Lifesong for Orphans

LIFESONG FOR ORPHANS

Gustavo & Kathryn Ochoa: kathryn@lifesong.org
PO Box 40 Gridley, IL 61744
www.lifesong.org

Gustavo and Kathryn work in Cochabamba, Bolivia serving orphans with Lifesong for Orphans. There are currently three orphanages, plus the transition program, in Cochabamba. Kathryn is the coordinator for the transition program, which is a home for girls who have aged out of orphanages. The girls want to continue their education after completing high school so they attend either a local university or technical school. Kathryn comes alongside these girls to disciple them, teach life skills such as cooking, budgeting, nutrition, etc., and mentor them during their transition into adulthood. Kathryn leads them in weekly Bible studies, because her ultimate goal is to see these girls, whom the world has rejected, become the women God created them to be.

Kathryn also implements a discipleship program in the home for girls under eighteen. She holds a weekly Bible Study and works to develop friendships with the girls, especially those in their teens. Developing relationships with the teens helps them navigate a pivotal time in their lives and helps them prepare for the transition into the transition home when they turn eighteen so it will not be such a scary leap. 

Gustavo serves in a pastoral care role for the children in the orphanages and the staff. He leads Bible studies for the directors and staff of each of the orphanages and leads Bible studies with the orphanage for older boys. He also helps Kathryn with the Bible study for the orphanage for girls under eighteen. He spends much time hanging out at the different homes to provide support, prayers, advice or even just friendship for the staff and children. Gustavo was formerly an electrician and spent time working in construction, so he is often doing maintenance work on the homes when he is not providing pastoral care.