Introduction to the WR: Chile
What have I gotten myself into? My first week with the World Race and I’m still in a weird limbo of emotions. Adapting to new cultures, traditions, experiences, and just a new way of life.
Ministry in Chile: Vision for Chile and Casa Esperanza/House of Hope
This month our team is partnering with Daniel Trujillo and living at our ministry site, House of Hope. This organization has several ministries to offer the La Pintana community on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. La Pintana is a very low income area with most families earning roughly $1,700 a year. This area is extremely over-populated with families living on top of one another and forcing them to operate out of desperation. This results in run-down, graffiti covered buildings held behind gates topped with spikes and barbed wire. Security guards are present in the supermarkets, banks, everywhere. Locals and strangers are constantly warning us to keep our belongings safe and not use our phones publicly as they could easily be snatched.
Our ministry most notably offers a safe home to girls who would otherwise be living in a group home. Chile has “hogars”, which are essentially group homes for kids removed from their parents for abuse, drugs, etc. Roughly 72 kids from the ages of 3-18 live in these group homes. When they turn 18 they age out of the program, are now considered adults and expected to leave and become productive members of society. You can see how it would be easy for these kids with no skills or training to fall into the trap of drugs, gangs, or prostitution.
House of Hope offers a home to girls who currently live in the hogars or have aged out of the program. They are able to live here free of charge and in addition receive discipleship, mentoring, and life skills training.
This organization is also a light and resource for the community. They offer a community youth group service on Wednesday nights where kids can participate in a dance class, hear about Jesus, and get a free dinner. Dozens of kids from nearby orphanages and hogars come each week.
On Saturdays the doors open to carloads of kids from all over the community—orphanages, hogars, low-income families, everyone. A multitude of free lessons and activities are offered to anyone who comes. Music classes include free instruction for drums, guitar, or keyboard. There’s tutoring in math and English. Groups gather for soccer, ping pong, or arts and crafts. The afternoon concludes with a devotional and free lunch.
Our host Daniel has worked diligently to form relationships with the nearby schools, orphanages, and hogars and to be an advocate for the kids within them. During our time here, we will spend most weekdays going into a special needs school to assist the teachers in classrooms and love on the kids.
Anyone who knows me and my background with Calo knows that this ministry is an absolute DREAM! God has clearly prepared the way here and ordained for me to be here. If I needed any more validation of this fact, what exactly would you guess greeted me straightaway as our taxi-van pulled into the driveway? A freaking golden retriever. Tears streamed from my cheeks when I saw her as I wearily stumbled out of the van. Our solely Spanish speaking greeter, Jose, definitely thought I was a bit crazy as I incessantly sobbed and squeezed the dog. Sweet, little gifts like this I deem hugs from God.
Our team is staying in a home directly behind Casa Esperanza, but we share a kitchen and common area most of the time with the seven girls who are currently staying here. Our ministry is in part being a positive role-model and doing life with these girls during our time here. We do chores, eat dinner, help out with the Wednesday and Saturday ministries, etc. All alongside them.
Keep in mind that our team has a very little understanding of Spanish, just as the girls we are working alongside have little to no understanding of English. This definitely makes it a challenge to connect and develop relationships with them. However, the Spanglish spoken offer some hilarious miscommunications.
Regardless of the language barrier challenge and adapting to culture outside the US/within Chile, I’m thrilled about this ministry we are partnered with. Please keep me in your prayers and pray for the kids we will be working with. I’ll update more when I can!
