News from For His Children

A Christian ministry to children in Ecuador August – September – 2009

There’s no better way to begin a FHC newsletter than with the photo of a beautiful baby! María Belén was admitted to FHC in late April this year - FHC received a call from a Social Worker at the Children’s Hospital asking if we had room for a six month old baby girl. The story was that a neighbor had been babysitting Belén, and brought her to the hospital when she heard that Belén’s mother had been detained by police. Cristina, FHC’s Social Worker, visited Belén’s mother at the detention center. She seemed relieved to know that her daughter was okay, and she said that her family might be willing to care for the baby. Cristina called them, in Esmeraldas, a northern coastal city. The grandmother said she was willing to care for Belen and she would be traveling to Quito in the next few days. The day before she was expected in Quito, she called to say it was a financial hardship for her to travel. Although FHC offered to pay for her bus ticket, the grandmother said she could not come to Quito. In June, Belen’s mother called to say she was no longer detained, and was petitioning the Court so the Judge would authorize her to bring her daughter home. When FHC

asked her for her address and phone number, she always had an excuse to not give it to us. A week later she called to say she had Belén’s birth certificate, but a few days after that she called to say she didn’t have it. She did not show up for an appointment with our social worker, and then she stopped calling. FHC has requested that the Courts investigate the case and decide whether Belén will be declared “adoptable”. We know just a little about her family - Belén’s father works as a street vendor. He is supposedly also caring for Belén’s two year old sister who spends days on the street with him. FHC is able to provide a safe and stable environment for Belén at FHC-Quito, where she receives lots of love and attention from Tías (caregivers) and volunteers. She is healthy and doing well. Please remember Belén and her family in your prayers. FHC alumna, Christina Melinda (Poulsen), now 17, visited FHC in July. She was the third child cared for at FHC, and when she was a baby, we knew her as Melinda Cristina. She was in foster care for a while during that time with good friends and current FHC Board member Mark Yeadon and family when they lived in Ecuador in the early ‘90s. She was a toddler when she was adopted in 1993 by the Poulsen family from Denmark. At right, Christina cuddles a baby at the FHC Vaughn House. Earlier this year, Christina wrote us: “I live with my parents in a small town called Ubberud surrounded by fields and near a forest…I’m lucky to have an older brother (who) lives in Copenhagen. My Dad is a therapist and he works with troubled young people. He has helped me a lot with the understanding of being adopted. My mom is an educator at a school. My parents have taken good care of me, and I feel very lucky to be with them. I’ve had a great childhood. I’m very social, and I’ve always liked having people around me. In my spare time I work at an inn and I’m very much into music. I’m in a choir and band at school. My dream is to have a singing career and (my new) school will prepare me for the music conservatory. I’m excited to get started. I love to hang out with friends and go to the movies. I just went with my school to Washington, DC and New York. It was an amazing trip. In the fall I went to London, too. I’ve traveled with my parents as well, to Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway. It has always been special for me to know that I’m adopted and I’m actually very proud of that. I often think about it and how it would be to meet my biologic parents, but of course I know that it would be difficult. But the reason we will visit Ecuador this summer is to see “my” country. “ Clark Vaughn, (FHC’s founder/director) welcomed Christina and her parents at FHC and introduced them to our Tías and the children. It was a very special occasion for us all, especially for María Tixicuro, FHC’s first caregiver, who still works as a Tía with us. It was a wonderful reunion! Thank you to the Poulsen family for your visit!

Physical therapist, Andrea Barriga (seated in photo at right) has been working part-time at FHC-Latacunga since March. She graduated from the Catholic University in Quito a few years ago and then returned to Latacunga to be with her family (and marry her new husband!). Andrea’s training, motivation and caring are very much needed at FHC-L. She encourages the Tias in their activities with the children, keeps an eye on their play and development, as well as giving our children with special needs extra time and attention. Andrea has teamed up with FHC-L’s child development specialist, Patricia Albuja (at right in photo). Paty worked at FHC-Quito and Latacunga for quite a few years and is once again working with us in Quito and Latacunga. We are very thankful for these skilled and caring professionals.

The DeGroot family, Jarvis, Heidi, Camryn and Mario, of Langley, British Colombia, are now living in Quito. The DeGroots (in photo at left) adopted Mario at FHC a few years ago. Heidi and Jarvis felt God leading them to return to Ecuador. Heidi teaches second grade at the International Alliance Academy in Quito. Jarvis is our part-time technical trouble shooter and has been repairing machinery, appliances and all sorts of broken things at FHC. Please pray for the DeGroots and their adjustment to a very different life in Ecuador.

Vicky, 2 ½, (at the Harlow House) is now with her forever family, Ricardo and Elena, of Riobamba, Ecuador (in photo at right). Ricardo is owner/driver of a taxi and Elena is a teacher and cosmetologist. Married 16 years, Vicky is their first child. She’s adapted well to her new family, and is quite attached to her Dad, who absolutely must tuck her into bed every night! Please pray for this lovely new family.

Marianela, 4, met her new family in August, from Bergamo, Italy: Elisabetta, Ciriaco, and big sister Cateriana, 6. (In photo at left, Marianela is in the green shirt.) Elisabetta is a physician and Ciriaco is a bank executive. Marianela has watched many children leave in adoption from FHC, and finally her moment has arrived! Susana, FHC’s psychologist, met with Marianela during the six weeks prior to the family’s arrival. Then after they met Marianela and spent a few days together at FHC, she was ready to leave FHC and live with her family at their hotel. That first night, she asked when she would be going back “home” to FHC. Her parents patiently and lovingly explained to her that her new home would always be with them. Marianela is responding positively to the security and love that she receives from her family. On a recent visit to FHC, Marianela told our Tias, “I love my Mom and Dad.” Marianela playfully tells her Mom that she wants to be born from her tummy. Then she quickly adds, “No… I didn’t

come from your tummy- I came from your heart! You are my mommy and I am your baby!” Congratulations to Marianela and her new family. Mission teams from University Presbyterian Church of Seattle, WA, Good Sheppard Lutheran of Alexandria, MN, the Vineyard Fellowship of Red Bluff, CA and Applewood Community Church of Golden, CO visited FHC this past summer. They all were superb, energetic and caring groups who participated in many activities at FHC-Quito and Latacunga. Thank you to each team member, your families, your supporters and church families for making FHC part of your lives. We are grateful to each and every one of you. Andrea, 3 1/2, met her forever family this summer, too: Catherine, (an attorney in Minnesota), and her two children, Sarah, 4, and Austin, 16. Their first meeting took place in mid-August and Day 1 was pretty normal, with some communication difficulties and the usual shyness. Day 2 was better - Andrea spent more time with her mother, and after

naptime, she woke up crying and saying she missed her Mommy. That was the sign that showed us that she was beginning to emotionally transition to her new family. She was ready to spend the night with them at their hotel. On Day 3, FHC’s psychologist, Susana, visited the family and found Andrea relaxed and happy. Andrea was surprised to see Susana and said, “What are you doing here?” A few weeks later, when Andrea and her family visited FHC, she wanted only to be in her mother’s arms. After a while, she relaxed and enjoyed an affectionate reunion with the other children as well as FHC’s preschool teacher, but always keeping her mom in sight. During a quiet moment, Andrea said, “I lived here. I played with the children and Tia María pushed me in the swing.” Our psychologist, Susana, was close by to listen and affirm her poignant memories. The family returned to the U.S. in September. Please join us in prayer that God will bless this new family. For most adults, what FHC’s children have already experienced in their young lives, would be a HUGE challenge. Add to that the mental and emotional processing required for a successful adoption. Yet it’s the trusting, open heart of a child that responds to the outpouring of love from an adoptive family. It’s because they ARE children and approach these changes with such resilience and hope – that the creation of a family is possible. It’s a miracle! School’s in session in the Andes and it’s an impressive undertaking to get our FHC school-aged children registered, uniformed and school supplies purchased every year, not to mention getting the children ready for school every morning. Jofre, Lesley, (both 4 ½) Grace, (3 ½), Fabian, (5), Wilma, (7), and Flor, (4) attend the FUDRINE School in Quito. This group is awake before the alarm sounds in the morning. They love school. The excitement and enthusiasm in FHC’s van while our driver takes them to school is infectious. To keep the Tías involved in the children’s school experience, a Tía is selected to be the “parent” representative/ liaison with the school. Tías Nancy Uzho (Casa Fe) and Isabel Escobar (Casa Harlow) keep an eye on our FUDRINE children. Above right, Lesley, Grace, Jofre and Edison are ready for school on a Monday morning.

Edison, 5, (above in light blue uniform) is starting his second year at the Triangle Foundation, a private school in north Quito for children with Down syndrome. He’ll be attending school until his adoption is completed in late October. Tatiana and Rosita (both 14), José Luis (7 ½), and Lisseth, (12), attend the “Cerebral Institute” for students with different physical and mental challenges. This is a pretty excited group every weekday morning, too. They love that school makes each day fun and different. Tía Magdalena Guamaní at the Faith House is this group’s representative. The children were evaluated and assigned to classes according to their developmental levels, and receive individualized therapy (physical, language, and occupational) during their daily school schedule of 8 to 1:30. At left, this is as good of a photo as we can get at 7AM on a Monday morning of Tatiana, Rosita (with José Luis in front), and Lisseth as they head for the FHC van/bus. Tías Carmen (in red jacket) and Nancy Uzho, keep order and make sure backpacks and lunch boxes are all accounted for!

Jairo (6). Jessica (8), and Carlita (6), are attending a new school this year, “Santa María de los Angeles” in north Quito, and they are very happy with their teachers and school. The first day of school was September 8th. At right, they enjoy a Popsicle after returning home on their first day at school. We’re certain our readers can appreciate the logistics and energy that go into getting everyone ready for school and into the van so Oscar, our driver, can drive out FHC’s gate by 6:45 AM. He delivers the 14 students to four schools in Quito’s early morning traffic and is back at FHC 2 ½ hours later. At mid-day, he’s driving out the gate again to pick everyone up. Gracias, Oscar! At FHC-Latacunga: Luis Eduardo, (4), Mateo, (4 ½), Marco, (4), Carlitos, (almost 4), and Alejandra, (5), are attending a private school in Latacunga, thanks to the help of one of our Tias who obtained a discounted tuition and registered them at the school. Our psychologist, Paty, took the children to visit the school a few days before classes started. There were a lot of jumpy nerves that day - Marco walked to the school gate, turned and said to Paty, “Take me back to the car.”

There’s still a lot of adjustment taking place, so in our next newsletter we’ll bring you more news of their school experience. So far, Mateo’s had a scuffle with another boy, Carlos was checking out other kids’ lunches without their permission, and Alejandra had to be switched from first grade to Kindergarten. At a recent parent-teacher conference, an enlarged photo of Marco was projected on the screen so parents could see an example of a “correctly uniformed student”. We are so proud of our Latacunga school kids! At left are: Luis Eduardo, Mateo, Alejandra with Tía Mercedes Simbaña, Marco and Carlitos. A heart-felt THANK YOU to our readers who participate in our Child Sponsorship Program. Your support helps with the cost of registration, tuition, school supplies, and uniforms. Thank you from the children and everyone at FHC for your support and encouragement. It makes a world of difference for these children. If

you are reading this and would like to participate in a special way in the life of a child at FHC, please contact Melinda at info@forhischildren-ecuador.org and we’ll send you more information about our Child Sponsorship Program. Thank you for your prayers for Harold “Buzz” Maxwell, Melinda’s Dad - he is doing very well. Melinda returned to Quito in late September. Harold is receiving very attentive, personalized and innovative care from cardiologist Dr. Uri Ben-Zur at The Cardiovascular Institute of Greater Los Angeles (www.drbenzur.com) in Encino, CA. It’s with much gratitude that we make a “plug” in our newsletter for Dr. Ben-Zur – Melinda’s Dad is alive today thanks to his care. He’s regained his strength, weight and mobility, and is participating in almost all of his normal activities. We appreciative all the prayers for Buzz! Financial update: Contributions to FHC in the first nine months of 2009 are down 20% compared to the same period for 2008. We make it month to month by withdrawing funds from our reserve savings account. Times are tough and we recognize that. We continue to investigate the possibility of a lot-split and sale of part of the Faith House property. We also continue to work at reducing costs where possible. We thank all of you for your faithfulness in your giving. We are praying God will bless and provide for the ministry’s needs. Thank you! Clark and Melinda Vaughn - Directors Verónica Rodríguez - Administrator For His Children - Clark and Melinda Vaughn, Directors Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: Casilla 17-08-8545, Quito Ecuador For His Children Telephone/Fax: 593 2 247 0832, 280 8424 9455 Elk Ridge South, Divide, CO 80814 USA Email: info@forhischildren-ecuador.org Telephone: 719 686 0132 Website: www.forhischildren-ecuador.org (English and Spanish) Brent Bourdeau, FHC Ministry Assistant Thank you to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Red Bluff, CA for printing and mailing this newsletter for ten years! Please advise FHC of address changes. If you are able to receive this newsletter via e-mail, it will reduce the cost of printing and mailing. Let us know! Thank you.