El Sauzal Amigo Blog

Our logo has the English translation of our name

Orphanage director Josue Espinoza reminded us of the actual, legal name of the El Sauzal Orphanage:

Today… the owner of La Monedita money exchange House, the person who cash the check that arrive to the orphanage, told me that he is not going to be able to cash the check that comes to the P.O. Box and are payable to El Sauzal Orphanage, he said that the checks need to come [to] Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C. that it is the official name of the Orphanage.

[Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C. is Spanish for “Home for Needy Children of El Sauzal”.]

Click here to read more about whether to send your gifts/checks to either the El Sauzal Foundation, Inc. or to Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C.

“Our family outside the entrance.” -Jacob S.

In December, Jacob S., from Idaho, did his Eagle scout project.  After doing some research, he decided to raise money for the Orphanage.  This teen was very successful, raising about $1,800. 

He visited the Orphanage with his family in December to “put a face with the work” he had done.  (He had not been to El Sauzal before.) Jacob wrote the following letter to those who helped him:

Thank you for your generous donation to help me with my Scout Eagle project.  Together we raised almost $1800 for the orphanage, and I was able to go there with my family for our Christmas project.I went on a family vacation to Ensenada , Mexico.  When we got there we played with the kids and helped do chores such as dishes.  It felt great helping the orphanage.

I felt it was a good project because it helped under-privileged children.

Thank you again,

Jacob S.

Thank you so much, Jacob!  We are honored that you chose us for your Eagle Scout work.

“Here I am playing basketball with them.” -Jacob S.

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!

Bob and Leslie are blessed by helping the Orphanage

In this Christmas season of giving, there have been several recent studies looking at giving and how it affects you.  The results are interesting!

The University of Minnesota looked at how people responded when they were prompted to think about money.  Reported in the Neuromarketing Blog named Thinking About Money, they found that:

 . . the findings suggest that thinking of money puts people in a frame of mind in which they don’t want to depend on others and don’t want others to depend on them.

The University of Chicago, in a massive General Social Survey, showed that donors - defined as someone who has given to a charity at least once a year - are statistically more likely to help others. 

• 15% more likely than nondonors to give directions to a stranger.
• 17% more likely to give up their place in line.
• 22% more likely to give up a seat on the bus.
• 46% more likely to give food or money to a homeless person.
• 125% more likely to give blood.

I thought of these recent studies, when I received an encouraging note from Leslie H., Minnesota:

What a blessed day I’ve had.  I just returned from shopping and picked up some toys and clothes for a few of the kids.   I can’t begin to tell you how much FUN that was. What a privilege it is to contribute to the El Sauzal Foundation!   I strongly urge anyone to try it and see how God will bless them in return. I pray in anticipation for the day Bob and I can go down and see all those smiling faces again.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  How nice of science to prove God’s word!

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!