Nick's & Tony's Birthdays

Nick celebrated his 20th birthday on June 18. It was a busy work day for the in-country staff, as a large team of volunteers was visiting, but Nick took time to open his gifts after a late supper.

Tony turned three years old on June 23. What a blessing he is to our family! A huge thank you to everyone from Blue Ball Church who sent gifts. He had lots of fun opening them!

We had a joint birthday celebration for the guys on Sunday, June 21st. We also included the Freed's foster daughter, Shyanne, who had turned five the day before.

We had a pinata for the children. I was pleased to find a spiderman - Tony's favorite!

As you can imagine, Tony loved whacking at it with a stick. We had a hard time convincing him to let the others have a turn. A bit later, we put off some fireworks in honor of Nick.

More City Dump

When we visited the city dump, we took along a pick-up truckload of used shoes from the ORI warehouse. Ashley, our Hannah's Hope contact, told us that the folks in the dump are always asking for shoes. We felt this was a good use for some shoes that were a bit more worn than what we like to donate to the orphanages.


The shoes were a huge hit! Folks came running and a large crowd soon gathered. It was difficult to provide everyone with the proper sizes, but we did our best. And, of course, people also tried to grab any extra pairs they could get their hands on, presumably to resell later.

One of the volunteers with Hannah's Hope found this little barefoot boy and fitted him with shoes.

This fellow found a pair of men's shoes. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough large shoes for the many men who asked for them.

Visiting the City Dump

On Saturday, June 20, Charlie, Nick, Alisha, and I had the opportunity to visit the city dump. There are many people who live on the fringes of the dump and scavenge for food, clothing, and anything they can sell to make a little bit of money. We tagged along with a group of volunteers from Hannah's Hope orphanage who go in on a fairly regular basis.


It was very muddy as this is the rainy season; at places the mud was ankle deep.

First, we handed out bread to all the folks we saw "working" in the dump.

It was incredibly sad, but we saw lots of children - very dirty little children.

This little girl and baby were in a large shed where people were recycling cardboard.

We also had a huge pinata for the children. These three boys are munching on candy.

Gifts for Rosa de Amor

We had three guests the week of June 6 - 13: Rodney Reed (Charlie's nephew), his daughter Carrissa, and mother-in-law, Violet Noll. They brought along gifts for the Rosa de Amor orphanage.


Our guests posing at Los Humitos coffee plantation

On Friday, June 12, we delivered the gifts. These are two of the special needs children who live at Rosa. The orphanage is hoping to aquire wheelchairs for them, but for now make due with strollers.

Miguel was excited about his bat, ball, and stuffed shark.

Violet had made several small comforters, and we gave one to Anna for her soon-to-be-born baby.

The older girls posing with their school bundles.

Moving Rosa de Amor

Yesterday, June 9, our family, our three guests, and Harvey B. helped move the Rosa de Amor orphanage to a new house. This orphanage has approximately 15 children who were living in a small three bedroom house. We helped them move into a bigger home with a larger outside play area.


Loading the things into ORI's box truck at the old house. The guys simply handed beds and mattresses over the balcony railing. Of course, Charlie would find the easiest and most efficient way to do things!

Emily, Charlie, and Ben packed the truck.

Carissa (one of our guests) and Alisha helped carry lots of boxes and bags.

Unpacking at the new house.

Alisha, Ben, Tony, and Emily taking a lunch break. We were all exhausted by the time we left for home!

Las Lisas

Charlie and I spent Saturday night, May 30, at a hotel in Las Lisas to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary, a few weeks early. We had a wonderfully relaxing time, and the children survived at home without us.



The hotel is located on the Pacific coast, and the only way to reach it is by 20 minute lancha (boat) ride. This is our lancha and our lanchero (boatman).



The hotel, Isleta de Gaia, consists of several thatch-roofed bungalows surrounding a small pool.

Charlie relaxing on the hammock in front of our bungalow. Our room was a bit rustic - the bed was a mattress on a concrete pad, and there was no hot water in the tiny bathroom - but the setting was lovely.

This is the hotel restuarant, located right beside the beach.

The view from the hotel's water tower. The beach is black sand due to the volcanic rock.