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Missions 2010 | Missions 2009 | Missions 2008 | Updates from Lupita | Ishmael, our World Vision Child!
SUMMER UPDATES FROM LUPITA (2010)!! (August 2010 - From Lupita) Hello Chris and group: I wanted to tell you that I am back in school and the first week of classes was excellent. All of my classes are great! I even have an English class that, although the teacher doesn't allow us to talk in Spanish- I love the class and I think I will easily learn English. I had a small diagnostic test and I got an A. I also love my nursing class, and chemistry. The hardest part of coming back to school was finding my classrooms. My teachers have already given me a ton of homework. I like to do my English homework although I don't know everything, I will learn. I am a little nervous since I found out I start my nursing labs next Monday. The only thing I do not like about school right now is that my backpack weighs a ton. Well, I think that is all for now. I don't like to ask, but I think I am going to need some money this week 1800 pesos for books, and bus fares for this month. I can pay my bus fare to and from school, but in my nursing class- we are going to go out into the colonies like the one I live in, to work. I don't have enough to afford this.. Lastly- I fell asleep on the bus home last night and missed my stop..haha. That is all for now- off to do homework. I hope to see you all soon! Lupita (NOTE: $150.00 sent down from Baja fund to support Lupita's needs) (July 2010) We received another summer update from Ben Gaines, who has been leading the coordination of our support for Lupita in her nursing school! See the below note from Ben with photos! 
I thought I'd take a few moments to update you on Lupita, her family and the work going on in that village. We have begun to see how much of a blessing you and your group have been to the Serrano Family. (Lupita's Family).
Lupita finished her 1st complete semester of school in late June. She passed all of her classes (they are pass/fail) and is excited as ever to continue studying to become a nurse. James and I had a chance to go to her school to meet one of her teachers, see her lab, her classrooms, etc. The teacher spoke highly of her, saying she is a good student. She has met a couple of friends and she really likes her cohort. Next semester, she begins to observe in a hospital clinic as a part of her school. She goes back to school around the second week of August, so she will need a payment for her registration, etc. Aside from Nursing school, Lupita is very interested in taking an English class on the weekends, to help her learn the language. Being bilingual in that area in the medical field is very important. Aside from school, Lupita and her family have been a tremendous help to our organization this summer. All of the family members have expressed interest in partnering with Baja Bound to help us. As of last week, Lupita worked with our Michigan group, teaching the VBS lesson all week, helping the group invite children and even helped building. Her older brother Carlos, who works midnights in a medical factory also has helped out a tremendous amount with construction. The family as also committed to helping us track and follow-up with the various families who have received a house to allow us to update groups on the families, and to continue a relationship with the families. Lupita's mom also has now begun cooking for our groups when she can (when she has a day off) to give the groups a traditional Mexican meal. This past week, we worked with a family that has several kids, and one of the daughters is pregnant and is due within a month. A neat thing that happened is on the last day was that Lupita's mom collected all of their baby clothes and donated them to the pregnant daughter for her baby. It was such a clear lesson to the group down there from Michigan of generosity, and how we need to bless others, as we have been blessed. Estella, Lupita's mother asks for prayer for her family. Since her kids are growing, so are their stomachs. She also asked for prayer that her children would continue on the right path, not falling into the wrong groups of friends, etc. Please keep them in your prayers! Thank you for your continued commitment to this family. They are so grateful for you and want to remind you that you guys are family to them. I think it would be a great to arrange a day this fall to take you down there to see her school, take a tour, and possibly meet one of her teachers. Please let me know if you are interested! Hope you are doing well, If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Benjamin Gaines April 2010 (From Ben Gaines) I had the chance to attend Iglesia La Hermosa this morning, and then sit down with Lupita and her family and Pastor Escobar for a short meeting. We discussed Lupita's progress in school, church, and the finances. School- She is currently in the second semester of Nursing School. She has learned a ton, loves the program she is in, and is excited to continue. She has stayed busy with schoolwork, projects and tests. She commented that she already knows how to give shots, take blood, etc. She did mention that she accidentally pricked her finger with a used needle, so she is going in for some general bloodwork to make sure she didn't contract anything such as Hep, HIV, etc. She is going to put together a report of her grades, expenses and such to send soon. One thing Pastor Escobar made a point of noting is the fact that she travels 1.5 hours to and from school each day. Her school gets out at 8pm, and takes the micro (bus) alone from school, then walks the distance to the village. He said many times she has to walk through water. He asked that we look for a vehicle, at best a higher profile vehicle, that could pass through the water to get her to school. He would help finance it, in that he would make sure it is paid for, if we could find someone to loan an older vehicle, they could make small payments or something. Finances- We sent the first installment of her tuition a few months ago. It turns out, that payment went towards the second semester of the school. They paid the first semested and didn't want to tell us. (they didn't recieve our payment until after she had already paid). She also purchsed a uniform, books, shoes, and some general materials with the first check. The next semester will begin in August, but she is going to need a some finances to help purchase a nursing kit needed for this semester. She is going to price it out and email us, but it doesn't seem to be that expensive (bandages, rubbing alcohol). I really encouraged them to not be shy about letting us know when they need money. They are really trying to not be beggars, nor take advantage of a situation where we are offering them money. Family- Lupitas older brother is set to graduate his school this June. Her mother was promoted to supervisor of medicine at Casa Gabriel, where she volunteers. Her younger brother Alejandro, continues to work in the fields and is the sole breadwinner for the family. He is working to provide for his family (He is 13-14 yrs old), and plans to do school later when someone else can provide for them. I did ask about what it would take for someone to support him, and put him into school. Pastor Escobar estimates that $300-$400 per month would be needed if we were to try to take him out of the fields and put him in school. Something to put out there, and maybe we could bring enough people together to commit to one year of giving for him. Alejandro has to be the most selfless teenager! Lastly, Lupita is now in the worship band at church, she sings with the other teens each week, as well as helps at the Sunday service at Campo Esperanza. May 23rd is the date of the big outreach at Campo Esperanza. They are in need of anyone to come and help! They have moved the outreach to the spring, because the population of Oaxaccan migrants is higher that this time of year, and the weather generally is more plesant. If anyone would like to help out, They are in great need. Benjamin Gaines February 2010 (From Ben Gaines) I received 2 emails this week from Lupita: Email received Tuesday: "Hi..Sorry I haven't sent an email recently. The road to my house was very bad and the river rose again, as it rained Saturday and Sunday. I am writing to thank you for all of the help. I already paid the registration, and received the money you sent. My family is good thanks to God. Carlos my oldest brother is going to school and will graduate this semester. Alejandro (her younger brother) is still working. My little brothers are in school, and my mom is working at her job. This month is a month of a lot of work at church. I am going to take some leadership courses at church called "discipleship". Praise God they also put me on the worship team that is forming at Village of Home." Email received today: "Hi, I hope everyone is well. I am writing to tell you all that I was officially accepted to the nursing school and will begin classes Friday. Right now, I am going to buy my uniform with my mom, thanks to all your help. Now I am thankful that the river has let up a bit and the river doesn't have too much water to cross. Now I can cross without my feet getting wet. We ran into Pastor Escobar this week as he was working with some machines and dump trucks to fix the road. I hope you all come soon, if it doesn't rain! I think the only materials left to purchase for school this semester will be: Sheet protectors, paper, binders and blank paper. All I can say is thank you God for putting people in my life like you guys, thank you for all of your help. I pray that God blesses you all!" January 2010 (From Ben Gaines) Guys- I got an email from Lupita. She states much of what we already know- it is bad there. There were a few things she said that I am going to try to clarify. Here is her message translated: Hello- Sorry for the delay on email, I haven't been able to check my email, but I did receive the information from the nursing school. I have to pay the registration on Feb 2nd, and I begin classes on Feb 8th. It looks like I am able to change schools. I wasn't able to email and give you the news because our colony was out of communication for a week because of the recent storms. The heavy rains flooded the river and the water level grew too high to cross. Now the people are crossing the river on foot because they have to cross to get food and water. The storm was so big, many families lost everything, including us. We stayed at the Village of Hope and helped give out food to the families. We also helped console a family whose little boy was bit by a spider. Thank God everything now is better. How are you guys? I hope that God blesses and protects you! I will send pictures. |