What's going on at Dulce Refugio
I know that many people have passed through this orphanage and left their mark at Dulce Refugio. I want to keep all of you informed about what is going on with the kids and the construction process. Please remember to keep us in your thoughts and prayers; I hope you continue to help us out here at Casa Hogar Dulce Refugio. Gracias amigos!
October was a great month! I got to celebrate my birthday with many loved ones, finish a lot of work in the construction and take a trip home to see my friends & family. I'm so thankful for the many blessings!
My birthday is October 1st and we celebrated with a fun dinner at the Casa Hogar. Marce, the director of the orphanage, planned a dinner for the staff and some of the older kids. We ate tamales and had cake after. And of course I got my face slammed into the cake...Mexican tradition. It was a good time and I was grateful for the nice party held in my honor.
In the construction...
All of the window protections are made & painted! I installed most of them before I left. I wanted to completely finish the job but there wasn't enough time. I have 3 more to install when I get back and then I can check this off my long list of things to do.
Kyleigh finished painting the classrooms on the 2nd floor and all of the bathrooms. The older girls had a day off from school and helped with some of the painting. And of course when the kids are around paints gets everywhere! But they had fun and got a lot of work done so it's ok.
Kevin went back to Texas. He had been serving here for the last 6 weeks and helped us out a lot. He painted all of the window protections, helped with the driving, was really good with the kids and was always ready for whatever needed to be done. Thanks a lot Kevin and may God bless you and bring you back to see us again soon!
We said goodbye to 5 girls this month.
Belén was a joy to be around. She was always smiling and very friendly. They located a family member of hers so she is now out of our care. She is a sweetheart and won't have any trouble meeting new friends. We wish her the best.
Adriana, Guiselda & Jazmin were only with us for about a month. It was a short stay for these sisters but we are blessed to have known them and also wish them the best.
Karen was a sweet girl. I don't know what happened with her but she decided to take off. She didn't show up for the van one day after school and went to stay with someone else (a friend or family member I suppose). We reported it and will see what the government agency does when they locate her.
We received 2 new kids this month. Belén & Jesús are brother and sister and I have yet to meet each of them because they arrived while I was in San Diego. Looking forward to getting to know them when I get back.
Trevi, our English sheep dog, had puppies. She had 12 babies in all but only 6 of them survived. I don't know what we will do with all of them because we already have many dogs but they are really cute to have around in the meantime.
I was able to take a trip home to San Diego. I left Mexico on October 17th and I will return on November 7th. It's always good to go home and see family and relax for a bit.
I got to see my 106 year old grandma! And also my brother, sister-in-law & nephews. My nephews have grown so much since the last time I saw them...how time flies!
While I was gone something very special happened. Many of the older kids & staff got baptized. I wish I could have been there for such a special moment in their lives but I am so happy/proud to see that so many of our kids are making the choice to follow Jesus. May God bless you and may He always be # 1 in your lives. Even in the darkest of times He loves you and will never leave you!