El Sauzal News

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!

Keila Espinoza wants to go into accounting.

Starting this fall, there will be two students in the university system from the Orphanage.  Ramiro, who just graduated from high school/preparatoria, is studying to be an engineer.  I am delighted to write that his expenses are being sponsored by a family from California!  The second student is still needing help.

Keila Espinoza is twenty-one years old, and is studying accounting.  She has completed some of her education, and has two years left until graduation.  Keila is Josue’s daughter, and like with many families in ministry, she is needing help to get her education.  (See the story Do not worry about tomorrow.)

Would you consider helping Keila?  She needs about $260 a month, or $3,100 a year.  If you would like more information, or want to sponsor Keila, please contact Roy Ketring.  We are so grateful for your help in giving our kids education!

Julia and Mackenzie with Patty, meeting for breakfast.

Sitting outside across from the Pacific Ocean, the warm breezes caused the palm trees to gently sway.  It was in beautiful San Diego that Roy and I met newlyweds Julia and Mackenzie Harder for breakfast.

I was very excited to meet them, this being the first time.  When we arrived, they greeted us with big smiles and warm hugs.  Over breakfast, Julia and Mackenzie told us how they met.  Mackenzie is a real estate agent, and Julia is in graduate school, studying to become a pharmacist.  They are both from California and have mutual friends; however, it was in San Diego that they connected.  After a week of hanging out together, they decided on marriage.  “It was like a movie,” Julia told us. 

When they got engaged, they began thinking of donating their wedding gifts.  At Christmas time, Mackenzie met Susan Meyers-Pike, a real estate agent who has brought Christmas gifts to the Orphanage for several years.  Susan gave a presentation about the Christmas distribution, and Mackenzie gave her a check for enough food for three months for the Orphanage.  And then, although they’ve never visited El Sauzal, Julia and Mackenzie decided the Orphanage was who they’d give their wedding gifts to.

When asked what prompted them to donate all their gifts, they told us of being so blessed, and knowing they could help.  Julia likes to help others in need, and Mackenzie is interested in helping children.  The Orphanage was a natural fit for them.

They hope to visit El Sauzal for the first time later this summer.  Their family and friends gave more than two thousand dollars in honor of their wedding.  We are so grateful, and know that God will continue to bless this generous young couple.

Erika talking about the Orphanage at V.B.S.

We started our Vacation Bible School on Sunday night.  It is a great opportunity to reach out to local children and families, inviting them into a fun, safe environment.  A popular Vacation Bible School (V.B.S.) curriculum this year is Fiesta, by Group.  When my church, SeaTac Bible Church, saw it’s Mexican flair, we were excited to incorporate the El Sauzal Orphanage.  Airplane tickets were donated for Ruffo, Erika and Adanesne, and everything was planned.

The church was decorated with the Orphanage in mind.  The logo was enlarged and painted, and placed on the front stage.  Red and white rock walls were created, as well.  Posters of the children’s faces, a few palm trees, and we were ready.  (We also have many bright, cheeful Mexican decorations, just not Orphanage-related.)

Besides decorating, we incorporated the Orphanage in other fun ways.  The children are making crafts for the Orphanage kids.  We are collecting school supplies for El Sauzal throughout the week.   And each night, Erika is telling the kids about the Orphanage, and giving the kids a chance to ask questions.  The kids are asking things like, “How do you take care of the kids?”

I was moved when two neighbor boys took their own money and gave it to me to buy school supplies.  The V.B.S. kids are excited to help and learn more.  Adding El Sauzal into our V.B.S. has been a real blessing.

Erika is gifted at communicating with children.