Abogar is committed to both advocacy and ministry.
ADVOCACY: Abogar creates awareness so that others can see these precious children, feel God’s love for them, and respond in effective ways. Our desire is to see positive change and the acceptance of the intrinsic value of vulnerable children in the eyes of Latin American society, as well as positive change in laws governing the care of children. Our advocacy work is to represent the needs of these children before organizations, churches, businesses, individuals, and to government agencies. As we advocate for their best interest, we seek an acceptance and implementation of a holistic approach to providing precious children with lifelong homes and lifelong families.
MINISTRY: Abogar wants to see each vulnerable child in a lifelong family and a lifelong home, where they are accepted as permanent members of the family. Unified and consistent support systems shall be developed and organized for both the children and their families – both of which we want to see flourishing.
Abogar's Current Initiatives
Vidas Nuevas
This ministry serves several purposes in a violence-stricken, low-income community of Villa Nueva, Guatemala.
The first purpose is to provide a refuge from the harsh realities of the children’s difficult lives and to provide a meaningful time of fun, guidance, and unconditional love. Every Saturday morning, the kids of the community are invited to a children’s program where they can enjoy a Bible lesson, a healthy meal, and other activities, such as games and crafts.
The second purpose of this ministry is to promote lifelong families by counseling, encouraging, and strengthening the families of the children that attend. Abogar representatives and volunteers visit the homes of the children to build relationships with the families and to have an opportunity to minister to and educate parents, siblings, and extended family.
Our goal is to increase the Vidas Nuevas Ministry to include programs that will provide further education, training, and empowerment to the parents and guardians of the children. Abogar’s desire is to multiply the Vidas Nuevas Ministry in many other villages and hard neighborhoods throughout Guatemala and then Latin America.
Special Kids School Outreach Ministry
The Special Kids School is one of Abogar’s partners. The purpose of our ministry there is to support this preschool in the village of San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala, that offers Christ-centered education to children 3 – 5 years old. It is an incredible school that serves approximately 40 preschool age children.
Outreach events at the school include organized activities for the children, healthy snacks, and love and care from Abogar representatives and volunteers.
We also fund three teachers’ salaries at the school so they can focus on teaching and loving on the children.
Leadership Development Program
Leadership Development is a core practice of Abogar. It is our philosophy to raise up and train local leaders who have the call and commitment to serve the children in need in their country and community. Abogar actively and intentionally invests in individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and potential.
This involves four different areas of leadership development:
1) seeking out and training qualified candidates for administrative and instructional positions within the association
2) seeking out, evaluating, and training candidates for the board of directors of the Abogar association of each country, starting with Guatemala
3) continued education, training, and mentoring of staff
4) continued training of ministry and program volunteers
Additional Activities
Xposure Xperiences
We host teams who visit us in Latin America in order to offer them exposure to the circumstances and needs of the children, to the amazing work of our partners, and to unhelpful stereotypes people often have. Most of all, the experiences expose God’s heart for the children. Join us!
Help Initiatives
We engage in acts of blessing or service as needs arise. Our intent is to directly help the children and families, and/or to support organizations and workers who serve the children.
Educational Assistance Fund
Funding is raised specifically to support educational programs for children in Latin America or to provide children the opportunity to have access to educational programs.
Abogars for Abogar
We seek to raise up a network of individuals who are committed to advocating for and promoting Abogar International Ministries. Abogars exist to promote and support the vision and mission through their unique gifts and abilities in their local spheres of influence.
What We Keep in Mind
Behind all our work, we keep in mind our vision for lifelong families and homes for the children. We also know we can’t reach that vision alone and are so grateful for our partners.
Homes of Hope
We have a vision to establish long-term Homes of Hope. This model originates from God’s initial design of lifelong family and home. We seek to create lifelong families and lifelong homes, offering permanency and stability to each child, lasting through their whole life span.
Partnerships
We seek partnership with like-minded ministries, churches, businesses and individuals to develop strategies and implementation that will benefit the children. These partners may have different resources, projects or strategies, yet we all share the same heart for vulnerable children.
