Enma's silver medal

We are so proud of Enma, 19, who placed second in her gymnastics meet yesterday! She's studying to be a physical education teacher, and was selected to participate in a special extra-curricular gymnastics program after showing special talent in her regular classes. Way to go Enma!

Marlon the chicken butcher

A young man with a wheelbarrow full of chicken - now there's something you don't see every day! Marlon, age 15, has been participating in the butchering of the latest batch of chickens at Casa Shalom's chicken farm. These chickens, already butchered and plucked, are destined for the cooking pots, to be enjoyed by all the orphanage.

A special prayer request

We are asking for special prayer for Marina, one of the weekend house mothers.  She was diagnosed with osteoporosis yesterday and needs a special healing touch!

Edwin's talent

A few months ago, we hired a new tutor to help our children reach their academic potential. The tutor is also a professional painter and began giving some of the children and teens painting lessons. It turns out that Edwin, age 16, has a gift for painting! Pictured is his first painting! He entered it into an art contest at his school and won 1st place! We are so proud of Edwin and his God-given talent. He plans on creating many more paintings in the near future.

Birthday celebration!

Yesterday, we took all of Casa Shalom's children who have birthdays in March and April to a favorite local restaurant to celebrate! They ate lots of fried chicken, french fries, and ice cream, and enjoyed a birthday song from the servers. The youngest in the group, Michelle, turned 5 while the oldest, Edwin, turned 16!

Nothing but a rain shower!

Casa Shalom's boys aren't going to let anything like a little downpour keep them from their favorite pastime, soccer!