We currently have 15 girls in the home, and every moment is very active! We would like to introduce you to our new girls in the home. (Go to Page)
Daniela is 15 years old. She moved into Casa Havilah in August. Daniela is doing great and has opened up so much to us. Her countenance has changed from having a downcast look to looking so happy, safe and that things are going to be okay.
Sofia is 6 years old and at first moved into the home on a temporary basis. Her mother told us that she had gone through some hard times and just needed a place for Sofia to stay while she got back on her feet. Since then we have discovered that Sofia's mother is a prostitute. Sofia will now be in the home permanently as an "at risk" child. As far as we are concerned she has not experienced any trauma related to her mothers tragic occupation. Sofia is enjoying being in the home and is always smiling and having fun. She'll sit with you and make up stories or if she is across the room from you she will start to make funny faces at you! Our visitors from the US like to call her "Latin Shirley Temple" because her head is covered in curls!
We have two sisters, Katherine and Karen, they moved into the home mid- September. Katherin is 12 years old and Karen is 10. They were both at risk and in a dangerous situation. They lived with their mother and step-father whom are both alcoholics, and their uncle who is a drug addict and glue-sniffer. They have not opened up with us about specific traumas they have experienced but from the little they have shared we thought it urgent to move them into Casa Havilah. We are very thankful that God provided room in the home and safety for them through Casa Havilah. They are still transitioning out of "survival mode", but are doing great and getting along wonderfuly with the other girls. Please remember to pray for them.
The girls continue to receive ballet class and they love it! Yaquelin has shared with us that she wants to be a professional ballerina when she grows up. We would like to send a special thank you to Woodenville Methodist Church from Woodenville, WA, who provided all of the girls with complete ballet out-fits! It has really blessed me to see Maikelin doing ballet; it shows her being a little girl who can be soft and gentle. Which is so different from her everyday rough exterior from the trauma and hurt she has received in her past. She continues to test the house moms and myself in various ways to see if she can really trust us. Please pray that God would continue to heal her from what she has experienced.
Please continue to keep all of the girls and our house moms in your prayers. We know that God has provided this home for each of the girls. Please pray that He would continue to supply all of our needs, and give us wisdom, strength, patience and over all love for this ministry that He has allowed us to take part in.?
-Melissa Buzbee
Check out our Rescue Homes page to and see pictures and meet each of the girls in Casa Havila
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Hello Everyone! Welcome to the new Open Hearts home on the World Wide Web.? We are blessed to be able to continue? providing you with updates as to the recent happenings in Open Hearts Minisitries, and now via our newly refurbished website.
We would first like to update you all with the information about the Spanish governments annoucement of "La Chureca coming to an end", however, incomplete it may be, concerning the Nicaraguan goverment along with the funding from the Spanish governement proposed answer to "ending" La Chureca.? At present, their plan is for the? people of La Chureca to be relocated 300 meters west of the dump where they will build them homes.? The government is relocating those who live in and survive off of the dump's contents in hopes that in the near future the waste from the dump will be processed and converted into an alternate energy source.? They are planning for this to be a four year project, but when they may begin is still uncertain.
How does all of this affect our school?? As of now, we are pretty certain that the school will be moved.? We have heard that?the school may be moved to where the people are being relocated, but?this?is not certain.??We have decided to hold-off on beginning any new construction projects that require significant funding.? We at Open Hearts want to make sure that the money donated to the school benefits the kids most efficiently and directly.? We will continue improving the school but all structures will only be built with the idea that it may need to be moved in the next couple of years.? Even though the people of La Chureca will be moved Colegio La Esperanza will still remain an important ministry.? The people may discountinue digging through the trash but they will still be in need of spiritual help.? The glue sniffers and alcoholics will still be glue sniffers and alcoholics.? The children abused by their parents will still be abused.? Their lives will not change by providing a nice home or another job, they will only be changed by the blood of Jesus Christ.? Colegio Cristiano La Esperanza will continue to minister to these people and speak truth into their lives.? Please continue to pray for us!
In addition, we recently celebrated Independence Day here at the school.? It truly was a beautiful sight with the girls performing traditional dances and other children reciting poems describing their flag's attributes and symbolism.? We are?currently replacing the classroom doors, and have installed a new toilet and redid plumbing the at the school.
Thank you everyone who has visited and/or worked at the school this summer.? The camps were such a thrill for the children and they are already asking when we will be having another one!? Thank you to all of the children in churches and schools who have various types of donations to these kids!
We also want to say thank you to all of you who contribute to the school and the kids financially.? Without your support all this would not be possible.?
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