In 2009, Shaun and Sara Morton moved to Paraguay with a deep desire to serve children in need, having previously spent a year working at a children’s home in Guatemala. They were invited to oversee a small children’s home in Paraguay, but upon arrival, they were amazed to find a large, underutilized property—complete with a government-run school, 12 houses, a multipurpose building, and even farms—owned by a Paraguayan non-profit. At the time, only one house was in use, housing just ten children, and the facility was struggling after a previous program for street children had closed.
Recognizing the tremendous potential and need, Shaun and Sara signed an agreement with the Paraguayan non-profit to run the children’s home. In April 2009, God quickly provided the funds to open a second home for more children, followed by the opening of a third home in 2010. By then, Shaun and Sara had founded Serving Paraguay, a 501c-3, to further their mission of transforming the lives of children and youth through the love of Jesus Christ.
In the following years, the Morton’s expanded their outreach. In 2011, they introduced a track program for the children, under the direction of Milciades Alarcon. They also worked hard to privatize the struggling government-run school on the property, which became New Path Christian School. With a staff of Christian teachers and a focus on both academic and spiritual growth, the school quickly grew from 66 students to 89 in its first year after privatization. By 2015, it offered classes to nearly 300 students from preschool through 12th grade, with a full range of subjects, including Bible, English, arts, and sciences. The school celebrated its first graduating class in 2015.
In 2013, just a few years after founding Serving Paraguay, a miracle occurred when the Paraguayan non-profit that owned the property donated the entire 44-acre site to the Morton’s newly-established Paraguayan non-profit, Fundación Sirviendo al Paraguay. This generous gift allowed them to expand their mission even further. They also began developing sustainable farming and gardening projects on the property to support the children’s home and the organization’s long-term goals.
In 2014, they renamed the children’s home Hogar El Camino (The Path Children’s Home) to better reflect their mission of guiding children toward a better future. That same year, they expanded their Paraguayan leadership team, including Pastor Marcos Diaz, with the goal of training local leaders to eventually take greater ownership in the ministry. By 2017, Hogar El Camino was home to five family-model houses, including two new transitional houses for aging-out teenagers.
Ptr. Marcos Diaz with his wife Blanca
In 2018, Pastor Marcos Diaz was promoted to the role of Director of Hogar El Camino. His pastoral heart and deep empathy for the children they serve fostered a close-knit community with a focus on shepherding the heart of each child they serve. The emphasis on family-based care was stronger than ever, with great attention given to training and support for their house parents.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Serving Paraguay expanded its ministry outreach by providing meals to their school families and other local families in need. In 2023, two of their New Path graduates joined their teaching staff, giving back in their own local community. At that time, the ministry staff had grown to nearly 50 employees serving in the homes, school, and farm.
As of 2024, the small track program began by Milciades Alarcon in 2012 now has national and international recognition, as many of the club’s athletes have gone on to win national championships and international competitions. That same year, the Agape program was launched in New Path Christian School, with a greater emphasis on discipleship for our 300 students.
Looking back on their journey, Shaun and Sara are deeply humbled by all that God has accomplished through them since their arrival in 2009. From a vast, abandoned property to a thriving ministry, they are filled with gratitude and are excited to see what the future holds for Serving Paraguay and the children they serve.
We are deeply grateful for all that God has done through Serving Paraguay since 2009. We witnessed firsthand the incredible love our Heavenly Father has for orphaned and vulnerable children. His miraculous provision over the years serves to constantly remind us that He sees and knows our needs. It’s been a joy to see lives transformed by Christ’s love—children once burdened by trauma being healed and restored, and a community touched by the hope of the gospel. We stand in awe of a God who does far more than we could ever imagine or ask for.
To everyone who has prayed for us, visited Paraguay, or supported this ministry through donations, we want to say a heartfelt “Thank you” for Serving Paraguay alongside us!
Shaun & Sara Morton
Founders
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Statement of Faith
- The Bible: We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, serving as our guide for faith and practice.
- God: We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ: We believe in the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and died on the cross as a substitute for sinners. Through His shed blood, we have atonement. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the Father’s right hand, His ongoing reign as Head of the Church, and His promised return in power and glory.
- Salvation: We believe that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Through repentance and faith in Him, we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, receiving forgiveness and new life.
- The Holy Spirit: We believe in the present work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers, empowering them to live godly lives and grow in Christlikeness.
- The Resurrection: We believe in the resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. The saved will be raised to eternal life, and the lost to eternal separation from God.
- Unity of Believers: We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, called to love and serve one another as one body.
- Spiritual Gifts: We believe that spiritual gifts are given by God to equip believers to serve the Church, build up one another in faith, and advance the Kingdom of God on earth.
