Clearing the Confusion

From immense confusion and dysfunction, thirteen-year-old “Ever” has come to the orphanage. To give you some idea of his previous reality, I ask you to imagine something with me for a moment. I want you to picture driving through DENSE FOG. Not a fog that is merely a light touching of the clouds to earth, but the kind that leaves you unable to see even an inch past the hood of your vehicle; the kind of fog that has cars pulling over left and right, too visually impaired and nervous to continue driving. Have you ever been driving in that kind of fog while trying to navigate your way through an unfamiliar road? It has been kind of like THAT fog for Ever, whose family consisted of a mentally unstable mother and a schizophrenic older sister who severely mistreated him. Ever’s life was surrounded by confusion, darkness, and abuse, which is why Ever took to the streets daily, seeking escape from the chaos and pain. How could he properly navigate through that as a young boy or hope to correctly understand God, himself, or others? Neighbors recognized how he was being treated and agreed that he was in great need, but what were they to do? What he needed was a new home where “normal” didn’t represent pandemonium and where the people around him could be counted on for stability and consistency, instead of abuse and madness. We are grateful to God that such a home—a stable, peaceful, and healthy environment—does exist and has opened its doors to receive Ever, who was able to enter the orphanage and is now learning what “normal” means in God’s kingdom. Sure, learning to navigate life is a lot easier with the outer “fog” now cleared, but there is a lot of prayer and healing that Ever needs before the fog that remains in his soul can be swept away by the Truth of God’s Word. Will you pray for him? Through your prayers and the faithful, financial support that you and others give, we are hopeful for his future. Shouldn’t every child be able to experience life without the disorders that Ever has had to endure? These are the realities that we are facing, and helping the children to overcome, each time we reach into the broken world around us and rescue a Peruvian child’s life from the darkness. You are making it possible. Your contributions really do make a difference!

How has Ever responded to the home? He is very quiet as he studies his new environment and the many children and staff that make up his new world. Though he does not express himself well, we can see that Ever has an interest in learning. He has never before had at his disposal any sort of help with schooling, and so we see that this opportunity is valuable for him. Given his history, it is not surprising that Ever has learning challenges, but we know that God will help Ever to gain the ground he needs to gain academically. We continue to provide the children with academic enrichment during their summer months, which is happening right now in Peru. Through these opportunities, and so much more that they receive at the orphanage, these children’s lives are changing forever. It only happens because of people like YOU. Thank you for giving to see another life changed.

In His Grace,

Tony and Rosa Rivera

Home of Refuge International, Inc.