Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge)
Jeremy and Ana Vanbeelen serve together at Dulce Refugio. Please check out Jeremy's blog about life at the children's home.
Learn more about what is happening at Dulce Refugio through the NEWSLETTERS that Jeremy writes.
Our Goal
We want to show the power of transformation to a lost society by giving shelter to marginalized people with emotional and social problems, to grant them an opportunity and to show them that a better life is possible -- a life filled wtih moral values, trust, and above all, love.
Who We Are
We give full-time care to over 30 children.
The majority of these are cases of child abuse, abandonment, or rebellion. Their suffering and low self-esteem are caused by the severe rejection of their parents or other close family members.
So, our work is to reverse this self-conception and to create an environment in which their basic needs are met (food, clothing, refuge).
Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate the children’s quality of life; to promote wellbeing; and to bring about social, cultural and economic improvement of each person who needs it.
We will accomplish this by the creation and development of education, work, nutrition; in general, to help homeless minors to learn responsibility, with a basis in social and family values, creating a safe and secure environment -- and all this as a non-profit organization.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide the needy minor with shelter, food and opportunities for more advanced studies for those who can achieve this; to share our method with other places of the country; to strive not to lose the family scheme, in order to achieve a better quality of life.
A Unique Story
It seems so easy to narrate a story, but when it is full of so many wonders and miracles brought about by God, how does one begin? It's difficult to explain; that's why I call it a very unique story.
I remember that after working in the last Festival de Vida [Festival of Life], we were left feeling completely exhausted. We had worked entire days on end preparing meals and soliciting help to successfully bring the event to a close. Sometimes we put in 18-hour workdays (what an experience!). But it was over, and we finally got a chance to relax. It was a bit late already. We were lying down, trying to rest, and watching the news on TV.
The news related the following: the stories of three cases of child abuse – and all in less time than it will take you to read this! Our hearts were so saddened the tears were rolling down our faces. Then I said to my husband, "We have to do something!" Knowing my pain, he gently embraced me and said, "Don't worry. There must be something that can be done." I could hardly sleep that night, as I kept thinking about the many cases that must occur all the time. Very early the next morning, we talked about it and we said, "We have to put it all in God's hands."
We started to look for a house to rent, but without success. For a while we thought of giving up, but deep down inside the Lord was telling us that we had to keep going. Whenever we saw the face of any child we would ask ourselves, "Is he/she doing alright?" Those children on the streets moved our hearts with their sad looks. We'd see them working, sitting in the sun, some drugged up, some with pale marks on their skin due to poor nutrition. These images motivated us to keep looking for a place to help those who needed it most. We knew we wouldn't solve all the problems of the world, but we made a firm decision to make at least a small difference.
In a local city newspaper we found a house for rent. It had ample space, a patio, and 6 rooms, according to the ad. "Let's go see it," we said. We made the appointment. From the moment we entered, God told us, "This is the place." We wanted to sign the agreement immediately. We had just one problem, though: we didn't have any money -not even a penny- to pay for the rent! You’re probably wondering how on earth we expected to find a house that way; we hope you understand the significance of the word "faith."
"It's perfect," we told the man in charge of renting the property. "Yes, it is," the man replied. "It used to be a school. It’s deteriorating a bit, though." But our eyes could already see children running across the patio. Without any more delay, we told the man, "We want it. It's just that we don't have any money." I was thinking, "Now he'll kick us out of here for sure!" But he looked at us seriously and said, "All right, how much time do you need to get the money?" "We don't know," we answered, "we're going to ask God for it." The man said, "I'll wait 15 days."
I don't know how the money came in, or where it would come from. Since we didn't know the city very well, there were few people we were acquainted with (and certainly not well enough to start asking them for money). But the first month the rent was there. How beautiful it is to see God act! On July 3, 2002, we were given the keys to this house. A few months earlier, with the help of some friends, the constitution had been formed, and in a meeting with them we came up with the name Dulce Refugio [Sweet Refuge], because surely Jesus Christ is a sweet refuge. That’s how we started this work.
When we opened the doors of this place for the first time, we were in a tough situation. The house was falling apart and we didn’t have anything with which to fix it. We felt paralyzed. I still remember saying to Goyo (my husband), "How can we do it? How are we going to get it all done?" Walking over to a wall and giving it a little pat, he said in all seriousness, "Don’t worry, this will be easy," and at that moment almost half of the wall came crumbling down! There are few times in my whole life that I have laughed so hard.
We decided to do what we knew each of us we had to do -- Goyo would do the fixing, and I would get donations of materials needed. He started with the few tools he had, getting rid of whatever wasn’t salvageable anymore. And I went out, praying, asking God to show me where I should go. I got onto buses without knowing whom to approach. Whenever I sensed God saying to me, "Get off here," I did. That’s how I began going about it. I knocked on many doors – businesses, large and small. I spoke with people I knew and also with people I didn’t know. Yet, I returned to the house very sad and disappointed. Many had said they would help, but they hadn’t said when. When I arrived at the house and opened the door, I saw Goyo, dirty as could be, happily working away. I said, "I did what I could. Everyone said that they’d see what they could do, but nobody gave me anything." Then he took me by the hand, led me to what is now the dining room, and said, "Do you see all this: cement, lime, nails, flashlights/lamps, and even furniture? This is from the people you have asked for help!" From that day on, every day was the same, blessing upon blessing!
A couple of young guys from a church came to help us. They gave up their holidays and spent that time with us. But we didn’t have anything to feed them, and we knew it was our duty to do so. We prayed, asking God for his provision and yet again came another miracle: every day we got ham, tortillas, beans, and chile peppers. How beautiful it is to see God take care of his children.
I have so much to tell. I could recount miracle upon miracle, reflecting Jesus each and every day. Of course we also had our difficulties, trials, one battle after another, but we always came out victorious. It isn’t worth talking about Satan’s traps. Although there were many, but he never won. Instead, the Lord has always been there, ever great and powerful, manifesting himself at all times and in every situation.
One interesting thing that never ceases to amaze me is that deep down I have always thought to myself, "I really don’t like the bunk beds that most children’s homes have. It’s hard for the kids to make their beds, and they fight a lot because the one sleeping the one with the bottom bunk gets mad when someone steps on his/her bed. If I ever had a children’s home, I wouldn’t be able to stand having bunk beds." I never mentioned this to anyone, and in this children’s home there isn’t a single bunk bed to be found. Thank you, Lord!
Anyway, to not make this story too long, I’ll tell you this: In a month the house was livable, and it sheltered its first child, and little girl named Betty. Ever since that day we have seen miracles and wonders from the Lord. I don’t know how to explain it, but we have already been in existence for over a year. We have cared for more than 18 children in that time. Some were street kids, some came from situations involving drugs, and others are some of the many, many abused kids shown so little compassion. They receive education, nutritious meals, shoes, shelter, and above all, a warm home. Because that’s our mission: to form a great family. I could tell you more, but there’s not enough time and we have to come to the end. Each day in this home is a battle, but once evening arrives we can see what has been done for these kids. We hold that in our hearts. The work isn’t over. There’s still so much to do, but we know that with God’s help and yours we can do it. Thanks for letting us share this -our unique story- with you, because it’s just the beginning of a long journey.
Marcela Esther Ortega Vara (Director)
was born in Mexico City on May 14, 1960. In 1994, due to personal problems, I came to know the children's home called Pan de Vida [Bread of Life], directed by Darrel Hilbrands, and I decided to help there.
From there they sent me to San Vincente, Baja California, to another chidren's home. This one was for kids with learning disabilities. I took courses to learn how to deal with angry children, pedagogy in the psychology of Kaye Lawrence.
I worked with the director in Ensenada. It was in that place where my relationship with my husband Gregorio Verdugo began. There I was also diagnosed with cancer, and during my treatment and recovery I realized that the most important thing in life is to give a bit of ourselves to others.
After that, I travelled to the city of Guadalajara, and then to Aguascalientes to the children's home Arco Iris [Rainbow]. I was invited to participate in the Festival de Vida [Festival of Life]. That's how I came to see the needs of indigenous children and how few homes there are to help them. So I made the decision to found the children's home Dulce Refugio [Sweet Refuge].