The youth group of Church of the Valley in Apple Valley, California was going strong in 1983. Some 85 kids from 6th grade through junior college came every Sunday night to worship in song and praise, pray and play together.
As Youth Elder, I attended twelve meetings a month on their behalf. In addition, we had events outside the church -such as Spring retreats and Winter camp – and an occasional mission project.
One summer, Bobbie Ruffo and I made a trip to Tijuana, Mexico. I had heard of an orphanage there, championed by Tony Ralph – part of the Ralph’s grocery store chain. We went down to see what the needs might be. Bobbie – in charge of the Christian Education department – helped me with most of the meetings and projects.
At the orphanage, we saw a very tidy and well-run home for young children. We told them we would like to come back the following week with our youth group, and asked them what we could bring with us.
Back at home, we asked Pastor Bill Hansen to announce what we were doing and to read of list of donations we would like to take to the orphanage with us on Tuesday, in just two days!
Imagine my amazement when we received a washing machine – which was one thing requested by orphanage caretakers – and a pickup bed full of clothes, food, hangers, laundry detergent, and so on.
We made arrangements with the Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church in San Diego, where I had attended as a youth and young mother, to sleep on the floor in the youth room there. We unloaded our sleeping bags and such, then went to the beach on Misson Bay for a cookout.
The next morning we were off to Mexico. The orphanage was located on the side of a remote hill.
When I think about it, I’m not sure how Bobbie and I found it the first time, as it was long before GPS and cell phones. The caretakersand children were happy to see us. The orphanage was all spiffed up in anticipation of our coming.
The youth had a wonderful time playing with the children, and we felt tired and grateful as we headed home. Helping others is something we do for ourselves.
Photos taken in Guatemala courtesy of Kat Miner (seethingsdifferently.com)
