Abraham Project Blog
Our work teams are here! Between June and July, we have had a huge project 0f shoring up a wall on the north side of the A.P. We needed to get a retaining wall in place soon! We have had a number of teams working on prepping rebar, mixing concrete, moving block, and more. With rainy season in tow, it’s a big project that needed to get done A.S.A.P.!
Little by little it's getting there! Thanks to all our the team members for their hard work and dilligence!
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!
We were invited to work alongside our sister church in order to help receive a team and host a kid’s sports camp! The pastors, Toby & Jocabed, are doing an amazing job reaching out to the people in their marginal community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, pastor Eddie, shared with the small congregation.
Toby & Jocabed invited four other churches to participate in the festivities. There were over 60 children who attended camp. The theme scripture during the week was:
II Timothy 2:5
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
The kids could choose to participate in soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, or swimming. Of course, tensions ran high from time to time, especially in the girl’s baseball event!
In the evenings, a special speaker shared with the children and during the daytime devotionals we had the opportunity to impart into the kid’s lives.
It was great to meet so many wonderful people and see how God is moving among the children in Panamá!
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.
The A.P. was recently awarded a $150,000.00 matching fund grant from a prominent foundation here in Costa Rica. That contribution is a great incentive for raising the other $150,000.00 we need to put the roof on our multi-use facility! Needless to say, all of the pastoral groups from our church are working hard to raise money to put towards this great project.
Today our church hosted a community wide Festival in order to raise funds. Included was our first annual Fun Run, where over 200 people from our surrounding neighborhood signed up to run either a 5 Km. or 10 Km. race. The festival goers could also enjoy mechanical bull riding, trampoline jumping, a variety of food booths, and a motorcycle show with the Soldiers for Jesus gang. Even though we are in rainy season, the weather cooperated and we had an outstanding turnout!
This week the Abraham Project hosted its very first dental outreach! The team consisted of two dentist and their assistants from the states working alongside our Costa Rican partners. They attended to 125 patients over the course of the week! A great big "Thank you" is in order to our dental team for donating their services and supplies to the people of our community!
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.
We only lack one thing to finish Phase I here at the A.P., the roof for our multi-use facility. Remarkably, in the first quarter of this year, we have received donations totaling $26,000 designated for that roof! We are excited that the Lord is moving mightily!
Last July, a couple of classical musicians offered a concert for our local community. Our guest cellist and violinist practiced, open air, in the multi-use building. We are confident that the day will come when the roof is completed and many people will be ministered to in word and in truth!
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see…” Is. 60:4
“Fútbol,” “Soccer,” whatever you like to call it … the kids here just love to play it! Recently, a couple from our church started a program on Saturday mornings. Kids (ages 10-16) from all over our neighborhood come to play and hear the Word. The vision of this new ministry is to reach the kids spritually, physically, and socially; encouraging leadership skills on and off the court. Sports evangelism is a great tool for reaching young people of all ages.
On February 23rd, Stephen, Jr. took a team from Pepperdine University, to a small church in Rio Azul. The students ministered to the kids in this extremely poor barrio with music, activities, and the word of God. Afterwards the team participated in the church’s feeding program. All the children left with a full belly and a happy heart.
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!
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!
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.!
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!
Today was bittersweet. Our church said “Adios” to good friends and co-workers in the ministry. Jonathan, Amy, and their kids have been an important part of the work we are doing here at the Abraham Project. Jonathan feels called to return to the U.S. to pursue an education in law. They have served as short term team coordinators and as our intern coordinators. They have successfully integrated into the Latin culture and are definitely leaving their mark on the people of Costa Rica. We wish them well as they follow God’s leading in their lives.
So, what is the Abraham Project? The Abraham Project is a place that reaches out beyond its four walls to a needy community. We have a heart to see our local community transformed by offering services where people can encounter the love of Jesus Christ.
The daycare center is now the second largest in the nation, serving 225 children currently.
We offer classes to our local neighbors where they can gain skills for everyday living (some classes available are: English, computer, manicure/pedicure,and cooking). We also use the classes as a platform to share Christ with the students.
The homes are set up to care for children at risk. These kids arrive with shattered lives. Here we are able to feed, clothe, educate, and share Jesus with them. It is truly a place where lives are transformed!
Every day from 8:00 to noon, lawyers from the University of Costa Rica and their law students attend to the legal needs of the people in our province. They handle any kind of dispute and give free legal advice to those seeking it. They attend to over 400 people per month!
We are still trusting that God would miraculously provide a roof for our multi-use building.
The Abraham Project is a project of faith!
"For with God nothing will be impossible."
Luke 1:37
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!
In honor of Costa Rica’s 192 years of Independence from Spain!
~ VIVA COSTA RICA! ~
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.
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!
