‘Jesus por los niños del Ecuador’ is an orphanage in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It offers a place to stay for 30 children. In many ways it is a poor choice for a home, but for children without an alternative it is the best option. Only two of the children are truly orphaned, the rest come from an array of backgrounds and a string of broken homes. The children’s problems are daunting: physical, psychological and sexual abuse; parents with financial problems, alcohol addiction and substance abuse, and parents that are in jail.

OM began its work with the orphanage in January 2009. The goal was simple, to help the ministry wherever needed. The owner was a former street child and often lacked organisation. The children violently fought with one another, screamed, and often ran away. They were disrespectful, disobedient and angry. One day at the orphanage was enough to exhaust, discourage and emotionally and spiritually empty a person. The team endured but wondered why they were pressing on.

As the ministry continued, interest grew. Soon several volunteers joined OM’s team. Two psychologists started visiting the orphanage, talking with the children and using their skills to help the children. OM saw the need to replace the leaking roof. God provided the money for the team to complete the task and the orphanage was blessed with a roof... (cont.)

‘Jesus por los niños del Ecuador’ is an orphanage in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It offers a place to stay for 30 children. In many ways it is a poor choice for a home, but for children without an alternative it is the best option. Only two of the children are truly orphaned, the rest come from an array of backgrounds and a string of broken homes. The children’s problems are daunting: physical, psychological and sexual abuse; parents with financial problems, alcohol addiction and substance abuse, and parents that are in jail.

OM began its work with the orphanage in January 2009. The goal was simple, to help the ministry wherever needed. The owner was a former street child and often lacked organisation. The children violently fought with one another, screamed, and often ran away. They were disrespectful, disobedient and angry. One day at the orphanage was enough to exhaust, discourage and emotionally and spiritually empty a person. The team endured but wondered why they were pressing on.

As the ministry continued, interest grew. Soon several volunteers joined OM’s team. Two psychologists started visiting the orphanage, talking with the children and using their skills to help the children. OM saw the need to replace the leaking roof. God provided the money for the team to complete the task and the orphanage was blessed with a roof.

Nearly a year later, the children have also changed. They do not fight as much, are more respectful and listen better. They take pride in their studies, gleaming with excitement as they show their report cards. They are learning about forgiveness and learning how to forgive.

What secret fuelled the team’s success? The team does not know. What the team does know is it did not run from the challenge, though there were plenty of reasons to do so. The team was obedient to God’s calling and His command care for the orphaned and the weak.

God blessed the team’s commitment. Are the children where they need to be? Sadly, the answer is no. They need twice as much attention as a child that grows up in a healthy situation, and they receive half as much. What we offer is not enough to solve all the problems, and giving them all the attention they need is impossible.

But the wonderful thing is God does not call us to do the impossible, He asks us to be faithful. Furthermore, what is impossible for people is possible for The Almighty One when we remain faithful. Christ uses the team to enter the orphanage Himself.

The team recognises it cannot fully meet the needs of the children, but we can be the hands and feet of Christ in their lives.