Puerto Penasco Mexico

 

This was a life changing experience for Nate and I. The moment we walked into the orphanage I got teary eyed just looking at the children. They all wore coats inside because there was no heating and it was pretty cold in Puerto Penasco. I wore flip flops the first day and about froze to death. There were 31 children at the orphanage during the time we were there. The director and his wife who run the orphanage get paid $8 a day. My mom made each of the children a individualized fleece blanket. We collected shoes and pjs from ward members, friends and family. One of my parents friends made hats for each of the children. We were able to give the children so much because of the numerous donations.

Here's a quick little story.

Everyday when we went out to the orphanage we would pass over the railroad tracks and would see these make-shift houses. We found out at church that mostly single mothers live down there, because they cannot pay for rent. On Christmas day we went down there to take toys and other stuff. We saw a couple of kids and pulled over and within a few minutes our cars were surrounded by little children and mothers. This one little girl was so grateful for just a baby doll dress....not a baby doll, just the dress. I guess it had fallen off another doll we had already given away. There were people climbing all over my parents truck trying to get anything. The greatest thing happen the day we were leaving town. We were driving down the road and I saw this little boy with the pj's that someone had donated on over his clothes. It was the highlight of my day! So grateful for roof over my head.

10 Things I Learned in Mexico

10. You need to pay someone to "watch" your car at the grocery store. If not, theft is inevitable.
9. Don't get sick in Mexico....even though you can get anything at the pharmacy...you may not know how to ask for it.
8. You will not get pulled over for going 20 mph over the speed limit, but will for going the speed limit. Don't ask me where they get their radar guns.

7. There is an actual place called "Mamacitas Table Dancing." 

6. You may mistaken a pinata shop for a porn shop.
5. If you are tall and handsome you will be offered crack and yaya.
4. Peddlers will light their stuff on fire, just to get you to buy it!
3. You pee....You pay!
2. Doors are not required on cars.
1. I love the United States of America!