GOODBYE

It is with sad hearts and tear-filled eyes that we will say good-bye to everyone at Casa Hogar tomorrow. Though these kids are used to saying good-bye, we are not. Our flight leaves early afternoon, so we will spend the morning packing and saying good-bye to our new friends. Today is Josh's birthday and was our last full day here in Acapulco. We spent the morning at the beach and ate lunch at a restaurant nearby. We swam and packed some this afternoon; then just hung out at the orphanage. Melissa brought a cake for Josh. We had pizza with the interns. Then Josh and the interns went to the older boys' soccer game. We will get home late Friday night. Please pray for our transition back to the U.S. and the busy-ness of life in Baton Rouge. It is a strange feeling to be sad to leave but happy to go home. I don't know how to process it right now.... in time, I guess. No words can be written of the amazing experience our family has had. Our hearts are full, and we thank God for giving us this opportunity. We will miss our amazing interns who were the hands and feet of Jesus with the orphans this summer. They ministered to me in so many ways without even knowing it. I'm so thankful Ben and Meg could see these college-aged interns denying themselves and serving these children all summer. The interns leave Monday, so they will be saying good-bye in a few days. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and family and worshipping at our church again. We thank all of you who read this blog and prayed for us all summer. We know people were praying.... What a mighty God we serve!

With loving and grateful hearts,

the Martins

On The Mend

Well, we have had a sick house since Friday night, but, thankfully, we are better. Josh wrote that Ben was sick and then I got it. Today I actually was able to be up a good part of the day and eat a little. This virus really wiped me out. Meg woke up with it Monday morning and around lunchtime today she was up and around feeling better. Josh is the only one who hasn't gotten it. Please pray that he won't get it. Even our friends upstairs had it go through their family. It is a nasty virus.

This week the kids at the orphanage are attending a music camp at the church, so the interns are having to fit Bible School in whenever they can. They are also trying to do a weekly bible study & games with the teenagers. I mentioned previously that they are holding a soccer tournament for the older kids as well. The first game was last night, and they tied. Josh was on one of the teams. There will be one or two more games this week and some next week along with the championship game. A few of the kids have been picked up by their parents. Some will leave tomorrow too. It is hard to say good-bye, but it is better for them to be with their families if it's a good situation. Some families are just too poor to care for their children so they bring them to Casa Hogar. If their financial situation changes for the better, they come and get their children and take them home. It is still sad for everyone to see them leave, especially if they've been at the orphanage for many years. Josh and I often talk about the difficulties these kids must face emotionally with people coming in and out of their lives. It hardens some- we see it in several of the teenagers. Not just their own families leaving them, but teams from churches, summer interns, us.... We come to spend time with them and love on them, but then we leave. And they see this year after year. There's no answer to this. It's just how things are. I pray that these children will come to understand and embrace our Heavenly Father who will never leave them, who they can trust, and who loves them unconditionally. This weekend will be our last in Acapulco. I knew the time would go by fast but not this fast. I assume it has been that way for most of you. Summer always seems to fly by. Just today Josh and I were already talking about our schedule in the fall- mainly the kids and all their activities! It has been nice to have a break from all that, but lo and behold, it is around the corner. I hope I remember how to drive!!

Love to you all,
Sara Parks

Sunday Highlights

Domingo - Sunday - The Lord's Day. Today started out slow. We were thankful that Ben slept till 9 after throwing up the entire night before. He and SP stayed home from Church. He was mostly better, but just needed more time to rest. Meg and I rode the bus to Jesus of Nazareth Presbyterian Church. When we arrived we learned that they were closing what must have been something like a Synod meeting of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico. There were about 6-7 presbyteries represented. It was a long service with 2 different choirs performing. There was a sermon and someone gave the history of God's work through these presbyteries. I couldn't understand any of it, but couldn't help getting a lump in my throat when I saw these brothers together. At the end of church we all held hands and sang a song about unity. I know it sounds cheesy, but I kept thinking about Psalm 133 - "Behold how good a thing it is when brothers dwell together in unity."

Pray for Sara Parks. When Meg and I got home from church at 3:30, Sara Parks was in bed apparently with what Ben had the other night. She has been really sick all day. Pray that whatever it is would run its course quickly, that she would be able to sleep tonight, and get rehydrated soon

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. It has been a great summer. We have just under two weeks. Pray that we would be able to finish strong.

In Christ,
Josh

An Update From Meg

Hi! This is Meg again. And I just wanted to tell you I went to the Emergency Room yesterday to get stitches. I will tell you how I got the cut. There's a stage at the orphanage. I was playing soccer with my friend Adai and fell off. I only have one stitch and it is on my face above my lip. I was nervous about getting stitches, but it turned out a lot better than I thought it would be. My Dad and two interns - Rebecca and Lauren - came with me to the hospital. The doctor was very nice. I have to get the stitch taken out in 7 days. Today my family and I are going to eat lunch at a new restaurant called Las Americas. I'm pretty excited. Thanks for praying for us. We only have a few weeks left in Mexico. I'm going to be very sad to leave. I miss everyone back home and love you guys!

Pamela's college graduation

Our friend, Pamela, graduated from college Saturday night here in Acapulco! Pamela has grown up at Casa Hogar. One thing that makes this so special is that she is the first girl at Casa Hogar to graduate from college! Pamela is a dear Christian girl who has a special love for the younger girls at the orphanage. Instead of sharing a room with the older girls (2 being her teenage sisters), she shares a room with the little ones because of her desire to be a role model for them. With tears in her eyes, she told me how much she wants to be a good example for these girls. She hopes they will take their education seriously and want to go to college. It is common for many of the young people to drop out or choose not to go to college at all. The staff at Casa Hogar tries to encourage the kids and provide opportunities for them to get a college education. Sadly, many do not see the point of having a college degree. Pamela speaks great English, so we have loved getting to know her. She is allowed to live at Casa Hogar for a year and a half after college graduation to give her time to find a job and place to live on her own. This is a policy they have at the orphanage. Please pray for Pamela that she will find a job that pays enough for her to support herself and for the other children to want to follow in her footsteps not only in education but in their spiritual lives as well.

Love,
the Martins

Rain Rain Go Away

It has been raining nonstop here for a couple of days. Another tropical storm has come through. Though it cools things off, it also keeps us indoors with little to do. It rains hard for awhile then will lighten up a bit. We have learned to just go out in it- meaning walk to the orphanage in it and just stay wet. Our clothes have been "drying" on the roof for several days now. I can only imagine the mildewy smell they will have once they dry. The kids at the orphanage finish school today- finally they are out for the summer! The other night we got with the interns and planned several activities for the next few weeks to do with the kids. Some days will be like a bible school with games, crafts, and a bible lesson. For the older kids, we will have a soccer tournament with the winning team getting a free dinner out. The interns will take the kids to the beach and hopefully to some other fun places. We only have three weeks left which is hard to believe. I hope all of you have a fun, safe 4th of July weekend! I know my extended family is leaving for a week at the beach- have fun you guys!

love,
Sara Parks

Meg's Blog Post

What's up guys? This is Meg! I miss America so much, but Acapulco, MEXICO is way cool. The orphanage is very fun. I've made lot's of new friends. Here are my four closest friends 1. Amber 2. America 3. Adai 4. Nati. My 2 favorite sodas are Yoli and Manzana Lift. My #1 favorite food is Tacos el Pastor, and my #1 favorite restaurant is %100 Natural. I hope you like my post. I miss everyone back home!