My Babies are all grown up…

The Lord surprised me this year by giving me the opportunity to visit once again the beautiful land of Encarnación, Paraguay. It has been almost 10 years to the date of which I had moved down there to complete a commitment of two years to work with the orphanage Che Roga (Guarani for MY HOME). I would have never thought that I would have changed so much yet that these people are still such an important part of my life.

The following pictures are of the children I once took care of while I was living and working in their orphanage.




Roberto—So grown up 15 years old. His main chore is to daily help make bread that will be sold to help fund the orphanage. My favorite memories of him when he was 5 are:1. His small voice saying “ABUELA quiero pan!” 2. One day I told him to go look for his shoes and the next thing I knew he had climbed a tree and fell and broke his arm. Not that this is a fun memories but it so describes his character and who he is. 3. When my parents came to visit they walked through the door and the first words out of his mouth were “HOLA Abuela Teresa!!” I like this memory because it meant that he considered me to be his mom and my mom to be his grandma
Beto—This child comes from an incredible terrible back ground. It is hard to know how deep his emotional needs are. It is my prayer that my time with him both when he was 5 and now some how helped him to have hope and learn to love Jesus more.





Dario and Jorge—These two are brothers. I remember Jorge’s quiet yet great strength even at an early age. IT is my prayer that God will use him in spiritual warfare and intersection for those who have gone through similar things as he has and that as he prays for others he him self will be changed. Dario is still a kid at heart. His smile can light up any a place.

Ramon—Also 15 years old….wow how time flies…I remember the most his smiles, his hugs and his easy going attitude. HE will always hold a special place in my heart. I love this new picture of him because I have another picture when he was 5 in the same position different dog.

Sergio—I was only given a few months of taking care of this boy. At that time he spoke very little Spanish mainly Guarani. What a culture shock it must have been for him to be taken care of a white American. In the end I believe he turned out okay.