Love (and Design) in Action in Guatemala

I've just returned from my 4th trip to Guatemala and my heart already aches to return!  My mission this year was to lead my daughter Riley (17), my designer friends Pamela Copeman and Melinda Headrick and Melinda's kids Grace (16) and Chatham (14) on a journey that would enrich their souls forever. Thanks to generous donors, we were able to raise enough money (over $3,000) to build a brand new house for a deserving family.

house

 Maria is a single mom to her daughter Alda (17) and Anderson (14). A victim of long time abuse, she had never owned a home of her own.

family

We made lots of new friends (especially Riley, Chatham and Grace)....

kids

Tracked down old ones...

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 And made a very special visit to the family we built a house for last June. I visited the family again in November, 2012 only to discover that the youngest child, Erica, was sick. We later determined that she had Leukemia. Erica died 3 days after my visit but this is how I will always remember this sweet angel (in the pink dress we brought her last year). Dios te bendiga mi nina preciosa.

erica

My trips to Guatemala are always a mix of painful heartache and joyous blessings. The greatest blessing of this trip was to make a new friend, Diane Herman, who is the new Director of House of Hope which is the orphanage I will be helping to design. House of Hope is a ministry that works hand in hand with Catalyst Resources International (the ministry I work with every year).

The story of the House of Hope is a must read. Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

I will be working very closely with Diane to design the nurseries and playroom. We picked out all of the fabrics and paints this week so stay tuned!!!

Blessings,

Kelly