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May 16, 2019Hidden in the midst of a poor neighborhood, a Carmelite-run shelter serves as a beacon of hope for the 29 children, ages 1-14, who reside there. The Spanish name for the shelter, Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza or RISE, roughly translates to Children’s Shelter of Hope.
This safe haven was founded in 2001 after the parish priest and Carmelite sisters saw the need to provide a refuge to the children who were homeless, orphaned or were at risk in their own home.
During Spring Break this past March, teenagers who attend Christ the King in Oklahoma City traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as part of a mission trip to work at the shelter.
Before embarking on the mission trip, the high school missionaries from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, parents and a number of parish ministries collaborated to put on a fish fry fundraiser to donate to RISE's catholic education fund.
The missionaries' goal was three-fold: to establish a greater life of prayer through daily Adoration and Mass, to serve the children of RISE selflessly and to build fraternity with those on the mission trip. The missionaries spent time helping the RISE children with homework, reading with them and playing games.
On three of the days, missionaries helped with debris clean up, cleaning out a storage closet, installing a donated cabinet and watering plants.
In the midst of serving the children of RISE, the high school missionaries and chaperones had the opportunity to learn the stories behind some of the children's arrival to RISE.
Father Rick Stansberry, pastor of Christ the King, said, "The story that impacted me the most was of the three little boys, all siblings, who had arrived the week prior to our arrival to RISE. The boys were having a hard time adjusting to their new home. The boys were picked up and brought to RISE because a concerned neighbor said there were children that were left alone in a home and that the parents had not been back in a few days.
The boys were neglected. When authorities arrived, the boys were dirty, had no food or shoes, and the home did not have electricity. Upon arrival to RISE the children were fed, bathed and given clean clothes and shoes. The boys were so excited to have shoes because they had not had any before. After the boys finished eating, one of them asked if they were going to eat again the next day. The lady who prepares the meals told them that they were and that they were going to eat again later that day. The boys could not believe that they were going to have food twice in one day."
Professor Jorge Hubeto-Ayala, who oversees education and tutoring for the children, said it was helpful to have the high school missionaries interact with the children because the three newly arrived boys really needed the human interaction. He also said that he was grateful because the children needed young people who can keep up with them and play, interact and simply give attention.
Jenson McPherson, a freshmen high school missionary said, "The kids changed my perspective on life. Their happy hearts in such a tough situation was something to admire. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet those sweet kids and I will never forget them!"
As the mission trip ended, one child ran along the Los Mango's Library gate, following the bus and waving good-bye.
"The memories made and the deepening of faith due to the time spent in Mexico are a few of the things that my peers and I will not forget. I would not have wanted to spend my spring break any other way," said Luke Chansolme, a sophomore high school missionary.
Learn more about RISE at www.risepv.com.
