Fatima

Fatima spent Thanksgiving 2014 with us.

Fatima is the second young women to move into the Hope House.  She came to us in October of 2014.   Fatima has a love and passion for Christ that shines through everything.  Because of some intense family issues, Fatima wasn’t able to live at her home.  She was desperate for help, and she was trusting that God had a plan.  When we met her, we knew that she was the next one that we were to invite into our home.  Over the course of the last ten years, Fati has been working and struggling to graduate from university with a degree in social work.  She is tenacious.  She has a desire to use her knowledge as a ministry tool to reach families and youth in El Salvador with the hope and love of God. 

She is now in her last year of studies and we anticipate watching her graduate soon!  She has been a great help to us in our ministry, as well.

With our dear friend, Rachel Dimond and Lupita

  She knows enough English to help do some translating when we have a delicate issue that requires precise understanding, which sometimes we lack.  But, wait, there’s more!  Because of her years of experience with the university system here, she has taken on the role of “education assistant’ in our women’s home.  When a new gal comes, Fati helps walk them through the process of deciding on a university, enrolling, using a computer, and basically shows them how to navigate the confusing world of scholarly studies.  This has been INVALUABLE!  Working with Fatima, we have begun two other projects under our foundation, Hope for Families.  One, in a small village where we have various ministry connections, called, Nuevo Renacer. 

In Nuevo Renecer 

Working in relationship with a couple from Oregon who has served in that specific community for about 9 years, we have begun a youth education project.  This project reflects a desire to help the youth of El Salvador to rise up and bound over the hurdles in their lives.  Fatima has begun to work with the at risk youth of this community to give them the motivation and support they need to stay in school and graduate, and to go on to pursue their dreams.  Our desire is that they would believe that they can change the course of their lives with God’s strength and with hard work.  Then, along with Fatima, we have begun a very exciting arm of our ministry called, The Daughter Project Girls Clubs, which you will be hearing a lot about in coming blogs! 

Fati leading a girls club 

 Suffice it to say, we are keeping Fati very busy!  She is overjoyed to see how God has given her these opportunities already to begin putting her knowledge and gifts to work for His kingdom.  Fatima is always a lot of fun, and can usually be found right in the center of the mischief! She has become like a big sister to Jonah and Maddie here in El Salvador, which has blessed our hearts so much!  

  

Christmas and Bella!

Fatima and her sisters

Our 'office' in Nuevo Renecer with Gerry Freisen and Maggie

Oar fighting with Ginny at the lake

When Krysta and Bobby came to visit we had a lovely day at the lake...with Ginny, too!

Fati leading our girls club leaders training (with her new hair-do!)

Christmas 2014

Goofin' with Natalie, Jonah, Amy and Kelsey at Christmas

I will never get a serious picture with these two!

The Ladies of Lupita's Hope House (part 1)

Ladies and their families at Christmas

God has been at work here in our lives and in the lives of the several young women that are now a part of Lupita’s Hope House.  (We have started to call it Hope House for short)  We have seen God move and connect the dots to bring us together with some awesome young women.  Every one of them has a story.  Every one has experienced deep hurt in their lives in one way or another.  The pain of poverty, physical suffering, hunger, lack of a secure home, abuse, heartbreak, grief and abandonment weaves its way throughout each story.  But, God has a plan and purpose for the suffering of each of these beautiful young women, and we know he is weaving a beautiful tapestry to display His glory in each of their lives.

I want to introduce you to the women we God has blessed us with.  Some of this will be review to many, but, it will also give you a good update on the Hope House!

Lupita!

Lupita and Keiry right before they moved to Hope House

Lupita is 34 years old and a single mom of Keiry, who is four years old.  We have known Lupita for about 8 years. She and her niece, Daniela, were the inspiration for the Hope House.  The youngest child of the family, Lupita was working in a small shop in her village from 7 to 7 every day with one day off every two weeks.  Earning $200.00 per month, she was the principal support for 13 members of her family, who live in two separate houses.  Lupita dreamed of going to study at the university and becoming a business woman some day.  But, she thought that that dream would never happen.  There seemed to be no hope in sight. 
Then, God put on our hearts a vision for a home in the capitol city where young women could come from the country villages, study at local universities, or technical schools, and

"One of these things is not like the other"... Lupita's fam

receive encouragement and support in all areas of their lives.  We invited Lupita and her daughter to come and move to the home God provided in the city, and Lupita’s Hope House was born.  That was January of 2014. She is now in her second year studying at one of the best universities in the country and she has hope in her eyes.  It has not been easy.  She has had to work harder than the average student, as it has been quite some time since she graduated from high school.  Add to that, she is a single mom caring for her small child and trying to do homework and complete her responsibilities at the home, as well.  We are very proud of her and are excited to see where God will take her.  Our hope is that this opportunity will help raise her family out of the extreme poverty that they live in and give them a better future, and that Lupita will continue to grow in her relationship with Christ. 

Lupita's first day as a university student!

Understanding the truth of God’s great love for her has been changing her heart and healing her wounds.  If you would like to know how to pray for her:  pray that she would understand Economics!! She is struggling in this class, and needs to raise her grade.  Also, that God would give her wisdom on navigating the relationship with Keiry’s father.  It’s a difficult circumstance that she really needs discernment and clarity about.  Thank you for your support, both financially and prayerfully to make a real difference in the lives of Lupita and Keiry!   Next blog: Fatima!!!

Lupita helping to lead our girls club in her own city!

Lupita with her mom, Ana, at our Christmas party

Snuggling with Tia Maggie our house mom.

Lupita scores a perfect 10 on her recent math exam.