What's going on at Dulce Refugio
I know that many people have passed through this orphanage and left their mark at Dulce Refugio. I want to keep all of you informed about what is going on with the kids and the construction process. Please remember to keep us in your thoughts and prayers; I hope you continue to help us out here at Casa Hogar Dulce Refugio. Gracias amigos!
August is here and so is the new school year. Life can get back into a routine and the kids can have more of a schedule again. Also lots of little things have been going on and we've run into some minor issues so there aren't many blog updates for the construction side of things.
Our kids started school in early August. Everybody else in Aguascalientes started in late August and are doing online classes but because we have our own school we are able to do things in person. It is such a blessing to have a school on site and I feel very proud to have been able to take part in the construcion of this building, which is allowing our kids to have a normal experience in the midst of these unusual times we are living in.
And we have some new additions to our school curriculum this year. I have hired Chevon, a fellow Horizon missionary, to teach English two days a week and I am also teaching English one day a week. Speaking English in Mexico can be a huge advantage so hopefully with two native English speakers we will be able to teach the kids some very useful skills that will help them later in life.
We received 3 siblings: Angel, Leslie & Pancho. They are all sweethearts and I'm happy they are at Dulce Refugio. They arrived with a great attitude and immediately fit in. Angel loves storytime at night and Leslie always asks me to sit at her table when we eat. Pancho is still very young and I think I scare him a lil bit but he is starting to warm up to me.
We received a new boy named Tadeo. Tadeo looked very depressed when he came but within 2 days his attitude changed dramatically. He is now very happy and playful. I explained to him my "rule" when he got there that I want my hugs when I show up at the orphanage. His face lit up and now he clings to me. It's amazing what a little love can do in a child's life.
In the construction...
We completed a major part of the new church building. We installed the four steel I columns. We had to first weld them to thick steel plates and then hire a machine to lift them up and drop them into place. I asked my friend, Luis, who is a professional welder to help me because I have never welded anything that big before. They will be holding up thousands of lbs so it had to be done perfectly. I picked it up quickly and was proud of our work. Pastor Tino and my helper, Jesús, painted the I columns so they won't rust. Praise God that everything went smoothly!
We've hit a road block in the construction and haven't been able to advance after installing these columns. Things are on hold until we get a special 220V electric connection to do the rest of the welding. Since these are heavy duty structures, the regular household 110V connection doesn't have enough power and it is too expensive to keep renting a special machine. Please pray that we get the connection quickly so we can get back at it.
At the transition home...
I installed 3 laminate coverings at the girls home. One of the laminates covers our washing machine because it is the rainy season and it was getting soaked. Another laminate covers the storage area in the backyard and the final laminate covers the front door. This was the last job I wanted to do to fix up the house, so for now the work is complete.
Both of our girls started High School. Sadly, they have to do it online for now and can't physically be at school with their friends, but starting High School is still a big deal. I am so proud of them and thankful that they are choosing to go down the right path.
And finally...
We had a baby shower for Pilar. Pilar grew up in the orphanage and later served on staff for a couple of years. I met her back in 2007 when she was a little girl and have watched her grow up into a beautiful woman. This is her 2nd child and she is due to have a baby girl in October. I wish her and the father, Cesar, the best and pray for health for their new child. God bless you guys!
