Casa Hogar de Nueva Esperanza

What a great mission trip!

I had the opportunity to lead a small group of 12 people from our church down to a small town in Mexico to work at an orphanage. Mier is just across the Rio Grande from Roma, Texas and has a population of 6000. The orphanage sits on the south side of town maybe a mile from the river.
Two beautiful servants of the Lord, Isai and Maria, pastor and director respectively.....take care of approximately 30 kids at any given time.
This week, they had 31.
We had so many great stories and great people who sacrificially gave to the cause...and I find it really amazing how God's work....can be joined by people who don't know ANC or the Casa Hogar. A man named Richard, a brother in Christ, who's wife volunteers for ANC, I met maybe a month or so ago (and he doens't go to our church)...stepped up and bought all the doors and hardware that we needed. Curtis, a commercial paint contractor in Austin, goes to our church, he ageed to give all the paint and supplies...then unexpectedly...his supplier (Pittsburgh Paints) gave him the paint. My good friend Cody (an industrial roofer from Corpus Christi) along with his sister Lindsay (who is at the sister company in Austin), who does attend our church...gave all the roofing supplies. My good friend Brandon's boss John, who attends another fellowship here in town, bought an A/C unit for the office at the orphanage. The pastor took 'special interest' in making sure that was installed ASAP
We carried 12 people with us..and Brandon Hatmaker showed up Thursday, with the kids, to help. But despite our relatively small numbers...we were able to accomplish a lot. Roger, who took all the pics, got to get their computer lab in shape and doubled the number of working computers. Even though we seemed to focus on the work...Molly got to really know most of the kids as they did Crafts...and Mitch hung out with and did stuff with the guys.
I am so proud of the entire ANC body, who stepped up big and supported the entire orphanage's uniform needs, as well as providing loads of great gifts for the kids. Special thanks to Lara who made all that happen.
I told our crew, my prayer had been, that although we were going to do work, and bring gifts and provide for needs.....that the orphans see Christ in us. That they feel love from us for the few days we were there. From the fajitas, to the crafts, to the USA/Mexico Soccer Matches, and from play time to the ice cream & watermelon....I feel we were the "Hands and Feet of Christ".