During the planning phase of our mission trip, we discussed going to the "mountains" to visit the second Casa Hogar orphanage currently under construction and to take jackets to the people who reside there.

I knew little more than the name of the village we'd be going to - San Juanito. If I had researched this before I went, I would have known that I was going to a place I already knew something about.

Back in my days of running, I would run trails at Three Sisters Park in Evergreen, alongside some guys who were from the "mountains of Mexico" - known as the Taramuhara Indians.

I ran alongside them for about 10 minutes - they were faster, more agile and more focused. I was training for the Georgetown Half- Marathon and they were training for the Leadville 100 (miles).

I knew them from my circle of runners and I'd read about them in sports publications - stories of how these guys trained back home in similar terrain, altitude and climate - barefoot.

From overhearing conversations, I knew that they were paid runners, their earnings minus modest living expenses sent back to their extended families.

Arriving in San Juanito - I gained perspective of their lives. I can see why they ran for a living. Not much else to do there to get around or for activities. They were in our country to further do what came naturally to them and what they knew - their innate, God given talent to run long distances, and their commitment to family.

The Taramuhara are peaceful people living simple lives, genuine in their unawareness that they are different. You see them outside restaurants in far away towns and on the streets of downtown Chihuahua.

You can't miss the women in traditional dress - yards and yards of brightly colored fabric, making up a tightly pleated skirt - their young daughters mirroring them. I noticed that I never saw these girls by alone, they were always with someone who appeared to be their mother or grandmother watching over them - I found this to be even more significant when I compared these girls to those at the orphanage at Casa Hogar who seemed to only have each other.

The long drive to San Juanito from Chihuahua was a welcome change of scenery and I got to spend time conversing with some of my travel mates and learning more about the people that live in San Juanito.

Reaching our destination - the grounds of a bright blue, one room church, everyone knew each other a little better and was in good spirits. We traveled in a caravan with the San Antonio group, our three long, white church vans looking like government vehicles stood out, signaling that strangers, probably missionaries were in town.

As guests, we were directed to use the "new" outhouse. It had a bench seat with two holes as opposed to the hole in the ground squat one. The new lumber and less pungent smell made no mistake which one was the "new" one. We were greeted by the pastor of this bright blue church in the hills. A nice man, dressed in his crisp cowboy clothes, hat and boots to match. The San Antonio group set up their music while we received a tour of what would someday be a second Casa Hogar orphanage. For now, a grey brick building with walls/divided rooms, no floors, no doors, but lots of vision on Fidel and Mariana's part.

Fidel and Mariana took to the microphone and invited the community to come, share in the festivities, and celebrate - all in the name of God. Soon, a crowd gathered in the church yard. Kids came in groups holding hands. Moms came holding their babies and greeting one another - laughing and hugging. Sitting on chairs alongside the fence, they seemed to be catching up. All the while, keeping watch over their children doing crafts and breaking piñatas with the Americans.

When it came time for the distribution of the jackets, shoes, gifts and sweets, we needed crowd control for the enthusiastic group of children and adults that lined up outside the church. The very young and the very old came through those doors humble and without expectations. They left grateful, with an armful of goods. No one was turned away from those doors.

Not even the old, rough looking, toothless guy smelling of stale alcohol who sat patiently on a bench outside the church until it was almost empty. He arrived with a smile, a kind voice and well worn women's loafers. He left with a huge smile, a heartfelt hug, and pair of bright white, high top, leather sneakers.

It was a day of true missionary work. Doing something for someone else, expecting nothing in return, and doing it with kindness and respect. I think Pastor Dee would be proud of the Team.

As lovely as these community oriented people were, and as committed to their children as they seemed, there are some in the mountain area in and around San Juanito that need a Casa Hogar Misericordia - a house of mercy.

They need shelter, education, food, and people who will care about them. Fidel and Mariana need the finances to complete their buildings, put in beds, and give the children that don't have a village to raise them, a home. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the fundraising efforts to build the second House of Mercy, contact Church of the Hills, 28628 Buffalo Park Road, Evergreen CO 80437, 303-674-6641.