Christmas Season 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, our annual Christmas tree contest is afoot! Our family had to change up teams this year because our oldest son, Skyler, has left for college. So its Philip and Jad, against Laramie and Jill. Its yet to be seen who will win, but we are officially on the HUNT for trees every Christmas tree spotted on the top of a car or truck is a point in the winning direction.

On the hunt for trees . . .

The heart of Casa Viva is a hunt for trees solid, living families who are willing to invite children into the safety of their branches. Every time we see it happen, its a win in the right direction. You cant miss it, its unavoidable, indisputable evidence that God is on the move.

I will plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland, also acacia, myrtle, and olive. I will place the cypress in the desert, with plenty of oaks and pines. Everyone will see this. No one can miss it unavoidable, indisputable evidence that I, God, personally did this. Its created and signed by the Holy of Israel. -Isaiah 41, The Message
Its young Alexander on the chest of his Casa Viva father. Numerous people wanted to hold him at a recent Casa Viva event, but the minute he left his fathers embrace, he burst into tears. There was safety in his fathers arms. The connection between child and father was palpable and real. Born prematurely, just a few months ago, Alexander was so tiny that he fit in the cup of his fathers hands. Now they call him Gordito, a Spanish term of endearment that literally

means little fat one. Yes. Solid attachment and connection to a primary caregiver for a healthy, growing boy. A win in the right direction. Its a Casa Viva father talking about the tremendous impact Casa Viva has had in his personal life. We joined Casa Viva to do something nice for the children, but they have done so much more for me. I was so hard. Id run away from home at 19, and lived in the truck I drove. I had never truly experienced love. And then late one night it was just me and Carlitos. Hed been crying and I had comforted him, and he had calmed down. My heart was absolutely filled with love. It was the love that I felt for Carlitos, and it was the love I knew God felt toward me. His wife says that if you knew Daube before, you would understand He was great then, but he is better now, she explains. Yes. Biblical hospitality comes with a promise receive the child in His name, and Christ enters your home. A win in the right direction. Its an eighteen year old girl, Carmen. Eighteen is that dreaded age for children with no family. Theyre legally adults, and in most parts of the world, the children are pushed out of orphanages to find their way on their own. But Carmen had already spent four years with a family, and now that family is adopting her to give her a permanent home. Yes. Children connected to family and community for a lifetime. A win. Its a cranky old grandpa who tells his daughter Dont do it. Youre just asking for trouble bringing those kids into your home. But the daughter and her family did it anyway, and have now cared for four children in their home a baby for a month of emergency care, a three year old boy that stayed a year and then was reunited back to his aunt in Nicaragua, a girl that was later adopted by a Costa Rican family, and now twelve year old Esteban, who needed and received a long term family. All the children changed the grandfather. Its like they melted his heart, his daughter explains. He loved those kids more than any of us, from the moment they first arrived. Yes. The circles of transformation that touch all those involved with welcoming the stranger in the name of Christ. A win.

Its a local pastor serving Costa Rican tamales, pastries and coffee as he explains, The church has fallen in love with the children. Three of the families from our church have Casa Viva children in their home. The children become part of us, and it is as if we are all caring for them together. Casa Viva has changed our church. We are more loving, more compassionate. Yes. The local church engaging in the solution, assuming the deep responsibility for children. A win. Its a meeting in a government office following up on the President of Costa Ricas promise to UNICEF to deinstitutionalize all the children under 3 years old in the country. Its hearing that there are 429 little ones0, 1 and 2 years oldcurrently living in orphanages in Costa Rica. Its the government asking Casa Viva, which is still the only family based care program in the country, how many of these children we can care for next year. Yes. God opening doors for His children to live in family. A win. Its a conference in Monterrey, Mexico, where the Casa Viva staff is training local Mexican families to care for children in their homesthe first family based care in that Mexican state. Working with a partner ministry, weve helped train their staff, prepare their first families, and are now consulting with them on a regular basis. Casa Viva wont run the ministry in Monterrey, instead, well go local, and help a ministry already planted in that city develop family based care. Yes. God is encouraging families to open their front doors throughout our region. A win in the right direction. Is it all wins? Absolutely not. There is pain and hurt and loss. A pastor who thinks we arent Christian enough. A Casa Viva family feels they cant continue with the child in their home. A boy who was reunited to his biological family but the mother doesnt live up to her responsibilities. We live in a darkening world where the culture is eroding out from under our feet.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither . . . - Psalm One, NLT

Yet the trees hold the soil, they help anchor us. Local families are homegrown, of the earth. They have stood the test of time, they are strong and confident. They are living and vibrant and real, nothing fake or fabricated. A forest of trees is filled with variety and texture. Its obvious that the solution was planted by God long ago, and has been in process and growing for years. Caring for children in local families has been seeded and tended by God Himself, it is His signature in our midst. What these families are offering to children is LIFE. Real life. Authentic life. The opportunity to care for children through local families and churches is ALIVE. A win in the right direction. You cant miss it, its unavoidable, indisputable evidence. God is on the move. These wins belong to God and the amazing team of families, staff and partners who are working to see local families become the first and primary response for children. As you stand together with us in prayer and partnership, together we are privileged to witness and testify to Gods work as He connects children to families. As the work of 2013 comes to a close, and we stand at the beginning of a new year and fresh possibilities, we celebrate all that God has done and invite Him to lead us ever onward. With love,

Philip and Jill Aspegren for the Casa Viva Family

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
- Isaiah 61, NIV

Casa Viva USA P.O. Box 120, Wheaton, IL 60187 Telephone (630) 427-4040 Casa Viva Latin America Apdo: 544-2050, San Jos, Costa Rica +(506) 2524-1380 Greenhouse Blog: www.casavivagreenhouse.org CVCR Blog: www.casaviva.org/cvcostarica Are you receiving the Casa Viva e-newsletter? Sign up at www.casaviva.org

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