by Blake Harper | Dec 20, 2010 | News Slider
At the City of Children, an orphanage in Ensanada, Mexico, Christmas is celebrated pretty much like it is in the United States, according to a Lipscomb student whose parents run the home. Andres Gonzalez, whose parents are directors of the home that takes in abused and neglected children, said that the holiday there is all about love, celebration and the giving of gifts. “I have such great memories of it growing up,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone is like one big family, so that just makes everything all the more special.” He said that on Christmas Eve, each age group has a big party in its individual dormitory, with music, decorations and a big meal including the kids’ favorite foods. On Christmas morning the children file into a big auditorium where they are called up, one-by-one, to receive the gifts given by their sponsors. The children cheer for each other as their names are called and start chants expressing their excitement. He said it is one big party celebrating and letting the children know that God loves them and that they have a family that loves...
by Blake Harper | Oct 5, 2010 | News Slider
Sophomore Andres Gonzalez, 19, was inspired by volunteers and visitors from Lipscomb University to travel more than 2,000 miles to attend school at Lipscomb University. A native of Ensenada, Mexico, the third-largest city in the state of Baja California, Gonzalez grew up the son of the Mexican directors of the City of Children, an orphanage for children who have been abused, neglected or who have been taken away from their parents by child protective services. Gonzalez would often help with tasks at the home to make sure things ran smoothly. While performing those tasks, he came into contact with the people who would inspire his college choice in Nashville, Tenn. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to attend Lipscomb,” Gonzalez said. “The people that visited the home from Lipscomb made such an impact on my life, and I knew that Nashville would be a great place for me to get my education.” Josh Link, an admissions recruiter at Lipscomb University, was one of the key people who encouraged Gonzalez to continue his education here. “He represented a place that seemed welcoming, enthusiastic and exciting.” Gonzalez said of Link. One of his biggest concerns of going to school in a foreign country was the language barrier. He knew that he would be expected to be at the same level speaking, reading and writing English as the average American student. Having learned English at a young age, and having helped translate at the City since he was six, Gonzalez hoped he could handle the pressure. “I learned English when I was really young, so it comes as second nature, but sometimes it is...
