Pictures of the New Location

First and foremost I want to extend my sincerest gratitude for the prayers you have been making for the move of the House of Dreams. We have a moving date set: November 28, 2009. It is a Saturday. So far we have about 20 volunteers that will be helping that day. We are all excited about this new beginning.

If you wouldn’t mind to continue praying for the children as they transition that would be great.

I feel it is prudent to mention that we are in the contract phase. We need to read it over and make sure all our ducks are in a row. We also need to make the deposit, the first months rent and the realtor’s fee.

There have been some recent donations that will cover the basic moving costs. We will need to make some cosmetic improvements to the new location: murals on the walls, organizational bins and shelves, and making the yard more play friendly, to name a few. We could use some extra cash to make that happen. If you would like to participate financially with this project them contact me and let me know.

The following are a few pictures of the new location. Enjoy!

House of Dreams View from the Street

The green line was our target zone. The bulls eye is the new house.

Closed star is the new place. Just 5 minutes from our home (open star).

A rough sketch of the floor plan

House of Dreams front door

House of Dreams entry way

The staircase leads to a loft that overlooks the living room where you see the people. In addition to these spaces there are 3 bedrooms, an office, a dining room, a kitchen and a complete guest house / maids quarters area. We will use the rooms in the small house out back for a pantry, storage, laundry, a break room and my office.

More indoor shots when we get everything moved in and set up.

~ Angie

“Moving on Up House of Dreams Update”

Juan David sat next to a volunteer and slumped his shoulders. He is usually one of the most upbeat children of the home. After a few simple questions he finally shared what was weighing him down.

“I don’t want to leave my home.”

For the last month we have been preparing the children for the move. We have been talking with them, they have been helping to pack boxes and they have been generally accepting of the impending change.

For Juan David this is not the only change he is anticipating. In the next few weeks his adoptive parents will be making the international trek to come get their son. He doesn’t know what it will be like so he doesn’t want to go. While I know his resistance is a natural phase in the process and I hate to see him sad it touches my heart deeply to know that he indeed has found a home at the House of Dreams. It is an answer to all of our prayers that the children would know the love of the Father through us and the home that we have made here. I am so grateful that Juan David could verbalize the appreciation for the nurture and care he has received here with us. As we continue to pray over him I know that the transition into a new family will be a most positive thing.

It will be interesting to see if the move of the House of Dreams or his adoption happens first. We have a moving date set! November 28th is a Saturday. Already we are organizing the work teams of volunteers to make the day productive and efficiently use all the willing hands and hearts.

The move came about at the request of our landlord who is looking to sell the home outside of the city. At this point we are not ready to buy. After this move here at the end of the month, though, we will be pursuing solutions to allow us to own a place. It is a big leap of faith, but I think that it will be worth it.

The best thing about the new place is that it is only a five minute drive from my own home. This will make it easier to be more involved in the workings of the home, which excites me. The indoor space is comparable to where we are moving out of. Overall it will be a good change.

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If you would like to participate financially to aid us in this move it would be greatly appreciated. There is painting that needs to be done. We will need a few more moving supplies. Cleaning up the place we are leaving from will cost us some. Then, of course, we will need to pay the deposit and rent. I know that God will supply for these needs. If you would like to allow Him to meet these needs through you then please one of these giving options. Thank you, ahead of time, for your generosity.

Option 1: giving online at

https://www.wolcresources.com/contribute/?desig=washington

. You can indicate in the comment section ‘Move’ if you like.

Option 2: sending in a check made out to WOLC (our names cannot appear on the check, but you can indicate on the envelope or on an enclosed separate note that you are giving to the moving project). The check can be sent to: Christ Nation Ministries, P.O. Box 8644, St. Joseph, Missouri, 64508.

We are so grateful that you have decided to be involved in what goes on in the lives of the children at the House of Dreams orphanage. Your continued faithful support makes a big difference in their lives. Thank you!

- Angie

Plastic Silverware

“I went to get take out. I looked and noticed there was no plastic silverware. I asked the lady for silverware and she told me that she could sell me a set.”

This is the story my husband used to explain to me how he felt about the orphanage moving. He continued.

“Plastic silverware is just something you shouldn’t have to ask for. It should just come along with the meal. This is how it is with the house for the orphanage. We started the orphanage under the impression that we were being led by God. He has a place for the kids. I am sure of it. It is like the plastic silverware, it comes along with the deal.”

We have been looking at many places. We are confident that God has a home for the kids. We just need to keep looking and keep our faith up. Thank you for praying with us.

~ Angie

Making a Difference in the Eyes of One Dreamer

As I mentioned before these last couple of months have been tough times for us in The House of Dreams Orphanage. We have found ourselves looking for a new location for the home because the owner of the building we are in sold the property. We have seen a decrease in financial support in a crucial time. Also we have received the announcement from the government that in a few months they will begin to start cancelling the agreements with many countries for international adoptions. These have been trying times to say the least, but in the middle of these times there are always good things that we have been able to focus on.

Today while I was walking by our Christian school I saw Roberto, one of the children from our orphanage, playing. It has been several months since Roberto received an operation to straighten his eyes. The doctors had said that if he did not get it adjusted he might go blind. So through a lot of prayer, communicating the need and a ton of hoping we had a few partners step up and agree to help us get his eye surgery. As I looked at his eyes today I could not help but to be struck by how good they looked.

The truth of the matter is that lately just about every day has been a struggle, but times like these give us encouragement that we are actually able to make a difference. A difference at least in the eyes of one little dreamer. Thanks again to every one of you that has stepped forward and helped the orphanage project. You make a greater difference than you will ever know.

- DaRonn

A House for the House of Dreams

Bye bye house.

Another move? Really!?

Yes. We are moving the orphanage, once again. We would prefer to stay where we are, but the landlord has sold the property. Needless to say, this came as a surprise to us. We will be moving the first week of November.

Please pray with us through this transition. We believe that this is going to work out for good as we trust God.

1. Pray that we would have wisdom about where to move. It might be time to buy a place. We need to hear God clearly about this. We desire to be led only by Him.
2. Pray that the financial provision is abundant.
3. Pray that the transition is smooth for the children.
4. Pray that we have a good sized team to help with the move.

Thank you for helping us in this fashion. Your prayers make a big difference. We will keep you posted as moving day approaches.

~ Angie

A Couple New Hands

Getting extra help in the House of Dreams is always wonderful, especially when it comes by way of energetic volunteers. We have a new couple helping out in the orphanage for the duration of three months. So far they have worked three days a week for just about a month. They are still loving it. This is a good sign!

Romon and Melinda Gore have been married for two years. They have aspirations for full time missions. This time of service is a step in that direction. We are grateful for the help they are providing.

Melinda is enjoying her time with the babies. Romon has been hanging out with the little men providing some much needed male influence.

If you are interested in serving at the House of Dreams Orphanage then get in touch with us so that we can begin to make plans. You can leave a comment below or reach us through: the contact form link.

Melinda feeding Vladimir

Romon feeding Alicia

Romon with Bernancio and Yamil

Melinda and Romon Gore

~ Angie

Put Me in a Trash Bag

Tia is aunt in Spanish. We have taught the children to call the ladies who work at the House of Dreams ‘Tias’.

This little one came up to one of the tias last week with a sincere question. She asked with please and was very polite. She said, “Tia could you please put me in a trash bag and throw me out so that my papa can find me?” Our tia took the time to find out why she would ask such a thing. It turned out that her father is a trash collector.

Her mother died and her father has many children with many other women. For some reason he was not able to care for her, even though she knows who he is and what his occupation is.

Please pray that Lizbeth would see herself as a precious, loved child and not something to be thrown out. Please pray that God would help us to love her and the other dreamers unconditionally. Please pray that these children would have hearts that are soft, yet strong. That thought they are scarred they would know the healing hand of our Good Father.

~ Angie

New Little Sisters

One of the toughest decisions we make is how to answer the multitudinous calls we get from social services requesting we accept children. In the light of recent adoptions and tired of saying no we decided to accept a sibling set. The circumstances surrounding these little girls arriving at our home would indicate that they are going to be with us for a very long time.

They tell us that their ages are 2 and 4. That is a guess. They are the size of a small one year old and an average two year old. They both have big appetites so we are hoping they grow. Speaking of growth, we are hoping their hair grows too. It is very short probably due to a recent bout with lice.

Marta is the Spanish equivalent to Martha. She is independent. The look in her eyes leads one to believe she has seen more than she should have. She smiled once; it was beautiful! Her raspy whispers and darting glances lend a mysterious aspect to her being.

She has begun to make friends. An especially attentive older girl, Carolina, noticed that Marta had an accident. She brought her by the hand to me and told me that I needed to get her new pants, because these were wet. At the moment I had a child on my back, a child in my lap and another in front of me. I asked Carolina if she might be able to help Marta. Carolina’s face lit up as she carefully led Marta up the stairs and into the girls room to get her clean clothes. This was near dinner time. Everyone had sat down, prayed and begun eating. Others began to ask where Carolina was. Still holding her new friend by the hand she led her into the dining room and sat her down. Instructed to pray over her food, Carolina did so calmly. They both began to eat.

Melisa is content to be carried around by the older children. She is so tiny! It seems that she is happy to have other children and toys around to keep her occupied. Her personality is docile compared to her strong sister. I wonder if she has been cared for mostly by this girl who is barely older than she is. To think that these two little ones were left on the curb in a small town just outside of Cochabamba breaks my heart.

I have added their pictures to our Kid Pics page: Marta and Melisa. Here are some random shots:

Melisa chewing on a sock

Melisa and Jhoselyn

Marta and Mayra ... feel the love

Marta unsure about the camera

Melisa 2 years old

~ Angie

Dreamers Praying Video

~ Angie

Reinaldo’s New Home

As I mentioned in a previous post there is a network of care givers here in Cochabamba that make dreams come true for our Dreamers. It is an honor to be named among the long list of social workers, lawyers, volunteers, missionaries, etc. that work hard for these kids. Sometimes there is even collaboration between the various homes to provide the best care for each child.

Friends of ours run a home for kids that have immune deficiencies or extremely special health care needs. Our little guy Reinaldo was in and out of the hospital for a few months. Our friends heard about his case and contacted us to find out if it would be a fit for the baby to be moved to their care. After presenting the idea to social services and meeting all the requirements for a legal move Reinaldo has found a new home.

Thank you for all your prayers that have been made on behalf of Reinaldo. We hope that this change of care will provide for him the extra attention that he needs to remain healthy.

~ Angie