The 4 sweet sisters are back

Sometimes life throws us unexpected surprises... some which really brighten our days! That's exactly what happened for us at GCH.

Shortly after GCH opened it's doors in 2005, 4 little sisters came to live with us. They are so sweet and cute and it was a joy to have them. But then the Mexican social services had to give their family one more chance to care for them. Sadly we had to say good-bye (by far the HARDEST part of living at GCH).

Then, a month ago, we got a phone call. The girls were not being cared for appropriately and could we take care of them... this time for a longer commitment. Of course, we were sadden by the lack of adequate care given them, but we thanked God that He was bringing back our 4 little girls.

With much joy and excitement, the girls rushed through our doors a few weeks ago. They have QUICKLY re-assimilated into the place they know as "home".

Please pray for Valeria, Mayra A., Fernanda & Alma, as we know God has brought them back to GCH to heal and be restored. Gratefully, all 4 are thriving!

Marcus turns 4

God has blessed us with 3 wonderful boys of our own - George (9 yrs), Eric (8 yrs) & Marcus.

Marcus just celebrated his 4th b-day, GCH style... with pinatas, cakes, costumes, presents, games, etc! It's amazing to see our boys grow and to think that our "baby" is now 4.

Did I mention, he's bilingual? If you ask him a question in Spanish, he knows exactly what you're saying... as well in English. Can you imagine being 4 yrs. old and understanding 2 languages? Kinda cool, huh? One of the perks, or gifts from God, for having chosen to live here.

We thank God for Marcus and wanted to share this cute b-day photo of him breaking his superman pinata (he had a superman symbol on his shirt too).

Our newest intern, Gina!

GCH is thrilled to have Gina as our newest intern! Gina is a young woman with a love for God and children. She is one of a few young people who over the past few years that has decided to sacrifice a couple of months of her life to serve the Lord and the precious children of GCH.

On most days, you'll find Gina doing exactly what she's doing in this photo... loving on our kids! We thank God for Gina! Please pray for her during her 2-month stay at GCH this fall. WELCOME GINA!!!!!!

Sept. Current Needs List

Here's our list of our current needs at GCH. Thanks again to all who have helped meet so many needs in the past!

Gift cards: Costco, Wal-Mart, Home Depot

Funding:
1. To continue construction of the Education Center
2. To pay off land for Senior center & Church/ community center
3. For on-going monthly needs (water, electricity, transportation, medicine, etc)

Food: spaghetti sauce, pinto beans, noodles, canned fruit, canned corn, wheat sandwich bread, butter, canned tuna & chicken, canned fruit, pancake mix, maple syrup, cooking oil, potatoes & tomatoes, cheese, chicken, hamburger meat, beef for stew, roasts, bacon, sausage, cilantro, fresh fruits & veggies, eggs, ham/ sandwich meat, maseca, ketchup, mayo, flour tortillas, sugar

Cleaning/ Household supplies: laundry soap, Clorox, oxy-clean, Ajax, dish soap, pinesol, fabuloso, disinfecting spray, spray bottles, fabric softener sheets, ant traps, household foggers (bug bombs), commercial size pots & pans

Paper products: paper plates!, napkins, Kleenex, surgical gloves, gallon size Ziploc bags, sandwich size bags, plastic spoons and forks, paper cups, toilet paper, large black garbage bags, medium kitchen size garbage bags

Personal Hygiene: body lotion, shampoo, detangling spray, hair gel, diapers (size 6), diaper wipes, deodorant, lice shampoo, purrell

Clothes: girls’ navy or white leggings & tights (sizes 4T to ladies size 5), black school shoes & mostly white athletic shoes (boys sizes 3-5 youth), boys’ beige dockers style pants (sizes 12 – 16), girls’ solid white collared shirts (sizes 4T – 18 youth), navy blue clip-on boys’ ties (avail. at Wal-Mart), boys’ white socks (sizes youth 2+ shoes), shoe laces & shoe polish (black & white)

School supplies: hard back & CD-Rom Encyclopedias in Spanish for young adults (10+ yr olds), coloring books, erasers, child size guitar (for music lessons)

Vehicles:
1. Fairly new 15+ diesel mini-bus – low miles, reliable, good condition
2. Trailer for intern housing – good condition, electrical/ water working

Other: 2-3 large book shelf size cabinet with doors, car-port size canopy (for shade for our kids in the outside)

School scholarships

As we wrote this summer, several of our children were extended the invitation to attend a special bilingual school close to our home. This school provides an exceptional educational opportunity, something most children in this country wouldn't normally receive.

We put the word out to many of you to pray for the funds to send our kids, and we are grateful that each of the 7 children selected are now sponsored! Thank you to the 7 sponsors who have commited to support our kids -- Donna W., Faith Bible Church, Lisa C., Valley Christian High School, Crystal Cathedral Academy, Yugo Canada donors, & Oaks Christian Middle School.

In the photo, you'll see the 7 children, plus our 2 eldest sons, Eric & George. They are from left to right (top row): Eric Palau, David Sanchez, Luis Antonio Lopez, Leonardo Zubiran, George Palau; (front row): Yahaira Lopez, Elizabeth Zamarripa, Yesenia Lopez, and Alan Natividad Sanchez.

We are so excited for them & just know God is going to use this opportunity & the kids for great things some day!

Ready for School

Every weekday morning, GCH staff has the huge task of getting LOTS of kids ready for the 3 different schools they attend. The kids need to eat, be dressed in uniforms, hair combed, teeth brushed, lunches in hand & heading out the door by 7:30am. Whew!

But, don't they look GREAT?!

The awesome part of this is that through the efforts of GCH and the local schools, they are finally receiving a consistent education. Please remember to pray for our kids and their education, and for the staff that helps them!

Welcome Nana!

GCH is pleased to welcome "Nana" (short for Grandma) Gaby as the new house mom for the girls' home. A few months ago, God put on Nana's heart a burden for the girls at GCH. She began to pray and volunteer here, building relationships with the children & helping with her expertize in raising children (she is a mom & grandma too).

Nana's love for God and the children is evident in all she does, as you can tell from the photo. On that particular day, it was exceptionally hot. Nana had no problem leading the fun!

Please pray for Nana and the important ministry she has at GCH!

Princess for a day!

Birthdays are a BIG deal around here and we make sure to celebrate with a BANG! Bounce houses, pinatas, cakes, food, decorations, music, and of course, dressing up as a princess for the day. In this photo, Belen dressed up as Cinderella, like her pinata... and she even had a princess cake!

Thank you, Tias!

Recently GCH said thank you and good-bye to 2 of our "Tias", Tia Fran (formerly the house mom for the girls' house) and Tia Cyndal (a summer intern from Canada). We celebrated them and their efforts with a big party, gifts, and hugs galore.

Thank you Tia Fran & Tia Cyndal for loving our kids!