The April LCGS Mexico Mission trip to Tecate, Mexico included work at the Rancho San Juan Bosco orphanage.  The wooden playground equipment needed some repair and also serious paint prepping (a lot of scraping and wire brushing!!!) prior to painting everything.  Click on the link below to see “before” and “after” photos of the playground equipment.

Playground Equipment Work

    The music instructor, Martin, (that we fund to conduct music lessons at the orphanage) had a special music program for us on the Saturday we arrived in Tecate.  It included the children playing guitars, keyboard, drums, and singing.  His two daughters, Gaby and Crystal, were also present.  The entire group enjoyed the program.  Click on the below link for photos from the music program.

Music Program

    We also met representatives from two other southern California churches that were visiting the orphanage.  We discussed the possibility of partnering with them to help sponsor a child (or several children) from the orphanage to attend the local university.   We are still hoping to raise enough money for this.

 

As always, please keep the children in your prayers!

A group of six visited the Rancho San Juan Bosco Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico on Friday, December 13, 2013.   We first met with the Director, Misael Morelos Quezada.  It was the first time at the orphanage for three of our group so Misael provided a tour of the facility.  Misael informed us the orphanage currently has 10 girls and 30 boys.  The facility can accommodate up to 20 more children but they do not have the staff or supplies to support any additional children at this time.  The Government does not provide any support to the orphanage.  The Government only comes to the orphanage to see if the children are all right and they are going to school. 

Next we met with the music instructor, Martin Mancilla, who was finishing the Friday morning music lesson.  We listened to several songs played by the students.  Martin mentioned that a couple good students have left the orphanage and he has several new students now.  We are thrilled with the music program - Martin is doing an outstanding job!

Our final stop in Tecate was at the local university.  Misael had informed the university of our planned visit and accompanied us to the university.   We are hoping to raise enough money so we can sponsor a child (or several children) from the orphanage to attend the university.  We met with the dean, Edith Montiel Ayala, and discussed the programs at the university and the costs.  She gave us a tour of the university.  Overall, we were very pleased with the information we obtained at the university.

We had a great trip and look forward to our next trip to the orphanage.

Please keep the children in your prayers.

To view photos from the trip click on "13December 2013".

Also, below are videos from the music program.

 

 

On Saturday afternoon, April 6, 2013, a group from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd visited the orphanage.  The orphanage’s Saturday morning music lesson was move to the afternoon so we could hear the children play their instruments and sing.  The music teacher, Martin Mancilla, gave a short introduction with his daughter Gabbe providing the interpretation.  The children sang two songs while playing their instruments (keyboard, drums, and guitars), played a classical song, and then sang a song they had written.  Danielle Heath, from Good Shepherd, sang a song while playing the guitar and finally Gabbe sang a song. 

 

After the music program the group played soccer, tether ball, basketball, jumped rope, and visited with the orphanage children. 

 

It was a beautiful afternoon and a wonderful experience to be with the children.  Please keep them in your prayers!

 

To view the trip photos click on 6 April 2013.

    On Saturday, December 1, 2012, Darrin, Kevin, and Randy made a one day trip to the orphanage.  We delivered a drum set that was purchased for the orphanage music program.  We arrived around 10:15am and enjoyed the last 45 minutes of the Saturday morning music class.  The children were singing and playing their instruments in preparation for their performance on December 21^st at a local factory’s employee appreciation day/holiday party.  We were all amazed at how well they were playing their instruments.  The music teacher has done a fabulous job!

(As you will see in the photos, the music class was being held in the dining area rather than the normal “meeting” room due to work being done in that room.)

 

    After the music lesson we had some of the boys help us unload and setup the drum set.  Two of the boys then showed us that they are already familiar with playing the drums.  We believe the drum set will be a nice compliment to the other instruments they have.  Next we want to get them an amplifier for the bass guitar.

 

    We spoke with Misael, the Orphanage Director, for over an hour discussing how we can best support the orphanage.  We also discussed their interaction with other orphanages in the area.  Misael informed us that the El Monte, CA School District has provided them with a mobile classroom and a second one is scheduled to arrive before the end of the year.  Initial plans for the classrooms are to use them for music and Bible study.

    Overall it was a great trip!

 

To view the photos click on 1 December 2012 Trip.

Music Videos:

 

 

    During a trip to Tecate on August 24-26 several members of LCGS (Darrin, Charlie, Greg, Kevin, and Randy) visited the RSJB orphanage on Saturday, August 24.  The Saturday morning music lesson was being conducted during the visit.  (Your donations are helping fund music lessons on Tuesdays from 9:00-11:00am for children 13 and older and on Saturdays from 9:00-11:00am for children under 13)  When the music teacher, Martin, arrived the children quickly went to greet him.  They were very excited for the lesson to begin.  After taking attendance, Martin provided instruction on the guitar to 8 children.  

    Misael, the orphanage director, told us a Minnesota church supporting the orphanage heard of the music program and donated additional instruments.  Misael also informed us that in May a professional, classical guitarist (Rafael Elizondo) played at the orphanage for an hour.  He had played at the orphanage 25 years ago for his first public performance.  He wanted to come back and play for the children.  Also, Eva Chavez, a professional pianist in Tecate, invited the children to attend a concert in June.  She has volunteered to give piano lessons to four children at the orphanage. The lessons will begin on Wednesday, August 29.

    We are still in need of additional guitars and continued donations for the music lessons.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

    The music program has become a huge success and is a great blessing for the children!!!!  Please keep them in your prayers.

 

To view the music lesson photos click on August 24, 2012 photo album.

 

      A one day trip was made to Tecate, Mexico on June 29^th to visit the Rancho San Juan Bosco orphanage, an elementary school east of Tecate, and a medical clinic near the school.  We met with the orphanage director, Misael, and discussed starting a music program at the orphanage.  We told him we have a piano, two guitars, and several other instruments that have been donated.  We plan to pay for a local music teacher to come to the orphanage twice a week for a couple hours to teach the children.  Misael was very excited about the program.  We also discussed our continued support to ensure the orphanage has sufficient food. 

The orphanage does not receive any Government funding.  It is supported only through donations.

I just returned from Tecate, Mexico, where I participated with our church in building a house for a family of six.  I also had the opportunity to visit San Juan Bosco Orphanage.  I am very grateful to God for letting us live in America.  Many people have asked me why I feel the calling to do mission work in Mexico rather than the U.S.  It has also crossed my mind.  I have a very good answer.  In the U.S., our government aid is so great that most people do not need to go hungry or sleep in shack homes.  This, of course, is just my observation.  So, hopefully, it will grab your spirit and donate to our cause.  C. Alexovics

Family's previous home

Newly built home