After lockdown, the great outdoors!

After school ended in early June, our children, youth, and house parents spent two weeks in a rural camp outside of Monte Plata. Because we had the camp to ourselves, we were well protected, and also could enjoy the open spaces and recreational activities. This was a welcome break after being quarantined for twelve weeks on the relatively small campus of Casa Monte Plata. Our youth and workers remain grateful for both God’s protection and provision during this unique time.

At the end of June, the group returned to Casa Monte Plata and began a six-week summer program along with work projects and summer jobs. several of the older youth have reached maturity and education levels that they can now help run the summer programs.

Bonding at the camp! With the river nearby, group activities and games, followed by delicious food, life couldn't be more fun!

The amazing house moms and the director enjoy cooking and camaraderie while churning out delicious meals for the hungry children!

Legos are rare and, hence, highly prized! They are integral to indoor fun enjoyed by young and old!

House dad Mario shares devotions with the boys at the camp. Building day-to-day trusting relationships allows for the sharing of deeper truths.

Just about every tree, bush, and vine grow some sort of fruit, vegetable, or nut! “Maria” and her friends enjoy cashew fruit – note the nut on top! It takes a lot of work to harvest, which makes them costly. (*name changed)

Pool time! The kids delight in cooling off in the water in the sweltering heat of Monte Plata.

Angelica*, one of our littlest, strikes a pose! (*Name changed)

Having fun with photos! Isha, who is studying psychology at the university on a Kids Alive scholarship, joined these happy campers to assist house parents in caring for the children

Work time at the camp. These girls make a strong team, forging bonds that will last a lifetime.

The kitchen is the place to be – hot yet welcoming and "cooled" with joy and laughter. Everyone pitches in during mealtimes which makes the workload light!

Daily devotion in small groups is a special time with sharing and learning from others how to walk with God.

The safety, security, and joy reflected in these faces is a measure of the transformative power of what God is doing through Casa Monte Plata.

Sunday worship together!

Full of energy and creativity, these little guys never tire of playing together. Some children come with biological siblings, but all gain dozens of siblings when they join the Casa Monte Plata family.

Literally hanging out! Days at camp are full of fun and adventure. The children are free to roam and explore.

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