Here with us...

The last time we updated you, Matthew wrote about God’s unconditional love for us. Since then, we continue to daily learn more about God’s love and the responsibilities of being a “House Parent”, “Tutor,” “Tio/Tia” or “Papa/Mama”. We continue to learn how this love and these responsibilities go way beyond just the physical; they go into the spiritual and they get very real. We deal with a very real battle daily for these boys’ souls.


No matter the length of time God might have us here, these boys will always hold a place in our hearts. We have already been here for 3 months the 10th February. During these past months, we have dealt with a lot of attitudes. We know that these come from very heartbroken, wounded hearts and souls. These boys have been through so much change and each change has affected them profoundly. We have seen many days recently of obedience, hope, love, laughter and fun. They seem to now be adjusting quite well.


However, it does not end there. We still have to deal with the very real battle for their souls. We pray for each boy daily, but sometimes that is not enough. Only God is enough! We also need the support of each of you all who know us and support us. We need your prayers. It is an exhausting “job” for lack of a better word. We recognize every prayer offered on our behalf or on behalf of these boys as a gift from God; they lift us up and shine through when the boys get angry. Instead of blowing up and saying mean things, they walk off to cool down and wait to talk when they are more calm, which reveals your and our prayers at work. I can go on and on with examples of your prayers showing through on this end. We are forever grateful. PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! There is still some very real evidence of Satan fighting back for their souls. We know GOD IS GREATER!


He gives us the strength to get up every morning, the love to see past these kids’ pasts, attitudes, and hateful words on occasion, the peace to sleep at night after leaving each child in HIS HANDS, and the joy to continue with persistence the “race” set before us daily. HE IS… He is our comforter when we miss family and friends so bad it hurts. He is our hope for an ETERNITY with those family and friends along with each of these boys and kids that are down here. He is our sanity when there is so much noise here and we are running on empty and just need to sleep. He is our wisdom with each new challenge that arises daily. He is our discernment when we need to react differently than what we are feeling. He is our self-control when we need it. He is our Savior, Lover, Redeemer, Protector, inter-mediator, intercessor, and much more. He IS….


We had quite the day a few days back that was very long, which involved some heavy spiritual battle, tears for a dear friend who lost her mother to cancer after years, and some more struggles. We are not perfect, and have never claimed to be. We are not extra spiritual and have never claimed to be that either. We are faulty and at times prideful. We get angry, unintentionally hurt people at times, along with several other issues. We also call things the way they are, how they are happening and are very willing to ask for your help. We are trying to do a “job” WAY BIGGER than ourselves. We need every last person who reads this and more to pray.


When you pray for us, you are down here with us. When you send financial support, you are down here with us and are always welcome to come and visit us! We are so proud of the good changes that the boys have made. They are wonderful, spirited, energetic, intelligent, loving, and courageous boys. They strive to become better and do good and advance… every one of them! God is good all the time and all the time… feel free to say out loud “God is GOOD!”


We love you all and thank you so much for being a part of our lives!


Love in Christ,The Carmichael Family