Last Friday, La Casa celebrated its tenth anniversary. In so many ways it seems so long ago, but memories do not fade of that first day. Several people joined together to take a step of faith, and we have all watched God provide in many ways. Take a walk down memory lane with us as Carmen Rivera, who has worked at La Casa since that very first day shares her memories with us.
“I remember with such melancholy when we arrived at the first house; we swept and cleaned the facilities before the children arrived. It was so much work that we had to sleep there over night. On May 18 of 2002, when the children arrived full of energy, my heart was filled with joy as I saw the children smiling and wearing big yellow shirts. Their eyes were big and full of excitement. I heard one of the children say, “Finally, I have a house!” That stuck with me, and I began to realize that caring for the children was caring for God’s children. His Word says: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3
“I am still here after 10 years. I have seen the kids grow, and I have seen some of them move to The Bridge, our transition home. Now many of the children tell me, ‘Sister Carmen, you were taller than us, but now you seem so short!’ I continue to thank the Lord for letting me be part of La Casa de mi Padre.”
La Casa wants to say thank you to each of you who have shared and continue to share in the journey with us. We cherish each one of you and look forward to sharing God’s handiwork in each of the children’s lives as our story continues to unfold.
(Perhaps if you have a memory, you’d like to share it with us!)
By Diana de Rodríguez Edited by Sharon Powell———————————————————————————————-
¡Al fin tengo casa!
El viernes pasado, La Casa celebró su décimo aniversario. En muchos aspectos, parece que fue hace mucho tiempo, pero los recuerdos de ese primer día no se desvanecen. Muchos se unieron para dar un paso de fe y hemos visto la provisión de Dios en muchas maneras. Te invito a dar un paseo por los recuerdos. Carmen Rivera, quien ha trabajado desde el primer día en La Casa, nos comparte sus memorias:
“Recuerdo con tanta nostalgia cuando llegamos a aquella casa y con el nuevo equipo de servidores la barrimos y la lavamos, era tanto el trabajo que tuvimos que dormir ahí una noche. El 18 de mayo de 2002, los niños llegaron con tanta energía y mi corazón se gozó al verlos todos vistiendo camisas amarillas, sus ojitos brillaban de alegría y sonreían. Escuché que uno de los chicos dijo ‘¡Al fin tengo casa!’. Entonces entendí para quién estoy trabajando, para los pequeñitos del Señor. Su Palabra dice: ‘He aquí, herencia de Jehová son los hijos; cosa de estima el fruto del vientre.’ Salmos 127:3
Aquí estoy después de 10 años, he visto crecer a los chicos y los he visto partir para ‘El Puente’, nuestra casa de transición. Ahora me dicen:
‘Hermana Carmen usted era alta, pero ahora se hecho pequeña’, los chicos han crecido. Doy gracias al Señor por permitirme ser parte de La Casa de mi Padre.”
La Casa agradece a cada uno de ustedes que han compartido y siguen compartiendo este viaje con nosotros. Los valoramos a cada uno de ustedes y esperamos poder compartir la obra que Dios está haciendo en cada uno de los chicos, mientras nuestra historia se sigue desarrollando.
(¡Si usted tiene alguna memoria de La Casa, le invitamos a compartirla con nosotros!)
Por Diana de Rodríguez Editado por Sharon Powell
Wow, we really have come a long way. I can still remember my first visit to La Casa at the old house…wow!! Praise the Lord for HIS provision for HIS children. Blessings to all of you. Phyllis Rouse
I also remember ten years ago when La Casa de Mi Padre was founded. I remember helping clean/paint the first house with the founders and others from church. I was not there when the children arrived, but I remember hearing about how excited everyone was, both adults and children. It is so rewarding to be a part of La Casa, to be a part of making a real difference in the lives of children, to help them grow up in a loving Christian environment, and to give them the opportunity to be what they want to be when they grow up. La Casa is also a witness to me in living by faith. The times God has answered prayers to help La Casa are powerful testimonies to all of us. May God continue to bless La Casa and everyone associated with it.