Peru Update - May 25, 2008
May 25, 2008
TO: Friends and Supporters of the Nancy Cole Women's Home
Greetings from Lima, Peru. I have been here for ten days, visiting the women's home, meeting with officials and workers at the home, and looking for apartments. My daughter and her husband (Kristin and Michael) are moving here in July for a six-month internship and we are trying to find a furnished apartment, in a good neighborhood, and at a reasonable price (no small feat). I will also use this apartment on my visits. I have some good leads and hope to make a final decision before I come back to the states on June 5. Pray for guidance.
I have met with Pastor Robert and Pastor Lilliam concerning the future of the home and the challenges facing the ministry. He is extremely supportive, as usual, of the wonderful work that is going on at Casa Cole. At his suggestion, Pastor Lilliam will receive training on intake procedures and guidelines from Mercy Ministries. We are excited about learning ways to strengthen the program.
Lives are being changed every day. We plan to share some testimonies in the future concerning women and girls who have exited the program and who are doing well. I will have the privilege of participating in Nancy's graduation next Sunday. I met with her grandson yesterday (the one who finally dethroned me in ping pong) and was so impressed with his grasp of the problem and the change in his grandmother. Naomi graduated last month. Irina graduated several months ago and now volunteers two days and one night each week. Rosa Maria graduated and now volunteers at the home. PTL for transformed lives!
I am extremely pleased at the literacy, education and career training programs that are beginning to take place at the home. We need many more but we see great progress. Two teachers currently come one day per week, as well as the group sessions with the three psychologists. I have been able to observe some of these sessions and I am very pleased with the interaction from the residents. This summer, with Kristin and Michael's help, we will be establishing literacy profiles on each resident, including a reading assessment in Spanish. This will include an interview with each resident concerning their educational level and career goals. Their individual file will also include documentation of all of the training sessions and workshops in which they participated.
A team from Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia presented four business training sessions last month. We have great pictures that we will post on the web site once we return to the US. The response from the residents was awesome. They plan to return and involve more of their corporate sponsors in helping the home. A team from Vessels of Mercy in Richmond, Virginia will be here next week to teach Beth Moore's book "Get Out of the Pit." They were extremely well-received last fall when they presented "The Search for Significance." They use drama, music, role-playing and many creative ways to teach the material, using a full 40 hours of instruction during the week. We are excited that they are bringing an artist to paint murals on the walls, inside and out, during the week.
We are looking for more churches and groups who will come to spend quality time at the home (more than just a one-hour visit) to help us bring ACCESS to the residents: access to spiritual, educational, literacy, career and social training. Let us know if we can facilitate your visit. We are developing a list of suggested activities for visiting missions teams. You don't have to be able to teach or preach to be able to minister at the home. We have light maintenance needs and the need for recreation, fun and esteem-building activities. Many of the residents need to know that people care for them. Just sharing your testimony brings them encouragement. This gives them additional hope for the future. Let me know if you want more information about the options for visiting teams.
We also want to see more interns come to work at the home. Krystal Engle from Mariner's Church has done a wonderful job over the past six months, establishing a great rapport with the girls by spending quality time with them. She has been staying one night also. She will be leaving in June and Michael and Kristin arrive in July. If you know of someone who is interested in a short-term missions ministry that can impact lives, we can assist you in working with CDV in the internship program.
One of the biggest challenges is the monthly operational budget. Our full budget needs are over $6,000 per month. Currently, we have been sending app. $3,500 per month. They have cut costs to a minimum and only spent app. $4,000 in April. Also, remember that the value of the dollar is down (currently at 2.7 or 2.8 as opposed to 3.4 when we first came here). That means that the dollar does not buy as much as it did (and food prices have doubled in some cases, especially rice). We also need an additional worker to stay during the night to provide supervision. At the present, most of this responsibility is falling on Karen. We desperately need her leadership and we don't want her to "burnout."
We need more "Adopt a Bed" sponsors, as well as churches and individuals who will commit to a monthly pledge for operations. One-time donations for operations are also welcomed. If you need more information, including promotional printed materials and a DVD, please let me know.
Many of you have asked about the security situation. To date, the church has provided a fulltime security guard for the home. He is a Christian and is a calming influence on the girls and the staff. His presence, when the front door is opened, sends a strong signal to the community. As I ride through Lima, almost every non-residential building has a security guard(s). Most homes have electric fences or spikes on the gates around the house. It is a necessity, in my opinion, to protect the 41 girls and women as well as staff members and visiting workers in this ministry. We appreciate the support of Pastor Robert and the Camino de Vida Church in providing this service. We are hoping that they will continue to provide the guard since the monthly budget for the home is already in the red.
We have determined the prices for several physical upgrades that need to be done to increase security (some of these will help to keep the girls from running away as well as keeping intruders out). Here is a list of the current security needs:
1. Seven-foot high wall on 5th floor with electric fence or spikes - $2,500
2. Security alarm:
Equipment - $400
Monthly Fee for Police Connection - $35
3. Upgraded metal door and locks going to roof - $300
4. Mesh wire protection over windows on 2nd floor - $200
5. Exhaust fans for restrooms to cover holes (not just a security issue) - $300
6. Glass covering for three open spaces in hall (to keep girls from entering dining hall and classroom at inappropriate times) - $300
7. Cameras on each floor with monitoring system - $750
Other needs:
1. Printer/copier/scanner to assist teachers - $300
2. Ink Cartridges for printer/copier - $35 each
3. Bill owed to metal contractor from original construction (railings, bars, grates, etc.) - $1,500
4. Window shades for bedrooms and classroom - $300
5. Exhaust fan for ventilation during damp and hot seasons - $800
All of these prices are estimates based on bids and quotes that we have received. If you can make a donation to these needs or if you wish to pay for one or more of the individual projects, please contact me ASAP. Checks can be made payable to "Nancy Cole Women's Home" and sent to P.O. Box 31, Ebony, VA 23845.
EXTRA NOTE: The residents are making some beautiful silver jewelry to sell for the home. Information on how to purchase the jewelry will be posted on the web site when I return home.
We are also exploring some future expansion options for the ministry. We will keep you posted as plans and projections are developed. We know that prophetic words have been given over the home that it would be a model for restoration throughout South America and the world. We have recently received contact from interested persons in three locations asked for information, advice and assistance. The challenges are great but we serve a bigger God. Pray that God will guide our efforts and decisions for future opportunities.
Thank you for your prayers and support for the desperate women of Peru. God is restoring the future, one life at a time.
God bless you,
Dale
Dale W. Baird
434-637-2345
434-636-2808
Support Project Restoration!
www.projectrestoration.net
P.S. Any errors should be attributed to the "different" keyboard in Peru. Also, I did not have the capability to upload pictures so these will be added to the web site when I return home.
TO: Friends and Supporters of the Nancy Cole Women's Home
Greetings from Lima, Peru. I have been here for ten days, visiting the women's home, meeting with officials and workers at the home, and looking for apartments. My daughter and her husband (Kristin and Michael) are moving here in July for a six-month internship and we are trying to find a furnished apartment, in a good neighborhood, and at a reasonable price (no small feat). I will also use this apartment on my visits. I have some good leads and hope to make a final decision before I come back to the states on June 5. Pray for guidance.
I have met with Pastor Robert and Pastor Lilliam concerning the future of the home and the challenges facing the ministry. He is extremely supportive, as usual, of the wonderful work that is going on at Casa Cole. At his suggestion, Pastor Lilliam will receive training on intake procedures and guidelines from Mercy Ministries. We are excited about learning ways to strengthen the program.
Lives are being changed every day. We plan to share some testimonies in the future concerning women and girls who have exited the program and who are doing well. I will have the privilege of participating in Nancy's graduation next Sunday. I met with her grandson yesterday (the one who finally dethroned me in ping pong) and was so impressed with his grasp of the problem and the change in his grandmother. Naomi graduated last month. Irina graduated several months ago and now volunteers two days and one night each week. Rosa Maria graduated and now volunteers at the home. PTL for transformed lives!
I am extremely pleased at the literacy, education and career training programs that are beginning to take place at the home. We need many more but we see great progress. Two teachers currently come one day per week, as well as the group sessions with the three psychologists. I have been able to observe some of these sessions and I am very pleased with the interaction from the residents. This summer, with Kristin and Michael's help, we will be establishing literacy profiles on each resident, including a reading assessment in Spanish. This will include an interview with each resident concerning their educational level and career goals. Their individual file will also include documentation of all of the training sessions and workshops in which they participated.
A team from Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia presented four business training sessions last month. We have great pictures that we will post on the web site once we return to the US. The response from the residents was awesome. They plan to return and involve more of their corporate sponsors in helping the home. A team from Vessels of Mercy in Richmond, Virginia will be here next week to teach Beth Moore's book "Get Out of the Pit." They were extremely well-received last fall when they presented "The Search for Significance." They use drama, music, role-playing and many creative ways to teach the material, using a full 40 hours of instruction during the week. We are excited that they are bringing an artist to paint murals on the walls, inside and out, during the week.
We are looking for more churches and groups who will come to spend quality time at the home (more than just a one-hour visit) to help us bring ACCESS to the residents: access to spiritual, educational, literacy, career and social training. Let us know if we can facilitate your visit. We are developing a list of suggested activities for visiting missions teams. You don't have to be able to teach or preach to be able to minister at the home. We have light maintenance needs and the need for recreation, fun and esteem-building activities. Many of the residents need to know that people care for them. Just sharing your testimony brings them encouragement. This gives them additional hope for the future. Let me know if you want more information about the options for visiting teams.
We also want to see more interns come to work at the home. Krystal Engle from Mariner's Church has done a wonderful job over the past six months, establishing a great rapport with the girls by spending quality time with them. She has been staying one night also. She will be leaving in June and Michael and Kristin arrive in July. If you know of someone who is interested in a short-term missions ministry that can impact lives, we can assist you in working with CDV in the internship program.
One of the biggest challenges is the monthly operational budget. Our full budget needs are over $6,000 per month. Currently, we have been sending app. $3,500 per month. They have cut costs to a minimum and only spent app. $4,000 in April. Also, remember that the value of the dollar is down (currently at 2.7 or 2.8 as opposed to 3.4 when we first came here). That means that the dollar does not buy as much as it did (and food prices have doubled in some cases, especially rice). We also need an additional worker to stay during the night to provide supervision. At the present, most of this responsibility is falling on Karen. We desperately need her leadership and we don't want her to "burnout."
We need more "Adopt a Bed" sponsors, as well as churches and individuals who will commit to a monthly pledge for operations. One-time donations for operations are also welcomed. If you need more information, including promotional printed materials and a DVD, please let me know.
Many of you have asked about the security situation. To date, the church has provided a fulltime security guard for the home. He is a Christian and is a calming influence on the girls and the staff. His presence, when the front door is opened, sends a strong signal to the community. As I ride through Lima, almost every non-residential building has a security guard(s). Most homes have electric fences or spikes on the gates around the house. It is a necessity, in my opinion, to protect the 41 girls and women as well as staff members and visiting workers in this ministry. We appreciate the support of Pastor Robert and the Camino de Vida Church in providing this service. We are hoping that they will continue to provide the guard since the monthly budget for the home is already in the red.
We have determined the prices for several physical upgrades that need to be done to increase security (some of these will help to keep the girls from running away as well as keeping intruders out). Here is a list of the current security needs:
1. Seven-foot high wall on 5th floor with electric fence or spikes - $2,500
2. Security alarm:
Equipment - $400
Monthly Fee for Police Connection - $35
3. Upgraded metal door and locks going to roof - $300
4. Mesh wire protection over windows on 2nd floor - $200
5. Exhaust fans for restrooms to cover holes (not just a security issue) - $300
6. Glass covering for three open spaces in hall (to keep girls from entering dining hall and classroom at inappropriate times) - $300
7. Cameras on each floor with monitoring system - $750
Other needs:
1. Printer/copier/scanner to assist teachers - $300
2. Ink Cartridges for printer/copier - $35 each
3. Bill owed to metal contractor from original construction (railings, bars, grates, etc.) - $1,500
4. Window shades for bedrooms and classroom - $300
5. Exhaust fan for ventilation during damp and hot seasons - $800
All of these prices are estimates based on bids and quotes that we have received. If you can make a donation to these needs or if you wish to pay for one or more of the individual projects, please contact me ASAP. Checks can be made payable to "Nancy Cole Women's Home" and sent to P.O. Box 31, Ebony, VA 23845.
EXTRA NOTE: The residents are making some beautiful silver jewelry to sell for the home. Information on how to purchase the jewelry will be posted on the web site when I return home.
We are also exploring some future expansion options for the ministry. We will keep you posted as plans and projections are developed. We know that prophetic words have been given over the home that it would be a model for restoration throughout South America and the world. We have recently received contact from interested persons in three locations asked for information, advice and assistance. The challenges are great but we serve a bigger God. Pray that God will guide our efforts and decisions for future opportunities.
Thank you for your prayers and support for the desperate women of Peru. God is restoring the future, one life at a time.
God bless you,
Dale
Dale W. Baird
Support Project Restoration!
www.projectrestoration.net
P.S. Any errors should be attributed to the "different" keyboard in Peru. Also, I did not have the capability to upload pictures so these will be added to the web site when I return home.
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