El Sauzal News

Newlyweds Seth and Kristin

Kristin Frelin from Tacoma, Washington has been going to the Orphanage for eight years.  In fact it was on her first mission trip when she was in the ninth grade, that she dedicated her life to the Lord.  This coming summer she will be leading a young adult group to the Orphanage. This will be her first trip where she will be the primary leader.  She has a strong passion for the children at the Orphanage.

She met Seth Anderson and the two of them fell in love.  Seth is a chiropractor in the Tacoma area.  He has been very supportive of her ministry to the Orphanage and hopes to join her on her next trip this coming summer.  As the two of them were planning their wedding they thought about the money they would spend to purchase party favors for the reception.  Rather than spend money on trinkets or memorabilia for their wedding they decided to send the same amount of money to the El Sauzal Foundation in honor of their guests.  Here is what they wrote on a small card that was on each table in place of the party favors:

Thank you for sharing in this joyful day with us.  In recognition of your love and support, we have made a donation in your name to the children at the El Sauzal Orphanage in San Antonio de Las Minas, Mexico.  If you would like to learn more about these wonderful children or become a donor please visit http://www.elsauzal.org/.  With warm wishes and gratitude, Kristin and Seth Anderson

What an honor and blessing to be a part of Seth and Kristin’s special day.  (Read about another young couple that helped the Orphanage with their wedding.)  The Orphanage is so encouraged by the love, prayers and help of our supporters.  Muchas gracias!

Thank you, and blessings on your new life together!

Maria and one of her daughters

One of the Orphanage’s nannies, Maria, has an unusual problem.  (You can read more about Maria and her work.)  Maria, a Mexican national, lived for years in California.  Her three young daughters were born in the United States, and are therefore U.S. citizens.  This is a reverse immigration issue.  Roy Ketring describes it here:

Many of you are aware that Maria’s three girls were born in the United States.  This being the case Maria is now having difficulty with the Mexican School System because her girls are not registered in Mexico as Mexicans.  Additionally she can not obtain the required school insurance for the girls or any other Mexican health insurance for them.  Maria is a Mexican National and has investigated with the Government what is required to obtain dual citizenship for her kids.

It is possible to do so at a cost of approximately $600 US dollars.  Her husband has returned to California and if she can not solve this problem she and the girls will also have to leave the Orphanage.

I asked her what does she want to do leave or stay.  She said she wants to stay at the Orphanage that she enjoys the children and as you all know she becomes deeply attached to them and loves them like her own.  I heard several of them refer to her as Tia and some call her mom.  She also told me that she is deeply grateful to Josue for taking her in when she arrived at the Orphanage gate desperate for a place for her girls and for employment.

If you would like to help register Maria’s three daughters as Mexicans, see our Donate page.  Please specify that your donation is for Maria.  Any funds the Orphanage might receive in excess of this need will be used for other Orphanage expenses. 

“And my God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:12

Last weekend, October 6th and 7th, El Sauzal was part of a large missions conference.  Missions Fest Seattle was held for the first time, sponsored by 70 local churches, and 90 exhibitors.  With capacity crowds, it was an exciting event with many great ministries represented.  We were able to offer conference attendees a short-term missions opportunity that is relatively close to home.  We met many people looking for an opportunity just like ours.

Missions Fest is an idea that started in the mid 1980s in Vancouver, Canada.  From their website:

It is a weekend when people of all ages come together to participate in a variety of missions related experiences. Colourful exhibits, which represent organizations that work in most countries around the world, provide current information. Keynote addresses are given by world class speakers who have international acclaim. Children participate in workshops and programs that raise in them the awareness of the existence of many people groups. The youth are challenged to reach out to others during their rallies and seminars. Music is important in these gatherings; international flags and costumes are part of the decor. Along with these activities, over a hundred seminars are integrated throughout the three days.

Thanks to support and donations, the Orphanage and the Foundation paid nothing to have our booth.  Everything was donated - from tortilla chips and prizes to give away, to our banner and brochures.  More than $1500 worth of support, services, and in-kind items were given.  We are grateful to SeaTac Bible Church, Taylor-Made Printing, Azteca Restaurants, and the many individuals that gave.  We are happy to have been able to share El Sauzal’s work with so many people!

Our colorful, fun booth was completely donated!

The beautiful new baby

On Monday, October 3,  Viviana had her first baby. Vivi grew up at the Orphanage, arriving as a toddler.  You can watch a short video about Viviana.  Roy shares here about Vivi and Meño’s new baby.

Josue took photos of the baby through the glass and a couple of Vivi.  Their baby girl was born by natural birth at 6:18 am.  2 Kilos 900 grams, 56 centimeters.  They are still looking for a name for their child.   Magdalena loaned Vivi her Bible that has a list of biblical names. Vivi wants to choose a name from the Bible. I believe they have up to a year to choose a name and officially register their child. 

They returned to the pediatrician yesterday and he told them that the baby is doing fine.  Of course Vivi is still hurting some from the birth.

Isela and Maria from our Orphanage come to help her as well as Meño’s sisters. Maria was there when I called her this morning.  Meño is a teacher and has arranged to go to work late and return’s home early.  So Vivi is receiving lots of care. 

Lilia Espinoza and her sister Linda are planning what we would call a Baby Shower for Vivi.  They are going to invite much of the community with the goal to provide everything that she needs for the baby.  I brought her a very nice baby buggy that one of our neighbors had given to me.

Should any of you wish to write to her you can send an email to Brisa’s address, kgb2622@hotmail.com ,and she will print it out and take it to Vivi.

New children Emanuel, Dayana Marisol and Germán Alejandro

We have a new little family at the Orphanage. They are the Aragón Ruano family. Dayana Marisol is 15 months old, Emanuel is 4, and Germán Alejandro is 7 years old.

D.I.F. the Mexican Social Service brought the children to the Orphanage on September 21^st. The police found them abandoned in their home and brought them to D.I.F. The children told the authorities that their mother had left to go to the beach with a friend but she never returned. Both their mom and dad are drug addicts.

I had a neat time with each one of them obtaining their sizes and asking the older kids what they wanted for Christmas. After their having lived at the Orphanage for a little more than a week I could not distinguish any difference between the way this new family acted and conducted themselves as compared to the kids that have lived there for several years. They have settled in and are now a part of a much larger Orphanage a family. I am so grateful that the El Sauzal Orphanage is such a loving place; a sanctuary for hurting kids.

As I sat with Maria, the Nanny who is charge of the Nursery, she began to tell me that a D.I.F. officer was recently there in the Nursery and had told her that “Luisito” may be leaving. As she was telling me this story her eyes welled up and tears and began to flow down her cheeks. She said; “it so hard on me when one of my babies leaves.” What love this woman has and pours out on all of the little ones that are placed in her care. She now has two more to shower her love on as Dayana and Emanuel live with her and Cecilia, another Nanny and the other chiquitos in the Nursery. Thank you Lord for your servant Maria. Lord, she is such an awesome example of how you love us. I see you Lord in her eyes, in her smile, and in her tender loving care for the children.

-Roy Ketring, written from El Sauzal Orphanage