Matamoros, Mexico

Bethel Casa (Casa Betel) is a residential safe haven for children in Matamoros, Mexico. It provides food, clothing, safe shelter, basic health care, and transportation to school for thechildren coming from the poorest of the poor in Matamoros. Refuge is provided by this faith-based facility of volunteers working under the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries (SWGSM). The Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries (SWGSM) was founded in 1985 in Los Fresnos, Texas, to provide assistance to hundreds of people in need, especially Central American political refugees, individuals from other countries in political turmoil and those in need on both sides of the border area.

SWGSM assists the Casa Betel Orphanage as part of its outreach ministry. It directs work groups to the orphanage to help with construction and provides food, clothing, and toys for the home’s approximately 70 children. The orphans have been abandoned, abused, neglected, and are from extremely impoverished households.

There are many ways that help can be given to this ministry including the making and sending of kits, such as:

Health kits contain one hand towel, one washcloth, one comb, one metal nail file, one bar of soap, one toothbrush,one 4-7 ounce tube of toothpaste, and 6 Band-Aids. Also, include a large towel and shampoo. Bundle all items into the towel and tie with ribbon or yarn.

Layettes contain four cloth diapers, two shirts, two washcloths, two gowns or sleepers, two diaper pins, one sweater or sweatshirt, two receiving blankets (one can be a knitted blanket). Bundle all items into one of the receiving blankets and secure with diaper pins.

School kits contain one pair of blunt scissors, pads or notebooks of ruled paper (approximately 8" by 11" and containing 150-200 sheets of paper), one 30 centimeter ruler (12"), one pencil sharpener, 6 new pencils with erasers, one large eraser, twelve sheets colored construction paper, one box of 24 crayons, one cloth bag (approximately 12" by 4") with cloth handles. Pack all items in the cloth bag, fold the top over, and secure with two large rubber bands to prevent spilling during shipping.

Kits may be mailed to Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries; 205 West First Street; Los Fresnos, Texas 78566.

Another way to assist Bethel Casa is by sponsoring a child through the Global Ministries Child Sponsorship Program at a cost of $25.00 per month. Contact Linda Lawrence toll free at: 1-866-822-8224 ext. 3222 or email her at: lawrencl@ucc.org. You can also download an application from the Global Ministries website www.globalministries.org.

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