HAVEN OF HOPE ORPHANAGE – Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Nestled in the heart of South America, Haven of Hope Orphanage has been rescuing, loving, restoring, and equipping children for nearly 20 years. Directors Gladys and Marco, with the support of their multidisciplinary team, have ministered to over 400 children who have called Haven of Hope their home.
TRIPS TO BOLIVIA
Receiving visitors is a favorite activity at Haven of Hope, so the children and staff were delighted to receive several groups in 2022. As Mamma Gladys puts it, having guests is an injection of love and inspiration that encourages children and staff alike. Thank you for visiting the orphans and encouraging those who have dedicated their lives to caring for them.
In January, a group of leaders from Riverside accompanied Alice and John on a vision trip. High points of this trip were Estefania’s 15th birthday party and John’s marriage proposal to Alice.
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- John, Alice, Estefania, Marco and Gladys pose at Estefania’s 15th birthday party.
Haven of Hope International’s Director of Child Development and TBRI Educator, Angela Bryan, held a week of in-person training staff at Haven of Hope in April.
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- Angela teaches and Cathy interprets a class about the learning process.
In May, a group of sponsors visited Haven of Hope to help with a remodeling project and to hold a “Princes and Princesses of God” Gala Dinner to inspire accurate identity and self-esteem in our children.
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- Dave gifts soccer balls to the boys: Roy David, volunteer Samuel David, and Duniar.
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- Nancy and Tom pose with Maria.
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- Diane poses with several princesses at the beauty salon.
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- Marco, Damaris, Graciela, Joanne, Gladys, Alice, John, and Tony prepare for a snapshot by the photo backdrop for the event.
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- The group that came in May participates in meetings regarding the property purchase for the boys’ campus.
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- Marco signs property purchase paperwork as the POA for Haven of Hope International in Bolivia.
AJ White came to Bolivia with Alice and John to explore options for a transition home for youth in need.
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- Marco, Pavel, AJ, Alice and John explore El Alfarero, a beautiful multi-purpose building that houses an outreach ministry for local university students and is one rental option for transition housing.
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- The leadership team meets with local business consultant, Gaby, to discuss sustainability options for the transition house.
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- The Riverside Student Ministry visited Haven of Hope in June to help move our young women, who had been temporarily staying at a local seminary during the construction of Emma’s Echo, into their remodeled dorm.
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- The Riverside Student Ministry, “Here visiting family” at Haven of Hope. The children loved creating connections with the youth from Riverside.
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- Chad and Trent, who came to volunteer for two weeks, hold up Hope Hearts and Child Sponsorship Commitment Cards.
Alexis Basik enjoyed a productive stay furnishing and decorating the internship building, Emma’s Echo.
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- Angela, Alexis and Lizeth pause for a group hug.
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- Angela plays with Marco, Jesus and Caleb during her August trip. Playing is an important part of making connections and learning.
On August 27th, Haven of Hope Orphanage staff members graduated with certificates from Haven of Hope International’s Trauma Informed Care
Certification Program and Texas Christian University’s Trust-Based Relational Intervention Course.
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- Church of God Overseer, Bishop Freddy Jimenez (front center) and his wife, Maggy Ribera, attended the graduation along with other local leaders and international guests. Their educator, Angela Bryan, stands back and center.
AJ White returned to Bolivia in October with his pastors, Josh and Mandy Taylor, to expand the vision for a transition house.
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- Psychologist Damaris, Directors Marco and Gladys, Haven of Hope friends Paola and Christian, AJ, Josh and Mandy.
The Church of God Youth Director for Latin America, Angel Marcial Jr., visited Haven of Hope campus in November. Angel’s father is the
Church of God Field Director for Latin America, and they are helping share Haven of Hope’s vision through their roles in the Church of God.
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- National Overseer Freddy Jimenez Sr., Martha, Maria, Fernanda, Marco, Angela, Freddy Jimenez Jr., Carlota, Yoselin, Benjamin, Luz Marina and Gladys stop for a photo during a campus tour.
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- Angel gets a sneak-peek at the Christmas Cards Products of Hope is producing to spearhead the YWEA fundraising campaign.
Christopher Jarrard conducted a site visit for Serving Orphans Worldwide, an organization that has been partnering with Haven of Hope International for years.
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- Cyntia and Marco share pertinent information during Christopher’s stay.
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- Marco, Christopher, Graciela, Veronica, Gladys, Cathy and Magda celebrate Veronica’s birthday.
INTERNATIONAL TRIPS TO PROMOTE BOLIVIA
In 2022, Haven of Hope created and strengthened connections by taking Bolivia to the nations through several international trips. Marco, Gladys and Cathy traveled to the United States twice. In February, they visited with Haven of Hope sponsors and friends and participated in Riverside Church’s Missions Week. In July, they attended two international events held by the Church of God. And in August, Marco traveled to Quito, Ecuador to share Haven of Hope’s vision with international leaders that are heading up a fundraising campaign for Latin America.
Directors Marco and Gladys attended Haven of Hope International’s 2022 Strategic Planning Board Meeting.
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- Back left to right: Marco, Susan, Angela, Gladys, Tom, John. Front left to right: Jeff, Krista, Brian, Stephanie.
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- Two Life Groups from Riverside Church joined forces to welcome the Haven of Hope team during Missions Week.
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- Gladys sends a greeting to the children at Haven of Hope to let them know that Riverside’s Kids Ministries has them not only on their wall but also in their hearts.
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- John, Alice and Marco advocate for the Nation of Orphans at the Men and Women of Action Rally in Tennessee.
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- Gladys and Marco pose with staff from the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch after exchanging experiences and techniques during a staff meeting at the ranch.
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- Gladys, John and Marco stand for a photo at the Rise Conference in Tampa.
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- Marco, Gladys, Cathy, Bill, Marianne and John met with local leaders with a heart for helping others.
The Haven of Hope team visited some of the first people who invested in the orphanage in Bolivia at City Gate
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- Marco, Tina, Gladys, Vincent and Steve.
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- Alice and John perfect a video presentation in Spanish for the Latin American Pre-Assembly presentation.
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- Gladys and Marco show off the Nation of Orphans and Bolivian flags. Participation in the Latin American Pre-Assembly provided opportunities to share Haven of Hope’s vision and mission with leaders from Latin America.
The Haven of Hope International had a spot during the Latin American Pre-Assembly.
Nation of Orphans flags were presented to Latin American Field Director Dr. Angel Marcial Sr. and Bolivia’s National Overseer, Bishop Freddy Jimenez.
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- Alice, Bishop Freddy Jimenez, Marco, Gladys, Cathy, John and Dr. Angel Marcial.
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- Cathy, Alice, John, Marco and Gladys ready to represent the Nation of Orphans during an evening service at the Latin American Pre-Assembly.
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- Alice represented the Nation of Orphans in the Parade of Nations during the 2022 General Assembly of the Church of God. She poses with missionary Michael Mills, who represented Ecuador.
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- Haven of Hope International shared a stand with the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch.
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- Nation of Orphans flags were distributed to raise awareness in local churches that agreed to pray for orphans.
General Assembly is a great place to connect with other ministries, meet with international leaders and make new contacts.
Haven of Hope is recognized as an impactful ministry by an increasing number of church leaders.
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- Bishop Reny Guevara (Jada Seminary Director in Bolivia) and Cathy Trentini (HOHI Onsite Program Coordinator), Marco Aldana and Gladys Jimenez (Haven of Hope Bolivia Directors), Bishop Freddy Jimenez and Maggy Ribera (National Overseers in Bolivia), Dr. Nicolas Marulla and Sonnia Vega (Superintendents of the Southern Cone of South America), Dr. David Ramirez (Church of God Third Assistant General Overseer) and Maria Fernanda Snaidero (International Women’s Executive Committee Member).
Haven of Hope International hosted a luncheon in Fort Myers.
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- Participants prayed for the ministry and its leaders. (Left to right: John, Marco, Gladys, Cathy and Alice).
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- Highlights were shared by local supporters during Alice’s presentation.
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- The Bolivia team appreciated the hospitality of the Basik family.
Marco presents projects and programs to international Church of God leaders during a trip to Quito, Ecuador.
Haven of Hope Orphanage is one of four ministries that will receive donations from Youth World Evangelism Action’s fundraising campaign in 2023.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Haven of Hope’s campus continues to expand as its vision grows. In 2022, a property adjacent to the current campus was purchased as a Boys’ Campus, an internship building called “Emma’s Echo” was completed, and the construction of the Rhonda Jarvis Dream Center on the boys’ campus began. The contributions of generous donors like you have made these dreams a reality.
EMMA’S ECHO
The dream of having an internship program at Haven of Hope started to take form when Alexis Basik spent 2019 in Bolivia developing and writing the internship program. She left just days before the pandemic closed Bolivia’s borders and the country entered several months of strict quarantine. Just over a year after borders reopened, construction of Emma’s Echo began. Emma’s Echo commemorates the life and influence of Emma Bullock, a beloved friend of Haven of Hope.
The group of teenagers that live on the ground level of Emma’s Echo temporarily moved to the Jada Biblical Seminary campus during construction. Their dorms were remodeled to create coherency in the building’s design.
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- A truck takes the girls’ belongings to their temporary abode.
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- Pappa Marco “cries” as he says, “So long for now,” to his girls.
Emma’s Echo is beautiful, complete and ready for use.
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- View from behind the dining area.
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- View from outside the administration building.
Riverside Student Ministry brought bedding and decorations to adorn the newly remodeled dorm spaces.
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- Remodeled dorm for girls ages 12 – 14.
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- Remodeled dorm for young women ages 15 – 17.
Emma’s Echo has a fashionable, fully furnished living room, kitchen, and dining area. Four of the eight bedrooms are also ready to house interns.
BOYS’ CAMPUS AND THE RHONDA JARVIS DREAM CENTER
For years Haven of Hope has been envisioning a space to expand programs for its growing boys. The idea started as a separate building on campus with a “friendly barrier” to enhance the monitoring of contact between the boys and girls. That dream grew into a full-fledged campus for boys, and thanks to a Legacy of Hope donation coupled with generous contributions from several sponsors, Haven of Hope International purchased the property for a boys’ campus. In September, construction kicked off on a building that houses the boys’ dorm, workshops for vocational programs, and a psychology office. The building will carry the name of a cherished young woman, Rhonda Jarvis, who loved working with children thanks to generous donations from the Heartland Region of the Church of God.
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- Larry Odam, the Missions Representative from the Heartland Region and Marco stand in front of the new property in May. The vision grew from one building to an entire campus.
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- Construction started in September. Pastor Larry was also present for the pouring of the first foundations.
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- Currently, the building continues to progress ahead of schedule. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for July 2023.
OUR SWEET FIFTEENS: “QUINCEAÑERAS”
Turning 15 is a big deal in Latin America and among Latinos, and Bolivia is no exception. This coming-of-age birthday party is a formal celebration that is only surpassed in elegance by a wedding. While quinceañera parties have been around for centuries, more recently Evangelical families have embraced the tradition as a time to publicly pronounce blessings over their children at this milestone age. Haven of Hope celebrated 6 of these extra special birthdays in 2022. A special thank you to those who donated towards these celebrations, to sponsors who sent messages of blessings to their children and to those who were able to be present at the event. These are unforgettable moments that mark the hearts of our young people.
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- : Lizeth poses with Pappa Marco. Her birthday was in February.
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- Angela had the special blessing of a surprise visit from her sponsors for her 15th birthday party in April. (Left to right: Juan David, Mary, Angela, Lizeth, Colby, Marco, Eva and Gloria).
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- Reynilda in her beautiful blue and silver dress.
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- Duniar poses by his cake. Bibles are a traditional gift for young people turning 15. Both Reynilda and Duniar enjoyed the presence of sponsors from the Riverside Student Ministry at their birthday party in June.
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- The director’s only daughter, Saraí Gladys, turned 15 in April. She celebrated at Haven of Hope with her family, friends and classmates.
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- Maria, pictured here with Tia Veronica, turned 15 in October. The celebration of her 15th birthday was postponed for the grieving period after her mother’s death. The celebration will happen in a few weeks.
LOCAL FUNDRAISING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Haven of Hope deeply appreciates the international support that keeps its doors open. Local connections, support, and sustainability options are also pursued to expand the Family of Hope nationally as well. While most local support is from donations in kind and purchases at fundraising activities, some have signed up for local child sponsorship.
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- Gladys serves a “picante de pollo” dish at a fundraiser for back-to-school supplies. The food was made using a surplus of chickens from that sustainability coop.
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- Local pastor, Alcides, poses with Marco and the Hope Heart after signing up for local child sponsorship at the National Pastor’s Seminar in July.
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- Gladys leads a session about Social Outreach – including Haven of Hope Orphanage – at the National Pastor’s Seminar.
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- Gladys, Cathy and Angelica, a pastor from El Alto, pose with the Nation of Orphans Flag at the National Pastor’s Seminar Many pastors visited the stand Haven of Hope had set up at the seminar.
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- The Deborah group visited a local church to sell lettuce and churros.
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- Gladys advocates for orphans at an “Ambassadors of the King” conference that brought several churches together.
Groups organize bread sales to raise money for specific needs of the group. Bread is a staple in the Bolivian diet, so knowing how to make and sell bread is a skill that could help our children through laps in employment as young people or adults.
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- Products of Hope produced Christmas cards again in 2022.
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- The children learn to make bread on campus.
MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS
Haven of Hope International’s sponsors and board members often donate towards items or activities that are outside of the monthly budget. From emergency dental care and braces to washing machines and cell phones for university students to storage alternatives and cabinets and even a brand-new minivan, our sponsors go above and beyond to facilitate the day-to-day tasks of caring for our children.
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- Three washing machines were donated this year – one for each group.
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- A container was purchased as a creative option for storage needs.
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- University student, Carlota, needed a quality cell phone for her Communications major.
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- A sponsor covered labor costs for custom cabinets from wood that was available on campus.
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- Another very generous donation went to the purchase of a brand-new minivan to help with the logistics of our growing family at Haven of Hope.
WELCOME AND FAREWELL
Haven of Hope has welcomed over 400 children to its family in its almost 20 years of existence. While many children transition to adulthood with us, others experience a more temporary stay. In either case, our children will always be part of our Haven of Hope Family.
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- Brothers Jhoan and Jesus arrived in February.
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- Siblings Paula, Sofia came in August.
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- With their brother Junior.
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- Siblings Yandi, Katherine and Bladimir arrived just days before Christmas.
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- Siblings Miguel, Fiorella, Ruth Sol and Cristiano were reunited with their mother.
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- Ruddy moved to an all-boys home.
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- Duniar is living with a family member.
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- Sisters Norma and Claudia were reunited with their younger brother at another home.
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- Lily, who first served as an intern then our social worker’s assistant before coming our education coordinator, resigned to pursue further studies.
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- Cyntia was hired as the new education coordinator.
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- Tia Veronica and Tio Crispin welcomed their first child into the Haven of Hope Family: Josue Jeremy.
ONGOING EDUCATION AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Continual improvement is a motto that is applied at Haven of Hope. In addition to the training provided on campus, our staff and youth continue to seek ways to progress.
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- Gladys receives a certificate in premarital counseling.
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- Yoselina, Tia Vivi, Martha and Fernanda (along with other HOHB children) were awarded certificate by National Education Director, Rafael Aranique and Jada Seminary Director, Reny Guevara for their participation in online classes provided by the seminary.
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- Jhoan and Sofia graduated from kindergarten.
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- : Eva, and Ruddy graduated from high school.
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- Fernanda graduated from high school.
Youth who now live off campus also graduated high school:
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- Neida
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- Jose Herlan
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- Yuliana
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- Mamma Gladys completed yet another level of ministerial studies at Jada Seminary.
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- Tia Magdalena received two certificates, one in psycho-pedagogy and one in Bible, from a local institute.
REFUGE OF LIFE ORPHANAGE – Pucallpa, Peru
When Haven of Hope International first became acquainted with Pastora Lilly in 2017, she and her family had already been nourishing the children and family of her community for many years through the church she founded. However, seeing the dire need in her neighborhood sparked her vision to expand to a full-time rescue and care for the children who have been abandoned to vicious cycle of poverty. Today, the Refuge of Life Church continues to thrive, and the Refuge of Life Orphanage is at the brink of opening its doors in the hot and humid, Amazon rain forest city of Pucallpa, which lies along the Ucayali River.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2022
Physical nourishment is only part of the outreach to the community at Refuge of Life. Weekly Sunday School and church services as well as other special activities are held to nurture the spiritual and social aspects of their lives.
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- The colorful sign that reads: “Welcome to Vacation Bible School” stands in stark contrast to the dreary living conditions most of these children live in.
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- Several mothers of the community have become the faithful leaders who are breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse in their households.
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- Children of all ages enjoy the activities.
SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS – CHICKEN COOP
Taking advantage of ample space available on the property, the first sustainability project that launched at Refuge of Life was a chicken coop. Other programs in development are selling drinking water and bread.
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- Robust chickens roam in a spacious, well-cared for pen.
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- The hens produced hundreds of eggs that blessed the Refuge of Life Community.
TRIPS TO PUCALLPA
Haven of Hope International representatives and sponsors travelled to Pucallpa throughout the year for a first-hand experience of the reality being addressed at Refuge of Life, to build relationships with the amazing leadership there and to discover the best courses of action for the orphanage building projects to advance. Visitors are always enchanted by the warm, open welcome of leaders and children alike.
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- Pastor Lilly (front and center) with her supportive family, Alice and John in Pucallpa, Perú.
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- John, Alice, Brett and Brad pose with Refuge of Life church members.
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- The group meets with the National Overseers of the Church of God of Peru, Bishop Roberto Suarez and his wife, Carmen Santa Cruz, to dream of the possibilities in Peru.
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- Toti, Lilly, John and Alice pause for a picture at the Refuge of Life Church. Not even being on crutches after a knee surgery stops Pastora Lilly!
CONSTRUCTION ADVANCES
The vision that was planted in Pastora Lilly’s heart has blossomed into an orphanage campus that includes three houses, a bakery/cafeteria, a water well, and an enormous perimeter wall. The generosity of sponsors and dedication of local leadership that have made this dream a reality are awe-inspiring.
Photos of part of the orphanage property before the perimeter walls were built.
The perimeter wall enclosed the entire orphanage campus, provided the safety that the children there will need.
A low area of the property was marshy. This photo was taken before a drainage ditch was dug.
These photos were taken after the ditch was dug, creating more square feet of usable land on the property.
The houses are mostly completed, and some furniture has been purchased.
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- A photo of the houses in the mid-phase of construction. At the far end of the building is the bakery before steps were built to the second floor.
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- The bakery and dining area in process and stairs what will be the second floor.
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- The bakery/dining area nearing completion.
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- The doors have been placed on the bakery/dining area.
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- The inside of the bakery/dining area has been plastered and floor tiles have been laid.
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- A current photo of the houses on the property.
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- Another current photo of houses on the property that shows the bakery/dining area on the far end, the perimeter wall, a gate and the water well.
PRAISE GOD FOR THESE ADVANCES!
THANK YOU FOR PERSEVERING WITH US
The year 2022 brought incredible blessings as well as enormous challenges. Together we have pushed through political crises and hurricanes and illness and injury to create a brighter tomorrow for the children who are touched by these ministries. Together, relationships have been formed, buildings erected, programs funded, needs met. Thank you for persevering with us in 2022 to make an impact in the lives of the children. May God abundantly bless and prosper you!
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- Siblings Javier, Erika and Reynilda display letters they wrote.