Mexico Orphanages trip by Brenda's daughter Shellie

Hi... my name is Shellie and I am Brenda's daughter, she wanted me to share with you a recent special service trip as I was lucky enough to escape my hectic household and head south of the border to Baja Mexico last weekend. Trip was four days (2 were spent driving, 13 hrs. each way). This was a group of 27 people organized through a group called Kaiizen out of Brigham Young University in utah. This had always been a dream of mine, and I had learned of this group a year ago. I decided to committ and so very glad to have done so. This was a life-changing event for me and can happily say that I have finally found a new budding PASSION in my life. My main passion is painting.

First we put on a carnival at the school with games, pinatas, waterballoons & hamburgers. The kids were so happy to see us, they ran up to our cars the minute we pulled in. That same day we headed over to the first orphanage and played with the kids, held and LOVED all the babies (my favorite part!) did a craft, baked about 25 cookie sheet sized pizzas, and watched a movie. We then headed over to another orphanage and slept in our cars/tents on their property that night. This place was right on a beautiful beach.

In the mornings the kids would just come running to hug us. We made pancakes for breakfast, played outside all day with them, jumping rope, hopscotch, volleyball, connect four, twister, and boy was I sore the next day! This also gave their care givers a well deserved break. It went by so fast and when it came time to go I just cried my eyes out. The pretty little girl in the photo below is 2 year old Angie and she had been there for only 1 week.

This was truly the best thing I have ever done. The next morning at home I found I was still just bawling my eyes out. I just feel there is so much to be done out there and everyday still I am thinking okay what can I do today to help those kids. I encourage anybody who has a desire to do this to just committ and do it, you will be so glad you did, there is a happiness you receive that you cant find anywhere else and beleive me I have done many wonderful things in my life.

I am in the process right now of getting funding to buy some land and get financing to start an orphanage down there.I have so many ideas running through my head for fun activities for when we return this year. As many of you know most orphanages are very corrupt and not well run. I will keep you posted on our progress as I am finding a wonderful support group of people around here so ready and willing to help.