Casa Kids

2011-12-09T14:20:00.001-08:00

Snow at the Casa? No, this is not in Tepic. Irma and I spent some time in Oregon. This picture is from the Cascade mountains where we were taken to see snow. The pastor of the Calvary chapel in Independence Oregon Rick Hopkins, came to know the Lord throught the ministry of Frank Gonzalez many years ago. We spent some time with him and his wife. We were able to share in their church and meet many wonderful people from the church. Irma and I will be returning very soon to the Casa. Thank you very much and have a wonderful Christmas season!

2011-10-05T18:00:00.001-07:00

Afternoon out!!!

Irma, myself, and our oldest daughter took the girls to a public area to have some fun. We brought our lunch and had a fun picnic. The corruption and violence in our city, seen in the background, has escalated tremendously in the last few years. The peace and joy we experienced that day was a real blessing, and the girls had much fun.

Please support our work! Many children that spend time with us really do need us in their time of crisis.

If you would like to receive emails from us, similar to this blog, send me a message at: russ@casadeninos.org I will put you on the list.

2011-09-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just having fun at the local park. They recently added this fountain and the kids wanted in. Irma and I obliged and had fun watching them refresh themselves. Most of the children in the picture are from the Casa. A bunch of the kids decided that they were going to give me a group hug, and they did, and I got wet. Earlier in the day we ate lunch at the park and played some more. The kids had fun as they always seem to do.

Three new kids this week. More on them later.

Thanks for stopping at our blog and have a wonderful day!

2011-08-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Marbles is the hottest game going right now at the Casa. I had not played in about 40 years or so but they had me crouching down shooting marbles. I won the game as it appears, but it was obvious that the game was given to me. For the past several weeks this has been a daily routine and is growing. Even some of the staff members are getting addicted. Having fun is the key, and especially when the adults get in too makes it even better. I will probably buy a bag soon and join in occasionally.

If you have not recently supported us financially please consider it. God supports us through your donations. Thanks, and have a great day!!

2011-07-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

End of the school year events are fun for the kids, and it gives them an opportunity to use talents. These girls are getting prepared for a dance that they performed.

Life is full of those "preparing things" and we try to give our kids many of these same things that are part of life. This is something that our children miss out on as they come from backgrounds difficult and painful. Simple things make a bigger difference in life than what we realize.

Thank you for helping us provide these simple things!

Please support this important work in the lives of many children.

2011-06-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

Playing with creativity is an important part of what Casa de Ninos can provide for children that have not had that security of a loving and safe environment. It is a very simple thing that we take for granted but children that live in a fearful or abusive situation find it difficult or impossible to just simply have fun playing. Pray for our children that God will develop within them that special character that He has placed there, and which the enemy has tried to close down.

2011-05-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Lorenso has been very challenging to us here at the Casa. He has some mental conditions that we are not really sure what they are. Occasionally he has epileptic seizures and has his rebellious moments. Generally Lorenso is very happy, full of energy, and loves to go on the swing set pushing the limits of the swing set as he swings higher and higher.

I often wonder how God sees us. Are we very challenging to him? Do we have our rebellious moments, and do we push life do the limits sometimes? Lorenso helps me put things in perspective and brings a greater sense of gratitude for God's goodness toward me.

Blessings to you and have a wonderful day!

2011-03-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Stepping stones

A couple of weeks ago Irma and I brought the girls to a local park. When we come to this part even though their is a easier way around they love to take the short cut across the stepping stones. This picture to me reflects our ministry. Life has a course or road that is traveled on by each of us. Sometimes like in this picture the way is a bit more challenging and even for some the way is impassable. Crossing this body of water we need to be at the side of the little ones to make the large gaps between stones passable.

Many of you help us make the trail of their lives secure enough for them to walk through even if it is with a helping hand holding them.

Thanks much and have a great day!!!

Neighbood party!

2011-01-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

The party we had for the neighborhood kids and their parents went extreemly well. Our kids performed a couple of dances, puppets, music, and served food for our neighbors. It was fun to be a blessings to those living close to us. Irma shared a wonderful message at the party talking about the Casa, Christmas and Salvation.

2010-12-31T06:46:00.000-08:00

Adelene had never had the opportunity to enjoy life like other children as she grew up on a "Rancho" and had to take on much responsability in her growing up years. In her less than a year at Casa de Ninos we have helped her learn to read, know her real name by locating her actual birth certificate, and enjoy her first real Christmas.

2010-12-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a very fun time for the children so we have always tried to make it just that for them with gifts, good food and fun activities. We had several children come for Christmas that were children at the Casa many years ago. That is fun for us. We thank you for helping us have a great Christmas. Please remember the Casa kids in the months to come.

God bless you all and have a great New Year.

2010-11-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

Some shots from a recent school event celebrating Revolution day. The children were so excited to participate in the event, and it was very fun to watch. They even enjoyed later eating the peanut bullets that they used.

2010-10-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

Having a fun Sunday afternoon is captured here as the girls were trying out some makeup. Seeing them have these kinds of times is ours and your reward for being a part of their lives.
Please don't forget to give to the Casa children. They need our support!
God bless you and have a fun day!

2010-08-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Nereida and Maria

Sisters here at the Casa enjoying a lazy rainy day at the Casa. They came to us from a Huichol indian village. They both speak their native language as well as Spanish.

Being without Mom or Dad is something that most of us cannot fully relate to. Those of you that can understand the need to belong or be really loved.

Continue to be a part in this process through your giving and prayers. Both are needed.

2010-06-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

We get many visitors at our doors. Some come to help out or bring things for the kids. This particular person that came to our doors was seeking refuge. Under the baseball hat a desperate young girl that returned to the place she wanted to be. A few weeks earlier she spent a couple days with us but then was returned to her home. Things did not go well at home. Now looking for a safe place she returned to where she felt loved and secure.

2010-05-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Just having fun!

Boys will be boys as we always say, and is always true. We work to keep a healthy environment for our children even though things or circumstances continually change. We cannot control the ever changing world around them, but can cover them with love and security.

Please keep supporting what we do here for these children that God has sent to us.

Lets all do our part!

2010-04-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

School, History, and Holidays

Some of our cute kids getting ready for a parade in their preschool. Here the school were celebrating and remembering one of their famous persons in history, Benito Juarez.

The children had allot of fun and we enjoyed watching our little ones.

God has been good to these children giving them a wonderful place to live while the welfare system or the courts decide what to do.

2010-04-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

Abram, Josue, and Alan

The Casa de Ninos band started practicing not long ago so we could have music for our Sunday services. They did a good job and it was fun having them do the music for Sunday. We from time to time learn new things about our children when we ask if someone wants prayer. Like a child asking prayer for some family member that we did not know of.

2009-11-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

We have had some sick children this fall season but as you can see nothing real serious. The children are not careful as we try to instruct them to be, so when one gets sick it goes around. We try to follow doctors guidelines so we have had several children in their rooms waiting somewhat patiently for the illness to pass. Please do pray for the children.

2009-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hanging out and snacking on one of the many local fruits is always a popular thing to do. This was one of those times as I snapped this picture. Sharing love can come in many forms but is something that is too easily lost in our busier and busier world.

"You best not wait to be given time, but better take the time while it is still there."

Have a very great day!

2009-08-06T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sitting down to live conversation, and snack is a simple thing that we should learn from children. We need to relearn that fine art of communicating. These girls taking a break from school a few weeks ago and eating their favorite snack "doritos".

2009-08-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

God gives us this beautiful opportunity to strengthen the roots in many little children. It is the part of us that really makes a difference in how we develop. Their very growth is so hindered by not having a good concept of love, discipline, or having the freedom to just be a child. You can be part of this tremendous opportunity to build up little lives that have been so damaged. Continue to support Casa de Ninos as we have been continuing to invest our lives in children is great need of love and care.

God bless and be filled with His peace

2009-04-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Mexican culture has many festivals and parties which is a good thing that families take part in. Sometimes for a childs birthday or one of the neighbors. Family, friends and neighbors is a important part of the culture here. We try to keep this alive with our children giving them many of those same things. Even though they are not with family God has given us the opportunity and privilege to enter their delicate lives as family. It is always a joy to get a hug from one of our children as they express that need of love and affection. Continue to pray for us all here and please help us financially. We need your help.

God bless you and thank you!

2009-04-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

In one of our morning devotions times this week one of our newer workers was led to Jesus as Irma prayer along with her.

Hearing and seeing God move in lives; seeing lives transformed has a "good affect" on persons that come to the Casa. It is always a joy to see God touching lives as he moves with his spirit inside persons that visit or work at the Casa.

Thank you for supporting this work and helping us as a staff to continue being a blessing to many lives small, and large.

2009-04-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to the group from King's Christian school in Canada that spent a wonderful 2 weeks with us at the Casa!

God bless you and thanks for coming!

Having some real fun at the Casa!

2009-03-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

2009-02-20T13:52:00.000-08:00

Abused and abandoned but not forgotten.

God in his mercy takes children from bad situations and gives us an opportunity to be His tools in bringing joy and laughter to a child.

We thank God that we were given three days in his life to be tools of God's wonderful restoring love.

Authorities rescued this child from a bad situation and asked us to care for him while they could find a permanant solution.

We did much more than care for him; we loved him with the restoring love of God which we believe restored lost important years in his life.

2009-01-30T04:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve 2008 was again around the bonfire. We have had this tradition over the years and really enjoy it. It is cool this time of year so it feels good. The children ate the Christmas eve meal as well outside then later sipping on hot drinks near the fire as seen in this photo. Just before the bonfire we had a Christmas program with dramas, singing and fun. Christmas morning the children opened their presents and had a wonderful breakfast.

2008-10-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

This last month we had a great time with a local church body playing , eating and fellowship. Everyone including Pastor Victor (video below)found their place in the fun weather by watching or participating. Fellowship and love are the basics of our Christian faith so it is an area that we need to maintain and keep strong. Love is what makes us what we are and the lack of such is what makes the world what we see today.

Walk in His love so that the world may know that we are His disciples.

2008-10-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

Casa de Ninos Frank Gonzalez

2008-10-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

We are Casa de Ninos!

We invite you to get to know us.

Your investment in lives will have an eternal reward.

Please pray for us and consider supporting us in your giving.

God bless and have a wonderful day!