Unless God build the house, it is built in vain!
In December 2003 a seed was planted, this seed has been watered and nurtured and has developed into what we now call HopeHouse। HopeHouse is a provision of God and God alone. He has touched the hearts of many people, beginning with Bridget and then myself, to accomplish this amazing ministry. God has touched our hearts to such a degree that He has moved us into action in ways that no man could do. Many have witnessed the devastating reality of young children abandoned, alone and trying to survive on the streets of Lima. Bridget for one, was totally crushed by the desperate plight of these children. As she listened to their stories she was moved to the point of brokenness. She sensed an emotional hunger,they were not only hungry because of their empty stomachs but they were starved of any love or affection. These young, tender lives had experienced nothing but anger, aggression,turmoil and scorn from the adult race. The question we were left with was.......
...... How could we make a difference ?
ORIGINS & HISTORY
Every journey starts with those first steps. Mine started when I visit Nepal to carry out volunteer (building) work in a tiny hospital in Banepa. Bridget’s was seeing first hand the plight of street children who had escaped unwholesome family situations only to find themselves lost and hungry on the often mean streets of Lima. We joined forces in 2004 having agreed to tell of this plight not only to churches within the area of Gosford NSW but also to various Rotary clubs within the Sydney region. Our meeting at the Blood Blank was proving to be a turning point for both of us. We raised sufficient funds (mainly through Rotary) to construct a house in Jicamarca, which could accomodate twenty five girls.
Bridget returned to Peru in April 2005 and I was to follow in July. Bridget had agreed to work as a volunteer in the newly established girls home in Jicamarca, 1 ½ hours out of Lima. I was to be her “logistical support”.
Upon arrival, Bridget knew something was very wrong. The girls had often been left on their own daytime and at night without supervision, without proper nutrition, sometimes without water. Negligible hygienic practices were the norm, exacerbated at times by no electricity, no clean water and no sewerage system. It seemed close to chaos with the girls at high risk of injury and infections. Fleas and fungal infections were rampant and there had already been one house fire.
CHAOS & SCANDAL
By mid July we were to learn that the pastor who had been managing the refuge had been behaving improperly towards the girls, that a police investigation was to occur and that the refuge would be closed. At that time we felt shattered and low in spirit. The authorities did not trust us. We were “visited” by local and regional news papers, who sensationalize an already awful story which in turn caused the locals to have thoughts of tearing down the building stone by stone. The backing church, situated in one of the better suburbs of Lima, instead of offering support, chose to protect itself by staying in the shadows. There was little financial support (only the Australian church remained faithful) and we struggled with insufficient funds even to buy enough food and water. There was nothing in our former professional training or life experience to prepare us for this.All we could do was pray. Our Australian supporters and the handful of Americans that knew us, were praying as well..........by the Grace of God, the situation change.
GOD'S GRACE & PROVISION
The authorities agreed to give us a chance to become legal and therefore remain open. A German group (Wilhelm Oberle Fundation) introduced itself to us and offered to assist with wage support so that we could employ a social worker and other professionals to help with the girls. Another church group offered to provide us with the support of their legally recognized association (albeit with the understanding that they would take control of the land of the refuge).
Somewhere, in 2006 Bridget and I found time to be married in Peru, a marathon of red tape in itself. Significantly, by then we were receiving unsolicited and generous support from a group of American churches under the banner of New Covenant Creation Ministries (a name we hardly knew). We were visited by optical, dental, medical and drama teams consisting of sincere, friendly people, who just wanted to help out. This was for us, very encouraging.
We passed Christmas 2006 in high spirits, feeling sure the past was buried and confident we could meet new challenges relating to building a team of Peruvian professionals, necessary to meeting the ongoing needs of the girls and the requirements of the 'Ministry of Womans Health'. We also believed that we could secure sufficient financial assistance to provide adequate, nutrition, education, clothing etc.for the girls, particularly as the associated Peruvian church had promised significant financial support. Sadly this was not to be. Far from being able to support us, spiritually and financially, the Peruvian group found they were in debt to us for the transfer fee of the property into their name. They also realized that they were too far away to visit the girls regularly and the forecasted fundraising never happened. We parted company in February 2007.
LIVING BY FAITH
Again, we found our own skills and determination inadequate to the task and that we could depend only on our Lord....that is..... 'total' dependence on God. We had experienced that for us "Prayer works". Bringing everything to God in prayer........ we waited.
Soon we found ourselves in a position to see if the New Covenant group felt they had the capacity to bring the refuge into their ministry. Their response at the time was that they would pray on this! So yet again, many people were praying.
NEW COVENANT MINISTRIES
By mid 2007, we had successfully transferred the refuge to New Covenant with the cooperation of the Peruvian Assocciation. Around the same time we welcomed work teams from Colorado and Georgia who completed the boundary wall around the 2500 square metre property, beautified the entire living room and living quarters with fresh paint and demolished the eyesore of a pool that could never be used. Work continued and a new separate building was constructed for Bridget and I, as well as a sewing room and a classroom in the main building. Plans to expand and improve the complex continue and are exciting.
To describe our ministry here we use words such as, God's love in action, spiritual growth, education, socialization, family re unification, and so on. Really, it is our strong desire that each and every one of these children gets to experience first hand, the love of God. That they might have a living breathing relationship with God in an intimate way.
To witness the light coming into a child’s eyes (where there was nothing) is incredibly moving. Our journey has brought us to a place where we realize that our perception about our faith, our strengths, our professionalism or humanity has little importance. We have learned that God does it all, He is the author and finisher of any good work and we are just the earthen vessells who are truly privileged to be co-workers with Him and to watch it all unfold.
With Joy !
Greg and Bridget Bonner
ABIGAIL GLADYS CORRERO BUSTAMANTE
DOB 12/FEB/02
VALERIA KATRINA CCANCE MARISELO
DOB 16/SEPTEMBER/91
EVELIN PIO HUAMAN
DOB 10/OCTOBER/94
YESENIA CUMBIA CONTRERAS
DOB 08/ JANUARY/90
ENMA
DOB
FARAH
DOB
FLOR SOLEDAD QUICAÑA QUISPE
DOB 12/JUNE/96