Nuevo Laredo, Mx

November 18, 2009

Many of you may have heard me talk about this part of Mexico before. I’ve been visiting Casa Hogar Elim since 1995, and making mulitple trips each year for the past 6 years. Casa Hogar Elim is a children’s home that houses over 100 kids who are some of the most joyful, caring, loving kids I know. It’s a blessing to just walk through the doors- once you get past the odor, the poverty, and the language barrier.

This past week was my first visit in almost 10 months. It seemed like a lifetime. But, my first impression when walking through the door reminded me of why I keep going back- I learn so much from them. We had 4 trucks. 3 of them pulling trailers. We crossed the border and the trailer-less truck went straight through. I was next, and I, along with the one behind me were stopped. The final truck slipped through while we were talking to the guards. After 30 min they made me pay about $15 in duty and I went on. The final truck was being searched. When I arrived at the orphanage, which is about 20 min away, the kids all piled out of the theater/chapel and were all excited until Mama Lupita realized the final truck wasn’t there. After explaining that it was being searched, the kids all instantly returned to the chapel, got down on their hands and knees (literally) and prayed until it arrived- over 30 min later. You see, when you don’t have anything, and you have to rely on God for everything, you really begin to believe that when you ask, He will provide.

We spent the next 2 1/2 days building a house for the Quintero family in Colonia Artista, a small community just a few miles from the orphanage. This is a community with no power, no running water, and really nothing else. The Quintero’s were living in a makeshift hut, approximately 10′ x 10′ with a dirt floor. The 12′ x 20′ tool shed type structure we built them was a house- really a home. They were so excited! It never ceases to amaze me that so little from us can be so much to someone else. Why do I usually hoard and covet what the Lord has given me when I have easy opportunities to be a blessing to others? I confuse and frustrate myself.

The bottom line- I need regular doses of this type of work to remind me of what God has given me and what it is to be used for. I drift so quickly into selfishness and consumerism. I’m robbing myself of the joy God desires for me. What does He desire for you?

Comments