CCHO is celebrating 50 years of ministry! Throughout 2019, we will be sharing stories of the lives that have been forever changed by the work God has done through our family of ministries (CCHO, Encourage Foster Care and Encompass Christian Counseling). Today, we invite you to learn more about Esperanza de Ana, an affiliated ministry based in western South America, in story #47 of our 50 Stories for 50 Years of Ministry series.
When a young ministry in the foothills of the Andes mountains found itself in need of some assistance, God’s plan came into focus. CCHO Board President Steve Porter previously served on the board of an organization that had been supporting Esperanza de Ana (EA) in Chilca, Peru. When that partnership ended, Steve introduced CCHO President & CEO Kevin Hewitt to the EA ministry.
This new affiliation was a natural fit right from the beginning. EA, which means “Hanna’s Hope” in Spanish, is a residential care center for at-risk children that works to strengthen Peruvian families while offering a place of healing for the hearts and minds of each child and parent who has experienced trauma or is suffering crisis. EA’s focus on family preservation and restoration beautifully aligns with CCHO’s purpose of helping people experience their worth in Christ by offering services that transform lives, families and communities.
Since the formation of this affiliation, EA has quadrupled its budget under the strong leadership of Jim and Tkay Schutz while watching God bless their ministry in so many profound ways. CCHO employees have also traveled to Peru five different times on mission trips to join the vital work being done by EA’s incredible national staff team. (See the gallery at the bottom of this post for a few photos from our last trip to Chilca.)
As we wrap up our 50th anniversary and this story series, we’re pleased to include a note from Tkay in celebration of this incredible affiliation with EA!
We love to celebrate God’s storyline at Esperanza de Ana (EA). His sovereign hand has moved to write many beautiful chapters in the missionary work that was planted in this desert coastal town called Chilca, Peru.
One of those chapters began in 2013 when we were just two years old. EA was birthed to provide hope to children in vulnerable populations. Through the hands of short-term mission teams, spaces were built and steps were made to open a registered and accredited residential care center. God raised up Peruvian nationals with missionary hearts and years of experience working with children and families from hard places. Yet we were in need of a mature and stable partner. Enter CCHO.
The vision, mission and values of CCHO perfectly aligned with our work, and we could submit and unite ourselves to them without question. It was a vulnerable time for us as missionaries. We were still new to the culture and to the field of child and family services.
CCHO’s leaders visited us, met children in the program, went on home visits to get to know our parents, and listened to our national staff share their hearts. They walked the hot, sandy Andes’ foothills with us. They validated us, encouraged us, and provided expertise and support at just the time that we needed it the most.
We continue to be greatly impacted by the humility and compassion of CCHO leaders. CCHO is the kind of organization, with Kevin Hewitt at its helm, that begins meetings asking about the welfare of every single child by name. How like our heavenly Father’s heart.
¡Feliz Aniversario, CCHO, que Dios le page (Happy Anniversary, CCHO, may God repay you) for your service to those most precious to his heart!
Learn more about Esperanza de Ana If you would like to learn more about all that God is doing with Esperanza de Ana, please visit their website where you can read about the work being done in Chilca, learn about their history and donate to the ministry.
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