Amazing is the only word to describe what God has done in
Niños de la Luz. What started out, for us, as a simple
desire to help street kids has grown into a beautiful ministry,
giving hope and life to kids who were on a path of death and
despair. We feel privileged to be a part of such an incredible
work that God is doing. There is nothing that can compare
to seeing lives change right before your eyes. The beauty
of it is that it’s not just the boys from the streets
who are being touched and changed, but it’s all of us:
the staff, the house parents, the missionaries and even the
kid’s families. We are a part of a miracle that is unfolding
right before our eyes and we praise God for all that He has
done and will continue to do in the future.
Venezuela:
Marisela
Santiago
National Director
Marisela@ninosdelaluz.org
I first heard about the ministry when I met the national
director at a conference in Panama which focused on developing
the gifts of young people in Latin America. Upon returning
from the Panama conference I learned more about Niños
de la Luz and found out that the ministry just happened to
rent an office in the same building as my private counseling
office. Upon visiting the Lighthouse Ranch, my heart was moved
and I was deeply touched by what I saw there. Something I
really like about the ministry is the opportunity I have to
change the lives of these boys even from a very young age.
I also like the fact that we can contribute to changing their
futures and the opportunity to give them an alternative choice
in their lives than what they received before arriving at
the Ranch. I love the ingenuity and simplicity of it.
*Marisela Santiago is also a licensed Psychologist
Otymarines Arrocha
Ranch Director
I began my work with NDLL on August 2nd, 2003. I am licensed
in social work and that's my role in this ministry. I give
thanks to God because he's given me this priveledge of working
with kids and adolectnts in their street situation. The reality
the situations our boys have lived. Eachone is so impacting
that it makes me want to defend their rights even more. Really,
for my life, it’s been a great blessing being a part
of this team. I consider the experience I’ve acquired
through this work as more than you could in any university.
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Omar and Darvexi Fuentes
House Parents of the “Manantial” House
(The Spring)
We first met Greg (previous National Director) several years
ago while working in a YWAM children’s’ home.
Later we received a call from Pastor Luis Sarmiento asking
us if we wanted to work with an organization called Niños
de la Luz. By that time we were living in Maturín,
it had been a year since we worked with any ministry, which
we believed to be a year of rest that the Lord gave us. After
that call we got together and started to think about working
with NDLL. After many interviews and visits to the ranch we
were finally accepted and on Nov 16th, 2004, we moved to the
Ranch to begin our work. We now work as house parents in one
of the homes called “El Manantial” (The Spring).
It’s very special for us to be here and work. We believe
that God put us here. We now have a home for 8 boys who have
the need of a family and God. Our desire is to cover every
necessity of these boys and to be a reflection of God’s
love for their lives.
Darvexi: I like helping the boys with their schoolwork and
watching their growth and general development. I also enjoy
each day that I get to cook for everyone. I’m happy
to be a part of the Niños de la Luz family.
Omar: I love this ministry. I enjoy when there’s something
to repair, be it a car or a washing machine. I love spending
time with the boys, whether it be playing on the soccer team
with them or sitting down to share a meal together. I truly
give thanks to God for placing me here to be a part of this
team.
Gratiniano y Alicia Corzo
Ranch Grandparents and teachers of
Agriculture and small business management
We were invited to work with NDLL in September of 2001. We
have had a vision for quite a while now to care for children
at risk, we even worked in Colombia with such children. Our
time here with the ministry has been great, although there
certainly have been some trials as well, but with some patience
and the help of our Lord we will continue with this great
work. We know that the boys under our care need us in order
to continue to grow in the fear of the Lord. So we will continue
on and take care of the boys as long as the Lord permits,
for this is the work He has given us to do.
Sotela Soto
Ranch Counseler
I have been serving here with NDLL since 1998, thanks be
to God.. My time here has been filled with joy, not only for
me, but for my girls as well. One of the things that I enjoy
doing here at the Ranch is sharing the Scriptures with the
boys and singing songs of praise with them. I have also enjoyed
cooking for them. The boys are now a part of my life.
Duglas and Ismerling Arrechedera
Ranch Counselor/Activities Director
I (Duglas) first arrived at the Ranch because of Jon Haslett
on February 11, 2002. I have the role as God’s servant
and Ranch Counselor in training. I like a lot of things at
the Ranch, especially watching the kids smile with joy and
security, it brings satisfaction to my life to see such a
contrast from when they first arrived. When they arrive, they
are without love, mistreated, full of problems and not trusting
of adults, without peace and with other numerous issues. But
to see them three months after they arrive at the Ranch, it
is difficult to even recognize them with the change that God
has done in them. Truly, it is incredible to share with these
kids. My focus is that in the future, God will raise up these
young people, as he did with me, who was once a, “niño
de la luz”, and now a servant of God in Niños
de la Luz. (Duglas was one of the first boys to arrive at
the ranch from the street in 1996).
I (Ismerling) arrived at Niños de la Luz with my husband
Duglas in 2002. I spend my time here helping out in the kitchen
as a cook. I do not have much experience with the kids, because
I usually do not work directly with them, but I enjoy sharing
and talking with them. Even though I only cook in the kitchen,
I know that I am helping out with the boys and I am overjoyed
doing this for God.
Magdalena Guzmán
Special Needs Teacher
A Beautiful experience of learning and teaching. Four years
ago God gave me the opportunity to form part of a team that
has as its mission to support the emotional, social, moral
and spiritual growth of a group of boys who desire to move
forward in victory in a failed world that they once lived
in.
These boys now represent an army of light full of much hope
to live and future and as successful men who will move forward.
It is very satisfying for me to watch them grow and to be
leading them in my work as a teacher. I too have learned much
from them, especially when we help others, we give our lives
meaning.
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Venezuela:
Ayysleth Zambrano
Sponsorship Coordinator for Spanish Speakers
Padrinos@ninosdelaluz.org
I (Ayysleth), became familiar with Niños de la Luz
five years ago when my church invited me to help at the INAM
detention center for boys with a puppet show, then later on
several more occasions I helped as well. Some time later my
mom invited me to participate in INAM as a volunteer on a
regular basis. Due to the positive experience I had there
working with the children, I decided to stay on.
A year after I began working in the INAM center as a volunteer,
Greg (director) invited me (August 2003) to come on staff
and work as Sponsorship Coordinator for the Spanish speaking
world. I now work in this area as well as continue to work
in the INAM center.
What I enjoy in the ministry is, to see the boys lives be
transformed by Jesus Christ . . . By His power working in
us...and to hear his voice telling us … “you took
me in...you visited me...you came to me...” Matthew
25:35, 36.
Ninoska Zambrano
INAM (Government Institution)
Outreach Coordinator
INAM volunteers
street contact volunteers
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Leonel Portillo - President 
Mauricio Lopez - Vice-President
Ninoska Zambrano - Treasurer
Larry Angulo - Secretary
Sady Rivera - Trustee (not shown)
Douglas Cadenas - Trustee
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Jon and Shannon Haslett
National Directors
Refer to above
United
States:
Jesse Snipes
U.S. Administrator
Jesse@ninosdelaluz.org
In the summer on 2004 I chose to take a year off school and live with the Hasletts in the Dominican Republic helping with construction, classes with the boys and administrative responsibilities. Those nine months were a milestone in my personal life. A time of discovery, adventure, service and growth. I knew, upon returning home the following summer, that I would be serving God with this ministry one way or another. I am so thankful that I can now play a bigger role in what God is doing through you as supporters and in the lives of those we care for. As U.S. Administrator my main role is to keep all of you informed on what’s happening in this ministry and to serve you in any way possible. Along with serving in Niños de la Luz, I am currently a full time college student and a volunteer leader in a High School youth ministry. Please contact me anytime.
Casey Hale, Frank Winans, Norman Hapke, Jon Haslett,
Joan Longobardo
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