Mexico - 2013

It's hard to know where to start when sharing about trips like these. There is an overall story and then there are more specific stories about our experiences and the kids.

I'm so, so glad I went back. Not only was I familiar with Rancho de los Ninos and the kids who live there, I was much more confidant with my Spanish speaking skills and reaching out the both the kids and the workers at the home. I hesitate to call it an orphanage because it's so much more than that. Last year the most significant thing I walked away with was how blessed these kids are to have a home and a family - a place to belong and be loved.

Rancho de los Ninos is truly an oasis of hope for all who enter. The kids who live there have so many reason to lose hope. Their families have abandoned them, some suffer from mental and physical disabilities, they are the rejects from other orphanages.... Yet each child who lives at or even visits Rancho de los Ninos is loved and valued. I hope you will see the joy and hope of Christ in their faces as you look through the photos.

This home is run by a handful of local people who are pouring their lives into these children. Pedro and Maria are the evening staff, yet they are there all day long - playing with kids, working around the yard and home. During the day there are several ladies who cook, do laundry, change and bathe kids and generally keep the home running. Every single day the family members of these ladies would stop by Rancho de los Ninos for some reason or another. Even for the workers it's not just a place of employment. It's part of their lives and part of their family's lives.

Right now I'm going to introduce you to some of the kids who are blessed to live at Rancho de los Ninos.

Ismael and Vernesse (who worked with severely handicapped children here in OR for 33 years)
Ismael is a twin to Carlitos who also lives at Rancho de los Ninos. Ismael is very low and doesn't speak or walk.

Juan Enrique - age 14
Juan Enrique remembered me and came right up to ask if I had my violin. He is pretty high functioning, but does have both mental and physical disabilities. Juan is a twin to Julian, who is very low and uses a wheel chair. 

Juan Antonio - age 21
This is one special boy. He stole my heart last year and I ended up sponsoring him after my trip last year.  Juan came to Rancho de los Ninos when he was 14. He couldn't walk and was still in diapers. He quickly learned to use the bathroom and moved from a scooter to a wheelchair - then to leg braces and now he walks fine! He's quite the soccer player!!

Jesus (aka Tonponio)
What a sweet boy. He's all smiles as you can see from the photo. He doesn't say much, but with a smile like that he doesn't need to!

This is one of two boy named Carlitos that lives at Rancho de los Ninos. This is not the twin of Ismael, but this Carlitos does have a sister that lives at Rancho de los Ninos. I met their mom, Lupita, last year as they were all living there. Lupita had a baby last year, but really can't adequately take care of her kids. Both Carlitos and Karina (below) were taken from Lupita and they are living here. Lupita has been invited to live at Rancho de los Ninos with all her kids, but so far she won't leave the abusive situation she is in. It looks like her infant daughter will also be taken from her. So sad.

Siblings - Carlitos and Karina
Both are completely healthy!

Jesus Manuel (and Vernesse) - Jesus Manuel is very low functioning. They suspect he is highly autistic.

Cesar - another boy of few words but many smiles! Just prior to this photo he walked up to me, got very close and said, "Photo!" So I took his photo with Steve, one of my team members. This was Steve's third trip to Rancho de los Ninos.

Jesus, Peter (team member) and Cesar

Jodi (team member), Daniel (perspective new resident at Rancho de los Ninos), Miguel ( age 26) and Kimberly
Daniel (11) and his brother Moises (12) joined us for a trip to the beach. They came to Rancho de los Ninos the day before with their aunt and uncle. Apparently their mom doesn't want them anymore and they are basically street kids (not attending school). Their aunt and uncle are trying to persuade them to live at Rancho de los Ninos.
Kimberly is the granddaughter of Pedro and Maria - the couple who are on night duty at the home. She lives with them, so she lives at Rancho de los Ninos.

Chuy - a very intelligent boy, but severely handicapped physically. 

Ricky - He is blind and severely mentally handicapped. Ricky spends his days either swinging on a swing or rocking to the music.

And whoever received a child like this in my name - he will receive my love