North Ranch resident shares the blessings, one trip at a time

Delivering goods to Mexican orphans brings man joy



HIP HIP HOORAH—Children who live at the Door of Faith Orphanage in Baja California, Mexico, wait patiently to receive bags of candy from Bob Kieling, who they call “Mr. Chocolate.” The North Ranch resident travels to Baja monthly to deliver staples and goodies to the orphanage.

HIP HIP HOORAH—Children who live at the Door of Faith Orphanage in Baja California, Mexico, wait patiently to receive bags of candy from Bob Kieling, who they call “Mr. Chocolate.” The North Ranch resident travels to Baja monthly to deliver staples and goodies to the orphanage.

Each time Bob Kieling arrives at the Door of Faith Orphanage in Baja California, Mexico, the children recognize his car and line up for a special treat.

The North Ranch resident stops by the orphanage once a month to deliver food and other goods.

His only objective is to fetch smiles and make life better for the more than 100 youngsters who call him “Mr. Chocolate.”

“They love the M&Ms more than anything else,” Kieling said.

Founded in 1959 by Curtis and Sylvia Freeze, who came to Mexico with $35 in their pocket and a vision to help underprivileged children, Door of Faith is in La Mision—about an hour south of the U.S. border at San Diego.

In spring 1993, an Orange County couple moved to La Mision to manage the orphanage: DJ Schuetze is a former marketing director, and his wife, Lynette, was a preschool teacher.

“We were comfortable in the U.S. but saw the huge need in the orphanages we visited. We also truly loved our time serving the kids and wanted to do it full time. It is incredibly rewarding work,” DJ Schuetze said.

The orphanage works closely with Mexican child protective agencies, but it does not receive any government funding. Though it partners with churches, corporations and service organizations, the majority of funding comes from individual donations.

“We couldn’t continue this work without people like Bob Kieling. . . . I think the joy our kids receive is equal to the joy on Bob’s face when he’s with them,” Schuetze said.

Most children at the orphanage have been abused or their parents are deceased or in jail.

Kieling has been making the 550-mile round trip to La Mision for five years. “You don’t need a big philanthropy trust to get involved in something,” said Kieling, who works in property management.

“Donating a little time to help a little kid means so much. If we all did a little something, it would make a big difference,” he said.

Kieling said he chose Door of Faith because it’s a well-run organization that works to raise responsible, productive members of society.

“The kids all have to go to school; they all wear a uniform, and they all have to learn English. Not only are they being helped, but they’re being educated and prepared to go out and do something constructive” he said.

The journey to La Mision includes a five-mile drive over a dirt road and up into the mountains.

Kieling never had a problem reaching his destination safely.

“The Mexican people are so nice and so appreciative of anything. I’ve never had one negative encounter,” he said, adding that Americans traveling in Mexico should be prudent, but they shouldn’t be fearful.

About three weeks ago, Kieling loaded his SUV with 30 pairs of used soccer shoes, 10 soccer balls and 400 pairs of underwear and socks. The care package also included rice and beans, boxes of laundry soap, shampoo, three mountain bikes and two used computers. He gathered the funds and goods through an email list of about 75 people.

Kieling’s charitable spirit is catching on. Recently, 11-year-old Kendall Gold of Westlake Village canvassed her neighborhood, soliciting donations for the orphanage. She collected 200 Beanie Babies, used sports equipment and enough cash to buy one gift for each child at a dollar store.

“I thought that was a pretty special thing for an 11-year-old girl to do,” Kieling said.

Items most needed at the orphanage are food and cleaning supplies, Schuetze said.

“Our cooks prepare close to 400 plates of food a day. We wash over 80 loads of laundry a day,” he said.

Last week, Door of Faith took in six new children in a 48-hour period, including two newborn babies. The orphanage has five full-time American volunteers and 22 paid Mexican staffers. Groups from throughout North America frequently visit to lend a hand.

Some children get adopted by Mexican families, but international adoptions are difficult and they are all handled by the government.

To donate goods for Door of Faith, email Kieling at bkieling@aol.com.


LOVING IT— Three children dig into their M&Ms candy gifts shortly after Bob Kieling arrives at the orphanage.

LOVING IT— Three children dig into their M&Ms candy gifts shortly after Bob Kieling arrives at the orphanage.

TEAMWORK—Kendall Gold, 11, brings donations to Bob Kieling who will deliver them to the orphanage.

TEAMWORK—Kendall Gold, 11, brings donations to Bob Kieling who will deliver them to the orphanage.

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