A Glance into Friendship with Abraham

Some afternoons at Hogar Immanuel, you can find Abraham beneath the trees with his friends Brailin, Moises, and Junior, listening to music and enjoying each other’s company. 

Like many other groups of teenagers, the friends have their own inside jokes and shared interests, but there is always room for someone new to join in for a few songs or time on the swings. 

Abraham has lived at Hogar Immanuel since 2017, and he is continuously discovering new ways to learn, communicate, and connect with the people around him. At school, he eagerly participates in class, reading aloud from the board and his books. 

“He especially enjoys listening to readings from the Bible at the beginning of each lesson,” says Yudelka Mora from MSC DR’s Missions Department. “After, he loves discussing what he has understood from the material.”

Back in the home, he enjoys talking with caregivers about their activities and spending time with his friends. Over the summer, Abraham had much to say about his favorite field trip: going to the beach.

As his communication skills grow, so does his ability to share his interests and let others get to know him.

Abraham’s friendships extend beyond his daily life at Hogar Immanuel, too. Raul Alfonso, a mission volunteer who has been visiting Mustard Seed Communities from Atlanta for 15 years, has developed a special bond with him.

It almost feels like we never left—we pick up our conversations right where we left off.

-Raul Alfonso, mission volunteer

For Abraham, friendship fuels the excitement of everyday life. It is found in familiar conversations, shared music, and the compassion of seeing the best in one another. These moments fostered by Abraham help make Hogar Immanuel the place of connection and belonging that it is, open and welcoming to all.