GIOF… Finding Good In A World That Experiences Turmoil

We live in a world that is constantly changing. It is filled with many wonderful moments as well as many tragic moments. Look at what we witnessed just this past Sunday. The Super Bowl…footballs highest point… the pinnacle of greatness. It was won by a team that never made it the the Super Bowl in it’s 44 years of existence. Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. They did a great job. Look at the city they represent…New Orleans. It has seen it’s share of tragic events over the last few years. And now, there feeling good and celebrating.

We see good times…we see bad times. Finding good in a world that experiences turmoil is the topic I’m going to spend a little time on today.

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you’ll recall I did a post about my daughter Kelly and her friend and the experience I got from attending the closing ceremonies of the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk. I like to find the good, the positive that is going on around us when so often all we hear about is doom and gloom.

I’d like to tell you about two organizations that I am very proud of. The first is Genesis International Orphanage Foundation (GIOF). GIOF is a Christian-based, non-denominational, organization in the United States that creates on-going educational enrichment programs for the orphanage, indigenous & disabled children of Baja California, Mexico. One of the ways GIOF can accomplish this goal is through their support of a wonderful non-profit organization in Mexico, Genesis Diez, A.C.

Genesis Diez, A.C. is the diamond in this rough. They’re the organization that’s in touch and in tune with what’s happening with disadvantaged children in this part of the world.

The children they encounter have experienced intrafamily violence, sexual abuse, abandonment, malnutrition, insufficient medical care, and lack of education. I’ve seen first hand the physical scars of abuse that some of these children have been subjected to. The lack of proper medical care is very evident. The conditions in the orphanages in Mexico are as good as can be expected. They are nowhere near the facility you might find in the US. They’re overcrowded and understaffed and many of the children never see outside the gate of their facility.

Imagine what it might be like to be the children of migrant workers. Moving all about Mexico with your parents following the next crop to be harvested. Living in cardboard shacks. No running water, no electricity… And even worse…no education.

I have personally witnessed some very sad and very disheartening situations in Baja California, Mexico. However, I’m not here to bring you down. I’m here to tell you about the good that is being done to change this for the better. Even though when I travel to work on behalf of GIOF to Baja, I’m saddened by what I see, and yet, I can say that I experience joy when I am there.

Imagine spending your day, weekend, or even week doing something so positive that it lifts you up as well as the children whose lives you are touching. Experiencing the laughter, the giggling, the pure playfulness these children experience says so much. The laughter of a child truly says it all.

Seeing and feeling the love that is communicated through their eyes speaks so clearly that the language barrier falls by the wayside. To be hugged so tightly it feels like their little chest is going to pop…well I just can’t really describe it. You have to experience it. They say Love is a universal language. It is very apparent when you spend some time giving love and attention to someone that gets so little.

The programs of Genesis Diez, A.C. help to build positive self esteem. They allow the children to express and see their potential. They let the children know that there is love in the world and they are worthy of being loved. It gives them a step up in life. Programs have been put in place to improve the quality of their education, work more closely with the medical community, and deliver food and clothing when needed.

Our dream is to build Rancho Genesis, a unique Learning Resource Center that continues to meet the needs of these children. A central location, where all the programs and support to the local community can be run from.

I am proud and privileged to serve on the Board of GIOF and to be a part of an organization that is facilitating change for the better in a world that often sees darkness. This is something that touches my heart and that I love to support.

Speaking of support… we are celebrating our 4th Annual Gala this month on February 20th. This year we will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Genesis Diez, A.C. in Mexico. This organization has come a long way and made a lot of progress, however as you might guess, we are just at the tip of the iceberg. If you happen to live in Southern California in the San Diego area I’d love to invite you to our Gala. It will be a memorable event. Of course, if you can’t attend, any contribution that you might find in your heart to share would be greatly appreciated no matter the amount. Aside from that, your prayers for the continued growth and development of our work to improve the quality of the children s lives in Baja California, Mexico are much appreciated.

If this is something that has touched your heart then please share it with you friends on Facebook and re-tweet it to your Twitter followers. If you have a desire to learn more about these two great organizations please leave me a comment below or check out their websites. GIOF and Genesis Diez, A.C.

Go out and Live Your Best Life!
Don

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