Yes, yes yes!!!

It’s absolutely amazing to sit back and watch the story unfold.

Our story started 17 years ago with one girl, a big dream, and lots and lots of hope and prayers! Looking back to the beginning, there wasn’t a lot of preparation, a manual to go by, or even a direction to look to. God asked if we were willing and we said yes. Yes!

That yes hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t always been clear but it has been worth it! That yes has allowed us to walk by faith and build a home for more than 150 girls to call home. It has allowed young women to find security, peace, help, education, food, worth, and God! That yes has not only helped others but it has helped us.

Galatians 6:2 Jesus calls us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” What is that law? Mark 12:19-31 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Loving God is loving others, loving God is carrying each other’s burdens. Just love!

I’m so thankful for each of the girls that have come through our doors, some have stayed for short periods and I always pray the seed sown will bear fruit in due time. Others have stayed years, like the young lady S. who just graduated this year. She has been there 7 years and is going into nursing school in the fall. Others have graduated from high school and become teachers, engineers, social workers, moms, and missionaries!

I am also very thankful for the team of staff and missionary volunteers that give of themselves daily for the love and care of the young women. We couldn’t do it without each one of them.

Finally, I am incredibly thankful for the sponsors. The Ecuador Hope House wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the men and women who give financially and prayerfully for this ministry. I am so very thankful!

To sit back and see where the Lord has brought us from and to is just amazing. Celebrating 17 years of the Eucador Hope House is truly a gift. Thank you for being part of that gift!