This letter is an update and summary of Baja Children’s Fund’s role, responsibility and position in relation to Rancho el Milagro and the accusations against the orphanage Directors in Ensenada, Mexico.

What we are:
Baja Children’s Fund (BCF) was set up as a non-profit corporation organized for the charitable purposes of supporting Christian ministries like Rancho El Milagro that care for the physical and spiritual well being of the orphaned & underprivileged children of Baja California. With this charter, it is part of BCF’s responsibility to see that the monies sent to us from those that desire to support ministries like Rancho el Milagro are allocated and used as directed. All monies sent to BCF go directly to the organizations that BCF supports and for the stated purposes intended by the donors. Any administrative and operational expenses of BCF are covered directly by the Directors of BCF or donations explicitly designated for such use. This is all done within our own guidelines and the laws of the United States.

What we are not:
Baja Children’s Fund is not an oversight board with authority to directly control the activities of the ministries that we support. We have no legal standing in Mexico nor are we a legal entity or off shoot of the ministries we support. We can only influence the ministries that we are connected with through funding guidelines established by our Board, and more importantly, through prayer, the Word of God and encouragement as fellow servants of Christ.

What we stand for:
As Christian’s we are committed to operating in accordance with Biblical principles. The ministries that we support must also operate under these same principles and, in our estimation, be above reproach in dealing with orphaned & underprivileged children in order to qualify for our involvement.

In regards to Rancho el Milagro:
In January 2008, a meeting was held between the BCF Board of Directors and the Mexican Board of Directors (five competent Christian men and women), along with the Hernandez’s as the Directors of Hogar de Ninos Rancho El Milagro A.C. (Rancho el Milagro) or Miracle Ranch as many of you know it. Also present was their attorney and past residents who grew up at Rancho el Milagro.

At this meeting the following items & issues were presented, discussed, and evaluated. The following is our summary:

1) Review of Rancho el Milagro’s current standing with DIF: (the Mexican social service agency responsible for the oversight of orphanages throughout Mexico).
a. Rancho el Milagro is recognized, licensed, and in good standing under DIF.
b. DIF is aware of the allegations of abuse and have actively reviewed the issues. Their investigation included interviews and psychological evaluations of those involved.
c. DIF’s investigative findings placed Rancho el Milagro and its Directors in continued good standing as an operational Mexican orphanage. DIF continues to place children under the care of Rancho el Milagro.

2) Legal status of abuse allegations:
a. There were accusations filed with the Ensenada District Attorney in early 2007 of alleged misconduct of the Directors, Antonio and Edna Hernandez. The accusations also include Antonio’s brother, Jose, who is no longer at or a part of Rancho el Milagro and has not been there for over eighteen years. To our knowledge these allegations stem from a group of individuals that lived at the orphanage over fifteen or more years ago.
b. This current legal case is being handled by the Mexican judicial system. We have been informed that the process followed by the Mexican system is to interview those involved and review all evidence presented by both sides in order to find a resolution. Current status is that the case could be ruled upon as early as the 1st quarter of 2008.
c. There have been no indictments or arrests made by the Mexican legal authorities to date.

3) BCF’s process, findings, and conclusions:
a. BCF has actively pursued investigation and resolution to the issues for the sake of children and to continue to support the children currently at Rancho el Milagro.
b. Two members of the BCF Board have met with Board members of the American organization formerly associated with Rancho el Milagro that are acting as the advocates for the alleged victims.
c. Having had the opportunity to review some of the extensive evidence from both sides, it is the position of the BCF Board that there is no way for us to properly evaluate, conclude findings, and make final judgment on the allegations one way or the other.
d. Based upon this position and the fact that there is a legal case before the authorities in Mexico, BCF has concluded that the Mexican judicial system is the only rightful place for this issue to be decided and brought to conclusion.
e. The BCF Board has chosen at this time to continue funding for Rancho el Milagro based upon our personal history and experiences with Rancho el Milagro and pending a future decision within the judicial system.

4) Operational accountability:
a. As stated above BCF has no legal authority to provide oversight to this ministry. However, as also stated above, we believe that this ministry should be above reproach in dealing with the orphaned and underprivileged children for the covering and protection of all involved. Our continued involvement with Rancho El Milagro is based upon this understanding.
b. We require complete and accurate accounting for all funds sent to Rancho el Milagro from BCF.
c. We are also encouraging and working with Rancho el Milagro and their Board to update the systems and processes they use to ensure future covering and accountability for the children and the Directors.

BCF’s intent and purpose is to ensure that your donations are used to care for children. It is the current position of the BCF board that the children at Rancho el Milagro deserve our continued support. We believe one thing is certain, that these children have spiritual and physical needs and that it is our obligation as members of the Body of Christ to minister to those needs.

As we have been prayerful to consider our position and actions with regards to Rancho el Milagro and all the individuals involved with these issues, we also encourage you to prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you do with regards to your support and involvement. We continue to be honored to play a small part in the lives of the children of Rancho El Milagro.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of Baja Children’s Fund

Drew Belk, Jeff Fransen, David Wright, Mark Stratton, Curtis Belk, and Bill Naber

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