Monday, June 27, 2011

Chicken Coop

This month Amigos de Jesus built a chicken coop at the orphanage to promote self-sustainability.  The children were excited to welcome lots of hens into our family and are learning responsibility through care for the animals.   


The boys all pitched in by walking to a nearby farm to bring the chickens home in their arms so as to ensure their safe arrival to Amigos. 


We are now producing enough eggs for the orphanage and there is even a surplus.  Extra eggs are sold to staff and local community members at a discounted price. 



Fall Family Picnic

This year Amigos de Jesus will host a Family Picnic for our benefactors and friends.  Bring your family to meet our family.  Boys from Honduras will be in attendance as well as our new Directors.  

When: Sunday, September 18, 2011 
Mass at 12:30
Picnic & Family Games 1:30-5:00

Where: Sister of the Holy Redeemer
Immaculate Conception Province
Provincialate
521 Moredon Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

Monday, June 20, 2011

Testimonial - Michael Pascarella, Jr.


 
Susan and I have had a total of four foster children from Amigos over the last 11 years. One of them was Cristian Armando . Cristian was/is a wonderful boy with a big, bright smile that reaches from ear to ear.

In September of 2006, you held a benefit dinner at the Bellevue Hyatt in Philadelphia. As you often did, you were able to bring a few children up from Honduras to spend a few days in the United States, and to meet their Padrinos at this dinner. Cristian was one of those children that year. After walking through the crowded room for several minutes, Susan and I found Cristian. We were all so happy to finally meet, but there was a problem...Cristian did not speak English, and I spoke very little Spanish. We tried to communicate for several minutes without success, and both of us became frustrated. Then I had an idea. I bent down so that I was eye-level with Cristian. I patted my chest and said, "Cristian, sono padrino." (I am your godfather). Then I opened my arms. Cristian smiled bright as the sun and literally jumped into my arms. I gave him a big hug, and then somehow (mainly through hand signals) we promised that we would pray to God for each other every day. In that way, we would always be connected.

That was the only time I saw Cristian, and it will probably be the only time that I will ever see him, as he has since returned to his family. But in order for Cristian and I to remain connected on a horizontal plain across the miles, we had to connect ourselves to God in prayer. When I tell this story live, I form a triangle with hand motions. My point being that for Cristian and I to remain connected, we must allow ourselves to be drawn up into the action of the Trinity.


Peace,

Mike

Testimonial - Sandy Ciccaglione


I was very lucky and blessed one day at my church.  We had a guest speaker...Father Dennis who after about 5 minutes had me in tears by telling us about the former struggles of the children who came to the Amigos de Jesus Orphanage.  I have sponsored Yadira since she was 8, I think... and she is now 13.   I have had the greatest opportunity to see her grow up into a lovely young lady.  I believe God put me in that church at that time for me to be a sponsor.  My hope is someday we will meet.  The cost is so small... but so great....we waste more money buying coffee or lunch with nothing to show for it.  I have pictures and art work hanging in my office of Yadira and I think of her every day.   I'm humbled and I feel  privileged to be part of an organization that gives hope, love, education and the gift of our Lord to these children...if only the rest of the world would catch on.

Yours truly,
Sandy Ciccaglione

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

~Donation Collection ~

Amigos de Jesus is collecting donations this summer to send to the orphanage!  We are collecting the following items:

Summer Clothes - all boys & girls sizes, mens sizes small & medium
Shoes - all boys & girls sizes
Bikes & Scooters
Sports Equipment
Fans - oscillating, free standing, ceiling (it's hot in Honduras!)

Please contact our office in Malvern (610-644-8237) to schedule a drop-off time OR coordinate a collection at your church, office or school!  As we grow our capacity we need a lot of donations for the children!  Thank you for your continued support and care.