A Decade of Ministry
On April 1, 2004 (April Fool’s Day), we opened the doors of our children’s home for the very first time! That was ten years ago! The Thomas family served as the first “substitute” family for children whose lives were shattered due to abuse, neglect, and abandonment. We filled that role for 14 months before employing our first Costa Rican house parents in 2005. The dream God established in our hearts to aid the children of Costa Rica (and some Nicaraguans) has had it’s challenges, like anything worth fighting for. We have forged relationships with the Ministry of Health, the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), and the Office of Adoptions in order to serve the children well. Thankfully, the majority of our relationships with these governing bodies is favorable, and we have established ourselves as a nationally recognized NGO (non-governmental organization) that works with quality and excellence. However, we are known for fighting for our kids, something that most institutions do not do. That has gained us a reputation of being “difficult” in some circles. We sincerely believe that we are here to be the voice for the children God brings across our doorstep. Proverbs 31:8-9 is a call to justice: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Over the past ten years, we have had the privilege of receiving and restoring a number of kids. We have always known that we would not reach the masses, simply because we never wanted a warehouse with 500 kids, where they were just a number. Last July we received a nine year old boy from another institution. Gaby, our house parent, told us that as she went through his personal items, she noted that his things were marked with a great big “#14.” As tears welled up in her eyes, she felt angry as she realized that in the other children’s home he was just known as number 14. Today that boy is in a place where he feels like he belongs. He is more than a number. He is valuable!
Our family style children’s homes have housed 76 needy children to date. Of those children, 29 have been declared abandoned and adopted. We currently have children in Costa Rica, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the United States. We are so thankful that these kids have had the opportunity to receive the gift of family! The others have been returned to their biological parents or extended families, and a very small number have been moved to different institutions.
Currently we have 13 children living at the Abraham Project, and the work our team does is invaluable. We have the opportunity to shape little lives and impact them for an eternity. We are humbled when we hear that a child adopted to parents in Italy is evangelizing her new family. We have come to realize that God has a greater purpose than just one child getting a mommy & daddy, but for an entire family to be adopted into God’s own family!
The homes have been a place where the children can feel accepted and loved. We work hard to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We are very aware of the fact that we can give them everything: a home, clothing, food, and an education, but if we don’t offer them Jesus we haven’t given them anything at all. Only in Christ can they overcome the difficulties of the past, forgive those who have hurt them, and become all that God has planned for them.
How can we express our gratitude for your faithfulness in ministry over a decade? The lives of many children have been changed over these ten years. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering love and support. Everything that has been accomplished could not have been done without the faithfulness and determination of the body of Christ.
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.