Homes of Life in Central AmericaChristmas 2013

Reflections at Christmas 

 

 It's been another exciting year at Hogar de Vida as we have Ashly seen God's blessings showered upon this ministry. This year 52 children lived at least a season of their lives at Hogar de Vida. 8 of them were reunited with their biological families and 9 were placed into a loving home through adoption. We were also excited to see 3 of the older children finish Kinder! God continues to gift us with opportunities to love on His children and watch them meet exciting milestones.

 

Our most recent news is that the new Central Kitchen is complete and feeding the entire campus. This has freed the 'tias' to spend more time caring for the little ones! Vanessa, our cook, is making herself at home in the new kitchen and the staff continues to be blessed by this new set-up.

 

As we look to this coming year, we are excited to continue Cele providing love and care for the 35 children under our roof. We also eagerly anticipate the June arrival of new missionaries, the Gnuse family. Matt Gnuse will oversee teams who come to serve at Hogar de Vida and Kris will homeschool their 3 children and work with the Hogar de Vida family as well.

 

We ask for your prayers for the children and staff of Hogar de Vida in 2014. Pray that God would give healing where healing is needed, that He would continue to bring t�as who will share His love, and most of all that Hogar de Vida would continue to be a place that seeks to follow His will.

 

Thank you for your partnership with Hogar de Vida as we seek to love God by loving the children. If you have visited either of our homes, you know what a privilege and a blessing it is to be part of what God is doing here. And at Christmas, we are reminded of the blessing we received in Emmanuel, God coming to dwell with us. As an act of thankfulness and devotion, we invite you to consider the ways in which God has equipped you to bless others and extend your partnership in caring for these children. Would you be able to continue or increase your support? Whatever you prayerfully decide to do, we love having you as a partner in this ministry!

Who Are the Tias? 

 

Tias are the thread that weaves it all together. Every day, they Ashley w Tia feed the children, bathe and dress them, laugh with them, hold them when they cry, sit up with them when they are sick, take them to the doctor, lift them up to the Father and do a whole lot of laundry. All of this they do for children who are not their own. They are here to walk with them on the journey, shaping and molding them to be children who seek the King.

 

In this process they do not just shape and mold, they are shaped and molded themselves. What a beautiful thing to hear stories of the t�as lives transformed by the love at Hogar de Vida. One t�a in Costa Rica shared that after a few months at Hogar de Vida, her family commented again and again that there was something different about her. She didn't argue as often, she showed more love, and she seemed to be at peace. It is not just a place where children's lives are changed. The Spirit is alive and working among every person that God brings into this ministry.

 

Olga God has brought amazing women to care for His children here and we trust that He will continue to do so whenever the need arises. When you give to Hogar de Vida you are giving to the children, but you are also helping to support their wonderful caretakers. Please consider if God might be asking you to support a t�a this year! There is no greater gift that you can give to these little ones than loving caretakers who will show them who Jesus is. Be a part of making sure that we are able to provide a full staff of tias! And pray for these awesome women.

 

To sponsor a tia, we ask you to commit to sending $100 per Reading to Baby month or whatever amount you can afford. To make your commitment, print and return this Special Reply Slip

designating your monthly dollar commitment to "Tia Sponsorship." It would also be helpful to briefly explain your intent via email. 

Hogar de Vida

Through a Mother's Eyes 

 

In all my life, I would never have dreamed that one day one of our sons and his wife would be running a mission such as this one at Hogar de Vida. Tim is our son. My husband and I are very proud of him and Dena. They are carrying on the Lord's work here, being His hands, feet and voice, showing His love to scores of children that so desperately need it.  What started nineteen years ago with one home on one acre of land has grown to 3 children's homes, an office complex, a home for Tim and Dena and their family, a new well, a central kitchen, a shop and 5 cabins for visiting teams that come to bless them and their work here. The latest addition is a cement wall that gives them more security. (They have been robbed twice.) The complex covers 7 acres of land they purchased with the help of mission-minded donors giving through Children of Promise. They are blessed with a great governing board and a wonderful office staff to help take care of all the details wrapped around such a place.

 

And the Tias. How can I say enough about the Tias? They are the care-givers in the three homes. Bless their hearts, they do a wonderful job. To see them so lovingly care for these love-starved children is such a joy to me. Then to see the change in the children's demeanor in just a day or so after being admitted and being loved and cared for by these "Angels", as I call them, is very noticeable. If you will allow me, I'd like to bring a challenge to you readers if I may. If you would like to assist in this ministry and help with the salaries of these Tias, that would be such a help. The expenses of this place seem to grow just as it does in all our livelihoods. Thank about it, pray about and maybe the Lord will want you to be involved. 

Helen Smith, Faith Missionary
Children of Promise
Helen Smith

We are delighted to announce that Helen Smith has been approved as a Faith Missionary by Children of Promise International.  Helen is a key member of the leadership team at Hogar de Vida with primary responsibility in Administration, although like everyone at the home, she wears many other hats as needed. For quite some time, Helen has wanted to reach full support as a Faith Missionary. Her approval by Children of Promise is another step in that direction. Now donors can send their support to Children of Promise and designate their gifts to Helen Smith. The final step is to increase her donor pledges by just $800 per month. If 16 supporters were to pledge $50 each per month for three years, although any amount would help, she would no longer be drawing any salary from Hogar de Vida and would become a full-time by faith missionary. To join Helen's team, use this Special Reply Slip to make a commitment. 
Lil' on Our Kids
Stromstad Family

Our boys are spending a month with us at Christmas. Will be one of the last long stretches of time together! Ben and Josh are looking into the job market they have been training for which may be policeman, DEA, or joining the Marines. They will be graduating in May! Can't believe they are already 22 years old.

 

Tim Dena Maria Photo Lil' baby Maria is 18 and almost done with her 1st year of Industrial Engineering. My brain hurts just writing out those words. She is on a pace to graduate in 2 more years or less. She is doing great! Her commitment to school is incredible. She manages a discipline I never knew existed!

 

Dena is everywhere and normally managing to do at least two full time jobs at all times. Her nursing skills are used daily and her oversight and pastoring of the staff is impressive. Just a few days ago the top leadership in Costa Rica Social Services invited 5 of the top homes in the country to share with them what we are doing and how, so they can tweak and fix what they do to help the rest of the homes in the country to do a better job. In short the main word is Jesus and Godly principles incorporated from baby care to administration. Dena was wonderful and we are so proud of her and her constant sacrifice and service to all who come on this campus.

 

Tim? Just hanging on for dear life and not let go of the rudder of this mission. I would be the overseer and administrator over the big picture. Planning with all the teams that come and help organize volunteers that show up and trying to keep this machine Tim and Dena April 2011 greased and rolling!

 

Many blessings to all during this CHRISTmas season. Hate to say it but it is 80 degrees and perfect here!!!

 

Hugs, Tim  

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Disclaimer

Children of Promise International (COPI) does not provide goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part except where noted, for contributions received. COPI 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. COPI may direct contributions where deemed necessary for ministry purposes. All contributions are income tax deductible in the United States and are made with the understanding that COPI has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.
In This Issue
Who Are the Tias?
Through a Mother's Eyes
Helen Smith: Faith Missionary
Lil' on Our Kids
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