Homes of Life in Central AmericaCosta Rica
April 2014
Atenas Chili Cook-Off 2014
Must See Video

Last month, we announced that the Atenas Chili Cook-Off  of 2014 had raised almost $34,000 for Hogar de Vida, an 85% increase over last year. Since publishing the March newsletter, two videos have become available (See links on the right.) For ministry partners of Hogar de Vida, the videos will warm your hearts like a hearty spoonful of chili!
Winds of Change: Costa Rica's New Model

We're embarking on a new adventure, an exciting time at Hogar de Vida. For some time, there's been discussion about changing our model. Now we have a strategy and a pilot project to work out the kinks.

 

Last December, PANI (Costa Rica's Child Welfare Services) decided to permit the separation of sibling groups in order to facilitate the adoption of the younger children. We didn't like the idea at first. How on earth could this be good for anyone? However, we understand that they want each child to have a family and being part of a sibling group frequently gets in the way. Some adoptive parents want an older child and others want a younger one, but when the deal is all or nothing, then nobody gets anything. It's a complex situation not only in Costa Rica, but in every country. The biological parents have made a mess and the government is just trying to clean up the mess. At Hogar we can't replace the nuclear family but this is a harmonizing place. Over the years we've seen the older kids getting older and older and they don't get adopted, which breaks our heart. So if the government thinks it better for kids to be separated we are going to run with it and follow their lead.

 

This change will include changing the age groups in the three children's homes. Dena and Karla (our psychologist) have done some important preliminary planning. We know how the tias feel and what age group each one prefers. The tias are very excited. The philosophy has always been "getting the right people in the right seat on the bus." The tias are excited. And the new arrangement will solve a problem that has bothered us for some time, in that sometimes the tias are busy with the littlest ones so the older kids get less attention. We want QUALITY care for ALL our kids. With similar ages in each house, the attention to each kid will be more balanced.

 

House One will be the House for the "big kids" from ages 4 through 10. Kattia and her team of tias are fired up to have the 13 older ones because they are very creative and can do things like get up at a moment's notice to go off campus. They can concentrate on teaching the kids to help with chores, to accept responsibility and to cooperate instead of having everything done for them.

 

House Two and Rebeca's team have the toddlers -- 12 kids between 18 months and 2 � years. Rebeca's husband Cesar works in Hogar Maintenance during the day and is the Poppa during the evening hours. House 2 is blessed to have a couple and the kids LOVE Cesar and Rebeca.

 

House Three will be the "casa cuna" or the baby house. Ruth and her great team will have 12 babies in their home. All these precious little ones require special attention. We may have to buy more rocking chairs.

 

Some of the houses are currently undergoing remodeling changes to install suitable bathroom fixtures and a much larger baby-changing station. Hogar is a beehive of activity and expectation. We are excited for the change and thankful for Christ who strengthens us! With God's help, Hogar de Vida will be an even better shelter for the children that we love and serve every day. ---Helen Smith 

 

P.S. Our greatest need at this time is Tia sponsorships at $700 per month! We are praying for 5 sponsors or groups or churches to help with this current need. This is an absolutely audacious prayer, but our God is able. Check out the Sponsorship Program or Make a Tia Sponsorship Commitment and set up an automatic monthly donation via Auto-Withdrawal (EFT) or Credit Card. 

Dena's Perspective

It is a great privilege and honor to be called to work with children. Caring for children can be all consuming, at times very tiring, and always a huge responsibility, but the eternal rewards and opportunities are HUGE, even if we never see them. Over the last couple of years we've had a mental shift from not just caring for children, but forming children. The Lord has given us the gift of receiving young children, the youngest to date, 2 days old. From the moment of conception a child begins to be formed within his mother's belief system womb. The first two or three years after birth are crucial in the forming of habits, personality, belief system and more. Hogar de Vida has that window of time for many children and we want to be excellent in our efforts. The formation of children requires us to be intentional and to invest time, proactivity, creativity, patience, wisdom, money and most of all the anointing of the Spirit of God. We have implemented different programs on site over the last year and have seen great results in the kids. The difficulty is the budget is insufficient to pay staff. Thank you to all of you that have pitched in the help pay "tia" salaries. It is money well vested. We could use more help. With the goal of forming children we are making changes to house children of like ages. Please be praying with and for us. Thank you so much. ---Dena
Johanna: A Special Tia for a Special Child

God called Johanna to serve Him and to work with children. This special woman has fulfilled her mission to do both, having served with us for a year and a half, with experience in each in each of the three houses. Before coming here she worked in a home for teenagers who were more difficult for her, plus she was on duty for one month with only four days off. Now at Hogar she works five days a week with two days off and is working with young children which she prefers.

 

This "tia" is making history in Hogar de Vida and in the country of Costa Rica.  A few months ago Erika arrived at Hogar with a profile that said she was healthy. We soon discovered that this little one suffers from a serious cephalic (brain) disorder as well as being a spastic quadriplegic which affects both arms and legs. Erika also has an obstructed optic nerve although we were recently surprised to find out that she can now detect three colors. Ericka receives her nourishment through a permanent tube inserted in her stomach.

 

In her service to the Lord and to the kids at Hogar, Johanna has gone more than the extra mile. When she met baby Erika it was love at first sight. She promised Ericka to be her friend and to help her to overcome all obstacles. An idea formed in her heart. She presented her case to PANI asking to be given the right to foster Erika.  She wants to be Ericka's mommy. Normally requests from "insiders" are never considered, but in this case the Lord has granted His favor.

 

This mission was begun in God's heart!  Johanna asks for your prayers while she continues to trust the Lord in this.  We all want to see a happy ending!
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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.
Atenas Chili Cook-Off Videos
The Tias of 
Hogar de Vida 
Rosa of Casa 1

Deb with Dariana

Tias of Casa 2

Cesar and Rebecca

Tias of Casa 3


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Prayer Requests
Pray with us for a smooth transition and that the kids feel secure in the midst of change. Many tias will face letting go of their special kids to a different house - not easy!

Pray that God would raise up 5 individuals, churches or groups to sponsor a tia at $700 per month. 

 

Please pray for Johanna and Erika that God will continue to open doors and that all the legal processes might be completed soon.

   

Pray for Interns who would commit 3-6 months of living in the homes, helping with child care and child-forming.