A Rescue for One More

Yesterday we went to Casa Canaan!  Casa Canaan is an “orphanage” that Carlos and Yara Ruiz began a few years ago.  The Mexican child protective services otherwise known as DIF in Mexico came to them with 6 kids that needed a home and they said Yes. And so their journey began.  God has provided them land, money for a few buildings, and more children.  They have taken in 22 kids so far and would love to be able to take in more, but right now money and space is maxed.

One of the reasons Jesse and I came down here was to see if and how we could help.  We have many connections with this place including my brothers and their families who have been supporting Casa Canaan since the beginning!  They helped build the first building!  There are many more needs and our family is praying about how to come along side and help AND even involve you,  but for now we will just give you a little bit of our time with them and some of the beautiful faces and stories of rescue!  

We made 3 huge casseroles of one of our favorites, King Ranch Chicken.  The kids said it was “un poco picante, pero muy bueno” and I will take that as a great Mexican compliment if the word spicy was even in it!  

This is the entire group of children that have been rescued with a few others that came to the party.  We had ended 2013 with a party…..food, presents, piñatas, fireworks, worship, and a clown! Feliz Año Nuevo!

Meet Jaime

Jaime was literally thrown to the ground by his crazy mom and broke his back when he was a baby.  Jesus and child protective services [DIF] got him in the arms of Carlos and Yara and Casa Canaan was able to get the surgery he needed and even though he may wear a diaper the rest of his life he is walking which doctors said he would never do.  Well, actually he is running and Kate spent her firework time making sure Jaime did not catch on fire!   

Meet Estefan

Estefan loved our family well!  He served the boys their food...Got me a chair to sit in... Danced and hugged Rachel the entire time... And told Kate that he loves her with his whole heart.  But, Esefan spent his first 8 years on the streets drunk.  His parents didn't want to deal with him because he was special needs.  Not kidding.  When he was rescued he spent a few weeks in the hospital detoxing.  He has a loving heart with some habits that we pray that the Lord will deliver him from.  

Meet Arracelli

Arracelli [the little girl in the black dress with the turquoise shirt] told us her story and honestly it was probably not the best idea for them to have made her tell her story because it was very emotional for her.  I felt so sorry for her that I just held her on my lap and cried with her.  She was also an alcoholic along with her sister when they were rescued.  Her sister had a liver condition and she was not able to get well and she died.  It is very fresh on Arrecelli’s mind and she remembers everything…from the alcohol, to her abusive parents, to her sister’s death.  But let me tell you…..she is a beauty and God is going to use her story in a mighty way! [The other 2 girls are Eunice in purple and Sara next to me.]

Meet Carlitos 

Carlitos [looking at the picture he is the one on the right of Jesse] is not an orphan.  He is the son of Carlos and Yara, He has joined his mom, dad, and sisters in adding child after child into their family!  He is a big brother to all and a leader to all these guys in the picture with Jesse.  Carlitos is also a worship leader and leads at his church.  He taught himself to play guitar and leads these people all week long through song to the thrown of Jesus.  I’ll close with this video  http://t.co/FgWtSdFX7v.