Our Children

Abandoned - Testimonies

Juan Daniel Delgadillo Maradiaga

Juan Daniel Maradiaga, Nicaragua

Daniel lives at our home in Nicaragua.  His mother forced him to beg for money on the streets with his sister, Luz Esperanza, since he was about 2 years old.  His sister, Luz Esperanza, was required to meet a daily quota of about 80 córdobas, and if she did not meet her quota, she would be beaten.  Luz Esperanza has described incidents of being hit with electrical wires, of having a burning iron applied to her arm, and of being forced to dance on burning coals. After Luz was brought to Arms of Love, Daniel was hidden by his parents and could not be found for many months.  When the Family Ministry brought him to us after he was finally rescued from the streets, Daniel was barely able to speak.

Daniel is now a very happy, affectionate boy. He gets along very well with the other boys in his house. Currently he has better language skills but still needs to develop more. He is working on improving his reading and writing skills. Daniel is doing very well in school and enjoys doing school work.

Judah Morala

Judah Morala, Philippines

Judah is one of eight siblings at the Arms of Love home in the Philippines. He and his siblings were forced to quit school and help their father farm the land, but he and his 2 older brothers ran away from home.  The remaining children were required to walk around the city to gather scrap iron, tin cans, and other items to sell for food.

Their father then abandoned his family.  Their mother was observed roaming around the city with four of the children acting unbalanced and begging for money for their food.  Many times their house was nearly set on fire from their mother throwing her cigarettes on the floor while the children were asleep.

Judah and his brothers Dominador and Janil were facing a charge of theft (they were stealing items they could sell to support their family) and they were held in jail. Fortunately, their case was dismissed. At the recommendation of Social Services, Arms of Love agreed to receive the three older brothers, as well as the five younger siblings to keep the family together.

Judah recently finished Grade 1 with two awards- 4th Honors and Highest in Attendance.  At home, Judah is learning to show respect to his houseparents and the other children at the home. He is part of the junior worship team at church and plays bass guitar.