Video

Hey Everyone,

The following link was sent to us from the staff at Casa Angelina.  It shows some of the work we did while we were there.  Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/44593529

Final day/Thoughts

Wow! There are not a whole lot of other words to describe the day today. This has been one of the saddest days in my life. First we had to tell Lydia and her staff at the hotel goodbye this morning and now we are leaving the orphanage for the last time of this trip, but it feels like we are leaving family. The kids and staff of Casa Angelina have a way of grasping your heart. No matter what happens, this place will always hold a very special place in my heart. The work being done down here is absolutely amazing and just continues to grow.

The kids are absolutely amazing and deserve all that we do. Like I said before, if you have not had the opportunity or just didn't know if you wanted to come, jump at the next chance to come down here and I guarentee it will change your life. I know that this will not be a once in a lifetime trip for me. It is going to be a every opportunity I can get trip in the future.

The current property can still hold 4 more houses. Iowa team has pledged to build Harvest House which will bring another 15 kids off the street or from neglectful parents. I've talked to several people and have been thinging a lot and have come to the conclusion that God has laid on my heart to start raising funds for a house of my own. I know this is a great task and it will not be easy to do, but nothing is too great when you are working for the orphanes at Casa Angelina. I love them with all my heart and they will forever be with me even though I barely know any of them.

This will conclude our trip, for this time. I will definitely be back next year and hopefully be able to help Harvest House break ground on their new home and also let the staff at Casa Angelina know my plans for building a house.

If you have any questions about our trip, houses, etc. please feel free to email me at jjschuh7632@gmail.com.

Orphanage Day 2 & 3

Sorry for no post yesterday. There was a little issue with the internet at the motel and I wasn't able to get on. The second day at the orphanage we split up into groups to divide and concur. One group dug a trench, another group painted/stained, and another group started work on their widows house. The day started out a little on the sad side when we woke up to major rain. It rained all morning until we decided to go take a lunch break. Once that happened the sun came out. We got a little work in the sun and then the rain set in yet again.

It was a very wet day but in the end, everyone was still in high spirits. the spirits were a little deflated when we found out the trench we had dug all day had to be moved due to gravity flow issues. And this leads us into day 2.

We started out our day by re-digging some of the trenches to get the washed in sand and gravel out. Another group worked on digging the new trench as well as fill in the old trench. Our new trench ended up having to be 6ft. deep as opposed to the 3ft. trench from the day before. Despite our minor set back, we still managed to get a vast majority of the new trench dug. The other group working on the widows house said they are making good progress. Tomorrow will be our last day working at the orphanage. This is definitely a bitter sweet moment. For most of us this is the most physical work we have done in years, but leaving the kids and knowing what we are doing for their futures is super hard. If you haven't gotten the opportunity to come down on a mission trip, i strongly encourage you to do so. I can guarantee you that this trip will change how you look at life and realize how blessed we are in America.

To end our day on a great note, we got to listen to a mariachi band as we ate filet mignon. We are not spoiled at all :P!

I hope all is going well back home, and that everyone is doing well. Your are always in our thoughts and prays. Adios, hasta manana.

 

Group picture with all the kids.

 

Group picture with all the kids.

 

As you can tell by Hannah's clothes, it was little dirty on day 2.

 

Chad, John, and Myself had it rough this morning when we had to tour La Reunion in hopes for future endeavors. These are some of the pictures of the resort.

 

Yes, that is a shower outside.

Orphanage Day 1

Today was our first day spent at the orphanage. For many of us, it was the first time ever being there. As we pulled into the gates, all you could see were children running towards the bus to greet us as we got out. After morning devotions and the dos and donts of the orphanage we got to go out on a tour of the facilities. Some of the returners dug right in and got to work instead of taking the tour for a 2nd or 3rd time. After the tour of what is going on and what we will be working on this week, we got to sit down and have a delicious lunch prepared by the on site chef. After our lunch was over, we had the delight of watching the children from all the different houses perform a little something they prepared for us for the very first time. There performances included: music, dance, puppets, and skits. We all had a little time after the skits were over to play, hold, and thank the kids. It is hard to really describe just how much the kids really love when people come to visit them and also how much of an effect they have on your life in the very short time you know them. They could definitely light up anyone's day!

I'm going to take a second to just let everyone know that there is a good possibility that this will become an annual event for myself. I have a feeling this might be a mutual feeling for many of the members that are on the trip.

Tomorrow we will get to dig in and get to work building and digging. Hope everyone is enjoying the updates and let me know if there is anything you would like me to do differently or anything you would like me to go into more details. Just comment or send me an email @ jjschuh7632@gmail.com. We are all doing great and I hope everyone back home is the same.  Please keep us in their thoughts and prayers. Until you hear from me again, please enjoy some of the pictures and videos of today. God Bless!

 

This little boy's story can just break your heart, his grandfather is also his father.  Tell me that doesn't make you think.

 

This was our dessert at the orphanage today. We are pretty spoiled down here.

 

This kid is AMAZING! Watch his video below.

 

Here is the chef at the orphanage that makes the amazing food.

Top Video:
The kids from Leah's House performing their song for us.
Bottom Video:
This kid is one of, if not the best guitar player I have ever seen.