Two More Children Can Call Casa de Esperanza Home

Today at 3:00, Karen and Dorian drove in the gate with two precious children. We have been waiting on these children for weeks. Karen and I have prayed and prayed over this decision. This brother-sister duo are from Ojojona, which is right next door to Santa Ana. We don't normally take children whose homes are so close. I think the reasons are obvious. As we prayed, we kept talking about when the two new ones get here. I guess we knew we were taking them.


The little girl is 6 and her name is Emilse Guadalupe and goes by Lupe and her brother is 8. His name is Carlos Adonay and goes by Adonay. Lupe is a tiny little thing, like Katty. Their teeth are horrible. Lupe may very well have lice. Most girls do when they arrive. They arrived, each carrying one small bag of belonging.

This is a tragic story. Little Lupe has been physically abused by her mother. By her mother. I cannot even comprehend how anyone can abuse a child, but a mother. Her hands have been burned. She has not been released from the burn clinic yet. These children have been in Casitas Kennedy, the state orphanage, since January 15.

Dalys came running out of the house to greet them. Mirian was not far behind. Mirian then took them and showed them their beds.

As we went outside, they were wide-eyed and holding hands. The children that did not have homework began coming outside after naps. In the daylight hours, all those children to play with and bicycles and a trampoline were great fun. Cindy was helping Lupe with a bike. Sisi was mothering her. They were all smiles then.

But what about tonight? When the lights are out and they are in a strange place. Will they still be smiling? I doubt it. They will be scared and lonely. The smiles may be replaced with tears.

Please please pray for these little ones as they make this huge adjustment. And pray for the other kids and staff. Every time new children arrive, there are adjustments to be made by all.

Terri