Casa de Niños y Ancianos Santa Maria de Mexicano, A.C.

Hand of Help

APDO. # 13, C.P. 76270

Colon, Queretaro, Mexico

Telephone Direct: 011-52-429-2-02-48

New Fax Direct: 011-52-429-2-00-46

Feb.-March 1995

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

A SHARED THOUGHT: The season of Lent could be without a doubt one of the most valuable periods of the year for every Christian. Lent is set aside for us as a time to reflect, introspect, and arrive at a transformation of oneself. It means putting aside for six weeks things that can distract us from our final goal, God. Less body, more soul-spirit activities; more quality time with God, family and friends, more communication, but with honesty and sincerity, about our goals in life, obligations and the means of fulfilling them. During Lent we should be talking less about "Me"and more about the "You" within our circle of family, friends and fellow workers. Our Lord has said much to us through His teachings about purity of heart. We need not necessarily think that this has to do with purity or chastity, but of course these could be included. Purity of the heart is what we should be striving for daily on our Christian journey, which implies a continual conversion of the heart. This is are relentless battle that must be accompanied by much prayer, some fasting and one's mind firmly fixed on a single goal, namely God. If there is a mixture of the primary goal, there will be a deluding and contamination which will leave one frustrated and shallow. Our goal must be God. This is what purity of the heart signifies and all else, including family, loved ones, possessions, health, etc. must be secondary to it. Lent must be a time of reflection on this basic obligation, with the hope that it will continue throughout the entire year, or better yet, throughout our lives. St. Paul confirms this very well in his letter to Timothy: "Nothing to me has value if it is not founded in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

A HEARTY THANK YOU. Your continued love and support extended, to us is an assurance that the Good Lord is somewhat pleased with our efforts. We are most grateful for the opportunity that you, through God's inspiration, give to us in our attempt to bring peace, health, education, a morality and a knowledge of God to all those sent to us. This task is by no means an easy one because of the many diverse problems that arrive with each child. Yet, burdened by our many handicaps, progress still is realized and the vast majority of our children do leave well-prepared to face the world and the adult future. We still lack for qualified staff members, educational supplies, private individualized lookers, and a host of other items. Yet, I have leamed from many years of experience to be grateful with whatever you have and make the most out of it because within walking distance there are many, many others much worse off than yourself. How true that is and what blessings that philosophy of life brings. We are forever attempting to teach this to all the children and I hope that it is registering in these young minds. The challenge is ever present, and most interesting. Pray that we are successful.

THE MEXICAN CONNECTION. Problems continue surfacing daily about the economical crisis here in Mexico. Any kind of solution will mean more suffering and poverty for countless millions of innocent people. Our program will survive and we will continue to progress. God is in control as He always has been, so we cannot fail. Our 220 children, 23 senior citizens, staff members and workers will just have to endure a bit of hardship for an unknown length of time, but we will never experience the suffering of those in so many other parts of the world. "Lord Jesus, please look after those who cannot care for or defend themselves.

KITCHEN PROGRESS I am very pleased to report that by the time you receive this letter we will be cooking in our "new restored" kitchen at Santa Maria. What a marvelous improvement! I got a real good bargain on tile, so consequently we have tiled walls and floor, with stainless steel sinks and a new stove and stove hood. So beautiful and so easy to keep clean. The cook now dresses in a white gown and white hat. This is improving the taste of the food, the appetites are roaring on, and it could pass any American hygienic inspection. What a difference from our old, cold cement mess we had for some 20 years. Fred Cordova, Julie Lopez, LeRoy Salazar, Mike Entz, Anthony Cordova, Jack Kuntz, Marvin Muniz and Fr. Peter Urban, all of Colorado, made a tremendous contribution to this great project. Thank you all so very much. It will be around many more years than all of us. Bless you all!

REQUEST BOX, VOLUNTEERS WITH SPECIAL SKILLS ARE NEEDED TO ASSIST THE CHILDREN AND STAFF WITH THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN MANY AREAS. WE NEED A TEACHER TRAINED IN THE SPECIAL NEEDS AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES FOR DYSLEXIC CHILDREN, AND WE NEED A BI-LINGUAL PHARMACIST TO HELP US ORGANIZE OUR MEDICINES AND HERBS AND HELP THE STAFF UNDERSTAND THEIR USE.

VISITORS, THE LORD CONTINUES TO BLESS US WITH MANY DEAR FRIENDS WHO ARE SO CAPABLE AND WILLING TO SHARE WITH OUR CHILDREN. MARY MARTIN, FROM MAINE, RETURNED FOR THE 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING FOR HER TWO-MONTH STAY. MARY IS A LOVELY AND BEAUTIFUL GRANDMOTHER WHO SHARES SO VERY WELL.

AMELIA, FROM NEW JERSEY, IS HERE FOR THREE MONTHS AND IS DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB IN THE SANTA MARIA KITCHEN. THE CHILDREN LOVE HER DEARLY AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN SHE SERVES THEM THEIR FAVORITE DISHES OF HAMBURGERS, SPAGHETTI, FRENCH TOAST OR PIZZA. SISTER HELEN DE LA PENA JUST ARRIVED FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND WILL TEAM UP WITH SRS. MARY TERESA, ESPERANZA AND ANGELINA IN THE GIRLS' HOME. SR. HELEN HAS A BEAUTIFUL PERPETUAL SMILE THAT IS CONTAGIOUS, AND GETS HER THROUGH THE DAYS AS SHE LEARNS SPANISH! KATRY MORITZ AND SON IAN, FROM COLORADO, SPENT TWO WEEKS DOING AN IMMEASURABLE AMOUNT OF HEALTH PROJECTS WITH OUR CHILDREN. KATHY IS NOT ONLY A NURSE BUT ALSO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST, AND SHE PUT INTO PRACTICE HER MANY TALENTS.

PEGGY SALISBURY AND SEVEN STUDENTS FROM COLORADO ACADEMY RETURNED FOR A SECOND YEAR TO SPEND A WEEK HELPING OUT WITH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WITH THE CHILDREN. IT IS ALWAYS A JOY TO HAVE THE YOUTH OF THE U.S. VISIT AND EXCHANGE THEIR IDEAS, EXPERIENCES AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES.

GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS. Bureaucracy in Mexico is absolutely incredible. The U.S. can be difficult and trying, but in Mexico I am convinced that the reason why so many people drink is because of all the bureaucratic nonsense., After months of tears, trials and trepidation, finally we will be included as a non-profit organization here in Mexico. This was a hard decision to make because of all the ramifications and "Big Brother" observations which will be included, but after a lot of prayer, I went ahead. That was the good news. The headquarters and central home property in Santa Maria belongs to the Diocese of Queretaro and is now in the Reform Court in Mexico City waiting for a decision as to how much property they are going to give to the families who live in "ranchos" behind the Santa Maria complex. The governor is our friend and is looking out for us, but politics are rather questionable at times and difficult to fight. The Lord and Our Blessed Mother will take care of us though. Please pray for this intention.

JORGE BAUCHE, RETURNS FOR A YEAR OF SERVICE, Jorge Bauche first came to Santa Maria in 1978 as a young man searching to know himself and looking for God. He stayed for three years and we helped him with a work scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated with a degree in Marketing. After working several years in the business world, Jorge decided to return to share his many talents with us in helping pull us through this economic crisis. He is a living dynamo and is making a wonderful contribution to the program. We have been blessed by his presence.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, A short time back I was waiting (and still am waiting) for the arrival of 50 pairs of shoes for our children. Almost daily different kids were coming to me asking for a pair of shoes. I kept putting them off until the day that little Juan arrived to show me his shoes, or rather his shoe. One just dropped off piece by piece. I had no choice but to take him immediately to the shoe store. It so happened that I noticed a sporting goods shop that had a big sale on. We walked in and the salesman asked if he could help us. Juan replied that he would like some shoes. "What do you want to use them for -- tennis, volleyball, basketball, hiking, biking, running, soccer or jogging?" Poor Juan was all confused, but he managed a rather cautious mumble, "Well, I, uh, thought I'd just walk around in them. Is that all right?" What a joy children can be!

LAST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS, Spanish-speaking volunteers who can spend one to three years are needed here in our program Send application by FAX. We guarantee that all volunteers will work hard, play little, lose some weight and be totally satisfied in the joy of serving God's little ones Our next project is, believe it or not, restoring our out-houses and also some indoor toilets Fun time just ended, back to work with the out-houses!

A hug, much love and prayers from all of us to all of you,

The Children, Staff and Father Antonio Norman