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Once upon a time, in the heart of the lush South-Kivu region, nestled among rolling hills and whispering forests, there existed a haven called Patmos Village. It was not just a place; it was a sanctuary for the lost, the broken, and the abandoned. Here, the sun painted hope across the faces of orphaned children, and the wind carried their dreams to the heavens.
Among these children was Grace, a girl whose life had been etched with sorrow. She arrived at Patmos Village on a somber day, her heart heavy with grief. The memory of her parents, taken too soon by illness, haunted her. Their laughter, their love—now mere echoes in her fragile soul.
God’s Rescue Mission
The day ICC embraced her into its arms, Grace felt the warmth of divine love. She was no longer just an orphan; she was a cherished child of God.
Caption: Through the faithful support of sponsors and donors like you, Grace thrived at Patmos and is now paying forward the support given her. Thank you!
The children’s village, aptly named Patmos Village, became her sanctuary once more. Here, she found not only earthly care but also a deeper purpose—a calling etched in the stars.
Grace’s Journey to Patmos Village
The journey to Patmos was arduous. Grace’s tiny feet carried her across rugged terrain, her eyes wide with uncertainty. She had lost not only her parents but also her health.
Malnourished and weak, she clung to the hope that this village would be her refuge. And refuge it was. The gates of Patmos Village swung open, revealing a world of compassion.
The caretakers welcomed her with open arms, their smiles like sunbeams piercing through the clouds. Here, she found solace in the following areas:
Food— No longer did Grace go to bed hungry. Nutritious meals became her daily companions, filling her belly and nourishing her spirit. She could have three meals per day, a surprising balanced diet she had never experienced before.
Housing— A modest room with a bed became her sanctuary—a place where nightmares faded and dreams took root.
Education— Patmos Village believed in the power of knowledge. Grace attended the village primary school, where she learned to read, write, and dream beyond her circumstances.
Clothing— Her threadbare clothes were replaced with garments stitched with care. She felt worthy, not just of fabric, but of love.
Medical Care— The village doctor and nurse tended to her ailments, healing both body and soul.
Spiritual Assistance—Grace discovered faith—the kind that whispered courage in the darkest nights. The choir at Patmos Village resonated with her soul. Their voices, like birds taking flight, soared toward the heavens. Grace stood among them, her heart an instrument tuned to faith. She sang not only for herself but for every orphan who had ever felt lost. Her voice carried their stories—their pain, their dreams, their silent cries.
Discovery— Patmos encouraged exploration. Grace danced in the rain, climbed trees, and marveled at fireflies.
House Parents— They became her surrogate parents. Their love was steady, their guidance unwavering.
Grace’s Academic Journey
As the seasons changed, so did Grace. She blossomed like a rare flower. At the village primary school, she earned her Primary School Leaving Certificate—a testament to her resilience. But Grace hungered for more. She pursued secondary education, earning a state diploma. Her eyes sparkled with ambition.
Then came the turning point. Grace stood at the crossroads of her destiny. Armed with determination, she embarked on advanced studies in Computer Sciences. The hum of servers and the dance of code became her symphony. She graduated, her diploma a beacon of triumph.
Caption: Your donations helped transform Grace's life. Thank you!
Independence and Purpose
Patmos Village celebrated Grace’s graduation. She was no longer an orphan; she was a warrior. Her sponsor, an unseen angel, had paved her path. Tears flowed as she thanked them—their generosity had woven her dreams into reality.
Now, Grace works at a therapeutic center, cradling malnourished children in her arms. Her laughter mingles with theirs, a healing melody. She is no longer the girl who arrived broken; she is a grown-up, an essential thread in the community fabric.
And so, the story of Grace continues—a testament to the transformative power of love, care, and opportunity. For every orphan, Patmos Village stands as a beacon, whispering, “You are not alone. You are loved.”
Stretching the Impact of YOUR Support
Why try to explain miracles to your children when you can have them plant a garden.”-Janet Kilburn Phillips
Your support of the El Oasis Children’s Village in Mexico is having a tremendous impact on the lives of the children there. As I shared in the May edition of the Que Pasa newsletter, the children are thriving under the care of loving house parents. You can be sure that your faithful support is helping to transform the lives of the little ones.
Please know that the El Oasis family appreciates your support and is working hard to make sure that your funds can stretch even further by diligently operating and expanding an agricultural business. They are trying to do their part in becoming more self-sufficient.
During my brief visit at El Oasis, I was able to join the children, staff, and community members in a dedication service for this year’s crop.
Caption: Your support is helping to nurture little children like this boy who is tenderly planting a seedling.
This is an annual event at the El Oasis Farm. This service gave us the opportunity to seek God’s blessing on the growing season. During the service the El Oasis band performed as well as the guitar ensemble of boys from Juan Carlos’ home.
One of the special highlights was seeing the children helping to plant the first seedlings. I was impressed with how carefully they handled the plants in the process of placing them in the soil, covering the roots, and tamping the soil around the stem to make sure the plant was secure. This was a wonderful illustration of the tender, nurturing care these children are receiving within the El Oasis family.
Caption: What a blessing that the children have the assistance of caring adults.
Caption: Please pray for this year’s crop.
Caption: The EL Oasis band participating in the dedication ceremony
Through God’s blessing and the experienced care of the El Oasis Farm workers, this endeavor has become an important means of providing for the operational needs of El Oasis. This helps to stretch your support even further.
We have asked God’s blessing upon this year’s crop of vegetables. Please pray for the protection, growth of the plants and for a successful harvest. And if you would like to give a special gift in support of this initiative, please designate it “El Oasis Farm.” Thank you!
Thank you for your gifts of support that have help provide and protect the children.
More Than Just Education
Year two of the community education program at Los Pinos is well under way. And this year’s program is having an even greater impact on the lives of the children attending.
As part of the services provided, the Los Pinos nurse works in cooperation with the local health clinic to provide primary health care. With the authorization and input of the parents, the nurse has created medical files for each student. Height and weight are monitored bi-monthly. Medical treatment and medicine are provided for the children free of charge. In this way, Los Pinos is helping to support the quality of life of the students.
Community children also participated in a school trip to the Yaxtunilá Aroyo (Stream). This was an incredible experience. For most of the children it was their first outing like this. They were so happy and excited that they did not sleep during the trip.
Once at the stream, the children were able to play in the crystal-clear waters. The trip also included a visit to the Island of Flores and Lake Petén Itzá. The day was topped off with a meal at a pizza restaurant that supports Los Pinos’ activities by offering the best prices. This was also a treat for the community children, many of whom tasted pizza for the first time.
What a blessing to provide these first ever experiences in the lives of these children. No doubt this day will remain vivid in their memories and in their hearts. Thank you for your support and for helping to provide education, health care and memorable experiences.
Caption: Children from the community and the Los Pinos village enjoyed an adventurous outing where many memories and first-ever experiences were made. Thank you for giving them positive life experiences.
Become an ambasador
This role would suit you if you:
Are you looking for a long-term volunteering role
Help grow the ICC community
If you enjoy fundraising and would like to connect with like-minded people
The ICC UK team offers monthly e-newsletters, bi-annual meetings, fundraising resources, ongoing support, regular updates on children's progress, and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
Get in touch today!
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