El Sauzal Amigo Blog

On Sunday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. the Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church is hosting a Battle of the Christian Bands to raise support for the El Sauzal Orphanage.  It will take place in the Performing Arts Center of Cascade Christian Jr/Sr High School;  811 21st St SE Puyallup WA 98372.  The cost to attend is $10.00.

Youth for Christ is once again partnering with us and will provide the winning band the right to perform at Big Splash, one of the largest Christian youth events in the Northwest. At this time we are auditioning bands. Any bands wishing to participate should send a demo CD or tape to Pastor Clay Warren 2518 14^th St PL SE. Puyallup

The front of our Christmas card, filled with the faces of our children. 

Here is our 2007 Christmas card.  Did you receive it?  If not, you are probably not on our mailing list.  If you would like receive our two to four newsletters and Christmas card each year, please click here. 

This beautiful card was designed by Gretchen Miner.  We are so grateful for her help.  Gretchen is a talented designer, photographer, mother, and daughter of El Sauzal Foundation board member Pete Legan.  Check out Gretchen’s website, Capture Their Heart Photography.

It reads, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Thank you for everything!  The children, El Sauzal Orphanage”.

We have a new nanny, taking care of the older girls.  Roy Ketring interviewed her and wrote the following article: 

Flor Johanna Orozco López is just 20 years old and has been working at our Orphanage for only two months.  She has in such a short time endeared herself to the girls that she takes care of some of whom are about her age. The Espinoza family speaks highly of her.  She is a committed Christian as is her entire family.  She accepted Jesus into her heart when she was 14 years old. 

Johanna has been working since she was 14 years old to help her family pay the bills.  Her father is a construction worker and during inclement weather there is no work for him.  Johanna continues to help her family financially by sharing some of her salary that she receives working at our Orphanage. 

Before coming to our Orphanage, she had saved up money for a long time to pay the cost of tuition to enter the university but she did not pass the entrance examination.  It is not uncommon for bright students to not be able to pass the State’s entrance exam.  The examination contains numerous unrelated superfluous questions that are designed to fail most of the applicants.  The State school system is inexpensive as compared to private schooling and the entrance examination is designed to eliminate as many as possible. 

She used the money that she had saved for school for dental work on her teeth and has braces.

Johanna was working at a factory before she came to the Orphanage.  A girlfriend told her about this place.  She told me she really likes kids and really enjoys her work here. This will be evident to all who should be privileged to meet her.

I asked her, “What would you like to say to the people that help this place.”  Answer, “That they are very good people with noble hearts not because of the money that they donate but for the love and affection that they give.  I thank them for this.” 

I asked, “Would you like to return to your studies?”  Answer, “Si, I would like to do this some day.” Her long term dream is to become an architect.    

Do you know how long it is that you would like to stay here working with the kids?  Answer, “A long time, I really don’t know how long.”

What goal or dream do you have for this place or for the children?  Answer, “To help them with their studies. I want for them what they want.”

She is a fresh breath of air with a smile that reminds me of sunshine and joy.   -Roy Ketring

The girls at the party with their bin of new baby items

When Emily Joyce Williams of Federal Way, Washington turned nine, she wanted to do something very different for her birthday.  Her mom, Angie, and grandmother, Helene, planned a special tea party for Emily and about ten other little girls.  Emily’s invitations read:

In place of gifts, Emily has requested gifts be donated to an orphanage in Mexico called El Sauzal.  If you would like to purchase any infant items such as sippy cups, toddler bowls, cups and spoons we will have them delivered by friends in the church.  Thank you.

Emily has never been to the Orphanage before, but her family has been involved with El Sauzal for many years.  Both her dad Stephen, and grandpa Ron have organized and led trips to El Sauzal.  The family’s passion for missions and helping others has been passed on for several generations; now Emily is carrying it on as well. 

As the girls arrived at the party wearing dresses and bows, they filled to overflowing a large tub of new items for the nursery kids.  The party itself was a classic event - with lemonade, ice cream, teddy bears, balloons and dress up clothes.  The special day was made even more sweet by including the El Sauzal’s babies.

Emily (left) with one of her tea party friends

Stove installers Ken, Richard and Loren

Did you ever have an old appliance that was just too expensive to replace? Maybe you needed to make do with a piece of equipment that wasn’t doing it’s job, but it was all you had.  The Orphanage has been in need of a new commercial sized cooking stove for a very long time.  The old stove, used to cook for the entire Orphanage, had only 2 of the 12 burners working.  Replacing it was going to cost thousands of dollars…and so the staff made do.  Can you imagine cooking for forty children per meal with only two working burners?

The First Baptist Church of Ashland, Oregon committed to purchasing and installing a new stove.  First Baptist has been visiting and helping the Orphanage for many years.  We received exciting news yesterday, from First Baptist member Loren:

The stoves are in.  [We] went down and just got back.  What a trip!  Lots of stories.  We got kicked out of Mexico!  OK  just temporary.  We had to go from Tecate to Otay Mesa to take the stoves in.  They do work and boy do they put out heat.  We had all 12 burners going and the griddle and WOW.  God is good. 

Thank you so much, First Baptist, for raising the funds for this much needed equipment.  We are so grateful for the entire church’s support.  Thank you, Loren, Ken and Richard for your exciting trip delivering the stove and installing it.  There will be countless tortillas, pans of beans, rice and so much more cooked on it.  Thank you for looking “after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).  Many warm, filled tummies thank you!

We are so grateful for our shiny hot new stove!