This morning we talked about teams coming on short term mission trips to VOH. We talked about pros/cons of such trips and how VOH sets guidelines so the teams' interactions are beneficial to the families and helpful to VOH. When teams arrive the Blocks provide a 1-2 hr orientation for what a short term mission at VOH will look like. They want to protect the sense of family and avoid creating a type of "petting zoo" atmosphere. Really just want to have the children treated the way we would treat our own children, as persons not things.
We talked about outreach to the community and how to do that well. The Blocks have strived to build friendships rather than encourage a handout mentality. Previous ministries have made promises that have not been kept so it is not easy to earn trust. As the relationships with these families has grown, the Blocks want to come alongside those in need just like we would do for our friends. In order to receive help the families have to qualify through a home visit, working or seeking employment, cannot be an addict, kids need to be in school, and they cannot have large appliances like large screen TVs. Once the family is in the the program, they receive one bag a week. It's not enough to sustain them but gives then a little help, while encouraging a good work ethic and allowing them to keep their dignity. Many want to work but it is hard to find a job. Even those with education find it hard to secure employment. The food is delivered weekly by teams, VOH staff, the Block family, or the older kids from VOH when they are on break from school.
VOH has helped families by providing water filters, prenatal care, wheelchairs, stoves, school supplies, medical/dental needs, and in some cases assistance with building a home. Think cinder block. One example of needed help is when Jessica was released from the hospital at midnight. The buses were no longer running so the family needed to use money for a taxi. When her younger brother had problems with his teeth they had no money left to help him. Even though there is free medical care you still need to pay for medicine. VOH helped with the dental expenses because that is what you would do for a friend. They are careful to keep these visits from becoming "poverty tourism." The families have told them that they love the visits and prayers because they don't get visitors very often. Some even like their picture taken because they want someone to know they exist.
Next we talked about the budget. We went over current expenses, increased expenses as the ministry grows and the cost for needed items as well as future plans.
We finished our time of meetings with testimonies from Julio and Kimberly. Julio shared that everything he sees here at VOH shows the hand of God. He grew up in an orphanage and now at 26 years old he is living in a transition home getting ready to move out for the first time. Two of the things he noticed when he first started working for VOH is that they don't have favorites and they don't punish kids or hurt kids, but instead they use words that build them up and correct them. He said the kids at VOH know everything will be okay because God is for them that everybody touched by the ministry at VOH is very thankful. Amy then shared that he works so hard, he is honest, he has a heart for the kids, he is an absolute blessing and they don't know what they would do without him.
Kimberly, who is 14 years old, is thankful that God gave her an opportunity to come to VOH. Before that she lived on the street was helped by a lady she called grandma. they prayed for a Christian children's home who would take a child with HIV. Through tears she said that she has found all of her family here and God is faithful. Before coming to VOH she did not have a mom or a dad that loves her but here has a mom and a dad, a family. She also said she is so glad she can dance here "for the Holy Spirit". Amy said that they are blessed because she lives here and God will do something big in her life. They are so proud of her.
Today we walked to the village of Chituc for lunch in a Guatemalan home. VOH helped 2 women set up the equivalent of a restaurant out of their home. The Blocks take every team for lunch and the women earn an income to support their families. They serve fried chicken, rice, tortillas, and chocolate covered frozen fruit. The food is delicious and most say it's the best fried chicken around. The women love to see the teams and we always enjoy their hospitality.
After lunch we went into the community to deliver the weekly food bags to the families in the outreach program. Neil got to see Yessica and her family in person, Jessica and her sisters, and the other families we visited on past trips. [Neil: There are some things you can't know from photos. It's different when you are here and experience the smells, see the scale of the poverty, the size and condition of their home, the dirt floor, the trash, the hard life they live. It is humbling and sad. Especially knowing the possibility of improving their condition is remote. And yet they don't complain, but rather are thankful for the food and the friendship.]
After dinner the children wanted to present us with a drama and dance as a gift. The drama was powerful as it represented the way the Enemy uses shame, lies, hate, etc to keep us in bondage but that Jesus has the power to break those chains and make us new. And because He rescues us our response is to worship and love Him. The girls then performed a dance of worship. They used streamers and flags to beautifully honor Jesus through dance. These kids love to worship Jesus because they are so grateful for what He has done in each one of their lives. They were truly without hope where they can from and didn't believe God loved them. But the mercy and grace of our loving Savior changed their lives and you can now see hope and joy. It is a blessing to spend time with these kids.
~Christine & Neil
