An Amazing Day in Mexico

When we got back to our RV Park near Yuma, we touched base with MaryLou.  We needed to make another trip into Algodones to see what we might be able to do to help.  Today was the day, and what a day it was.

We checked in with Grandma and brought some food and milk for her granddaughter.

 

She always welcomes us into her home... a wide band of cloth adds to the cardboard and keeps out some of the cold - it is expected to get below freezing for several of the upcoming nights.

 

 

She has some wood for her cook stove (that's the barrel)... but not much. 

 

 

We stopped to see "Old Maria" and she again invited all of us into her home - chairs in her bedroom... also her living room. 

 

 

 

This is her cook stove - not much wood here either.

 

 

 

But, she has a heat plate inside by her table - actually a very nice home complete with indoor toilet and real plywood walls.  She wears the key to her home around her neck.

 

 

And she has an outdoor clothesline.

 

 

 

We stopped to see the family in this house.

 

 

See the outside bed behind Jack.

 

 

That cute little malnourished pup in the first picture had babies... we ended up taking mother and the three puppies to the orphanage - every home needs a dog.

 

 

This sign now hangs on the wall by the orphanage.  It says: "Here is built!!"

"Bryan 's Home (Casa is house, Casa Hogar is Home) for Minors" (This was important so they can serve children through age 18 rather than just to age 12)

"Your help, a chance at life"

 

 

Look carefully at the logo - The blue "D" is for Dios - God.  The white dove is for peace and the few brown lines create the home.

 

 

The front doorway is decorated with pictures made by the Sunday School class from MaryLou's church.

 

 

The living room now has sofas  (from the thrift store) and they are decked out with  donated "kid stuff" and pillows made in the park.

 

 

The table and chairs are ready for kids.

 

 

The bedrooms are ready. 

 

 

The yard is ready for kids.

 

 

The trike is ready for a rider.

 

 

Thanks to MaryLou, Jack and Delia (the House Mom).  That is the first little resident being held.

 

 

 

 But there is clothes for all sizes "at the ready".

 

 

Bryan's Casa Hogar is ready!

 

 

Little did we know ...

Our next stop was to pick up Maria at the CREDDA (center for rehabilitation, drug addicts, etc.) and go to government offices in a small town just south of Algodones.  It seems that the orphanage has been given some land in town on which to build when they are ready to enlarge.  Like MaryLou says, "things are just moving so quickly."

 

When we pick up Maria, she tells us we need to go to the Policia.  So that is where we take her.  Little did we know that she was talking with officers about 2 beaten and abandoned children.  You guessed it, that is our next stop - the residence where the children are.

 

 This is what we saw from our spot in the backseat of the car. 

 

 

 

 

And it isn't long before Keven is sitting on my lap giving me the look and his sister is lost in thought as she sits between Mike and I.

 

 

Maria and MaryLou introduces them to  Delia.

 

 

Some signs of abuse are noted on Keven's face.

 

 

 

 

 

If these pictures break your heart - you should have been there!

 

We left the children in Delia's capable hands and head off to the neighboring town to take care of business.  And when we return a little over an hour later... 

The new little residents of Bryan's Casa Hogar were scrubbed, dressed in different clothes and making use of the yard.

 

Loves the trike!  Puts up with his shadow.

 

 

Loves her new beads!

 

 

 

 

 

Look carefully - does it look like Keven is in prayer...

 

 

Bryan, for whom the home is named, loves to play "Peek".

 

 

WOW!  What a day.  What an opportunity.  We were there when the orphanage gained its first two "official" residents.  How wonderful for those children to have a safe place to go and a caring person like Delia to give them love.

 

 

 

Now a short commercial - in coming posts I will tell you how you can help financially.  This orphanage has been opened and will operate completely on donations.  The building is rented at a cost of $250 a month.  It is expected that $1,000 a month will be needed to pay for everything.  Please think about how you can help.