Florida Baptist Children’s Homes Announces 2010
International Childcare Mission Trip Schedule
February 4, 2010
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| Pictured above are children enjoying a meal at the Children’s Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Guatemala, which is one of the priority ministry sites for the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes’ international childcare program. |
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| Ron Gunter, vice president of International Childcare for the Children’s Homes (right) received a special “Award of Merit” earlier this year from Marco Reyes, president of the Guatemala Lion’s Club. The award was given in recognition for the many improvements that have been done on the Children’s Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Guatemala. The Lion’s Club, which owns and operates the Center, said that it would have closed the Center this year if it had not been for the work of the Children’s Homes. |
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes is starting their second full year of going to “the ends of the earth” to minister to the needs of abused, neglected, and orphaned children. Their second year of international ministry will include expansion to new ministry locations.
“God has truly blessed our international childcare ministry. It has grown faster than we could ever have imagined. Last year we served nearly 3,500 children and families just through our international childcare program. We conducted 27 mission trips last year with approximately 300 people participating,” said Dr. Jerry Haag, president of the Children’s Homes.
“However the biggest blessing was the fact that we saw 68 children and adults make a public profession of faith to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because of this ministry.”
The Children’s Homes has 28 mission trips already scheduled for 2010 with more possibly to be scheduled throughout the year.
According to Haag the Children’s Homes works to provide assistance to orphanages and other childcare centers in the developing world. In the process they also share the gospel of Jesus Christ to children and others.
“We work alongside the local church and other organizations to help improve existing ministries to children in crisis. It’s also a great platform for us to share the gospel,” Haag said.
One of the first international ministry locations identified by the Children’s Homes was the Children’s Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Guatemala, which is owned and operated by the Guatemala Lion’s Club.
“When we first visited the Center we were shocked at the condition of the building and the overall lack of resources that they had. They only had three staff to care for more than 20 children. They had no laundry facilities to speak of, and they cooked their meals on a propane cook top. When the propane ran out they relied on an old wood stove,” said Ron Gunter, vice president of international childcare for the Children’s Homes.
“Of course when we visited the Center our hearts immediately became attached to all of those precious children. Those kids have such profound physical needs. However, their biggest need is simply to be held and given time and attention. The lack of staff severely limits the amount of individual attention that they can give to the children,” Gunter said.
The Guatemala Lion’s Club recently presented Gunter and the Children’s Homes a special “Award of Merit” for their work in making significant improvements to the Center over the past year and credit them for helping keep the Center up and running.
“I am gratified that we were able to make such an impact on the Malnutrition Center. We had no idea that the Lion’s Club had considered closing the Center prior to our involvement,” Gunter said.
“What would happen to all of those precious children if the Center closed their doors? I don’t like to think about that.”
Gunter encourages everyone to consider participating in a mission trip. He says that there are numerous mission opportunities and activities for people of all ages, interests, and skill levels.
“There is a mission opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s helping with painting, light construction work, or helping with children you can make a difference. If someone is capable of traveling to one of our international mission locations then they will be able to help hurting children in the name of Christ,” Gunter said.
“I invite everyone to consider joining us in the wonderful adventure of helping abused, neglected, and orphaned children in the developing world. What a joy it is when you bring a smile to a child in another part of the world that does not speak your language.”
For more information about participating in an international mission trip contact the Children’s Homes’ international office at 305-271-4121 or go to their website at www.FBCHomes.org and click on international childcare missions.
Mission Trip Schedule, 2010
Mission Trip Dates |
Mission Trip Destinations |
February 6, 2010 – February 13, 2010 |
Guatemala |
February 11, 2010 – February 14, 2010 |
Haiti |
February 20, 2010 – February 27, 2010 |
Dominican Republic |
March 8, 2010 – March 14, 2010 |
Guatemala |
March 27, 2010 – April 3, 2010 |
El Salvador |
March 29, 2010 – April 4, 2010 |
Guatemala |
April 10, 2010 – April 17, 2010 |
Guatemala |
April 24, 2010 – May 1, 2010 |
Dominican Republic |
May 13, 2010 – May 23, 2010 |
Saint Petersburg, Russia |
May 15, 2010 – May 22, 2010 |
Nicaragua |
May 29, 2010 – June 5, 2010 |
Guatemala |
June 7, 2010 – June 13, 2010 |
Guatemala |
June 15, 2010 – June 20, 2010 |
Guatemala |
June 21, 2010 – June 27, 2010 |
Dominican Republic |
June 30, 2010 – July 4, 2010 |
Guatemala |
July 4, 2010 – July 9, 2010 |
Guatemala |
July 14, 2010 – July 21, 2010 |
Guatemala |
July 24, 2010 – July 31, 2010 |
Guatemala |
August 1, 2010 – August 6, 2010 |
Guatemala |
August 7, 2010 – August 13, 2010 |
Guatemala |
August 28, 2010 – September 4, 2010 |
Nicaragua |
September 18, 2010 – September 25, 2010 |
Nicaragua |
October 9, 2010 – October 15, 2010 |
Guatemala |
October 16, 2010 – October 23, 2010 |
Guatemala |
October 30, 2010 – November 6, 2010 |
Dominican Republic |
December 4, 2010 – December 11, 2010 |
Nicaragua |
December 18, 2010- December 24, 2010 |
Guatemala |
December 27, 2010 – January 2, 2011 |
Guatemala |
