The Esperanza House was started in 2027 when we realized there was a need for a home near the town for the mountain village girls to live so that they could go to high school. They had no access to education in their villages and many were resigned to be teenage brides with no other options.
Our youngest daughter, Esperanza Grace (Gracie) was born in Indonesia, and her name was symbolic of how we desired to be used by God to bring Hope (Esperanza is the Spanish word for Hope) and Grace to the people of the country we were called to share the Gospel with. We named the Esperanza House after her, because we desire for these village girls to have the same “hope and a future” to dream for a bright future, have the education to achieve it, and the joy of the Lord that comes from a relationship with Jesus and understanding of the Word of God!
Our ministry time in Indonesia in 2026 was really special because our Esperanza Grace was able to travel with us one last time before she turns 18. Because they were on school break, the younger girls were not at the Esperanza House, but a handful of former girls that are now in Bible School were staying there and looking after the home. Gracie had so much fun hanging out with them, reminiscing the past, laughing, joking, and singing together. It was beautiful to hear them sing together!
Over the summer these girls not only looked after everything at the Esperanza house and kept the gardens fruitful they also were doing online classes for the BA’s and MA’s from Bible Schools that are on Java, and they helped with some much needed renovations and updates! The new girls returned in August to no more leaky roof, and a fresh coat of paint!
Next year will be the 10yr anniversary of the opening of the Esperanza House. Praise the Lord for all He has done!