References

My name is Jason and my wife Sarah and I run a small children’s home in rural Honduras via our nonprofit, Give Hope 2 Kids.  We have been in operation for 10 years now and have been caring for orphaned and abandoned kids for the past 5 years.  

Over the course of the past 5 years as we’ve gone through the very normal experience of encountering how severely hurt children act out, we’ve felt the need to reach out to someone with more training and experience in working with hurting kids.  This has always been a challenge for us because we have a heart to help hurting kids, but often don’t feel like we have the right training and the right tools to help kids who have experienced so much.  Three years ago through what can only be explained as a God ordained “accident” we were introduced to the ministry of Drew and Cindy.  God brought them into our lives and ministry at a time when we felt overwhelmed by not knowing how to help some of our toughest kids.  

That’s one reason why we have felt so encouraged by Drew and Cindy’s help.  As we have encountered issues, their ministry has always been available to give us godly counsel mixed with great practical advice.  Drew was very kind to always answer our emails and do video calls with us to help us work through some difficult situations that we definitely did not know how to deal with.  And now twice he has taken a bus all the way from Guatemala to our rural part of Honduras and done training with our house parents.  It’s an encouragement to them too to feel like they have more training and practical techniques to use in working with the kids.  I hope that Drew and Cindy are able to make their training available to thousands of people around the world who find themselves in the same place that we were.  I know that many people have a heart to help hurting kids, but need more resources.  I can say for sure that our ministry is more effective because of Drew and Cindy’s help and I feel like hundreds if not thousands of other ministries would feel the same way if they could receive this training.  

We cannot recommend this ministry highly enough and hope that many more children’s homes will be able to receive the training they offer.

Director of Give Hope 2 Kids
Honduras​

Our child is doing great.  Sometimes I take a step back and think about where we were last year... it was when we just started looking for a therapist because she was so angry and volatile.  Now she is so much more calm, able to think about her actions and when she does have a moment, she apologizes and actually means it.  Most importantly, I can tell she is growing in her relationship with Christ. Now I can see her opening herself up to Christ in her prayers and random questions about Him during the day.  Our family has noticed the difference too and we've told them how thankful we are that God brought us to you - our child always says "Mr. Drew helped me stop doing drama."

School starts in a few weeks, which will be another transition but we're praying for peace and for all to go well.  Another great thing, we went for a walk and she asked to stop at the park, and ran right up and started playing really nicely with a group of kids.  Something she never would have done before.  I'm hopeful that her confidence and peace continues to grow in her heart. 

Mom of a healing child
​Guatemala

​The missionary family, Drew and Cindy Metcalf, along with their two sweet young boys came to serve at our children's home, Casa Gloria, in March of this year. They spent a few days here pouring into us as a family and giving us advice on how to work with children of different ages that will we encounter, as well as how to work with our staff and nannies on caring for and healing the children. They spent one day in a training workshop with our entire staff, about 20 people and taught on the importance of building relationships and connecting with the children, as well as how to build the relationship and connect. The training was excellent and very helpful to me and my staff. The
techniques that they taught us will stay with us and be used year after year with all the children who will come through our doors. We will not hesitate to call them back in the future to re-train and train on other topics as well. They really drove the point home with us that we are not here simply to care for the children; we are here to heal the children and lead them to Christ so they can heal others. The importance of their ministry is something far more than I can express here in this letter. We need to pray fervently that the Lord would touch more hearts of families like the Metcalf's to go into the world to bring healing to more people, and in doing so that He would receive the glory He so rightfully deserves.

Our ministry thanks your church for investing in the ministry of the Metcalf's and allowing them to stay on the field serving in such a powerful way. We pray that the Lord would bring more and more sponsors to them to enable them to concentrate and invest even more in their work here and that they would never have to give a second thought or worry in the way of finances. Your church has blessed us by pouring into this family and for that we can never thank you enough.

President, Mision Vida Nueva
​Guatemala
 
We so appreciate your help!  We have tried counseling before, twice, but both times with a different person and neither time did we feel like they gave us any good advice or reason for going back.  Obviously, we don't feel that way about you guys since we went back!  

Thank you.

Couple who received marriage help  ​

 The christian counseling that Drew and Cindy provide is a very valuable service for us as house parents. We care for young ladies that have been sexually abused. Some of the young ladies arrive pregnant or with young children. All arrive having suffered great trauma in their lives. The time and knowledge that Drew and Cindy provide is very beneficial both to us and the young ladies.

House Parents of Girls Healing Program
Guatemala 

​This letter serves to provide reference for Drew and Cindy Metcalf of We Help Children, who serve as full-time missionaries at Casa Shalom Orphanage in San Lucas, Guatemala. Since the Metcalfs began serving at Casa Shalom full-time in 2015, they have been an integral of Casa Shalom’s leadership team, which is comprised of both North Americans and Guatemalan nationals. The Metcalfs are department heads, overseeing the orphanage’s entire psychology and social work program, which is an enormous responsibility. They supervise Casa Shalom’s psychology staff and social worker, which means they not only oversee the legal status of the 100 children at the orphanage, but they also work tirelessly to ensure each children is receiving the Christ-centered therapy and counseling they need. Given that our children come from backgrounds of extreme abuse, neglect and abandonment, the need for counseling and therapy is profound.

The Metcalfs have been instrumental in revitalizing Casa Shalom’s therapy program, introducing programs like art therapy, music therapy, and a brand-new equine therapy program that will soon be launched. Drew and Cindy have helped us see the need to intentionally work to bring each child to a place of healing and restoration, which can only be achieved by intensive therapy, love and consistency, and the healing touch of Jesus! To this end, Drew and Cindy provide training for Casa Shalom’s house parents, the women and men who are the direct caregivers of Casa Shalom’s children. The Metcalfs provide training for the house parents on the best practices pertaining to raising children who have experienced trauma and who have behavior issues due to that trauma. Casa Shalom’s house parents often voice their appreciation of the training Drew and Cindy have facilitated, and we have seen a trickle-down effect from the training – better trained, better equipped house parents are better caregivers, and the children are happier and safer as a result!

Drew and Cindy also supervise a young couple who serve as Casa Shalom’s campus pastors, leading and shaping the children’s walk with Christ and steering them toward a personal relationship with Him! Additionally, they oversee the running of Casa Shalom’s internship program, where missions-minded young men and women come from across the United States to serve long-term in various areas at the orphanage.

We can say with certainty that the Metcalfs are outstanding missionaries. They openly seek the Lord and His direction for their ministry, and they are obviously gifted and called by Him. We can recommend them unequivocally and without hesitation. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding the Metcalfs’ service.

Directors, Casa Shalom Orphanage
Guatemala​
We accept abused and abandoned children from different parts of Guatemala. These children come with much hurt and we need help with their healing. We have seen great positive change in our children with Drew and Cindy's help. Not only do they counsel our children, but they counsel us on how to help them with their specific problems.

Directors, Manos De Compasion Children's Homes
Guatemala 

Our goal for the training was that people would go away encouraged and better equipped to minister God's love to children at risk.  Drew's passion, personal experience, deep wisdom and complete reliance on Jesus helped each person take steps forward in the calling God has on them.

Kids-In-Crisis Director
Pennsylvania 

​It has been our pleasure to know Drew and Cindy. We have seen first-hand their ministry at Casa Shalom Orphanage and the work they are accomplishing to bring healing and restoration to the hurting children that come under their care. Many orphanages in Guatemala have received ministry from them as they have traveled all across the country and into surrounding nations to bring healing and training.

Drew and Cindy have also been a valuable resource for our Commission To Every Nation missionaries in Guatemala who are facing wounds, hurts and crisis in their lives. Their genuine love, compassion and heart for the hurting, especially the children, is greatly needed and so appreciated by all who have benefited from their ministry. It has been refreshing for Janice and I to be in their home and see the love they have for each other and for their children. It is this example of the Lord’s love that people see when they encounter Drew and Cindy.

Drew and Cindy are shining examples of the good Samaritan found in Luke 10. They bring healing and wholeness to those who are "beat-up, battered and bruised "on the road of life. It is our pleasure to know and minister with such quality people as Drew and Cindy.

Pastors
​Commission To Every Nation
 
I love that you're teaching the house mothers to be more than simple caregivers - but true nurturers who will help the children move beyond the chains of their past. I look forward to a future session when the Metcalfs will be discussing "disciplining in love" with our house mothers. I hope to make training sessions with the Metcalfs a regular part of our house mother's training and development."

Orphanage Director
Guatemala​

It was a special time for the staff. The staff got an opportunity to share what was on their hearts and get advice. Drew taught us how we need to connect with the children. Drew had a special way of getting the childrens' attention fast. he set an example for the staff. We as the board needed some advice on how to get the students to be responsible on their own when they grow up, which has really been a problem in the past.

​Cayo Deaf Institute School Director
Belize 

​I have known Drew and Cindy Metcalf since June of 2011 and have visited them various times throughout the years. I have witnessed miraculous changes and healing in the children and staff that they have been working with since they moved to Guatemala. They are constantly adapting to the needs of the staff and children and are expanding their ministry, including training staff in other countries, and starting an equine therapy and healing program for the children. They have recently accepted another Guatemalan missionary to work with them. This missionary is going to very poor communities near her hometown and working with the children there, as well as helping to improve the bonding between house mothers and children at Casa Shalom. I am currently a member of the board of directors for We Help Children and am a registered nurse. Drew and Cindy’s love for God and following His lead is blatantly clear. So many children’s lives have been completely changed because of the work they have been doing for God’s glory.

Drew has been working with the psychologists at Casa Shalom this past year. From his work, the structure has changed and people helping in the houses have seen a complete, positive change. They have made such a positive impact and God continues to open doors for their ministry. Cindy has been working with some of the older girls at Casa Shalom with the art therapy program and now with some of the children with the horse. There has been a huge change and healing that is taking place through those areas of ministry. They currently have a transition teen living in their home to help her to learn how to transition out of a children’s home into independence and to heal from her past. Earlier this year, they had 2 boys living in their home as well. One lived with them at night, and the other was from another children’s home, both in need of a healing program. I had the privilege of being there during that time and watched the positive change and impact that Drew, Cindy, and everyone living in their home had on those children.

Drew has always said that children are sponges. That is so true. Their minds absorb everything around them. Drew and Cindy have such an amazing way of working with the children, staff, and everyone they encounter. They are always so willing to open their home to others and have such big hearts for everyone. I have been talking with Drew and Cindy about how I can expand my part with their ministry and we are looking to start being involved in medical care for children and mothers in various areas in Guatemala. Drew and Cindy are just absolutely amazing and words really don’t even begin to describe it. God has been and continues to use them to help make a huge impact on the children in Central America and we’re excited to see what is to come in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Emergency Department Nurse
​Pennsylvania

I know that you are a wonderful stable influence and great example for all the children.

Dean of Nursing & Health Sciences
Texas​

I have loved my time at Casa Shalom. I loved the training time we had with Drew before we worked with the kiddos. It was very insightful for me, and completely changed my perspective (in a very good way) of what to expect, what my purpose was, and how to love those kiddos well. The information I had during that time was so helpful and will be used even past my time here in Guatemala. Thanks Drew!
I love that the kiddos respect the house moms so much. The house moms have a hold of things, they have a routine, and they have earned that level of trust. They love those kiddos. I definitely have seen that. And the kids love the house moms.

Intern
Adventures In Missions

My experience as an intern with "We Help Children" will forever change my life.  For years I looked for an organization that does what Drew and Cindy do, help bring healing to children in orphanages.  It was such a blessing to be able to work alongside them and learn under them for two months.  I learned so much during this time and was given the freedom and flexibility to use my own gifts, as well as practice what I was learning.  This experience taught me a lot about the Father's love and desire to heal his children. I was challenged and stretched yet cared for and led throughout it all.  Drew and Cindy are an incredible couple with huge hearts, open to do and go wherever the Lord is leading.  I would recommend this internship for anyone with a desire to work with children, no matter what the setting.

Intern
Moody Bible Institute  

We have been blessed to work with Drew to help our adopted daughter learn to manage her anger.  We appreciate Drew’s approach which involved discussions with us first, then observing our daughter and prayerfully and thoughtfully analyzing the situation before jumping to conclusions.  Drew has the gift of being able to connect with children and our daughter has always looked forward to going to see him.  We were impressed with the many approaches he takes to therapy and continue to be inspired by his wisdom.

Drew has given us the guidance to help strengthen our connection with our daughter and as a family.  Through Drew’s advice and changes in our parenting style, our daughter has learned ways to control her emotions and we have seen great improvements in our daughter’s behavior.  We are eternally grateful for Drew and pray that God allows him to help many more children.

Through Drew’s prayers, advice and wisdom, we have learned new parenting techniques to strengthen our bond with our daughter and help her develop the tools to manage her strong feelings.  Even more importantly, we have seen her grow in her relationship with Christ.

​Family who brought their 9 year old for help
​Guatemala 
We Help Children has been a huge blessing to my family. We are receiving therapy support for raising our adopted son that we never could have afforded otherwise, nor found around here. Our son has some specific challenges, and this ministry is giving him play therapy, while also spending the time to teach us how to parent him in a way that works best for him. I am amazed by the wisdom passed on to us and the practical advice that we had not thought of. We are seeing our son grow quickly and improve daily, and we are so grateful for the time and effort Drew puts in to help us be successful. He is focused on the Holy Spirit, and reminds us that with Christ there is always hope.

​Family who brought their 4 year old for help
​Guatemala