RIN
Our “Refugio” Family
My name is Malena Guillen and I had no idea six years ago, when I came on staff as the “Substitute Tia”, that God would one day allow me the honor of being the Site Director at R.I.N.
I love my job, I love to see the children grow, reach their goals and come to know Jesus! I am blessed to have a great Team to work with, and it’s my privilege to present them, and the 55 children they care for to you today.
Hola, I’m Nohemi Martinez (22) and I’ve served as Malena’s assistant for the last year, prior to that I was in charge of the pre-schoolers for 6 months. It is a blessing give back to the place where I grew up and received so much. I want to thank everyone, for without your help, this place wouldn’t exist and we wouldn’t have hope for the future.
Casa #1
We are the Castillo-Lopez family, and we want to say what a joy it is for us to contribute to the social & spiritual growth of each of our young charges in Casa # 1.
We hope that the Lord, in His due time, will produce fruit in the lives of : (top) Itzel, Miriam, Nallely,(Mid.) Pablo, Uriel, Ulises, Maritza, Jahki (Bottom lt.) Willian & (far rt.) Sylvia.
We are sure that God in his great mercy, will use us, “Tio Alfredo” and “Tia Veronica”, along with our daughters Karen & Michelle to form a great family for His honor and glory.
Casa #2
“Tio Mariano”, “Tia Silvia”, their daughter Mariana (far lt.) greet you with the children in Casa #2: (Top lt.) Angela, Isabel (Mid.) Sheyla, Flor, Johan, Valentine (bottom) Zuri, Nereyda & Brandon.
For us it is a blessing to be here a second time around! We believe God has placed each one of these youngsters in our hands and we are responsible to learn to work with each of their personalities, to find out their greatest hurts and to provide for each of their needs.
We thank God for the opportunity he has given us to be here, that we were chosen to be his loving hands. Dulce (8) & Keren (4), (not pictured) are our newest arrivals.
Casa #4
Greetings! We are the Velasco-Vazquez Family, (Top middle) “Tia Elsa”, son- Felix, son-Thomas & “Tio Teodulo (Teo)”.
Together we care for 10 boys, ranging in age from 4-13: (Top rt.) Juan, (middle lt.) Leonel, Jorge, Jose, Oscar (bottom lt.) Miguel, Dan, Angel,Pablo and Eidan (Ponchito) in the front.
We have served in this place since November 2006, and we want you to know it is an unforgettable experience. We have met so many children, each with different needs, problems & personalities. All with the need for love, which we have been able to share and all with material needs, which have been met thanks to your generosity.
Casa #5
Hola! We are the Hernandez- Flores family- (2nd row, rt.) “Tia Lucy”, Karen & “Tio Jorge”. For us it is a great honor to work for the Lord in this ministry again. Especially with these 12 boys: (top lt.) Miguel, Josue, Nelson, Adolfo, Roberto, Jonathan, Jorge,(Bottom lt.) Salvador, Francisco & Armando (middle rt.) Ivan and Jonathan – Refugio’s youngest on Tia’s lap!
It is an enormous privilege to be their family, to spend happy times together, to play with them, to eat at one table and above all to share the love of God with them. We could never be compensated for the joy that comes from knowing that God is using us in the lives of these fine young men.
We really should have said we have 14 sons, RIN’s 2 College boys, Julio (not pictured) who lives off campus & Uriel (top rt.),living alone in casa 3, can still usually be found hanging out with us in casa five! Our thanks goes out to each of you who help make life at Refugio possible; and above all to the Lord for his grace and daily provision.
Casa #6
My Name is Lucia Soto Valles and I live here at the Home with my youngest son Eliu. It’s hard to believe that he was just a year old when we first came to serve the Lord and now he’s thirteen!
I am thankful that God has called me to serve His children with love at this place. Over the past 10 years I have had many jobs ; Tia, “Substitute Tia” – giving the day off to the house parents, keeping the common areas clean- gym, kitchens, auditorium, school, dorm, etc. I also decorate for special events, (Tia Lucia is the one who makes all the beautiful paper flowers that are sold at our fiestas)
Now I’m told I am the “supervisor” – which means I still do all of the above as needed and I’m in charge of purchasing and distributing all the supplies, necessary to run each of the 5 houses. For the last few weeks, I’ve had the blessing to be the “Tia” in Casa 6 – my children are: (back lt.) Abisai, Kassandra, Selene, Julie, Sonia, Lola (front lt.) Fidel, Patty & Lupe. While we all are anxious to see what couple the Lord will bring to be their full-time parental role models, I can’t say I’m not enjoying all the blessings and challenges living day in and day out with such a precious group of children brings me.
I’m “Tia Katy” and this is my son Daniel. For the last 4 years, I’ve been the “substitute Tia” giving our house parents their day off. I have the special blessing of caring for each and every one of the children God brings to the Home.
I am privileged to give them love and counsel, listen to them, and see them reach their goals. I’m happy to be serving God here.
“Tia Hilda” Butron Rodriguez is the newest member of our RIN staff. She will assist Tia Lucia in her labors and as a gifted cook and seamstress, makes a very valuable addition to our TEAM.
Note from the Editor: Each of these short stories were written by the corresponding house parents, aka “Tia & Tio” which means “Aunt & Uncle”. Please keep them in your prayers. They’re our front line soldiers, the hands and feet that provide our “Loving Christian Care”.
