Reflections on Serving - Hedgers

I’m still processing all we were able to experience while at Hogar de Amor.  My heart is so full after this amazing experience.

We have wanted to go on the Mexico mission trip for a couple of years now, but the opportunity finally came this year. Bailey and I aren’t frequent foreign travelers. We have always had my husband with us when we have traveled to guide us and keep us safe. Needless to say I was nervous about the trip, but everyone that had gone years prior were so good to answer any questions we had and guide us through the traveling process.

We were taken back by the love the caregivers shared with the children and all of us that were serving. They are truly amazing for what they do everyday showing God’s love all the way!

While we helped paint various projects and clean up areas that needed attention, we also had the opportunity to enjoy spending time with the children by playing games, doing crafts and giving and receiving many hugs

The week we spent there was a blessing I will cherish forever. I can’t wait to go back again and see the child we now sponsor.

And don’t forget to do good and to share with others for with such sacrifices God is pleased

Hebrews 13:16

Reflections on Serving - Mark

This was my son Lucas and I’s third year going to Colima Mexico and Hogar de Amor and it did not disappoint!!

We had the privilege to go with the second week team to serve in Colima and at Hogar de Amor this year. During the second week there were ten of us total on the team which was cool! In some ways it was quite different than being part of a larger team but in other ways it wasn’t that different. Our team got to know each other and were united in our purpose there and we enjoyed serving together!

This year during our time there I really realized that the kids and caregivers at Hogar de Amor have very real struggles and problems like we all do and they really can use our prayers and knowing we continue to think of them often. In past trips I have not kept this type of thing as close to my heart during the year, most likely because life can sometimes overwhelm me.

I also really appreciated how much more time and opportunity there was to get to know the caregivers. This was very special and quite a privilege because it speaks to the relationship and trust they have with us, what an honor!

I kept a daily journal to track thoughts I had throughout the week so I could remember them during the coming year. Here are a few of those since it probably best represents some of my thoughts during my time there.

- Sunday, I found out one of the girls I had met last year was very depressed and having a hard time. She recently moved into senoritas home and it’s not been easy for her. She has no Mom or Dad. She is a soft spoken but sweet girl. Praying for her!!!

- Sunday night, we had dinner at Casa Golandrinas and Casa Famoso with amazing homemade tamales that were out of this world!! Had so much fun hanging out with Anayeli, Mariana, Marcos and Carmen!! They are so awesome and sweet!!

- Wednesday, crafts went well seemed like the kids liked it. Working on Adriana’s computer was great, indoors with cool air doing nice work...love it! Best job ever, Marcos gave me coconut ice cream while I was working on their computer. Delicioso! Guess it pays off to be a computer guy after all! ;)

- Thursday, another great day starting out with spending time with the ninos y nina’s doing songs and sports at Casa Matrice. The team also finished up all the jobs we’ve been working on. Time passed by too quickly today, at least that’s how it feels. Sometimes the hardest part of the week is still to come, saying goodbye to the kids and caregivers.

- Thursday night, saying goodbye was bittersweet with the kids and caregivers. :( Love them mucho!

- Learn and study Spanish because the kids and caregivers want to communicate more with us!!

- Take time to remember and pray for them. Do not let myself forget about them!!!!

I love Colima Mexico and Hogar de Amor, they feel like a second home in a way to me! So grateful for this opportunity in my life the Lord has given, what mercy! Thank you to everyone who prayed for us and supported us this year!!

Reflections on Serving - Lee and Cindy

It always amazes me how God loves to orchestrate things in always just the right and perfect way to show us that it could only be him! This was our third trip to Colima and our first time leading the second weeks group.  I (Cindy) was a little more than nervous about having to bridge the language barrier on our own this year without Jamie, especially when having to grab a taxi from the airport in Guadalajara to the bus station about 30 minutes away and then purchase bus tickets to Colima.  I had my questions loaded into Google translate and we managed to secure a cab and headed to the bus station. 

When we pulled up the bus was just getting ready to leave and we had to bypass the main ticket lobby and rush over to the bus, where I ran into my first barrier as I didn't have time to find my Google translate and the Spanish I had been practicing for months completely flew out the window.  I was trying to find my phone when I heard a man say 'are you going to Colima?' and realized he had been sitting ahead of me on the plane from Salt Lake.  He was from Colima, but now lived in Salt Lake City and spoke English.  He was so kind to help us and when we arrived at our destination station, he gave me his phone number and said to call him if we needed anything at all while there. God was so gracious to place him in our path.

We also were blessed to have Francisco on our trip this year.  It was his first time on the Mexico Mission trip, however, he is originally from Mexico and speaks fluent Spanish.  He was able to speak with all of the Caregivers and the children and was another sign of God's kindness to help this trip go smoothly.

We had a group about one-third the size of the previous two trips we have been on, and it really gave it such a different feeling to us.  I felt like with the smaller group we were able to have more time interacting with the Caregivers from the different houses and building more relationship.  We are so thankful for the hearts of love these Caregivers have for all of the kids of Hogar de Amor.  It is so apparent when you see how happy the kids are and honestly, relationship is the whole reason we do this.  So that the caregivers and kids know that they are loved and supported from people far away, but close in being one body in Christ!

One of my favorite things to this day from our first visit, is after the morning activities when the kids go in and take their showers to get ready for school and you see the girls sitting in their room in their school uniforms helping each other to do their hair for school.  The older ones help the younger ones and each other and it is just such an example of serving each other in love, it is beautiful.

The highlight of our trip this year was taking a group of 11 teenage girls (Senorita's) and 11 teenage boys (Adolescentes) up into the countryside near the volcano, to a Carne Asada restaurant called Monte Real.  We had a great time and the food was amazing! As in the U.S., teenagers can eat their weight and we ordered plenty to go around.

We were able to complete all of the projects that we were hoping to finish, new laundry lines were installed, roofs were sealed, a dental clinic was painted inside and their outside office building was painted.  Laptops were worked on and staircases painted, donations were delivered and we were exhausted as we dropped into bed each night, but we wouldn't want it any other way! Colima and the people of Hogar de Amor, hold a special place in our hearts and they truly have become our family.

Cindy and Lee

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ~ Romans 12:4

Friday - Goodbyes and Group Tour

Friday was another very busy day. A lot of the team wanted to eat breakfast at the taco stand outside of the hotel and said the tacos were excellent. :) We started the day by getting everything re-organized in the bins and totes to put back in the closets, then headed over to return everything to the closets for next year!

We played with the kids for awhile before they all gathered around us. Pastor Nahum presented Centerpoint Church and the Morningstar Family, with two certificates of appreciation for the team and the work we do in partnership with Hogar de Amor.

They then prayed for our team and we all shared many hugs and tears together before we all walked back to the Hotel.  It is always so hard saying goodbye, luckily we had about 90 minutes before we were leaving for our tour, and could get our emotions in check.  It also gave us a little time to work on finishing our packing in preparation of a 4:00am departure the next morning.

We began our afternoon tour at the Colima ruins which is a very large Archaeological site for the ancient people of Mexico.  Our tour guide Alfredo is a photographer and teaches photography and art at the University in Colima.

The next stop was at the Classico rum distillery, where we were able to tour their processing plant and made our own 'mint mojitos'.

The next stop on the tour was at a local Cacao producer, who is in his early 80's and has been making his Cacao for many years for the locals.

Our last stop was at a local brewery, where we were able to sample some of their local craft beers and have dinner before heading back to the hotel.

It was a very fun afternoon/evening and it was nice to relax after being on the go non-stop all week.  We had a very successful week and were able to bond really well as a team and finish all of the projects we were asked to do.  I am so thankful for the team that we served with this past week, and for the love and care shown to all of the children and caregivers by everyone.  Hogar de Amor holds a very special place in our hearts and we come away so thankful for the feeling of being one 'family' in God's great plan.

~As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. ~ 1Peter 4:10

Thursday: Activities and Projects Day 4

Today was another great day starting off with spending some precious last time with the ninos y ninas doing songs and games at Casa Matrice.

A precious reminder of this special place.

The team also finished up all of the jobs we've been working on this week. Final computer repairs were done and the painting team did some creative work to finish the office building by Casa Matrice leveraging the school bus and tying off in windows, all was done safely. 

We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch break at Casa Golondrinas and Casa Famoso, I think many of us could have stayed the rest of the afternoon. :)

Time seemed to pass by too quickly today knowing Thursday had come and gone almost before we even realized it. 

We will cherish the remaining time we have in Colima for 2019 though it is always really hard to say goodbye to the children and caregivers of Hogar de Amor! 

We have gotten to know and love them more deeply in new and exciting ways! The Lord is so good and seeing how He is with them all is beyond words.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:7-8. 

Wednesday: Day Three - Projects and Games

Today we continued with painting the dental office on the outside walls.  We were running out of paint and had to have some more mixed, the pink’s did not match perfectly; however our hosts were very gracious and said they loved it, we will be correcting the color tomorrow.

Again we were privileged to spend a few hours with the children and the care givers and once again our hearts have been stolen.  Below are a couple of photos of our newest Utah Ute’s fan.

  

While talking with some care givers and administrators you begin to find more and more needs beyond the physical upkeep of the properties and daily care of the children.  Hogar de Amor will help children that typically “age out” at other orphanages to continue their university education if the child is willing and able to peruse their education.

We're preparing for Day Four tomorrow, finishing up painting the outside of the dental office, and the most important spending more time with the children and the care givers.

Tuesday: Activities and Projects Day 2

Our second day at Hogar de Amor was action packed!

 Ready, Set, Go

Today the ninos y ninas enjoyed some sports and songs and games fun involving their recent favorite sports game Nine Square in the Air. There was also the Chicken Dance and Julie's "Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro super ball passing game", though I'm not sure that's what it's really called but it was fun! :)

Lots of painting is being accomplished, clothes lines being overhauled and some other projects too, due to lots of hard work by the team.

Stairs at Casa Golondrinas and Casa Famoso

Dental office building by Casa Matrice

The week two team is having a great time hanging out together while we get to serve our dear friends.

We are so blessed and spoiled by the precious people of Hogar de Amor. The most amazing lunch breaks are prepared for us with so much love and care!!

We are all so grateful for the opportunity to be here this week and it's apparent many have been praying for both us and the week one team.

We are looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of our time here...stay tuned.