NLAI Ministry Update | November 2021 |
|
“Are the contributions and efforts invested into NLAI ministries positively impacting lives, families, and communities? Are they bearing fruit?”
|
|
Dear Friends,
The questions above are some of the most common ones that I am asked as the President of NLAI. I thought the best way to answer was to hear from people whose lives have been forever impacted by the support of our donors. So, I asked NLAI’s Director of Pastoral Care, Rob Mehner, to chat with some former residents from New Life Children’s Home, one of our ministries in Guatemala.
Now adults, these former kids came to NLCH from a dangerous world full of neglect and abuse. They grew up at NLCH and are living independently out in “the world.” Below is Rob’s summary of their conversation.
Blessings,
Kendon Wheeler,
NLAI President
|
|
We'd like to introduce you to five former NLCH kids, we'll call them alumni, who are now adults who are living and working out in the world. Read below for a summary of their answers, OR, we strongly recommend that you take the time to read the full interview; it ABSOLUTELY will be worth your time!
|
|
Gladys Alicia Garcia Villeda is 35 years old, married to Milton, and mother to Mia (3) and Benjamin (1). She lives at NLCH and works as a house parent in the girls’ houses.
|
|
Hilda Estela Sandoval Estrada is 38, single, lives in San Miguel Petapa (near Villa Nueva) and is a teacher at New Life Christian School.
|
|
Mildred Yamileth Gonzales is single, lives with her brother Kevin about a mile from NLCH, and is a teacher at New Life Christian School.
|
|
Jon David Pelen is 39 years old, married to Kim, father to twins Lucia and Samuel Pelen (3). He lives in Canada and works as a missionary to reach and disciple Latino people from Guatemala and Mexico.
|
|
Jefferson Enrique (“Giovanni”) Valdez Tocora is 23 years old, single, and lives in the Frutal area of Villa Nueva. He works in a company that manufactures clothing for large retail outlets like Walmart, and plays on as many soccer teams as his schedule permits.
|
|
Q: From your current perspective, what was one of the best things about growing up at NLCH?
A: Each one said, in some way, that the loving, caring, supportive relationships were the best part of growing up at NLCH. Additionally, the majority mentioned two other things. First, how the unconditional love and consistent focus on biblical principles and discipleship resulted in their own, deep faith in Jesus. Second, they understand and are grateful for the strong education they received and how it has allowed them to find employment and operate intelligently in the world.
Q: From your current perspective, what was one of the hardest things about growing up at NLCH?
A: The circumstances and resulting consequences that brought them to NLCH were most often mentioned as the hardest thing about living at NLCH. This included no longer seeing other family members (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents) and when siblings who were at NLCH with them would leave.
Q: Who is one person from NLCH with whom you still have a very good and close relationship?
A: Each of these five individuals continues to have close, strong, and important relationships with others who grew up with them at NLCH. I also found it very interesting that all of them still have relationships, talk to, and like to visit kids still living at NLCH. They all have particular kids who live at NLCH now in whom they see themselves in one way or another, and they want to be one of those loving, supportive relationships that they had when they were little.
Q: What had the most positive, long-lasting influence on your life from your time living at NLCH?
A: It's nearly impossible to summarize their amazing answers. Please check out the full interview here! I will just share this thought from Estela. “At NLCH, they taught me values, such as punctuality, love for work, to strive every day, and to love and help others. They guided me in the steps of Jesus and taught me to obey him. I am the person I am today thanks to my time at NLCH. I live a quiet, simple, content life; I work in a good place and I am an honest and responsible person. I love God and I always want to be faithful to his commands.” And this from Gladys, “I know that God brought me here with a special purpose for my life because I was educated here, I met my husband, we started our family that I always wanted while living and working here. I am so grateful to have met Jesus here, and I know that if I had not come to this place my life would have been different.”
Thank you, Lord, for how you have worked, are working, and will work through NLAI to bring about your purposes. And thank you, our faithful supporters, for being a part of this important, life-changing work.
|
|
|
|
 |
Thanks to two large donations and the help of Solar for Them, we have just completed the installation of our new solar panels!
We thank the Lord for his ongoing provision through his generous people to help us achieve what we believe will be a 25% reduction in our energy costs.
|
|
|
|
We invite you to join us for our 10 Days of Prayer campaign.
Beginning November 16, you can find targeted prayer points daily on our Facebook page! |
|
|
|
|
|
Double Your Impact Sponsorship Challenge
"Sponsoring a child encourages that precious one that God has a plan for him or her. It even shows them that someone far away was prompted by God to help them. A small gift can have a huge impact." -Greg, new NLCH sponsor
Since our double your impact sponsorship challenge began, we have 39 new sponsors! We have room for 11 more sponsorships to maximize this generous gift!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
