December Acapulco Trip
This December, we sent a team of 8 people to the children’s home, Casa Hogar, in Acapulco, Mexico! We’ve had a lasting relationship with Casa Hogar for almost 30 years, and we’re so grateful to finally return and spend time with the children and the workers, especially after the devastation caused by the hurricane in 2023.
Our trip was filled with stories of God’s faithfulness, moments of connection, and a renewed sense of hope. A few of our team members shared some highlights from the trip!
Pastor Joe Creech: Originally, we had a group of 11 planning to go, but 3 had to drop out, mostly due to health reasons. (We make our plans, and the Lord directs our steps.)
This trip brought along some special firsts: Martha Castor, age 86, made her first trip to Casa Hogar, as did Linda Green. Al Pascale, on the other hand, joined us with his wife, Mary, marking at least his 50th trip over the last 26 years!
At Casa Hogar, we did crafts with the 41 kids, ages 5 to teens, including making gingerbread houses. We also gave out flip-flops and clothing, generously donated by our children’s ministry and the Evergreen ladies. The home has physically recovered from the hurricane, and the children are happy and thriving.
While visiting, I spoke with Fernando, one of the older boys who has special needs. I asked him if he was scared during the hurricane, with winds approaching 200 mph and every window in the home was broken. He responded with a confident “no,” and pointed upward with one finger. I asked, “Oh, you were upstairs?”
He responded, “No, God was with me… why would I be scared?”
Andrew Lockhart: What stood out to me on this trip is how much Casa Hogar has grown. Despite the challenges the city of Acapulco faces, the home is in great shape. It’s a testament to the partnership we’ve had with them over the years.
When Emily, my wife, lived there years ago, the children would often talk to her about poor living conditions. Now, the buildings are solid, every child has air conditioning, and they’re even considering buying a generator. What’s even more encouraging is that Casa Hogar is no longer simply reactive to immediate needs. Twenty years ago, it felt like they were just trying to keep their heads above water, but today, they’re planning ahead and preparing for the future.
Fernando’s story about God being with him during the hurricane reminds us how resilient and faith-filled these kids are.
A Focus on Future Needs: The Mexican government has increased the minimum wage, which means Casa Hogar will need about 12% more funding in 2025 to pay their workers. Please pray for provision, especially for additional staff to help support the children.
David Castor: One of my favorite moments was watching how the children gathered around my mom, Martha, and sat at her feet with so much respect. At one point, while playing a game of tag, a chair got knocked over. The older kids immediately stopped the game and made the younger child apologize to her. It was such a beautiful picture of the love and discipline these children have learned at Casa Hogar.
Our trip was a reminder of the power of long-term partnerships and God’s provision through the years. Casa Hogar continues to be a place of safety, growth, and faith for these children, and we are so thankful to be a part of their story.
Check out some photos from the trip and join us in praying for Casa Hogar as we prepare to return in Summer 2025!
