Pat Duff (a.k.a. Guatemala Grandma)
Pat Duff has
been a follower of Jesus Christ for over 40 years, has been involved in ministry with
children,youth and adults in a variety of churches in the United States before moving to Guatemala.
She also had 30+ years working with children
and adults with mild through severe disabilities, including autism, in both
public schools and private institutions.
She holds a Bachelors Degree in Special Education from the University of
Illinois, and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Creighton University.
She has been serving full time on the mission field in Guatemala since 2010, working with the disabled in schools, institutions, villages, and now a community living home, Casa de Esperanza.
Pat serves as the Director of Causa de Esperanza Guatemala, and oversees the day to day operation of the community home, Casa de Esperanza. She works along side other ministries in the Antigua area which serve children with disabilities, including teaching three days a week at New Life School in the Mayan village of Santa María de Jesús, outside of Antigua.
Antonio Culajay (Tony)
Tony is our only full-time staff member and our lead companion-caregiver. He lives with us at Casa de Esperanza Monday through Friday and has the primary responsibility for providing direct care to our residents. After graduating from high school, Tony drove tuk-tuk (a motorcycle taxi) in Chimaltenango for four years before coming to work with us. He displays just the right balance of kind-heartedness and business sense that we need for someone in his position.
Marcos Ovalle
Though almost nineteen years old, Marcos recently graduated 3rd Basico and is completing his education during the week. He works with us as a companion-caregiver on weekends and school vacations, and is a valuable part of our ministry team. Orphaned when he was a young teenager, he has been raised by his siblings in Chimaltenango. He demonstrates responsibility far beyond his age and we have come to count on him.
Flor de los Angeles Ordoñez de Ramirez
Flor is our housekeeper, cook, and Pat's general assistant and the keeper of Pat's sanity. While originally hired to help with household duties, Flor has become an integral part of our ministry, and we don't know what we would do without her! While only 26 years old herself, Flor has a way of managing the boys (when needed) while maintaining a good relationship with them. She is the "big sister" in our family.
Flor is married and has two sons, Carlos and Jose. Carlos has Cerebral Palsy, and Flor's experience as the parent of a child with disabilities in Guatemala has been invaluable to us as we move forward with our community home. She and her husband Henri are strong advocates for Carlos in all areas of life, but especially in terms of education.
So, here's our crew. God has been good to us in the people he has brought together for this work. May we be faithful to serve him well.
