Fresh paint!

Yesterday, all 3 of the boys' houses got a fresh coat of paint thanks to a group from Canada Amistad! Thanks for a job well done!

Tortilla duty

It's been another blessed day at Casa Shalom! Karen and Colim were on tortilla duty - we at Casa Shalom make over 500 tortillas every single day!

Best friends

Best friends Yohanna and Maria stroll arm in arm on this beautiful Sunday afternoon!

Catalina, age 5, shows off her new sunglasses, a present from the short-term missions team from Christian Life Church that is spending the week serving at Casa Shalom.

Benjamin leaves the nest

Tonight, the Casa Shalom family said goodbye to one of it's oldest members. Benjamin, now 22, arrived at Casa Shalom as an 8-year-old who had been abandoned by his mother and who sold gum on the streets to make a living. Benjamin has spent the last 14 years of his life at Casa Shalom, completing high school and then eventually his degree as an accountant. A few years ago, Benjamin transitioned from child to staff and became a house parent for Casa Shalom's teen and later pre-teen boys. Benjamin recently obtained a job as an accountant with a good company in Guatemala City. We are so proud to see him leave Casa Shalom as a successful, well-educated, Christ-loving young man and we've encouraged all of Casa Shalom's children to follow in his footsteps. Go with God, Benjamin!
Left: Casa Shalom's children pray a blessing over Benjamin as he moves on to life beyond the orphanage.





















Benjamin with Marina, who was his house mother when he arrived at Casa Shalom at eight years old. Marina is a wonderful servant of the Lord and is still house mothering to this day!

Welcome Candelaria, Wiliam and Roxana!

Tonight, 8-year-old Candelaria, 3-year-old Wiliam and 1-year-old Roxana joined the Casa Shalom family! They've been living on the streets with their parents who made them beg for money and wash car windows for spare change. Candelaria has never been to school and the children are all malnourished and small. We are thrilled by the chance to minister to these precious little ones!

Faint paint fun

Twin sisters Candelaria, left, and Magdalena, right, and their big sister Viviana, middle, spent the afternoon with Casa Shalom's psychologist in an early-learning session that included face paint!