Joaquin

Serving Hands International hosted their annual luncheon celebrating 31 years in service on October 3, 2013. The event featured the largest turn out to date with 140 current SHI Partner ministry leaders and program directors joining in the celebration! Among them were 34 sisters, 30 priests and San Diego’s own Bishop Cirilo Flores. Together with Serving Hands Founders, Board members and staff, we celebrated another great year of Serving Hands International’s commitment to service. Exemplifying Jesus’ calling to serve the poor and partaking in the joy of following Mother Teresa’s mission “Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile” has always been the intent of Serving Hands International’s founders, Terrence and Barbara Caster. As they fellowshipped with those who have taken their modest legacy and expanded the mission, the Casters were provided a video presentation highlighting 3 partners with a simple message, that they would carry on the legacy by which Serving Hands was created and continue to make a difference in the lives of people who need help. In turn, the Casters expressed their thanksgiving to God for bringing along more servant hands who can carry on God’s work. The Caster family, Serving Hands International Board, Staff and volunteers want to thank you, Serving Hands International Partners for carrying on the legacy!

What began as a community activity turned into a city wide event. The Sisters known as the Trinitarians of Mary welcomed over 1,000 youths to celebrate World Youth Day in Tecate, Mexico on July 27 & 28, 2013. A comprehensive and intense program was created to reignite the concern for the youth within the community. The program included an emphasis on building relationships, reconnecting with the body of Christ and being encouraged in God’s love. Sharing with Serving Hands International’s Field Officer, Joaquin Hernandez, Sister Katharina stated, “In the presence of so many young people who have expressed familiarity with suffering, loneliness and abandonment, we yearn to be the consoling voice of Christ in their lives.” One of the many volunteers added, “I was without awareness of this intense love for my faith until I witnessed this event!” A donation made by Serving Hands International and the owners of A-1 Self Storage to the Trinitarians of Mary helped provide food, water and other supplies to make the two day event possible. Thanks to the generosity and support of A-1 Self Storage and donors like you the participation in World Youth Day – Tecate was made possible. Thank you for investing in the lives of Tecate’s Youth!

Invested Tijuana neighbors commit their time and talents to serve those who are down and out during the economic downturn. Proyecto Salesiano, a bi-weekly food distribution partner with Serving Hands International for 14 years, has been successfully operating a Monday through Saturday 8am to 10am breakfast and haircut service for adults who are currently unemployed and in need of assistance. Margarita Andonaegui Padilla, coordinator for Proyecto Salesiano since its conception in 1999 is daily encouraged by the kindness of their volunteers stating, “They commit, they come and they make a difference.” But according to one volunteer, who requested to remain nameless, “I feel I owe them for helping me when I needed it. The center helps when other places close their doors.” As Serving Hands Field Officer Joaquin Hernandez spoke with more hair-stylist and cook volunteers it became evident that the heart of each volunteer was to encourage the person they were serving. Some have been in such a place before and recall another helping them. “The men and women who come to us are provided a healthy breakfast and if needed a haircut.” Said Father Ernesto Hernandez. “We know that self-presentation is important when looking for a job and we want them to be as successful as possible.” Thanks to the generosity of Serving Hands International donors and A-1 Self Storage Proyecto Salesiano is able to provide services a cut above the rest in Tijuana, Mexico.

A hospital stay is challenging, due to the health issues being addressed. It is the intent of the medical staff to provide comfort during the difficult moments in a patient’s life. On July 8, 2013 Serving Hands International received 8 medical beds – provided by a generous donor. With such a unique gift, we at Serving Hands carefully chose one of our partners to be their recipient. It was decided that all 8 beds would be utilized and maintained well by our partner, Hospital San Francisco located in Tijuana, Mexico. When delivering the beds, Serving Hands Field Officer recalls Sister Elizabeth’s words, “The patients will see first-hand the high quality and comfort of these electronic beds!” Sister Elizabeth Ann Waldron Felix is the current hospital manager of Health Services at Hospital San Francisco. She continued to share, “The beds will go a long way in “adding to the comfort” of the patients at the hospital”. Doctor Victor Villalobos added, “This is yet another great opportunity for us to fulfill our mission of helping people who are poor and under-served in our city. We are grateful to Serving Hands International for partnering with Hospital San Francisco for the past 10 years.” The 8 medical bed donation will enhance our ability to provide excellent health services for the people of our community in Tijuana. Thanks to the generosity of a Serving Hands International Donor and A-1 Self Storage the hospital beds were provided to a wonderful organization and immediately utilized to bring comfort to patients in Tijuana.

What would you do if you needed medical assistance and did not have health insurance? Hospital Sagrado Corazon in Tijuana, Mexico partnered with Serving Hands International on June 15, 2013 to provide a medical fair that served more than 200 men, women and children. The Medical Fair services included free basic preventive health screening exams for dermatology, optometry, general fitness checkups, dentistry, gynecology, psychology, pediatrics and most impressively minor surgeries. “My mom lives in the out skirts out of town and she doesn’t have any health insurance, so I brought her here today so she could get all of the screenings she needs,” said Lucia Garcia, a daughter of a community member being served.“I think it’s a great event because it brings awareness for people about what we need to be doing to make sure we’re healthy,” shared a volunteer. For the more than 200 people who were provided medical screenings at the medical fair this year, – that’s exactly what they received, assistance with education. Sister Maria Auxilio Lemus Gomez shared with Serving Hands International’s Field Officer, “We thank Serving Hands International for their support to our Hospital. They have been an essential part in the service we provide to those in our community who need medical care. I’m proud to say we’ve been partners for the past 8 years.” Thanks to the generosity of Serving Hands International Donors and A-1 Self Storage a medical fair with maximized impact was provided to a community in Tijuana, Mexico.

Serving Hands International newest Food Distribution partner, Samaritana Sisters was visited on May 6, 2013. Serving Hands International Field Officer recalls a simple powerful statement Sister Eva gave with regard to the epidemic of poor, “We can all help.” It is just that simple. Sisters Samaritanas has been in successful operation in Rosarito, Mexico for 20 years. The Sisters primary mission is to provide inner healing to the community. By partnering with Serving Hands Food Distribution program the sisters are now enabled to further minister to the community by providing spiritual retreats for young people, single adults and married couples. The Serving Hands Food Distribution program has also helped further expand the organization’s purpose to help less privileged communities. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and our Sponsor, A-1 Self Storage, Serving Hands Food Distribution program is making a positive impact in Rosarito today.

“Even in high, precarious places we can still get things accomplished,” stated Sister Tonita triumphantly. Just across the San Diego border, in the outskirts of Tijuana there is a community of 2,000 people in desperate need of a safe shelter in which to gather. Serving Hands International’s Portable Building Program was established to meet such a need. Two of Serving Hands 2013 portable buildings were provided to Missionaries of the Divine Mercy on May 13, 2013. These buildings will provide a safe place for the community to meet, learn and encourage hope within the region. The intended purpose of the buildings is to teach seminary courses about prayer, healing, marriage, and family to those seeking to learn. The Sisters will also utilize the buildings for the making of crafts which are sold as trinkets in help support of the goals of Missionaries of the Divine Mercy. Sister Rosie shared, “The impact made in the lives of our community members in such a short time is tremendous. It was worth every second and great effort it took to bring those large buildings to the mountaintop!” Thanks to the generosity of Serving Hands International Donors and A-1 Self Storage the portable buildings provided to this community was made possible. Through such generosity even in the highest places we can get things accomplished and bless others.

When you think of going on vacation you think of places like, Cancun Mexico, The Caribbean, Tahiti or Europe. The possibilities are endless. Not for 17 year Old Samantha “Sammi” Stotts. Sammi finished her junior year of high school in June of 2012 and instead of hanging out with friends at the mall or finding an exotic vacation retreat during her school break; Sammi caught a plane to Uganda, Africa – on a mission trip with Believer’s World Outreach. Sammi fundraised, worked and saved for her mission throughout the year. Sammi visited the “Amani Baby Cottage” in Jinja, Africa. The children in the orphanage were sent there because their families faced insurmountable challenges of poverty and diseases such as AIDS and HIV infections. Sammi shared that she did not feel like she was in a third world country until reaching the village of Kikondo after a beautiful boat ride filled with exotic plants and views through Lake Victoria. The village had homes made of sticks and mud, no clean water and people wearing torn clothes. “It was so insane to me how different these villages were.” Said Sammi. Sammi’s vacation was spent making new friends, helping to set up medical clinics seeing over 250 patients with health concerns such as Malaria, AIDS and HIV. “They have never seen what they look like because they don’t own mirrors; how crazy is that?” Sammi spent the day snapping pictures of the children and then sharing those pictures with them. “They were ecstatic; they laughed and screamed with joy.” A donation made by Serving Hands International and the owners of A-1 Self Storage to Believer’s World Outreach helped purchase medicine, clothing and supplies for the very needy children Sammi met on her trip. “It was an incredible experience and opportunity and I’m grateful that I got to experience it.” Sounds like this “vacation” was one Sammi will never forget. Participation in the mission trip was made possible thanks to the support of A1 Self Storage and generous donors like you!

It’s a chilly morning, April 2013 and more than 1,000 people wait in line patiently along the wall of the pink cinder-block building owned and operated by Casa de los Pobres (House of the Poor) in Tijuana, Mexico. This is a common site, here in one of the neediest areas of Tijuana. So many people seek this line as their last resort in order to provide for themselves and their families. Each day several hundred poor Tijuana residents come to this church operated center seeking food, clothing, and medical treatment. Casa de los Pobres strives to faithfully meet each individual’s need. Those needs range from unique service such as prayer, counseling or perhaps even a bus ticket so the person in need can return safely home. Serving Hands International has been honored to work with Casa de los Pobres since 1982. Their dedication and effective manner of ministering to those in need is truly remarkable. Through Casa de los Pobres, Serving Hands has been able to provide basic needs, fresh food, clothing, blankets and shoes as well as supplies for school aged children throughout the region. When visiting Casa de los Pobres on April 2, 2013, SHI’s Field Officer was told, “We at Casa de Los Pobres are so very grateful for Serving Hands and the people who so faithfully give.” Alma Ruiz, a volunteer worker at Casa de Los Pobres, stated. “They make our service possible.” Food donations provided to Casa de Los Pobres are made possible by our sponsor A-1 Self Storage. Thanks to A-1 Self Storage and generous donors like you Casa de Los Pobres and the people they serve are being ministered to today.