Just across the border: "it's better to sleep on the floor than on the street"

For those who have visited Casa Hogar MAMi, you share the awareness that life is very different on the two facing banks of the Rio Grande. In the last month, the orphanage has experienced events that remind us that it is indeed a ministry in Jesus' name. I don't mean that as a cliché. We trust that he sends those in need to the home and that as these are received, so the Lord will provide for all of their needs.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27

A few weeks ago there was a fire in the laundry room. It damaged the clothing, shelves, water purification system, the dryer and one (of two) washing machines. Some friends helped with 'make do' repairs to get the electricity back on and the plumbing working. A hardware store said they would provide materials and an IOU so that bills could be paid when funds appear.

Sister Elma writes that three little sisters, ages 1,2,3 years, have just been received in the home. They are not potty trained. This is a big job for the staff. Their mother is very sick with thyroid problems and is hospitalized. The government sent the daughters. Their father is poor and sells ears of corn on the street. He has one of those wooden carts that you see on the street. He used to keep the little girls on the cart with him, and let them wear diapers and drink from bottles while riding on his cart. This is the first time for the staff at Casa Hogar MAMi to have such poorly educated cared for young girls. As I said, it is a very big job and Sister Elma asks for prayer as to how to train and help these little girls, and deal with the diapers, bottles, etc. Also, she says they are about to receive a teenage mother with her three month old. The father of the baby is a drug addict and an abuser. The woman who she lived with for many years got married, and the husband wanted to sexually abuse the girl; she left the house and married the first man she met (father of the baby). Sister Elma says that they are using all of the beds and some are sleeping on the floor, but, she writes, "it's better to sleep on the floor than live on the street."

Friends, PRAYERS are needed, and MONEY is needed. More mission teams are needed. Even, just small groups of visitors who want to give a better life in Jesus' name to the little one's who need help! The ministry is growing. We praise God for the lives that are brought to the home to find safety and goodness. Please pray that we, as a board, can effectively help plan for mission teams, create the handbook and network that will enable more people to befriend and support this ministry! We are grateful for the following trips and pray for them: October, several board members will visit; November, Advent Presbyterian near Memphis will install more beds; Februrary, First Presbyterian Church Houston; March, St. George's Independent School. There is much work to do. The second floor is not finished, but is close! More funds are needed for the completion of that. Thank you for reading this and for praying!! Dios le bendiga!