Official name of the El Sauzal Orphanage
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.
The U.S. Face of the Orphanage
Sergio with Roy at the Orphange one week ago
Have you met Roy Ketring, III? He is the U.S. face of the El Sauzal Orphanage. If you have arranged a trip to El Sauzal, you most likely have been in contact with Roy. If you have visited the Orphanage, you may have met him there. If you have surfed El Sauzal’s website, received an Orphanage Christmas photo card, purchased an Orphanage t-shirt, mug or cap, you have seen Roy’s dedicated, hard work. Roy’s hand is all over the Orphanage.
Roy is a retired railroad consultant, although he still does occassional consulting jobs. He and his wife Brenda live in Placentia, California. They have two children and five grandchildren, whom they care for frequently. Roy is heavily involved in his church, Placentia Presbyterian with the Orphanage ministry, including their biannual food distribution to the San Antonio de las Mianas community, a second ministry to Mexico in Vizcaino - southern Baja, and a local outreach ministry to Spanish speakers in the Placentia area.
Roy has been involved with the Orphanage since 1978. On his first trip, he did not want to go; someone invited him, and he went out of a sense of duty. The trip changed him. For many years, Roy has been the Orphanage’s Secretary. He has been deeply involved in the operations. He is a part of the Espinoza family. (And even right now, he is in Mexico, for the service for Juan. See Juan Passes Away.) At Juan’s service yesterday, Ramon talked about how Roy is so much a part of the community and the family.
Several years ago, Josue asked Roy to form a Foundation in the United States. Roy considered it seriously. He did not want to change the Orphanage and make it a U.S.-run entity. It was after much prayer and consultation with other U.S. Orphanage friends that Roy went ahead with the creation of the Foundation. (Read more at About the El Sauzal Foundation, Inc.) Now Roy is the president of the Foundation.
So what does retirement look like for Roy? Taking care of Orphanage donations, requests and questions is a full time job for Roy. He works at the Orphanage (a three hour drive) at least once a month for an extended weekend. And of course there are many other events, like Juan’s service, birthdays and weddings. Although it is not possible to truly thank Roy for all of his hard work and time, I am so grateful for his generous heart and dedicated service to the Orphanage.
What is the story of the Orphanage logo?
In front of the painted logo: Pastor Kevin of Fullerton’s Epic Church, Pastor Miguel of the local Iglesia del Banquete church, and Pastor David of Placentia Presbyterian
Okay, I’ll admit it. When I first saw the Orphanage logo, I didn’t get it. It didn’t fit into my gringo mindset of what’s ‘aesthetically pleasing’.
But in June of 2000, my church, SeaTac Bible Church, did some videotaping at the Orphanage. Orphanage founder Ramon Espinoza was interviewed by Foundation advisor Laurie Lehr. She asked him about the logo’s meaning, and translated his animated response. His warmth and passion inspired me.
He described how the logo was designed by a well-loved supporter from California, Dennis Loughner from Placentia Presbyterian. (This long-time friend of the Orphanage died from cancer a few years back.) In it, children are being held by the arm of the El Sauzal Orphanage, shown with the red rocks. (Those rocks you see all around the Orphanage.) The Orphanage is being supported by the strong arm of God, holding the cross of Jesus. Together, God and the Orphanage, through Christ’s salvation can support and love the wounded children that come. If the logo had been designed in Mexico, it would say ‘Orfanitorio’ instead of Orphanage.
Admittedly, my description here is not as inspiring as Ramon’s. However, I now appreciate the logo and the story it tells. I am glad to be part of the support for the wounded children that come here.