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tjfranci — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:53:37 CST

November23/07

Brent and I will be traveling to Mexico in the new year. No plans in place as of yet about visiting another orphanage. However I will be researching the internet for possible opportunities.

Tanya

Our Journey to Villa Infantil

As some of you may know my family and I are planning a trip to Mexico in January. Part of our trip will be spent in Puerto soaking up the sun...and the other part we will be traveling to Guadalajara on a very exciting mission. When Brent and I discussed the many blessings we have received in our lives we wanted to share those blessings with others. This led to the possibility of extending our family and the prospect of international adoption. After a great deal of research we have located Villa Infantil, an orphanage located outside of Guadalajara. Although we have since had our own child we have decided to visited the Villa Infantil this January and hope that by sharing our story, you will be encouraged to help us bring some joy to the children.
We are planning to personally take the money raised to the orphanage and spend some time with the nuns to see how we can make a long-term improvement in their lives. Please be assured that we will spend your money effectively and it will make a difference. You will also receive a tax receipt so be sure to provide your name and complete address, as it will be mailed to you.
The orphanage has also advised the following items would be greatly appreciated. Sheets/blankets for single beds, children's vitamins, tylenol, cough medicine, toothpaste, shoes-sizes 2-8, 13-4.
Attached is information on the orphanage and pictures of the children currently in their care. This Christmas please take a minute to look at the faces of these children and open up your hearts to them. Together we can make a world of difference.
Thanks
Tanya & Brent

http://www.villainfantil.org/

How to make a donation

tjfranci — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:48:58 CST

Should you wish to make a donation please contact me via cdn_grl11@hotmail.com

UPDATE November23/07.

I have contacted those who manage the finances at the Villa in regards to the receipts from the donations given in Jan/07. They are looking into it for as state they may have gone missing in the mail. I will provide updates as we go. Thanks Tanya.

Our Trip to the Villa

tjfranci — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:21:20 CST

We left for Guadalajara on Tuesday and after 8hours on 3 different buses we finally arrived in Ajijic. Throughout our trip I said many prayers as I was a little nervous traveling with a baby to a place we had never been. Brent and I where completely taken back by how our trip seemed to flow flawlessly. We did not have accommodations booked thus didn't have directions or even any idea where to get off the bus, and if it where not for two Ajijic locals that we met on the bus we may have missed our stop. As we thanked our new friends we looked up and there was a sign that read "Canadians in Mexico". Wow...how perfect that was us! I went into the business and asked if they new of any accommodations. The man picked up the phone and called Anne and she came right over and we checked into the Casita Montana Bed & Breakfast. The next day at breakfast we explained to Anne our purpose for traveling from Canada to Ajijic. Within the next few hours a friend of Anne's arrived, whom she had not seen in a few months, and we where introduced. As Anne told Sharon our story she advised us that she may know someone who could take us to the orphanage. A few phone calls later we where in a cab out to Barbara's home, to tag along with her for her weekly visit to the orphanage. Brent and I could not believe how one thing after another occurred to make our trip a reality!
We arrived at the orphanage and where overwhelmed with how affectionate and loving the kids where towards us. After all we where strangers but they met us with open arms.

These are the first group of children we met. The one´s that are not old enough to attend school. 18+ months. They where all very sweet and like all children they didn´t want to share the few bouncy balls they where given by the sister.

Barbara is an amazing woman who lives with her husband close to Ajijic. She goes every Wed to the orphanage and brings the children lunch. On the day we visited she brought Chicken-Veg soup and jello. Barbara told us the children love the jello even more then cake and cookies!.
The children where very well behaved...and knew they where not to eat until they sung their prayer and washed their hands.
We spent the afternoon with the sisters/children and Barbara. We helped with their lunch time ritual, played with the children and spoke to the sisters. It was a overwhelming experience, one we will never forget.

The Children(updated)

tjfranci — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:47:32 CST

Brent and I were pleased to see that many of the children originally in our website have now found homes. Some have gone to the United States and one has gone over seas. We wish them all happiness in their new homes. Click on this site to see the new pictures.

http://www.villainfantil.org/

HELLO FROM MEXICO!!!

tjfranci — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 13:23:54 CST

Hi Everyone...here are a couple pictures. We are doing well. We will be here until Tuesday and then off to Ajijic and the orphanage. Take care.

A Few Words Before We Leave

tjfranci — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:52:36 CST

Tonight as I packed our suitcases I was overwhelmed with how generous our friends and family have been!! When Brent and I began this journey we thought "we'll take a few toys and maybe some candy" and wow....it has been unbelievable to both of us how people have opened their hearts to children they don't even know!!! We hope to be able to document our trip so everyone can see how these donations will effect these beautiful babies of Mexico.
Thank you to all those who have donated and for all the kinds words and prayers!

Talk to you soon from Mexico.
Tanya

Special Thanks

tjfranci — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:41:21 CST

We would like to send out many thanks to all those who have already so graciously donated items to our cause...
Thanks to Melissa, Haley, Teresa and Jake!!!!

Special thanks to Antoinette....your advice and spearheading our cause in Kelowna is a blessing and is truly appreciated!!

Thanks to Ali and Austin for donating some of their toys!!!

Wow!! Thanks to Voda Computer Systems and their staff for all the donations!

We have managed to get one stuffed animal for every child at the Villa.

Our donations are growing....we would like to thank our friends in Kelowna & Kamloops.

Spincaster Productions Inc-$50.00
Omega Communications Ltd-$200.00
Gary Campbell-$20.00
Gord Hynes-$20.00
Okanagan Telephone-$200.00
Brian McArthur-$50.00
Dominion Leasing-$50.00
Fred Lubbers-$15.00
Randy Fehr-$20.00
Mike Gajdos-$20.00
Darren Lowe-$20.00
Leanne Nicholson-$20.00
Russ Coughlan-$10.00
Heather and Nolan Hoffman-$100.00
Anonymous-$345.00
Anonymous-$300.00
Doug Harker-$30.00
Greg Huddleston-$20.00
Jay Deroussy-$10.00
Brad Tait-$20.00
Gord Bedard-$50.00
Mike Porteous-$100.00
Annette Helman-$20.00
Beverley Stewart-$50.00
Candace Harris-$20.00
Baljit Virdee-$10.00
Voda Computer Systems Ltd-$100.00
The Heyman Family-$50.00
The Motokado Family-$50.00
The Collins Family-$100.00

TOTAL- 2070.00

UPDATE FROM MEXICO

tjfranci — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:54:45 CST

Email received November 15/06

Hi,

there are 13 babies under the age of 1. they live in Guadalajara. The Villa has 24 children under the age of 9. 12 are under the age of 3. they love clay, puzzles, water colors, coloring books, Spanish books, cars and trucks, dolls balls (soft) socks, underwear, sweat shirts, shovels to dig with, plastic.

Let me know if I can help further.

Laucretia