At only five years old,  Joel’s* life didn’t have a very hopeful future.  Abandoned by his mom as a toddler, his dad has been taking care of him for the past four years.  However, his dad faces incredible health problems and his days here on earth may be short.  Even if God grants his dad a long life against the odds, his health issues have put him in and out of a wheelchair for the past several years and even on his best days he can barely move independently.  He is unable to work and therefore has very little money to support a growing boy, and no energy to give the attention and care that an active child requires. 

With tears in his eyes, his dad came to us for help.  His love for his boy and his desire to give him a hopeful future drove him to willingly relinquish custody and place him in Casa Monte Plata’s family to raise him and love him. 

A few weeks ago, Joel didn’t know where his next meal would come from.  Now he receives three meals a day plus snacks.  Before, he was pulled out of kindergarten because there was no money for his school needs.  Now he is in a full-day class taught by a very qualified teacher (though he insists on going to the third grade class instead of kindergarten. . . we’re working on that  :) Just last month he didn’t have anyone who could guide him, play with him, and discipline him.  Now he has been integrated into the Casa Monte Plata family and has many people who are investing in his development and many friends to play with in a safe environment.  Not long ago Joel had never been to church and did not know who Jesus was.  Now he is being raised in a home that loves Jesus and is committed to teaching him about God, Jesus, sin, and salvation.  He had no idea what would happen to him if his father should die; now he has security and stability.  His future was bleak; it is now filled with great hope.

We are privileged to be able to be a part of God’s work to transform and redeem this little guy’s life.

**And as an extra whisper of hope over this situation, Joel’s dad is expressing a desire to understand the Bible.  He knows his days are short, and he is interested in learning more about how he can have peace with God.  He comes to church with us on Sundays and has come over to have us read the Bible to him.  We are praying that God’s Word will fall on his soul and bring him to the hope of eternal life through the mercy offered by Jesus’s death and resurrection.  Join with us in praying for his salvation.**

* Name Changed