Songs of
Joy is a legal Association in Guatemala. Both the Association and
the ministry are governed by
a local Board of Directors composed of both Guatemalans and North
Americans.
There have been nearly 400 children cared for at the Songs of Joy Home since we
received our first children in October of 1990. Some placements are short-term,
others indefinite, and our numbers fluctuate; lately we have been
averaging about 50 children at the Home ranging in age from infancy to 17
years of age -- including the 3 youngest of our 7 adopted Guatemalan children.
One thing unique about Songs of Joy is that we receive large family
groups, and older children, while many of the other agencies in
the country will not accept them. We have also taken children with
"special" needs. We provide food, clothing, medical and dental care, education,
recreation, and (most importantly) spiritual training. Many of the
children come to us from severely abusive situations. Some have deep
emotional scars and it takes a great deal of love, counsel, and the
grace of God to see them changed. His promise to us is that "It is
never in vain!"
If you would like to read our Vision please
click on the link (SOJ Vision) to do so.
Our Own School: Because of their background, our kids need much
individual attention and motivation We want them to be well prepared
so that, if they should choose, and have the ability, they can continue
on with higher formal education to become doctors, dentists, attorneys,
engineers, missionaries -- young men and women equipped to share their
skills and their faith wherever God might call them. Because of that,
we began our own on-site school in January of 2001, with all primary classes through
6th grade. The school year here runs from January to October.
Evangelistic Outreach Ministry. Our ministry includes
evangelism in several forms. We regularly go to outlying poor
mountain villages to take medical teams (often with visitors who come),
or for food/clothing distribution. When we have a medical clinic, the
medicine is given to the people without cost, and after they are seen by
a doctor and receive their medicine, they are directed to a Prayer
Station where each person is presented with the Gospel message. We
have seen great fruit in this area, as people receive Jesus Christ as
Savior or come to a place of rededicating themselves to Him. We
then attempt to see them incorporated into a local village church
fellowship.
Pastoral Training. We have a heart for poor village
pastors, who have no means to obtain training or encouragement because
lack of financial resources. Each April we host an
International Pastors'
Conferences at our facilities for pastors from Guatemala, El Salvador,
Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico. In the year 2005 we were able to
distribute 426 sets of the following books to needy pastors:
Thompson Chain Reference Bible, Strong's Concordance and Bible
Dictionary.
International Outreach. We have done several Evangelistic
Outreaches in other countries: particularly so far in El Salvador and
Nicaragua. You can see further details on those by going to our Outreach page. Click
Staff/Volunteers. We are always in need of more individuals to come and
work with us -- whether on a short- term basis for a few weeks, a few
months or a longer commitment. The knowledge of
Spanish is extremely helpful but not entirely "mandatory" since many of
our children have a basic understanding of English and there is a
possibility of learning it here. We need a full-time nurse. We are interested in finding both a mechanic and a carpenter who
will not only maintain our vehicles and build things for the Home but
will be able to teach some of the children who have an interest in learning these trades. It would be wonderful to
have a full time maintenance man on the grounds, to oversee all of the
upkeep of our buildings and gardens. We need a full time nurse as
well. If you would like to pursue the
possibility of coming to serve with us, see Short-Term
Visit and then contact us. Click
Facilities.. In July of 1998 we began construction of a
complex which has the potential to house up to 100
children. (You can see these facilities by clicking on the
Facilities link) The following structures are completed:
(1) kitchen / dining room / laundry area
(2) a two-story dorm building: upstairs are girls' dorms, pharmacy/medicine
room, a guest room, and storage rooms; on the first floor are dorms for
toddler and little boys, the school office, a class rooms and a guest
room.
(3) a mechanic shop and carpentry shop
(4) a 2-story building where our older boys' dorm is on the second
floor and the first floor is living quarters for full-time staff
(5) a school building / chapel / family home --
on the first floor are 4 class rooms and a chapel; the Directors'
family currently have their living quarters on the second floor.
(6) a swimming pool
(7) a conference center which can seat 300
Finances. At present it costs approximately $8,000 per month for the
operation of our home. That does NOT include the costs of running the
school OR any outreach ministries. As missionaries, we maintain the home with the contributions
which we receive on a monthly basis. At this time we are about $3,500
short each month in the support which we receive. We're hopeful that
our monthly contributions will increase, especially in light of our
ever-expanding family.
We have a monthly sponsorship program for the children and at present
70% of our children have sponsors at $30 per month. If you would like
more information about sponsoring a specific child please click on the Sponsorship page or contact us. Click
We cannot do this
work alone. Our partners are like our extended "family" and very
important to us. If you would like to be added to our mailing list,
please send us your address, whether by "snail mail" or E-mail. If God
should move in your heart to join with us through prayer and financial
support we look forward to getting to know you. Any assistance you give
us will be so appreciated, and we know that God is faithful to bless
those who care about His little ones. Our support address can be
found below, and also on the Home Page, as well as a Pay Pal icon to pay
thru credit card, if you should choose.
If you'd like to consider the possibility of coming for a short- or
long-term visit please check out our Short-Term Missions page and then
let us know of your plans. Our doors are open and the children love the
hugs and attention that visitors always bring. We are more than happy to
answer your questions and consider that possibility. Click
Proclaiming God's Faithfulness,
Carla
Rose |
