Esperanza en ti (Hope in You)

At last the big day we'd been looking forward to, arrived, August 27th! 19 of us crowded into Julio's van, (we would never have passed inspection in the States!) plus 5 in another two cars, and we were off to Queretaro to "Esperanza en ti" orphanage! This orphanage was started about a year ago by two sisters and their husbands, along with their children. They now house 19 children from ages 14 months to about 16. It is not a fancy place, no, it is quite rustic, with one small room for the girls' dorm (with 10 bunk beds for 12 girls), an even smaller room for the six boys, very crowded kitchen, but a large "family" room where they enjoy most of their activities during the day.

When we arrived the children greeted us enthusiastically, telling us their names and thanking us for coming. The director, Dionisio, showed us around the grounds where they have chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, geese, a beautiful vegetable garden, a large "pond" with fish in it and even a donkey! They eat as well as sell the eggs, eat as well as sell the animals, eat fish from the pond, the children all have their jobs, taking turns doing each one. They have quite a good number of fruit trees as well - pears, apples, guayabas, oranges, tangerines, etc. Very nice!

We then had a time of singing, with those kiddos singing VERY enthusiastically! After that we divided into three groups for a Bible lesson - little ones, girls and boys. I listened in on Rosy's talk for the girls and it was EXCELLENT - you go, Rosy! Then it was time for handwork - I'll let the pictures tell that story! After that we had supper, which our group had brought along: sandwiches, fruit salad, juice, milk and soda pop (for the adults!). What a fun way to spend a Saturday evening!

It was a special joy to get to know the folks there. As I talked with Dionisio and his wife, after they realized who I was, they said, "Hey, we knew your husband!" They were saved in the Celaya church when Dan and Beverly Kendal were there, and of course Ken and I traveled there quite often. Dionisio said the first Bible study the did was "Hasta que todos lleguemos", which Ken had a lot to do with! So, that was fun to see how God works over the years and brings us back together again after so long!

The baby in the photo below had only been at the home 3 days. Her name is Estrella (Star) and she wanted nothing to do with anyone, but her "mama" who is holding her! The children appeared to be so happy, and called the "parents" mama and papa. As Dionisio told us, it isn't an orphanage, it's a family, it's HOME to these children who have been so abused in their past life, and they all feel so at home with each other. One lady told us that when a child is adopted or goes back to his or her family, it makes her so sad, she misses them so much!

There is nothing fancy about this home. You might be shocked at how little they live on and how simply they live, but the love of God is so evident in that place, it's just a huge blessing to observe! We all hope to visit again soon, because it wasn't just US ministering to THEM, it was THEM ministering to US!




















This morning in church I caught a glimpse of some of the handwork from yesterday! Minerva took three of her children along last night and of course the two girls made beautiful hair ribbons along with the girls at the orphanage!