Hola,

The year 2005 has come and gone and we have already raced through two months of the New Year! We hope that your Christmas was wonderful and that 2006 is off to a great start! Melissa and Rob, our daughter and son-in-law, blessed us with a wonderful early Christmas present. Ava Lynn Edgerton, our first grandchild, was born on December 12^th. She weighed 6 lbs. and 14 oz. and was 19 ¼ inches long. She has lots of black hair and beautiful dark eyes, just like Melissa! Erin, our youngest daughter, spent the holidays with the Butler family. She had a great time visiting with her school and church friends and our family. She also enjoyed her new role as Ava’s aunt!

Karen and Erin remained in Atlanta until classes resumed at Trinity on January 9^th. I returned to Piedras Negras on December 27^th to be with an outstanding group of 120 people from North Carolina and Georgia, including 32 from our home church, McKendree UMC. Much work was accomplished by these industrious folks: they laid block on the front fence wall of the orphanage, did trim work on the house parents’ new home and sorted donated clothing. They also hosted a Christmas fiesta for the Casa kids. Calvary Baptist Church from Adairsville, Georgia brought large duffle bags filled with girls specially picked out for each child. There was a gathering at the end of each day at the Plaza Motel for a time of celebration and rejoicing, with various praise bands leading us in worship. Many wonderful devotions were given and heartfelt testimonies shared. We were genuinely blessed as the 120 along with many local church members stood in the courtyard singing and dancing with arms raised in praise to God.

The end of 2005 brought about a change in personnel at the DIF, Department of Family and Children Services. In the past, sibling groups were often separated when removed from their homes. The new director has been proactive in reuniting, at the Casas, several of our girls with their sisters who had been placed in other facilities. We are also now seeing a good deal of turnover at the Casa, as the DIF has been working towards returning children to their families. Some of the stories are heart warming. One mother was able to take both her sons home. She had been a drug user and dealer, but successfully turned her life around. She visited her boys at the orphanage every weekend, began attending church, completed her rehabilitation program, secured a job and bought a house. From all accounts they are doing very well. There are others, however, that have not done so well. A sibling group that was returned to their grandmother has been seen on the streets at all hours of the night, dressed in filthy clothes. One of our teenagers, who had been reunited with her mother, is now asking the DIF to place her back at the Casa. Despite family counseling the mother is constantly out of the house with boyfriends, leaving her daughter all alone.

Our orphanage has a stellar reputation and excellent working relationship with the DIF. There is a DIF representative that works closely with the police, picking up children from the streets or removing them from dangerous home situations. He most often brings them to the House of Mercy. He and his staff have seen first hand the love and care that has made a difference in the lives of the children who come to the Casa.

God has blessed us in so many ways. He has given our house parents, Ricardo and Karla, tremendous insight and a great understanding and compassion for the children that come to us. These children have been grossly neglected and often physically and emotionally abused. Some come in the door, wrap their little arms around us, and hang on tightly as if they are afraid that we are going to turn them away. Others come in angry and belligerent and will not let us get close to them. They act our because that is the only way they know how to get attention. As they come to realize that they are in a safe and caring environment the transformation begins. We watch, as over time, God’s love literally melts their young hearts and molds them into sweet, loving and happy children.

On January 10^th we celebrated the first anniversary of the Casa de Misericordia-House of Mercy. This past year over 90 children have passed through her doors. More children will come and we must honor our commitment to them:

“With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that these children, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life enternal.”

The United Methodist Bood of Worship, Batismal Covenant II-B, Congregational Pledge 2

This is the vow we assume for all the children who enter our doors. And we are thankful for your generous financial support of our ministry which makes it all possible.

As always, it is our joy to be the hands and fee of Christ to the children of Mexico and we celebrate your participation with us in this ministry.

Grace and Peace,

David & Karen