Next month, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dorie’s Promise!
I am proud of the home our team has created and I am looking ahead to many more years serving our children and the impoverished people in Guatemala.
Looking Back
I have to say that 2020 has brought many painful challenges for me personally. In January, I lost my mother, my best friend. She taught me how to love and serve others, supported my decision to move to Europe at eighteen to pursue ministry, and helped build Dorie’s Promise in the summer of 2000.
In 2000, we started building Dorie’s Promise from nothing. Within months we had assembled a team that then cared for hundreds of children as they transitioned through the international adoption process.
In 2007 when international adoptions closed, I asked family, friends, and anyone else who would listen to help our children. By keeping Dorie’s Promise open, we offered an alternative to large, overcrowded government orphanages.
In the last two decades, we’ve built not only an exceptional orphan care home but also a fantastic mission’s program!
The staff that cares for our children daily as well as the staff that works with our mission teams are the backbone of our Dorie’s Promise family. Every year, we welcome hundreds of visitors who use their gifts at both Dorie’s Promise and in local communities.
Realities of 2020
As a leader, the toughest part of COVID-19 is not being able to work side-by-side with my staff. In an instant, I was always able to get on a plane and go to Guatemala. That isn’t possible at this time and that makes me sad. I want to sit with our kids, talk about how they feel, answer their questions, and help with homework. When my staff is exhausted and overwhelmed, I want to be exhausted and overwhelmed with them.
My hope is found in the family we’ve created at Dorie’s Promise. You are a part of that family. I want to thank you for your commitment to us. We’ve faced hard decisions, low bank balances, and illnesses before, but God has always brought people into our family to help us care for his children. I know he will do the same in 2020.
As I continue to mourn the loss of my mother, I think about how she would want me to lead our team during this time. I am certain she would expect me to be strong and to push forward. She would be right beside me, knocking down doors to find a way for our kids to be taken care of and our staff to remain employed.
Family Matters
Each of us has a unique role in this wonderfully large Dorie’s Promise family.
My part is planning our path forward, trimming budgets, and seeking out new donors. Maybe your part is praying for our children, our staff, and our budget. We need your prayers every day. If your gift is encouragement, our staff and children could use your kind words. For others, their part will be to sponsor a child or give a special gift. All of these parts are equally wonderful and necessary for us.
Our family needs each of you. We are blessed by you and thankful for you.
It is my prayer that when life returns to normal, whatever that looks like in the future, you will know how much we value you being a part of our family. I want to look back and say that COVID-19 made us stronger and brought us closer.
Thank you for all you do for our children at Dorie’s Promise. We’re honored to call you family.
Sincerely,
Heather Radu