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
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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.
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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.
Chris Dyer
Vice President and U.S. Chairman of the Board
Chris@ninosdelaluz.org
I met Jon and Shannon several years ago while responding to God’s prompting to reach out to children at risk. As the years went by I stayed involved with the ministry in a variety of ways from fundraising to assisting with their construction projects and a multitude of tasks. My family has also been involved in many ways from moral support to hands on participation at their facilities in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
Niños De La Luz is committed to changing lives and shining the love of God on all they come in contact with; that is why we as a family are so committed to this ministry and why I accepted the position of Vice President and Chairman of the Board. God has done great things in the lives of those involved in this ministry and I thank Him that He has called me to be a part of it. If you have any questions or feel God is calling you to be involved in some way, send me an email.
Other Board Members: Casey Hale, Frank Winans, Norman Hapke, Jon Haslett,
Joan Longobardo
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