ESPARANZA PARA LOS NINOS - Mexico

 



Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, Tate, Morghen, and Choice

An opportunity presented itself for us to go to Puerto Penasco Mexico and be of service in a different way than this trip has previously offered.  We had the humbling honor of visiting Esperanza Para Los Ninos… an orphanage near Rocky Point.  In preparation for our trip to visit the orphanage, our kiddos were each given a tote bag to fill with a selection of their toys that they would like to donate to these less fortunate kids in Mexico.  It was so tender to witness the various items that each one of them felt would be appropriate gifts to donate.  Ryder was very practical in his selection.  Among other things, he included some quarters from his piggy bank and enough Hot Wheels so the children in the orphanage could race one another.  Shiloh saw an opportunity to get rid of the belongings in her room that were too “girly” for her liking but had been gifted to her.  As a result, her bag consisted of plush pink stuffed animals, bracelets, necklaces, purses, baby dolls, and hair accessories.  Tate seemed to fill his bag with his favorite things.  I explained to him that these were going to be given to other children to play with and keep.  He didn’t take issue with that but did remove his favorite blue care bear out of the bag before it was too late.  Choice was oddly aware of what may make suitable gifts for the children of Mexico.  His bag consisted of children’s books that were written in Spanish, a set of toy maracas from his musical instruments, and a soccer ball.  I added games and items of clothing that had been outgrown by my babies.  We finished by packing some fresh fruit and water bottles. 

Our trip to Mexico was a wonderful eye opener for all of us and a culture shock for the kids.  This was the first time any of them had been out of the country.  They were fascinated by the endless amounts of sand throughout the neighborhoods and occasionally embarrassed by the language barrier.  My hope was for them to understand how incredibly blessed we are to live in a country that provides limitless possibilities and freedoms that we unfortunately take for granted far too often.  I desired for them to empathize with these children in losing parents and sympathize with the only alternative being a shelter where they become part of a system rather than a family.  Life in an orphanage would shine a light on the distinguishing reality between needs and wants and what really "going without" looks like.  I had a prayer in my heart that we would provide smiles to these precious children and a gift that would allow them to feel cared for and thought about.  Little did I know that we were going to be the ones given true gifts by their sweet spirits and genuine gratitude and hospitality.

Entrance to Esperanza Para Los Ninos

We drove the three miles on a dirt road off the beaten path to the colorful gates marking the entrance of Esperanza Para Los Ninos.  We were greeted by the Director, Gullermo Zapata Urbalejo.  You could sense his love and compassion for these sweet kids by his gentle disposition and the manner in which he spoke of them and to them.  We arrived at lunchtime and they were all in the meeting area.  The setting gave us a chance to sit among them and hand out the gifts we brought from home.  Although my children and these sweet Mexican children could not understand the words the others were speaking, they were all children and shared the same desire to play, the longing to belong, and the unified sound of laughter that extends through all language barriers. 

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh Juliann, Carlos, Francisco, and Roberto

Shiloh, Tate, Juliann, and Ryder at Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Ryder and Juliann with kids from Esperanza Para Los Ninos




Juliann, Tate, and Ryder with children of Esperanza Para Los Ninos

Julian, Tate, Ryder, and Juliann with kids from Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate with children from Esperanza Para Los Ninos

Tate, Juliann, and Ryder with children from Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Juliann, Tate and Ryder with children from Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Ryder with children from Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Ryder handing out toys at Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Tate, Shiloh, and Juliann with kids from Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Choice and Juliann with children of Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Juliann with children of Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Juliann and Tate with children of Esperanza Para Los Ninos


Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate were fully engaged in handing out their gifts and petting the many dogs these children care for as their pets.  



Isabel with her puppy and new puppy toy

I was overcome with emotion as even the teenagers were thankful to receive a stuffed toy or small second hand gift.  Each of them replied with a smile and “Gracias”.   In a home with 33 different kids, I never heard a single complaint or a gift received without an expression of appreciation given in return.  They were kind, extraordinarily well-behaved, and extremely appreciative.  I felt so blessed to share the afternoon learning from their loving examples. 

Roberto and Juliann

 

Ryder, Tate, and Choice

Ryder was eager to play with the young boys his age.  He immediately got involved in a soccer game being played on the cement basketball court.  They utilized old laundry soap containers to mark the goals.  They were joyful as they played futbol (soccer) and were extremely talented.  Although Ryder was clearly outmatched, he didn’t get deterred.  Thankfully, the kids living in the home were sweet to give him several turns to pass and shoot. 

Ryder playing futbol with children from Esperanza Para Los Ninos

Ryder and kids from Esperanza Para Los Ninos

Ryder playing futbol with kids from Esperanza Para Los Ninos

We played other ball games with the younger kids.  Games such as Three Flies Up and Monkey in the Middle.  I fell in love with these youngsters and wanted to bring them all home with us. 



Ryder playing with boys of Esperanza Para Los Ninos



Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder playing with boys from Esperanza Para Los Ninos

How disheartening it was to leave knowing they continue to have things they stand in need of and are unable to come up with on their own.  In case anyone feels compelled to get involved in this cause, I have provided a link, below, to the website for the orphanage, as well as a list of the items they are in need of currently. 

www.esperanzaparalosninosorg.mx

LIST OF NEEDS

YOUR PRAYERS!

FOOD: -Lunchmeat
-Vegetables
-Fruits (canned or fresh)
-Eggs
-Cheese
-Butter
-Mayonnaise
-Sugar
-Cooking Oil
-Marmalade
-Beef
-Cereal
-Bread 

PERSONAL HYGEINE: -Medication for fungus, feet powder, etc.
-Medication for lips
-Deodorant (boys and girls)
-Shampoo and conditioner

CLEANING SUPPLIES: -Bleach
-Pine Sol
-Brooms
-Commercial Dust Mop
-Toilet Bowl Cleaner
-Toilet Paper
-Large Trash Bags
-Trash Cans
-Disinfectant
-Fly Paper
-Fabric Softener
-Laundry Baskets
-Dish Soap
-Laundry Detergent

KITCHEN SUPPLIES: -Plastic Cups
-Paper Plates
-Forks
-Napkins

FURNITURE: -Stereo (CD player)
-Sofas

HARDWARE: -Deadbolts
-Padlocks
-Pest Controls
-Batteries (D and AA)
-Light Bulbs
-Leaf Rake
-Dog Food
-WD 40
-Transmission Fluid
-Toilet Kit
-Lamps

The following are the names of ages of the sweet children currently living in this orphanage:

BOYS: 1.  Alan Brisal Ibarra (17)
2.  David Arturo Parra Dominguez (12)
3.  Luis Daniel Brisal Ibarra (9)
4.  Francisco Alejandro Sanchez Mendoza (15)
5.  Roberto Valenzuela (8)
6.  Abraham Aldaco (4)
7.  Carlos Vasquez (7)
8.  Jose Francisco Cervantes (10)
9.  Luis Mario Cervantes (11)
10. Angel Orlando Perez (11)
11. Jose Eugenio Hernandez Arevalo (19)
12. Juan Jesus Parra Dominguez (20)
13. Ricardo Hernandez Arevalo (17)
14. Marco Antonio Murrieta Zavala (17)

GIRLS: 1.  Isabel Parra Dominguez (10)
2.  Gloria Sinai Zapata (10)
3.  Briseida Murrieta Zavala (14)
4.  Evelyn Nayeli Brisal Ibarra (14)
5.  Belen Hernandez Arevalo (12)
6.  Ruth Parra Dominguez (15)
7.  Ketzy Dayana Vazeuez Mendoza (13)
8.  Mayte Gaxiola (12)
9.  Azucena Ortiz Luna (13)
10. Beatriz Alejandra Salazar (14)
11. Perla Yamileth Rios (12)
12. Daniela Villa Rios (18)
13. Gabriela Villa Rios (18)
14. Berenice Zapata Jaime (18)
15. Arely Zapata Jaime (21)
16. Maricela Vazquez Martinez (20)
17. Maricruz Zapata (16)
18. Lidia Vasquez Martinez (17)

These incredible young boys and girls are required to meet the following standards while living in this facility: 
     -Maintain a grade level of 90% minimum
     -Be obedient to the internal bylaws of the shelter home
     -Fulfill the social service that is required by the administration in the following areas: academic
      counseling, cleaning inside and outside the home shelter, bedroom assistance, laundry, uniform
      washing, kitchen cleaning and cooking, maintenance and house shelter repairs.

To support the youth and teenagers in their studies and basic needs, you can donate to ESPERANZA PARA LOS JOVENES IDDEM PPSON AC.  To support the operations intended to help the younger children, donations can be made to ESPERANZA PARALOS NINOS IAP.

ESPARANZA PARA LOS NINOS IAP
CASA HOGAR PARA NINOS DESAMPARADOS
KM. 23 CAMINO AL BATAMOTE,
PUERTO PENASCO, SONORA
MEXICO

In their own words, “In advance deeply appreciates what you have done for our children and surely you will continue doing.  Wish you well as our God put in their hearts generosity, we’ll be guided by each full at the feet of Jesus.”

We gave each child, youth, and adult a Be Better Band before leaving today and thanked them for the blessing they afforded us by welcoming us into their home. 



Roberto, Carlos, Abraham, and Juliann




Juliann and girls of Esperanza Para Los Ninos

We didn’t understand many of their words but the feelings were resoundingly clear.  This was truly a life-changing experience for me and one that I hope will be influential in the kids’ lives and how they view their wants vs. needs.  These precious souls exhibited a true attitude of gratitude and choose to find beauty among the thorns in their lives.  Where we may feel they are poor, they taught me today how very rich they truly are. 



Group at Esperanza Para Los Ninos

We carried that lesson with us as we spent the remainder of our time in Mexico.  I thought of these sweet children as we enjoyed the warm and inviting ocean water, the bright sunlight, and the birds…Oh, the birds!!



Shiloh, Tate, Ryder and Choice



Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Tate, Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, and Choice

Choice, Shiloh, Juliann, Ryder, and Tate

Juliann and Morghen

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Juliann, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

Juliann, Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder

Juliann, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

The kiddos kept inching closer and closer to the water in their search for seashells.  Ultimately, we decided it would be better to put on our swimsuits and enjoy the water for awhile. 

Shiloh

  

Choice and Juliann

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

Choice

Our trip to Mexico was a quick one but very impactful.  We learned that one's level of appreciation and gratitude is not necessarily measured by the amount of blessings received.  Rather, it comes from the sincerity of heart in the receiver.  Esperanza Para Los Ninos is an orphanage hosting 33 children who don't even have the blessing of a family, no parents to hug them and tell them they are loved.  No room full of toys or a guarantee of family gatherings on future holidays.  Living simply is not a choice for them, but the only resort.  Their circumstances are less than ideal and yet, they choose to be happy.  They choose to smile.  They choose to play.  They choose to be grateful for the things that they do receive.  We can learn so much from their example of living simply and simply living.  To be grateful for the little things and appreciative to those who lighten our loads. 

My children saw the world from a different perspective today.  The world is full of limitless possibilities but our future is our creation. Where we go is our decision and how we choose to share our time and our resources is our responsibility.  Let's all choose wisely, and Spread the Better.


Ryder

 

Choice

  

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

 And don't be afraid to take a risk and walk out on a ledge every now and then.