Happy New Year

Friends of Casa MAMi: God bless you as you celebrate the beginning of another calendar year!

Sister Elma's daughter and son in law, Berta and Carlos Ortiz of Houston (Second Baptist Church ) have a son, Carlos Antonio. All of the family is doing well and very grateful for the blessing of this first grandchild.

The end of 2006 is a celebration of God's provision. The US non profit, Casa MAMi MX, by God's grace and the faithfulness of our friends, has been able to provide funds on a monthly basis, beginning in May 2006, by sending a check of $5,000 to pay salaries! What a privilege and blessing to be able to pay Christian, educated staff to help Sister Elma to care for the girls. Also, a total of $30,000 has been sent to match Mexican corporate and government donations to cover capital expenses for the construction of the second floor. There are many needs for furnishings and building projects such as the two staircases and a roof to shade the patio. We hope to accomplish these tasks during the Spring of 2007.

Lord willing, we are anticipating completion of the second floor by February. Men of Advent are constructing junior size beds for the first floor and will deliver them when the second floor is complete.

The scheduled mission team visits for 2007 include:
First Presbyterian Church Houston, TX: February
First Presbyterian Church Tallassee, AL: April
Friends from Indiana/Michigan: April
Church of the Holy Apostles Collierville, TN: May
St. Luke's Methodist Church Houston, TX: October

Christ Methodist United Church of Sugarland, TX sent a check! Thank you! Many gifts have been received from First Presbyterian Opelika, AL and Advent Presbyterian, Cordova, TN this year. The Presbyterian Women at Advent sponsored a missions fair in December, to invite people to donate to selected missions as Christmas gifts. We are grateful that they chose Casa MAMi as one of the missions to receive donations. Praise God! Partnering churches in the US are so important. We thank God for each one and pray that He sends us more in 2007! Mexican friends, such as Neli and her husband (pictured with Sister Elma) often invite us to their restaurant to say 'gracias' for coming to help at Casa MAMi!
They will welcome anyone, including you! We will help connect your group with Neli!


Here is a sweet story: a Brownie troop of second graders at Christ Methodist Day School in Memphis collected donations of new socks and panties for the girls of Casa MAMi. One little girl, who learned of the minsitry, decided to celebrate her birthday by asking that friends give a donation to Casa MAMi in lieu of gifts for her.

Also, Chi Omega Sorority of The University of Texas send four boxes of donations to Sister Elma. What a gift that during final exams these girls were generous and sent many items to help the residents of Casa MAMi.

The 990 form was completed and sent to IRS for our first annual report as a 501 (c ) 3 organization. Our tax year ends on June 30. We received our non profit designation just one year ago, so the IRS documentation is a new experience. I am grateful to Tammy Bolens for her expertise and help to me in these matters! She was a tax accountant before becoming a full time mom. Tammy visited Casa MAMi with her daughter, Sydney, last March. She is an industrious friend and helper! Tammy is pictured here, organizing donated medical supplies, which we found in the pantry and kitchen.

The US board decided to send Christmas bonuses to the staff of Casa MAMi. We are thankful that we were able to give $25.00 to each employee and a gift of $250 to Sister Elma. Sister Elma does not accept pay, so who knows what she did with this Christmas bonus.

May God reveal His love and mercy to you and your loved ones during the new year and as you seek His will and glory for your life!