Where I Am Headed

I am headed down south.  It is still a little while away but we finally picked the dates that we are headed down to Mexico to work at a local orphanage for a week.  And I have been waiting for the day that it was *firm* so I could talk more about it and now it is.  So here it goes....

We will be heading down to Rancho de los Ninos at the end of April.  April 24, 2013-April 29, 2013 to be exact.  There will be lots of projects (of a to be determined nature) that we will be completing while we are there but we will also be working directly with the children quite a bit too.  I am beyond thrilled about that part! 

Rancho de los Ninos is an orphanage for the *less desirable* children and it pains me to type that....I honestly can not see how someone would think one child was less desirable than any other.  BREAKS.MY.HEART!

Thank goodness for people like Rick and Janet Norquist (and Carol & Ed Barker) who had a vision and did something to help these children in El Castillo, Senora, Mexico. 

Back in 2004 they started Rancho De Lost Ninos, turning a chicken coop into dormitories to house work crews and turning the pig farm property into an orphanage by adding onto the existing house.  

Today

 

...They  have 18 children, ages 6 years to 22 years. They are one of several orphanages in the Mazatlan area, but the only one to provide care for children with disabilities including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental delays.
 

Their goals are really very simple:

• To provide kids with a home where they feel loved, welcomed, wanted, and worthy,
• To show them how they can know Jesus as their Savior and Lord,
• And to find permanent families for our kids by

           - Reuniting them with their birth or extended families or

           - Finding permanent homes for them in Mexico.

           -When these options are not possible, we look for adoptive homes in the US.            

 

I am so excited about this opportunity to serve others especially the children.  As time moves forward I will be updating periodically about the trip and then of course while I am on the trip, I will blog if possible. If not while I am there, I will make sure to share the experience with you when I return.  Keep coming back for updates. 

 

I *may* be doing a  fundraiser as we get closer to help cover some of the expense and although some may not *agree* with that, that is ok.  If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you will know that I did a similar *donation* request for my trip to Africa last year and some readers apparently thought that was wrong.  My take on it was, if you don't want to donate, then don't.  No pressure.  And if you don't like that I ask for donations, that is ok, too.  If that turns you away from my blog, I am sorry.   

 

Helping others in any capacity I can, is a passion of mine.  And most of the time it is on a good portion of my own families dime and I am not telling you that for kudos or anything but rather to point out that with or without donations, I will go on the mission trip.... I have readers that are equally as passionate about giving and helping others and if they want to help support me in this mission, I appreciate it wholeheartedly. 

 

I *may* even do a fundraiser for not only my own expenses but also directly to support the orphanage.  You can actually do that now here, if you are so inclined.   If you do go this route, will you please let them know I sent you there.

 

 

Have a blessed day/night!