New Town, New House, New Opportunities

 

As you may know, our women's house, Hijas del Rey (Daughters of the King) was located in a town about 30 minutes away from our men's house and from the town where I live.  It was a small house, but served our needs.

Brad and Shawn Johnson
Directors of Recycling Lives Ministry
which owns the new women's house

A few months ago, however, I received a call from two friends who run another ministry here in Guatemala.  They had a mission house, located about 8 minutes from our men's house, which they were trying to sell or rent without success.  Would we consider looking at it for our women? 

My first reaction was, "I don't want to move."  They then told me that after much prayer they really felt like God had told them to offer us the use of this house, at a reduced rent.  Their desire was to keep this building in use for ministry, and they really believed it was for us.  I somewhat reluctantly agreed to look at the house, and after seeing it one Sunday morning my attitude changed to "Let's do it!"

After consulting with our Board of Directors, we signed a lease for a year (with an option to buy the home for $85,000--a real "steal" given the prices of lands and buildings in our area.)  

We recently moved our women in to the mission house.  It is twice the size of our previous house, though the rent is approximately the same amount.  

In the short time the women have lived in their new home, we have seen remarkable changes in their levels of independence and their "ownership" of caring for the house.  They are so happy here!

Dani and Rosi Juarez Gomez
Our Residential Directors

This change has allowed us to reorganize our staff and the programming for the women to help them achieve individual goals and increase their independence.  

It is an exciting, if challenging time for us, but we are embracing these opportunities to improve our services to the women and create an even better family structure in which they can live and grow.

We are so grateful to you who support us and empower us to make these changes.  You are making a difference in the lives of our ladies, one success at a time.