Ruth-Ann Waterhouse

At times, failure-to-thrive or handicapped children were born and these very poor people did not have the resources to obtain proper medical attention or sufficient nutrition for their babies. These sickly and unwanted babies filled the orphanages in the area. The majority of these children did not even have names due to the cultural beliefs of the parents. Their philosophy was that if the child lived to age two, he was a survivor, a gift from God, and strong enough to then be named. Some believed that if they named the child at birth, the devil could call him by name into an early death. Few of the youngest children had official birth certificates and those who didn’t required registration with the local county Registrar’s Office. If they were registered by administrators of an orphanage, they were usually given made-up first names as well as an estimated birthdate as most parents couldn’t remember the exact date. Many times, the parents moved on to follow the harvest and didn’t see their children again for many years, if at all. With proper medical attention, a little TLC and good nutrition, these sickly children began to grow and regain health. These children were the successful ones. Not all were so "fortunate".

Some of the less fortunate children were locked into their dirt-floored, dark quarters all day while their parents worked. And it was necessary for both parents to work in order to survive. Some children were left in the care of slightly older siblings. Some were left in the care of an elderly woman who was no longer able to work but also not able to care for children very well either. Some were left with a neighbor lady who had too many children of her own to give much attention to new ones. As Indian women breast-feed and carry their children on their backs until the walk, many of them take their babies to work if the rancher is agreeable. There have been reported cases of babies being injured or killed by heavy equipment in the fields when the mother placed the baby in the shade of the heavy equipment or truck out of the blazing sun. However, all this was better than nothing. Due to this type of lifestyle for generations, most Indian people are lacking parenting skills and the infant mortality rate was very high.

Over the last ten years, the Mexican government has been releasing land to the indigenous people in this area. Many times, when the children are strong enough and old enough (often 12 years of age), they go to work in the fields alongside their parents. They pool their finances and begin to build permanent housing for the family and some are able to buy vehicles. Many Christian ministries assist by building permanent houses for the most impoverished families. Today, fieldworkers are seldom migratory and their children need help more than ever.

Now that the majority of indigenous families are no longer migratory, the needs of the families have changed. The greatest needs are for good nutrition, protection, security, and educational enrichment of the children and we feel we can make a significant and profound impact in this area.

Even though the economic structure of the indigenous family may be changing, their cultural/traditional beliefs have not changed as quickly. However, the influences of Christian missionaries in the area have made great differences and many of the indigenous are now making commitments to the Lord and are slowly beginning to change negative factors in their lives. Here is where the work of a missionary really begins. Education is the key to success in life and knowledge is power. With that education and power, especially with the power of the Lord Jesus, the indigenous can make changes in their own culture to bring about a more prosperous standard of living for their families; certainly a more sanitary one.

It is at this point that La Huerta Guarderías can make a difference in this valley. By establishing daycare centers in the communities where the families live, we can be a light in the darkness for the children. We can help meet nutritional needs and provide the protection, security, and education, both Spiritual and basic, that can help the children to become successful citizens in their own country. Our experiences in the past have shown that the children learn quickly and love to take home all they learn on a daily basis to share with siblings and parents. We have seen rippling effects that have begun to change lives for the better.

This is where we need your help. Each of our Christian daycare centers will be a ministry in and of themselves. Our help to the Native Indians of Mexico is free of charge and as you know, there are always costs involved. Staff needs recompense and, of course, there are expenses for rents, utilities, and food. It is our desire to daily give each child a hot breakfast and lunch. We are looking for a commitment from people like you to help come alongside us to accomplish what we feel led to do in Mexico. If you will join our family, and we pray you do, please send your monthly, tax-deductible donations to:

International Disciple Training, Inc.

P.O. Box 128

Acampo, CA 95220

Please make a notation on the check memo line or enclose a note indicating your donation is for the use of La Huerta Guarderías. We covet your prayers as well. We thank God for you and your participation in our work. We will keep you informed of our progress. May the Living Lord richly bless you now and forever.

Servando and Martha Huerta, Directors:

The Huertas are Mexican citizens who have been walking with the Lord Jesus for over 30 years each. After attending Bible College in Torreon, Coahuila, they began serving the Lord in various churches there. In 1985, they arrived in Baja California Norte, with their four sons, and continued in the Lord’s service to various churches and as house parents for 8 years in Cristo Por Su Mundo Orphanage, Vicente Guerrero. Later, they were directors at Casa Hogar Bienvenidos (Welcome Home Orphanage) and stayed on several years after the close of the orphanage and helped to establish the daycare center there now. They are also elders in La Mission Church under Pastor Ramon Avitia. They are highly qualified people and will be a blessing wherever they serve.

Ruth-Ann Waterhouse, Administrator:

Ruth-Ann came to Baja California Norte from southern California early in 1990. She lived and served 12 years at Welcome Home Orphanage (Casa Hogar Bienvenidos) and stayed on to help establish the Welcome Home Outreaches Daycare Center. She, together with Servando and Martha, have begun new ministry in Vicente Guerrero – La Huerta Guarderías (daycare centers). She comes with a professional background in office administration/management and has been walking with the Lord for nearly 30 years. She has an adult son living in northern California. Ruth-Ann attended a missionary training school in Colton, California prior to going to Mexico. She will compliment the Huertas work with her administrative, organizational, and detail-oriented skills.

Ruth-Ann has opened her home to foster a young man once in her care at Welcome Home Orphanage. Juan de Dios Nido Moran has been living under her guidance for more than a year and a half. He is currently attending school and will be graduating soon from Junior High School. Juan’s desire in life is to be a songwriting musician and open a music school one day. He plays bass guitar in a worship team from his church.

May 2006

La Huerta Guardería

Calle Baja California Sur, #213

(El Triqui) Vicente Guerrero, B.C.N.

011-52-616-166-4461

Ruth-Ann Waterhouse