Thank you!

Your donation is much appreciated…

 

On March 31st, I was laid off after 29 years of working for the same company. I made the decision that rather than panicking I would put my faith in God; that he would continue to provide for me as he always has (even when I was blind to His care). This perspective gave me the confidence to view my time off as a gift which I could use to give back to others.

I have been to Fundaninos on two short term mission trips and with each trip my heart grew stronger towards the children, care-givers and supporters of Fundaninos. I have also grown to love like a daughter a girl named Kiocka who lives at Fundaninos who I am trying to bring to Texas to live with me and attend school.

My time off was the perfect opportunity to volunteer at Fundaninos for longer than 10 days, build more than a superficial relationship with the children and care-givers, and strengthen and confirm my commitment to Kiocka.
Some of my greatest joys in serving at Fundaninos were my daily interactions (working and playing) with the children and caregivers; the warm and loving feelings I received that I was part of the Fundaninos family; being able to help relieve the workload of some of the caregivers; time spent with and hearing the Gospel from Nathan and Rebekah Forbes; creating a daily routine with Kiocka; and acknowledgement in my heart that my time spent at Fundaninos was fulfilling part of God’s plans for me.
Returning home was filled with mixed emotions; I was genuinely sad to leave and not be able to see and interact daily with Kiocka, Elisabeth, Fatima, Fernanda, Esmirna, Alejandro, Carlos, Luis, and Fatima but excited to spend time with my immediate family and get back to my “normal” routine. My time at Fundaninos has re-affirmed my desire to have a long-term commitment to the children at Fundaninos. My prayer is to open the door to alternative education possibilities for the older children. I am confident that through the help of others, and Kiocka can come to the US for an education, many other children can be afforded a similar opportunity. I look forward to my next visit.

Soccer League

In May, an awesome opportunity arose for the kids at Fundaniños! One of the volunteers has a brother who owns a soccer facility that operates soccer leagues for different ages.

After a few phone calls, he got permission to enter a team of kids from Fundaniños in the soccer league! Then, some sponsors bought the team brand new jerseys and cleats for all the kids! They were SO excited!

Friday afternoons, you can find the kiddos from Fundaniños playing their hearts out. They are GOOD!

This team includes our 10 and 11 year olds which is Luis (Chupete), Giovanni, Carlos, José Luis, Fernanda, Gaby, Joselin, Chino, and Omar . After they saw how good our kids did in the game, they said they would try to find sponsors to sponsor an older team so that our older kids can play.

They will continue to have games every Friday I think for the next  several months!

What an amazing opportunity to learn teamwork, discipline and good sportsmanship.
God is providing for these kids!!!!

Kids experience many “firsts” while they are at Fundaniños! One of those, for our babies, is first steps!

Baby Carlitos just started walking on his own. This precious little guy is adorable and is now running all over the place! So fun to watch them grow up…and so grateful for a place like Fundaniños to care so well for these children otherwise discarded.

Praise God!

Meet Danny (whose real name is José Andres.

This is one of the precious toddlers who lives at Fundaninos. Danny was abandoned at birth and has lived at Fundaniños his whole life.

The process in Guatemala to be declared “adoptable” is very long and arduous. If a child is truly orphaned, it is a bit easier, but it’s those who have been abandoned that are extremely difficult.

Danny had an audiencia (court hearing) on the 19th of May.  There was a possibility that if his mother showed up to the court hearing that he would have been given back to her.

The mother did not show up, and the judge decided that instead of declaring Danny in adoptability that they will continue to search for the mother or any other family in hopes to return him to his family. His next audiencia is scheduled for September.

Please join us in praying for the best situation for Danny, and if he is declared eligible for adoption, that a godly family would become his new home.

 

On April 16th, two twin girls, Mishel and Andrea,  left Fundaniños to be with their new family.

Their adorable personalities, bright smiles and precious curly hair will be missed around Fundaniños!

Please pray for them and their new family. To date, we have not heard an update, but trust in God’s ultimate sovereignty over their lives and are grateful for the time they spent at Fundaniños.

Rebakah and Nathan Forbes are a young, energetic couple with a heart to serve God. They came to live at Fundaninos last year, and have been an unbelievable support for both the orphanage and the school!

More than their physical contributions, they love the children. They disciple them, have conversations about God, and constantly point them to Christ!

One special thing that they have adopted is celebrating birthdays with the kids.

Last month, They celebrated with Rita (20), Maribel (17), Licha (age unknown; somewhere in her upper 20′s) and Regina (15).
In April we had Sylvia (15).

Even more special is a quinceñera celebration for all the girls at Fundaninos who have turned 15 this year. In Latin cultures, turning 15 is seen as entrance into adulthood. It is similar to a “Sweet Sixteen” in the States.

Among those looking forward to this celebration are these sweet 15 year olds:  Claudia, Regina, Sylvia, Katty, Stacey, Maribel, Kiocka, Alicia, Rita, Consuelo, and possibly Licha.

Let us know if you want to help make their quinceñera special through a small donation!

Guatemala, and Fundaninos, has been a huge part of my life ever since I was young. I have five siblings adopted from Guatemala and four are from Fundaninos. I have visited Guatemala many times through Orphan Resources International, and for many years my goal was to go to Fundaninos for 6 weeks. This winter I finally got the opportunity.

We arrived at Fundaninos at the end of December, and right away I fell in love wth all the children. While we were there we were able to take care of the babies, help get ready for the new school year, and of course help out with the other hundred things that went on there each day. :)

Each day we got closer to each child, and I will never forget how they would come running to us and give us hugs after school or how they all wanted you to hold them. It was amazing to see how thankful the children were to just have us push them on a swing or hold them. And even though they didn’t get the one on one attention and the love we get from our parents every day they were all so happy. It made me realize how much I have and how often I take it all for granted.

God placed so many blessings in my life, I’m just so thankful He gave me the opportunity to be able to give my time and love to the children of Fundaninos. The children have changed my life forever and I can’t wait to visit Fundaninos again soon!

-Brooke Martin

Burning of the Devil is a Guatemalan tradition where you literally burn pinata-looking devils to symbolically burn all of the bad from the previous year and to start anew from the ashes. In cities throughout the country The Devil is burned at 6:00 p.m.

At Fundaninos, this day included the traditional “devil bonfire”, hot dogs and fireworks. Lots of fireworks.

Perhaps a bit untraditional, Santa showed up for a visit!

The night was a lot of fun!!!

Here are some pictures!

When God touches the hearts of people through Fundaniños, they are changed forever. Scott and Carrie Hunnicutt have been faithful volunteers at Fundaniños, and have recently returned for a 4-month stay! When asked about their heart for Fundaniños, here’s what they had to say:

 

What brought you to Fundaniños?

Simply put….God brought us to Fundaniños time and time again. Our opportunity to share God’s love with the children and staff here has been such a blessing to us.  After earnest prayer and acting upon a nudge from God here we are! God is funny sometimes….A friend of a friend told us about Fundaniñosand how we should check it out if we were looking for a place to serve. Three years later and six trips to Fundaniños we are relishing in God’s plan for us to be here and serve in any way we can. Surely, only by the Grace of God is it that we are here. His direction and His leading.

What do you hope to accomplish while you are here?

We hope to accomplish what God sets before us everyday. The big needs, the small needs and the needs which sometimes can not been seen but felt with the heart. We yearn for these children to feel God’s love thru us and the efforts we put forth. To know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we love them and hope great things for them and their futures.

What have been the greatest joys working with Fundaniños?

Serving at Fundaniñoshas been our greates Joy! We love to cook American food for them and make their belly’s so full that they are sick! lol! Not really, but close.:) We love exercising with them. We love telling them that we Los Keado Mucho! Better check my spelling on that one! We love playing Bingo, Soccer, etc…..We love their kisses……..Their lives and their situations make us want to be better people.

For more information about volunteering with Fundaniños, contact Carol Cazali.

To donate directly to Fundaniños, click here.