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!
I got back to Aguascalientes, Mexico on April 19th and got right back into the swing of things. The kids were on spring break for 2 weeks so most of the time they were hanging out around the "casa" but we were able to schedule lots of events for them as well.
In the construction...
We started building our rabbit cage! Hopefully in May it will be finished and full of bunnies. (I had my helpers help me dig the foundation since they were off from school)
I was able to install some more windows. Now the windows on the 2nd floor of the school are halfway done.
While I was gone one of our girls, Fernanda, had her quinceañera (15 year birthday party). This is a very special occasion for a young woman in Mexico.
One of our regular volunteers, Philip Ardrey and his wife Jennifer, came down for the event. Phil is in the process of adopting Fernanda and he was able to perform the father/daughter dance at the party.
Angel
Javier
We have 2 new faces at "Dulce Refugio." We welcomed Angel and Javier.
We celebrated Mia's (the granddaughter of Marce, the director) 6th birthday. It was a nice day at the park. The kids had a lot of fun and enjoyed the lake, the games, the animals, and all the sweets!
A special thank you to the "Hunos" motorcycle club. They were able to raise funding and donate all of the remaining tile needed for the school...that's around 450m2. This is a HUGE blessing for our ministry! And after everything they put on a show for the kids and drove them around on their motorcycles. MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!
We got invited to "la feria" (the fair). They donated wrist bands to our orphanage and we were able to go on all the rides for free. It was a great time.
In Mexico they celebrate "dia del niño" (children's day). We had our annual event and around 400 kids showed up. We gave away pizza, candy, toys, and most importantly, a gospel message. It was a pirate theme and we had the kids looking for treasure. At the end they found out about the true treasure of salvation that only a relationship with Jesus can bring.
We said goodbye to the Gephart family. Doug, Blanca and their 2 daughters lived and served at Dulce Refugio for 1 1/2 years and later served at another orphanage in Queretaro, Mexico. After more than 2 years in the mission field they have decided to move back to Texas. We wish them all the best and we truly appreciate everything they have done for the orphanage and all of the kids. Thank you and God bless, Gepharts!!! You will be in our prayers.
Another one of our regular volunteers, Kyleigh Palmer, came down for a week. She is getting pretty good with her Spanish and the kids love to see her. She is planning on coming down again for 2 months this June, while she is on summer vacation from nursing school. See you again soon Kyleigh.
AND on a personal note:
Before
After
While I was home in San Diego, I packed up my place and put everything into storage. I feel God is calling me to stay in Mexico for long term and take care of the needs of the Dulce Refugio orphanage. So I will be serving for at least 1 more year down in Aguascalientes. After that I'll see what God has in store for me but I'm excited and completely trusting Him as I go on this journey.
(All of my stuff crammed into a 6x12 storage unit)
And some GREAT NEWS. My home church, Horizon Christian Fellowship, put me on as one of their official missionaries. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing ministry and look forward to representing them around the world. I appreciate the prayers and support that this opportunity will offer and am excited to share with Horizon what is going on at Dulce Refugio.