Casa Hogar para Ninos Esperanza Orphanage Update 7/31/2010

We serve God by serving others!

“God has given wonderful blessings to each of us and we are called to give back by doing good works and by serving others in His name. What matters is not how long you live, but how you live. What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of your life.” Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life

I am happy to tell you that Mark Mitchell, a business associate and friend from Dallas has made a welcomed donation to our mission fund. It is his desire that his gift be used to support our mission activity at Casa Hogar para Ninos Esperanza. Thank you Mark, we are glad you are part of our family.

Generous missions donations received in church this past Sunday and are very much appreciated. You always amaze me.

I am sad to say that “kids day at the beach” was cancelled today due to weather. The weather did not stop me from spending time at the orphanage and making a list of work that needed to be done.

I received this email from a dear “Senorita” in our church that I would like to share with you and, at the same time, respond to it.

Tom …
I was wondering how was the orphanage able to afford food before you?  Are there other donors?  Just wondering. Also I would love to take these little girls to do princess things.:-)  Maybe we can all take the kids to see Toy Story. I would help fund and take care of the children. I can paint too! Please let me know when!  Thanks ...

Response: Many of you know that the orphanage has been around for 20+ years. It was started by Pastor and Esther Mancilla when a child was left on their doorstep. Over the years, there have been several groups and patrons that helped the orphanage with support in various ways. I told you in a previous email that Costco was donating vegetables and fruit most every Wednesday. Things began to take a negative turn for them about two years ago with the Swine Flu scare and then the economic downtown in the US. Rene and Esther explained that, over the years, many people have indicated that they would help but, after the picture taking and baby hugging was complete, most “good intentioned people” were never seen again. Our goal is to assist the orphanage with some food, supplies, clothing, toys and repair work, not financially operate the orphanage. TJ, Henry and I stay in regular communication about the building maintenance that is currently needed. Unfortunately, TJ and Henry are both currently in the US. TJ will be returning the end of this week. TJ also has a friend that had his heart stolen and he is a good electrician. We will begin the repair process in about ten days. TJ suggested, and I have indicated to Rene, that we would like to take all of the bicycles that need repair (99% of them), fix what is needed and return them. Pastor Mancilla has a full time job and Esther is a recent cancer survivor in less than perfect health and they do not have the ability to fix the bicycles. Most of the things that need to be done are simple…they just need to be done. They are also very rewarding. With the financial donations we received this past week, we should be able to do all the building repair work that needs to be done which includes making three doors, electrical repair and painting.

Now for the bad news…Rene is leaving in a few days and no replacement is in sight. There are two full time employees and one part timer. They all leave around dark. That means that Esther is working with the children all day then taking care of fifteen children by herself all night. Many of the children are very young and young children get sniffles, rashes, bug bites, bad dreams and whatever else that keeps children from sleeping.

I hope that gives you a better idea and maybe answered some of your questions. You can always drop me an email if you have additional questions or have creative ideas.

DON’T FORGET, CHURCH NOW STARTS AT 8:55. SEE YOU SUNDAY. TOM