AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico - After youth pastor Todd Thomas told the Bible story of how the Samaritan helped the Jew who had been beaten and left to die, he asked the crowd of Mexican children and First Christian Church members if they knew who his neighbors were.

"Everyone you meet," said Lorrena, one of the children from the orphanage. Thomas slowly chose three Mexican children and church member Rebekah Marlow.
"These are my neighbors," he said, his arms around them. "I love them. I love you. That is why we are here."

Sunday morning, a garage was transformed into a sanctuary as children from the Rainbow Children's Home in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and members from a Port Charlotte church held a bilingual service. First Christian Church is in Aguascalientes to help build a new orphanage in Santa Rosa, a town 25 miles from Aguascalientes.
Thomas' message made some of the church members cry. Faces contorted as many held back tears.

Those who didn't cry, did when orphan Jessica testified. She explained how her dad was a drug addict and put in jail. She said her mom lived with another man but moved out when he abused her and her five siblings. The man found Jessica's mother and gunned her down in front of the children.
"When this man killed my mother and then himself," she said, "we were all alone." Jessica paused, put her hand in front of her face and shook her head no. She then continued.

"I am confident that even though my mother is dead and my father can't contact us, Christ is always with us."
Most, if not all, cried.