Making A Difference... One Child At A Time, Six Years Later

June 30, 2006 is a very important date in the life of Casa de Esperanza.  It was that day the doors opened here.  Five little boys, brothers, came here to live and call it home.  It was the realizing of a dream that had been in the making for over a year.  Jenn and Karen were here.  Nicole was here.  It was an exciting day for them and for all us had that had put money and labor and love and hope into this place.  Marc and I were still living in the States.  We cried with joy.  I am sure many others did, too.

Little did any of us know what we were getting into.  We had so much to learn.  IHNFA rules.  Labor laws.  All kinds of stuff.  We still have so much to learn. 

Six years later, these little boys are no longer at Casa.  But, there are 24 other children that call this home.  There has been a lot of knee time.  A lot of heartbreak.  A lot of joy.  Tears.  Laughter.  Some of the children have been here five and five and a half years.  The growth and changes we have seen in those.  Some still have a ways to go, but don't we all. 

Thanks to everyone that has ever made a donation to Casa, financial or otherwise.  Thank you to everyone that has ever said a prayer for one of us or one of the children.  Thank you to everyone that has said a kind, encouraging word.  We could not have come this far without you.  But most I of all, I give thanks to God, who has guided us and given us wisdom. Heard and answered our prayers. He has grown all of us into better leaders for these children.  And He will continue to grow us.  I am blessed to be here and be a part of these children's lives.

Terri