A new chapter..

 Wow! I apologize for letting so much time go by before writing another blog update for all our wonderful friends and family that are supporting this ministry with their love and prayers. As 2011 was wrapping up, Samy and I were facing some challenging situations and we knew that some aspects of our lives would have to change in order to accommodate to our new role as parents. Yes!! We are now very proud parents of our little Alejandro Kaleb! He was born on our 1st anniversary - 10/10/11. He was a little one (2 1/2 kilos) but from day one he has a strong will and lots of energy! We thank God everyday for having given us a beautiful, healthy baby! He is now 5 months old and we have gotten through the "tough" stage of colic and reflux. It was definitely a rough start for me as a mom but with His guidance and love, we all made it through and can testify that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".  =) 

      Now, where does Dulce Refugio fit into all of this? That was the big question by the end of last year! After several months of being a mother.. I knew for sure that things would never be the same. So, now what? I felt like I didn't have the energy or the ability to be of any use in Dulce Refugio (at least not full time) but at the same time, what would I do if I left the ministry completely? I felt very lost and frustrated. But, we continued to pray and by the end of December God gave us another assignment. We decided to move to the "hotel" that had been donated to Alto Refugio. We were asked to administrate the "hotel" that had been closed since it was donated. Alto Refugio decided to re-open it so as to cover the costs of maintenance and in this way the building would be in use while we work on the long legal process of getting the Women's hospice ready. So, that is my new job, as you have probably read in my latest news/support letter.
    Ok, so, what happens with Dulce Refugio in the meantime? God had already been preparing answers and people a long time ago to cover this area. Last year in June, Beto and Elsa Hein (the new administrators in Alto Refugio) arrived. They are a wonderful, dynamic couple that are serving the Lord passionately along side my parents in Alto Refugio. Elsa was a school teacher for many years in the Chaco and loves to work with children. So, she is now taking over the "childrens room" and all the activities and parties that are to be planned for the children. She is doing a wonderful job and it was already very necessary to have someone working along side the teacher and directing the activities on a daily basis which is something I was very often not able to do since I was coordinating several other areas as well. As of right now the Dulce Refugio team consists of Elsa as coordinator and Yoana is our full time teacher. She is another answer to prayer and a wonderful person to have working with our kids.

 Playing games with kids and volunteers at the 

                                                                                  birthday party in Dulce Refugio!

    At first, once we were finally moved and settled into life at the "hotel", I thought I would have to "give up" Dulce Refugio completely. But, I think I have found my spot to be of some help yet in this precious ministry! We have one area that was pretty much dropped after several girls from our team last year quit. We had a social worker and a psychologist working on cases where children were in situations of abuse, either being physical, sexual or psychological. Those cases were all dropped last year and someone has to do the follow up and help these children and that is where I want to help. It is one of the areas I have worked in and helped in the past and I hope and pray that with His help, love and strength, we can touch these childrens lives and take away some of the pain and give them a fair chance in life. I will be working together with some other staff members in Alto Refugio and I ask that you would PLEASE have us in your prayers as we work for and with these children. I ask that God would help us to see these children through His eyes and that He would guide us to find answers and hope for these children that have been battered by lifes blows. Pray for these children that we know are in situations of abuse, that they may find answers and healing in Him!
    Another prayer request: with all the work that is now ahead of me, I am looking, hoping, searching and praying for a helper here at home. Kaleb, as I said earlier, is a very active, social baby and demands a lot of attention. I want to be there for him as much as possible but between keeping up with Kaleb, being a wife and trying to keep our apartment clean.. I seem to be running in circles and never get through my list of "things to do". So, we are praying that God would help us find a young girl that would be available to help with the cleaning and looking after Kaleb during some hours of the day. I know that in His time, He will bring the right person.. just like He always has done in Dulce Refugio! =) So good to know we have a wonderful Father that is looking out for us and gives us what we need at the right time.

Never a dull moment with these boys in the house! =) 

   Thank you all once again for your prayers, love and support! Please write me some time so I know that I'm not writing to thin air! It's encouraging and refreshing to hear from anyone (especially now that I am a stay at home mom and don't get out like I used to!). May the Lord continue to bless you all and shine His love and warmth in your homes!

At the birthday party we celebrated in Dulce Refugio!
Kaleb has his fans already!