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My Journey to Estado 29 Dear Carlos, Regarding Estado 29. I think it is a wonderful, clean, loving, christian home for the children. They are blessed to be there. The children are blessed to have you and so many others who love and care for them. Thank you for your generosity in welcoming us. My visit there in July was a life changing one. For the first time in my life I was at peace. I have always had a strong believe that God is with us and will take care of us and teach us to walk his path. But my visit to Estado 29 was the first time that I can say I clearly saw God up front and in person ~ thru the children and the staff. So many days are spent being too busy with unnecessary things. Life made sense while I was there. I felt that I had a purpose. I felt part of this amazing, Christian family there. I love the pace of life and the culture. I feel blessed that these children have come into my life. Not a day passes when I don't think about my "kids" there. I made many friends. Jaquelin was sweet, loving and I was blessed to be loved by her from the minute I got off the bus. She showed me photos of her mother and told me that I looked like her. I love her very much. Francisco was a gregarious, funny, kind boy that made me laugh. I love his smile! I loved how he opened up to me at the end of the week. He holds a very special place in my heart. David was another friend I made. He was so kind. I could see Jesus working in him every moment. He was quiet and spent more time alone than most but I love talking with him. I speak no Spanish and we could communicate through the English that he knows. He liked watching me write in my journal. (I have 100's of pages from my week there). Adolfo was welcoming and so much fun to watch with the littler kids. He could speak great English to me. Ana, Adela, Astrid, Christian, and so many others. I thought I would come there and spend most of my time with the really little children because I love the little ones so much. It was not the case, something led me to the teenagers time and time again. I found them to be amazing, strong, kind and generous. I loved every minute I spent with them. They taught me so much. What happens as they graduate high school. Do they have to leave Estado when they are 18? Can I write to them? Mail them gifts? Is this too much of a burden for you? Do the children get gifts at the Christmas season? Do you need clothing? I have 4 children and tons of cloths in great shape that I would love to send to you. I feel it very important and necessary to give of myself whatever I can. Do you have a current need for anything that I could help with? I would love to visit again. My lack of speaking Spanish leaves me scared to visit without Westminster. I want to be able to help and communicate. I am working on learning Spanish this fall and will hopefully come with better skills next time. I feel so blessed that my journey in faith led me to Estado 29 and the wonderful family I met there. Thank you so much for all that you do. If it is ok, I will be mailing you a package with some letters and an offering to the children of God at Estado 29. Please be sure to let me know of any needs that I can help with. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
God Bless,
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Evaluation Gracias a Dios por que El hace en mi vida y en la vida de mi groupo. Y gracias a Dios para ti Carlos y tu ministerio a Estado 29 y los otros groupos. Que Dios te bendiga. STRONG It's hard to know how to answer people when they ask, "How was Mexico?" How was the trip? No offence, but the question is awkward. The trick is coming up with a word that can really summarize what was experienced. I have used words like "amazing, incredible, unbelievable". And then followed by "Praise the Lord!" It is so hard to summarize in one word. However I spoke with someone who had heard bits and pieces about the trip and he said, "I heard you had a strong trip." Strong. Yeah, that works. Strong, robust, highly-flavored, keen, intense, glaring, brilliant—yeah strong. It was robust. It was intense. It was brilliant. It was strong. It’s strength however will only be measured with how robust, highly-flavored and brilliant are the effects in the lives of the team and how they can carry that flavor into the world and into our church community. So, get ready to see some serious muscle. They built a new facility since the last time maybe some of us were there. There is a new visitor’s dorm right behind the boy’s quarters. Between these two buildings is a thin walkway. I found myself sitting there often. I considered it the best place in the house. It was shady, cool and you could still hear children’s voices and see the sky. The best part was how the wind blew through this corridor. I think that in many ways that was my role on this trip: to sit between the past and the future—in the present and to feel the wind blow, to feel the Spirit of God move among His people. This is Wayne Pres’ fourth time to Estado 29 and my first. I will return, by God’s grace. I had the privilege of witnessing what the Lord is doing in the lives of many of the young people on our trip. We took 24 folks to Mexico, fifteen of which were "rookies" and nine veterans (none of which were the adult leaders). The "veterans" were invaluable. They shared with us names, stories, favorite activities and just the way it’s done down in Mexico. Some things were new even for veterans. The addition to the premises mentioned above is one. But, we also took a walk outside the premises our first day, a prayer walk. We walked up the street from the orphanage into the tiny town in which it finds itself. We stopped and prayed in between the two local schools. Small and empty right now, but full of kids in the Fall. We made our way in this brown-colored town to another small street, dirt road with trees protruding into the driveable area to the "Waterloo Gardens" of the neighborhood. It was like an oasis in the middle of a desert. It was stunning. There were flowers everywhere and green and colorful. There was a lovely restaurant with outside seating. The owner was the principal of the local school for a long time and he fought to keep this little oasis in the town. There was a cage for some morning doves. Except this cage was built into a tree, "around nature" as one of the team members put it, "not just cutting down nature." At Sunday evening worship, the sermon was translated especially for us, but only possible by Jon Frost, who is our church’s missionary there this year. His presence in the Estado community and the church there will be missed. Jon has been teaching English and music at Estado and playing guitar with the worship team at the local church. His acquisition of Spanish is outstanding and when he returns to the States he is hoping to pursue a career in teaching. His was our 25th team member—a true gift to our team. We were also serenaded by a group of the girls on our last evening there. They say the song "Arise My Soul Arise", a favorite of Wayne Youth and especially Mexicoers. Our group was stunned when these lovely Mexican girls sang this hymn of praise in English. We learned lots of Spanish songs, ones that we knew in English. We taught the girls David Krone’s real name—D-Krone, said with rolling "r"s, only to hear it ring out in the silence one night. We played some serious basketball. One of the girls on our team had the unique experience of assisting in the kitchen with Rudolfo and Olga, the culinary staff, all week. Rebecca loves to cook, speaks very little Spanish but was told that she is their family now. She learned how to cook tortillas the Mexican way and our team looks forward to benefiting from that while we are back. We left with only 20 of our team members returning. One leader stayed behind to meet up with his wife for a second honeymoon. One student met up with her mom and sister and returned to the orphanage for a day, so that she could show her family what she has experienced these last three years. Another student is still there as I write this. He decided to stay for two more weeks by himself at the orphanage and get a different experience. He had other choices this summer but said, "Mexico is better than Governor’s school." We also had to send a team member home early in the week. He needed some help that we could not give, although we have and will continue to give him love and support. But perhaps our most memorable experience was the night we invited Ana to come share her testimony with the group. We were leaving Friday so Thursday night was our last debriefing time at the orphanage. We sang some songs as usual and then Ana came. Her testimony was translated by Jon. She gave us a moment by moment picture of her life and the large events. We knew that this awful story had a good ending because to meet Ana is to meet someone with a magnetic personality, a contagious smile and a joy that can only come from the Lord. She finally told us of her arrival to Estado as a hateful person and how the Lord has worn down the rock within her soul. She has asked God for so long Why me?". The Lord gave her a dream one night that laid out for her a clear purpose and reason for existing. She then finished her story and began to thank us for coming, for giving up our time when we could have been doing other things. She told us that we were special, that we were her family, this is our home. At this point, Jon is crying and so are we. At this point in the trip, some of us were talking about why it is that we come to Estado. We feel as though we don’t "do" anything necessarily, except create an inconvenience to the cooking staff, the boys in the dorms, etc. We did minimal l abor because for the most part that is what keeps the older boys occupied all day. We simply played and ate. But, when Ana shared her feelings of hospitality towards us, I realized why we come and why some of our people are addicted to coming. It is because we heard words that cut us to our core. These words were strange to our ears. They were what many of us long to hear—that we are special, loved, welcomed, accepted. We get a glimpse of what the true Church might be like—brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a gift to us. My prayer is that it changes us and makes us long to share that love with those who feel "orphaned" in our culture.  [ top ]
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My Estado 29 Testimony Carlos, coming to Estado 29 for the week of June 26-July 3rd 2004, I was expecting to be blessed by the Lord in that He would provide me work to do and that He would give me some time to relax, play with a few kids, and have some quiet times to reflect on the great service opportunity He's given me at the orphanage. But, I NEVER could have imagined the way that one week has changed my life. I could talk about all the work that I did there, helping build the tables, helping to cook food, helping to resurface the roofs, but what really made this week for me was newfound relationships that I created with the kids. During the first half of the week, I had a very impersonal and objective view about the Estado 29 kids. I thought that they were desensitized by the fact that so many groups come and go and that they could never get attached to people (and vice versa) because they would leave all the time. So I adopted the point of view that I could just play with them and not worry about anything more once I left. But as I got to know them better, speaking Spanish and laughing, joking, and kidding with them all the time, they became my good friends. So many of them showered me with warmth, love, dedication, and friendship that I have not forgotten to this day. Instead of being simply people that I could serve, so many of them became friends that I love and care about. We are friends forever now and it is that friendship that will bring me back to Estado 29 over and over again in the coming months. In fact, one of the 9-year old orphans wrote me one of the nicest letters I've ever read in whole life: "Kenny, I love you very much and I'm glad that you came. You are a very special and funny person and I am going to miss you, your laugh, your silliness, and your smile when you leave. I won't know how to say goodbye when you go. I hope that you come back very soon and if you do, I will be counting the days until I see you again. Don't ever forget me because I will never forget you. God bless you always and may the angels guard you in your walk every day. With love, xxxxx". How can I walk away from this orphanage after a note like that? I am committed to financially support this orphanage because I am now supporting my friends. I want to see those smiles, laughs, and friendship continue. Thank you for giving me a life-changing opportunity. I never thought that God could use kids in Mexico to turn my world upside down, but He has and I'm deeply grateful. I promised one of the orphans that I would be back. Whether or not I go with a group, I'll be back for sure!!!!!!!
I hope you post this one soon.
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My Trip Reflection - Kristin For the first time, I was able to come to Estado 29 without my church group and experience life there in a way that I had never before. Before I arrived, I sat shaking on the plane with nerves that could not be calmed. What was it going to be like? Would everyone remember me? How would my experience be different from years before? As soon as I stepped out of the van and saw Eduardo waving at me with the same smile as years past, I knew everything would be okay. One of the hardest parts was knowing that kids I had grown so close to before were no longer there; soon enough, these holes in my heart were replaced with new faces and loving souls. The bonds established at Estado 29 are like nothing I have ever seen before. The affection the kids show make one realize just how lucky they are to have everything they do. Another thing I was confronted was my selfishness. As more groups filed in, I began to realize these kids have other people who care just as much about them as I do. "My" kids began to run up to other people with the same anticipation and excitement that they showed when I arrived. I'm not sure why, but seeing this hurt; but, it also allowed me to grow and realize what a good thing it is for these kids to have SO many people that care about them. As I already look forward to my trip in July, of course, new jitters and anticipation run through my mind. I'm not sure what life has to bring in these next few years, but I know that I want to spend time at Estado 29 when God says the time is right. So many amazing relationships are formed there and God works through those kids like nothing I have ever seen before.
God bless you for your hospitality and all you have done, you are truly blessed. |
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Julie's Reflections from Estado 29 weekend Sept 21, 2003 Carlos always says that we go to the orphanage to give the kids a little piece of heaven. I really think I am the one who receives a piece of heaven from them. Having been away from the orphanage the past 5 months, I was very eager to visit this weekend. When our van arrived at the orphanage, I stepped out and honestly felt quite lost and overwhelmed by the large number of visitors already present at the orphanage. While walking around and putting away my bags, a little girl full of smiles approached me, calling my name Julie and gave me a big hug! I was so surprised and amazed that this little girl even remembered my name (since I didn’t remember hers)! After that, one after another, several children and staff at Estado 29 welcomed me back to their home with warm hugs and greetings. Eduardo said to me in Spanish, how he had wondered and wondered each month, when Julie is going to come again. I was so glad to hear and know that Carlos had shared with them about my happenings in Nepal, and how so many of them had prayed for me. It was such a good feeling to know that I was missed by my family at Estado 29, and that they were glad to see me back safely from my trip. I played with the kids this weekend as usual, and just enjoyed being in their presence. I also shared with them pictures from Nepal. It was fun to share my experiences with them, and to see their interest in this different culture and people group half way around the world. The Lord’s Spirit is upon Estado 29, and the children are evidences of God’s loving grace and blessing. By the end of the day, it felt as if I had never been away for the summer. As I was saying my goodbyes on Sunday morning, Cynthia says to me in Spanish, “Don’t go to Nepal anymore, just come to Estado 29, okay?” I don’t know if the kids realize, just how much their words and their actions serve as extensions of God’s love to me. Estado 29 is a place filled with God’s love, and I am thankful for all the people who served this weekend to complete the various construction projects for the kids, and for everyone who prays regularly for the well-being of the children. Blessings to Carlos and his family for making visits to Estado 29 possible for people like me, who needs that little piece of heaven from time to time. [ top ]
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My Trip Reflections - Jon Frost "....i am at peace, but with a heavy heart..........This week was many things. It was lonely, it was revealing, it was exposing, it was joyous, heartbreaking, heartmending, and confirming. I'm very glad that I was able to come by myself. I don't think I would have learned what I learned otherwise. There was nowhere for me to hide from God's truth. Thursday night, under the purple sky, beneath the shyly watchful stars, i communed with God. It became evident that my presence at the orphanage does not feature me as a main attraction, as i had perhaps supposed it to. I was confronted with my selfishness. One frustration this week was that kids that i had bonded with this summer didn't really pay that much attention to me. Why did this pierce me? Because I want people to like me. I feel good about myself when others praise, adore, and fight over me. Would that my foundation not be so frail. Saturday was a very hard day for me. Other groups came in and with ease, communicated and in my mind stole away "my" kids. It hit me where i was vulnerable. I played the part of the one left out very well. God help me. I could choose to dwell in that or I can grow up. Something i read recently came back to me. It said that if you cannot really let someone go, you are not loving them. You are taking from them, not giving. We do not have the rights to anyone. God deserves praise, not me. To love unconditionally , regardless of the response is our call. To love someone because they make you feel a certain way is not love. It's selfishness. It makes you the center of the equation. I am not an embassador of myself, but for Christ. Do I want to lead people to me, or to Christ? God forbid that I send Christ disguised on His way while I wait for the plans I have set forth. God forgive me for overlooking You. .....My presence in Mexico is not about me. It is not about reliving past experiences. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit ample room in my life so it may blow where it wills. Not my will but God's will be done....so why do i want to go back to Mexico? I am a firm believer that tears are real. they are like emotional knowledge. they tell me that something is stirring in my soul. Got definitely draws me to this place. Life seems to make sense when i am there. I feel so much clarity, I feel enveloped in a family. I love the pace of life there. It is liturgical. i like the solitude to think, read, pray, and worship. I have the sense that God wants to show me something there. I feel so much freedom to grow as an individual there, as a Christian. ......and oh, the children. they are such beautiful image-bearers of God. In them i see a pain i cannot possibly understand. My heart breaks at the sadness that lays deep in their heart. Yet I see them worship, i see them love, and they help me in such meaningful ways. I love them intensely, not of myself. God has brought us together. I want to spend a year of my life with them, not because it is a noble act of servitude on my part. I want to spend a year with them because they are worth it. I want to experience God bringing our lives together in some harmony that only he can orchestrate. I want to serve in whatever way i can. I know that ultimately, they do not need ME. they need Christ. Although we will grow close, it is not I that will be theirs forever. There is always a goodbye to be said. But i want to experience the joy of life together and of Christ's love even though it will lead to a painful goodbye. " Carlos, this week in Mexico really challenged me in personal ways and i sense a lot of growth took place in me this week. I am excited because I sense God moving in me in exciting ways. God had my full attention in Mexico and he revealed some painful things that I needed to hear. I am so grateful to have been there. I hope these thougts give you an indication of my experience. Thank you so much for allowing me to come and be there. Also, when i live there, believe it or not, i really would like to help out with work too. No seriously, i know i might not have the best reputation as far as that goes (haha), but when i am there for a year, i would really like to help with the work too. Anyway, hope all is well and that God is blessing you and yours. [ top ]
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Trip to Mexico - James Kwun Carlos, I am sorry it has taken me so long to write you about my journey with you to Mexico. First of all, I have to say that I am thankful that there are God’s people out there like you. I am reminded of verse 40 from Mathew, chapter 25: “The king will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me….” Mother Teresa once spoke of the poor in India dying of malnutrition that when she looked into their eyes, she saw Jesus looking back. It is so easy for us to forget about our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the world when life comes so easy for us. If I am hungry I go to my refrigerator and get something to eat. When I run out of food, I do not go hungry, rather I step into my automobile and go to the store to buy some food. God has blessed me with these privileges. What am I doing to repay him? God send Jesus Christ to this earth as an example of what he expects from us. We need to work and earn money not only for ourselves, but all of those who are less fortunate then us. When we give to others, we do it in the name of Jesus and show the world that is what Christianity is all about. I met a boy named Carlos Valenzuela Rojos down at Estado 29. I saw the spirit of Christ in him. Imagine, that he had been given up by his parents because of their economic situation. God sacrificed his son Jesus Christ in the cross so that we may be saved. Carlos and the other kids at the orphanages serve that same purpose. I believe that it is harder for us to be thankful, because we have plenty, but Carlos reminds us that we are fortunate. In a way, we are saved by the children. I do not know what life has in store for me, but I am praying everyday that God calls me to a specific place to serve. I will always cherish my first trip with you down to Mexico, because it has proven to me that this is my Christian duty, I have decide to enroll in a course called “Perspectives” which will help me on my journey to do Mission work. Please send me the address to reach Carlos so that I may begin to write him. I asked him if he knew who Jesus was, and he smiled and look to the sky, and said, “He is my savior.”
Jesus saves and all glory to him on the highest. |
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My first trip -Wade This was my first ministry trip and I must admit that I didn’t know what to expect. The drive up and back was shared communicating with wonderful people who have a heart for God and a love for humankind. Once we arrived to the orphanage, we greeted the children, staff and volunteers from other organizations. Some of us began helping with building and maintenance projects, then preparing meals while laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Later we played games and connected in ours own ways with the children. Though speaking Spanish would be helpful, it is not mandatory because there are plenty of people around who can interpret and more importantly, love is a universal language. The love I witnessed and experienced was amazing. As I reflect over the many events and heart-touching moments I experienced, one event that stands out to me when I gave one of the boys a ride on my back as I pretended to be a horse. As we ran around, he laughed uncontrollably, it came from his soul and was contagious. Later I heard the story of his past struggles living on the streets as a very young child with his older brother (who was also just a child) and when he was brought to the orphanages, he showed very little expression for a few months, but now he is smiling, full of laughter and is experiencing love from the core of his little being. For those who are considering a trip to the orphanage for the first time and for the individual who is considering donating to this worth cause, I encourage you to participate. Take a step in faith and get involved. I experienced love from a place in my heart that I have never experienced before. [ top ]
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Jeff, 10th grade The summer Mexico trip of '08 was a meaningful, exciting, spiritual, mission trip. Our youth group played, fellowshiped, and experienced life at the orphanage for a week. I will never forget the amazing events we did with the kids like soccer games, baseball and swimming. I will never foregt that week in Mexico.
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Estado 29 Trip this Saturday Here is my little testimony about visiting the orphanage. Thanks for passing this on to Carlos. This weekend I visited an orphanage, Estado, at Mexico with FOTO (Friends of the Orphanage). The facility has 90 kids and only 17 staff members now. I was really impressed with the warm and welcome attitude of the children and staff members. When I first came out the van, they just came up to me, and greeted me with hugs. The children are well behaved, and they liked to talk to the visitors. We had about nine people made it out there, including Carlo's (President of FOTO) and his family. I was cooking for the kids, but I was not the chef. I just helped out in cutting vegetables, making tortilla, washing dishes, and setting up tables for them. I think I was the only one who did not speak Spanish at all, so I could not communicate with them. For that aspect, I wish I could know more so that I can communicate better. I have worked with kids on Sunday school, so that it is not totally foreign for me to work with them, but the language barrier was not helpful. Other than cooking, I just did some babysitting by walking them to the local nursery place and back to the orphanage. What surprised me was that there was another orphanage just right around the corner of Estado. I was told that there were many orphanages around that area, and it happens that the town was relatively safe for the children so that there were few of them around the same town. Later I talked to Carlos' wife, and I found out that those orphanages do not get any money from the Mexican government. They all depend on the good hearts of American churches and people. I was really blown away by that fact. On the Sunday morning, they (children and staff members) all sat together in their cafeteria and shared some personal testimonies. I did not understand much of what they said, and I only grasped a few here and there. Despite the language barrier, I can sense their contentment about life, and how much they (staff members) appreciate God and His works in their lives. I can really tell that God loves each one of the children. At the end of the sharing, they were singing a song together. Even though I did not understand a word of it, but I can seriously sense their love for God and their passion for lives. It was truly incredible experience, and I had tears in my eyes when I heard them sang. They say life is not easy, and I truly am experience that in my life right now since my job situation is under constant turmoil. The Thursday before I made it out to the orphanage, I was quite depressed about my job situation. Then I was at the orphanage seeing those children, they were happy of what they have, which was not very much. They have a roof to shelter them, clothes to cover themselves, and meals to eat. But they have to share rooms, help each other to do the chorus, and maybe even share clothes. They seem to be content about their situation and not worrying about much of physical possessions. Then I remember how much do I own in my home in the States, and how much God has blessed me in my life. I shall thank God of what I have. I pray that God will continue to bless those children and everyone who puts in effort of helping the orphanage. As for me, I definitely will want to go back to see the children again. It was a humble experience for me to serve them.
Sally
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Feedback When we were sitting down at Rubio’s you asked me what happened that first time I went to Estado and why I continue to go. I don’t know if I can express myself eloquently in writing buy I’ll try. My first trip to Estado was Easter weekend of 2005 and it was with Fuel from Mariner’s Church. I was a little reluctant to go because I had a very important job interview on Monday and I wanted to focus on that, but for some reason I decided to sign up. Perhaps it was to justify my superficial OC “Christian walk” or so I can have a nice weekend with friends from church. I went with a group of people in their 20’s to help lay a foundation for a new building, expecting to do hard, manual labor all day. And that’s exactly what we did. The entire group had a great time digging holes four feet deep which were to be used for a foundation of a new dormitory. Both the guys and ladies on the trip were covered in so much dirt that I mean to tell you, we paid little attention to how we looked because we wanted to make sure the job was done right. What a shocker to everyone when we were told not to shower if at all possible to conserve water! Ha! We finished those holes on Saturday afternoon and while many took the time to rest, I was asked by some of the children to play jump rope with them. I don’t remember which ones asked me specifically but seeing their smiles and their eyes that asked for companionship, I couldn’t say no. I don’t know how long we played jumped rope, it seemed well over an hour, but I was more energized after playing with them than if I took a nap. Before I arrived Carlos, I somehow thought they would only see us as another group coming to their home for a few hours and then go home feeling like we had accomplished our duty as good Christians—they expected nothing more and I personally would give nothing more. But that’s not what happened. Those children I spent time with welcomed me to become a part of their lives; to share in their past pains but also hear their hopes and dreams for the future. That night, our group had a campfire and we each shared what God has done or was doing in our life with this trip. As I stood and shared my experience and reflected on the unconditional love openly given in Estado, I couldn’t help but cry uncontrollably for what seemed a very long time (Financial Advisors don’t cry you know J). This is what I am having a hard time trying to explain. Carlos, they weren’t tears of pain or sorrow but were more of a spiritual hunger; something (or someone) went through all my defenses and superficiality and grabbed a hold of the innermost part of my heart and squeezed! And He would not let go! I can remember only one other occasion I cried so hard—the day Jesus told me He loved me. This is how I feel every time I return to Estado. The next day was Sunday morning and we shared in one last meeting with the workers, volunteers, and orphans who led us in worship songs in Spanish. We also heard from the workers of the orphanage and when one was asked why she works at the orphanage, I can still remember seeing her tears and hearing her reply, “I work here because I love these children like they are my own.” I don’t think there was a dry eye in our group. Before the children got on their bus to go to their Sunday service, I received a letter written in Spanish from one of the children that I still keep. In the letter, she thanks me for coming. She hopes I will come again soon and reminds me that she is my friend… Since that first time, I have been going to Estado every chance I can so I can see my extended family. Every time I arrive, it is so overpowering to have dozens of kids come and give me the biggest hugs and to be busy playing with them from the time our arrival to when they go to sleep. I have so much anticipation waiting for that special week I can go see them. And I have to be honest, the day after I return I am always depressed—literally. In fact, this past Sunday before I left the orphanage, I was “made” to promise that I would return soon. My heart ached on the ride back because waiting one more month seems forever now. Carlos, I wished you would warn people prior to their first trip about the dangers of visiting Estado 29. You should say something like, “Caution: your heart will be taken away by these children and they will NOT give it back!” I have Friends of the Orphanages as my primary beneficiary on my retirement account and life insurance—it’s the least I can do for my family! And Carlos, there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t think and pray for them. It’s hard not to picture those smiling faces looking up at me J OK, I hope that feedback helps you Carlos! And please keep me posted on trips to Estado. Yes, I would still love to go on my motorcycle one day J Oh, I didn’t tell you about my job interview that Monday on my first trip. Well, when asked by the panel what my passions were in life, the memories of Estado were still so fresh on my mind that soon after saying, “There is an orphanage I go to in Mexico named Estado 29…”words stopped coming out of my mouth and the tears began flowing. And for one minute, I stood in a room with four businessmen as they stared at a young kid crying for an orphanage. It was very sincere but embarrassing to have happen during a job interview! No, I didn’t get that job (ha, do you blame them?) but I would do it all over again if I were asked to. p.s. Nicole, I am so jealous that you are still there and I am not. I’m sure there are some days you don’t agree with me though! But overall, what a blessing you are to Estado! p.p.s. Carlos, thanks for sharing Estado with all of us and for being a pillar of strength in this house God has built for His glory in Mexico. I am very proud to be a part of it.
In God’s love,
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Feedback Hola Carlos, Like I said on the trip, my English is more advanced than my Spanish. I wanted to touch base with you and tell you how much I enjoyed getting to know you better on our trip to and from Estado 29. You stimulated lots of new thoughts for me, as you challenged me to think outside of my usual assumptions (I have at least 3 designs for equilateral triangles with 6 match sticks, and thought I figured out how to "use the force" to move a match stick, but am back for more hypothesis testing). I was excited to hear of your vision for worship in the flavor of "One Nation", as this is also a desire of mine -- more drums, more life and some dancing! I have already watched the movie "World's Fastest Indian", and enjoyed it immensely. It contributed to give me pause -- to question whether I am living the life that I am called to live... In your Sunday service, I was touched by your desire to resolve conflict between the children, and for creating an environment in which they can show their appreciation and love for us "missionaries." I sense a real desire in you to teach the gospel of Jesus to the children, and to set an example for how to do this. I am feeling joyful as I think about our weekend, as it met my needs for camaraderie, learning, fun and meaning. I am grateful for our time together in the van. Toward the end of this trip, you asked for "feedback" a couple of times. I am wondering if what I provided above is the kind of feedback you were seeking, or if you were looking for someone else to challenge your own assumptions about the Estado 29 ministry (i.e. help in thinking outside of the box)? Either way, I would enjoy having lunch with you sometime to chat about our shared vision of what could be, and explore different strategies for how we might get there.
Por medio de el corazón de Jesus,
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Estado trip reflection My name is Katie and I am one of the members of Fuel who just returned from the trip down to Mexico. During my quiet time today I wrote a short poem to express my feelings toward the experience. I just wanted to share it with you and also thank you for this weekend. Have a blessed week! Kathie
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Stephan D. S. To me, going to Estado is like having a small taste of what heaven’s like. I really don’t know who’s being blessed when I go—me or the children. I most enjoy the moment we pull up and hear the screams from the kids: “Esteban!” and then it becomes a domino effect because they start coming out of their dorms, and they crawl out of the smallest cracks to say hello. Do you remember little Yaneth? She is the 7-yr old with the beautiful copper eyes that seem to look within you every time she speaks to you. I remember one of my first experiences at Estado (about 3yrs ago) when I saw her fall hard on the ground and hurt herself. What I saw next made me think. She got up while tears stared to roll off her cheeks and looked around. After a while, she wiped her tears away with her sleeves and continued playing. Now, you could have looked at this like I did and said to yourself: “Wow, Yaneth is a strong girl who can take just about anything!” Sadly, the comment was really like: “There is no parent to wipe those tears for her and no one that had run to comfort her while those tears fell. Sad, that at the tender age of 4, she has already become disillusioned with life and believes she has no one who will care.” Upon, reflection, I realize that it was I that didn’t want to believe how hard it can be for a child in an orphanage of 100 to be given undivided attention. Isn’t that really what they’re looking for? And so I highly encourage you all to make them a part of your life and not go just once or twice a year. This is why I continue to go. Sorry I didn’t have the words to express this when Carlos asked…I was asleep I once read that every person is like an empty jar and that some jars are bigger than other jars and that God’s love is like the ocean. When those jars are dipped in the ocean, it does not matter that some need more water than others because at the end, they are all filled with love. My prayer is for more people to start dipping those kids in the ocean. [ top ]
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Maggie 12th grade Every year I go to mexico expecting something and I always come back with alot more than what i expected. The Orphanage gives me clarity and time for reflection. For me the week is drama free, internet free, cell phone free- there are no distractions from god. I think that is exactly what makes god so evident there. Our focus is on what it should be-our faith. Every year i get inspired to try and live my life that way all year not only for the week. I see how much a week does and i cant imagine how a whole year would stregthen my faith. The kids in the Orphanage give me hope that everythings going to be alright because they have so little material things but so much of god in thier lives. It makes me really understand that the material things are truly not important. The Orphanage is truly a special place and i know god is calling people to faith there and allowing our lifes to change through the orphans. So thankyou so much for creating a place in which faith is alive and strong and allowing the Orphans to minister to us the love of god.
With Love,
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Jed, 10th grade When I signed up for this trip, I though it would be a fun vacation where I got to play, alot, and I love to play. But it was so much more. The love that every single person in Estado 29 showed was overwhelming. Some of our group being strangers to you made this love you showed even more outstanding, never in my life have I seen anything more beautiful. This love that you showed has affected my life at home, more than you can believe. Every single person at Estado 29 has affected my life, and I love all of you for that. Thank you so much for this experience that I may never see again, unless I come back to Estado 29, which I will.
Thanks
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