Home Improvements

A few days ago, I received a message from another missionary that also lives here in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He explained to me that a family had come down to work on a project that fell through at the last minute. They wanted to know if there was anything at the House of Dreams that needed repairs or improvement.

There is a playhouse that the Dreamers have had for several years that was falling apart. The roof was caving in, the doors and windows fell off, and it needed paint. We all decided that that was a good project for the two days that they had to work on it, so they immediately went out and bought all of the needed supplies and got to work.

The workers taking a moment to pose for a picture.

A huge thanks to the Jacob family and the Holman family for your work and donations! What a blessing you have been to our Dreamers!

Are you interested in coming and helping out or sponsoring a project at the House of Dreams? Check out our “visit” and “projects” pages!

Romon

STRIKE-A-THON Update for The House of Dreams Orphanage.

We currently are upto $6.5 per strike for the fundraiser. It would be great to get up to $10 a strike. Let us know if you or someone you know would like to donate $1 a strike to help the kids.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3370119206654&l=a2750c8db5

Field Day!

Last Saturday, our Dreamers participated in a Field Day at their school.  In Bolivia, every year, schools celebrate the beginning of the sports season with a field day.  The Dreamers competed in various relay races and other competitions.

Jhoselyn taking part in a sack race

Fernando and his team receiving their medal

It was a great day for our Dreamers!

-Marisol

Strike-a-thon for The House of Dreams

We love orphans. DaRonn also loves bowling!

This week, April 27^th – 30^th, he will be representing the city of Cochabamba in the first of three national bowling championships. They are competing in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  In all he will be playing 24 games.

Would you like to help The House of Dreams Orphanage by donating an amount for each strike he makes during the championship?

___ $1 a strike.  He averages 3 strikes a game. This means a commitment of around $72 to The House of Dreams Orphanage.

___ $20 for every game over 200.  He averages 200+ in every 1 out of 6. This means a commitment of roughly $80 to The House of Dreams Orphanage.

This will be fun!

If you would like to participate simply leave a comment below and we can sign you up.

Also, we will be posting updates on facebook so you can get in on the fun.

– Angie

Bolivian Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a big deal in Bolivia.  Restaurants are filled with families celebrating the day by taking their fathers out.  Schools do special presentations to honor the fathers.   Children make countless amounts of cards and crafts to give to their fathers on this special day.  But what if you do not have a father?  How do you celebrate this day?  To whom do the orphan children give their crafts on Father’s Day?

In The House of Dreams Orphanage this was one of the things that we did not initially take into consideration. We received the report that on father’s days the children were sad because it was a reminder of the absence of a father in their lives.

I remember the moment vividly.  We had just started our Christian school and one of the teachers called me and asked me what should they do.  Without thinking I remember instructing her that if she needed someone for our orphans to represent their father that I could be that person.  Father’s Day has since been a day filled with handmade cards, paper mache animals, macaroni necklaces and silly papa ties for me.

To tell you the truth, it is one of my favorite days of the year. Nothing melts a person’s heart more than that sweet moment when a shy Bolivian orphan gives the gift that they worked so hard on, gives a big hug and says, “Happy Fathers Day papa”.

Angie and I would like to thank all of you who are helping us to be substitute parents for the 16 children in The House of Dreams Orphanage through your financial support.  It is making a greater difference than you will ever know.

DaRonn Washington

Missionary working in the nation of Bolivia

Happy Campers

A couple of weeks ago the House of Dreams got a surprise phone call from the leaders of a weekend camp saying that they wanted the three oldest girls, Estefani, Anne, and Jhoselyn (Estefani was sick, so Roberto got to take her place) to come to the camp. They also informed us that someone had already donated the money to cover all cost, so all they needed to do was show up.

Their camp experience was packed with activities. There was a special speaker, they swam, played games, and even learned a dance and performed it at the end of the camp.

Anne and Roberto getting in place to practice their dance.

The camp was an incredible experience for Jhoselyn, Anne, and Roberto. Estefani has already informed me that the next time she won’t be sick, and that she will be going.  They are all already looking forward to it.

Romon

Lots of Tests!

The school year in Bolivia is divided into trimesters instead of quarters.  Our dreamers are finishing up the first trimester, which means it’s test time.

Some of our Dreamers started taking tests this week and some start next week.

Please pray for our Dreamers, that they do their best and not worry during these weeks of testing.

-Marisol

Saturday of Celebrations

This past Saturday I packed up my kids and some parcels from afar to go celebrate at The House of Dreams. We walked in on a party on progress.

Our cook’s husband wanted to treat the Dreamers to cake, soda, and yummy snacks for the Day of the Child (April 12th). I chatted with this precious couple a bit. I asked how many children they had. They explained they raised five of their own and a niece and a nephew, seven in all. They also boasted of a few grandchildren as well. The husband told me that the Dreamers had given him some Father’s Day cards a few weeks back so, “This party is the least I could do for them.”

They brought some of their children and grandchildren to help serve. They also led the kids in a few fun songs and games. The Dreamers had a blast!

After this sweet family had gone I called everyone together and told them, “The fun is not over yet!” I proceeded to tell them that a family from the United States had sent down some Easter packages for them. Shirley helped me hand out the goodie bags and books. Everyone got their own brand new book.

For more pics you can see the facebook album I put together: Easter at The House of Dreams 2012

If you would like to make a party for the kids at The House of Dreams just let me know and I will fill you in on how we can make that happen.

- Angie

Kids’ Day

I remember, as a kid, having a curious conversation with a friend. We were talking (and by talking I mean complaining) about how there is a Mother’s Day, and a Father’s Day but no kid’s day.  We just couldn’t believe that whoever makes decisions on holidays would leave out the kids!

Well, apparently we grew up in the wrong country, because here in Bolivia, there actually is a Kid’s Day. It’s called Dia del Niño. It’s a day to celebrate and show appreciation to kids. There are all types of different events for kids going on all over the city. We chose to take the Dreamers to Burger King for a burger, fries and a coke, followed by a little playtime on their playground.

Several of the kids enjoying their meals.

With 16 kids, trips to Burger King aren’t anywhere near typical, so it was really a special treat for our Dreamers.  A hamburger, fries and a playground are indeed a recipe for putting a smile on the face of almost any child. What a fun experience.

Romon

Lots going on in April!

This month, the kids celebrated Easter with visitors from a local church – crafts, games, and a Bible lesson.

This month we have two birthdays!  Roberto is turning eight on the 17^th and Gabriel is turning nine on the 25^th.  Roberto already asked for strawberry cupcakes for his birthday.  Gabriel is still deciding on his flavor.

Also, this month is “Dia del Nino”,  Day of the Child.  It’s a day dedicated to celebrating the lives of children.  It’s a day where the country reflects on the rights and needs.  At school the kids will have a big celebration.   At the orphanage we’ll be celebrating too!

That’s not all – the Dreamers also have their Sports Day at school on the 21^st.

So many new pictures coming soon!

-Marisol