South of the Boarder Report - January 2008

I don't know how long it has been since I have written, nor what we have shared with you. It seems that things here are moving so fast, we are just putting out fires and trying to keep in step.

As you know it has always been our desire to have a Children's Home and a Christian Community Outreach Center. In January of 2007 the task of beginning them both seemed overwhelming. We decided to focus on the Outreach Center and adopt the Love in Action Children's Shelter as our Children's home. We intended to do this until the doors were opened for us to begin a Children's Home here in Ixtlahuacan. In the fall Anabel Frutos, the founder of Love in Action, came to us and shared with us the desperate need to separate the girls from the boys at the center. She asked if we would be willing to begin a Children's Home and take the boys who are living at the center. And the rest, as they say is history!

Since then God has brought many people around us, Christians and non-Christians who want to help make the Boy's Home a reality. Yesterday the boys heard that we were trying to purchase a property for their new home. They were so excited that they couldn't contain themselves. They desperately wanted to come and see the new property. Rodney and Anabel explained to them that the property is only a dream at this time. We are praying and fund-raising in order to purchase it. The boys didn't care they wanted to see the property and pray with us! We planned an impromptu event and obtained permission to hold it on the property. We invited the Shepherd's Heart Mexico Board of Directors, all the SHMI missionaries and several people who have been contributing and have committed to share the need and help raise funds for the Boy's Home.

You should have seen the excitement of the boys when they arrived this morning. This is truly an answer to prayer! We want this transition to be smooth for them. We spent the day praying, playing soccer and eating.

A highlight of the day was when ten-year old Leo, one of the boys, offered all the money that he had saved to help buy the house, about two dollars and fifty cents.

We ask that you would be in prayer with us. Our Mexican association is in the final stages. (A must before we can purchase the property and begin the boys home.) Also we have contacted the owner of the house and have a meeting with him when he comes in from Mexico City. And in the next month there are many who will be sharing on our behalf to help raise funds for the Boy's Home. We know that the vision of having a Christian Community Outreach Center and Children's Home is being fulfilled and we are excited!

The boy's home will be called, The Hope House. Our Moto: Bringing Hope to those who have none! I think some of you may have received a Hope House update from Rodney. If you have not and would like to please let us know. Also if interested you can check out the website that was constructed exclusively for The Hope House. http://www.casahogarmexico.org

Thanks for all your support and prayers. We appreciate you! Rodney and Kina Dutro Shepherd's Heart Ministries www.shmius.org

Blessings! Kina and the girls