The Dental Clinic Dedication
Pastor David Throop unveiling the new plaque.
Last weekend a plaque was put up outside of the Orphanage’s dental clinic. Pastor David Throop of Placentia Presbyterian made the dedication. The plaque, written in both Spanish and English reads:
This Dental Clinic is dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of a special friend, John Shoji Nitta, D.D.S. In appreciation for his generous love for God’s children at this Orphanage. Dedicated this 10th day of June, 2006 by his many friends of the El Sauzal Orphanage and the Placentia Presbyterian Church.
The John Nitta Memorial Dental Clinic was started before 1990 by Dr. John Nitta and his family. The Arnold California Rotary and the Nitta family donated two dental chairs, an x-ray machine, and air and vacuum equipment.
Dr. Nitta and his staff visited the Orphanage whenever they could, providing dental services for our children. After Dr. Nitta moved to Fresno, California, a group of dentists from Pleasanton, California donated their service annually. When Dr. Nitta passed away unexpectedly in 2000, the clinic was named in honor of him.
Over the years, many dental professionals and students have visited and volunteered at the Orphanage. They have helped the children and the local community. It is an honor to celebrate Dr. Nitta’s vision and memory with this plaque.
Food for a community
The porch stacked high with 26 tons of flour, rice and beans.
Last weekend was Placentia Presbyterian Church’s (PPC) biannual food distribution at the Orphanage. Twice a year, PPC raises money to buy staples - rice, flour and beans. The food is purchased in Mexico, because it is difficult to bring this much food across the border without complications. Members of PPC donated $13,000, enough for 26 tons of food.
What started as a desire to bring staples to the Orphanage has grown. Now the food feeds not only the Orphanage, but also the little pueblo of San Antonio de las Minas, and two poor indigenous communities, the local Nequa and the Mixteco Indian reservations.
Members of PPC hauling 100 pound bags of food, including El Sauzal Foundation board member, Kim Roudebush on the right.
The food distribution itself is impressive - a large organizational job requiring many helpers. Espinoza family members make lists of families in the community who need help, assigning how much food they need by family size. Members of PPC and the local church Iglesia del Banquete deliver the food to the grateful recipients. It is enough food for most families to last about six months, when PPC will be back.
The Orphanage staff prepares a large, delicious meal of fried chicken, fresh tortillas and salsa for the volunteers. It is a hot, dusty, tiring day delivering heavy bags of food. But that doesn’t stop Placentia Presbyterian. They will be back in December to feed the Orphanage, and three communities.
Loading up a truck to distribute food to the community.
Plumbing company visits Orphanage
Visitors from PMC Plumbing with the kids. (Maria is in the center.)
Last weekend, a group from the PMC Plumbing company visited the Orphanage for the first time. Based in Fullerton, California, they came for a short visit, organized by employee Maria S. They made lunch for the kids, a very popular hot dogs and nachos.
What did they spend most of their time doing? It was the most important thing for visitors to do, according to director Josue. They loved the kids, playing with them. We are very grateful for all they gave our children.
Members of PMC Plumbing posing with the kids and staff.
Saying Goodbye
Little Ruffito
Yesterday, baby Ruffo left the Orphanage. (See Baby Josue and Baby Ruffo leave the Orphanage.) Ruffito, as the family calls him, is being adopted by a Mexican family. I talked with Erika yesterday, before he left. She told me how she had spent extra time just holding him. The other family members were doing the same, giving him love and holding him, even as he slept. When it was time for him to leave, Erika drove him into Ensenada. She wanted to meet his new parents.
It is hard to explain how painful this can be, but I understand a little. When I was a teenager, my parents brought in a 5-month old girl to adopt. Angela was a vivacious, energetic baby who had just gotten out of a body cast after being in it for two months. She had healed from multiple broken bones, from abuse. Her caseworker assured us that when all the paperwork was ready we could adopt her. The head pediatrician from Children’s Hospital said no judge would send her back to an abusive home like that.
Two and a half years later, to our shock, a judge decided to send her back to her parents. It was hard for my whole family; I was devastated. She was my little sister, and I was old enough to care for her like a mom. During that time I felt as if there were a large dark, heavy blanket pressing down on me. I felt unable to breathe due to my grief.
A social worker later told us that because we loved Angela like we thought she was going to stay with us, we gave her a permanent love, a love without reservations. The social worker said it gave her the best start that she could have in life.
By loving baby Ruffo and baby Josue so deeply, the Espinozas gave a true blessing to the families that adopted them. At a critical time in these babies’ lives and development, they were loved and cherished deeply. That love will help them the rest of their lives.
Leaking propane means no hot food or water
This information came out on Friday, when director Josue contacted Roy Ketring (see The U.S. Face of the Orphanage).
The under ground propane service lines are leaking. They have lost one full tank of propane (worth about $200). Josue told me that he could smell the gas escaping but could not pin point the location of the leak or leaks.
At the moment they can not prepare food, there is no hot water and there are no funds at the Orphanage to fix the problem.
With this crisis, Roy contacted Floyd Hoffman, Maintenance and Facilities Coordinator. (See Your Talents Make a Difference.) Mid Friday, Josue was able to make a temporary fix to get propane.
The gas lines were installed twenty-five years ago. With their age and material used, this problem is no surprise. Althought there is a temporary fix now, the gas lines need to be replaced. Thankfully, Floyd and the other members of the Maintenance and Facilities Committee are meeting this weekend. They will plan a fix. However it will require funding.
Can you imagine caring for forty children without hot water to clean them? Wash their clothes? A nursery with no hot water? Being unable to prepare hot food? Can you help? If so, please see Give to the Orphanage.
