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NICARAGUA ORPHANAGE
Plan for an Orphanage
Psalms 33: 11. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
The Ice Cream Shop
Pastor JD Simons, and Transito Leiva, were enjoying some time off during one of the missions trips to Esteli, Nicaragua. While there a few children approached them asking for some money, in a fairly insistent matter. They were about 7-9 years of age, dirty, without shoes, and their clothes were tattered. Transito in order to alleviate the situation negotiated a deal with them; “if I buy you some ice cream, will you go away so we can finish eating our ice cream in peace”, the boys gladly agreed to the deal.
However, shortly thereafter they soon returned. Transito asked them, “didn’t we make a deal, go home”, the children said yes we made a deal, but where are we going to go? The phrase caught him a bit by surprise, upon further questioning the children he discovered that they lived on the street with no roof over their heads, with no one to provide for them, or take care of them. They were orphans.
That day a seed was planted, and soon thereafter the vision to build an orphanage was birthed. It was a simple obligation and passion towards sharing God’s love: “We must take care of the children.”
Our Resolve
This story could be repeated in many more locations across the world perhaps in slightly different ways, but the same basic issue remains, children are living desperate lives, waiting for someone who cares.
Our hearts are moved to help these, and others like them. We who have been blessed with much have an opportunity to do something about this situation. You can be that person who cares. We have resolved to make a difference, changing lives, forever.
The Dream
Our dream is to build an orphanage in Esteli, Nicaragua to help the children, and others in need by sharing God’s love with them. Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with per capita income of about $900 a year. The needs of the poor are many in this country.
This orphanage will help bring up young men and women that we expect will become leaders within the country. They will be taught biblical principles that can help change people, and a nation, forever. We believe in teaching them how to help themselves, and not just how to receive a handout. We will provide opportunities for employment to qualified adults in need to support and care for the children, especially widows needing a place to live and a way to care for their own needs. There will be a place for people to come and visit, and provide additional services, medical support, training and education, help in building the facilities needed, or establishing businesses that can help the orphanage to be self-sustaining.
Deuteronomy 24:21 – When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow.
Progress to date
Shortly after retuning to the states from that missions trip, a donor volunteered a significant amount to begin the work. Another donor promised to help with building the facility. Soon thereafter a piece of land was identified in Esteli to support the work. It is 7 acres on the outskirt of town, but within walking distance. It has a well, access to electricity, and already has two small unfinished buildings that could be finished to start the work.
Estimates have been completed for putting a fence around the property, and finishing the two small buildings. Plans are being drawn for the future building, fund raising is progressing, and local volunteers are being identified to assist with the project. Meetings have been held with the Major of Esteli and legal papers are being completed to finalize the transfer of the property using the funds from the original donor.
Contacts have been made with another very successful orphanage in Nicaragua, and arrangements are being made to send people to work in that facility so they can be trained on what is needed for operating the orphanage.
With God’s help, for whom nothing is impossible, and with your help, we are expecting to be caring for children in 2009.
Proverbs 22:9 – A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Plan for an Orphanage
Psalms 33: 11. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
The Ice Cream Shop
Pastor JD Simons, and Transito Leiva, were enjoying some time off during one of the missions trips to Esteli, Nicaragua. While there a few children approached them asking for some money, in a fairly insistent matter. They were about 7-9 years of age, dirty, without shoes, and their clothes were tattered. Transito in order to alleviate the situation negotiated a deal with them; “if I buy you some ice cream, will you go away so we can finish eating our ice cream in peace”, the boys gladly agreed to the deal.
However, shortly thereafter they soon returned. Transito asked them, “didn’t we make a deal, go home”, the children said yes we made a deal, but where are we going to go? The phrase caught him a bit by surprise, upon further questioning the children he discovered that they lived on the street with no roof over their heads, with no one to provide for them, or take care of them. They were orphans.
That day a seed was planted, and soon thereafter the vision to build an orphanage was birthed. It was a simple obligation and passion towards sharing God’s love: “We must take care of the children.”
Our Resolve
This story could be repeated in many more locations across the world perhaps in slightly different ways, but the same basic issue remains, children are living desperate lives, waiting for someone who cares.
Our hearts are moved to help these, and others like them. We who have been blessed with much have an opportunity to do something about this situation. You can be that person who cares. We have resolved to make a difference, changing lives, forever.
The Dream
Our dream is to build an orphanage in Esteli, Nicaragua to help the children, and others in need by sharing God’s love with them. Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with per capita income of about $900 a year. The needs of the poor are many in this country.
This orphanage will help bring up young men and women that we expect will become leaders within the country. They will be taught biblical principles that can help change people, and a nation, forever. We believe in teaching them how to help themselves, and not just how to receive a handout. We will provide opportunities for employment to qualified adults in need to support and care for the children, especially widows needing a place to live and a way to care for their own needs. There will be a place for people to come and visit, and provide additional services, medical support, training and education, help in building the facilities needed, or establishing businesses that can help the orphanage to be self-sustaining.
Deuteronomy 24:21 – When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow.
Progress to date
Shortly after retuning to the states from that missions trip, a donor volunteered a significant amount to begin the work. Another donor promised to help with building the facility. Soon thereafter a piece of land was identified in Esteli to support the work. It is 7 acres on the outskirt of town, but within walking distance. It has a well, access to electricity, and already has two small unfinished buildings that could be finished to start the work.
Estimates have been completed for putting a fence around the property, and finishing the two small buildings. Plans are being drawn for the future building, fund raising is progressing, and local volunteers are being identified to assist with the project. Meetings have been held with the Major of Esteli and legal papers are being completed to finalize the transfer of the property using the funds from the original donor.
Contacts have been made with another very successful orphanage in Nicaragua, and arrangements are being made to send people to work in that facility so they can be trained on what is needed for operating the orphanage.
With God’s help, for whom nothing is impossible, and with your help, we are expecting to be caring for children in 2009.
Proverbs 22:9 – A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
