Kelly never stepped foot on the campus of Hope of Life, she never saw the babies in the hospital, or met the children at the Paradise Home, never went on a rescue, or even knew the names; Hope of Life or Carlos Vargas.
However, Kelly has changed hundreds of lives here in a small valley of Guatemala and the surrounding mountains. The story of Kelly’s House started farther back than even the existence of Hope of Life. It started over 40 years ago, when Kelly Loveland Gourley entered the world. A beautiful spirit from the beginning, she made sure to impact everyone who ever crossed paths with her. Eventually becoming a nurse, she engulfed those around her with a sense of love, care, and hope.
At the young age of 38 she was given news that her breast cancer was back and within 10 short months- she was gone. Despite battling and subsequently losing her fight with cancer and leaving behind a family torn and shaken to their core, Kelly’s legacy… it’s still thriving.
The devastation that occurs when one loses a child is nearly unbearable, it leaves holes, questions, and doubts about what this life is really about. This is the battle that Kelly’s parents now had to face. What would they do with this pain? When the loss is so great, it is easy for one to lose a little bit of faith in the goodness of God’s plans.
This is why Kelly’s house exists.
Because one woman, who taught so many about the love and goodness of God and how believers are the tools He uses, impacted her family enough to do something with their heartbreak. Our friends David and Carol Loveland did not just let the ache they felt simmer and turn into bitterness. Instead, they saw the most vulnerable population in Guatemala and found a way to meet their needs.
Now, almost two years since the opening of this beautiful house- hundreds of families have come through Kelly’s doors, bringing their special needs and developmentally disabled children to receive specialized therapies and treatments. Her legacy of love and compassion is living on in each one of these children, and will not die until the last child who is impacted by this incredible place is no longer alive. The length of her legacy will be astonishing.
We’re reminded; something always fills the empty places, the holes that are left by tragedy. At times it’s seeds of bitterness and hatred that are allowed to grow, other times it’s the seeds of God’s glory… the obedience of God’s people that show slight glimpses of His mercy, and His wild plans of restoration.
If you are interested in helping with the needs of this ministry, please visit our website for giving information. Kelly’s House requires large operating costs and our dream is to continue to run it at full capacity and help every child that comes to the facility.