Irma and I at the Casa de Ninos December 24th Christmas celebration. The picture reflects the joy of the Christmas season and the fun we had that night. The children enjoyed their Christmas as we worked to make it special for them. Irma and I pray that your New Year will be blessed and full of new things that will bring you joy, and as well help continue in that process of shaping and refining your lives. Do not let this coming year be the same as the last year. Make it better.
God bless you and have a wonderful New Year.

Irma and I took the girls up to our land in the moutains behind Casa de Ninos. It is just a 15 minute drive. All the kids love to come up and spend a little time out in God's beautiful creation. We have a nice view of Tepic. Some of the children have adopted trees that we have planted on the property and they help water and care for the trees. It is always a very fun time for all of us. The children enjoy the ride up to the land on the dirt back roads that go up to the property. Special times are important. I often bring up some of the teen boys when I need a hand with something. 

Wanted: Someone to love me.

I have been here long enough to see and know that we all need and want to be loved. The sad thing is that many children have been deprived of that God given gift that brings to us joy and peace. Like a plant without the proper nutrients that it needs cannot grow well. A life without love is a life that cannot develop properly. We are so blessed here to be able to show God's love for the first time to many children.

Shattered lives and God's love

Our newest little one comes to us extremely affected by a bad situation. We were asked to help with this little one and her brother for a couple of weeks. We do not have much information about what happened but observing them it is evident that they have suffered some severe abuse. It is so sad to see lives practically destroyed or maybe tossed and treated like an old useless item that is just thown in the corner; stepped on and kicked around. It is so easy to see the importance of those first years of life when one sees how quickly or easily a life is destroyed.
The good news is the power of God's love can break through the hardened hearts and tattered lives. I thank God that we had this chance to love these little ones and allowing them to begin to live, enjoy life, and just be a child.

Last month Irma and I did some Investigation work about one of our girls. The cases sometimes are so complex and sad but this time we were able to learn some important things about the past of this young girl. Just today we went to visit Oliver the little guy that spent a few month in our home. He seems to be doing good but the mother is having some issues where she is at. Pray that all will go well with Oliver and his brothers and sister.

One of our girls spent about a month in the hospital with a severe infection and Pneumonia. It was a very trying time. Someone had to be with her 24 hours so our staff got pretty wore out. Irma and I have her in our home for a week or so until she is completely ready to get back to normal life. Those of you that were aware of this situation and were praying, Thank you.
Irma and I thank all of you that support us. We pray that God will abundantly bless you and keep you in His grace.
God bless and have a wonderful day!

Back in Tepic at Casa de Ninos! The children show that we are an important part in their lives.

That is a big responsibility. They need to have persons in their lives that love them and will be there for them. Irma and I give of ourselves to these children and are there voice here in our welfare system. Many children here have no one, no voice, and feel really abandoned.

Irma and Ana joined Joshua and I down here at the border. Joshua and Irma will be soon going up to California so we are taking advantage of a little more time together driving down to Tepic. We are spending a few days in Weslaco Texas with some friends. The plan is to drive into Mexico tomorrow so please pray for our safety while traveling.

Thanks and have a wonderful day!

Greetings from my farthest point north "Gooseberry falls" with my son Jeremy, wife Socorro and 4 grandkids. Having a real fun day! Hard to keep up with the kids so I stopped to take this self portrait. The trip was a good test drive for the truck that I found in of all places a malt shop at Hastings. Getting back to the cities I went to my son Steven's home where he put a day's worth of labor and a few parts into the truck getting it good and ready. What a blessing!

Well, gotta catch up to the rest of the gang. Have a great day!

The truck that I purchased yesterday! Thank you to those of you that helped!

Oliver his two brothers and sister were brought back to the welfare agency, and then to their mother last Monday. The situation does not look good but please pray for God to rule in this matter. Irma and I will be returning next Tuesday to bring the mother to the therapy session so that she can learn the exercises that Oliver needs. We hope to build a relationship with the mother so that we can help her get back on her feet. As well we want to personally know that all is well. The best place for these children is with their mother. Pray for her to take this responsibility seriously.

We were invited by a local radio station to participate on a panel discussion about children on the streets. The live broadcast was challenging but a wonderful opportunity to be a voice for the family and children. It is our desire to do more and more things like this, and we pray that the doors will continue to open.

For some reason that we do not understand the judge ruled to return these four children to their mother who frequently abandoned them for periods of time. Next Tuesday we will take them to the welfare agency. Pray for God's will. We only want the best for these children.

Oliver's big Decision!

Life should be simple and fun for these little ones, but the sad thing is it is not. Too many little ones suffer in this world. I believe it is our job; or one of the responsibilities that God has given to us here on the earth. Any way we can help one of these little ones is pleasing to our God.

On the 30th of last month at the court hearing the mother did not show up.

Pray for God's will.

Me, Oliver and a bunch of Casa girls!

We were house parents for the girls in March and part of April. Here we took them for a day out. Little by little we are moving ahead building a cabin on this land where we can refresh and share a time in God's creation with others. Little Oliver is on the blanket. He loved playing in the dirt.

Olivers family update

A judge has already ruled to return the children to the mother. A decision made without much information and the pressure of an aggressive lawyer. Irma and I went to visit the social worker that was involved in taking the kids from the home. She said in her 2o+ year of social work this was the worst case she has seen. The judge has agreed to review the case on the 30th of this month. Pray that he will reverse his or her decision. Pray for God's will in the lives of these four children.

In January Oliver, Lupita and his two older brothers arrived at the Casa from the welfare agency. All four suffering from neglect and malnourished. Oliver at 1 year and 7 months old weighed about 15 pounds. Oliver was weak not moving around much at all. Now after about 3 months he is up to 24 pounds and the most happy little kid you could see. Oliver stays with Irma and I in our home.