012, a more structured and intentional schedule of activities was implemented for the pre-school children to help them develop mentally, physically and spiritually. This included the Child Literacy and Books program. Through the generosity of donors, over 300 books were purchased for the home. Reading is such a valuable part of child development and we are excited to have a wide variety of books at different reading levels to offer to our children.

Comings and Goings

Hogar de Vida, Guatemala, is a long term care facility. Most children come here in a situation that most likely won't change in the near future. Most often they grow up in our home, so we have very little movement. At times we receive children temporarily until their home situation is resolved. In January two sisters, ages 10 and 12, lived with us for a month while the Government straightened out their living conditions and sent them to live with their Aunt. Juan, age 5, was our only permanent addition in 2012. He came in February and spoke only Quiche, the local dialect. In a few months he was able to speak enough Spanish to communicate. He is now speaking Spanish at his age level. The Quiche staff still speak to him in Quiche so he doesn't lose his native tongue.

After being short on staff for quite awhile, God blessed us with Olga, a new worker. She is a mother of 4 school age children and is such a wonderful addition to the staff. She brings a wonderful mother's heart to caring for the children.

We are thankful for an active sponsorship program in Guatemala. This year we added 19 new monthly sponsors! Our goal is to have a minimum of four monthly sponsors per child. We currently need 21 more sponsors. Our prayer is that we reach this goal in 2013. We are so thankful for our ministry partners. Without you this Home would not exist. Thank you to all who give. You will receive many hugs in heaven from the children you have touched for eternity.

Two imminent needs of the home are:

• Construction of a dorm to house the teen-age boys so that there is more physical separation between the girls and the boys.
• Development of an Occupational Training Program for the older kids. This year, we have started developing programs for raising chickens, sewing and baking. We have 8 teenagers actively sewing items out of traditional fabric such as purses, hats, neck ties, and pillow covers. We are currently working on an outlet to sell these items.

As mentioned earlier, an increase in monthly income will help us to provide for the daily needs of the children and to also be able to expand the Occupational Training program and fund the needed housing addition. Please pray for more monthly sponsors as well as general donations.

Vickie Sutton, Faith Missionary