This series of interviews began for people who often ask, “What Can I Do?” to help people with disabilities. In past interviews, our readers have been introduced to Mary Delaney, a young woman who started and runs a summer camp for adults with developmental disabilities sponsored by the Order of Malta; and Joel Dillon, the President and CEO of Jill’s House and one of the parents they serve. Jill’s House is a respite center in Virginia that grew out of a gesture of generosity by members of the McLean Bible Church who had compassion for their pastor and his wife who were exhausted from caring for their child with a severe disability.
Here, Elizabeth Wellendorf takes us in a different direction, and her story is incredible.
Elizabeth is an American who has found herself in the Holy Land, in Bethlehem, at a place called the Hogar Niño Dios. Read on and enjoy.
Mark Bradford: Elizabeth, thanks so much for agreeing to spend some time with us and share your experiences in working with individuals with disabilities. Would you please start by telling us a little about yourself? Where are you from, your interests and education, and how you found yourself volunteering at the Hogar Niño Dios in Bethlehem.
Elizabeth Wellendorf: Thank you so much for this opportunity. I came here to serve quietly, but God has put my story into the hands of people like you, to bring glory to his name, and to bring help to his children that the world quite often forgets.
I was born and raised in a Catholic home in Omaha, Nebraska. My mother is a special education teacher, so I always found myself volunteering with that population through high school and college. I obtained my Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2018 and went straight into working in the ICU. During the COVID pandemic, I became a travel nurse and went to hospitals that needed more help. Traveling alone really strengthened my relationship with God, and in the summer of 2022, I decided to do the number-one thing on my bucket list—travel to the Holy Lands. God led me on a pilgrimage with Select International Tours, and during that trip, I celebrated my birthday in Bethlehem. When I kissed the stone that marks the place of Jesus’ birth, I heard God say, “Happy Birthday Elizabeth, welcome home.” At that moment, in my gut, I knew he was calling me to something more, so I said, “Make a way.” That night, we had a representative come from the Select To Give Foundation, which supports Christians in the Holy Lands. He told us about Hogar Niño Dios, a home for special needs children in Bethlehem, and he made a comment that we could even volunteer there. I knew this was where God was calling me.
There are also times where you say to yourself, “I can’t do anything to help.” That’s a lie. All God is truly asking you to do is love them like he does.
It’s a long way from Omaha to Bethlehem. What was it like making that transition, and what do you value most about being there? What do you find your greatest challenges to be?
I was a traveling nurse, so being away from home for long periods of time was nothing new. The big change came with the culture shock. We don’t have big stores here with everything, but instead, we have a butchery, a produce stand, and then a little market for dried goods. There is also something to be said about Arabic hospitality. They extend invitations to their homes or simply will offer you a cup of coffee at their shop! I value the family I have found here. My family is not only at Hogar Niño Dios, but it extends to the church and the local community here. We do what we can to help each other out.
One of my biggest challenges is the language barrier. Most of the sisters speak Spanish because they are from Argentina, the children understand Arabic and Spanish, and the majority of volunteer groups are from Italy and only speak Italian. There are a few religious, volunteers, and locals that speak English well, and they have kept me from feeling totally alone. I have brushed up on my high school Spanish, and now I can get by in the house. But in deep conversations, I find it hard to express myself.
Please tell us about the Hogar Niño Dios. What does that name mean in English, and how does the name fit the mission of the place? How many individuals are served there?
Hogar Niño Dios means Home of the Child God. The Family of the Incarnate Word chose this name because they recognize the image of the child Jesus reflected in the eyes of each of the children here. Currently there are thirty-eight beneficiaries ranging from 3-58 years old. The sisters see the children and adults of the house as family, so they will stay in this home until God calls them home. The children have either been abandoned, or due to some circumstance, cannot be cared for by their family. The home provides not only their basic care but also a school, therapies, and advanced medical care.
Since October of last year, Israel has been engaged in a war with Hamas and constantly under threat. What was it like being there when the invasion first happened? Was there fear, and what is it like now? Do you feel safe? Are you and the children you care for in danger? Has there been any impact on your support or the availability of supplies and assistance?
There is always an underlying tension between Israel and Hamas, so on the morning when we first saw the missiles being blown up by the Iron Dome, we thought this was a small resistance. After seeing the news of what happened, we knew that it was bigger than we realized. Taking care of the thirty-five children that we then had became more of a daunting task. We had to set up a safe room with extra medication, diapers, food, and everything our children may need. Many of our children are in wheelchairs, so we also had to take into account that every child would need to be carried down the stairs in case of emergency.
For the first few weeks, we were constantly listening for missile sirens and distinguishing them from the ambulances. Those first few weeks were the hardest because we did not know if the war was going to spill into Bethlehem. Thankfully, we are all safe and sound here. Again, there is always that underlying tension, but nothing that makes you fear for your safety on a daily basis. Life is back to normal now, but the difference is that there are very few pilgrims. This has put a strain on not only the community but our home as well. The locals help so much with food donations, but without the money from tourists, they have a harder time donating to us. Before the war broke out, we would also receive groups of pilgrims in our home, and they brought supplies or monetary donations. Now, the international volunteer organizations have stopped sending volunteer groups, and currently I am the only international volunteer in the home.
Elizabeth, I’ve called this series of interviews “What Can I Do?” because so often people see individuals—especially children—with disabilities and wish there was some way they could help. How would you encourage those people to take a leap of faith and do something like what you’re doing. Maybe not there in Bethlehem, but elsewhere?
If God is putting an idea on your heart, then at that moment, hold onto his hand and, like me, just ask him to “make a way.” The key is don’t let go when you think he has. Working with individuals with special needs is not always an easy thing. Communication and connecting with them can be challenging. There are also times where you say to yourself, “I can’t do anything to help.” That’s a lie. All God is truly asking you to do is love them like he does. I went to Bethlehem to offer my nursing services, but I have stayed because I found a love like no other. You do not need special skills to work with them, just a heart willing to love.
If anyone feels moved to support Hogar Niño Dios, how would they do that? Also, is there a website where people can learn more who may be interested?
The easiest way I have found to support Hogar Nino Dios is through the Select To Give Foundation. If you go to their website and choose “Care and Medication for Special Needs Children,” that money will come to us. I have been working closely with Select To Give, and we are creating a volunteer branch called Select To Care! Hopefully, the website for that program will be running soon. In the meantime, please email [email protected].
I have a personal blog if you want to learn more about my experience or just see cute pictures of my little angels.
Elizabeth, it’s been such a pleasure to have this opportunity to meet you. Thanks so much for sharing your faith and your selfless love for those you serve. Be assured of my prayers for all of you there, that Our Lady’s mantle of protection cover you and keep you all in safety. God bless you!
If you are a medical professional or if you know someone who would be interested in volunteering at Hogar Niño Dios with Elizabeth, a program has been created to help make that possible.
Please visit: https://selecttogive.org/select-to-care/