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 CHILDREN OF EL HOGAR de Niños in Mexico City surround Bellingham Corps youth director Darrel Pilgrim. |
BY KIM BRAZIER –
The Northwest Division’s Brass and Chorus left Seattle’s SeaTac International Airport in a whirlwind recently. Their week long mission was to spread the good news of the love of Jesus Christ to the children of El Hogar de Niños (a children’s home) and with the people of Mexico City.
It was a mission borne out of the vision of Nigel Cross, former Northwest divisional music director. He had visited the home just six months before and had a heartfelt need to return.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by “the most dedicated and hard-working staff in all of Mexico,” under the direction of Major José Sanchez. Later that evening at orientation, they would come to know about his love, passion and service to the children. He told them that the greatest gift to be shared with the children was love. The very next morning the American guests received a most vibrant and warm welcome from the children of the home.
Major Carlos Gonzatti of the Southwest Division, who provided translation and acted as MC and guest speaker, accompanied the Northwest group.
The mission trip included two days of work assignments (roof maintenance, electrical and wiring repair, bicycle repair, closet organization, brick-laying, basketball court maintenance, general grounds/building maintenance); music; VBS lessons; concerts at the children’s home, Mexico City Corps #1, a local plaza, and Technical School #64; and a day of sightseeing at the Aztec Pyramids and the main plaza at the Presidential Palace in downtown.