For Winkler native Brian Krahn and his wife Clarissa, their hearts and minds are with the children of Guaymas, Mexico. This is where they have spent the past 14 years running an orphanage for abused and abandoned children.
Krahn, who came to Winkler for Thanksgiving Weekend, shared the life-altering experience that called him and Clarissa to dedicate their lives to helping children in Mexico.
“We were challenged with our faith back in 2008 - 2009,” Krahn explained. “We went on a short-term mission trip to Mexico, and what we saw there broke our hearts. We came back with a heavy conviction that we needed to do something.”
The Birth of Ancla de Amor
That "something" grew into a lifelong commitment to care for the vulnerable. In 2014, Krahn and his wife founded Ancla de Amor ("Anchor of Love"), an orphanage that now provides a safe haven for 30 children. Over the years, they’ve encountered heartbreaking situations—children dealing with neglect, abuse, and poverty that were unimaginable to them before their arrival.
“We moved down there thinking we would just be helping a bit,” Krahn said. “But we saw things that should never happen to children—things we didn’t even think existed. Coming from Winkler, where it can feel like a bubble, it was shocking to see such extreme poverty and suffering.”
"Coming from Winkler, where it can feel like a bubble, it was shocking to see such extreme poverty and suffering."
Early devastation and a deepened commitment
Krahn described their early days working alongside a local pastor, where they witnessed children living in squalor—homes made from pallets, rampant drug and alcohol abuse, and kids forced into theft by their own families.
“I remember one of the most gut-wrenching moments," Krahn recalled. “We had a little boy in our community attempt suicide. It was just horrific. We felt this overwhelming question — ‘God, if not us, then who?’ So, we committed to serving these kids.”
Over the years, the Krahns have faced every imaginable challenge. Krahn described the horrors they’ve seen at the orphanage: “Bite marks, burn marks, broken beer bottles used as weapons. We’ve even had infants come to us with fractured skulls. The stories are hard to tell, but it’s the reality of what these children go through.”
From heartbreak to hope
In spite of these challenges, Krahn remains hopeful. “We’ve also seen amazing transformations. Kids who were broken are now thriving, going to school, building friendships, and learning to trust again. That’s why we keep going.”
"Kids who were broken are now thriving, going to school, building friendships, and learning to trust again. That’s why we keep going.”
However, the work is far from done. The orphanage is now at full capacity, and the Krahns are turning away children because they simply don’t have enough space. “Just this week, we were asked to take in a four-year-old girl... But we had to say no,” Krahn said, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s devastating to turn kids away, but we just don’t have room.”
A call for support
While visiting roots in Winkler over Thanksgiving weekend, the Krahns spent time bringing awareness and seeking support for the growing needs of Ancla de Amor. They are looking to build a new facility specifically for infants and children under five, a group that is particularly vulnerable in their region.
“Our ministry has grown so much,” Krahn said. “We now have 12 paid staff, thanks to support from organizations like the Hope Thrift Store in Morden, which covers about 80% of our staff salaries. But with the cost of living in Mexico now similar to Canada’s, building a new home is expensive. We’re praying for more partners to help us continue.”
The Krahns' faith has been their anchor throughout this journey. “Living out our faith is what keeps us going,” Krahn shared. “We believe God will provide what we need. But we also need the hands and feet of people who care about these children to help us make this next step.”
Upcoming opportunities to help
Krahn is holding an enchilada fundraiser on October 18th at the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church, with all proceeds supporting the orphanage.
For those interested in supporting the orphanage but unable to attend, Krahn encouraged donations through Children of Hope, the organization that manages their fundraising. “You can sponsor a child, contribute to our education fund, or help fund the building of the new home,” he said.
A message of perseverance
Despite the challenges, Krahn remains committed to the mission. “It gets heavy at times, especially for our staff, who deal with these devastating situations daily. But the support and prayers we receive from the community, here in Winkler and across Canada and the U.S., give us the strength to keep going.”
Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in the lives of these children. Please click here to make a donation.
A final thought from Krahn: “These kids deserve a chance. They’ve been through so much, but we can break that cycle of pain and abuse. We just need people who believe in their future.”
Visit Ancla de Amor's website or Facebook page to learn more.
With files from Jayme Giesbrecht and Ty Hildebrand.