What a fast and “involved” ministry year! This special PHOTO Prayer Letter will focus on our work with children. Next month we will be highlighting other important ministries that we are a part of. As always, as you look at the photos, please pray with thanksgiving.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY IN GENERAL
If you have been following our children’s work, you know that it is intense and often “day-to-day”. Equally important are direction and vision toward the future. Below are photos of present staff and children, and we are set this month to hire a third set of house parents. We expect to continue receiving new children in the coming months. We are also in the first stages (after discarding the option earlier this year of melding into the corporation of another ministry) of obtaining legal assistance to help us achieve status as a Chilean corporation or foundation. This is A TOP PRIORITY, as with it we hope to seek
Chilean governmental financial support to be able to hire and support needed additional staff. Our most important full-time staff position to fill will be that of director to replace Janine, as the Residence will need Chilean leadership if it is to remain a viable, functioning ministry in the years to come. This ministry represents a long-term commitment of time, prayers, and ministry funds—all of it well worth it!
In photo 1, Janine is pictured with the two house moms, Ingrid (left) and Cynthia (right), and some of the children. Lenis, who is studying psychology and who works part-time helping Janine, is pictured separately with Karla and Juliana. Continue praying for like-mindedness between staff, including their husbands’ support and participation in their own roles. (Phil. 2: 1-4)
Brothers Alberto (13) & Juan (9) Both are doing well, although Alberto sometimes lacks respect for authority figures. Both boys would be ideal candidates for adoption.
Sister and brother Nallely (newly 12) & Jorshua (13) Both Jorshua and Nallely seem to jump to conclusions without being able to “think out” how they got there. This works against them on school exams, etc. They are both flunking several subjects, although they are “smarter than that”. Please pray that good work would have importance, based in the fact the their very lives & futures have importance. Joshua can also use prayer in being honest with others and with himself.
Carla (13) Carla is quite easily distracted but is doing fairly in her studies; her personal relationships need lots of work. She is a beautiful girl and she loves to sing.
Karla Andrea (11) & Juliana (12) These girls came to us at the same time from the same children’s home for girls. (They are pictured above with Lenis.) They both greatly lacked self-esteem and stimulation when they arrived but are both doing much better. Karla has dropped several “extra” pounds.
Sisters Javiera (8) & Cony (10) Cony’s horrible behavior and emotional acting-out have incredibly improved. Javiera shows some of the same tendencies. We had hoped that the court would now place Cony with her mother, but the mom wanted both girls back or neither of them. Due to her inability in the past to handle the two girls together, the judge ruled that both girls will continue to live in the residence for the next few months with weekly outings with their mother. Please pray for continued success and good development to enable them to go forward well as individuals and with their mother.
SPECIAL REQUEST: At present, the United States is not included in the countries approved by Chile to receive Chilean children in adoption. We would love to “open up” this option for children under our care, but it looks like it may take time and an eventual “right” contact with adoption agencies that work in international adoptions. Some of you may know of some potential contact persons and it will probably be helpful to have staff professionals fluent in Spanish, as well. If you have a possibility, let us know or please put them in contact with us.
Praising, praying, and fasting with you in a “Visual-Picture” Jesus,
Chile Mission 