The Orphanage

The orphanage was run by a couple named Eric and Adrianna. They are beautiful people. Eric speaks English fairly well and one day when he came to pick up the group of 8 of us going to the orphanage that day, I sat in the front seat and he told me his story, which I will relay to you as he told it to me:

"I was working in Cabo San Lucas as an Engineer and I thought I was just to do something greater with my life, God needed me or something. Me and my wife (Adrianna) moved to Obregon (I can't remember why he said they moved there) and we would go around durning the week and give food to the poor and hungry people. One day I was talking to this guy and I could tell he had problem with drugs. I looked at him and said, you have drugs and the man said yes, me and my wife, we have drugs (meaning they're addicted). He said to me, take my kids. I said to him, you don't even know me, why would you want me to take your kids. He said to me because I can tell you are good and you have God with you. I can see good in your eyes. Please take my kids. So within a couple of weeks we talk to the government...and then one day, I have 5 more kids. (He has a few kids of his own and from him and his wife's previous marriage). And now...today...I have 45 kids."

Eric and Adrianna are incredible people running an orphanage in Mexico where they love each child like their own. The kids call them mom and dad and you can tell they love and respect them. Eric has great dreams to expand the orphanage and teach the children life skills, give them schooling and even to build a rehab center where he could hopefully help many of the parents of the children so they can get better and still see their kids. His heart is full of love...and his goal is to provide for the children and help them in any way possible.

The last night we were there having our party with the kids, they all got to stay up super late and dance and eat candy and do the things you look forward to as a kid...just stay up late and have fun. One by one I watched the little ones walk over to Eric and Adrianna and curl up in their lap. Each child would fall asleep in their arms and they would then walk them into their room, put them to bed and come back outside and watch the kids play. This happened several times before the party was over and I remember thinking it was so cute.

It was interesting to see the contrast of the kids in the neighborhood of the house we built and the kids at the orphanage. Through my eyes the kids at the orphanage had it better. They were loved, went to school, had friends, food on the table, a bathroom and shower, clothes, shoes and other necessities. Many things the neighborhood children did not have. My view of what an orphanage was completely changed after being here.

I am grateful for people like Eric and Adrianna who are selfless enough to give up a different life and care for people who really, really need them. They are incredible people full of love and hope. Because of this I want to transport the adorable Mexican kids and open up an orphanage with my friend Kathryn when we get rich. We'll give the kids lot's of toys, and ice cream...and lot's of love. In the summer we'll take trips to the lake and the pool. When winter comes we'll decorate a Christmas tree and go sledding and I'll take turns teaching the kids how to snowboard...it's going to rock. And maybe I can finally learn Spanish for real.