El Sauzal News

Want to see what others are posting about El Sauzal Orphanage?  You can check out pictures, videos, stories and comments from our friends at Facebook and YouTube.

Facebook:  Become a member of our Friends of El Sauzal Orphanage group.  You must first have an account on Facebook; then click to join our group.  More than 100 people have already joined.  It is one of the best ways to see the latest photos of our children!

YouTube:  There are some excellent videos and clips on YouTube about our kids.  You can see other groups trips, watch our boys’ soccer teams excel, see the kids playing, and much more!

So check these out, join up, and become part of our El Sauzal community!

Prepare for new border crossing rules
There have been a lot of changes in border control this year with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. All of us need to be aware of the regulations involved with entering Mexico. Perhaps the biggest change is the need for a passport- but you have a few options.   As of June 2009, a valid US passport is required for any border crossing. Here is some information to get you started on preparing for your next trip to El Sauzal.
Option 1: Get a Passport
For information on obtaining a passport, you can visit www.state.gov. Simply click on the travel tab and choose “passports” under that drop-down menu. First-time applicants must apply in person at an approved acceptance facility. You will need a DS-11 form (available online), but make sure you don’t sign it until you are present at the agency. Also, be sure you bring proof of citizenship with you; acceptable forms of ID are clearly listed on the travel.state.gov website. You will need to present your own passport photos, and prepare to pay $100 if you are 16 or older and $85 if you are younger than 16.
Option 2: A Passport Card
A second option is the passport card. The appeal of this option is its cheaper price. One drawback is that this card is not valid for air travel into or out of Mexico. The process for applying is similar to the process noted above. For first-time applicants, the passport card will cost $45 for adults and $35 for children under age 16. Adults with fully valid passports issued within the last fifteen years who are eligible to submit Form DS-82 by mail will pay only $20 for a passport card.
Option 3: Enhanced Driver’s License
This next option is available currently only in Washington state.  Younger students interested in trips to El Sauzal also have the option of the enhanced driver’s license. When applying for your driver’s license, you will only pay $15 extra for this option. Again, the drawback of this method is that it is only valid for travel by land or sea. For those of you who already have a valid driver’s license, the cost is only $35 to upgrade.  You can visit www.dol.wa.gov for more information.
Traveling with Minors?
For groups traveling with youth under age 18, please note that you will need a parental letter for each minor. The gomexico.about.com website has examples of acceptable letters.
We hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding the new border crossing rules! Hope to see many of you this year at El Sauzal Orphanage.
by Patty Siegmund

Cincuneta años. Fifty years. Today boasted a special milestone for El Sauzal: Papa Ramon and Mama Magdalena’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. A celebration was held and overflowed with guests who came to celebrate with the two who have changed so many lives.

Ramon now pastors a church on the Nequa Indian Reservation near to the orphanage, but his impact in the community reaches beyond that church’s walls. He has planted many churches in the community, including the church the orphanage children attend. Not only has Papa Ramon been a Shepherd for the community, he has guided and raised generations of children at the orphanage.

Of Ramon and Magdalena’s fifty years of marriage, forty-two have been spent shepherding the lives of children through El Sauzal Orphanage. In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells us that it is a great mystery that God has made the earthly institute of marriage to image the heavenly love Christ has for His Church. Papa Ramon and Mama Magdalena have been blessed by the Lord to share half a century together, and God has used those years to bring many children to Himself through lives lived in obedience to the Gospel. Christ has sacrificed Himself to make us God’s children and continually keeps us as His own; Ramon and Magdalena have lived lives that mirror this truth by working tirelessly to keep the orphanage open and being parents to all of the children who have benefited from their love.                       

-Patty Siegmund

Remembering Isela
On January 19th, (Juana) Isela, the Orphanage’s cook of many years, was in a tragic automobile accident.  Isela, her husband, and their two youngest sons were driving along the steep, curving road that connects the toll road to San Antonio de Las Minas.  Their car went off the road, falling about 280 feet and crashing against the big rocks at the bottom.  Isela was thrown from the car and passed away.  Her husband Jose Luis and the two boys, Natan and Jacob, were injured, but not seriously.  The older children, America and David, were in school.
The news deeply shook the Orphanage and the little community of San Antonio.  Many people attended Isela’s wake and church and graveside ceremonies.  Grown Orphanage kid Norma came forward to fill Isela’s role as the cook.
Across the border in the United States, the news spread quickly.  We posted the information on Facebook for the “Friends of El Sauzal Orphanage” group and sent out a mass emaill.  Quickly, messages from across the U.S. and Canada came pouring in, expressing sympathy, prayers and support. 
We miss Isela greatly, but we are joyful that she is in heaven, and we will see her again.

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