Earthquake strikes Mexicali

More Relief for Mexicali

Giving Children Hope is continuing its relief efforts in Mexicali and is sending a truck load of supplies. The truck will be filled: food, shoes, clothes, drinks, bedding, toys, vitamins, creams, hygiene, and some medical supplies.

These items will be distibributed to established communities in Mexicali.

Thank you to our donors for helping make this shipment possible!

2010.05.14 by Harmony Trevino

Distribution Update

This week we received new photos from the distribution in Mexicali. Dr. Deborah Hamilton writes in:

When we first arrived we set up in a village where the homes were so damaged the people were living outside their homes in makeshift tents tied to anything they could find. They were so blessed as we rolled up in the trucks and when they saw the doors rolled up and there was water, beans and so much they were visibly moved. You can see the smiles on their faces in the pictures.

The kids were tired of being displaced in some of the camps you can see the stress on their small faces. Who knew what happened – all of a sudden their lives have turned upside down. No school, no home – nothing normal to them. Thank goodness for the boxes of M & M’s which were sent with the load of food and water. They put a smile on the faces of the children – amazing what a little bag of candy and a warm hug does even if you don’t speak the language.

Diana told us that she was able to talk to an elderly lady who lived alone. Her house had flooded and she had to leave her house to go to a more secure place. That secure place was simply outside. She was ever so grateful not just for the help to the physical body but as Diana spoke and ministered to her you knew that she was even more grateful for just someone to care.

Kathya Lopez went with us, “Life changing experiences are a once in a lifetime chance. You only get one chance to do something that will change your life forever…that is what this trip to El Valle of Mexicali did to me and many of those that went with us.”

As we were giving away the last of the toys we had brought with us. A baby girl who was wrapped in her mother’s arms denied the horse the youth leader offered. I laughed and took the toy from his hands. He smiled and continued to give out toys. A smile was on his face so wide I thought it would eat him whole. Before I left the only last thing I had to give the little toy horse. The little girl shy and hand trembling took the toy. The mother smiled with gratefulness in that smile – as I left I turned around one last time to see the little girl grasping the little simple toy in her hand and waving to me. Kathya tells this story – she is 14 years old.

The opportunity given by “Giving Children Hope” and “Leadership Strategies” doesn’t just affect the lives of those that receive the much needed food and water. It affects the lives of those that take it and give it out. This is how lives are changed for a lifetime; this is how God plants seeds in hearts for missions and giving way beyond ourselves.

Leo was one of our workers he is 14 years old. He told us later that a boy came towards him and said, “I am very thirsty.” The boy was no more than 5 years of age and had moved his way to the front of the line where we were giving out the food and water. I at first told him he had to go back and wait with his father; but the look of sadness in his eyes was more than I could handle so I followed him as he went to go back and join his father. When I tapped him on the shoulder and gave him the water you would of thought that he had won the lottery. Lesson learned that sometimes its better to minister from where the need is than trying to make sure you follow the rules.

All along the way as we moved the trucks from one station to another you could see where water was just standing that had come from homes where pipes were broken. It was a warm day Saturday and the flies and bugs had already found safe haven in the mud and muck. Desperation causes people to stop in their tracks and we could see that in their eyes and actions as they sat with head down. As the truck doors opened in every place the spirit immediately lifted and you could see people get up from their little spot on the dirt to make their way to the truck. It doesn’t take much to give hope to someone when the bar is so low. Saturday we brought hope to these people. We told them we would be back and would help as much as we can. They are grateful, moved and humbled by the aid that was brought.

2010.04.30 by

Earthquake relief arrives in Mexico

On Friday, April 16th, Giving Children Hope shipped 35 pallets of beans, blankets and other food staples to the Assembly of God Church in Mexicali in partnership with Dr. Deborah Hamilton.

Dr. Hamilton informed us on Friday evening that everything had arrived and was already being distributed. She writes:

Good morning…what a blessed Lord’s Day!!!! First thank you again…. man we moved all of it so fast – God favored and we ran with it…It got here we unloaded it Friday night then at 8 a.m. yesterday [Saturday] we loaded up the box trucks and off it went. Had clearance from the government with a letter that paved the way…[we could use more] there is a great need.

We look forward to posting photos of the distribution as soon as they are available. We are grateful to have the product in the field assisting those who were affected by the earthquake. Thank you for your support!

1969.12.31 by