Alexis David is from Quito and has three brothers and two sisters. His mother and father still live in Quito and he goes to visit them occasionally. His mother washes clothes for a living and his father works in a small company.

Alexis David's parents didn't take care of him and his siblings very well so one day his older brother, Andrés, decided that they should leave their house. Alexis David says they saw many horrible things on the street and he was always cold and hungry. He and begged for money to survive. Gabriel, a former house-dad for Casa Gabriel, found them in 2001 near a shop which sells domestic appliances. They had covered themselves with cardboard boxes and plastic bags and were extremely dirty. Soon after, they came to live at the house and have been part of the ministry ever since. He has entered adolescence and is dealing with all that goes with that. He asked to be baptized in October 2007.

Alexis David was at the top of his class in the school year 2006-2007, valedictorian in 2007-2008 and a hard worker around the house. He enjoys playing soccer. He asks prayer for...

• his studies (David works very hard at school and is at the top of his class.)
• his family and his father
• protection
• his spiritual life

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Andrés
d.o.b. November 29, 1990

Andrés is from Quito and has three brothers and two sisters. His mother and father still live in Quito and he goes to visit occasionally. His mother washes clothes for a living and his father works in a small company.

Andrés' parents didn't take care of him and his siblings very well so one day Andrés and his younger brother, Alexis David, left their house to live on the streets. Andrés sold gum to make money. He says the worst thing about living on the streets was being cold and hungry and rejected by people.

Andres was living in the park, and would sleep near a small shop. He and his little brother had covered themselves with cardboard boxes and plastic bags to keep warm. In 2001, they came to live at Casa Gabriel.

Andrés struggles with low self-esteem but is growing in confidence every day. He is attending a technical training school and focusing on carpentry. He has entered adolescenceand is growing a lot. He also is developing a joy for singing and dancing. He is a very strong boy and he enjoys playing soccer. Andrés asks prayer for...

• his studies (Andrés may have a learning disability and struggles with reading and writing)
• his family (especially his brother Alexis)
• his life that is changing to look more towards God than others

Writing to and sharing your life with a former street kid is one way to have an eternal impact on the kingdom of God. We believe that God has hand-picked each of the boys at Casa Gabriel to turn this world upside-down for Jesus Christ. You can encourage and pray for them as members of a spiritual family.

To write to a child, address your letter* to them at:
Casa Gabriel
c/o Phil Douce
Casilla 17-17-691
Quito, Ecuador
South America

*You may send large envelopes, but please do not send boxes or packages.

Carlos
d.o.b. September 21, 1987

Carlos was born in Quevedo in Southern Ecuador, where his parents still live. His father works as a caterer and his mother works full-time at home.

Carlos ran away from home because he was not happy living with his parents, but he found the rejection and occasional abuse he encountered on the streets hard to deal with. He was found in Guayaquil, on the coast of Ecuador, in 2001 and brought to Quito to live with the other boys. He decided to return home to live with his parents; it was unsuccessful and with his parents' blessing, he returned to Casa Gabriel. He started going to school again in 2002. In 2006, Carlos took time off from Casa Gabriel to complete the mandatory enlistment into the armed forces. He completed his term in the Marine Corps and continues to be on the reserves. Today Carlos is back in Casa Gabriel to finish his studies and learn more about how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Carlos is a strong natural leader and is in the process of learning how to manage his time in order to reach his goal of becoming an ambassador of Jesus. He is interested in some day joining the Ecuador police force. Carlos has three and a half years of high school as of November 2007.

Two of Carlos' favorite things are riding his bike and ice skating. He asks prayer for...

• his family
• his spiritual life

You can send an email (Spanish only please) to Carlos by clicking here.