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 HUGE blessing. I'm one year older and there are so many wonderful things happening. I am so thankful for everything that God is doing in my life and the missions that I have been a part of.
We started off the month by celebrating my birthday. On October 1st, I turned 36 and we had a great time together at the orphanage. We had a BBQ and ate fresh rabbit meat for dinner. My friend Tayde, who's a butcher, came by to prepare everything. I'm proud to say that our bunny project is going very well.
I finished up some final details in the school. I installed a door and all of the electric in our library. Now the kids have a nice quiet place to read and study.
We had our formal inauguration of the school! On October 4, 2019, many people came to the event and we gave speeches and cut the ribbon. Afterwards we gave a tour of the building and had hors d'oeuvres. I am so thankful and grateful that this day has come. The school is finally finished and ready to go.
I installed an irrigation system for our fruit trees. I had to dig a 60ft trench in order to install a water line and some of the boys helped me out. Now that the school is done I have more free time to focus on other projects. I really want to upgrade our garden area so we can grow most of our own fruits & vegetables.
I got to go home again. I flew to San Diego on October 11 and was able to help babysit my nephews. My parents were watching my brother's kids and the two boys were there when I arrived. We took them to the park and just hung out. It was good to see everybody.
After 4 years I finally got to return to the Philippines! This was such a blessing for me and was my way to celebrate the finishing of the school in Mexico.
I used to go to the Philippines and do missionary work there from 2011-2015. But for the last couple of years, I have been so occupied with the construction in Mexico that I have not been able to go back and visit. Finally the opportunity has come and I am so blessed to be back helping in the "He Cares Mission." This is a great ministry. I stayed in their visitor room at the orphanage and helped with their feeding program. Every Saturday about 200 to 300 street children show up for activities, a Bible lesson, and a hot meal.
I was able to see He Cares' new project: "The Promised Land." He Cares is currently in the process of building a farming community outside of Manila. They have 5.3 hectors of land that they are developing. I was able to help pour a concrete slab (in sandals...definitely a first for me) for their 20,000 liter, steel water tank and we had to move the massive structure on top of the slab. Very soon they will start major construction with the end goal of building facilities to house 50 poor families. These families will maintain the land and produce enough food to feed themselves, the kids at the orphanage, and the food for the feeding programs. This will be an awesome project to see when everything is finished and functioning.
I got to do a little traveling while I was in the Philippines. Many of the volunteers and I went to the southern region of Mindanao for the wedding of one of our good friends. I was asked by the groom to be in the wedding party and was honored to do it. Both the bride and groom are regular volunteers at He Cares and I have known them for many years. Congratulations Richard & Roda Ann!
Also while we were there we went camping in a luxury tent and white water rafting. It was great to hang out and do these things with everybody that I used to serve with.