The Waiting Game

August has always been a very special month in our family.  15 years ago, on August 27th, my wife and I were married.  8 years ago, on August 13th, my family and I moved down to Bachiniva Mexico to purchase 40 acres and begin building the House of Blessing Orphanage.  And then there is today, August 31st.  Today is special and very unusual all at the same time.  Not only is it the first day of school, but the first day of “virtual” school. Carolina is starting her junior year of high school, Natalia is in 6th grade and our daughter Ayantu Faith is in 5th.

Like so many of you are experiencing, Mexico launched its new school year with remote learning from home due to COVID-19.  Because 95% of Mexicans have TV, Mexico opted to broadcast school classes via 6 different TV stations.  I honestly never thought I would have to get a TV subscription for my child to go to school.

Indeed, we are in very peculiar and difficult times.

2020, was supposed to be one of the most exciting years here at the House Of Blessing.  We had 9 teams scheduled from all over the United States to come down and serve with us.  We had not only 1 but 2 golf tournaments scheduled in Washington and Florida to raise funds for HOB.  I had 5 speaking engagements throughout the states to share about the ministry.  My wife and I strategically planned our 15 year wedding anniversary trip to New York.  All the travel arrangements and lodging were booked and we were ready to go in April.  And then, my siblings and I had our family reunion scheduled for July.  My four siblings and I along with our spouses and a whole lot of children (15 of them) were to descend upon the beautiful town of Leavenworth for an incredible week.

However, all of that drastically came to a halt due to the Global Pandemic. Mexico closed schools nationwide in March.  Both USA & Mexico agreed to close its border indefinitely, for all non-essential travel. We either tried to reschedule OR had to cancel event after event, trip after trip, activity after activity.  And then suddenly, just like that, what was shaping up to be a busy, exciting and eventful year, has become a very quiet and difficult year.  A most trying time of patience, trust, endurance and the ever difficulty of “waiting”.

The orphanage temporarily closed its doors on Monday, March 16 as well, and continues to remain closed. 10 of our 12 children were relocated to quarantine with their moms.  What we thought was only going to be 3 or 4 weeks has turned into 4 months and counting.  Two girls, Natalia and Carolina, moved into our house as they unfortunately do not have mothers who have the ability nor desire to care for them.

I’ll be honest with you, the past 5 1/2 months have been incredibly challenging and difficult in light of everything that has transpired.  It would be pretty easy and at times tempting to call it quits, to give up, retire, etc, etc.  I have really had to cling to David’s beautiful words that he wrote in Psalm 27

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

And so the waiting game continues. Let us not lose heart though, as we WILL continue to see the goodness of the Lord during this time.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement and financial support. Please continue to check your emails for more updates as well as our website, www.thehouseofblessing.org and facebook page, facebook.com/bachinivaorphanage.

Jason and Jackie Sanchez

HOB Golf Tourmant...

The annual House of Blessing Golf Tournament has been an incredible event.  Over the past 8 years, we have been able to raise tens of thousands of dollars to help support the children and work at the House of Blessing orphanage in Bachiniva, Chihuahua, Mexico.  Last year was our biggest tournament to date.  We raised over $16,000 dollars and had more involvement through donors, sponsors, churches, and volunteers than ever before.  Building off of last year’s tournament, we were very excited to not only have our Washington tournament but one in Florida as well.  A wonderful group of people and churches were excited to launch the first ever HOB Golf Tournament in West Palm Beach.  Dates were set, courses were reserved, and momentum began to build for the two tournaments in 2020.

When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, the momentum was brought to a stand still.  As the world waited, watched, and quarantined, we began to discuss what options might be available for the tournaments.  The HOB golf committee and HOB board of directors began to pray, discuss, and strategize what we might be able to do in light of everything taking place.  Our hope was to reschedule both our tournaments to a later date this year.  After looking at different dates and talking with golf courses, we were unable to reschedule our Washington tournament for this year.  Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel the 2020 HOB Golf Tournament in Washington.

We were able to “tentatively” reschedule the Florida tournament to September 26th.  We are working closely with our support team in Florida who is carefully monitoring the situation.  We will make a final decision about that tournament by the end of this month, depending on where West Palm Beach County is at with their reopening plan.

Although we are bummed about these changes, we are all the more excited for tournaments in 2021.  There are still a lot of ways that you can help out and partner with the House of Blessing orphanage.  If you would like to learn more about what’s going on down in Mexico or even help support financially, you can contact the director, Jason Sanchez (jason@thehouseofblessing.org, www.thehouseofblessing.org cell phone, 915-316-9496).

Thank you for your support over the years, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our tournaments in 2021.

Sincerely,

The HOB Golf Committee

Mike Melchior, Jason Murdock, Jason Sanchez

Praying For A Sister...

For the longest time our daughter, Ayantu, has prayed for a sister.  Having been adopted when she was 11 months old and being an only child has definitely brought up some interesting and emotional conversations and questions.  

“Papi, how come you and mama can’t have kids?”  

I must admit I didn’t imagine hearing that question from her at such a young age.  I guess I could respond with what the doctors and medical field have told my wife and I over the years, 12 years to be exact and counting.  It’s called “unexplained fertility.”  However, rather than diving into that discussion with my 10 year old, I have opted for a more subtle response.

“I don’t know why sweetie. We want more children, and have prayed for more, but for some reason God has a different plan for us.”  

Her response to my answer usually sounds like this, “...well, good thing we have an orphanage cause its like you and mama have a lot of kids.”

For the past 7 weeks we have had the privilege of having Natalia and Carolina live in our house with us.  When COVID-19 hit Mexico, 10 of the 12 children in our orphanage were able to return to their moms and family to quarantine.  Unfortunately, Natalia (age 10) and Carolina (age 16) don’t have that opportunity.

Natalia was abandoned by her biological dad by the time she was 3.  She has never met him nor knows anything about him.  Although her mother lives just 7 minutes away from the orphanage, Angela is unable to take care of her daughter Natalia and at times, doesn’t seem like she even wants to.

Carolina lost her dad when she was in 1st or 2nd grade.  He died of a head injury.  She and her siblings were than abandoned by their mom, who met another guy and moved in with him.  So, ever since she was about 5 or 6 years old, Caro has been raised by her grandparents.  She came to the orphanage when she was 12.

It has been an absolute joy being a father-like figure to these two girls who have never experience that.  And yes at times, very challenging, especially for Ayantu.  Trying to balance being her dad and yet loving on Caro and Natalia as a father figure as well.  This to has brung up very deep and heartfelt conversations with Ayantu.

A few weeks ago her and I were taking our usual morning walk.  Hand in hand, I asked her how she was doing with things, COVID-19, school work, sharing a room with Natalia, you know, the usual stuff.  I could tell her mind was racing.

“Well, I like having Natalia because I always have someone to play with and its fun sharing a room with her.  And she doesn’t have a family so its nice we can be like a family to her.”

She went on to explain some of the obvious frustrations or challenges that comes with sharing a room, toys, close quarters, etc. As we neared the end of our walk, her next response moved me to tears.  Tears that I had to fight back so she wouldn’t see that her brave, strong papi was crying.

“Plus, you know what dad, I have always wanted a sister.  And now I have one.”

Wow, I was floored, blessed and crying all at the same time.  You see in the midst of pandemics and great challenges like COVID-19, there are still encouraging and hopeful things taking place.  And i will forever treasure that morning walk with my sweet little Antu Faith Sanchez!