Acuna Children's Home

Through a series of God-ordained events, Anna and I were called upon to take over the ministry at the Children's Home called Casa Hogar Manto Coahuila in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. The previous directors suddenly left the property and we were asked to take charge by the owners of the property, Rev. Henry and Josie Zaragoza of New Hope Ministries, located in Navasota, Texas. We became "instant" houseparents to seven amazing children.

When we were asked to take over the Home, we had to bring the children into our own home for a few days while the previous directors moved out. We knew the children had been living in some terrible conditions, but when we moved in, we were overwhelmed with the horrible condition of the Home.

The Home and the adjacent buildings and grounds were in terrible shape when we arrived. The odors of feces, urine and rotting trash greeted us. The refuse, the bugs and the general atmosphere were almost overwhelming. In Mexico, the sewage systems are not able to handle paper waste so "used" toilet paper must be put into small trash cans next to the toilets. These cans were full to overflowing, so one can just imagine that smell. Aside from the trash, toilets had been left full of feces and urine. Also, at least 5 leaks, some major, had been left unattended and a putrid water smell and mildew smells blended with all the other "aromas" making it almost impossible to breathe inside. The grounds were covered with trash and litter as well. We could see that it would take us weeks of cleaning to make the house liveable...but we didn't have weeks. Because these children are under the authority of the Mexican counterpart of the U.S. Child protective Services, we had to move into the Home immediately to comply with their law

Most of the furniture was gone. The TV and DVD player and most of the childrens' decent toys were gone. The kitchen was almost bare of utensils, pot, pans, plates, silverware and glasses, but at least the beds were still on the premises so the children had places to sleep the first night we were in the Home. Anna and I really didn't even know where to begin to start cleaning and sanitizing. We took over so quickly, we didn't even have a chance to send out emails or letters to folks to see if anyone could come and devote some time to help us. The property is located in an area that does not have telephone service and there is no internet service available either. It was very clear that the clean-up was at least a 3-4 week job for Anna & I, especially given that we had to take care of the children at the same time. All that Anna and I could do, was to thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and these children and to thank Him for strength and patience to turn this pig sty into a home while simultaneously ministering to the children.

God knows our needs even before we prayed and he also knows our limitations...so just like a loving Father, He had a plan. God saw this situation ahead of time and he didn't need a phone line or the internet to arrange for help....

God already had a plan at work. The 3rd day we were there, a group from Texas appeared at our gate and said they were there to help. They had scheduled a trip months ago to come do some work projects at the Home. However, they did not know that the Home had changed hands. They were totally unprepared for what they found, but they dug in and helped us for three days. The change was amazing. Then another group and then a third group...all within the first 2 weeks! God is so amazing.

Not only did these folks clean, but they painted, repaired appliances, built and repaired walls and fences, fixed leaks, and even made new curtains for the kitchen. It was simply amazing. The house still has a long way to go, but it already looks like a different house. It actually looks like a house than had an "Extreme Makeover!. Aside from the immense blessing for Anna and I, it was also a huge testimony to our girls how God intends to take care of them.

The children were not left out during the time the groups were here. Each group spent time with the children to make them feel special as individuals. These "angels" were truly sent by God at just the right time and we thank them and the Lord for the incalculable blessing they were to all of us in the Home.

Now the Home has become more like a home. The children seem to be much happier and more at peace than when they came to us. They lived in this house before for quite some time with all the trash and the filth and they have now come to appreciate what it's like to live in a clean, fresh smelling home. The Home still has a lot of needs, but the most important thing is that these children have come to learn that Jesus really does love them and that He is the One taking care of them.

One day the children came to Anna and said that they had surprise for her. They made her close her eyes and they led her to one of the rooms that had only one old recliner...but it is the nicest chair in the Home. They made her take off her shoes and to sit down. They put the chair into a reclining position and then had her open her eyes. They told her that they had seen how much work she had done for them to make the Home clean and pretty so they wanted to bless her in return. They gave her a foot, shoulder, head and arm massage and then they gave her a small plastic ring because they said that she was the "Queen of the Home" and she needed a special ring. Sometimes parents wonder if their children ever really see and appreciate what they do for them, but I can assure you, these children have certainly recognized Anna's hard work. Needless to say, Anna cried and still does every time she tells this story.