Hope for Home Ministry–2014 Year-end Report

As I look back on 2014, I can honestly say that it was the most challenging and difficult year of my ministry. At the same time, I would also say that it was one of the most fruitful. As is often the case, God has used adversity and pain to produce a harvest.

Hogar de la Esperanza:

Those challenges began on January 6^th when our little Esperanza left our arms and went to the arms of Jesus. While we knew this was coming, it was still a very painful loss. We still feel her absence in our home, but we rejoice in knowing that she is now whole and with her heavenly Daddy. During the days surrounding her death we were blessed by the community that surrounds us as they helped with her funeral, visited our home and even dug Esperanza’s grave. Through our loss we also experienced great gain as we came to better understand the blessings and provisions of God.

Then, exactly six months later on July 6^th we lost little Thania. This was a sudden and traumatic loss as we had believed her to have turned the corner in her health. But a chest cold took a sudden turn for the worse that resulted in respiratory distress. She stopped breathing in route to the hospital and, despite administering CPR, we were unable to save her. Her autopsy report showed that she had undiagnosed cystic fibrosis which resulted in her sudden downturn. None of the specialists had spotted this as they had told us repeatedly that her breathing problems were simply a result of her cerebral palsy.

The children in our home are loved as our own children, so to lose two of them so close together was devastating for us all. Yet God is faithful, and we have experienced His healing and faithfulness through it all.

During this same time, we were also facing fatigue. Our group home had opened in August of 2013 and, in spite of our best preparation and planning, it still took a while to get all areas of our home running smoothly. For the first nine months Wanda and I were running on the edge of exhaustion almost constantly. This was aggravated by some staffing issues that left us understaffed and without a cohesive team that worked well together. Yet, with God’s help, we persevered.

If you were to enter our home and observe our ministry first-hand today you would see the finest staff and volunteers that you could find anywhere. Our home is organized, every worker is like family and the schedule flows smoother than I ever dared to dream. My wife, Wanda, and done a fantastic job of organizing and managing the household and every child receives top-notch care, therapy, stimulation and love. We have come through the fire and the results have been refinement.

Before we opened Hogar de la Esperanza our prayer was that God would make us a model for other homes. We wanted to exceed the greatest expectations of the government, the courts and the community that surrounds us. I believe God has answered that prayer. In each hearing for our children the judges have praised the care we are providing and note the progress they are making. In one instance, the judge wept and told me, “I never dreamed that she could make this much progress, and your home has done it in only one month!” And each time we are quick to give credit to Jesus Christ, the true Leader of our home.

Still, we are looking to improve more. We care for these children for the glory of God, and we want Him reflected in everything we do. So each week I see changes and improvements in both the care of the children and the efficiency of the household.

Since opening our home we have received 14 children, including Esperanza and Thania who are now with Jesus. We are currently full with the 12 that are in our home. This means we are saying “No” a lot. Usually two or three times a week we are called by the courts and asked if we can receive another child. This has resulted in our turning away around 130 children since our home opened. And this grieves us deeply. It is always hard to say “No” to a child in need, but we cannot continue to provide quality care and attention if we keep adding children. So, we have to leave them in the hands of God until we can open additional homes.

Ruedas de Esperanza (Wheels of Hope):

Meanwhile our rural village ministry, Wheels of Hope, continues to flourish under the leadership of Dale Beyer. In 2014 we have ministered in 25 different villages to 78 families on a monthly basis. In addition, we have ministered to another 43 families with one time provision of equipment (22 wheelchairs, 3 walkers, 3 sets of crutches) or with regular visits for training, encouragement, or special resources.

In addition, this ministry also took its first tentative steps into micro-financing as we gave our first loan to Juana in San Pablo La Laguna. She used those funds to begin a small business which sells items which are not otherwise available in San Pablo. She has converted this $125.00 loan into a growing business that is enabling her and her son to find independence and confidence. In the coming year we are hoping to give addition loans to other families and expand this area of ministry.

Staffing:

Meanwhile, we have made some excellent additions to our staff. In January Manuel Moran joined our staff the Home Coordinator. He is responsible for taking all the children to all the court hearings and doctor appointments, which are quite numerous. He does a fantastic job of representing our ministry and proclaiming Jesus Christ as he does so. As a result, he will be transitioning into a more prominent role in the coming year.

In June Anny Lopez joined our ministry as a nanny. We could not ask for a better worker or friend. She loves the children and has become a part of our family. Because of her excellent work we are increasing her responsibilities in the coming year.

Gerardo Hernandez continues to be an excellent right hand man to our ministry. He does a fantastic job of helping coordinate our rural village ministry. He is also a networker and continues to connect us with valuable resources.

Dale Beyer has done a wonderful job of directing the rural village ministry, Wheels of Hope. His work has been priceless during this time of ministry growth as my attention has been needed in other areas. This area of work has thrived under his direction. At the same time, Anita Beyer has faithfully served to assist with the hosting of teams, coordinating interns and all around support.

And, last but not least, April Clark has served as our Ministry Coordinator and has been priceless to me. She is responsible for coordinating teams, including scheduling, communication and leading them on the ground. In addition, she has assumed a lion’s share of administrative paperwork for me, including much of our bookkeeping. Finally, she has played a key role in helping our growing ministry get organized. I can honestly say that I don’t know what I would have done without her over the last year.

Looking Ahead:

As we head into 2015, God has helped me see clearly the next steps that need to be taken. We have already begun taking steps in each of these areas, and we are excited about what God is doing.

1) Development of Effective Training Programs

It is important for our ministry to multiply in order to more effectively minister. This multiplication needs to occur in two areas: 1) The opening of additional group homes for children with special needs. 2) Equipping of strategic people in rural villages and the US to minister to those with special needs.

In order to facilitate this multiplication, we are developing a training program to educate individuals and families regarding the causes, manifestations, treatment and care of children and adults with special needs, and to provide them with hands-on experience in working with those who have special needs. This will enable those who have a desire to begin ministry to those with disabilities to be properly equipped.

This training will be offered to the following:

o Those considering opening a group home for children with special needs either in Guatemala or other nations.

o Individuals and churches in the rural villages of Guatemala who desire to minister to disabled individuals in their community.

o Anyone who desires to do similar ministry in the US.

o Parents who have children with special needs or who are adopting such a child.

Our desire is that by providing this training we can inspire and equip others to multiply the work we are currently doing, both in Guatemala and around the world.

2) Increased Independence of Sponsored Families

Our desire in working with families in the village setting is to help them come to know Jesus while improving their lives. However, there is a fine balance between assistance and creating dependence. We do not want our work to consist of monthly handouts and prayer, but to instead give them practical tools that they can use to better provide and care for their families over the long-term.

As stated earlier, we took our first step into micro-financing this year and deem it to be a huge success. As we head into 2015 we are looking for ways to do more of the same. Dale Beyer, who has been leading our rural village ministry, will be transitioning into the role of Special Projects Coordinator. His ministry will be to oversee special initiatives to provide a hand-up approach to families and to streamline our ministry.

Currently he is investigating the development and building of hydroponic systems that families can use to grow healthy vegetable in their home for a very small monthly cost. Under this model, a US sponsor could provide the one-time cost of a hydroponic system to a family that would provide years of healthy food instead of the sponsorship of monthly food or assistance.

In addition, he is developing local businesses that can provide an income for families with a small start-up cost. This will enable us to reduce or eliminate monthly assistance and work with more families.

Under this model, we would be able to find families in need and provide short-term assistance of immediate needs while developing and implementing a plan for long-term independence.

3) Guatemalans As Leaders:

As Dale transitions out of his role as the leader of our rural village ministry, Manuel Moran will be stepping into his spot. Manuel is a true man of God and a very effective evangelist. He will be working alongside Gerardo Hernandez who has been a part of our rural village ministry since day one. Together they will lead the day-to-day operation of our village ministry.

Because their medical and wheelchair experience is very limited, I will continue to be involved in the assessments of new families and wheelchair seatings. Likewise, Dale will continue to be involved by working with families on special projects and business development.

This is a very positive step for several reasons. First, Guatemala needs more examples of Guatemalans as ministers helping other Guatemalans. Second, this will make is easier to connect with families as it removes both cultural and language barriers. (Both Dale and I have come a long way in our Spanish, but we both still have a ways to go in order to effectively communicate the nuances of the Gospel and deep-seated emotions.) Third, Manuel and Gerardo are both excellent at sharing the heart of God and the Gospel. I believe this will lead to more transformed lives through the power of Jesus Christ.

As I look ahead to 2015 I have every reason to believe that it will be another year of growth. But, more importantly, I believe it will be the year that we hit our stride. Every person on our team will be serving in their area of passion and calling, and I believe we will be far more effective at sharing the Gospel.

Over the last four years God has built our ministry and helped us to become known and respected. The people with whom we work know that we are more than just words. They see our faith and love for God and them and, as a result, are ready to listen. May Jesus Christ be glorified and known in 2015!

For each of you that have prayed, supported and encouraged, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for investing in the Kingdom of God in Guatemala!

I also want to remind you that we do not send out newsletters from our ministry. However, if you would like to keep up-to-date on ministry happenings you can do so at my blog at www.hopeforhome.blogspot.com. There is a spot there where you can sign-up to receive those blog posts via e-mail so that you can remain closely in touch. You are also welcome to write me directly at daryl@hopeforhome.org.

Because of Him!

Daryl I Fulp

Director, Hope for Home Ministries