The Cat’s Away

And we hope that the only playing going on will be summer fun at The House of Dreams. Our director, Marisol Soliz, is in the United States for a few weeks with her husband Marco. This is first time he is visiting the States. I know they are going to have a wonderful time! But I also know that they will be greatly missed here in Bolivia.

I am so proud of Marisol. She is a wonderful director who puts the Dreamers first in all that she does at The House of Dreams. She is able to see new and better ways of doing things and is able to motivate and train the caregivers to implement those changes.

Marisol was born in Ecuador to an Ecuadorian mother and a father from the U.S. She lived her first few years of life there before they moved to the States. She spent the rest of her growing up years all through university in the U.S. She is truly bi-lingual. She applied her Masters in Education to teaching for a few years before she felt the call to be a missionary. Through the connection of our home church in Missouri she decided to come to Bolivia to learn how to be a missionary. Her involvement with Christ Nation Ministries has been vital. What started as a one year commitment turned into a lifestyle. She is married to a godly Bolivian man, now. Her mother retired to Bolivia from the States and owns a house where she and Marisol’s brother live. Seeing Marisol and her family so integrated into the Bolivian way of life encourages me and fills my heart. I am excited to see God’s will infold in all they are doing.

We are so grateful that she has decided to serve in the capacity of director. I know that God is working through her for the good of the children. Join me today in saying a prayer of blessing over the lives of Marisol and Marco. Thanks!

- Angie

Not for Dummies

The ‘…for Dummies’ book phenomenon began with a focus on user friendly guides to the world of technology. Now the topics addressed branch into multitudinous general interests.

Want to be a Christian? Catholicism more your speed? Or just need to be happy?

On the main site you can find a guide book for a wide variety of hobbies, sports, education and career choices, etc.

But if you want read a Dummies book about ‘How to Run an Orphanage’ your search comes up empty. Some titles are helpful.

A couple more might have invaluable tips on caring for the kids.

But don’t go to that source hoping to find a guidebook about the ins and outs of running an orphanage. At times I wish there were a book complete with an alphabetical index to tell us just what to do when issues arise.

Granted, there are many resources available. The blogs, websites, and books help a ton. What helps the most is brainstorming with people who have experience or at least vested interest in orphan care. Thank God for all that.

I conclude, though, that:

Running an orphanage is not for Dummies.

Prayer points for this week:

• The land purchase
• Emelin and Jhoselyn have birthdays this week
• Our volunteers and staff to have creative ideas, boundless patience and endless love for raising the kids

Thanks!

- Angie

Group Photos

Every couple of years, the House of Dreams takes a group picture. It’s one of the few times where all of the Dreamers and staff can be caught in one place long enough to take one picture.

With eighteen kids you can probably imagine that there were a few distractions which were cause for a retake. Here are a few of the “whoops” moments:

Not sure what was going on here.

Shirley inspecting Vladimir's hair. I guess they forgot we were taking pictures.

After a few tries, we got it right!

The finished product.

The Dreamers actually did extremely well taking these pictures, and we were all finished in about fifteen minutes! Not bad at all.

Please pray for the House of Dreams kids, workers, and volunteers.

Romon.

Odds and Ends

Some odds and ends happenings at The House of Dreams recently:

• Getting ready for a garage sale at the end of the month.
• People from church are donating items.
• With a faithful group of volunteers we are sorting through storage.
• Bye-bye junk!
• Emelin is now wearing glasses. That makes 4 of the 18 in glasses: her, Roberto, Gabriel and Yamil.
• With the new Volunteer Coordinator, Romon, in place we have implemented an official and much more thorough orientation for new volunteers.
• He’s been able to prepare the new recruits this week, a handful of bright-eyed and energetic folk.
• Winter break from school is right around the corner. Yeah!
• Our new director, Marisol, has been doing the nitty-gritty of fixing employees schedules, setting creative plans in motion for unique donations, and getting the kids’ schedules working more smoothly.
• We are so happy with her efforts and the already visible results!
• This week we should be able to do a blog training so you can hear directly from the director about the goings on at our little home.
• I was able to submit a piece for a contest run by a local radio / online group that will be awarding $2,000 to one selected entrant. Fingers crossed…
• Please pray for the continued funding of the purchase of the land where we will be building the permanent home for the Dreamers. We know that God is able. We will faithfully trust Him to supply the financial need.
• We are grateful that more church members and residents of Cochabamba are taking a sincere interest in the lives of the children we call Dreamers. This will have great, long term effects.
• Had I mentioned that here at The House of Dreams we are celebrating our 5 year anniversary? Yep, five years this month. My how time flies!

A smile from Alicia for you

- Angie

Good Things Coming

We are anticipating some very good things coming along here at the House of Dreams.

Volunteer Program

There is great potential in a smooth running volunteer program. We are solidifying some regulations to help prepare new volunteers when they come. We have also written up some guidelines for the application process and agreements we have with volunteer finder organizations. It will be great to have a volunteer environment that is positive for the kids, the staff and for the fellow volunteers.

New Director

Since getting married last year our current director has been hoping to move to La Paz to start her life with her husband. We are happy to announce that we will be making the transition to a new director in the coming weeks and months. Her name is Marisol Soliz and has been a close friend and missionary in Bolivia for just over 8 years. She will be bringing some refreshing changes and new ideas for the Dreamers and the administration of the home.

Bridgit’s Adoption

Remember the three that will turn three this year that I asked you to be praying for? Our youngest Dreamer, Bridgit, has been assigned to a family! This means that the adoption could take place within the next couple weeks. We will continue to pray that those weeks do not turn into months. Join us as we also continue to pray that Vladimir and Alicia will be adopted soon.

Bridgit being held by Gabrielle Washington

- Angie

Talks on a Train

Coming back from Machu Picchu my husband and I rode by rail into Cuzco, Peru. We took up separate conversations with a few of the fellow passengers.

The man’s toothy smile stretched from ear to ear and made his already slanted eyes squint shut. From Asia he tried his Spanish but we decided that English would serve us better.  One part of that conversation has stuck with me over the years.

“So you get paid to do all these things?” he asked after inquiring what we did for a living in Bolivia.

“Well, we receive money from others who believe what we are doing is good and want to help us,” I answered.

“So they tell you what to do with the money and they are your boss?”

“No, not exactly. We decide what to do with the money they give us.”

“So you can do whatever you what with the money. You could spend it on whatever you like. But you choose to use the money for helping these people.”

“Yes.”

“You are volunteers doing social work?“

“Yes.”

“So you pay your own money to work?”

“I guess that is one way to look at it. We pay to work instead of getting paid to work.“

Still smiling the man shook his head in disbelief and turned away from me with his arms crossed against his chest, visibly disappointed.

I know some people share this view of the absurdity that we choose to pay to work. I also know there are those who get it. To those generous givers, volunteers, and staff who are vested in this work and understand the way we operate I would like you to know that I appreciate you more than words could say. You encourage me to no end. You give me the oomph to keep fighting for these Dreamers.

With all my heart I thank you.

- Angie

We Love the Park

At the House of Dreams, “The Park” plays a huge role in the lives of the children and workers alike.  Trips to the park are used as a reward, or leverage to promote good behavior. The Dreamers love going to the park and sliding down the slides, climbing the jungle gyms and swinging on  the swing sets.  The Park provides a safe, controlled environment for the Dreamers to burn off all the stored up energy that children always seem to have hidden somewhere.

Vladimir enjoying some time on the swings.

The workers and volunteers love going as well, being able to get out and enjoy the weather. It also provides them a chance to take their minds off of the fact that they are at work while playing with the Dreamers. We all love the park!

One of the volunteers channeling his inner-child.

Want to take a trip to the park with the Dreamers? Consider visiting!

Romon

She Wears Beads

“That’s a lovely necklace you have there,” I start. Matronly sighs from both of us preceded my attempt at small talk before we began the task of decision making and all things meeting related. We sat in the stale calm of the office. The quiet enjoyed maybe a bit too much by us who spend our days caring for children.

She looked blankly at me trying to recall what jewelry she had chosen that day. Her fingers reached in reflex to jog the memory. Touching the plastic bobbles draped gaudy down her chest a knowing look comforted the weary features. She settles back, the Bolivian cue that a story is coming. Not disappointed when I hear the opening, “Ah..” I settle back too. Business can wait.

“Ah… this? Yes. My assistant asked me about this not too long ago. She asked me why I wear this necklace when it never matches my outfit.” We share a chuckle.

“I told her that I keep this necklace here at the home,” by which she referred to the House of Dreams which she directs, of course, “and I put it on when I start working. I wear these beads to remind me that I am with small people and small people need extra special treatment. When I start to get frustrated or short tempered my beads remind me to be patient and take a breath.”

I smiled and nodded in great approval at the simple wisdom of donning beads to be with the small people.

“…don’t look down upon a single one of these little children.For I tell you that in heaven their angels have constant access to My Father.” (Matthew 18:10)

Please pray with me over the staff and volunteers who care for the Dreamers.

- Angie

A December Wedding

Cristina is the director of The House of Dreams. The kids love her to pieces, as you can clearly see in this photo. She has been with us since inception. We are grateful for her faithful service to the children of Bolivia.

In a few short weeks she will be joining her life to a strong man of God. They make a good match. We are thrilled for this new step. They met a number of years ago when they were both employed by a non-profit organization here in town that feeds those in need. Since then she came to work for us and he went to the capital city of La Paz to help with the family’s agricultural business. They hope to buy land in the same region where his family has land and make a life for themselves in the beautiful hill country. We will be sad to lose her, but we are are still very happy for this new chapter in her life.

Please pray for David and Elizabeth Cristina (we know her as Cristina but the rest of the world calls her Ellie) in the following areas:

• A strong marriage
• Provision for all their needs
• Blessings of health

Proverbs 31:20 is a suitable verse for this kind, hard working woman

“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”

- Angie

I’m Telling!

The drama of the moment when you are wronged as a child is massive. It engulfs your whole existence and demands every ounce of energy from you to respond. It’s messy. It’s horrible. It can even leave life long scars.

Through the dulled eyes of an adult the offense may seem insignificant. A toy is taken. A favorite treasure is misplaced. A thoughtless word of another child hurts the soul. Gone unvalidated some children withdraw, dejected.  Others cope externally seeking retribution usually through a fit involving crying and a degree of violence.

An unhappy Bridgit

Training in methods of correction has been a focus with the staff this past month. With new caregivers and volunteers in the mix it is good to do a refresher to stay consistent. Our director, Cristina, also wanted to curb the power plays the children employ.

The staff had meetings too, but the picture of the kids is so much cuter. Vladi's face is priceless!

Upset about sitting in time-out they used to say, “I’m telling Cristina that you put me in time-out!” The hope being they would be let off the hook. At times it worked. This needed to change.

Visual reminders being posted around the home

Now that the workers have all been made aware that this is unacceptable the threat has lost is potency. Yet, the need to seek justice still resides in the heart of the precious wee ones; even when they deserve correction. So what’s the recourse?

“I’m going to tell Pastor DaRonn!”

Oh, yes; they have recognized the chain of command. What an honor to be known as the great defender in the hearts of little Dreamers.

That's better sweet Bridgit

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.” (Psalm 82:3)

Learn more about helping defend the fatherless: sponsor.

- Angie