The kids

I love kids. And I married a man who loves kids. And it shows. We gave birth to 4 kids and adopted 2 others. We are foster parents. Gabe pursued a career in elementary education. One of my favorite outlets outside of my home was teaching gymnastics. We have volunteered with church groups. I can't imagine how different life would be without all the kids that have been in our lives.

And now we find ourselves here in Mexico, serving at an orphanage. My heart would be full if it wasn't aching over these kids. I mentioned before that this isn't "just" an orphanage, but is more like a group foster home. Many of these kids have severe trauma from what they have endured. The stories we hear are heartbreaking. But more on that in a little bit.

I have been enjoying my new roles here at the mission. I split my time between the regular school and the Disabled Learning Center. At the school, I get to help out with Eli's class, primarily to try and help 3 boys who need help learning to read in English. But of course I am not limited to just helping with reading. Here are some of the kids during free time in that classroom.

I am also continuing to help out in a classroom at the Learning Center. Those kids have such big hearts and always run to me for a hug each time I am working there. Despite the difficulties they each face, they are so full of joy. I love working there. Here they are during snack time.

But life here is not always joyful. There is a lot of pain too, as situations come to light and weigh heavy on my heart. A few weeks ago the police brought a 5 month old baby. She was taken immediately to the hospital. Her arm had been broken and she had been punched in the face so hard that she couldn't even tolerate drinking from a bottle, so was also severely dehydrated. It was so hard to look into her swollen and bruised face without tearing up. And an infant with an arm in a cast is a sad sight as well. Fortunately, it looks like her body will make a full recovery. The bruising and swelling on her face has disappeared since she arrived and she got her cast off this week. She has begun smiling and even laughing as a normal baby should. What a precious little girl she is!

Earlier this week the police again showed up. This time, they brought a sibling set. It was an 8 yr old boy and his 11 yr old sister. The police had to cut off the chains that imprisoned the kids in their home first. I don't know how long those kids have lived in that condition, but I was told that neither one has ever been in school (not even homeschool). They likely have not experienced much outside of their own house. I haven't even met those kids yet, so I can't tell you how they are adjusting to their new life yet. But they have been on my heart ever since I heard about their arrival.

Unfortunately, there are several kids here with similar stories. My heart hurts for these kids, but I am in awe at the way they are cared for here. The kids find not just a new family, but an entire community that is rallying for them. Not to say it is somehow perfect and the kids are well behaved angels, because I assure you they are not. They struggle with following rules and accepting the authority figures in their lives. But they can't deny the love they experience in this place.

Gabe and I can't erase the events that have brought each kid here. But we can help each kid that crosses our path to know that they are special and loved. Whether it is at the school(s) or in the cafeteria for meals, we try to make every encounter a positive one. I could spend a long time wondering how any adult could do such things to their children, but I think that would be a waste of time. I do not know why God allows evil to hurt innocent children. But I am grateful that God can use willing hearts like ours to help them find healing.

If you are interested in partnering with us as we minister to these kids, just send me a message and I would be happy to talk with you about what needs we (or the orphanage) have. We again want to thank our financial supporters who are making this year possible. We couldn't do this without you!