The Bensons' Experience at Casa Hogar de Esperanza
Panuco, Mexico
Bill: Our time at Casa Hogar in June 2024 was very rewarding. Meeting the house parents, Pepe and Lupe and their sons, Juan and Pepito, along with the staff, seeing their love and dedication for the children was inspiring. They offer hope to children as young as 10 months old up to college age. The recurring theme in their lives is that they have a home and a family that loves them.
We spent time with them in Bible devotions and teachings each morning we were there. The children truly enjoyed the devotional times and teachings. We shared our testimonies of how we came to know Jesus, what He has meant to us and how He has impacted our lives. It was touching to hear several of them give their testimonies and stories of how Jesus has touched them and how much being at Casa Hogar de Esperanza has impacted their lives.
Additionally, we engaged with them doing crafts, one of the girls gave me a bracelet
with purple beads as a gift which is a daily reminder to pray for them. One of the members of our team drew pencil portraits of several of the children as well as some of the staff.
In the afternoon they participated in English lessons, teaching them numbers and grammar as well as basic phrases to help them have a better understanding of our language. They were even taught how to use the phrase “you all”, which was quite hilarious.
As much as we blessed the children and staff, they were a bigger blessing to us. We are going to encourage more people to go and serve the children of Casa Hogar de
Esperanza. It was truly a life-changing experience.
Jenny: When I arrived in Panuco with my husband, Bill, and my son's girlfriend, Kyndall, what I knew about the place was that this was an orphanage that was instituted about 20 years ago by a group of people from the United States that had a vision to help children in need.
What I encountered after spending a week there was more than an orphanage with children in need of a safe home. It was filled with hospitality from Lupita and Pepe, the couple in charge of the institution, and their two sons Pepito and Juan.
Hobie and Kyndall prepared daily Bible studies and English lessons for the children. I helped by translating the lessons in Spanish. The children participated playing card games, arts and crafts and playing soccer.
What impacted me the most were the children’s testimonies. They shared their past life experiences and spoke about how they came to know about the love Christ at Casa Hogar. Here they receive nourishment, shelter, education, and they feel safe and respected.
This is a place where they are treated with love and respect from all the staff members. One of the children wants to study law to help represent women who have suffered abuse and impact the community in a positive way.
I was deeply impacted in the week of ministry and look forward in returning in the future.
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