FOR ESPERANZA.
FOR ESPERANZA.
Because of love.
The Most Current Posts from All The Things
The Danger of Painting in Broad Strokes
The Danger of Painting in Broad Strokes

I was forwarded an article that upon finishing filled me with an immediate desire to respond to what I believe is a dangerous position. It terrifies me that justice seekers are going to jump on a bandwagon of support for notions that are idealistic in the immediate, leaving organizations who are on the ground, fighting a daily battle, in a lurch, while we run off in search of better solutions, abandoning the work that needs to continue to be done today.

When The Road Turns To Sand You're Almost There
When The Road Turns To Sand You're Almost There

For some of the boys it was the first time they had ever seen the beach and ocean. Their trepidation was soon replaced by giggles and laughter as the waves rushed at them from the Pacific. The older boys charged the waves, riding them towards shore and getting tumbled in the surf.

I Was A Jonah
I Was A Jonah

I wouldn’t have believed you if you had told me today would look like it does, not with the way this story started. Just be prepared if you decide to raise your hand and say “Oh, oh! Pick me! Send me!” Chances are good that you will get picked, but it will look nothing like what you think it will.

Heartbeat
Heartbeat

My heart has been cracked wide open to feel things that I sometimes wish I could put away for awhile. There are days when my heart just feels too much, when I become aware of what comfortable used to be and what knowledge really feels like. Comfortable was ignorance and ambivalence. Comfortable was caring but from a distance.

By The Numbers
By The Numbers

Poverty creates obstacles to children’s survival, development, protection and participation in decisions that affect their lives. These effects can last a lifetime, and be passed on to the next generation.  The loss of basic necessities required for a fulfilled childhood threatens both the immediate survival and long-term future of children.

What's In A Name
What's In A Name

So, why For Esperanza? The best answer I can give you is, BECAUSE OF LOVE. Let me try to explain. I have this bracelet that I always wear…it simply says esperanza. Hope. I wear it as a reminder to pray hope over all of my CB kids. Hope, if they still believe in it, can scare them to death. It’s a dangerous thing to believe in.

A trip in hyper speed...
A trip in hyper speed...

A quick video compilation from our July 2018 trip. This was our first trip together as an entire family.

 
 

For Esperanza. Because of Love.

WORLD CHANGING LOVE FOR ONE WILL NOT ONLY CHANGE THEIR WORLD BUT YOURS AS WELL.

 
 
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Welcome…

…to the place where we are uncomfortably aware of our hearts, where we are changing worlds beginning with our own, where we are loving as a verb, embracing knowledge and with it hurt, getting messy, laughing at ourselves, having adventures, eating tortillas, learning a new language, making our home in two different countries, racking up frequent flyer miles and saying “Yes!” to what God asks, over and over and over

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OUR TRAVEL JOURNAL

This story began back in January of 2017 when my daughter and I boarded a plane by ourselves to take on Guatemala and Casa Bernabe children’s home with nary a Spanish phrase between the two of us. Over the years the stories and experiences that have touched our hearts have been many. We have laughed, cried, and been on “medical emergency” flights out of Guatemala. We would love to share it all with you. You never know where the path may lead. I never thought mine would lead me back here…

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THE WORK

“You will love more passionately, hurt more deeply, grieve more bitterly and celebrate more joyously throughout the process of caring for vulnerable children than you ever thought imaginable We must be willing to walk down this path, for their sake. As we do, our embracing of their brokenness paints a vivid picture of how Jesus embraced ours.” All In Orphan Care

This is “heart work” and at its very core it’s hard. The uphill battle that these kids face is one that causes me sleepless nights. My momma heart just wants to wrap them all up and level their path, take away their uncertainty of the future.

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News, Policy, and the nitty gritty

We are tip-toeing into this delicately as there are a lot of things being said about this little corner of the world and how it affects ours. For me this has never been about politics. It’s about doing what is good, and just, and right. I find myself being forced into a divided arena, driven towards the political and polarizing in this quest. The picture that is being painted is us and them. These kids deserve better than that.

 
 

In case you’re wondering too

 

WHY ESPERANZA

The BEGINNING

 
 
 
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“Pack your bags you’re going home.” Tyler, age 8-ish, during a high stakes game of Parcheesi. We still use that line all the time and always talk a little smack. It has been said no less than 20 times tonight. So many good memories
I’ll be home for Christmas...saying goodbye and on my way. That song is actually on permanent skip this year. #foresperanza
We may have overpacked but will be ready for Dia de Gracias. Anyone else ever travelled internationally with 7lbs of butter and multiple bags of brown sugar? 🙋‍♀️#cookiesfordays #casabernabe #thanksgivingtravel #diadegracias
Fun game...name that airport. We have the best Uber driver and luggage porter who doesn’t mind getting up in the middle of the night to provide curbside service. But when you are traveling with this many bags....well it matters. #casabernabe #g
Snow Day Shenanigans - “The sunglasses say beach, the jacket says slopes. We are caught at a crossroads.” She never fails to make me smile.
Today, this girl, my baby, turns 17. What a gift she is to me! She is both strong and compassionate, fiercely loyal, hilariously funny, care-taker extraordinaire (hence the nickname Mama Mae) and always up for an adventure across the country or aroun
Comfy shoes ✅ Cute, I mean distinguishable luggage ✅ Only 9 hours delayed today...I love the idea of travel, when the stars align and the planes are on time. Headed south for court again. Where did the last month go? #foresperanza
Back in this beautiful country. #foresperanza
Guatemala bound on a short 3 hours of sleep. The laundry is done, groceries are bought for the next week, reminder notes are on the counter with this morning’s donuts. Kids 1 and 2 are taken care of and kiddo #3 waits at the end of this plane r
 
 

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