The founders of For His Children are Clark and Melinda Vaughn. They are a huge reason as to why I decided to remain in Ecuador and specifically at For His Children. They have been a source of encouragement to me over these past three years as I seek out what God wants for my life. It has been amazing to be a part of what two people have started and to see how that has grown exponentially; reaching far more than the kids who are cared for at FHC. Everybody who comes into contact with the ministry, adoptive families, volunteers, and visitors, are all changed in some way. Clark and Melinda moved to Ecuador with their two small children back in the 80s after they heard God calling them to care for “His children” in Ecuador. They left a successful and profitable life in California behind and moved to Ecuador. Around 800 children have passed through For His Children from the time it began.

Last year Clark was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Within a short period of time he went from being an active, healthy man to a person confined in a wheelchair and who had difficulty speaking. As I traveled around the States to do fundraising for For His Children, I was even more touched by the amount of people that Clark impacted. People who only spent a short amount of time with him on a missions trip to FHC or time when he came to visit their church, would talk about him like he was an old friend. During my time of traveling, I received a phone call telling me that Clark had passed away. Condolences came from around the world. A hole has been left but we are comforted in the fact that he is no longer suffering. It is truly incredible to see how God works when we truly give Him all of us; when we commit fully to His will for our lives. Clark’s life was a wonderful example of this.

Clark with Rosa who was adopted last year