The current orphanage is sponsored by the Salvation Army, but with recent hurricanes the Salvation Army is low on funds and has had to let some of the orphans go. At the first of the year it housed 67 boys and 39 girls. This June, there were only 29 boys and 2 girls remaining.
The new YEA orphanage project is almost overwhelming at this point, but I really feel that God wants us to get this done, so I am confident that we can do it. We want to purchase a house in the south side of Mérida. The owner of this house said that she would accept $40,000 USD for the property.
There are actually three dwellings on the property and it could be converted quite easily to facilitate the orphanage. The house on front has two bedrooms and a bath. This would easily accommodate 6 toddlers and the house parents. Behind this building is another that contains two dormitories, a kitchen, and a bath. If we expanded the bath, and built another, we could house 20 beds in this area. The third building is also at the front of the property. This area could accommodate at least 6 more beds. This would accommodate 32 orphans and the house parents. The main house has just been remodeled and has new plumbing and electrical wiring. There is hot water available to both the kitchen and bathrooms. There is a very nice patio, or play area, between the house and dormitory and a washroom with automatic washer and dryer connections at the end of the patio. Behind the dormitory is another patio and a very large swimming pool. The state will allow us to keep the pool but we will have to build a fence around it. There are very good schools in the area and public transportation is easy and convenient.Once the house is purchased we will need to purchase a commercial stove, refrigerator, beds, and other furnishings for the house. The state requires a bed for every child, even if the child prefers to sleep in a hammock. It will cost about $10,000 USD to furnish these buildings. This figure is an accurate figure based on what we invested at the Salvation Army orphanage. I am praying that we can purchase the property, complete modifications, and have the facility open by late summer. Pat, my wife, is planning to retire and coordinate the orphanage and a Christian school. I can be reached by cell (318-990-2135) and Gene Murphy at (318-243-4077) if you need more information, Shelby Boyd
These are children who dearly need to see Christian love and to see Jesus in the lives of caregivers. We may be the best opportunity of keeping these kids off the streets and offering them a chance of living productive lives for God. If the Lord leads you to financially support either the new YEA orphanage or the YEA general fund, please contact YEA officials or visit www.yeamissions.org/donations.html.