Casa Hogar Elim: Feb 11

February 5, 2011

Well, it’s the last night of our stay at Casa Hogar Elim. As always, this has been an amazing trip! Casa Hogar Elim is an orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mx that is home to over 100 children. There are six of us on this trip, and our main goal was to find out more information about their educational needs and develop a plan for helping the older kids through school. However, we’ve had to work through some unusual circumstances while here.

The first night we were here the temperature dipped into the low 20′s and it snowed and sleeted, which is very unusual for Mexico! The next morning there was ice everywhere and many roads and bridges were closed. But, the worst part was the lack of heat. Since it rarely gets cold here, there is no heat in any of the buildings, and the kids missed 3 days of school due to “cold” days. They don’t have heat in their schools either! I’ve literally worn almost every article of clothing I brought with me every day! It’s finally warming back up, but it’s been unusual to say the least.

Four of the six people on this trip have never been to Casa Hogar Elim. I love watching people fall in love with these kids! They are some of the most beautiful, smart, amazing kids I’ve ever known. They are so full of laughter and enthusiasm even in the midst of extreme poverty. They are well taken care of and well loved. However, the reason for our trip was to help these kids have opportunity and life after Casa Hogar Elim.

One of the best ways we know how to do this is to help them get a solid education while challenging them with the idea that God has big plans for them. I’ve been told that poverty is a cycle that is very difficult to break. Once in it, it’s hard to realize there is something outside it. I believe God doesn’t just want to make sure these kids have food, shelter, and love while here, but that he desires to use them as change agents- leaders that will provide hope and opportunity to others in Nuevo Laredo and all of Mexico for future generations. They have the aptitude, courage, and discipline. They just need the opportunity to learn and someone to give them permission- to challenge them to succeed.

There are currently about 6 of these kids in college and several have already completed some type of college or vocational training. The cost for attendance at one university is only about $600-$700 per year! There is also a cost to attend high school here, but it’s even less. Our goal is to see that each of these kids have a sponsor, even a mentor, to help them with their education, to pray for them, and to challenge them. What an amazing opportunity for you!

If you think you might be interested in making a small sacrifice to provide such a life-changing opportunity call the Beachside Church office for more information.

It’s hard to write with a 5 year old in my lap, and I think I’d rather give her my undivided attention right now. So, hasta luego!

Shaun

Puerto Vallarta Mission Trip 2010 Update #1

October 4, 2010

Well, we made it to Puerto Vallarta! There were a few bumps getting here. Mexican customs stopped Ray as he was delivering the suitcases and clothes to Nuevo Laredo, and after 8 hours, finally let him go with more than half of the clothes (did I say that politely enough?). This was a REAL bummer, but it wasn’t something we couldn’t overcome. Ray and Kenny were also told they couldn’t get on the plane with the kids in Nuevo Laredo, however, a last minute phone call by Mama Lupita, or maybe it was a direct call from God, put them on the plane as they were closing the door.

The kids from Casa Hogar Elim are having a blast. Honestly, I thought this would be a great trip, but it is so much more fun than anything I had imagined. They are so excited! I thought us Gringos were supposed to look like tourists, but they are taking pictures of anything and EVERYTHING!

They were anxious to see the beach yesterday, so after church and lunch, we went to la playa. They rounded the corner, took off running, and didn’t stop till they were waist deep, which quickly turned into neck deep, and they were still wearing their church clothes! It was the first time any of them had ever seen the beach or ocean.

Today we went to the mission site which is located at the dump community, and the kids worked so hard! They all worked hard, but Iracema and Juan get the “hardest worker of the day” award. They are all having so much fun helping others.

I so wish everyone who helped sponsor these kids, provided clothing, or committed to pray for us could be here with us. I don’t deserve to be enjoying this as much as I am. I wish I could share it with all of you. I know this short snippet won’t do it justice, but just know that you are providing a life-time opportunity for these children. Keep praying that the Lord would use this to grab their hearts, help them see beyond their circumstances, and help them see that He desires to use them in a powerful way for a lifetime.

Shaun

Multipliers: Mexico Missions

September 8, 2010

A little over a week ago I received an email from Diana, one of the leaders of Casa Hogar Elim, the children’s home in Nuevo Laredo, Mx that we work with regularly. It was a desperate email in regards to the trip we are leading in October to help 15 of the older kids from the orphanage travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mx to serve others ON a mission trip of their own.

This is a trip we have been working on for almost 2 years. These kids are incredibly excited and so are we. I have been working at this orphanage for about 14 years and I’ve watched many of these kids grow up in this home. It’s an amazing place, but if you read about poverty, you’ll learn that it’s a cyclical pattern that is very difficult to break. This trip is a small part of our attempt to begin investing in these kids in ways that will help them see beyond what is right in front of them and provide opportunities for them to become more and do more than they ever imagined.

For many years we’ve worked to help provide basic needs: Food, shelter, medical care, clothing, school supplies, etc…. for the kids at Casa Hogar Elim. Those things are urgent and must continue, but we believe we can’t stop there. It’s not enough to just provide them with essentials for survival. We must do more to provide them with essentials for living a purpose filled life. These kids are incredibly smart, funny, and caring. They have amazing opportunity. Getting to know them caused us to ask these questions: “What if they had the same opportunities as we have had? What does God really want to do with this incredible group of kids?”

I believe God wants to do a LOT with them, and I believe He wants to do a LOT through you in that process. You and I don’t have all that we have because we are smarter, work harder, are more deserving, or are better looking! We have been entrusted with so much in order to be a blessing to others, and these kids and this children’s home is a great opportunity to do just that. I can’t imagine what all God can do through these kids as they are challenged, encouraged, and equipped, to do more and use their gifts for His purposes.

So, back to the email. Diana was basically informing me that Mexicana Airlines had ceased operations the night before, and we had 18 plane tickets reserved on that airline. After a full day of looking for solutions and talking with numerous people we had a plan. First, we decided that the whole basis for the trip was to help these kids overcome their current circumstances that are mostly a result of the decisions of others around them. If we canceled the trip at this point we would be reinforcing the very thing we were trying to help them overcome. That wasn’t an option. Traveling by land had never been an option because of the distance and difficulty of the trip. So, we booked new flights on another airline.

At this point we are almost certain the cost of the original tickets will be refunded. However, the new tickets cost an additional $5000, and we are looking for sponsors who would like to invest in these kids and help cover this expense. We believe this trip is the beginning of (and a huge part) of an incredible opportunity to help these kids break the cycle of poverty (spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical poverty). We are so grateful to all of you who have already sponsored one of these kids or have provided clothes, shoes, or other items for the trip. We’re also grateful to all of you who have invested in Casa Hogar Elim over the years by doing construction work, painting rooms, providing Christmas presents, cooking meals, playing games, leading Bible school, cleaning and fixing teeth, and just loving on kids. You are all awesome! You are also what I would call a  Multiplier.

A Multiplier is just a leader of leaders, and by investing in these kids you are multiplying your resources and influence to help these kids learn how to do the same. Jesus didn’t just lead a small group of followers. He entrusted the future of the Church to a small group of leaders who multiplied their limited influence and resources to change the world. We believe these kids can do just that, and you are doing that as well by investing in them. Please join us by praying for the children of Casa Hogar Elim and the opportunities we have with them this fall. If you would like to help financially you can make checks payable to Beachside Community Church: Mexico Missions. P.O. Box 445 Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32549. Or, you can donate online here. All donations are tax deductible.

Check back in October for pictures and stories of an amazing journey!

Shaun

Update (11/15/2010): Here is a great highlight video of our trip!

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- Read more

Compassion Trip to Peru

March 3, 2009

This coming Monday I have the privilege of travelling with several other NP Partner lead pastors to Lima, Peru. We’re travelling with Compassion International to learn more about their efforts to provide for disadvantaged children around the world, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about this trip.

Compassion has ministry centers all over the globe, and they are most well known for their child sponsorship program. Tami, the girls, and I have been Read more