...introducing Maria.

So i’m finally taking a minute to throw in a different point of view on farm life here on Carreta Quemada. For those who don’t know me, my name’s aurora and I’ve been now living on carreta quemada for 3 months. Just a short summary of how I came to be here: I had graduated from the University of West Virginia in May 2007, with a Bio degree and a Spanish minor. Not knowing if or how I would use my education, I just knew that I wanted to do mission work and learn some spanish. I read through and hunted for non-profit organizations in a missions catalog and whatever else I could get my hands on. After half-heartedly picking some out, I decided I would spend some more time working in summit county where I had spent my high school years. To make a long story short, by a divinely-guided chain of events, I heard about and came to learn about Fields of the Fatherless. After reading about it and meeting Gary, Kathy, Josh, and Abbie, I felt sure about wanting to go to Uruguay. It was the only direction I had felt sure about for the past few years. And since I’ve been here God has only been moving and shaking me more and reaffirming the sureness I felt. I only wish this perpetual smile on my face, and vibrant glow I bathing my heart could be conveyed through words on a computer screen, or even a photo.... i have already drawn so much closer to Jesus under Kathy and Gary's guidance, and have already shed off so many layers of muck that had been keeping me from fully embracing the love that's there for the taking.

but anyways, just wanted to introduce myself because i will be blogging some here. here on Carreta Quemada, we usually get slapped with a nickname once we arrive. i have been appointed "maria," which refers to the character Maria in the Sound of Music....as the song goes,"how do you catch a cloud and pin it down?"

El Hogar

Another blessing that the Lord has provided is a connection with the ministry of El Hogar. El Hogar means "the home", in Spanish and it is home to many abandoned and orphaned children,(21 at present), as well as several elderly folks whose families are either unable or unwilling to care for them. El Hogar is approximately 25 minutes from the farm in a town called Ecilda Paulier. It is not an institution, but literally a family where the children call Kurt and Bilda, (the couple who head the ministry), "Mama" and "Papa".

The ministry has been operating for many years and was started by Ursula Dueck, (Kurt's mother) back in 1966. Many young women have grown up in the home and now live healthy, devoted lives because of the love, care and discipleship they received at El Hogar.

We had the privilege of spending Christmas eve 2007 with their large family and have enjoyed getting to know them all. We have also been able to host the children and adults at the farm for soccer, swimming, berry picking and horsebackriding, as well as have helped provide food for them from our garden and sheep herd. We hope to continue developing our relationship with them as our ability in Spanish grows. We are impressed with the evidence of fruit in the childrens lives, and are amazed at seeing the work of God transforming lives that would have been in a place of despair, if not for the love and care of God and a new family.

A Father to the fatherless...God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:5,6