Certainly you have heard the proverbial statement, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” With a similar goal in mind, we are excited to introduce a bit of “animal husbandry in agriculture” to the orphanage this month, in hopes of successfully providing them with the ongoing means to grow chicken and eggs for the home. It began in December as we contemplated what we could give to the children for Christmas that would have a significant and lasting impact. The idea came to us to use what money the Lord might provide in order to introduce to the staff (and eventually the children) the art of chicken farming. We desire to not only supply them with a full pantry each month, which we were able to do again on our trip last week, but even more than that, to supply them with a sustainable means of multiplying food for the home.
During our visit to Peru last week, we were able to purchase 300 starter chicks for the home, along with all of the necessary tools and supplies to raise
them. Our goal, of course, is to equip the children with knowledge and experience in chicken farming, use the project to be a continuous supply of healthy chicken and eggs for the orphanage meals, and help to foster a more sustainable, economical way of feeding this “growing family” of children all year round as we continue to provide starter chicks each time they have harvested the birds. We hope to increase the number of starter chicks in “round two” once we ascertain how successfully they have handled the initial 300. Please pray for this endeavor, and consider whether or not you and your family could function as sponsors of this program through your monthly giving. Any contributions given only help us to more successfully “teach a man to fish”.
In addition to filling up the orphanage pantry for the month, we were able to cover the other monthly bills, leaving them “set” until next month. The children are very excited to be enjoying their summer vacation from school and are greatly anticipating an upcoming, two-week retreat they will attend at a special place on the beach. There will be many types of activities for them to partake in, designated times of prayer, “beach time”, and lots of fun to be had. It will be a momentous occasion for them all—something they have never dreamed would be made into reality.
We are very pleased by the growth we see taking place in the new leadership (those who have assumed responsibility for the home, following Luis’ death). They expect to receive 10 additional children into the home this week, and they continue to exhibit a willingness to learn from us and to give their all in service to the Lord and to the children He has brought under their care. Your faithfulness to this ministry is a vast part of it all. Without you doing what the Lord lays on your heart to do, they would never have the means to do what He has laid on theirs. You are making a difference, and for this we are all grateful; “Thank you” on behalf of the staff and children of the 
Santa Maria Children’s Home.
Humbled by grace,
Tony and Rosa Rivera
Home of Refuge International, Inc.
