Amongst the many holiday activities at Seaside is the outreach ministry in Tecate,
Mexico. In its fifth year, the program has grown in volunteers and donations
This year the fifteen to twenty volunteers (one of them Santa Claus) will caravan to Tecate on December 17th. The air is filled with joy and wonderment. Those who are participating for the first time are excited and full of questions and those who have made the trip before know it is a different experience each time they go. In the morning the volunteers host a Christmas Party for the thirty orphans at the Salvatierra Orphanage and in the afternoon, it's helping distribute two
hundred and forty gifts at Santa's Workshop at the Juan Escutia Elementary School. With the additional help, the program also conducted a successful blankets, coats and sweaters drive to benefit the elementary school.At the Salvatierra Orphanage, the girls (ages three to twelve) are excited too! First, comes the warm greetings. Not only are the girls excited about seeing Santa Claus and the event itself, but they can't wait to share their much rehearsed
singing and dancing. They are first on the agenda. The volunteers are aware it is the girls' Christmas gift to Seaside and it is a heart warming experience. Next Santa Claus is the center of attention as he gives out the gifts. For the second year in a row church members have been given the opportunity to adopt one of the orphans for the holiday season and some have chosen to make the trip to deliver their gifts.
Needless to say there is much anticipation by everyone in the room. There are no language barriers when it comes to sharing this event. This year Seaside is also giving a gift of story telling which is done bilingually for the enjoyment of all. The morning goes by fast and it is time to say "adios." The volunteers begin their six mile drive to Cerro Azul, the location of the Juan Escutia Elementary School. As we arrive at the school with additional gifts for Santa's
Workshop, the children are eating lunch.  The mothers in the community have prepared tamales for all the "Americans" and once the gifts are put away, it is time for our lunch. Next the volunteers take their places in a room full of
gifts and it is time to start lining up the children. Children file through by grade. Their faces light up as they come through the door and for many, it's very time consuming. At this point, it's fun for the volunteers to help them decide and in the process get to know them. Volunteers enjoy the event as much as the children. At the end of the gift giving we often raffle the larger items. The older children get very excited
about this part of the program. Around 4 p.m. or so, the volunteers start thinking about heading home. Everyone gathers at Rancho Tecate to share the event … as they look forward to another year. THANK YOU for all your donations in the year 2000 from the Tecate Outreach Ministry and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! In Love, Josie Castañeda, RScP Please go to next page
Top of Page | 
