El Sauzal Amigo Blog

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.

Arturo with his family, daughters Miriam, Monica and wife Carmen.

After the recent food distribution, a community member, Arturo Gil wrote a letter to thank the members of Placentia Presbyterian Church for their generousity of time and money.

For many years when I visited the Orphanage, I would see Arturo in church, playing the bongo drums.  He has always greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm.  His letter reflects his open attitude.

San Antonio de las Minas, Mexico
10 June 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters, to those who can not be here today. 

We know that your hearts are very close to the families in this place because of your tremendous love.  It is our desire that the grace and peace of the Lord will be increased in each of your lives.

Through the years I have come to know the precious people that visit here and enjoy their work with the Food Distribution. 

For me it is gratifying to see the desire of my USA brothers to work on this day that started out cloudy and became sunny and warm.  You visited some casas [houses] over some pretty bad roads.  I could not get tired in admiring your ministry. Please accept my gratitude for your wonderful job, for everything that you do, for using your personal vehicles, for the Lord’s power that is in you, for your time, money, prayers and much more.  Mil gracias one more time.

You may be asking yourself, “Who is writing this letter?”  Please allow me to present myself.  My name is Arturo Gil.   And my name like yours is written in God’s Book of Life in Heaven.  But I also live with my wife Carmen and two daughters in this beautiful town.

The Food Distribution date happens to also be the date that my youngest daughter, Miriam turned 15 years old.  Turning 15 is a very important date in the life of a Mexican family and we, me and my family celebrate this date working side by with you in this river of blessings.  Thanks be to God!  You make us feel extremely blessed.

A woman who I love, Carmen my wife, Monica and Miriam my daughters and me Arturo Gil send our affectionate greetings and our desire is for you to take courage in the overflowing love of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him is the Glory, the Honor and Praise.

Arturo’s letter shows his heart.  When you help the Orphanage, that help often extends to the surrounding community, and blesses others.  Many, like Arturo, are grateful.

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.

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.