Wednesday's Child--Linet

Linet was brought to Casa de Fe from a village deep in the jungle when she was eight months old. Her sister, Rayana, was already here. The sisters share the same rare, unnamed syndrome that has left them blind and unable to swallow. Because of the expense of medication and therapy, their mother could not afford to take care of them. Now at Casa de Fe, Linet is receiving all the medical care and love that she needs! Most recently, Linet's tube feedings were changed from formula to real food, and she seems to be thriving.

If you would like to help us provide care for Linet, you can become her sponsor for a gift of $45/month. To learn more about the Child Sponsorship program, please visit the Casa de Fe website.

Wednesday's Child--Janely

Meet Janely.

This sweet five month old baby is NOT available for sponsoring, but she does need your help. Janely was born in the jungle to 14-year old parents. The mother suffered from toxoplasmosis during and after the pregnancy. This disease has been linked to suicidal behaviors, and Janely's mother, unfortunately, took her own life just a few months ago. In the meantime, Janely has been very well cared for by her maternal grandmother. 

But Janely needs much medical care herself. Casa de Fe is working with the grandmother to get this baby the tests and possible surgeries she needs. She has been diagnosed with genetic hydrocephalus. 

At this very moment, Patti Sue is with Janely at a children's hospital in Quito. Please pray for this sweet girl as she will be put under anesthesia at 2:00 THIS AFTERNOON. The first step is to check her vision. It is believed that she is blind in at least one eye. At 3pm, she will undergo surgery to place a shunt in her brain. She is expected to be released from the hospital within 48 hours. Our goal is to restore this sweet baby to the family that has taken such great care of her as quickly as possible.

The grandmother has no means to pay for Janely's care. The total cost to Casa de Fe will be around  $4000. Will you please consider giving a gift to the Baby Ruth Memorial Medical Fund to help with Janely's medical expenses? No gift is too small. 

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for Me.'" ~Matthew 25:40

Meet the Staff--Matt & Christy

Meet the Hayes, Matt and Christy. After living all over the west and northwest portions of the US, Matt and Christy, along with their children, Libby and Loren, join us at Casa de Fe from their most recent home in Nampa, Idaho.  

How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

Christy lived in Quito for several years as a missionary kid while growing up. Our family has been working with Casa de Fe since June 2013. 

What did you do before you came here?

Matt: Before I worked at Casa de Fe, I had my own business.

Christy: I was in Executive Management for a large corporation.

Why did you come here?

Matt: I came to Casa de Fe as an act of obedience to God.  God's calling me into partnering with CdF was not "go to Casa de Fe" as many experience.  What God asked of me was "follow Me as far as I lead". The path He laid before me lead to Casa de Fe.

Christy: I came to Casa de Fe out of obedience to God calling me here. I am not fully certain on His plans for using me here, but I look forward to ever day and each opportunity to serve.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

Matt: My official titles at Casa de Fe are Director of Finances and Director of Transportation.

Christy: I am Director of HR and Teams. I help with team planning, recruiting, hiring, missionary staff training, and publicity, among other things.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

Matt: The people at Casa de Fe are my favorite aspect of Casa de Fe.  I really enjoy developing relationships with the children and Ecuadorian staff.  I love long term relationship based ministry, but often in the past, I only had a chance to meet with people weekly. Here at Casa, I am able to build relationships daily with people.

Christy: My favorite thing here are the people. I love getting the chance to love the kids, staff, volunteers, groups, and the community here. I desire to show God's love to everyone I come into contact with.

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

Matt: There is never enough time/energy to do all the things I would like to do.  I do not like that here on the equator there is not a natural time reference.  The days are the same length year round, all four seasons are the same, the weather is basically always the same.  Other than the calendar, there is not a good time reference. Because of this, time seems to pass very quickly.

Christy: Not having a full service grocery store in Shell. I would like to do all my shopping at once. Or at least twice and not really the four stops it takes to shop here. I have to go to the store that carries all the household cleaning supplies, then I need to go to the vegetable and fruit market, then the butcher, and then when I don't have certain things, then I go to the local shop. Whew! Too much time, too much energy, and without a car, it can be a headache. One stop shopping sounds great!

How can our readers pray for you?

Matt: Please pray for the continued development of my relationship with the older boys here at Cdf.

Christy: Pray for my family. We are all continuing to learn Spanish in order to be more effective in our roles and in our relationships. Pray for my two children especially as they have had their entire world changed. 

Wednesday's Child--Jimmy

Jimmy first came to live at Casa de Fe in 2010. The following year, his mother regained custody of Jimmy and his older siblings. Unfortunately, she was not able to care for her children once she took them home. Jimmy ended up living with an adult sister for a while until he decided to come back to Casa de Fe. This young man took a bus from his hometown and then walked to Casa de Fe. Jimmy wanted a better life, and he knew he would have opportunities and a loving home at Casa de Fe. 

Jimmy enjoys school and riding bikes. 

If you would like to help us provide opportunities for success for Jimmy, you could become his sponsor for a gift of $45/month. When you become Jimmy's sponsor, you will have the opportunity to communicate with him on a regular basis via email. To learn more about the Child Sponsorship program, please visit the Casa de Fe website. 

Wednesday's Child--Evelyn

Photo courtesy of Kelcy Gallagher.

We have two Evelyns at Casa de Fe. We introduced you to "Big Evelyn" a few months ago, and today we are introducing you to "Little Evelyn". This tiny girl was brought to Casa de Fe by her mother in January 2013 when she decided that she couldn't provide the proper care for her. Little Evelyn was born with cerebral palsy, and we have also learned that she suffers from "absence seizures". She is receiving proper medical care and doing well here at Casa de Fe.

If you would like to contribute to Evelyn's life by becoming her sponsor, please visit the Casa de Fe Child Sponsorship page for more information. For only $45/month, you can help us to continue to provide 24 hour care, food, clothing, medical care, and an education for Evelyn.

Wednesday's Child--Naomi

Many of the friends of Casa de Fe are already familiar with Naomi. She came to us in May 2013, presented by a woman we assume was her mother as "a gift". Naomi (or Maria Belen as we later found out was her birth name) was a very sick little girl. By God's grace, she was able to receive her needed surgeries; and today, she is a happy, growing, and thriving little girl. 

Naomi when she first came to Casa de Fe

Naomi, Christmas 2013

Would you consider helping us to provide care for Naomi? For only $45/month, you can become her sponsor. In so doing, you make it possible for Casa de Fe to continue to provide all that Naomi needs. For more information about sponsoring Naomi, please visit the Casa de Fe Sponsorship page.

Meet the Staff Monday--Kelcy

Kelcy served as a teacher here at Casa de Fe during the 2011/2012 school year. She has just returned from her home-state of Alaska for a long-term service commitment, and we are all excited to have her back!

How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

I lived and worked here at Casa de Fe for a year in 2011, went home for a year to finish school, and I moved back here in October 2013. 

What did you do before you came here?

Before coming to Casa de Fe, I was going to school full-time and working full-time at a restaurant in Anchorage. I was also volunteering in my local church.

Why did you decide to come here?

I felt called to be a missionary, especially in Latin America, so when my friend Alison started working at Casa de Fe, I decided to come visit. I fell in love with the kids and really loved the mission and vision that Casa de Fe has for the kids. I knew the Lord was at work here, and I wanted to be a part of it.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

I run the Child Sponsorship Program. I assist the Donations Coordinator. I work in Child Development, which means I get to play with the kids. I also work in youth ministry with the older girls.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

I love the people of Ecuador. They are very friendly, and I love the laid back lifestyle. It helps that the scenery is beautiful and there is just so much culture here. I love the variety of jobs I get to do. I feel like I get to see many aspects of the ministry.

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at Casa de Fe?

My least favorite thing about Ecuador is probably the rainy season, it's pretty brutal! Also, they don't sell Cheez-its. 

How can our readers pray for you?

Pray that I would be able to find rest. Life gets pretty crazy here, and it's easy to say 'yes' to everything. I want to make sure I have time to spend with the Lord. Also, as I learn more about the kids and their stories, it's easy for me to get really angry at the parents so pray that I would learn to love the parents of our kids, and that we would have the opportunity and grace to share the love of Jesus with them.

To learn even more about Kelcy's adventures in Ecuador, visit her blog--Kelcy in Ecuador!