A 4 am alarm, two thousand pounds of luggage, 5 chaperones and14 traveling teenagers, three flights followed by a three-hour cross-country ride sardined in 2 mini-vans, mattresses on the floor, beans for breakfast lunch and dinner, sporadic tepid showers and dust everywhere…what an adventure! This was our 9th visit to the Casa and each time is sweeter than the last. We don’t go for leisure or accommodations- we go for the kids, and know each one by name.

Casa de Ninos is a home for about 20 abandoned, abused and orphaned children ages 4-20 on a hillside suburb of the small city of Tepic, located between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Most of the children have a living parent who is an alcoholic or drug addict, in prison, a prostitute or abusive. Most of the children are there long-term and are not adoptable.  

Days are full, beginning with the breakfast bell at 7am. Team members work in the kitchen doing meal prep and clean-up, and occasionally catch a Mexican cooking class (we learned how to make tamales once!). The kitchen is always bustling with activity and conversation, samples and chores. With 3 daily meals for 40-60 people, there is lots of cooking. I advise team members that if they can’t find something to do, go to the kitchen!

There are always maintenance projects to tackle- walls to plaster and paint, concrete to repair and pour, plumbing, electrical and grounds-work create a never ending to-do list. Cleaning, childcare, sewing and organizing are ongoing activities. Part of our team training is understanding Mexican culture and de-programming the “chop, chop” New York attitude of multi-tasking productivity. It’s just not that way there. “Quizas” has become a favorite word in Spanish, meaning “maybe” and usually said with a shrug.

After lunch and homework, the team presents a Bible teaching and activity, and after that, the games begin! Staff, teams and older kids mix it up for competitive volleyball, soccer and basketball until supper. Many of these kids are at their best on the field and are very willing to show you a move or two that will put your athletic ego to shame. Younger ones are eager to engage in hand-clap games, puzzles, playground and sandbox play and crafts.

Casa de Ninos is a success story. A spirit of love, joy and wholeness transcends. Children are loved, counseled and cared for by Christian staff who provide a safe and consistent environment. Visitors must often remind themselves that these children have been broken, because they seem quite well-adjusted and happy. One group member summed it up when he said,

“Casa de Ninos is a place where God is restoring to these children what Satan has stolen from them.”

We are gauging interest in a July mission trip and we have some flexibility in scheduling. Additionally, we will be returning for February President’s week 2009. Cost ~ $1,200 pp inclusive. Email Ruth Henry for more information. 

Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.