by Heather Kim

Everyone, at any age, will be affected when they visit

Have you been considering visiting our Home, but have been hesitant because of trying to figure out childcare for your kids while you would be gone? I just wanted to share my experience as someone who grew up visiting the Home, and hopefully encourage you to consider bringing your kids with you.

My mom has been bringing me to visit El Sauzal Home for Children since I was a baby (both while she was pregnant and as a four month old). I have visited the Home more times than I can count— as a kid, a teenager, and an adult. This has provided me with many unique opportunities to create special relationships with the kids and staff at the Home.

As a child, I made close friendships with kids around my age that were at the Home, both the worker’s kids and those brought to the Home. Considering that it is a Home for Children, there are always games to be played, books to be read, movies to be watched.

As children we tend to be less nervous to look or sound silly, so it’s so easy to play with other kids, even if the language isn’t the same. We always found games to play. I had a wonderful time visiting and grew to really love the Home.

Now I appreciate that my situation was a little bit different than yours might be—not everyone is planning to go multiple times (though we LOVE it when people do!). But even with this in mind, growing up visiting this Home was profoundly impactful for me. Not only did I gain another family in Mexico, but I was impacted at a young age by seeing how God works all over the world—in different cultures and circumstances.

Everyone, at any age, will be affected by this when they visit, but sharing that with children and allowing it to help shape their view of the world and of God is particularly special. I would encourage you to VISIT, and bring your kids.

It blesses the Home, and it will bless you.

Heather and James attend Roots Community Church in Seattle, Washington.