Day 3 Photos

Addisyn translating, Yesenia and Juan Carlos

Earning a living in Antigua

Neil and Julio

Day 3 Vision Trip

1/24/15

This morning we talked about everything we covered over the last few days and what things will look like moving forward; immediate steps VOH will take and also future things to consider; thoughts we can take back home; their visions, dreams, and prayer requests. Many ideas were shared.

We then had the privilege of hearing two more testimonies. First Juan Carlos, Casa 1 Dad, said that it was a joy to be in front of us to share his thoughts. It was one year and six days ago that he first came with excitement to VOH. He found a gift "hidden" in his life -- that he would get to be able to work with kids and teach them in a home. He would be an example and model of a godly man, husband, and father. He thinks it's extraordinary that he gets to be there for the kids when they first come to the home. He has even prayed to be around kids who have been disappointed in themselves. Their behavior might not be right but God prepared him to be a blessing in their life. He has found himself in difficult situations and the kids see that he does not have all the answers. When that happens he will tell them to wait and he will be back in two minutes. In that time he will go back to his notes of what the Lord has taught him and pray. Then he will go back to the child after he has had time to relax and focus on God knowing that the kids often react to what has happened in the past. During the difficult times he doesn't say he does not want this anymore, but it makes him want more because God is using him and the kids need him. He is not here just because he wants to be here or to try something new, because but God has called him to be in the lives of the children and he never wants to leave. He wants to see their future as professionals, sons and daughters of Christ, and see them be a blessing to their nation. He is so thankful to be at VOH to have the opportunity to work in the ministry God has put him in. The children he has here are everything to him. Then Amy shared that she is thankful he is here, appreciates his leadership, and admires his calm and confident spirit.

Then 17-year old Yesenia shared that she went into a government home when she was a year and a half. When it was discovered that she had HIV she was taken to hospice and told she wasn't going to live. After spending a year in that hospital she was taken to a home run by nuns. She grew up there with Jose David who is another child now living at VOH. When José David left the home she cried and said she wanted to come to VOH because she felt like Jose David was "family" though she actually had no family. Later the nuns called Amy when she was aging out so Amy went to meet her to ask if she wanted to come to VOH. She first asked if there were any nuns there, and when Amy said no she said yes she wanted to go. When she saw Jose David here she was happy. With Amy and Todd she felt like it was a big family at VOH. At her previous home she had heard that God never learned about the love of God. Now she is surrounded by people who love her and she has learned to love others. Amy then told Yesenia that she is so proud of her and can't wait to see what she will do in the future with God's help. That they will cheer her on and be by her side. Lastly, Amy told her she loves her and she is so happy that she is part of their family. Later, Amy said that when Yesenia came to VOH she was put in the same family as José David even though Amy didn't know that they grew up together.

After the testimonies we gathered outside and prayed as a group before we individually walk to the grounds and prayed for the future of VOH.

The rest of the day was spent in Antigua having lunch and spending an hour or so in the marketplace.

After dinner we met for a final time together as a team. We shared what impacted us the most over these last few days. Amy shared about the difference it makes in a child's life when they are told they have worth. Todd shared that he was thankful that the team came because they know people are out there, and though it is encouraging to get emails it is good to see everyone face-to-face. He also said that their main goal this year is to make sure the homes and their staff are strong and healthy. They are always about evaluating what they can do better; one of the things Todd is going to do is start a Bible study with all of the male employees. Then we gathered around Todd and Amy to lay hands on them and pray for them. It has been a sweet time together and it was hard to say goodbye to the team, the Blocks, and our dear friend Julio.

We leave for the airport at 5am tomorrow morning and should arrive at SFO late afternoon. We'd appreciate your prayers as we process these last few days and travel home tomorrow. We have more stories to share and hope to do so over the next few days. We appreciate your kind words and prayers. ~Christine & Neil

Day 2 Photos

lunch in chituc:

 kids enjoying crackers:

Precious Yessica

Todd playing peek-a-boo with Yessica

Twins!

Sweet Jessica

Adjacent lot for sale 

Girls dancing to praise music 

Day 2 Vision Trip

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

Day 1 pictures

Thursday photos:

Casa 1 having lunch:

Casa 1 & 2 vines looking good!

Michel & Bela:

Baby Andrea:

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

Vision Trip 2015

Neil and I will be traveling to Village of Hope tomorrow to hear about the future plans, visions, and budget, as well as see first hand the day to day operations of VOH and its outreach programs.

We look forward to our time and would love your prayers! ~Christine