Today we get to say "Welcome Home" to five new children who, Lord willing, will be joining the Zaragoza family in just a few
short hours!
Our five new children with their grandmotherWe first met these five precious children at the beginning of January when a friend of ours here in Mexico, Irma, brought them out to visit. She had shared with us a bit about their life situation. The children currently live in Mexico City with their Grandmother, who is not their biological grandmother. (For clarity's sake, I will refer to their Grandmother by her name, which is Luz.)
When the children's mother was young, her own mother was a prostitute and unable to properly care for her. So, Luz took her in and raised her as her own daughter. Luz' own life, from very early on, was very rough and difficult. She was orphaned at a young age and raised by other family members and separated from her own sister. Her two biological daughters were taken away from her by their father due to lifestyle choices that Luz had made. She then took in two other young girls to raise, including these children's mother. Now, as adults, both of these girls hold lots of bitterness due to their own life circumstances and have made many of their own poor choices and unloaded this bitterness on Luz.
About three months ago, the children's mother took off with a man and left the kids with Luz. Luz has not heard from her, nor does she know where the children's mother is. Luz works all night, every night, cleaning offices in Mexico City. The children, the eldest of whom is 10 years old, stay home alone all night. She also works two days a week cleaning a house. Her salary of $75 U.S. dollars a week barely covers rent, electricity, water, food and clothing! Our friend Irma and her family members regularly stop in to check on the kids and take them meals.
Fatima-age 10
Besides the economic barriers to raising five children on her own, Luz faces many of her own emotional and spiritual issues that prevent her from being a loving and effective parent. Irma shared with Luz about Refuge Ranch so that she would know that if they day ever arrived in which she felt incapable of meeting the children's needs, that there existed a healthy and good option for them! About two weeks ago, Irma went to see Luz. She was very frustrated and overwhelmed with raising the children and even more desperate because several of them had set their apartment on fire the week before while playing with matches! On her own initiative, she told Irma that she needed to find a place for the children to live because, in her own words, "I know I am hurting them and I don't want to hurt them anymore."
Leonardo - age 9
So, this past Monday, Grandma Luz and the kids came to visit! Victor and I had a long and wonderful conversation with her here in the office while all of the kids played together outside. As soon as the three of us sat down, Luz repeated the same thing: "I know I am hurting them and I don't want to hurt them anymore." She then shared more of her own story with us and emphasized how much she loves her grandkids, but does not want them to repeat the same mistakes or have the same life she has had, her daughters have had and everybody she knows has had! She wants more for them! She is now a Christian and wants them to know the love of God and become all that God wants them to be! She had already spoken to the kids about the possibility of them coming to live with us. It impacted me that she had told them that they would finally have a Dad and a Mom! She clearly understands the heart of our ministry and family!
Miguel - age 7
The eldest, Fatima, who is 10 years old, was the most resistant to coming, of course! However, after our meeting with Luz on Monday the Lord did a marvelous work! While we were meeting, Irma had been playing soccer with the kids. Upon finishing the soccer game, Irma told Fatima that it was time to leave and Fatima said: "No, not yet!" Irma told her, "Don't worry! Soon you will be living here!" Fatima quickly responded: "Well, let's live here now!" So, when Luz came out of our little visit, Fatima went up to her and asked her when they were going to move in! Luz told Fatima that that was up to the kids and Fatima said: "Then, let's move in on the 11th!" Hence, the kids are moving in today, by Fatima's choice!
Carolina-age 5
This is a bittersweet day as it is going to be extremely difficult for Luz to leave the kids here. However, she is convinced of her decision and that it is the best for the children. After hearing her story, the children's mother's story and their current living situation, we agree! Luz is more than welcome at our home and, Lord willing, will continue to play an important role in the children's lives! How involved she will be with them is totally up to her! We are completely supportive of her continued presence in their lives.
David-will be 2 on Feb. 20
The sun has now peeked out over the top of the mountains and it is time to get our 12 children up for the last time...tomorrow there will be 17 to wake up! Our children are very excited! This may be hard for some to understand, but each time a new child joins our family, our children get very excited! They welcome the new children with open arms and hearts! For our adopted children, they know what it means and feels like to come into a family and they can't wait to give that gift to other children. Even for our biological children it is exciting! Just a few minutes ago, Caleb, who is 6 years old, came into my office and his first words were: "The new kids come today!" Then he asked, "Are they going to be our brothers and sisters forever?" I said "yes" and a huge smile filled his precious face! Praise the Lord!
Of course, this will take some adjustment for all of us and we ask that you pray us through this adjustment!
When the children's mother was young, her own mother was a prostitute and unable to properly care for her. So, Luz took her in and raised her as her own daughter. Luz' own life, from very early on, was very rough and difficult. She was orphaned at a young age and raised by other family members and separated from her own sister. Her two biological daughters were taken away from her by their father due to lifestyle choices that Luz had made. She then took in two other young girls to raise, including these children's mother. Now, as adults, both of these girls hold lots of bitterness due to their own life circumstances and have made many of their own poor choices and unloaded this bitterness on Luz.
About three months ago, the children's mother took off with a man and left the kids with Luz. Luz has not heard from her, nor does she know where the children's mother is. Luz works all night, every night, cleaning offices in Mexico City. The children, the eldest of whom is 10 years old, stay home alone all night. She also works two days a week cleaning a house. Her salary of $75 U.S. dollars a week barely covers rent, electricity, water, food and clothing! Our friend Irma and her family members regularly stop in to check on the kids and take them meals.
Fatima-age 10Besides the economic barriers to raising five children on her own, Luz faces many of her own emotional and spiritual issues that prevent her from being a loving and effective parent. Irma shared with Luz about Refuge Ranch so that she would know that if they day ever arrived in which she felt incapable of meeting the children's needs, that there existed a healthy and good option for them! About two weeks ago, Irma went to see Luz. She was very frustrated and overwhelmed with raising the children and even more desperate because several of them had set their apartment on fire the week before while playing with matches! On her own initiative, she told Irma that she needed to find a place for the children to live because, in her own words, "I know I am hurting them and I don't want to hurt them anymore."
Leonardo - age 9So, this past Monday, Grandma Luz and the kids came to visit! Victor and I had a long and wonderful conversation with her here in the office while all of the kids played together outside. As soon as the three of us sat down, Luz repeated the same thing: "I know I am hurting them and I don't want to hurt them anymore." She then shared more of her own story with us and emphasized how much she loves her grandkids, but does not want them to repeat the same mistakes or have the same life she has had, her daughters have had and everybody she knows has had! She wants more for them! She is now a Christian and wants them to know the love of God and become all that God wants them to be! She had already spoken to the kids about the possibility of them coming to live with us. It impacted me that she had told them that they would finally have a Dad and a Mom! She clearly understands the heart of our ministry and family!
Miguel - age 7The eldest, Fatima, who is 10 years old, was the most resistant to coming, of course! However, after our meeting with Luz on Monday the Lord did a marvelous work! While we were meeting, Irma had been playing soccer with the kids. Upon finishing the soccer game, Irma told Fatima that it was time to leave and Fatima said: "No, not yet!" Irma told her, "Don't worry! Soon you will be living here!" Fatima quickly responded: "Well, let's live here now!" So, when Luz came out of our little visit, Fatima went up to her and asked her when they were going to move in! Luz told Fatima that that was up to the kids and Fatima said: "Then, let's move in on the 11th!" Hence, the kids are moving in today, by Fatima's choice!
Carolina-age 5This is a bittersweet day as it is going to be extremely difficult for Luz to leave the kids here. However, she is convinced of her decision and that it is the best for the children. After hearing her story, the children's mother's story and their current living situation, we agree! Luz is more than welcome at our home and, Lord willing, will continue to play an important role in the children's lives! How involved she will be with them is totally up to her! We are completely supportive of her continued presence in their lives.
David-will be 2 on Feb. 20The sun has now peeked out over the top of the mountains and it is time to get our 12 children up for the last time...tomorrow there will be 17 to wake up! Our children are very excited! This may be hard for some to understand, but each time a new child joins our family, our children get very excited! They welcome the new children with open arms and hearts! For our adopted children, they know what it means and feels like to come into a family and they can't wait to give that gift to other children. Even for our biological children it is exciting! Just a few minutes ago, Caleb, who is 6 years old, came into my office and his first words were: "The new kids come today!" Then he asked, "Are they going to be our brothers and sisters forever?" I said "yes" and a huge smile filled his precious face! Praise the Lord!
Of course, this will take some adjustment for all of us and we ask that you pray us through this adjustment!
So, Welcome Home, Fatima, Leonardo, Miguel, Carolina and David!
1 comment:
wow, hallelujah :)
Post a Comment