Casa Shalom Children’s Home Partners with Operation Compassion for Tornado Relief
An American tradition finds a new home and a new purpose; orphan children sell their own possessions to send aid to the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. On any given Saturday morning in America, there is a ritual throughout the land from early spring until almost winter, of families and neighbors hosting yard sales. This week, orphan children in Guatemala saw the devastation in Oklahoma and decided to bring this tradition of yard sales to Guatemala and use it to benefit the victims through Operation Compassion.
Casa Shalom, a home for children in San Lucas, Guatemala, is home to 85 children with big hearts and inspirational ambitions. They all arrived at the home from different parts of the country and they live and attend school at Casa Shalom which was started as a place to provide for needy and abused children’s physical, educational, mental and spiritual needs. This home, led by directors Josh and Jessica Hanson, represents a true holistic approach to ensuring that the children who would otherwise be neglected have a healthy environment and a joyful place to call home.
“When I heard that Operation Compassion is resourcing relief efforts in Oklahoma, I knew I wanted to get the children of Casa Shalom involved. Our children have been incredibly blessed by the generosity of others, and our goal is for them to give back. We showed them photos of the aftermath of the tornado and explained what had happened. I had the idea of holding a yard sale and having the children participate by running it and donating items, so that they could truly participate in the relief effort,” says Director Josh Hanson.
Martin, 16 year-old resident of Casa Shalom for 8 years, who helped set up the sale and donated his personal belongings tells us, “I donated a coat and some clothing to the yard sale because I have been given so much. The people in the United States have blessed me and the other children at Casa Shalom in so many ways, and I wanted to do whatever I could to give back. I know it’s the least I could do to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States in their time of need.”
According to Director Jessica Hanson, “When our children heard about the devastation in Oklahoma, they were eager to help. As children who come from backgrounds of extreme poverty and neglect, they don’t have much. But they were overjoyed to be able to give what they have – toys, clothing and shoes. Some even handed me coins and small bills to contribute toward the relief effort. I am so proud of Casa Shalom’s children for their generous hearts and willingness to let the Lord use them. God is doing great things in our children!”
The entire staff of Operation Compassion is overwhelmed by the efforts of these children at Casa Shalom. This is unprecedented generosity from a third-world country and from those in that country who have the least. It is reminder to us all that no gift is too small and no effort to little, we all can take part in the relief effort to help the victims of the devastation in Oklahoma.
In addition to Casa Shalom others in World Missions have helped fund the disaster relief effort in Oklahoma. Dr. Tim Hill, General Director of Church of God World Missions presented a large financial gift to Operation Compassion; Pastor Sudjono Hailm of Indonesia sent a generous donation; Missionary Tom Tioaquen sent a significant donation.
Will you join the children of Casa Shalom and many others in helping the victims of the tornado outbreak in Oklahoma? To give a donation, please follow one of the three methods listed below:
Online Donations:
www.operationcompassion.org (givedirect button)
Call your donations to:
423.728.3932
Mail or call your donations to:
Operation Compassion
114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org
