Sunday, August 26, 2007
Three New Children
This was an exciting week as three new children were added to the Hacienda of Hope family. Gloria (12), Angel (9), and Luis (5) Cacuango all come from the same family. They were orphaned earlier in the year, and since that time have had little adult supervision. They all seem to be adjusting well to life at the Hacienda and are enjoying the friendship of their new brothers and sisters. For children who have had to grow up far too quickly, they have also been relieved of the responsibility of providing for themselves and are truly enjoying being children again. It will certainly take time for them to fully adapt, and there are many emotional scars that they carry. Please be in prayer for these children, and for the other Hacienda of Hope children, as they adjust to each other and as the new children adjust to their fresh surroundings.
At 12 years old, Gloria is quite a bit older than the children that we typically bring into the Hacienda of Hope. The extended family asked if she could stay a few days to help the younger boys get adjusted. They would also like for us to take her full-time and we are all praying about this possibility. So far she fits like a "hand inside a glove" with Leo and Patty. She and her brother, Angel are (as the family described their closeness) "like mud on a boot". Gloria is quiet, willing to work at any household job, and enjoys singing at our devotionals. She fills a maternal role with her brothers. Please pray that God will direct all of us concerning her future.
When Angel’s extended family came with him yesterday, he turned his back on all of us and stood there crying for about an hour. Cristian tried to get him to play ball and several of us attempted to speak words of encouragement to him. However, it was Jorge who began to change things for Angel. After his aunt left, Jorge and Jhon began to put their arms around him and got him to go with them to see their bedroom and toys. He quickly began to talk with us and act like he might enjoy the Hacienda of Hope after all. Angel has helped with household chores, slept in a room with all the other boys (in his own new bed), and is eating well! I have also noticed he and Jorge walking around with their arms around each other and pushing each other in play. He seems to really have adjusted quickly!
Luis is 5 years old and is very close to Gloria and Angel. Like the others, he has experienced far too much turmoil in his short life. As a result, Luis seldom smiles. We pray that laughter and smiling will become natural things for Luis as he learns about the love of God at the Hacienda of Hope.
Posted for Jerry Snyder
At 12 years old, Gloria is quite a bit older than the children that we typically bring into the Hacienda of Hope. The extended family asked if she could stay a few days to help the younger boys get adjusted. They would also like for us to take her full-time and we are all praying about this possibility. So far she fits like a "hand inside a glove" with Leo and Patty. She and her brother, Angel are (as the family described their closeness) "like mud on a boot". Gloria is quiet, willing to work at any household job, and enjoys singing at our devotionals. She fills a maternal role with her brothers. Please pray that God will direct all of us concerning her future.
When Angel’s extended family came with him yesterday, he turned his back on all of us and stood there crying for about an hour. Cristian tried to get him to play ball and several of us attempted to speak words of encouragement to him. However, it was Jorge who began to change things for Angel. After his aunt left, Jorge and Jhon began to put their arms around him and got him to go with them to see their bedroom and toys. He quickly began to talk with us and act like he might enjoy the Hacienda of Hope after all. Angel has helped with household chores, slept in a room with all the other boys (in his own new bed), and is eating well! I have also noticed he and Jorge walking around with their arms around each other and pushing each other in play. He seems to really have adjusted quickly!
Luis is 5 years old and is very close to Gloria and Angel. Like the others, he has experienced far too much turmoil in his short life. As a result, Luis seldom smiles. We pray that laughter and smiling will become natural things for Luis as he learns about the love of God at the Hacienda of Hope.
Posted for Jerry Snyder
# posted by Jay L. @ 7:33 PM 
