Goodbyes and Hellos

The team from Trinity Pres from Harrisburg, PA left this afternoon. This team was made up mostly of teenagers with a few adult chaperones. You could tell they didn't want to leave. They worked really hard this past week, and it was very refreshing having them here. We hope and pray they will continue their long tradition of coming to Casa Hogar and be back next summer. One of the orphans left to go back home today as well. Olimar is a teenage girl that has lived at Casa Hogar for around five years. She's got a great smile and a fun sense of humor. She has called me "Johnathon" all summer - knowing my name is Josh. This was a bittersweet time. We are happy for her to go and be with her family, but we and the other orphans were sad to see her go. She will live in a rural setting without great education and church opportunities. Please pray for Olimar during this transition. Pray also for her dear friends that she left behind at Casa Hogar. Her three younger siblings who also live at Casa Hogar will be going home next Friday, so that will be another emotional goodbye. We look forward to being with Jesus where "partings are no more."

As we said in our last post, Rebecca Clark made it safely. Her addition to our team has been seamless. She interned last summer, so that is a huge help. She also has excellent Spanish skills, which gives her a huge leg up in ministry. This week we also welcomed David Gonzales back from visiting his daughter and new grandson in Chicago. He and his wife Laura serve as house parents at Casa Hogar. Last night we got a glimpse into how much the "house parents" mean to the children at Casa Hogar. When David came into the main courtyard he was swarmed by children with hugs and kisses. One of the dearest welcomes came from Fernando, an older boy who has lived at the orphanage for several years. He hugged David and rested his head on his chest. It was a simple expression of love.

We have just under a month left here in Acapulco. Today gave us a taste of how hard it will be to say goodbye to this place. I want to thank God for what a blessing this summer has been and continues to be for my family and me. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Love,

Josh