Urgent Care Visit

Children truly are a blessing.  They have taught me so much.


WEDNESDAY-Urgent Care Visit
Wednesday morning around 9am I get a call from the orphanage saying that Coby, an 8 year old boy, has been having seizures all night and throwing up.  Unfortunately the orphanage does not have the available funding so whenever one of the kids is sick, we are the ones to take them to the doctor.  Coby normally has seizures and takes a medication to regulate them, but the throwing up was caused by an infection and fever.

So I take Coby to the local doctor office around the corner and the doctor tells us to go to the "Cruz Verde" (Green Cross) right away.  So we arrive at the "Cruz Verde" which is like an inexpensive Urgent Care for people who have limited resources.  I arrive carrying in Coby in one arm as my friend Liz helps me carry all of his documents/paperwork/medicine.  The place is full of people waiting.  After talking with the social worker we are able to get Coby checked out by a doctor before being admitted.

We end up talking to the doctor for a bit about Coby's case and how he has epileptic seizures pretty regularly and we discussed the possible causes.  Coby comes from a family of 10 or more children.  Mom is a prostitute.  He grew up on the streets using drugs (inhalants) and was exposed to many things at such a young age that nobody should ever be exposed to.  After talking with her for a bit I take Coby into the ER area where I am told to undress him and lay him in the child sized bed.  The room is full of about 10 other patients.  The doctors take his temperature and check his vitals and hook him up to an IV.  Since Coby had a fever and was dehydrated it was almost impossible to set up an IV because his veins were not visible.  But after about 30 minutes of poking and prodding the 3 nurses are able to find a vein and hook him up.

About 5 minutes later Coby pulls out the IV and blood splashes everywhere.  The nurses come running over and stop the bleeding and start the search for another entry vein.  About an hour later it takes 5 different nurses and doctors to find a vein.  Coby fighting it the whole time.  Crying.  Not saying a word.  Just sobbing in fear and in pain.

We spend a total of 6 hours at the Cruz Verde.  The whole time I couldn't help but thinking about how much these kids need God, how much we need God.  Coby was in such fear.  Looking around cautiously around the room.  Not trusting anybody.  His tiny body curled up in the small bed.  Searching for help.  Searching for comfort. Searching for love.  He was in such pain that he pulled out the IV-the one thing that was helping him get better.  He was in such a desperate state that he didn't understand what was going on.  Searching for comfort.  And all I could do was sit there with him and hold his hand and tell him that I loved him.  I was honestly at the point of tears so many times, because it hurt so much to see him in such pain and fear.

I can only imagine what God feels when He sees us, His children, searching for comfort, love.  So often we are searching for His comfort in so many other places but in Him.  Oftentimes we reject what we really need like Coby pulling out his IV.  We are flailing little infants searching and looking in need.  And yet He is the only One that can satisfy us, the only One who can comfort us.  Coby has taught me that.

A Child's Humility + Trip to the Ranch

 "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:4

Of all of the characteristics of a child that Jesus could have spoken on in this verse, he refers to a child's humility.  God has really been showing me what this looks like.  How does a child demonstrate humility?

Miguelito is a little boy that has captured my heart.   His smile lights up the room.  You can see God's love and joy alive in Miguelito.  Last Friday after a bible study I saw Miguelito playing outside and I called him over and asked him if I could talk to him.  He agreed to it, so we went into the office and we both sat down, Miguel with a giant smile like the one in the picture above.

I told Miguelito:

"I appreciate you.  You inspire me.  I love you.  Everybody can see God in your eyes, in your smile and in your heart.  Your love for God inspires me.  I want my own children to be like you.  I love you.  God's love is overflowing in your heart."

As I tell Miguelito all of this, small teardrops start to form in the corners of his eyes.  He starts crying.  He cries in humility.

Miguelito tells me:

"God lives in me.  My heart is full."

I tell him:

"No, your heart is not just full.  Your heart is overflowing with God's love.  Overflowing into the lives of everybody around you.  Thank you for loving Jesus with everything; loving Him with all your heart, mind, body, soul and spirit."

We walk out of the office and oustside and as we walk down the hallway Miguel tells me to look up at the stars.  Miguel says that God is up there walking with us and that He is alive in our hearts.

You can really see a child's humility in how Miguelito reacted to the compliment.  God is teaching me what humility truly looks like through Miguelito.


TRIP TO THE RANCHO!


This past Sunday we took all of the kids to the ranch/farm.  We had a BBQ with carne asada tacos and the kids loved it!  Check out the pictures!

Carne Asada

Eduardo showing off

Miguelito and I

The boys hanging around the rancho

Jorge grande

Jose + Jorge chico

The boys getting the beans ready to cook

The Rancho!

 Thank you for your love, prayers and support.  God is definitely transforming these kids lives and my life as well.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

This Summer in Pictures & Videos

WHAT I'VE LEARNED THIS SUMMER:
.              KIDS ARE A BLESSING.

MIGUEL'S B-DAY @ MCDONALDS:
Yesterday I took Miguel and his brother Jorge (who just learned how to read!) out to lunch at McDonalds for Miguel's 7th birthday.  The kids had a blast playing and taught me a couple things as well...

Jorge-the new reader!

Miguel the birthday boy

Playing + Eating

Discussion topics of lunch included:

-I'm going to learn how to read and God is going to make it happen! -Miguel 7 years old

I asked the kids "What should a good mom and dad do?"
And they responded...
"A mom takes care of the kids and loves them. And a dad provides for the family and corrects the kids in love so that we can gain wisdom and knowledge."
WOW!

PIZZA WITH RICARDO AND COBY:
A couple weeks ago I took out 2 of the kids out to pizza and they loved it  :)

WATER PARK WITH MINISTERIOS DE AMOR:
A month ago we took the kids at Ministerios de Amor to the waterpark and they had a blast!

Luis getting ready to swim!

The water park

FASHION SHOW:
I felt like a mom the other day as I helped the boys pick out their nice outfits for a dress up night at a camp they went to.  I helped them match ties, pants, shirts, belts, shoes and even did some last minute hemming of their pants.  And I thought it was just girls that liked to do fashion shows and dress up! :)

Jose

Eduardo showing off!

Milton

MOM VISITED GUADALAJARA:
This past week my mom came down for a few days to Guadalajara to visit and to meet the kids at the orphanage.  She really enjoyed her time down here are was relieved to finally see what life looks like here and that it isn't as dangerous as the US news makes it out to be.  I had a great time seeing her and showing her around.  The kids really enjoyed meeting her as well and showing off their pets!

Jonathan and his puppy

Nahum and Johnny

READING BOOKS WITH THE KIDS:
I have been surprised at how much these kids love reading books and learning how to read!  I've had a blast teaching them.

Julio, Marcos, Maicol reading

Jorge learning how to read!!

Maicol reading

Story Time with the kids

HANGING OUT AT THE PARK:

Monkeys in the Tree

Flips off the bench

Stick 'em up!

Collecting leaves

MARCOS @ PARK:



CESAR @ PARK:



DANCE COMPETITION:



THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO LIVE HERE AND SERVE AND LOVE THESE CHILDREN. I COULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU.

Summer Time!

We've had a really busy summer at the orphanages!  Lots of activities with the kids!


VISION TRIP-KIM

Lake Chapala

We had a girl from a partnering church in CA come down for a week to check out the work we are doing at the orphanages.  We had a blast showing her the orphanages and showing her what daily life looks like living in Mexico.  We even got to visit a new orphanage with her that we had never been to before.  It is about an hour outside of Guadalajara and is one of the best run Chrisitian orphanages I've seen.  Afterwards we were able to visit Lake Chapala (the largest lake in all of Mexico).  It was gorgeous and a breath of fresh air after spending so much time in the city.

Check out what Kim said after coming down:

I really appreciate being able to come down and check out the ministry that you guys are doing in Guadalajara. As soon as I arrived in Mexico I was immediately humbled to see this life that you guys have chosen and the passion that you have to bring a hope to this country that is in such a spiritual crisis.

My first reaction going to La Casa de Victoria was disbelief in how much love and joy flowed from all the kids. It’s hard to understand how these kids, who are living in poor conditions without any biological parents caring for them, are able to pour out love and greet you guys with such big smiles on their faces. The moment we walked inside, I saw not only the joy, love, and passion you guys have for the kids, but also how crazy all the kids are about you guys. You bring them genuine love that they are so desperate for, and by your devotion to them they are able to see that they have worth. With the lack of workers/support at this orphanage, it would be impossible for these kids to receive the love, attention, and guidance they deserve if your team wasn’t there loving them. I thank God for your selfless hearts and the dedication you guys have to the kids at this orphanage.

Watching the Bible study Darren led, I saw the passion you have for the kids to understand and love Jesus. I could see that your goal is to reveal Jesus to them because you know that He is the healer and love they need in their lives. While I watched you teach I couldn’t help but think about the “average” young adult lives you and your team could be living in America, and all the great things you could be storing up for yourselves, but I saw that your true joy is giving a full life to these kids that have nothing. I’ve heard about some of the great projects you guys are doing in Guadalajara, but by coming down I was humbled to see how you guys are wholeheartedly living out the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I don’t know how Jesus would reach these kids and the city of Guadalajara if it wasn’t for your willing hearts. The vision you have for your ministry, and all that you are doing to learn and prepare for the orphanage you are starting, shows that you guys are doing all that you can to give these kids the best life possible and greatly impact the city of Guadalajara. You guys have been given incredible talents and lots of wisdom, and I couldn’t be more thankful to see that you guys are using it all to glorify God and love His people. Having seen your passion and the work you are doing, there is no doubt that God is blessing Mexico through your ministry. 

READING CLASSES
A couple months ago the director's wife asked me to work with one of the kids (Cesar-10 years old).  He was in 2nd grade this past year and the school said that they would pass him on to 3rd grade, but only if he learned how to read.  The majority of kids who come into orphanages do not know how to read.  So the director's wife asked me to work with Cesar during the summer to teach him how to read.  So I made him a book and had it bound and had him choose a picture (Buzz Lightyear) on the front with his name to color.  Cesar was so excited about his new book!  We have been working for the past month or so and now Cesar knows how to read! It was truly amazing to see him learn how to read after years and years in school not knowing.  Every morning when I arrive at the orphanage he runs up to me and asks to read.

Angel studying

The boys studying

Braulio showing off his work!

Reading with Miguel

After the 1st week of working with Cesar all of the rest of the kids caught on too and they all wanted books.  So I made them all books.  Some of the kids got the basic level- ABCs and vowels.  Others got the book on how to learn how to read.  And others who have already mastered reading got a summer review book depending on their grade level.  The kids actually want to learn.  It is amazing.  They want to study and do homework.  They choose studying their books over playing.  Awesome right?!

So I told the kids that didn't know how to read that if they learned how to read I would take them out to coffee.  So the other day I got to take out Julio and Cesar to Black Coffee as a treat!

Julio + Cesar enjoying their frapuccinos 

At Sams Club

What kid doesn't like climbing trees
on the way to the coffee shop?

On the bus to the coffee shop!

Thank you for making it possible for me to live here to serve and love these kids.

Walk in the Way of Love

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.