1. News from
For His Children A Christian ministry to children in Ecuador
March – April 2008
In Memory of Joyce Bourdeau
August 13, 1941 - February 27, 2008
Joyce was a loving, caring wife and mother, and a precious gift
to For His Children. Since 1994, Brent and Joyce have been
FHC's Ministry Assistants, donating countless hours to ensure
that the ministry's finances and correspondence are handled
professionally. We thank God for Joyce's life and how it touched
the lives of others. She served Him lovingly in many special
ways. We know she now rests in His arms.
There comes a time when a mentor (Melinda) realizes that her protégés know as much or more than she does. An
example: A few days ago our Administrator, Verónica, hurried by me, breathlessly explaining that Sofía, 4 mos. old,
needed oxygen. The door to the Vaughn Infant Home flew open and caregiver Cecilia rushed past me to help
Verónica roll the oxygen concentrator machine out of the storage room. As I watched the two of them, they
attached a pressure gauge and humidifier bottle. Cecilia wheeled the machine past me with a “Buenas tardes,
Señora Melinda,” and disappeared into the Vaughn House. The door closed and within a minute Sofía was
receiving the oxygen she needed. I stood on the stairs for a moment longer, reflecting on what had just taken place.
I thought of years ago when Clark and I would be the ones to whom the caregivers came to for help in an
emergency. Fast forward to 2008, and I had to move out of the way or get run over by Verónica, Cecilia and the
oxygen concentrator! It left me slightly unbalanced at first, but then a warm satisfaction flowed through me as I
thought about what I had just witnessed - our staff in action, knowing what to do and how to do it, with that
attention-to-detail that is FHC’s trademark.
Another example: A few weeks ago, newborn Julian arrived home from a two week hospitalization. I went
downstairs to the Vaughn Infant Home to make sure all was in order and started dispensing instructions to Gladys,
one of his caregivers. I suddenly had this feeling that I should be quiet. I looked over at Gladys. She had been
pensively nodding her head after each of my instructions. “Señora Melinda, we’ve already done everything you’re
asking.” I could feel a sheepish grin spreading across my face. I thought, “These women take care of these babies
24/7, they have been taught, trained, guided and supervised, and they know what to do.” I apologized, gave
Gladys a hug, and decided I’d better go make myself useful
somewhere else! It’s a great feeling to witness the confidence
and skill of FHC’s staff. We’re proud of them!
For His Children welcomed newborn Gabriel Cuomo (at right
with caregiver María Tixicuro) on February 1st. The children’s
hospital asked if FHC would welcome an abandoned baby boy,
born around January 21st. He had been found on the street, and
the police took him to the hospital. FHC’s Director, Melinda, met
Gabriel at the hospital along with members of a visiting team
from Ontario, Canada (one member gave Gabriel her last name
– in case you are wondering where the Italian surname came
from!). Together they took Gabriel to FHC’s pediatrician, Dr.
Naranjo, who pronounced him in perfect health. The “Doris
Martin 2008 Mission Team” took wonderful care of Gabriel while
he was at FHC-Quito, and sent him off with a prayer a few days
later when he was transferred to FHC-Latacunga. Gabriel is
growing and enjoying the loving care given him by FHC’s “Tías”.

2. Doris Martin led a team from Ontario, Canada, (at left)
that visited FHC in late January. One team member
wrote us: “It was a learning, stretching experience, very
fulfilling.” Another wrote: “Thank you for challenging
us.” Another member said: “FHC provided us a
fantastic, safe mission experience. Your Tías are so
patient with us. They let us love on the kids and that
was the biggest highlight of the trip.” Our heartfelt
thanks to all the members of this team for their time and
love generously shared with FHC.
Several new families were formed by adoption at FHC recently. In
January, handsome Andrés Martin (FHC-Quito) becamehe son of
Danilo, 47, and Teresa, 41 (at right). Danilo is a Systems Engineer and
works in the family real estate firm. Teresa is a language therapist on
staff at a Christian school in Quito. Andrés is their first child. The new
family is happy and doing well.
Diego Mauricio (FHC-Latacunga): Diego’s new parents are Juan
Francisco, 39, and Rosa Matilde, 44, (at left). They are
owners/managers of an office supply company. Diego is their first child.
Rosa is looking forward to spending time with him since she can work
from their home. When told about their new son’s personality, likes and
dislikes, they beamed with pride, especially Dad Francisco. They
couldn’t wait to meet Diego. In early February, they fulfilled their dream
of becoming parents. The new family is doing well.
Pablo Santiago (FHC-Latacunga) joined his new family in February. Lesley
and Greg live in Ontario, Canada, and Pablo is their first son. The Swifts
spent several days with Pablo in Latacunga, and when he was ready to leave
the home, they moved to Quito. Pablo was the first child cared for at FHC-
Latacunga, and he has a special place in the hearts of the Tías, especially
those who knew him when he was a baby. There were lots of tears the day
Pablo left FHC-Latacunga! In a few weeks the new Swift family will return to
Canada. Everyone at FHC wishes them the best. The photo at right was
taken when Lesley and Greg came to visit FHC-Quito in mid-March.
Daniela, now 3, (FHC-Quito),
was ready to be adopted last
July, but the process moves
very slowly in Ecuador and
she wasn’t assigned a family
until early December. Her adoptive family, Daniel and María Teresa,
traveled from Italy to Ecuador in early February to meet their new
daughter. It’s a precious experience to work with a child preparing
her to meet her new family. We use a photo album, letters, small
gifts, and often a DVD from the family. Our psychologist and Tías
explain the roles of “mom” and “dad”, which are new concepts for
our children. Daniela fell asleep each night holding her family’s
photo album. Their first meeting went very well, and within a few
days she was ready to move to her parents’ hotel. A week later, our
psychologist visited the new family. Daniela was doing very well.
She had gained some weight, and already learned a few words in
Italian. The new family will return home to Italy in late March.

3. Angel (FHC-Quito), 3 ½, became the son of Tomás and Emma in
January of this year. Angel is a bright child, and immediately
learned the names of his parents, and identified them in the
family’s photo album. During talks with Raul, FHC’s psychologist,
Angel loved to make up stories about his new family and included
himself in the starring role! His parents sent him a soft blanket, a
small remote controlled car, and two new t-shirts to show him that
they were thinking of him. The morning his parents were to arrive
at FHC, Angel walked up and down the hallway in the Harlow
House, saying goodbye to his “siblings”, announcing that his
parents were coming soon. That same day, after his nap, Angel
walked out to his parent’s car and said, “Let’s go!” After supper,
with pajamas tucked under his arm, Angel waved goodbye to FHC
and left for his new home. The family reports all is well.
Check out FHC’s new video at the bottom of the “Story of FHC” page on our website. (www.forhischildren-
ecuador.org). Thanks to the generosity of Carlos Jenks, a U.S. “ex-pat” now living in Quito, we have a
professionally made video that tells the story of FHC. View it and let us know your comments!
The Village Congregational Church in
Wellesley, MA, sent a mission team (photo at
left) to FHC in mid-February. Team leader
Tracy Accardi and group members shared
with us some reflections on their trip before
heading home to Wellesley: “(Visiting FHC-
Latacunga) was transformative. The Tías are
incredibly dedicated to the children as if they
were their own. …the ministry of His Spirit…
is so alive here.” Others wrote: “This trip was
a great opportunity to share the love of God
and renew my faith. A highlight was every
time the children gave me a hug. It was
inspiring to see how God works on a daily
basis in the lives of the Vaughns and the
children.” Thank you, Team VCC, as well as
those in the U.S. who supported you
financially and in prayer.
In early March, FHC welcomed
professors/team leaders Lorna
Hayward, Ann Charrette, and a group
of bright and motivated physical
therapy students from Northeastern
University in Boston. For one week the
children at FHC were loved,
challenged, encouraged and blessed
by this passionate group of students.
Thank you to all who participated in this
“practicum/study” trip to FHC. We
appreciate the knowledge and
information they shared with us, and
the love and caring they generously
gave to the children.

4. Look at how FHC-Latacunga is
progressing! We’re impressed and amazed!
The second story concrete floor (first floor
roof) is poured, and the second-story roof
support columns will soon be poured. Last
fall, a member of a church in Los Angeles
was moved to help raise funds to complete
the Latacunga home after visiting FHC-
Latacunga. She returned to L.A. and a few
months later she wrote us: “I was blessed to
visit FHC in September 2007. Clark
explained that about $250,000 more was
needed to complete the new facility. The
thought popped into my head that we only
need 250 people to donate $1,000. I would like to be one of those 250 people! Please receive this check, and I am
praying for God’s continued blessing on this wonderful and amazing place….” Thank you, Maura, from all of us at
FHC, and to many others who have given toward this project. We believe we are to share this challenge with you,
our supporters and readers, so you may be encouraged to invest in the future of children in Latacunga. Thank you!
FHC-Latacunga would love to consult with a landscape designer and/or recreational space designer (children’s
play areas). Soon the construction project in Latacunga will be ready to develop the grounds and play area. We’d
like to rely on the expertise of professionals in this field, and plan a quality play area for the children. If you can help
or know someone who can, please contact FHC.
We’re looking for adoptive families for two beautiful
children at FHC: Grace, 2 ½, (at left) is a lovely little girl
who waits for a family to help her reach her potential as
she is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her legal
papers are in order and she is ready for assignment to
a family. Marina, (at right) is 3 ½, healthy, and one of
the most cheerful little girls ever at FHC. She knows
she has some very special parents out there
somewhere – and she’s trying so hard to be patient! If
you feel a tugging at your heart as you look at these
special precious children – please contact FHC.
Newsbriefs: International adoptions are on standby
while the government reviews contracts with foreign
agencies. Please pray that contracts will be signed soon... A mandatory increase in
salaries of 17% for private sector employees (that’s FHC) was put into effect January 1, 2008, significantly
affecting FHC’s budget. We’re continuing to cut costs wherever possible without sacrificing FHC’s quality care…
Rains and heavy flooding in Ecuador have caused extensive damage over the past months. The rains are the
heaviest in 25 years and floods have uprooted about 3.5 million people in 13 provinces. Thankfully, FHC has not
suffered any damage except needing to replace rain gutters on the Faith House … Clark and Melinda will be
traveling to the States several times in 2008, and they would welcome an opportunity to present the ministry of
FHC in your community. Dates are open for September – December 2008. Email us! …Some of our readers
have asked – “on a personal note”: Melinda and Clark are well. They’ve traveled a lot the last three months, but
are now settled in Quito for a few weeks until they travel to Tennessee in April for FHC’s annual Board meeting.
The Vaughns are going to be grandparents again in September – their son Phillip, 26, and his wife, Daniela, (Gulf
Breeze, FL) are expecting a sibling for brother Matias, 20 months. Soon-to-be Captain Phillip is a pilot in the
USAF’s Special Operations Division. The Vaughn’s daughter, Lesley, now 23, is teaching dance in Los Angeles,
and filming/hosting a pilot TV show, and enjoying living with her grandparents, Melinda’s mom and dad in
Northridge. Thank you to all our supporters for your prayers, encouragement, your visits, and financial giving.
For His Children - Clark and Melinda Vaughn, Directors Tax-deductible donations may be sent to:
Casilla 17-08-8545, Quito Ecuador For His Children
Telephone/Fax: 593 2 247 0832, 280 8424 9455 Elk Ridge South, Divide, CO 80814 USA
Email: info@forhischildren-ecuador.org Telephone: 719 686 0132
Website: www.forhischildren-ecuador.org Brent Bourdeau, FHC Ministry Assistant
Thank you to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Red Bluff, CA for printing and mailing this newsletter for nine years! Please advise
FHC of address changes. If you are able to receive this newsletter via e-mail, it will reduce the cost of printing and mailing. Thank you!