La Puerta De Fe

    My dad has worked with A Child's Hope Foundation for several years. This foundation is involved with La Puerta De Fe or Door of Faith Orphanage that we were able to go work in while down there. Back in 2008, my sister Raquel, along with my dad, and I went down and worked in the orphanage and absolutely loved it that we have wanted to take the rest of the family down since that time 4 years ago!
    It was such a great experience to have the whole family there including Brian. When you work with these children you can't help but he touched by their incredible sweet spirits. As soon as we walked up, we had little hands in ours pulling us to the swings or to draw with chalk or play soccer. Their smiles instantly melted our hearts.

    Once the kids noticed that I had a camera.. they all wanted to take pictures of themselves, each other, and me! I have often heard the saying "the window to our soul is through the eyes." When you look at these pictures like the one above-you see that it's true. These children have such tender and caring spirits. Their souls are pure and beautiful.

    I had many little children just run up to me and hug me--a perfect stranger. I had one little girl say, "Quiero un abrazo?" or I want a hug. Before I could even say a word-she was in my arms.

   On New Year's Eve, we had shark tacos (Yes.. real shark) and the kids broke open a pinata. We played games and drank sparkling cider and welcomed the year 2013 and all the wonderful possibilities awaiting us.

     Some of our projects were building a fence around Buena Vida Orphanage and building new dorm rooms in Door of Faith Orphanage. We also had quite a few soccer games where the volunteers would play against the orphans (they are all AMAZING at soccer!) and for the first time in many years-the volunteers won!
    This experience was definitely a beautiful one for me. To be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior and then go out and serve these children. When we picture the Savior in our minds-we don't picture him in an office of sitting on the couch-- we picture him out serving others and holding children. It was a wonderful way to spend the Christmas holidays and trying to be more like our beloved Savior.