Doug and Lisa Simpson were a couple living the "American Dream". He was a successful stock broker and she was an elementary school teacher. They had one son in college and another about to graduate high school. There were no intentions of adding another child to the family. But that is exactly what God placed on their hearts. In August 2007, the Simpson family adopted Lilia from Guatemala.

After adopting their daughter, they felt God was calling them to do more for orphaned children. While visiting fellow missionary friends in the Philippines, they saw the plight of many children who lived on the streets. Just as their daughter Lilia came to them for a better life with a family who loved her, they desired to give other orphaned children a permanent Christian home. That passion birthed the vision for Lilia's Place. After much prayerful consideration, they chose to commit themselves completely to this calling by relocating to the Philippines in May 2009.

Soon after the vision for Lilia's Place was first articulated, they received an unbelievably gracious donation of nearly 17 acres of land in Carcar, Cebu, Philippines on which to construct Lilia's Place to provide homes for 120 to 130 souls.