Our Work
Godīs Word
"A father for the fatherless and a judge for the widows is God in his holy habitation, God makes a home for the lonely. Psalm 68:5-6
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least fo these brothers of mine you did it for me"
Matthew 25:40
Mission
Our mission is not only providing housing, formal education, feeding, medical attention, counseling, clothing, and any other needs they may have. Our goal it to keep a family atmosphere where our kids can grow safe and secure.
- Feeding:We do our best to provide a nutritious and healthy meal every day.
- Clothing: By the grace of God and the support of our friends, kids at Nuevo Reto dress nice and clean.
- Counseling: Our staff, committed christian leaders, pay special attention to daily counseling needs of the kids. Profesional help is provided in special situations when needed.
- Spiritual guidence: Attending church, serving as leaders of The Childrenīs Church, ministering at the worship ministry and other areas in our church give our kids a good opportunity to grow in their walk with the Lord.
- Schooling: We put every effort to keep our kids attending a private Christian school nearby the ministry.
- Medical care: We have been able to use private doctors and hospitals for most of the medical needs of the kids.
- Job training: Older boys after age 12, are encouraged to get some skills in carpentry, metal shop and auto-mechanic alongside their formal education. The purpose is to help them when they graduate they will also have some skills in the area of their choice. We have seen the benefit of the approach with our boys.
- Household training: Older girls are encouraged to help and learn at home tasks as, cleaning, watching smaller kids or some "cooking" in the kitchen.
- Leadership training: Both boys and girls after twelve are involved in our school of leadership to catch the vision of service and production.
Ministry
Our ministry at Nuevo Reto is directed to those kids, boys and girls under twelve who for many reasons end up in the streets without the family support. Even though the program is run by Christian leaders and by Christian principles, our ministry to the kids is supported and extended by the church ministy of Templo de la Gloria (Glory Chapel). 95% of the full and part time staff at Nuevo Reto are committed leaders of Templo de la Gloria. Also,the people attending our church ministry are challenged to provide for the needs of Nuevo Reto.
Why we do what we do
I grew up in a background of extreme poverty. I know by personal experience what it means to go to bed hungry. If not for the grace of God and the compassion of people who helped me, I could not be what I am. I was blessed by others and I understand it was a way for God to teach me about compassion. They paid for my schooling, gave some clothes, shoes, etc. So now, I just want to bless as I have been blessed.
All of these years, the Lord has brought next to us compassionate people, people who give without expecting to get anything back. They love and support us and challenge us to just keep doing the work for the glory of God.
I know by the Word of God that real love for God means to love your brother. God cares for the poor. He cares for the outcast. ( Lam. 2:19) So, we just want to be obedient and follow our Masterīs example of love and compassion for others.
How can we close our eyes to the need of those kids living in the streets? (5,000 according to some statistics). It breaks our hearts when we walk the streets of our country and see many kids sleeping in the streets. Kids having drugs instead of attending the school or been taken care of. How can we neglect the need of many kids who wonder in the streets and do not have a family, friends or a pastor?
But, the greater challenge: Those kids with us. Those who are now writing a different story in their lives. Heydy, Luis, Francisco, Guillermo, and many others. They are a good reason to keep believing that it is possible to reach the street children. When we see them attending school, serving the Lord at the worship team in our church, or teaching the Word of God to other kids. That is the best reason to just keep working harder and with excitement.
How can we stop now, when we have so many tools to work! How can we stop now, when we can give the opportunity to many kids and tell them the good news: THERE IS HOPE FOR THEIR LIVES!
Lost and Forgotten
Guatemala is nation blessed by God with land, beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains and an abundant production of vegetables, grains, and other goods. With at least 18,000 established Christian churches and ministries, we still face the reality of having at least 5,000 kids living in the streets. Thousands of kids do not attend school because they have to work helping thier parents and in the worst cases, working in very dangerous jobs like the making of fire works (many have been injured so badly when the powder has ignited).
Many kids survive by collecting from the garbage dump in the city "some treasures" to sell or "some food to eat".
When you walk though the streets of Guatemala day or night, you can find many kids, boys and girls wondering in the streets. Some keep begging for food or clothes, others simply beg for love and attention. Sniffing glue or paint thinner and using other drugs such as crack are part of the reallity of the street children. Many kids are used by street adults to beg for money or to participate in violence. Sadly, because of poverty and of lack of opportunities in the fields, many families come to the city trying to get a better life and when the fail their kids end up in the streets.
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