I asked Ramiro, 14 years old, if he would go with me into Ensenada to help me run some errands. On the way, I asked him how he was doing in school. He told me that he was getting good grades (as usual), and his classmates had elected him the leader of their class. I told him how proud I was of him as we dined on some of Ensenada's best fish tacos. I felt a big tug on my heart, as I have not spent as much quality time with this special young man as I should.

  

I can still picture vividly in my mind the first time that I met Ramiro and his little family at the Orphanage. Ramiro, Norma, Abel and two-week old Letti had just arrived two days before. Letti was so little she could have fit into a shoe box. (That was 6 years ago.) Our teens were helping the Orphanage kids make beaded necklaces. After observing Ramiro placing one of the necklaces that he had made around his little brother's neck, Christy Throop said to him, "that was a very nice thing that you did." Ramiro's response was, as he cupped his hands to demonstrate the holding and dividing of an apple, "Even though we are here and away from our parents, we are a family who love each other. If I had an apple I would cut it into four equal parts and share it with my brother and sisters."

 

This story still touches the deepest part of my heart and Ramiro has not changed one bit, other than to have grown in stature and in the Lord. He still loves, cares and protects his family at the Orphanage. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 21:16, "From the lips of children you have ordained praise." I thank Jesus for Ramiro as I continue to learn from and be blessed by him.   -Roy Ketring