Author: Kelly Shank

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10 Dec

Posted on December 10, 2018 by

As we go throughout our normal routines, sometimes we forget how much change we’ve experienced during our time serving in Guatemala. Especially after we transitioned to orphan care, the amount of change witnessed in the lives of the children in our home increased exponentially. No longer temporary caregivers, we are now a family raising amazing children. In February 2009, 7-year-old Aracely carried her infant brother into...

06 Dec

Posted on December 6, 2018 by

Have you ever wondered why we call the ladies who work in our homes “Special Mothers”? They are special, and most are mothers, but there is something more to these women. It takes a very special person to care for someone else’s children as if they are your own, and that is what the Special Mothers do for our children. These very special women work alternating...

19 Nov

Posted on November 19, 2018 by

As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Forever Changed International and the children of Dorie’s Promise in 2018. We are very aware that everything we do relies on our donors and supporters. Without you, we could not provide the loving home our children enjoy or offer support to struggling families throughout Guatemala. To the 854...

05 Nov

Posted on November 5, 2018 by

Two decades of work in Guatemala has taught us the complexity of orphan care and family preservation. Seeing the immediate and real needs of young women and children in 2000 brought us to Guatemala, but understanding the many social realities of orphan care kept us here and expanded our work. Through our continued work and presence, we foster opportunities for the redemption of precious lives...

01 Nov

Posted on November 1, 2018 by

Two decades of work in Guatemala has taught us the complexity of orphan care and family preservation. Seeing the immediate and real needs of young women and children in 2000 brought us to Guatemala, but understanding the many social realities of orphan care kept us here and expanded our work. Through our continued work and presence, we foster opportunities for the redemption of precious lives...

29 Oct

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

Two decades of work in Guatemala has taught us the complexity of orphan care and family preservation. Seeing the immediate and real needs of young women and children in 2000 brought us to Guatemala, but understanding the many social realities of orphan care kept us here and expanded our work. Through our continued work and presence, we foster opportunities for the redemption of precious lives...

25 Oct

Posted on October 25, 2018 by

Two decades of work in Guatemala has taught us the complexity of orphan care and family preservation. Seeing the immediate and real needs of young women and children in 2000 brought us to Guatemala, but understanding the many social realities of orphan care kept us here and expanded our work. Through our continued work and presence, we foster opportunities for the redemption of precious lives...

11 Oct

Posted on October 11, 2018 by

For 3 weeks every summer board member Cinda Rachor takes over Dorie’s Promise with teams of teenagers from her hometown in Michigan. Our guest houses become a hive of energy and excitement. Originally finding Dorie’s Promise during their adoption* journey, the Rachor family connected with our staff and children during frequent visits with their daughter over a 7 year period. Within a few years, the time...

08 Oct

Posted on October 8, 2018 by

Children enter our home after enduring a wide range of traumatic experiences. For some, physical abuse, neglect, and poverty consumed their previous lives. Coupled with the loss of their biological families and homes, our children enter care in a fragile emotional state. Trauma affects more than their physical health. Doc and Mirna, our medical staff work diligently to help heal the physical wounds and ailments of...

27 Sep

Posted on September 27, 2018 by

At the beginning of June, we unexpectedly welcomed baby Ana Sofia into our home. Under normal circumstances, when needs arise the court reaches out to orphanage directors to inquire about placements based on gender, age, and level of care required. (Read more in our post The Path Leading Children to Dories Promise) As you may know, over the last several years we’ve swapped most of our...