Professional Documents
Culture Documents
During the past few months we have seen some signicant changes here at Helping Hands in Baja
California Norte. It has been a season of transition and as in all times of transition, it has also been a
season of opportunity.
We said goodbye to the Goldsmith family this June. For the
last two and a half years, this precious family has managed
the El Comedor La Roca (the childrens kitchen). They
taught classes, did the weekly purchasing for the kitchen,
and oversaw the construction of the sports court. They
always welcomed the children with open hearts and gave
that special attention to the ones who needed it. Their
parent events became quite popular, always ending with a
game or a rafe. We thank our Lord for sending them to us
at a strategic time in the development and establishment of
the kitchen in the community.
Summer 2014
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Chris and Laura Goldsmith with
Blake and Rena Cromwell
Helping Hands
Mexico
of
As we contemplated the Goldsmiths departure,
we questioned whether or not we should look
for replacements. As we prayed, our constant
desire that the community would ultimately take
on the kitchen as their own responsibility, once
again came forward in our petitions to the Lord.
Then, as one door was closing, another was
opened! Just before the Goldsmiths left, we
received word from SEDESOL, the agency that
is the arm of the Mexican government in charge
of carrying out the Mexican president's initiative
against hunger. They had heard about El
Comedor and its good reputation, including the
good reputation of Lucha, our cook, who for a
number of years, has been a trusted community
leader in Caon Buena Vista. They told us that
they would like to commit to us for one year,
coming along side of what we already were
doing, expand our volunteer base, add another
day and more hours to the kitchen. The also
promised to provide equipment, training and food!
The increased attention from the government has led to increased
attention from the community. Our volunteer base is now larger then
ever before and the community is taking more ownership. It is clear
that El Comedor is increasingly seen as a community asset. And
even as the government has begun its food deliveries, the number of
meals that are now being provided have increased 500% from 250
to 1200 a week! People are even coming from over the hill from
another poor community.
It is as if El Comedor has suddenly shifted gears. What has been planted over the last few years, is
suddenly yielding an unexpected and beautiful harvest. Scripture tells us that the challenge with the
harvest is always bringing it in. And we are seeing this to be the case at El Comedor. More mouths to
feed means more gas used to cook, more water to drink and wash with, more water for the
bathrooms, more electricity, more fresh produce and fruit, more cleaning supplies and toilet paper. In
other words, even with the government providing all the dry commodities of oil, sugar, corn our,
canned meat, dried meat, dried beans, etc. our expenses have increased
considerably.
What a blessing it has been to feed so many more. We wish you could see the
toddler who stands up in his chair and laughs in anticipation of the food being
served or the kids that walk for over 30 minutes to receive a meal. At the
encouragement of the government, we have begun asking for 5 pesos ($0.40
US) from the children and 10 pesos from the adults and if they don't have any
money, to bring something to help with the meal such as a bag of tomatoes or
onions and if they have nothing to bring, to pick up a broom and help clean at
the end of the day. The message is that this is a community kitchen and with
everyone's help, everyone can be blessed. Yet, we turn no one away.
Summer 2014
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The increased
attention
from the
government
has led to
increased
attention
from the
community.
the number of
meals being
provided have
increased 500%
The Mexican navy sent Cooks to teach our team the
correct way to handle, cook and serve food
Needless to say, we need your help more than ever before. Our prayer and
plea is that everyone that reads this does something to help, no matter how
small. Every donation matters and is invested into feeding this community.
Thank you for your support and love for Mexico and for Caon Buena Vista!
In His Love,
Blake and Rena Cromwell
Summer 2014
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Above: Cooks are now preparing 26 pounds of tortillas each
day. Right: Two of our awesome volunteers standing in front
of government supplied food.
Make checks
out to:
Helping Hands
of Mexico
602 Avocet Way
Arroyo Grande,
CA 93420
Give online at
hhofmexico.org