Sixteen-year-old Sandi may be reserved when you first meet her, but her personality comes to life once she feels comfortable. Surrounded by friends at school and the children’s home, Sandi is grounded and responsible, in part due to being the oldest girl living at San Jose Children’s Home.
The first of its kind in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, Rancho de los Niños Children’s Home was created to care for children with special needs. Once a farm near Mazatlan, Rancho is home to 21 uniquely beautiful children and young adults.
Daniel serves as the Director of Back2Back Nigeria, but before joining staff, he was working for the state government in a stable, yet unfulfilling job. He was passionate about serving children and longed for an outlet to give back to his community.
Back2Back was thrilled to welcome last month, Sra. Gretta Salinas de Medina, President of the Board of the State DIF (the National System for Integral Family Development) and wife of Nuevo Leon’s governor, Rodrigo Medina.
I remember everything about the afternoon the phrase “Reckless Faith” first came to mind. It was 2007 and I was writing a book about my family’s stories from living in Mexico, unsure of how to link them altogether.
I traveled to Haiti in March to spend time with our staff, see Back2Back’s ministry site and visit the children’s homes we work with. I couldn’t wait to soak up the colors, sounds and bright smiles I recall of Haiti. Once there, I was so inspired by one staff member in particular.
I went on my first international mission trip with Back2Back when I was 10. I served in Monterrey, Mexico with my church and had a great experience – so great that I continued to return to Monterrey every year.
Serving as a caregiver to 10 hurting and broken boys at a children’s home in Mexico is hard. There are days when it feels like everything is chaos and nothing turns out right.
Sometimes I describe my daily occurrences as miraculous. And it’s true. I could go on and on about the everyday miracles I live out as I serve children here in Monterrey, Mexico.
Four-year old Estrella wakes up and prepares to go to school, knowing that when she returns she will be welcomed by her foster parents into the warmth and safety of a loving home.