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July - september 2005
Pray without ceasing
V
A
permanent home
for every child.
V
God’s plan for the third home
on the property.
V
A
psychologist experienced in post
traumatic syndrome
and live-in staff.
V
Sponsors or Supporters
for each child, Olga and
the ministry.
For more information
email
info@homesoflife.org |
in the spotlight
Marielos Campos
has always
been known
in her community as a
generous, hard working, kind-hearted, woman of God. There was always room
for one more at the dinner table and enough to share with anyone in need.
She and her husband of more than 30 years had an open door policy in their
home that served as a warm invitation of God’s generous love to the
downtrodden and those considered to be social outcasts.
In
2003, following the sudden death of her husband, Marielos was invited to
live-in at Hogar de Vida. Marielos found much comfort and healing being
surrounded by friends and family as she walked through her time of grieving.
In due time she also realized she had became an integral part of the
downstairs house and was living her life-time dream to serve God in fulltime
ministry.
Affectionately called “Ma”, Marielos is the mother figure of the down stairs
house, cook, prayer warrior, and example to all who meet her. Her heart’s
desire “to know Jesus more” is evident in all she is and all she gives.
To help with the salary
of Marielos, email
info@homesoflife.org
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From
day to day
July
began with a flurry of volunteers blessing the kids with activities, games,
play and love during the two weeks of school vacation. An influx of six new
children, three of them less than five months old, made for busy days and
many mid night bottles.
August
brought Dena’s parents with their church team for ten days of construction
work, physical therapy sessions, much lovin’ and many extra helping hands.
August saw nothing short of a miracle, when our sibling group of three
little girls was adopted by a loving Costa Rican family. The miracle came
in the fact that not one family on the entire Costa Rican waiting list
wanted more than two children. But after the first meeting the adoptive
parents knew the three girls were theirs!
September
was a month of fiestas and grand paseos. Día del Niño (Day of the Child)
was enjoyed for many days, with a variety of fiestas hosted by local
churches and organizations. Another celebration of the day took the kids to
Parque de Divertido Amusement Park for fun, rides, entertainment and sweets
to eat. The kids participated in an evening lantern lit parade in
recognition and remembrance of the Costa Rica’s Día de Independencia. And a
Tico friend of Hogar’s packed his bus full to capacity and treated us to a
day in the sun at the ocean.
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Project
progress
The roof on the gazebo is
in place with only the trimming left to do, but that hasn’t detained the
staff and kids from enjoying the breezy new area. And as always, progress
continues on the team cabins. Work on the first cabin is on hold until the
second one is also ready the ceramic tile floor. The second cabin is ready
for painting and installation of windows and security bars.
An addition was added
to the tool and maintenance shed allowing for much needed secure storage
space. The men sorted through, tossed, and organized the huge mess of
whatever that had collected around the shed area. The “eye sore” is gone
and it was amazing to find what all was buried!
The
farm workers spent hours trimming the countless mango trees while the older
boys sweated it out hauling the branches-the cows loved the gourmet meal of
fresh cut leaves.
Plans
are in the “thinking” process to add a physical therapy room onto the school
house. At the moment the plans consist of four stakes in the ground
measuring the dimensions. The dimensions seem to change from day to day
depending on how many times the kids pull out and move the stakes!
Thanks
to all you project supporters! Your giving is why and how projects
progress. Interested in giving towards projects? Email
info@homesoflife.org
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Fruit
from the field
Y
A great Alleluia was heard when a donation came in designated for the
remaining loan on the property!
Hogar de Vida is
debt
free!!
Y
Two unsolicited calls from Costa Rican national institutions offered
financial assistance for special projects and/or general operations.
Y
Recent phone calls from the adoptive families of Veronica, Luis, Roni and
little Melissa report all are blossoming and adjusting positively in their
families.
Y
When the pre-kinder kids went to the barn to visit a sick calf, they each
eagerly prayed to Jesus to heal the calf. |
Missionary
Minutes
·
Tim & Dena Stromstad Family:
“ God impressed on our
hearts Isaiah 55,
“My ways are not your ways, neither my thoughts your thoughts; they are
higher! It’s been fun to see how many times the ways and thought of God are
higher and different than ours. His are always better!
·
Olga Campos:
“I thank God for His love, faithfulness and mercy with me. Jesus always
shows up on time, never too soon or too late. When I most need Him, He is at
my side to heal me, fill me and mold my weaknesses.”
·
Barb Kofski: “When
loneliness and frustration seem to over- whelm me, I praise God that I can
rest in the peace and knowledge that in being here at Hogar de Vida, I am in
the center of God’s Plan for my life.” |
