Exciting New Chapter...

This week was VERY exciting for the House of Blessing. Sort of a new chapter as we launched two new outreaches both to the community as well as to some of the moms of the children we care for.

For the past 6 months we’ve had a young woman from Oregon, Jenna, who has done a fantastic job giving English classes to our kids.  They are learning very quickly.  Well, word sort of got out about these English classes and people in the community began to express a desire to learn English as well.  After much planning, prepping and posting fliers throughout the community, last night was our first of a 3-week series of classes.  We had 19 people initially sign up and 14 came out and joined us. It was a wonderful time and they are so eager for next weeks class AND are also inviting their friends to come as well.

This week we also launched our new sewing outreach.  One of the visions for the orphanage has been to not only minister to and care for the children, but also to their moms as well.  For a lot of women their children are here because they don’t have the money and resources to adequately care for them. 

For the past few years we have been able to purchase some very beautiful handmade goods from a few of our moms.  Things like bracelets, necklaces, baskets, other types of jewelry, tortilla warmers and even dresses.  Many of you have either purchased or received some of these wonderful items.  Any time I have a trip to the States I try to purchase as much as I can and then take them to sell.  We then are able to use the donated money to continue to help support these women and purchase more items.

As we have wanted to see this opportunity expand and grow, we decided to launch a sewing outreach. This will give a chance for some of these moms to come to the orphanage a few days a week to begin to be trained and learn how to sew with machines.  When we shared the idea and vision with two of our moms they were incredibly excited and eager to start. This past Tuesday was our first official day and Teresa and Mariela had a wonderful time. We have been caring for Sandra (Teresa’s daughter) for 5 years and Berta and Irene (Mariela’s daugher and step-daughter) for 1.5 years. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday, they will take the bus from a town about 30 minutes away and work from 9:30-2:30 PM.  Not only will this begin to provide a steady income for them, but also a chance to invest in their lives. Initially, they will be making tortilla warmers and drawstring back packs for our Golf Tournaments.  Our hope and desire is that there will be enough interest for these items and more, that we can continue to provide a steady job for as long as possible. My wife Jackie and Jenna will rotate taking are of their children so they can focus on the task at hand without any distractions.

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement AND financial support, which helps make new endeavors like these possible!