It's as simple as watermelons!

When our bus isn’t working I am often asked to help transport our girls to/from school. These aren’t our girls (I can’t publicize their faces) but it gives you an idea what it looks like with 10 girls in the car: 2 in the passenger seat, 4 in the back seat, and 4 in the back hatch area.

 We’re in the watermelon season and one day I was bringing the girls back from school I saw this group of watermelons on the street corner. I stopped and bought 6 watermelons – with your donations! – so the girls could have a special treat. Although they are well cared for, they don’t often get treats like this. I tried to place the watermelons in the back on the floor, but each girl wanted to carry one in their lap!

This story is special because it shows how we are able to use your donations exactly where

we see a need – or treat, in this case!
 

Let us know how YOU’D like to make a special treat for the girl and we’ll see what we can do! If you have questions, it’s best to check with Sandy!

Dolls and Doll Clothes

Sandy recently returned from her five week trip back to the US. During that trip she shared a simple need we have here for the girls: a lack of dolls and their clothes. Some of the girls had dolls, others did not. Most dolls come from the store new with just paper clothes. Sandy started making doll clothes but then realized that would be a good project for some of the groups that wanted to help us. Hence, she was able to bring back dolls for the girls that had none and doll clothes for everyone.

We numbered the dolls 1-14 and each girls picked a number from a bowl - the numbers were on folded paper so they didn't know which number they had. Sandy sorted the doll clothes into plastic bags so each girl got 2 sets of doll clothes.

Her favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast. A couple of days before we held this event, she had seen this Belle doll, knew the doll would be given to one of the girls, and wanted it for herself, so she started praying that she would get the doll. The topic of the monthly women's meeting at church was meekness, and how we need to let God be in control. It turns out that she stopped praying to receive the doll, and mimicking the Master, prayed not my will but your will, God. When she drew her number she got Belle! God used this to increase her faith as well as show her His love.

This girl is 11 years old and this is the first doll she has ever had.

You put the smiles on these girls' faces!

¡Estoy Super Feliz! - I am Super Happy

¡Estoy Super Feliz! said Myrian after we presented to her the combination food processor / blender YOU provided for her.

Yep - if you are donating to our ministry here at Su Refugio, this is a sample of what we are doing with those donations. We are acting as a channel for your donations to go straight to the needs at this facility, caring for children and helping women support their families.

We have 20 girls that live here, plus two caretakers at all times. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays we open the comedor (dining area) to another 80 or 90 neighborhood children so they can have nutritious meals three days a week. Obviously Myriam has a lot of food preparation to do and now that is much easier, thanks to YOUR donations.

The older girls often helped cut the vegetables for soups and other meals. Just after preparing this batch, we presented to her the new food processor YOU provided.

 

Giving thanks to God for His provision through you, our donors and supporters.

If you are already donating, you know how good it feels to be part of God's work here. If you would like to be part of this ministry, and know that 100% of your dollars go straight to the need, follow this link and click on SUPPORT BILL AND SANDY. You can mail checks to United World Mission in Charlotte, NC or you can give online (Designation: Missionary, then select us in the dropdown list).
Your donation is 100% tax-deductible!

Right Place, Right Time - Overcome with Joy!

On Sunday, October 12, 2014…

• Sandy was at a reception hosted by our friends Jamie and Gidget Graham and was presenting what we do at Su Refugio to our support team
• Jessica was in Las Vegas with her daughters enjoying family time by a swimming pool
• Brian went to a Redskins football game with his son
• I was in Paraguay celebrating the fourth anniversary of the children’s home at Su Refugio

I love my wife, my children and my grandchildren, but I am overcome with joy that I was able to celebrate with my “family” here. You see, we are caring for 20 girls (actually God is caring for them by using us as His instruments), girls that were living in high-risk situations in their homes, girls that the government pulled from their homes and placed with us. When these girls arrive they are usually shy and often reclusive; not because of their personality but because of fear from their previous living conditions. It can take days, weeks or months – sometimes years – before they are able to be “normal” again.

Today…

-- I saw pictures of four years worth of children that have passed through this refuge – and every one is special!

-- I received hugs from many of these girls.

-- I saw these girls in their dresses they only wear on special occasions.

-- I heard the testimony of a 13-year old girl that was baptized last week and knows that God wants her to become a missionary and study at Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) in Argentina.

-- I heard these girls sing “Jesus Loves Me.”

Today I was overcome with joy that I am now part of what God started here four years ago, using Wilfrido and Elisa Talavera, Scott and Michelle Kvandal, and so many others.

Yes, I miss my wife, children and grandchildren, but I would not trade what I experienced tonight for anything. It was an amazing night. Thanks be to God!

What Happened in August!

Newsletter - July 27, 2014

Urgent Need in the Comedor

   Three days per week, Pastor Pablo drives the Su Refugio bus into town and picks up 90-95 children we have identified as not receiving proper nutrition. We bring them out and give them a nourishing meal for their bodies and a spiritual message for their souls.

   A local organization had been contributing food and financial donations but has scaled back their support and we now do not have enough resources to continue at this level. The total cost for this operation, transportation and food, is about $180 per week, or $2 per child – about 67 cents per meal.

   You have an opportunity to make a difference. By contributing just $10/week ($40/month), you can keep five children on this list. 100% of your donation would go to the children – we are covering the overhead and administrative expenses. 

   Although all donations are appreciated, for this need we are really looking for repeating donations, weekly or monthly, for any amount. Include in the Memo or Comment section the word “comedor” and we will make sure your donation goes straight to the comedor!