Tea

Last night’s tea went very well. Thank you all for your prayers! This is the first effort and the ladies are motivated to organize the next event. That is an answer to prayer right there.

Stats for the bottom-line people:

• 14 ladies came
• $347 U.S. were raised

Not bad for a country considered to be “poor”. I absolutely love the idea of Bolivians helping Bolivians!

In all the excitement of: sipping, and munching, and giving my little speech three times for the different levels of punctuality represented, and chatting, and greeting, and farewelling… I forgot to take pictures. Oops. When only part of my team was left I remembered. So I quick took one shot of an unfinished plate of a yummy tea. Maybe I will remember pictures when we get together as a team to celebrate. For all the people who gave $20 or more we promised to make them a little “recuerdo”. It is a typical Bolivian gesture of a handmade item commemorating involvement in a significant event. So, when we get together to glue and cut and whatnot I will try to get a few shots of the team.

You can continue to pray for good ideas, strong follow through and favor for all the ladies who want to help meet the needs of our little Dreamers by finding creative ways to involve donors.

- Angie

Open Hearts

Connection is a wonderful thing. We are so grateful to be connected to individuals and churches who believe in what we are doing. This international collaboration makes me so happy.

Recently we have been increasing the awareness of the House of Dreams through a few different methods. We have been seeing some good response. More connections means more happy.

Even within Bolivia the excitement is spreading. What began as a simple plan to help pay some bills has turned into the start of a motivated group of ladies willing to work with me to do awareness raising events throughout the whole year. It has been great to see other people excited about finding creative ways to provide for the needs of the Dreamers. They are taking the initiative and what’s more they are taking action. I am thanking God for these gals. First of all, I know it is of God because I am not forcing it to happen; it is happening calmly yet with great forward motion. Secondly, I know God is behind it because I didn’t think of the idea of Bolivians helping Bolivians but it is happening any way; I am just running with what is taking place before my eyes. Right now I am providing clear vision, clear information, and clear instruction on some technical issues and they are doing all the leg work. It is an answer to prayer.

Speaking of prayer… you can pray for our first event taking place Thursday (tomorrow) evening. We are holding an awareness raising event here in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is a simple Tea, which is very cultural here. As they are all sipping and munching away I will present the ladies with an opportunity to be partners with the House of Dreams, just as the woman who invited them is already doing. I think that is the key to the success of this event. It is taking place through lovely ladies who are already connected to the House of Dreams. It is not a stranger making a plea, it is a friend inviting another friend to join in the fun.

• Pray that they come with open hearts.
• Pray that I have the God sent words to fill those hearts.
• Pray that they come with open hands.
• Pray that God would create lasting connections between the ladies and the Dreamers.
• Pray that the team of Bolivian Dream Makers continues strong in their plans for other events like this one.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

- Angie

The House of Dreams Get’s a New Computer

This week we had a computer donated to our Orphanage here in Bolivia from a school in the UK. Here is a video of the event.

Field Day at School

This past weekend the Dreamers participated in Field Day at school (Colegio Cristo Nación). The morning was filled with relay races, obstacle courses, dodge ball, soccer, handball, cheering, music, team spirit, stadium snacks and good fun. Enjoy the pics!

(Click the thumbnail for a larger view of the picture)

One of the Dreamers beign carried in a relay race

Annie waiting her turn in a relay race

Bernancio on the sidelines

Roberto in the Caterpiller relay race

Annie in the in the Caterpiller relay race

Jose Luis in the Caterpiller relay race

Jhoselyn in the Caterpiller relay race

Buddies and classmates: Yamil and Bernancio

Estefani positioning herself to catch the dodge ball

Yamil in the Bunny Hop Carrot race with a volunteer

Bernancio in the Bunny Hop Carrot race

Bernancio with a volunteer in the Bunny Hop Carrot race

Carolina, Estefani, a friend and Annie cheer on a school mate

- Angie

Glasses

Getting an exact percentage of the number of children who need or use glasses is nearly impossible. One study said that 10% of the kids in the United States use glasses. Applying that percentage to our tiny little population of kiddos at the House of Dreams it only stands to reason that two of twenty need glasses.

The eye exams were of no cost to us. Hurray for kind-hearted people! We are now asking around to find someone in town who can help us by donating the actual glasses for our boys. You can pray with us that this need is met.

Yamil is in Kindergarten. Now that he is starting to learn to read and doing more close up work we noticed the squinting. This little guy is very active. We are hoping to get some very durable frames and lenses for him.

Yamil with gifts

Gabriel is in first grade. We recently found out that he has some learning challenges. He is now in a school that specializes in helping him learn. Some of his hardships would be cleared up if he had eye-wear that helped him see properly.

Gabriel Reading

If you are in the Cochabamba area and know of any organizations who donate glasses for kids then please let me know so I can get in touch with them. Or if any of you know of any international organizations that help with this kind of need please pass along the info. Thanks!

- Angie

The Day of the Child

A beautiful tradition in the Bolivian culture is the celebration of The Day of the Child (El Día del Niño). Simple presents are given to the kids, a family might have a small party at their house or go on an outting, and there are always fun cakes and candies served. We also had a bit of a party at the House of Dreams. By the end of the festivities the kids were turning away the cupcakes and jello because we had successfully stuffed their round little bellies full as they could be.

As an extra special highlight to the day Mayra and her mother are finally reunited as a family. The legal requirements have been fulfilled so the mother was able to take her home today. Mayra was wide-eyed and just taking it all in after we all prayed over them and gave them hugs good-bye. The mother has visited the orphanage  once or twice a week for the almost three years that Mayra was with us. She could hardly wait to get Mayra’s things packed and go. It was a sweet time. We are happy for them.

Following are some fun pics from the day and a video to give you a glimpse at our precious kids on this happy occasion.

Cristina, our director, Mayra and her mother

Gathering around for hugs

Big hugs from Jhoselyn

Jose playing with some toys

- Angie

Updated Kid Pics page

We’ve updated the Kid Pics page! When you visit the page you can click on the individual pictures to read a little bit about that Dreamer. Enjoy!

Kid Pics page link

Sponsor a Dreamer page link

- Angie

Special Dreamers

Since the school year started back in February a couple of our kids have undergone testing for suspected learning difficulties and disabilities. It is good to finally be able to know how best to help these two precious Dreamers.

Isaura, also known as Machita, is 3 years old. She has been with us since before she could walk. Without going into details I can just say that she started life with quite a few knocks against her.

Isaura Playing

Gabriel is our oldest boy at 7 years old. He has been with us for almost three years. Aside from the circumstances of life his challenges are mainly in the area of learning.

Gabriel Reading

We are so grateful to have a specialized school here in town that is willing to help. Our director had to do quite a bit of pleading to get them enrolled because the inscription deadline had already passed. The agreement they made is that one of our caregivers would accompany them to act as a classroom aid. This sounded reasonable.

It would be devastating to know that help was available yet not be able to access it. We want to offer the best care possible. This means Isaura and Gabriel go to this school. This also means extra costs. There are now more staff costs, transportation costs and school costs. Adding it all up we need an extra $300 a month to come in to meet these needs.

You can help with part of this committment or maybe you can cover the whole thing. Please prayerfully consider becoming Dream Makers for these Dreamers. If you choose to act here are the giving instructions:

1. A check made out to WOLC. Our names cannot appear on the check anywhere. Write the name of the child you are supporting on the envelope. Send it to: Christ Nation Ministries, P.O. Box 8644, St. Joseph, MO, 64508, U.S.A.

2. Give online. Note in the comment section the child you are supporting. Here is the link: https://www.wolcresources.com/contribute/?desig=washington

On behalf of Isaura and Gabriel I thank you for giving sacrificially to help provide the best care possible for these kids.

- Angie

Mayra has a Mother

This weekend our dear little Mayra will be returning to her mother’s loving care. It has been a long road, but worthwhile. Mayra came to us a few months after we started the House of Dreams. She was a timid 4 year old at the time. Now she is an outgoing and content 7 year old. Her mother has visited her regularly and helps with all the kids whenever she is with us. There have been many requirements she has had to meet in order to prove to the authorities that her home is adequate for a child. It has been good to see the change. We are happy for Mayra and this new chapter of her life.

- Angie