Day 1 VOH Vision Trip

1/22/15

After an uneventful day of travel, bags searched and being questioned by the customs agents about the keyboard, boom boxes and crockpot, we were happy to see Julio and Bayron waiting for us just outside the doors of the airport. Since we needed to wait for another team member to arrive we went to get a coke and catch up with each other. Seeing these guys is like hanging out with old friends. We talked about what we did for Christmas and New Year's, caught up on family and heard updates on all that's been going on at Village of Hope. Though this was the first time Neil had met them he found them easy to get to know.

We then picked up a guy from Canada and headed up the hill to San Lucas. We met up  with the rest of the team that had already arrived and started talking instead of going to bed like we knew we should. Each person on the team has a story about how the Lord brought them to VOH.

It was so good to be back. The air was moist and cool, the dogs were barking and even the rooster remembered to crow at his unusual midnight hour. There is something special about this place. Maybe the memories, maybe the stories of redemption written in the lives of the children or maybe the camaraderie of being together with other brothers and sisters who share a heart for the orphan.

Today was spent with Todd, Amy and Addisyn going over daily operations; their initial plans for VOH and how God enlarged those plans; what the intake of children looks like; and future plans for a transition home. Then we heard testimonies form Luis and Alejandra (the sub directors) and Jessica who was the first teenager to come to VOH. She came as a 14-year old with a baby out of a government institution where she experienced abuse. She shared how she is thankful that God had mercy on her and Ruby by bringing them to VOH where she now knows that He has a plan for her life. She is a fighter, a survivor, a good mom, looked up to by the other kids, a blessing to all who know her, and she hopes to be an attorney one day.

After lunch (and can I just say I love the food in Guatemala?) we toured the grounds and saw the preparations for the 2 teams that will soon be here to pour a huge concrete driveway. And they they probably won't order a concrete truck, but will mix it in a small portable mixer. 

We then met together again to talk about why VOH is different than the institutionalized care. Their goal is Faith, Family, and Future for each child the Lord brings to VOH. Most importantly they introduce the children to Jesus. The kids usually come to VOH saying they want nothing to do with Jesus. They come from hard places and have never felt His presence. But here they hear the Gospel and see it lived out. How??

Each child is now part of a family with a mom and dad who care about them individually. They have someone to listen to them, to see them.

And now they can dream about a future. Most of these kids were just concerned about surviving the day. Here they have the opportunity to heal, receive an education, learn various skills and trades, and find their gifts and passions.

Lastly Addisyn shared about the Pure Hope ministry. In an effort to keep families together, VOH started taking Moms with their children. So instead of Moms and children being separated, they both come to VOH. And this program also helps the young teenage moms learn how to be moms and equip them with life skills.

Lastly we were joined by Jedd Medefind who is the president of the Christian Alliance for the Orphan. His family has been serving in Central America. He shared about how he has seen God working in Guatemala and Central America, and how encouraged he is to see how VOH has been changing lives by putting orphans into families and by keeping families (Pure Hope moms and their kids) together. It was a nice surprise (didn't know he was coming) to hear him share his thoughts and desire to live out the gospel by caring for these vulnerable children and moms.

More to share but that's all for tonight. Thank you for your prayers!

~Christine & Neil