South to Mexico...

Casa de Esperanza is an children's home in Mexico that I have visited with youth groups on several occasions.

When we go, the trip usually involves morning work projects around the casa. Afternoons are usually spent with Vacation Bible School type lessons, followed by fun & games with the kids.

On July 7, 5 of us headed to Casa. It was a different kind of trip for several reasons. We weren't elbow to elbow in the van AND there were no teenagers with us. The van was MUCH less crowded & MUCH quieter than trips in the past.

We left home at 10 in the AM & drove to Presidio. We made only 3 stops along the way....lunch in Abilene & a couple of gas stops. We checked into our hotel, went to eat dinner, then went ahead to the border & got our travel visas & the paperwork for the van. With that being done, we were able to just drive through the border without a lot of time lost.

Day #1 at Casa consisted of breakfast with the kids, then working on different projects for the AM. Some of the guys worked on a project of filling in some trenches that had been dug to repair septic lines. Chris, Alexxa & I worked in the center that houses visitors. Alexxa & I painted while Chris did some caulking & tile work. 

After lunch, we helped with a VBS for the kids. Then we played baseball & soccer with the kids. This evening, we'd planned a bonfire & marshmallow roasting, but a thunderstorm blew in, so we postponed that until tomorrow evening. The Casa currently has 53 children. Each of them has a "story" that would break your heart if you heard it. The good news is that they have a place to live that is safe & they are loved.

Day #2
Worked this AM while the kids did chores, too. This afternoon, the highlight was Alexa & I doing manicures and/or pedicures for all the little girls.

While we were doing this, the men on the trip played games with the boys.

This evening when the kids went to bed, we got to spend some time at Gil & Becky's house visiting with them. It was great getting to know them a little better & hearing more of "their story". What an inspiration they are!!

Day #3
More work this morning followed by lunch, VBS time with the kids & then
we bagged 67 bags of food this afternoon to distribute to families in Anahuac (the town closest to Casa). The bags consisted of a bag of dried beans, 2 bags of rice, some potatoes & onions.

This evening, we meet Otheonel & Paloma (missionaries in Chuatemoc) & their sons for pizza. After we ate, we got to go see the place where they worship. They also took us to see the building where they hope to move their worship services. They will have much more room & a good location. They welcomed us into their home for coffee & sweet bread. We had a nice visit despite the language barrier.

Day #4
Wow....food distribution today was eye-opening. The part of town where we walked & knocked on doors is where some of the Casa children lived before coming to the home. After just a few minutes of walking around & handing the residents bags of food, two things became very apparent. Number 1.....I have NOTHING to complain about! Number 2....Casa has made a positive impact on their neighbors. When we handed them the food, we told them it was from Casa de Esperanza. Each & every time I said that, a smile came on the face of the recipient & they said, "Awww..si!" The kids AND directors of Casa are truly amazing! The kids have come from some sad circumstances, yet Gil & Becky teach them to BLESS OTHERS!

Day #5
The drive home was uneventful. Thank goodness....safe travels there & back plus a blessed week with the children & the Sanchezes. Prayers answered!!!

This was a great group to work with & I was honored to be a part of this trip!!