This is a pic of the beams that hold up the patio roof.
This is a pic of the patio roof all done (well, very, very close to done)
This is a pic of the fence.
This is a pic of V.B.S., this was the first day.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A Roof on the Patio!
This past week we had an amazing team from Virginia come to Camichines. They were a huge blessing. They helped us put a roof on the patio, start another fence, and did V.B.S. for the kids in town. Between 67 and 90 kids came every day to V.B.S..
This is a pic of the fence.
This is a pic of the fence.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Good news! (I think)
We have all our paperwork in order for now. Now pray that the Consejo Familiar will feel that it is ok for them to stay here with us. They have the final word. They are the office in charge of placing all the children in shelters or for adoption. This is the beginning of what we hope will be a good relationship with them.
Prayers Please!!!
PLEASE PRAY! The gov officials FINALLY came to take some of the report of the children BUT it is now very possible that they will have to go to an institution in the city where they will probably be split up. God is in control! Please pray for what is best for them and that all will be in order with papers, etc. That we pass inspection(s)....This is a step that HAD to happen. We are grateful we had 7 months with them instead of only the one we were expecting and pray for more. It will break our hearts if they have to go but we knew it was a possibility from the start. Please pray for strength and knowledge for us as we go through this process. There is a chance they can stay but as this is all new to everyone in this area, we shall see. Our biggest desire is that they can be adopted by a christian family, all 4 together someday. Not an easy thing here but as I said before God is in control!!!
Thank you,
Amy and Chuy
Thank you,
Amy and Chuy
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tree
Today we cut down the tree next to the patio to make room for the pillars that will support a roof for the patio.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Stairs are Done!!!
The stairs are now done!!!!! The wall in back is now about 5 feet tall. We also got the material for what we are going to do on the patio!!!! Will upload a picture when they are downloaded from the camara.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Newsletter July 2009
We wanted to send a quick (ha-ha) update of our past two months. It has been very busy with many changes as we try to search for the Lord’s will in what we are doing here in Camichines. The first big change is that for now, we will not be having adult Bible studies. We have plenty of work with the children and did not have enough time with our own children. They are our first ministry and we need to be sure they are growing in the Lord. The Kids Club has also grown since making that decision.
We have 2 blog sites where you can see pictures and updates (we are working on them…) and Amy and Arlene both have facebook accounts with pictures. The blog addresses are:
http://littleranchwithhope.blogspot.com/
http://casahogareirene.blogspot.com/
We have started construction on the second floor of our home, which is the ‘Casa Hogar’ (children’s shelter). We need some more bedrooms and bathrooms, including a private room with a sitting area and bathroom for the person/people that come to help. When that is done, we will be able to take in more children. This is phase one of a three phase project for the orphanage.
The second phase will be another building on our property which will have classrooms on the bottom for teaching the older children and children from town skills like construction, plumbing, baking, jewelry making, etc., so that they will be able to earn a living when they are older. The classrooms will also be used for Kids Club, Youth Group and tutoring. The second floor will be a kitchen and dining room/common area. The third floor will have a small apartment for whoever comes to help and dormitories for children.
The third phase will be on a different property. We hope to build townhouses for the orphanage. That way there will be 15-20 children per house with ‘parents’. The big plan is to have a school, sports area, green houses, crops, animals, and much more. We hope the farming will help sustain the orphanage.
God will need to move many people to help with these projects so, please pray that people will be sensitive to His call for volunteering or donating funds for the projects.
Our first work team this year was such a huge blessing and a great treat for us. It was a team from McHenry/Johnsburg and was made up of many close friends and Amy’s sister, Sue! They worked SO hard that week to help get the downstairs and outside of the house painted, the land outside leveled before the rainy season so the water would not soak into the foundation again this year, tiling on the roof and raising a wall for a bedroom. They also helped organize some areas of the house and moved thousands of bricks from the ground to the second floor of the house. All this in 100+ degree humid temps per day as it was the week before the rainy season began. They were and are INCREDIBLE and kept us all laughing the whole week. Thank you! We love you very much!!
The interns have arrived! We have two ladies that arrived the beginning of June. Katie, who helps immensely with the foster children (and ours, too) and cooking/cleaning/whatever we need. We have found the bottom of the laundry bucket for the first time since January! Jenny also helps with the kiddos/house and is a teacher, so she has taken on their education while she is here. We have also started summer tutoring and she has many students from town. Evan came July 1st and is a great help with tutoring and construction. He is teaching the English class as well as others in Spanish. The ladies also love to help with whatever construction they can. You have no idea what a great blessing it is to have them here. Amy will admit that before they got here she and our four children were feeling a bit (LOT) overwhelmed. Chuy and Amy could not go out and comfortably leave all the kids here. We completely trust Arlene and TJ as sitters but they are not old enough to be the ‘responsible adult in charge’ of the Shelter. Chuy and Amy have gotten some much needed time out. The interns leave the end of July and we will miss them dearly.
We have an extra child visitor this month too. It has been so good to have her here and we are happy to have her as long as is needed.
Jenny, Arlene and TJ will be going to the city this week to work with a team that comes from a Christian school in Indiana. They will be helping with construction at the school run by Eirene, A.C. (the non-profit organization we work with). Arlene and TJ are working hard on their high school curriculum now as we start thinking about college (YIKES). Rebeca and Grace are so big now we cannot believe it. They are in 6th and 7th grade and a great help with the kiddos. Laura (8) and Luis (6) are learning to read and do addition. Javier (3) is a cutie pie but definitely 3 if you know what I mean : ). He is talking now and we see some great changes. Pati (2) is very smart and speaking much Spanglish. She will parrot anything you say so Becky has taught her to say “I love Becky the very most” (brainwashing…no?). Chuy is working hard on the construction here and has taken a break from school during this, our busiest season of the year. Amy is using the time with extra help to get caught up on paperwork, school and correspondence. Now would be a great time to write as she has time to respond!!!
Prayer requests
For us to be able to seek and follow God’s will for the ministry here, not our own.
That we as a family will be growing in the Lord and as a family, amidst the chaos.
That people would be sensitive to God’s call for them to work with children here in Camichines. We really need a teacher here to work with the children from the shelter and children from town.
For Lacy as she finalizes her plans for her trip here. She will be living with us this next year.
For the team that comes in August from Virginia. That the plans will go smoothly and that God will use their time here for His Glory.
For our friends in New York City that are planning a benefit concert for the orphanage. The concert will be in November and is called ‘Songs for Shoes’. May God bless them and their work. If anyone lives close and would like to be involved in/attend this event please let us know.
For Laura, Luis, Javier and Pati as they change and grow here. May they believe that God is real and that there is such a thing as unconditional love.
For the Cummings family as they work with Tessa and that they may get papers for the girls.
For all the teams that will work in the city this summer. That they may be safe, accomplish much and grow.
For the Rosales family as their son Johnny recovers from being attacked by a dog. Please also pray that God will comfort them still after the loss of their baby daughter Calita earlier this year.
If you feel God is leading you to help/partner in this ministry…
How can you help?
We have had many people ask how they can help. Prayers are first on the list, God is in control and we appreciate all prayers sent His way concerning the ministry here! Our costs have gone up some recently due to 5 extra children in the house to feed, cloth and educate!! Plus we want to keep expanding the programs offered in ministry. Below is our information. Please note that there are now 2 different donation options. One is for the basic ministry here and the Acosta family and the other is specifically for building and supporting the orphanage.
If you feel that God is leading you to support His work here in Camichines we can receive tax deductible donations. Checks can be made and mailed to:
New Vision Community Church – Laredo
3119 N. Meadow
Laredo, Texas 78040
Please attach a typed note stating that it is a donation for The Acosta Family in Camichines, Jalisco Mexico and your personal information (Name, address, phone and email address.) Thank you! Without you, this work would be impossible! Also, if you could email us to let us know that you sent something (unless you would like to be anonymous), that would help.
If you are interested in sending a donation for the construction/support of the orphanage/foster care, you can make a check to and send it to:
Reforma Ministries
10 Gate House Road
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308
Please put “Eirene – Orphanage” in the memo.
This is a registered 501c3 and can also be a tax deductible donation as is the church.
You are all part of the ministry here. The work could not be done without your prayers and support. Thank you so very much and may God Bless You!
The Acosta Family <><
We have 2 blog sites where you can see pictures and updates (we are working on them…) and Amy and Arlene both have facebook accounts with pictures. The blog addresses are:
http://littleranchwithhope.blogspot.com/
http://casahogareirene.blogspot.com/
We have started construction on the second floor of our home, which is the ‘Casa Hogar’ (children’s shelter). We need some more bedrooms and bathrooms, including a private room with a sitting area and bathroom for the person/people that come to help. When that is done, we will be able to take in more children. This is phase one of a three phase project for the orphanage.
The second phase will be another building on our property which will have classrooms on the bottom for teaching the older children and children from town skills like construction, plumbing, baking, jewelry making, etc., so that they will be able to earn a living when they are older. The classrooms will also be used for Kids Club, Youth Group and tutoring. The second floor will be a kitchen and dining room/common area. The third floor will have a small apartment for whoever comes to help and dormitories for children.
The third phase will be on a different property. We hope to build townhouses for the orphanage. That way there will be 15-20 children per house with ‘parents’. The big plan is to have a school, sports area, green houses, crops, animals, and much more. We hope the farming will help sustain the orphanage.
God will need to move many people to help with these projects so, please pray that people will be sensitive to His call for volunteering or donating funds for the projects.
Our first work team this year was such a huge blessing and a great treat for us. It was a team from McHenry/Johnsburg and was made up of many close friends and Amy’s sister, Sue! They worked SO hard that week to help get the downstairs and outside of the house painted, the land outside leveled before the rainy season so the water would not soak into the foundation again this year, tiling on the roof and raising a wall for a bedroom. They also helped organize some areas of the house and moved thousands of bricks from the ground to the second floor of the house. All this in 100+ degree humid temps per day as it was the week before the rainy season began. They were and are INCREDIBLE and kept us all laughing the whole week. Thank you! We love you very much!!
The interns have arrived! We have two ladies that arrived the beginning of June. Katie, who helps immensely with the foster children (and ours, too) and cooking/cleaning/whatever we need. We have found the bottom of the laundry bucket for the first time since January! Jenny also helps with the kiddos/house and is a teacher, so she has taken on their education while she is here. We have also started summer tutoring and she has many students from town. Evan came July 1st and is a great help with tutoring and construction. He is teaching the English class as well as others in Spanish. The ladies also love to help with whatever construction they can. You have no idea what a great blessing it is to have them here. Amy will admit that before they got here she and our four children were feeling a bit (LOT) overwhelmed. Chuy and Amy could not go out and comfortably leave all the kids here. We completely trust Arlene and TJ as sitters but they are not old enough to be the ‘responsible adult in charge’ of the Shelter. Chuy and Amy have gotten some much needed time out. The interns leave the end of July and we will miss them dearly.
We have an extra child visitor this month too. It has been so good to have her here and we are happy to have her as long as is needed.
Jenny, Arlene and TJ will be going to the city this week to work with a team that comes from a Christian school in Indiana. They will be helping with construction at the school run by Eirene, A.C. (the non-profit organization we work with). Arlene and TJ are working hard on their high school curriculum now as we start thinking about college (YIKES). Rebeca and Grace are so big now we cannot believe it. They are in 6th and 7th grade and a great help with the kiddos. Laura (8) and Luis (6) are learning to read and do addition. Javier (3) is a cutie pie but definitely 3 if you know what I mean : ). He is talking now and we see some great changes. Pati (2) is very smart and speaking much Spanglish. She will parrot anything you say so Becky has taught her to say “I love Becky the very most” (brainwashing…no?). Chuy is working hard on the construction here and has taken a break from school during this, our busiest season of the year. Amy is using the time with extra help to get caught up on paperwork, school and correspondence. Now would be a great time to write as she has time to respond!!!
Prayer requests
For us to be able to seek and follow God’s will for the ministry here, not our own.
That we as a family will be growing in the Lord and as a family, amidst the chaos.
That people would be sensitive to God’s call for them to work with children here in Camichines. We really need a teacher here to work with the children from the shelter and children from town.
For Lacy as she finalizes her plans for her trip here. She will be living with us this next year.
For the team that comes in August from Virginia. That the plans will go smoothly and that God will use their time here for His Glory.
For our friends in New York City that are planning a benefit concert for the orphanage. The concert will be in November and is called ‘Songs for Shoes’. May God bless them and their work. If anyone lives close and would like to be involved in/attend this event please let us know.
For Laura, Luis, Javier and Pati as they change and grow here. May they believe that God is real and that there is such a thing as unconditional love.
For the Cummings family as they work with Tessa and that they may get papers for the girls.
For all the teams that will work in the city this summer. That they may be safe, accomplish much and grow.
For the Rosales family as their son Johnny recovers from being attacked by a dog. Please also pray that God will comfort them still after the loss of their baby daughter Calita earlier this year.
If you feel God is leading you to help/partner in this ministry…
How can you help?
We have had many people ask how they can help. Prayers are first on the list, God is in control and we appreciate all prayers sent His way concerning the ministry here! Our costs have gone up some recently due to 5 extra children in the house to feed, cloth and educate!! Plus we want to keep expanding the programs offered in ministry. Below is our information. Please note that there are now 2 different donation options. One is for the basic ministry here and the Acosta family and the other is specifically for building and supporting the orphanage.
If you feel that God is leading you to support His work here in Camichines we can receive tax deductible donations. Checks can be made and mailed to:
New Vision Community Church – Laredo
3119 N. Meadow
Laredo, Texas 78040
Please attach a typed note stating that it is a donation for The Acosta Family in Camichines, Jalisco Mexico and your personal information (Name, address, phone and email address.) Thank you! Without you, this work would be impossible! Also, if you could email us to let us know that you sent something (unless you would like to be anonymous), that would help.
If you are interested in sending a donation for the construction/support of the orphanage/foster care, you can make a check to and send it to:
Reforma Ministries
10 Gate House Road
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308
Please put “Eirene – Orphanage” in the memo.
This is a registered 501c3 and can also be a tax deductible donation as is the church.
You are all part of the ministry here. The work could not be done without your prayers and support. Thank you so very much and may God Bless You!
The Acosta Family <><
Sorry
Hi everyone! Sorry we haven't posted anything in a long while. Lots has been going on. We now have 6 steps on the stairway! Very exciting, since we will have more bedrooms upstairs! There are now 14 people in the Acosta family. 3 interns and a visitor and us original 10. There is now a wall around the house that is about 3 feet high all the way around. Roxie has 5 puppies. We had an awesome team come down in June from McHenry/Johnsburg. They worked SO hard and were tons of fun!!!! They helped us accomplish lots of projects on the house. I think that is about it right now. I will try to write a little something on here every day. This picture was taken at the zoo.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Acosta News March 2009
Mom has given me (Arlene) the task of writing the newsletter this month as she is broken. Her back is out. She would like me to tell everyone that she is sorry she has not been very good at responding to emails. By the time we get on at night her brain is normally fried. So please do not think that she is ignoring everyone. She says she would really love to hear from you and she promises that either one of us will respond. Please don’t stop writing because we love to hear from you.
We want to say THANK YOU to all of you who made the purchase of the new van possible. We all fit without being squished with extra room. The other day we fit 20 people in it to go somewhere. Even in the midst of economical difficulties for all of you we were overwhelmed by your generosity.
The Kiddos
The kids are doing very well. They are growing so quickly and also healing. The two older ones are doing school, too. The mom left town and we haven’t seen her in a while. Last month was a bit rough. The kids were being used in a political battle. The politicians tried to destroy the non-profit A.C. that the casa hogar (foster house) is under. It is pretty calm now though. Well, as calm as it can get here with 8 kids running around.
The Ministry
Kid’s Club has been going very well. We have around 40 kids come every week.
We have an awesome Bible study! They have proven it various times these past months. Sticking with us even when the going gets rough. When the whole mess with the political battle with the kids was going on they went to be witnesses for us. Even though the rest of the town was against us. Rosa came back to Bible study, but her husband did not. Please keep praying for him.
Youth Group has been better. There are few teens but they are very excited.
Us
Chuy – Dad has been very busy. Going to more meetings than he has ever gone to before, but all is well.
Amy – Well, as I mentioned above, mom’s back is out. She is super busy now trying to home school 6 kids and keep the other ones out of the way during school.
Arlene – Had to get a throat culture because I keep getting strep. Yuck. I’m also learning how to drive!
T.J. – Continues his devotion to guitar and the Lord. He has been growing taller every day. Literally, every day. He loves driving, school and guitar.
Rebeca – Becky is getting taller by the week. She likes reading and helping in the kitchen. She is also a great help teaching the little kids.
Grace – Is almost caught up in school amidst the chaos. She likes to play with her friend.
Projects to Come
We are in the process of building a couple more rooms on the second story so that we can take in more kids or spread out a little more. The other project is a multipurpose room. This week with the youth we are planning a clean up project for an area that used to be used for walking but it is difficult because people throw their dead animals there.
Prayer Requests
We are thankful that things are much calmer, that all the kids are getting much healthier, and that we are getting caught up in school. We are thankful for our huge family in Christ who have supported us through these times. We are thankful for Eirene. Please pray for that organization as they continue to grow and serve more and more people. We are thankful for much more but if we wrote everything you’d fall asleep before you finished reading it. Please pray that we will be able to always find time to read His word and grow spiritually. Please pray for mom (even though she says she’s fine). Please pray for all the papers to be finished and that the people who are supposed to be investigating the case of the kids would do their job. Instead of trying to please politicians. We are still waiting for the doctors appointments. Please pray for time and resources to be able to add more rooms upstairs and start the multipurpose room. Please pray for the Rosales family that God will bring peace and healing to them as 2 week old Calita went to be with Jesus. Please pray that we may have strength, knowledge, discernment and order. That God may use the difficulties that we go through for His glory. Please pray for all our missionary friends here that God may use them to share His word.
You all are part of this ministry; we thank you and pray that God will bless you greatly.
We want to say THANK YOU to all of you who made the purchase of the new van possible. We all fit without being squished with extra room. The other day we fit 20 people in it to go somewhere. Even in the midst of economical difficulties for all of you we were overwhelmed by your generosity.
The Kiddos
The kids are doing very well. They are growing so quickly and also healing. The two older ones are doing school, too. The mom left town and we haven’t seen her in a while. Last month was a bit rough. The kids were being used in a political battle. The politicians tried to destroy the non-profit A.C. that the casa hogar (foster house) is under. It is pretty calm now though. Well, as calm as it can get here with 8 kids running around.
The Ministry
Kid’s Club has been going very well. We have around 40 kids come every week.
We have an awesome Bible study! They have proven it various times these past months. Sticking with us even when the going gets rough. When the whole mess with the political battle with the kids was going on they went to be witnesses for us. Even though the rest of the town was against us. Rosa came back to Bible study, but her husband did not. Please keep praying for him.
Youth Group has been better. There are few teens but they are very excited.
Us
Chuy – Dad has been very busy. Going to more meetings than he has ever gone to before, but all is well.
Amy – Well, as I mentioned above, mom’s back is out. She is super busy now trying to home school 6 kids and keep the other ones out of the way during school.
Arlene – Had to get a throat culture because I keep getting strep. Yuck. I’m also learning how to drive!
T.J. – Continues his devotion to guitar and the Lord. He has been growing taller every day. Literally, every day. He loves driving, school and guitar.
Rebeca – Becky is getting taller by the week. She likes reading and helping in the kitchen. She is also a great help teaching the little kids.
Grace – Is almost caught up in school amidst the chaos. She likes to play with her friend.
Projects to Come
We are in the process of building a couple more rooms on the second story so that we can take in more kids or spread out a little more. The other project is a multipurpose room. This week with the youth we are planning a clean up project for an area that used to be used for walking but it is difficult because people throw their dead animals there.
Prayer Requests
We are thankful that things are much calmer, that all the kids are getting much healthier, and that we are getting caught up in school. We are thankful for our huge family in Christ who have supported us through these times. We are thankful for Eirene. Please pray for that organization as they continue to grow and serve more and more people. We are thankful for much more but if we wrote everything you’d fall asleep before you finished reading it. Please pray that we will be able to always find time to read His word and grow spiritually. Please pray for mom (even though she says she’s fine). Please pray for all the papers to be finished and that the people who are supposed to be investigating the case of the kids would do their job. Instead of trying to please politicians. We are still waiting for the doctors appointments. Please pray for time and resources to be able to add more rooms upstairs and start the multipurpose room. Please pray for the Rosales family that God will bring peace and healing to them as 2 week old Calita went to be with Jesus. Please pray that we may have strength, knowledge, discernment and order. That God may use the difficulties that we go through for His glory. Please pray for all our missionary friends here that God may use them to share His word.
You all are part of this ministry; we thank you and pray that God will bless you greatly.
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