A special prayer request

A prayer request from Casa Shalom: last night, a giant tree fell on the nearby power lines, completely severing them and knocking down nearby concrete power line pillars. The orphanage has been without power since then and the power company is saying it could be over a week before power is restored. It's very challenging to care for 57 children with no power, so pray it is restored quickly!

Cesar's special day

Yesterday, one of Casa Shalom's oldest kids had a special moment as he celebrated his graduation from his college capstone course. Cesar Antonio, 18, is graduating this year from technical school with his degree as a mechanic. He hopes to continue his education next year and enroll in Guatemala City's University of San Carlos to study mechanical engineering. Cesar, right, with his younger sister Maria and younger brother Brayan helps care for the orphanage's cars and will continue to live at Casa Shalom as he continues his education.

Cesar gives his capstone course speech at a special ceremony.

All dressed up with his capstone certificate!

Cesar with his capstone graduating class (Cesar is in the middle row, third from the right).

The latest Casa Shalom info now available!

To see all the latest Casa Shalom news and photos, please check out the link below for the most recent e-newsletter. In the future, if you'd like to receive the Casa Shalom e-newsletter in your email inbox, just send us an email at: TheHansonsinGuatemala@gmail.com

Casa Shalom Newsletter August/September 2011

Casa Shalom newsletter

We will soon be sending out another Casa Shalom e-newsletter. If you'd like to receive the latest Casa Shalom info and photos in your inbox, please send an email to TheHansonsinGuatemala@gmail.com

Praise report from Sarai!

Fantastic news about little Sarai! Last week we posted a prayer request for her: after she complained of stomach pain, a doctor diagnosed her with a mass in her stomach that would need to be removed surgically. But yesterday, a specialist determined that she does not need an operation! He discovered that the mass was in fact part of her intestine that is slightly larger than normal, but doesn't need surgery. Praise God! We are so thankful that Sarai will not need an operation, and will be just fine. Thanks for all your prayers for this special little girl.

An update on Clemente

A great update from a former Casa Shalom kid: This year, Clemente, 16, was able to return home to live with his mother. He is finishing high school and putting into practice some skills he learned at the orphanage. As one of the teens who took part in a professional baking course, Clemente earned a baker's license and is now working part-time at a bakery near his home to help support his family while he finishes his education. This is exactly what we strive for at Casa Shalom - to give our kids the skills they need to be successful after leaving the orphanage!

Christian Life Center

Yesterday, Casa Shalom welcomed a short-term missions team from Yakima, Washington! After traveling for over 12 hours, the team jumped right into ministry last night and joined a local Youth With a Mission group to hand out hot soup to homeless people in the local town of Antigua. The team was also able to distribute Spanish-language Bibles they brought to give away to the homeless. We are excited to minister with the team from Christian Life Center!

A new roof

Using donations from people across the United States, the team from Trumansburg, NY is putting a brand new roof on the babies' and teen girls' houses! The roofs were very, very leaky and water was coming in in many places. These 2 new roofs will be a great blessing to the babies and teen girls. Thanks for all your hard work, Trumansburg tream!

Support for Sarai

We are requesting prayer and support for a very special little Casa Shalom girl, Sarai, 5-years-old. Sarai recently began complaining of stomach pains and a trip to the doctor confirmed that she has a quarter-sized mass in her stomach. The doctors say it is non-cancerous but will need to be removed surgically. We are asking that you keep Sarai in your prayers as she goes through this process. We are asking the Lord for a smooth, painless procedure. We also ask that you consider donating toward Sarai’s surgery. The total cost will be around $1,000, including a hospital stay and medicine. Any donations toward this procedure would be a blessing for the orphanage and for Sarai. To donate through our supporting organization International Orphan Support, please click on the link below and under project name, include “Sarai’s surgery.” 100% of donations will be used for her procedure.
Anyone who has visited Casa Shalom knows that Sarai is always one of the first children to come running with a smile and a hug. She’s a bright, inquisitive little girl and we know the Lord will care for His child during this process.

Donate towards Sarai's surgery

Update: Fantastic news - just a few hours after this post, a donor pledged the entire amount for Sarai's surgery! God is good! To the donor - thank you for giving so generously to help us care for Sarai. And everyone, please keep praying for her and watch for updates.

120 for orphans

To support Casa Shalom some pray, some visit and some ride 120 miles on a bike! Check out the link below for the "120 for Orphans" bike ride which is being led by director Jessica Hanson's father Rick Whitter. Over a 2-day period Rick and other riders will make the trek in partnership with International Orphan Support. Funds raised by the raised by the ride will go to support CS and other orphanages in Guatemala and Haiti.

120 for orphans