Feliz Navidad!

 

   It has been a busy, but wonderful month here at Casa Hogar! We are so excited that Christmas is just a few days away! We were so thankful that FPC Macon and Orangewood Churches were able to come and celebrate Christmas with us for a few days. Both of these groups were a huge blessing for all of us here at Casa Hogar. We have also had the gift of having many people from around Acapulco come to celebrate Christmas here at the orphanage. The kids have had a blast between the visitors, parties, food, presents, and dancing! God has truly blessed us this Christmas season here at Casa Hogar. I ask you to continue to pray that through the craziness of this month that we would continue to put Jesus at the middle. Pray that we would remember why Christmas is such an amazing day for each one of us. 

   Another HUGE blessing this month at Casa Hogar is that the boys were able to move in to their new dorm!! We are so thankful to all of you who helped make this new building become a reality for the boys of Casa Hogar. All praise and thanks be to God, who provided this new home and used so many hands to build this house. Praise the Lord because this building is truly and ultimately a gift that He has provided. All glory and praise to our God who knows our needs and provides for each one of us. 

    All of us here at Casa Hogar want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. We hope that you are able to experience Jesus in a whole new way this Christmas season. Thank you to all of you who love us here at Casa Hogar and show us Jesus each day through your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. 

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO

Casa Hogar: Brokenness turned to Beauty

As I approach the half way point of my year here at Casa Hogar, I wanted to share with you all why I love this place so much, and I think that as I explain why, you will see that it is the people that make this place so wonderful. Typically I use this blog just to update what is happening here, but today I want you to be able to see the glory that God is receiving through this place. I first came to Casa Hogar when I was 15 years old and when I came home from that trip, I remember telling my parents I was going to live there one day. If you have been to Casa Hogar you have felt this feeling to some extent, you may not plan to live here one day, but I am guessing you definitely were changed by this place in a significant way. Why? Well because the beauty of God and his creation is so evident and vividly seen through the kids and the leaders of Casa Hogar. No, this place is not perfect, but there is something about it that is just intangible and inexplicable, something that if you have been here you know exactly what I am talking about. I cannot express to you how much I have grown as a person because of how these kids have loved me and shown me what loving like Jesus truly means. You see these kids took me, a foreigner who does not belong in this land, and made me feel like a part of this family. That’s why I love this place; they are a family. They love each other so much; yes they have their differences and hardships as any other family would, but what is astonishing is that they love those who are outsiders without reservation. If you visit here they embrace you and love you as their own. The leaders and the kids here have an enormous heart for other people and have taught me so well to love everyone around me regardless of whether we have everything in common or nothing in common. The body of Christ is an amazing gift from our Savior because we are able to fall in love with Him more because of how his people love each other. In fact, Jesus tells us that this is how the world will know we are Christ’s disciples if we love one another. I wanted to write about how special this place is because I want to encourage you that Jesus is working. That He is making all things new and is making brokenness whole again. Casa Hogar is the Lord’s house and part of the body of Christ, and I am so thankful for everyone who has come to visit this place to love on these kids and remind them that the body of Christ is bigger than just one church or city. I made the video posted below so that you can understand and know a little more about Casa Hogar. While we all may have different types of “missions” in this world, we are all one body working towards one goal of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. There are so many different ways you can support this beautiful ministry at Casa Hogar, but the biggest and most powerful way is by praying for this place. Pray that Jesus would continue to move in this place and use this place to bring His name glory. Pray that each of these kids would be able to see that they do have a family in the body of Christ. Pray that these kids would understand how desperately loved they are by a perfect Father, who will never ever abandon them. Pray that any group, organization, worker, etc. that comes into this home would see the power of Jesus and would see that God is working in this place. In a world of brokenness, we look to a King who promises to make all things new and we praise Him when we are able to see these glimpses of the beauty to come through things as simple as a smiling and laughing child who has no reason to smile or laugh by the world’s standards. Thank you to each and every one of you who has supported this ministry and loved these kids. If you would like to be more involved or know other ways that you can support these kids please feel free to email me at katiescott424@gmail.com.

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxJ4QT1miS4

¡Viva México!

   It has been an exciting month here at Casa Hogar! Mostly because we recently celebrate Mexican Independence Day. We were able to go to Jesús de Nazaret and celebrate with the church body by watching native dances, eating traditional Mexican food, and of course shouting "Viva Mexico" many times. It was a great time celebrating this country. Of course the kids also enjoyed having Friday off and an extended weekend because of it. We spent the weekend playing lots of soccer and enjoying each others fellowship. 

   We are so excited at how close the boys are to moving into the new building! As you can see it is a beautiful building. Praise the Lord for such a wonderful gift! Thank you to all of you who have helped see that this building gets built and made. The boys will officially move in at the beginning of October as the finishing touches are being put on now. Please pray for the transition to the new building. Pray that we would be able to move everything efficiently and that everything would go smoothly.

   Thank you to all of you how have prayed for and supported this wonderful place. The Lord truly is moving and working in Casa Hogar. Please continue to pray for all of the kids and the leaders here. Pray that the Lord would continue to bless this place and continue to use this place to show His glory. Praise be to the Lord for His daily mercies and blessings! 

Back to School

  It was back to school for all of the kids this past Monday! Some were very excited and some were not ready for summer to be over.  The kids have been enjoying adjusting back into school mode over this past week. For some kids, this is their first time in school, first time to middle school, first time to high school, and first time to college. All of the kids seem to be adjusting well. This week is a typical back to school week as the kids are gathering all the materials and books they need for each class. We are excited to be on a regular schedule of school, homework, bible studies, and free time each day.

  The new building is getting closer and closer to being done each day. It looks so beautiful and it has been so fun to see the finishing touches be put on. Roberto and Uriel have been working hard the past few weeks to build closets for each room, and they are looking great!  We are hoping for the boys to move in in early September. Everyone is excited for the new building to be finished as it is a huge blessing and necessity for the boys at Casa Hogar. 

  Other than back to school and the new building, not many new things are happening here at Casa Hogar. As always we would love for you to be partnering with us in prayer! Here is how you can be specifically praying for Casa Hogar: pray that the kids would all be able to adjust well to their new school schedules, pray that the kids who are in new grades/schools would feel comfortable and adjust quickly to their new environment, pray that as we have bible studies each week the Lord would come and meet with each child here, and pray that the new building would be completed quickly so that the boys can move in soon! As always, please pray for each kid here, pray that they would come to know the Lord Jesus as their savior. Pray that each kid would be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. Pray for each of the leaders here at Casa Hogar. Pray that they would have energy, patience, and love to minister to each of the kids here. 

  Thank you for loving this ministry and praying for it continually. The Lord is truly working through your prayers. We cannot do this without your partnership in prayer! 

August Already?!

   I cannot believe it is already August! June and July flew by and the kids only have a couple more weeks before school starts back again. I am so thankful for the work that the Lord did in and through each team that came to share the love of Christ at Casa Hogar this summer. Each week was unique and special for the kids and it is evident that the Lord worked through each person that came to visit. So many of the kids are already looking forward to seeing you all again. As we head into a new school year, the kids are spending time enjoying the little bit of break they have left by playing with each other around Casa Hogar as well as going to visit friends and family.
   As you can see in the picture above, the Lord's beauty is evident here at Casa Hogar, but if you have been blessed to have visited here you know that the Lord's beauty shines through each and every kid here much more than any sunset could. Thank you to each one of you that took a week out of your summer to love these kids and show them Christ's beauty. I am blown away daily by how the Lord uses this place to help people see His glory.
   As the school year rapidly approaches, I ask you to join me in prayer for a few things. First, pray that the kids would be able to rest and enjoy their last few weeks of summer break. Pray that we would have lots of fellowship that brings us closer not only to each other, but also to Christ. Pray that the Lord would continue to work in the hearts of all us here at Casa Hogar. Pray that the new building would be completed soon and the move into a new home for the boys would be a smooth transition.
  Thank you to every one of you that has been faithful in prayer for this place. We cannot do this without your prayers! Praise the Lord for the work He has done and is continuing to do this summer.

"The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples see his glory.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.
Light is sown for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!"
Psalm 97:6,9,11-12

The End of Summer is Near

  I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by! This week is the last group that I am here for, and Orangewood Presbyterian comes next week as the last group of the summer for us at Casa Hogar. It has been a pretty great summer for Casa Hogar. Lots of groups coming in to love on the kids and share the love of Christ with them. I am especially excited for this week as it is my home church, and it has been so incredibly special to see them love on the kids of Casa Hogar. This week the kids are learning about the Trinity and how the Lord loves us as a Father, was willing to die for us so that we might have the gift of eternal life as a Son, and gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit so that we have strength and grace daily. The kids love having so many familiar faces like "Papa Oso" aka "Papa Bear" aka Chuck Duggan and many others and have also loved meeting all of our new team members. It has been a special week thus far and I am excited to see what else the Lord has in store for our group this week. Pray for our team as we continue to love on and minister to these kids. Pray for energy and health as well as that Christ would be evident through all that we do.
   The end of the school year is finally here for everyone at Casa Hogar and they are all so excited for summer break! Many of the kids graduated from high school and elementary school and are headed into a new stage of life, which is very excited. Please pray for the transitions that many kids will face this summer. Pray that the kids will cling to the Lord through all the hard and exciting transitions. The Lord is very alive here in Acapulco. We were able to see 29 new members baptized and become members of Jesús   de Nazaret. Pray that the Lord would continue to move throughout this city and that he would continue to work in and through Jesús de Nazaret.

       

Thankful

    There are many things to be thankful for here at Casa Hogar, but I want to take a moment to explain to you why I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed Casa Hogar with some of the most gracious, kind, and loving leaders around. Pictured above is Iliana. Iliana helps serve as the Public Relations chair for Casa Hogar, but she does so much more than all that the title of Public Relations typically entails. Iliana serves any and every team, person, or foreigner that comes to serve at Casa Hogar. She helps everyone feel welcome while visiting Casa Hogar and Acapulco and truly makes it feel that it is home. She has such a heart that is willing to serve in any and every way that she can. It is a pleasure to work alongside her as she loves deeply, serves graciously, and walks with the Lord daily. Casa Hogar is made up of such a special staff. From Hermano Alejandro who is known as the Dad of Casa Hogar, to Laura and David who help with homework and driving the kids to school, to Aurelio who drives the kids and teams anywhere they need to go, to Lupita who serves as a mother to the younger and older girls, to Roberto who loves on the older boys, to Doña Isabel who cares and loves on the younger boys, this staff is truly something special.  There are so many other people who have a part in serving Casa Hogar in ways outside of being with the kids daily that I have not named, but I am so thankful for their service to the kids as well. For many of us, we are blessed to know what it is like to grow up in a loving household, but for these kids who have seen heartache and sometimes tragedy through their homes, they have not experienced a God honoring and loving household until they are here at Casa Hogar. The staff does an incredible job of making this place home. Making it a place where kids can grow up learning of Jesus and watching these leaders love Jesus. If you have ever been blessed to come to Casa Hogar you know the exact home atmosphere about which I am talking because it is contagious. The love of Jesus is shining here at Casa Hogar in so many ways and much of that is due to the leaders here at Casa Hogar. It is a blessing to serve alongside them daily and watch each of them lay down their crowns at the feet of Jesus so that His name might be known. I ask you to join me in prayer for each of these leaders as they love on these kids and point them to Jesus. Pray that the would be energized and rejuvenated daily through Jesus love and grace. Pray that they would have discernment and wisdom on how best to love these kids. And pray that Jesus would come and meet with them daily, filling up their cups so that they might pour out to others. 

We have a couple weeks break between teams here for Casa Hogar, and then my church, FPC Macon, comes down July 15th and I could not be more excited!! After our team comes, Orangewood Presbyterian is our last team of the summer! I know that the kids are beyond excited for our team and Orangewood's team to come as both churches have had a long lasting relationship over the years with Casa Hogar. The kids are finally finishing up school this week and headed into summer break. Pray that the kids would have a nice transition out of the school year and a restful summer vacation! Pray that the Lord would begin to prepare FPC and Orangewood to come serve here so soon. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support of Casa Hogar. The Lord moves in mighty ways through prayer.

              It has been a great past couple of weeks here at Casa Hogar! Between the team from Christ Covenant in Florida last week to the team from Nashville and Birmingham this week, the Lord has been working in many ways. I wanted to share the picture above to tell you a little bit about my brother Giovanni because the Lord sure is working in and through this young man. Giovanni is currently studying engineering in college, but for the past year or so he has also been a leader for the youth of the church of Jesús de Nazaret here in Acapulco. Gio's love for the Lord is so evident as he is so eager to share the gospel with any and everyone he comes in contact with. Gio has been sharing the gospel and explaining his mission with each of the groups that have come to serve here at Casa Hogar. It is an incredible thing to hear the same good news of Jesus in a completely different language than your own because it helps us to see how big our God is. I am thankful that the Lord has raised up Gio to be a witness for Him to the youth of Acapulco and I am excited to come alongside him and his other leaders to share the good news of Jesus throughout this city. I am excited for the week ahead as this team of 13 has already started making strong bonds with the kids. The new building is getting closer and closer to being completed everyday and we are so excited. Pray that the Lord would give us energy to work hard and love on the kids well this week. Pray that the gospel would be seen in all that we do. Again, thank you all for your many prayers. We appreciate the love and prayers you give to Casa Hogar.

Here Comes the Crazy Summer

      Yesterday, a team of 40 from Christ Covenant Presbyterian in Florida came to visit Casa Hogar for the week. We are so excited for them to come alongside us and serve the kids this week. They are an energetic group that is ready to serve in whatever ways are needed. The kids are excited that this church is here because it is their third time visiting Casa Hogar and there are many familiar faces that have returned to continue the friendships that have been established over the years. This week we are looking forward to painting and cleaning the boys rooms as well as helping out a little bit on the new building. As you can see in the picture above, the new building is getting so close to being finished and we are so excited!!! Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for this team over the next week. Pray for safety for the team in all that they do. Also pray that as they share the gospel with these kids that their words would be clear and the kids would have open hearts and minds to receive the word of the Lord. Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

11 Days

Hi Everyone!

As most of you know starting June 16th I will be serving at Casa Hogar orphanage in Acapulco, Mexico for the next year of my life. This is something I have been praying about for the past 8 years and I am so encouraged that the Lord has opened the door for me to serve at Casa Hogar. This is my first blog post of hopefully many from this blog, all about my journey to Casa Hogar for the next year! I cannot believe that I leave in just 11 short days, and what is even more exciting is my first team as an official Casa Hogar Intern will be there in 13 days! We have 5 teams coming to serve at Casa Hogar this summer and I absolutely cannot wait to be down there helping. My hope with this blog is that you are updated on the things that are happening in Casa Hogar and the city of Acapulco through the work of Jesús de Nazaret (the Presbyterian Church in Acapulco). I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for Casa Hogar, Jesús de Nazaret, and myself for the next year! If you would like to receive prayer letters and updates on what is happening with me personally you can email katiescott420@gmail.com.

En Cristo,

Katie Scott