The Children's Centre

The Children's Centre ministry is very near and dear to our hearts, mostly because it's near and dear to our house. The house we live in used to be a gigantic single family dwelling. It's since been split into 3 apartments. We live in one, and the Children's Centre occupies the other 2. You'll notice the British spelling of "Centre." That's because the McKenzie's, who run it, are Scottish. Below are Liz McKenzie, along with Guildy and Maria Suyapa, who is about 20 months old. Maria has nasty asthma problems, and her mom is mentally handicapped and unable to care for her alone, so Maria is staying at the Children's Centre until better arrangements can be made for her care.

Hey Mom, do you recognize the little dress? It was mine when I was little. The lady holding Maria is Myrtle. She and a her husband were visiting from Britian a last week. Nothing cuter than toddlers in the tub!

The public schools started last week, so here is Yason looking dapper in his new uniform. He had never had a new uniform, so he was pretty excited. Yason will be at the Children's Centre until a dangerous situation in his village is resolved.

Ana holding Hadley, a.k.a "Susie." Most Spanish speakers can't say Hadley's name, so she goes by her middle name:o) Ana has been with the Children's Centre for about a year and a half. She had a terrible bone infection in her leg, which took over a year, lots of antibiotics, and several surgeries to get cleared up. She is staying with the McKenzie's for probably another 2 years in order to finish her 6th grade education. She is unable to walk well enough to travel the distance to school near her family's home, so this will allow her to complete her basic education.In addition to the kids pictured above, there is also a 14 year old boy named Alexander and a 14 year old girl named Johannah, so things are pretty crowded next door! Fortunately, the operation will soon be moved into its own building, pictured below. Once the doors, windows, and tiles are installed, it will be ready!