The Girl's Home Remodel

In beautiful Guatemala, dubbed the “Land of Eternal Spring,” our 2025 remodel project focused on transforming the main living room of a girls’ home. But this was more than just a renovation. It was a continuation of a meaningful relationship we have built over the last three years.

Through referrals from children’s homes we have already worked with, we intentionally connect with new homes where support is truly needed and deeply appreciated. The sweet girls and dedicated staff at this home quickly captured our hearts. From the moment we arrived, we felt it. And seeing their joy during the grand reveal of their new living space brought us immense happiness.

Over the last three years, we’ve sent funds to support daily operations, immediate needs, and sewing and cooking classes. Please join us in continuing to fund these programs. We saw firsthand the pride each girl carried as she learned how to sew and worked hard to pass her baking tests. The goal is simple but powerful: help the girls learn practical skills while building confidence at the same time.

When it came to the remodel itself, we focused on the main living area — the heart of the home. The furniture had been there for many years. Shortly before the big reveal, I overheard a staff member mention they had just thrown out an old chair because the girls kept falling through it. That moment alone reminded us why this mattered.

One of my best friends and her daughter spent an entire day with me going from store to store, carefully choosing the perfect sofas and dining set. We selected high-quality pieces and furniture large enough so every girl could sit together on the sofas and share meals around the same table. Creating a space where they could gather comfortably was important to us.

The team who joined us on this remodel was incredible. They worked hard — engaging the girls, entertaining them, and pouring their energy into preparing the space for the grand reveal. It was a special trip for all of us.

In between the long days of remodeling, the guys laid new tile. We added a fresh coat of paint to the walls, cleaned paint off the windows, and painted murals in the living area. And in the midst of all the work, we slowed down. We shared lunches with the girls and played soccer together. These girls are competitive — it’s absolutely the best. My sister and I kept looking at each other, reflecting on how often we saw ourselves in those little girls. Having lived in an orphanage in Guatemala for five years, we could relate to them so deeply.

The girls in this home are loved and well cared for. Seeing how much the house felt like family made our hearts incredibly happy. We are proud to continue supporting this home and look forward to future opportunities to keep improving the property.

There is still much work to do, but it will happen one remodel at a time. We are always looking for people with building, landscaping, sewing, or cooking skills to join us on these trips.

My husband serves as the project manager, keeping everything on schedule and moving forward. My sister organized the large celebration at the end — a party to honor the girls and reveal their fresh new space.

And in that moment, watching them step into their renewed living room, we were reminded why we do this.