Ministry News!

Dear Friends, With the year coming to an end, we have been contemplating Gods’ unfathomable grace.  Grace is that intangible tangible.  It’s that thing you just can’t put your finger on, but is evident in everyday life.  It’s God abiding in us.  It’s a call to change with the power do to so.  It rises in defense of others.  It sees the hurt but chooses forgiveness.  It’s actively looking for an opportunity to show kindness.  Jesus is the embodiment of grace.  He extended grace to us first so that we could in turn extend it to our neighbor and that’s what Christmas is all about.

Two thousand fourteen has been a sweet year because we have experienced God’s goodness and grace in so many ways.  We would like to share just one of the ways God has moved with a story close to home.

Twenty years ago on a cold winter day, God blessed us with our third son.  Luke came quickly, as he was born just 8 minutes after arriving at the hospital!  Hours later, the pediatrician would deliver the report that our baby had been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.   We were shocked and could barely digest the news.  However, the Lord in his grace didn’t leave us without hope.  Over the years we have prayed Exodus 31:3 over him:  And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.   And Philippians 4:13: “Luke can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.”

We relocated to Costa Rica when he was 2 yrs. old.  We always believed that if God called our family to serve on the foreign mission field that he would provide for Luke’s’ special needs.  Over the years we have witnessed that provision.  His graduation this year from high school is an incredible milestone.  In the early days, it seemed like he would be in school forever.  Now, forever is here.  Last month, the school board at Colegio Saint Clare voted to hire Luke as part of their personnel for the upcoming 2015 school year.  He will be working in their copy department, making and delivering copies to the different departments in the school (preschool, elementary, and high school).  We trust God will continue His good work in Luke.

We encourage you to take a moment to contemplate God’s endless grace towards you and your family.  Please know that nothing could be accomplished without each of us doing his part.  Thank you for your continued support of our family through your gifts and prayers.

“The mother grace of all graces is Christian good-will” – Beecher

Merry Christmas

The Apprentice at Work!

Roberto, a 13 year old boy in our homes, is very talented artistically.  This past year we were able to hook him up with a local painter and mentor, Alfredo.  Alfredo is the very one that has painted the murals at the Abraham Project.  His work is remarkable.  Roberto is learning new techniques in order to enhance his talent through art.  I guess you can say that the apprentice is at work!

Dynamic Duo Arrives at the A.P.

Today the dynamic duo arrived on our doorstep.  Stuard and Josua are brothers with a domestic violence back ground.  Their mother has been consuming “crack” since she was 14 year old.  She has tried rehab a number of times but unfortunately has had a couple of relapses, so the boys are with us for the time being.  We are looking forward to seeing God transform their little lives.

U.S.A. Bound!

We have another praise to report!  At the beginning of September, Angela and Jefreson learned that the Office of Adoptions had found them a family from the good ole’ U.S.A.!  Sam, Janie, and their biological children, Jack and Lilly, arrived in Costa Rica on Sept. 28th.  Angela & Jefreson had been on “Cloud 9” since finding out about their new family.  The siblings have been with us for three years.  We are so excited to see how God has moved on their behalf to give them their hearts desire…their very own family.  

The Gift of Adoption!

We were happy to meet Baldomero and Maria Dolores who arrived from Spain in order to meet their adopted daughter for the very first time!  Reishel arrived at the Abraham Project a year ago, after the children's home where she was initially was closed due to an “emergency.”  Her adoption was finalized on September 24th and on October 6th they returned to Spain.  Our prayer is that God would bless this sweet family as they begin their new journey together.

Good News! Jenifer gets a Family!

Baby Jenifer gets a new mommy & daddy!  Jorge & Marita are a local couple who had recently been approved to be adoptive parents.  Jenifer came to the A.P. when she was only 19 days old.  She left in adoption just before Mother’s Day here in Costa Rica (Aug. 15th).  What an awesome Mother's Day gift!  Even though Jenifer had a close bond with our hoseparents, she has adapted well to her new home and family.

Ministry News!

We take the work we do here very seriously.  As we mentioned before, with the privilege of serving Costa Rica’s children comes an immense responsibility to be good stewards of all that He has given us, including the children in our care. Over the past ten years, the PANI has begun to recognize the difference we are making in the kids lives in comparison to other organizations.  On a number of occasions references have been made to the role “religion” plays in our institution (we know its God).  Non-Christians in places of authority are taking note that when we pray, the children change.  Dominic, the boy featured on the front page, was facing an emergency situation.  His adoptive parents were going to drop him off at the Office of Adoptions the next morning.  The office manager convened his team together, and due to the delicate nature of the boys situation they began to brainstorm as to where they should try to place him.  That same morning, our psychologist was attending a meeting at the PANI office, when she was snagged for a briefing on Dominic’s case.  The manager told her that the Abraham Project was their first choice because we are specialist in restoring children’s lives.  God is the ultimate specialist.

We are so humbled that they would notice these things about our place.  Each person who works here feels a undeniable call from God to minister to the children.  We are here to make sure that their voices are heard because God commands us to help the orphan and the fatherless.  We give the Lord all the glory for giving each one of our staff members the grace and fortitude to work hard, love well, and fight for them purposefully.

Last month we relayed the news that we have a number of cases sitting in the Office of Adoptions.  They are in the process of “promoting’ the kids with a number of adoption agencies around the globe.  We have heard that there is a potential family interested in adopting Angela & Jefreson, however, the family is waiting for their paperwork to clear immigrations here in Costa Rica.  Yamil is still waiting.  His file has been in adoptions since February.  We are trusting God will provide just the right family for a sweet boy.  Anthony & Aislinn are also on the docket waiting for a family.  Sometimes, we think that the processes are taking way to long, but God’s timetable is different than ours.  He knows how long each child needs to be here before they leave.

We want to share a story about one such boy and God’s perfect timing.  Anthony has been struggling in school.  He is super smart, but just dislikes school.  Our house parents, Esteban & Gabby, don’t have any problems with him at home.  They say that he’s obedient and helpful, however, at school and in the daycare it’s like pulling teeth!  He is disobedient and disrupts class by talking and acting out.  We have all been at our wit’s end trying to figure out how to reach him.  On July 10th, the prayer group (all women) carried out an activity with the kids in the homes.  At one point, they broke off and prayed with the children individually.  We noticed that the lady that was praying for Anthony was leading him in the sinner’s prayer.  Afterwards, she told us that unprompted Anthony told her that he wanted to accept Jesus as his Savior.  Since that day, he has been a different young man!  You can see the difference on his face.  He’s still working on his behavior at school, but he hasn’t brought home any notes from the teacher (in one week he had brought home 10 notes from the instructor about his conduct!).  Anthony has a servant’s heart.  We have often put him to clean or do something around the homes as a consequence and find him happy as a lark!  Instead of being a consequence, he finds joy in doing and working!  He has very admirable characteristics and we know God is doing good things in his heart!  Even though we would love for Adoptions to find him a family right now, we can see God at work even in the timing of things.

We have always viewed the children’s homes like a clinic for brokenhearted kids.  Our goal is for every child to leave this place as emotionally and spiritually healthy as they can before integrating into a new family.  We are so grateful for your steadfast prayers and support!

New Kid at the Homes

Today we received an emergency case from the Office of Adoptions.  Dominic had already been placed with a family when 2 weeks into the bonding process, they decided to give him back.  Adoptions was in desperate need to find a good facility for him.  We accepted the case and are happy to have the 7 year old with us.  The plan is to continue looking for a loving family for this sweet boy!

Answered Prayer!

We are overjoyed to share, that in just 6 days after the hearing of the Pilarte sibling’s case, the judge has ruled in favor of the children.  They have been declared abandoned!  Thanks to all who have been praying and interceding on behalf of this case.  The children wept when they received the news of this answered prayer!  

Ministry News!

As we mentioned in our last newsletter, we have been serving the children in this country for a decade.  With that privilege comes an immense responsibility to do things God’s way and to be good stewards of all that He has given us, including the children in our care.  With that in mind, we decided to undertake the arduous task of evaluating every area of the children’s homes to see if we are serving the children well.  Our psychologist, Marcelle, has had extensive meetings with each member of our personnel, the children, and ourselves.  We have also been conducting “surprise” observations of the homes and meeting for group therapy sessions.  This exercise has been intense, at times difficult, but instrumental in highlighting the areas that we, as an organization and individuals, need to improve upon.  Through it all, we have prayed that the Lord would give each of us open hearts to see our deficiencies and make the necessary changes, even though it may be painful.  In that way, we can better minister to the children God has placed in our trust and make a greater impact on their lives. Ten year old Reishel recently found out that she will have a new family in Spain.  In May, she began contact via SKYPE with them.  Her parents are fun-loving and gregarious.  However, a couple of weeks ago, she had a “mini” crisis and began telling everyone that she did not want to go to Spain.  Since arriving at the project last August, she has made a very close friendship with another little girl in the daycare center.  She began telling the social worker that her friend’s family was going to adopt her.  She has seemed a bit ambivalent in her desire to go abroad.  The social worker from the Office of Adoptions and our own psychologist have worked diligently with her in recent weeks.  They have had to make it very clear to Reishel that she will not be adopted by her friend’s family here in Costa Rica.  She seems to have overcome her fears and is moving forward in the process to be part of a family in Spain.  The Office of Adoptions thinks that within the next two weeks or so, her parents can be arriving in the country.  Please pray that all her fears will be quieted, and that she will trust that God has the perfect family just for her.

Good news!  For those of you who have prayed for the Pilarte siblings (Isaac, Roberto, Sharon, & Sol), family court has finally given us a date for their hearing.  Wednesday, June 18th at 8:30 a.m. their case will finally be heard after six years of waiting, praying, and striving with government officials.  We are hopeful that the judge will make a ruling in favor of the children and declare them abandoned.  This hearing is only for her to hear their case.  Later, there will be a sentencing date, where the judge’s decision will be made public.  Pray that this judge will exercise sound wisdom and judgment and rule on behalf of the siblings.

Sometimes it seems like we are stagnant around here.  The kids’ cases seem to take an eternity to resolve; meanwhile they just keep getting bigger and bigger.  All that just means that it makes it more difficult for the Office of Adoptions to place them with a family when they are finally declared abandoned.  We have a number of cases that have finally moved to the last stage of finding adoptive families.  Please pray for Angela (10 yrs.) & Jefreson (7 yrs.).  They are siblings who have been with us for 3 years.  Also, Anthony (11 yrs.) & his little sister Aislinn (7 yrs.) have been declared abandoned.  Their case is currently at Adoptions and we are praying for a family soon.  Lastly, Yamil’s (10 yrs.) case has been at the Office of Adoptions since February.  They have been promoting him with adoption agencies in Spain and Italy.  Because all these kids are “older,” their cases have to promoted with agencies in other countries.  Most people want to adopt little guys and aren’t to interested in pre-adolescent kids.  Up to now, every child that has come through our doors and been declared abandoned has left in adoption.  Even though they are “older” it might be harder to place them, but not impossible.  Please believe with us that God will provide families for all of these children.  Thanks for your faithful prayers to this end!

Sebastian

Today we received Sebastian, a three year old boy, into our homes.  He is the product of domestic abuse and parents who are drug addicts.  PANI is in the process of declaring him abandoned so that he can be adopted soon.  They have asked our psychologist to help prepare him for a potential new family.  Please pray that his transition at the Abraham Project will be smooth and that he will feel the love of Jesus in this place.

Ministry News

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.

Ministry News!

We started January out with a Joshua Expeditions team.  They bring their group members out for a day or two to do social work in the host country.  This time they brought a group of 45 youth to the A.P.  The kids worked hard moving lumber to our new “bodega” (warehouse) on our new lot.  So thankful for young people who are willing to serve wherever and whenever needed! Southside Christian Church brought an all men’s team down in order to construct a Sunday School area for a local church in Rio Azul (near the Abraham Project).  The team had to dig out a basement and put up walls and flooring.  Pastor Gilbert was delighted to have the guys there in order to get a much needed job completed!  Now the kids will have a place of their own where they can learn about Jesus!

As far as news from the children’s homes, at the end of last year we had two sets of siblings returned to their families.  Kevin and Maria Celeste had been with us for five months.  Their biological parents did everything that the PANI asked them to do in order to regain their children.  During this process, we had a meeting with the local office and expressed our concerns of reuniting the family.  Kevin struggles with low self esteem issues brought on by an alcoholic step father and an absent mother.  This is the part of the job that is so hard to deal with.  Sometimes it seems like PANI looks out for the interest of the parents rather than those of the children they are supposed to protect.

Jimena and Scarleth were also given back to their mother.  The sisters were only with us for four months.  Their mother was a victim of domestic violence, as were the girls.  Their mother has “supposedly” left that partner and is now raising the girls on her own.  Scarleth, the youngest, cried a lot before she left.  She told our house parents that she did not want to go back.  It’s interesting that even though she was here a short time, she knew exactly where she came from and didn’t want to go back.  Thankfully, their time here was a lesson in unconditional love and the knowledge that to Father God they are priceless!

We are pleased to announce the Kindergarten Graduation of Jefreson and Aislinn on December 11th.  The kids enjoyed their graduation and afterwards an outing with the tios to Pizza Hut.  We are so proud of them.  Please pray for a smooth transition to first grade, as that can be a big adjustment for any child.

Good News!  Good News!  All the kids in the homes passed the school year!  We have made an exception and decided to hold Sol back in first grade, due to a maturity issue.  We feel like this is in her best interest and will help her in the future.

Since Isaac is one of the older kids in the homes, we have decided that instead of going to daycare he will be working with Bruce, our resident missionary.  This has turned out to be a very good thing for him, as he has had to clean a dirty refrigerator in the multi use building, paint, put up a new clothes line for the children’s homes, and more.  This will go a long way in teaching him skills for his future, plus personal responsibility.

We do not take lightly your faithful support over the years.  We trust that as you continue to give, the Lord will pour out His blessings on all that you set your hands to do!

Merry Christmas!

The kids in the children’s home enjoyed a very merry Christmas this year.  A number of organizations blessed them with gifts of toys and clothing.  We were also able to purchase a portable basketball goal for the children.  We decided to put it in the multi-use area so that the kids can enjoy endless hours of basketball fun!  Woo-Hoo!

Lil' Angel

Today we received a sweet lil' angel.   Ángel has been in a public institution since he was three days old.  He is now six months and the PANI is planning to declare him abandoned.  House parents, Gabby & Esteban, have taken him into their home.  He is a sweet baby boy and we are thrilled to have him here at the A.P.!

Ministry News!

Philippians 2:7

“He gave up His place with God and made himself nothing.  He was born to be a man and became like a servant.”

The passage in Philippians reminds us that Christ willingly left glory and came to earth in order to relate to mankind.  He humbled Himself and became like a servant.  As we focus on Jesus as our example, we see His willingness to lay aside His divinity to adopt the lowly form of man.  His attitude reflects one of unselfish behavior, humility, and servant hood.  He was born in a unpretentious manger.  As a man, He didn’t choose wealth or position, but instead He came to serve.  Sometimes our Christian walk may require laying aside “our right” in order to esteem and value others more than ourselves .  There is great blessing in service to others.

On a recent trip to the states, we had the incredible occasion to visit a set of three siblings that had been recently adopted.  We had the opportunity to witness the arrival of the adoptive family in Costa Rica and God gave us the privilege of seeing the “other side” of adoption as well.  The kids are picking up the language, adapting to their new home, making friends, and connecting with their new family!  Our hats are off to all of our adoptive families.  They are the true “servants” that God uses to fulfill the dreams of these children!  The families are willing to stand in the gap to battle insecurities, educational and language issues, and emotional up’s and down’s, all the while loving the kids!  These families are literally laying aside their desires in order to serve the children.  Their act of love will not go unnoticed by the King of the universe!

Another year has come and almost gone!  Serving the Lord has been so hard in so many ways, but it has also been the most rewarding thing we have ever done.  It is through giving and serving that we find ourselves.  God desires to use you to serve others and deliver the good news of His promises.  This Christmas season look for ways you can imitate Christ by serving others.  The opportunities are always before you, it’s just a matter of recognizing them and then acting upon them!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ministry News!

As we mentioned last month, we are finally on an upswing with new kids in the homes.  We have since received one more girl into the children’s homes.  Rachel came to us in September.  She has meshed with the other “big” girls in her house (Angela and Sharon).  We are currently at 16 kids in the homes with 8 in each house.  Needless to say, our house parents are very, very busy, but they are rock stars and we love them! With that said, our beloved Candace is expecting a baby girl very soon.  She and Aaron were blessed with a couple of baby showers and they seem to be set (as ready as one can be) to receive their daughter.  Candace’s parents and sister arrived in the country and will be here to welcome their new grandchild/niece into the world.  All the kids in the home are anticipating the arrival of baby Chanel.  What a neat experience for the kids to be a part of!

This past February, one of the maids in the homes, fell and injured her spinal column.  She was given a medical leave of absence and was away for five months before returning again.  During that time, she received therapy, shots, medical follow-ups and such.  She returned to work at the end of July.  Everyone (especially our house parents) were ecstatic to have her back.  We had been limping along with a couple of ladies from the church that were gracious enough to help fill in.  Unfortunately, we received another call from the maid last week.  As she was leaving work (it was raining), she slipped and fell again, re-injuring her back!  We took her to the hospital and after a full check up, the doctor has put her on another medical leave.  We don’t expect her to be back before the end of the year.  Please keep our maid in your prayers.  She is believing God for a full and speedy recovery.  We know that there is nothing impossible for God!

We bid, “Adios” to our very last intern for the 2013 year.  Hannah was very instrumental the last few weeks in the homes.  With the maid’s absence, she filled in and did everything from changing poopy diapers, to bathing babies, serving food, putting kids in bed at night, and kitchen duty.  She, like all the young people who have come down, have had a heart to serve the neediest ones.  God commands us to look after the orphans and the widows.  Thank you interns for your drive, your passion, and your dedication to advancing God’s Kingdom work!

John 16:33 admonishes us, “...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  One house parent recently told us that the children in our homes are his heroes.  He explained that he learns something new from every child that comes through his door.  No matter what trial or difficulty  they have had to endure, children have a resilience that helps them move ahead.  They have an ability, with God’s help, to rise up out of the ashes.  God is doing great things in the lives of these kids!

Thank you for your constant, unwavering support!

Rachel Arrives!

Today, Rachel arrived at the children’s homes here at the A. P.  Her case was an “emergency” due to the fact that PANI was in the process of shutting down the children’s home where she was living.  There is currently an investigation in process.  Rachel is sweet 9 yr. old who makes good grades in school.  She has meshed with the other “big” girls in her house (Angela and Sharon).  Rachel has been declared abandoned, so it’s possible that she could get an adoptive family soon.  

Ministry News!

This summer has been extremely busy for us, however, in all the chaos the Lord never stops challenging us.  Recently, someone shared a word of encouragement.  They told us that the Abraham Project is a lighthouse in our marginal community.  It has been placed as a beacon light to warn others of impending danger, and secondly, the A.P. is a beachhead in enemy territory.  A beachhead is a defended position on a beach, taken from the enemy, from which an attack can be launched!  We have a strategic mission to accomplish!  As part of God’s army, we are tirelessly working the frontlines on behalf of all the little people who cannot defend themselves. During the past couple of months, we have hosted groups from Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and Washington.  They have helped in every way imaginable: cleaning gutters, painting buildings and fences at the A.P., concrete work, working in the daycare, activities with the children in the homes, working at a local feeding program, sharing at a cell group for unwed mothers, and much more.  For the third year in a row, Team Kentucky was able to go to Rincon de Osa (in the southernmost part of Costa Rica) to aide a church in a rural community.  They sanded and painted the inside walls, mixed concrete by hand in order to build a sidewalk and columns in front of the church.  We are thrilled to be able to help the body of Christ in tangible ways!

It seemed that since the beginning of the year we had been a bit stagnant.  Turn over in the homes had come to a stand still.  After our trip to the U.S earlier this year, we began calling our local PANI offices soliciting more cases.  For some strange reason, nothing was happening.  We had a couple of calls here and there but not much to speak of.  However, over the past couple of months, we have received call after call soliciting space for sibling groups and individual kids.  Thankfully, we have been able to fill the vacancies and currently have 15 children here.

Last month, we hosted a church from Virginia for the very first time  They brought with them professional classical musicians and an opera singer.  One afternoon they gave a private concert for the children in the homes!  What a special treat!  The concert was very much an interactive experience as they musicians involved the kids as much as possible.  Afterwards, the kids were able to ask questions about their particular instruments (cello, violin, and flute) and received some hands-on training.  These kinds of experiences are invaluable!  They help broaden the children’s horizons and allows them to dream of perhaps doing something similar themselves one day!

We are fighting for the wellbeing of every child in our homes.  By giving to Operation Abraham you are contributing to the neediest ones.  Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will abound with blessings…”  The Lord will not forget your commitment to the children of Costa Rica!

A Helping Hand!

We are extremely grateful that a local swimming facility called Aquanautas has provided free swimming lessons for one of the boys in our homes.   Jefreson's instructor has told us that he has natural ability in the water.  Jefreson loves going to the pool and showing off for us!  Thank you Aquanautas for giving Jefreson a helping hand!