Like a Tree by the Water
Reflections on a Visit to Emmanuel Children’s Home | Jeff Crabtree | Juárez, Mexico | June 21st - 23rd, 2025
Amid the fire-damaged remains of a schoolroom under Cerro Bola peak (also known as Bible Mountain), located within the Juarez Mountains, stands an unmarred mural of a tree. A verse from the prophet Jeremiah to his countrymen in exile stands in quiet testimony of hope.
Photo taken by Jeff of the bible verse in the old school building near the cafeteria.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
As I walked through the damaged remains of the former dorms and classrooms of Emmanuel Children's Home, this humble mural caught my attention. The biblical message of unwavering trust in the Lord and of a ministry firmly rooted in Christ, like a tree planted by water, filled me with hope.
I first heard about Hogar de Niños Emmanuel (Emmanuel Children’s Home) through secondhand accounts, old mission trip photos, and writings of its founder, Josue Lopez, and his family, as I was tasked with setting up a website called Churches without Borders (yes, the website you are currently visiting). But no story or photograph compares to witnessing the living ministry that continues today, more than 60 years after its founding, as a place of refuge, love, and transformation for neglected and abused children in Juarez, Mexico.
Photograph taken on Sunday, June 22nd of those who were baptized.
On June 21st, 2025, I had the privilege of traveling to Juarez with two members of our church, Ed and Dawn. We were honored to attend a once-a-year baptism celebration hosted by the Children’s Home. This year, Emmanuel Ministries joyfully baptized 13 children and 2 staff members, among the approximately 50–60 children and 30 staff who live and work there.
To many in the U.S., the baptism service might seem unorthodox because it took place at a local pool and was followed by a fun pool party complete with delicious street tacos. But the baptism celebration was deeply meaningful, full of joy, and the Gospel message.
One of my favorite parts was hearing the children and parents sing songs of God’s love. Pastor Rebecca Busa-Portillo, who leads the children’s chapel services, shared a message about the meaning of baptism. Jonathan Lopez translated into Spanish, making the service mostly bilingual—a great blessing for those of us still working on our Spanish! Pastor Rebecca shared three reasons why Christians are baptized and then invited some of the children who were being baptized to come forward and answer questions about their faith and what this moment means to them. Afterward, we learned more about the ministry from Betel Lopez and her family.
Rebecca Busa-Portillo giving a message over baptism.
Our last morning at Emmanuel Children's home we were honored to be able to join the kids on a few of their daily activities and we received a tour of the facility. Johnathan Lopez led the children in their daily recitation of memory verses, the Ten Commandments, and songs. Pastor Rebecca led the students through a devotional about Noah and the Great Flood. Chapel services happen in the main auditorium three times a week for the children, and it was a blessing to be able to attend one of the services for the week.
After the chapel service, we were led on a tour of the facility. A fire in 2020 destroyed the original dorm and classroom spaces. It was exciting to see the early stages of rebuilding classrooms behind the main church. Two classrooms are underway, with a third planned, in hopes of starting a Montessori school. Betel shared how her father, Josue Lopez, had once been teased for including two large restrooms and shower facilities in the chapel's design, something that seemed odd at the time but proved essential for the continued work of the ministry. Those facilities allowed the Children’s Home to reopen with a focus on serving those most in need.
Our tour ended with a walk through of the charred remains of the old facility, which brings us back to the mural and the words of Jeremiah 17:7–8. What struck me most was that our first focus during the visit wasn’t on what had been lost to the fire, but rather on the incredible work God is still doing through Emmanuel Ministries.
Group picture: Dawn, Jeff, Ed, Betel (Mountain Translation: The Bible is True, Read it)
Emmanuel Children's Home showcased a lack of "fear when heat comes" and a deep trust that the Lord would continue to bless the ministry so that the ministry "does not cease to bear fruit." Their relentless faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His message resonate through every aspect of their ministry.
There is still a great need:
A need for prayer, for giving, and for lasting relationships. God has placed a strong vision on Betel Lopez’s heart to carry this ministry forward, to continue their mission: “Healing children, restoring families, transforming generations, and raising up history makers for the Kingdom of God.”
If you’re interested in supporting Emmanuel Children’s Home, here are a few ways you can help:
Learn more: https://www.emmanueljuarez.org/
Give to rebuild: https://www.emmanueljuarez.org/ways-to-give/
Pray: for the home, the children, the staff, and this life-giving ministry.
Visit: If you or your church is interested in organizing a trip or would like more information, please reach out through the "Connect With Us" button on the website.
God Bless!
~Jeff
