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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-08, Page 37Seaforth church group head to Colombia to help children's home Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor In Leticia, Colombia the youth call him Gerry or sometimes even refer to the humanitarian as "loco Gringo," a term implying in a joking manner that he's a crazy white man. Though Gerrid Dalton's mind frame is sane, when he travels overseas representing the Bethel Bible Church, his vision is transparent. He said his only initiative is to help the children in need. With back and forth trav- els ravels to Mexico and Colombia, the 31 -year-old from Sea - forth has been part of the Mission Trip offered by the church for the last seven some on years. Usually the program is split up and the volunteers go to both countries, this year Colombia is the lone destination due to an illness in one of their (pain organizers. Dalton is assured Mexico will be available for service the following year. The group of eight, with six members of BBC has arranged to travel the coun- try bordering Brazil from March 17-27. The group is responsible for construction projects, conducting bible studies and generally looking after a home they helped create in the previous year's travel. Thanks to Pacebook, Dal- ton has been in contact with some of the older youth in the domicile, so he said they are patiently awaiting,his return. The children's home is called "La Aljaba," which Dalton says means Ow Quiver in English. Being a father of four, Dal- ton said in terms of its atmosphere, the name goes hand-in-hand. Supporting those realities, he's .wit- nessed an array of poverty in the horse. it's an emotional experience he said and this helps his family cherish the life they have in Canada. "It's a home for children, some are orphans, some parents are in jail, drug addicts or alcoholics," stated Dalton March 1 in a phone conversation relating to Colombia, whichis believed to be the world's leading cocaine producer. "'They are not all orphans, some of their parents just can't take care of them. Roughly 30 kids live there Wednesday, March 8, 2017 • Signal Star 37 Submitted photo Gerrid Dalton, 31, with the sunglasses to the right is heading to Leticia, Colombia from Marchl7-27 to help children in need. permanently with another 40 "day trippers" in the morning and an additional 40 in the afternoon to share the space for a couple of meals to calm their growling stomachs. Located next to the Amazon River, Dalton said their diets mostly consist of fish, rice and plantains. This time around, his wife will accompany Dalton; he said he has explained to his young children the impor- tance of this trip. He said they would join the venture in the future when they are of age. "You couldn't think of treating your kids the way these kids are treated because children are a bless- ing," he said. Adding newspaper ads to your digital advertising boosts R01 by 4 times' POSTMEDIA Promote your business with print advertising.. Contact us today! advertisingsoiutions( postmedia.com 1 1888.332.3258 'On frmf4ge, Swrctr the P01 Study•Mewswc,rks, Banchmark4tmg. linal-Star