Words don't cut it

 

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

NLT

This building appeared to be barn stalls. In actuality they are homes.

DIF delivered three boys to Maggie's ministry. They were with her about a week then returned to their parents who live here in one of these.

This is another type of hut made of sticks and tarp. Keep in mind how hot it gets down here. It is very common to be in the 40's. Their is no relief from the heat of summer. I was inside one of the huts and the flies were almost unbearable.

Someone's home

This is a bathroom. I gathered it to be public

Aside from the heat, this day it was quite windy. Their was allot of dust in the air.

This is the mother of the children that were dropped off at Maggies.

This is a little girl eating a cookie delivered by DIF.

A mother and child listen as the President of DIF gives a short presentation.

I wonder what is going through his mind. How is his life going to turn out?

A little girl watches as her mother goes through some donated clothing for their family.

With the temperatures starting to climb, we decided that it would be best to make our visit to the community of Marquez in the morning to avoid the heat of the afternoon. Maggie and I packed up my truck with a load of donated clothing and headed off to visit the family of three children that stayed with Maggie at her ministry for approximately a week. Prior to leaving for Marquez, Maggie mentioned to me several times that this would be an experience I would never forget. She said, "This will be like nothing you have ever seen before." I've seen some pretty ugly places and honestly, thought I had pretty much seen it all. I'm not sure anything can prepare you for walking through a community like this, without question, this was another community that ranked right up there with the worst ones I have visited.

 

In the community of Marquez the men work hard. They are out in the heat working the fields. I am not sure which crops are grown here but the soil looks really good. The men and young boys work long hours to provide income for their families. Families can rent these barn style homes for 400 peso's per month which is a little more that $30.00. I had the opportunity to walk inside one of the homes. It was pretty much empty, a small table and some old dirty 5 gallon pails to sit on. Their was no bed, only some blankets and some old foam for the family of 6. On the small table was a watermelon that had been cut open, half was gone and the remaining half was left, crawling with flies. I am sure that was their lunch. Their are no coolers or refrigerators to keep their food out of the heat or protect it from critters.

 

When we arrived in Marquez we happened to run into DIF. (Social Services) They were doing a clothing distribution in the community that day as well. Ironic! We partnered with them as they we headed for the exact same place we were going. God has blessed us with an amazing relationship with DIF. It is so essential in order to work with them in the future. The President of DIF was there as well and her and I connected, I had the chance to share with her for the first time our plans to construct the orphanage. She was very excited and offered assistance to us. It was a divine appointment, I still can't believe how we crossed paths. Even she said to me, "I feel God arranged for us to meet today." WOW!

 

I look back on this experience. I don't know what to say, I don't have words. If I think of the comforts of life that I have, even living in Mexico, it simply blows my mind how good we have  it. I can't believe that there are still people living like this? I think of North American and all the things that we take for granted. This sure could be me in one of those photos, it could be my children, but for whatever reason God chose to put us in North America. A nation that is blessed beyond belief! Wow, can you imagine what it would be like living in a barn stall? I can't imagine and don't even want too.

 

 

Wow, what a challenge. It sure makes me ask myself allot of very hard questions?

 

Be Blessed everyone,

Con Mucho Amor

 

Brian





Dream Big

Hey Folks, how are you all doing? I trust you are well and enjoying the warmer temps.  Well, an update is long overdue and I hardly know where to start, but here we go!

 

Over the past two years Clarissa and I have been exposed to the many needs here in our region, particularly the needs of the children, and so we believe that God has laid it on our hearts to construct and develop an orphanage.  God has already started to open numerous doors affirming that this is God's calling for us and we believe this with all our hearts.

 

In September of 2011 we were heavily involved with the food program in Fatima and it was there that God really spoke to my heart about the possibility of opening an orphanage. I didn't experience any dramatic visions nor was there any climactic experience; it was a simple nudging in my heart, a silent prompting. I shared this with Clarissa and she affirmed the great need for an orphanage, but I think we both had the same thought. What is God up too?

 

We spent a lot of time praying about it and I knew that if God wanted us to be a part of that journey He would open the doors and lead us into it, and that is exactly what He’s been doing.

 

After our decision to follow God’s gentle nudging for an orphanage we knew there were some significant steps that needed to be taken.

 

The first was for me to become a Mexican citizen. I found out that through my Dad’s Mexican Nationality that I was entitled to become a dual citizen of Canada and Mexico. Again, this opens many doors for us personally as well as for the orphanage. I was a bit overwhelmed at the process of applying for my Mexican citizenship but wouldn't you know God had that worked out too! Through a friend I was introduced to a lady who knew the right contacts in Canada and I literally had to do nothing other than mail the documents and I found out a week ago that I am now officially a dual citizen!

 

A second, fairly critical step in this adventure was to partner with a group or organization that has experience with orphanages.  I was introduced to an organization called "Children of Hope" based out of BC Canada who are very interested in working with us on this project. They bring years of wisdom and advice to the table. Right now I am still in the application process with them, so please pray that this process will go smoothly.

 

Once I receive the formal documentation for my citizenship I can begin the process of setting up my Mexican charitable status. We are applying for a highly credited status that is greatly respected and with this higher status comes more accountability, such as monthly minutes and yearly audits. We want to run the Orphanage with the highest integrity and transparency, we want our supporters to feel confident in us that their donations are being used as intended and that God is being honoured through it.

 

Even as I write this letter to you God is moving and opening doors for us in ways I could never even have imagined.

 

The first tangible order of business is for us is to look at the possibility of purchasing some land for us to build on and through an amazing series of events I will be looking at multiple land options for the orphanage.  When God moves, He really moves!  I can hardly wait to share the stories of how God has begun to make this all possible! 

 

We believe that God is asking us to trust Him and to dream big!  So we are!  We don’t want this to be just an orphanage, but a safe place where children can learn life skills, like farming, sewing, cooking, taking care of animals, the options seem endless.  We dream of eventually having a school on the property that would offer these children proper schooling in a Christ centered atmosphere.  With God all things are possible!

 

Please consider how you would like to be a part of this!  This is far bigger than anything we can accomplish alone so we need your help!  We need prayer partners, people who are committed to praying for us continuously!  If you’d like to join our prayer support group please let me know!  We need financial support, whether a one-time gift or ongoing support, it’s all important to God’s kingdom! If you are interested in becoming a financial supporter please contact me and I can walk you through the process!

 

Our passion is that through this orphanage we will be able to give children that come from hopeless and dark situations into a home where they will feel love and security.  A place where we can equip them with life skills that they will take with them for a brighter future.  A future that offers security, hope and a promise of God’s unfailing love for them.

 

I f you would like more information about Children of Hope please feel free to look up there website at www.childrenofhope.info.com

Sweet Leah is One!

Sweet Leah is one of my favorite blessings that God has given us.  She is quite the character, and she has only reveiled what she is able at such a early age!!  But what we do know about her, we want to share. :) First off, she LOVES animals.  If there is an animal in her view, that is what she is focused on.  There has been numerous times where I'd try to get her attention to only realize that as long as the dog/cat/bird you name it, is in her view; the animal will have full attention.  I took her along to see the Sea Lion show at the local Dolphinariam, and she was great!!  As I have learned how big her curiousity and love is, I've consciously positioned her in sight of animals.  Here we are on a outting at our beach, and the seagulls are being their normal curious selves.  Great!!  Leah has animals to watch and distract her from wanting to crawl in the ocean. :)

As of lately, Leah is drawn to her brothers when they are sitting at the homework table.  She doesn't understand what they are doing, but all she knows is that she wants to join!!  Cole is a helpful brother who doesn't mind having a distraction from his schooling.  (Who wouldn't have at that age?!)  It's funny to watch, as she wants whatever writting utensil he is using, PLUS all the markers.

Leah has been figuring out how to play with dolls.  She loves Mason's Toy Story dolls.  Why?  Because they talk when you pull the string!!  It is one of the many easy ways to get a smile out of her.  The funny thing about how she holds them is by their neck.  I'm not sure why, but I'm wondering if it's because that's how she can make them look like their dancing, just like mommy makes them dance.  When she plays, she loves to have toys that use fine motor skills.  She loves to sit with her books and turn pages, she loves to try to open plastic bags with items in it.  She loves to figure out and pull apart the boys lego.  She loves their lego train!!  I don't know why, but her favorite place to play is in our fire place. (?!?)  My guess is that because it's a step up, or that it's kinda it's own room? 
  Leah is the most playful when she is on the couch with Brian or I, or in our bed with us.  She likes to show us how she can stand on her own, and of course she puts up her arms like she's on a roller coaster ride! lol 
   We have started teaching her sign language for the last 2 months to help her communicate in a different way then screaming.  Our favorite one is her "all done".  She both signs and says it.  Just today I was laying with her on our bed, trying to get her to rest with me.  She played along for a couple of minutes, but then she'd turn to me and both said and signed "all done"! 

The weeks before Leah's birthday, I stressed about how we were going to celebrate.  The tradition here is that there is a huge party with a pinata, cake, music and food.  Everyone comes!!  Oh, don't forget the decorations and center pieces!!  I was concerned about who all from Fatima would show up, because I really don't know how many that would be.  As her day was drawing near, I was freaking out.  I couldn't hand out invitations that would invited only certain people, because the ones not invited would be upset.  So I had a great chat with my study girls, and I received some great advice.  The people will less likely be offended if no one is invited at all!!  Wonderful!!  I wanted something small, and with people who love Leah.  So Brian and I decided we were having a family day away at the Zoo.  :)  We invited Cristian. (He is like family.)  Off we went!!  We headed for the Hermosillo Zoo.  We showed up, and we shortly found out that the zoo was closed to the public.  Ford was having a family day for their workers. :(  I was disappointed, but then the Ford representative stepped forward and invited us to join. (!!)  His finishing comment was "Buy a Ford", LOL  So we were blessed with free admission from Ford!! (Buy a Ford!!) 
    We spent 3 1/2 hours touring the Zoo, and we had hit the spot for Leah.  She loved the hippos, who quite honestly weren't doing anything but sleeping in the water.  This is a picture of her taking it in.  We also went on a Safari tour, and the people were given carrots to feed the animals.  Again, another hit for her! 

We decided to go out for supper at Applebee's.  It's has always been a treat for Brian and I, and we rarely take the kids in with us.  So you can probably guess how many times we have actually gone in the last couple of years.  It was such a blessing that we were the  only ones there. (Or it felt like it.  There was one other 1 child family that got a good Krahn show.)  When we got our food, the floor manager approached me and informed me of another female waited that would LOVE to hold Leah while I ate. (!!!)  For real!!  You bet!  So I got Leah fed and brought her over to the waitress that was eyeing Leah.  This is the best Birthday ever!!  The waitress played with Leah (in eye sight) while I enjoyed my meal.  And get this, they had a kid corner where there would have been the waiting area.  It was all windowed in, and there were 7 TV's in it!!  They had 5 x-box's and 2 movie tv's.  (wow, I'm getting a little distracted.)

 

  Each day that God has blessed us with Leah, our love for her has grown more and more.  She is our sweetheart that easily smiles, loves to explore and check out her little world God has given her.  You will often find her on my left arm while I'm preparing our meals.  Already with her baby doll, she acts out care to the doll.  I thought this last year was great.  I am looking forward to what the next year reveal about our Sweet Leah.

It's HOT down here and there is no snow!

Greetings Everyone

Sorry for the bad humor in the name of my post. It was Clariss's idea. I couldn't comeup with anything.
Well, with this years busy season now behind us I finally seem to have time to clear my mind and think about the up coming year. This season has been interesting to say the least. We have seen miracles, we have had the opportunity to work with so many of you on a personal basis here in the Guaymas region, and we have had the opportunity to be a part of new and exciting things to come for this area. The launch of Children's Camps Int. as well as personal project that I have been working on over the past year and a half or so. So....needless to say we are excited to see what God has in store for us.
Along with all the great things we see God doing with us, there has also been the challenges. These are expected though, it seems the enemy can never just back off for a little while. In the hustle of the busy season some things sure got neglected. We are excited though, we know God continues to affirm us and is continuing to bring restoration to all the places in our lives that need it. God is faithful, He allows challenges in our lives in order to keep our focus on Him. I sure enjoy seeing all the pieces come together! One of the biggest challenges this year for me has been health. I have had a stomach problem since mid February. I have seen 2 different doctors and have undergone blood work and "stuff." I received results back yesterday from all my tests and for the most part everything came back negative, so that is a praise item, but it still leaves us wondering why I still am battling with my stomach? I would venture to say I have lost about 20-30 lb. I have started to eat more regularly so things are looking up for me. Strange things have happened though, I can hardly convince myself to drink coke and only in the last few days have I started to drink coffee again. Maybe that is a good thing.
Soooo, having said that Clarissa and I are going to make a commitment to update this blog more often. We have very exciting news that we hope to announce next week. We are working on launching a project here in Guaymas and are trusting that all of you can be a part of it in one way or another. I can't announce it today, as much as I would like too. BUT I believe that I can announce it next week. There is a meeting happening today and the outcome may directly impact the direction we are going so I hope that you can understand I don't want to get the cart ahead of the donkey. (I think that is the saying???)
Like I mentioned, with the busy season subsiding, we are finding the time to shift priorities a bit. We are working on our family structure. It was long over due to spend some time together. Clarissa is busy home schooling the boys and I am happy to say that it is going really well. Aside from that she has her hands full with our little Leah. I am still looking at ways that Children Camps Int. can work here in our region. We have some meetings regarding this coming up so I ask you to prayerfully consider them. We have seen how children's clubs have greatly impacted children and families here in Guaymas. There is no doubt that CCI has a lot to offer the City of Guaymas. Aside from working on my side project, I am helping out at Maggie's (Agua Y Mas) fairly regularly. Her program runs daily in the afternoons. Today is field trip day, so we will all be loading up our trucks and driving the kids to the beach!!! I should also mention, we have not been involved in the Fatima program for quite awhile. Upon returning to Mexico this year, we really felt that we did all we could do to launch their program. Rafael and Maricella have done a great job managing things and we saw very quickly we were not needed anymore. In fact, so much so that we felt we were almost a burden in Fatima. Only because I am starting to see the importance of the Mexican nationals taking care of their own people. In Fatima, the community was starting to tie white people with money and blessings. Instead of them focusing on God for blessings they started to focus on man. (the community) We felt that our presence only made things more difficult so we decided to take a step back. I am happy to hear that nothing has skipped a beat. The program continues and the lives of the Children continue to be transformed.
We are starting to plan our trip home for this July. We are looking forward to seeing a bunch of you and having the opportunity to share what has been happening in our lives and what we feel God has in store for us in the future. We pray and thank the Lord for all our supporters. We think of you often. Our plan is to arrive in Winkler on July 13. We want to spend the first week catching up with family but plan to fill up our time with all of you. If your interested in a visit lets start booking the days??? I am already starting to book different churches. We are only in Winkler for a month or so and I know that it won't take long to fill up the schedule. :)
Gods richest blessing to all of you and your families. We look forward to hearing from you. Please don't hesitate to send an email or drop us a line and say hi. I listed our Canadian phone number and email address below.
Please pray that God would continue to provide and that He will give us courage and strength as we prepare for the new season. Ohhh, and lots of wisdom. We have big decisions to make.

Brian

It's so HOT down here, and there is no snow.

Greetings Everyone

Sorry for the bad humor in the name of my post. It was Clariss's idea. I  couldn't comeup with anything.
Well, with this years busy season now behind us I finally seem to have time to clear my mind and think about the up coming year. This season has been interesting to say the least. We have seen miracles, we have had the opportunity to work with so many of you on a personal basis here in the Guaymas region, and we have had the opportunity to be a part of new and exciting things to come for this area. The launch of Children's Camps Int. as well as personal project that I have been working on over the past year and a half or so. So....needless to say we are excited to see what God has in store for us.
Along with all the great things we see God doing with us, there has also been the challenges. These are expected though, it seems the enemy can never just back off for a little while. In the hustle of the busy season some things sure got neglected. We are excited though, we know God continues to affirm us and is continuing to bring restoration to all the places in our lives that need it. God is faithful, He allows challenges in our lives in order to keep our focus on Him. I sure enjoy seeing all the pieces come together! One of the biggest challenges this year for me has been health. I have had a stomach problem since mid February. I have seen 2 different doctors and have undergone blood work and "stuff." I received results back yesterday from all my tests and for the most part everything came back negative, so that is a praise item, but it still leaves us wondering why I still am battling with my stomach? I would venture to say I have lost about 20-30 lb. I have started to eat more regularly so things are looking up for me. Strange things have happened though, I can hardly convince myself to drink coke and only in the last few days have I started to drink coffee again. Maybe that is a good thing.
Soooo, having said that Clarissa and I are going to make a commitment to update this blog more often. We have very exciting news that we hope to announce next week. We are working on launching a project here in Guaymas and are trusting that all of you can be a part of it in one way or another. I can't announce it today, as much as I would like too. BUT I believe that I can announce it next week. There is a meeting happening today and the outcome may directly impact the direction we are going so I hope that you can understand I don't want to get the cart ahead of the donkey. (I think that is the saying???)
Like I mentioned, with the busy season subsiding, we are finding the time to shift priorities a bit. We are working on our family structure. It was long over due to spend some time together. Clarissa is busy home schooling the boys and I am happy to say that it is going really well. Aside from that she has her hands full with our little Leah. I am still looking at ways that Children Camps Int. can work here in our region. We have some meetings regarding this coming up so I ask you to prayerfully consider them. We have seen how children's clubs have greatly impacted children and families here in Guaymas. There is no doubt that CCI has a lot to offer the City of Guaymas. Aside from working on my side project, I am helping out at Maggie's (Agua Y Mas) fairly regularly. Her program runs daily in the afternoons. Today is field trip day, so we will all be loading up our trucks and driving the kids to the beach!!! I should also mention, we have not been involved in the Fatima program for quite awhile. Upon returning to Mexico this year, we really felt that we did all we could do to launch their program. Rafael and Maricella have done a great job managing things and we saw very quickly we were not needed anymore. In fact, so much so that we felt we were almost a burden in Fatima. Only because I am starting to see the importance of the Mexican nationals taking care of their own people. In Fatima, the community was starting to tie white people with money and blessings. Instead of them focusing on God for blessings they started to focus on man. (the community) We felt that our presence only made things more difficult so we decided to take a step back. I am happy to hear that nothing has skipped a beat. The program continues and the lives of the Children continue to be transformed.
We are starting to plan our trip home for this July. We are looking forward to seeing a bunch of you and having the opportunity to share what has been happening in our lives and what we feel God has in store for us in the future. We pray and thank the Lord for all our supporters. We think of you often. Our plan is to arrive in Winkler on July 13. We want to spend the first week catching up with family but plan to fill up our time with all of you. If your interested in a visit lets start booking the days??? I am already starting to book different churches. We are only in Winkler for a month or so and I know that it won't take long to fill up the schedule. :)
Gods richest blessing to all of you and your families. We look forward to hearing from you. Please don't hesitate to send an email or drop us a line and say hi. I listed our Canadian phone number and email address below.
Please pray that God would continue to provide and that He will give us courage and strength as we prepare for the new season. Ohhh, and lots of wisdom. We have big decisions to make.

Brian

Brian: bckrahn@gmail.com
Clarissa: clarissa_krahn@me.com
Tel: 204-808-5770

What is Family?

As we spend more time in Mexico, I am realizing that family extends further than I thought.  I have grown up with "adopted" grandparents, parents and siblings to an extent.  But as we are physically and emotionally away from our families with out realizing it, we are busy emotionally adopting in San Carlos! 

 This is a dear young friend of our family. His name is Cristian, and he is a gem. We have grown to love him as one of our own. We first met him through the Agua y Mas ministery in Guaymas.  He is one of the families that are currently living in the ministery shelter.  He has two younger sisters and a mom.  He does have a dad, who currently lives in Baja California.  He had searched for his father about 2 years ago, and with finding him.  He also found out that he the youngest of his fathers 6 children.  In hope of having a father-son relationship, he soon found out that his father was not interested. 
   As I particapate in the daily program at Agua y mas, I am able to watch him and the other children and watch their hearts shine forth.  Cristian is a young man of God.  At the age of 16, his heart is solely God's.  He is a servant to all those around him.  He wants to help, help, help!!!  I can see that helping is his way to show that he cares for you. I see this, but I also want him to see that we love him just as much when he sits down and chats (and helps us with our spanish big time!!) as when he is helping with whatever tasks are at hand.  As we have grown to love him more and more, he has slowly creeped into our "family". :)  He is able to come over some weekends and spend it with us.  He is so much fun.  He has a huge desire to learn english, and his vocabulary has exploded!!  We have to work hard with our spanish to keep up.  Having turned 16, here in Mexico you can go in and purchase your drivers license and then you can drive. Brian decided to teach Crisian how to drive so we got him his licence. You don't need to know the rules of the road or have any experience!!  (It sure explains a lot of the driving!!)  None the less, Brian had asked Cristian not to drive alone until they had practiced.  :)  A lot. lol  Like any boy, he loves to drive.  And is doing well.

Cristian is over this weekend as well, and last evening was one of "those" evenings where everything seems to go wrong.  Brian and Cristian left to go driving after 8.  First they headed to the bank to take out some gas money.  The ATM ate the debit card. ??!!!  (We use it at the bank all the time!!)  After calling the 1 800 number they found out the the card was not returnable and will be destroyed. Alright, Brian has his Visa to fill up gas.  He gets to Pemex and asks for them to run the card first before pumping.  No go.  So they leave to go to another Pemex.  On the way they are stopped by the police.  (Oh great! That is always an experience in it's self.  I recall the time I was flagged down during the day to slow down, because the cattle cross at night. ?!)  None the less, they work through it. This was the first time that Cristian was pulled over by the police. He was asked if he had been drinking and Cristian responded with "clearly not, I am a Christian!" They got back on the road and got to Pemex.  They are able to fill up, they go in the OXXO to purchase a coffee and K-Freeze.  (Like a Ice Capp.)  Well the Visa doesn't work at the Oxxo.  Oh, I can't forget that there was no cream for the  K-Freeze.  (Very important. lol) Then at some point the taillights don't work and Brian's ran out of minutes on his cell phone at the same time.  Brian is on the side of the road trying to replace the fuse but it kept shorting out. Luckily they found a short in the wiring that was causing the fuses to pop. Now, to try to buy credit for his phone, the 4th store finally accepted his Canadian Credit Card. When they get home, they enter in to find me running around because I forgot to switch off the water tap.  So the pool is flooding!!!  The sucky things is that the lowest point goes right into our bedroom.  Yup. Right now, I am just laughing. lol  I look back to yesterday and I ask myself "what was that all about?!!" I really don't think I will ever know.  But as I am mopping and mopping.  Cristian dives in to help however he can.  And in the end he goes up to me and says sorry.  Like it was his fault.  Even this morning, last night our boys had disobeyed a rule on using the ipad, it got dropped and the screen is cracked. If we take the cover off it will crumble. (still works though).  And we had said no more.  This morning one disobeyed and took it in his bedroom to play.  (Breaking multiple rules.)  None the less consequences were handed out.  And Cristian again apoligized for their actions.  Like he should have made sure they obeyed.  I'm  glad that I was able to explain how each person is responsible for their own actions. 

All in all we are doing well. We are busy helping Maggie out with her program and Brian is busy working on future plans for our Ministry here in Guaymas. We are very close to announcing what we will be up too. Please pray for us and particularily for a meeting taking place this Friday. We continue to see God busy at work here and are still encouraged that He seems to want to keep us here for awhile. Also, Please pray for our Cristian. We are in the process of applying for his USA and Canadian Visa. We really want to take him home with us for the summer. And he very badly wants to come with us. We have all the docs in order and so we trust God to help complete the process. We ask for your prayers, Cristian is very excited and any of you that have the opportunity tomeet him will be blessed.

Thank you all for praying for us, we miss you and are excited to see you soon.

Clarissa

Break my Heart Lord!

Greetings to all of you back home in sunny Manitoba. We think of you guys all the time, especially after we hear the weather updates. I'm actually starting to feel sorry for you guys!

I have been spending allot of my time lately working for a Christian Ministry in Guaymas called Agua-y-Mas. It is an organization that is registered with social services that takes in battered women and children. I have found myself spending quite a bit of time there helping out.

I want to take the  opportunity to talk to you about my experience last week. It was a direct answer to my prayers. Last Tuesday I decided to go for a walk and just spend some time with the Lord. I have had allot of things going on lately and have allot of decisions to make. One thing that has really been on my heart is orphans. While walking the beach I asked the Lord to break my heart for the orphans. I'm surrounded by so many little children that are living in less than ideal circumstances. I think I'm almost becoming desensitized. It's horrible. Well this day turned out to be very interesting.

I would like to introduce you to my little friend Yoli. I met her the afternoon of my walk on the beach. After walking I got cleaned up and spent the afternoon over at Aguy-y-Mas. Little did I know there was a special little girl there waiting for me. 

I walked in the door and all the other little children came running over for their hug and kiss and right behind them was this new little face that I had never seen before. I picked her up and she gave me the biggest hug. I asked her name, found out that she was 2 years old and that DIF (Social Services) had dropped her off the afternoon before. Little Joli was happy to be in my arms so I carried  her around as we waited for children's club to begin. 

 During kids club DIF arrived to do a presentation for the children. I had Yoli on my lap. We were busy chatting and playing. I found it interesting that she became very defensive over me. As other children would come sit beside me or reach out for a hug Yoli would slap their hands away or even haul out and kick them. After awhile she was starting to get impatient so one of the ladies came and took her and brought her outside. Well, it was very clear that is not what she wanted. She started to cry and fight as she was brought out. I sat there a few minutes remembering what I had prayed that morning. "Break my heart Lord!" I decided to go outside to see how Loli was doing to hear that she was very upset. A different lady ran over to me and pulled me by the hand telling me I had to come to where Loli was. As I got near  I could hear her crying our for Papa. Surly it wasn't me that she wanted? Was it? Well to my surprise, when I came into view her Papa screams turned into snickers of Papi, Papi. I took her into my arms and she whimpered in my ear crying Papi as I comforted her.

 Obviously the time  came that I had to go home. It wasn't easy saying good bye but it was just one of things. I had to give her over and walk away, Yoli was okay but tears started to fill her eyes when she realized I wasnt going to be staying there with her. I had to just turn my back and walk away.
I visit Agua-Y-Mas almost daily. Each day the same, little Yoli would come running around the corner calling out for Papi. She got her hug and kiss and than ran off to go play. She would come over every now and then and I would hold her for awhile and then she would run off.

Well this morning was different. As I pulled up to the yard I saw Fabiola and Yoli (photo Above) standing outside. Both in tears. I found out that Yoli's Grandma had been found and that social services were on the way over to pick her up. It was a sad morning over at Agua-y-Mas but we all knew that this was the best thing for her. Poor Fabiola had become quite attached to Yoli and found it most difficult. DIF arrived with the release document, picked her up and off they went. All we can do now for her is pray and trust the Lord for her safety and protection.

Today I found out little Yoli's story. Today I found out that her name is not actually Yoli, her name was Daniela. She was brought to the DIF office by a stranger that had found her alone. DIF had no idea of who she was or even if she was from Guaymas? Today we learned that Yoli has two siblings, both older than her living with her Grandma. Her mom lives with Grandma off and on and is a drug addict. Well last week her mom took Loli up town to pick up some groceries at a near store. She never returned home. We found out that the mom had left Yoli on the street, hopped on a bus and disappeared. The Grandparents are sad because they had no idea what happened. All they knew is they did know where they went. By the grace of God Yoli was reunited with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm so glad that Agua-y-Mas was there to love her for the time she was separated from her family. I am also glad that God answered my prayer on the beach. Who would have thought that very afternoon I had an appointment to meet sweat little Loli!