This year marks a special milestone for Big Heart Orphanage — 25 years of faithfully caring for children in need of stable homes, love, and a quality education. Known in Spanish as Casa Hogar Corazón Grande, Big Heart began as a humble calling that has grown into a ministry spanning three locations across northern Mexico: Reynosa, Ramos Arizpe, and Matamoros.
The story of Big Heart began long before its first children’s home opened. In 1989, Gator and Deanna Carter moved to Mexico after sensing a divine call to serve. Over the next decade, they learned, served, and built relationships in the border region. Then in October of 2000, they opened the first Big Heart home in Reynosa — the place where the ministry would take root.
For many years, Reynosa remained the sole location. But as the ministry matured, Gator and Deanna recognized the need to expand. In 2018, they accepted an invitation to assume responsibility for an orphanage property in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, replicating the model they had built in Reynosa.
Most recently, in 2023, Big Heart assumed stewardship of an orphanage in Matamoros, opening a third home on a 27-acre ranch in the countryside. At this location, children not only receive shelter and schooling, but also practical agricultural training, participation in tending farm animals, and work toward self-sustainability.
Meanwhile, the Reynosa campus has grown significantly. It hosts Colegio Regents, their school offering education from preschool through high school (and beyond), serving over 500 students. The orphanage in Reynosa also conducts outreaches in surrounding neighborhoods, food distributions, “Family Days”, and more.
Today, Micah and Jenny Carter lead Big Heart Orphanage with compassion and dedication, carrying forward the vision that began 25 years ago. Founders Gator and Deanna Carter continue to serve as mentors and guides, offering wisdom and support as they focus on the mountain campus in Ramos Arizpe. Together, they embody the heart of a ministry built on faith, family, and lasting impact.
Over these 25 years, Big Heart has weathered countless challenges: financial and infrastructure needs, staff requirements, and the constant balancing act of caring for children while running a wholesome educational environment. The founders, their family, and their staff have poured themselves into this work—trusting God every step of the way.
They believe that no child should lack a stable, loving home, and every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Their mission is to “transform the life of children by developing Godly values in them, through quality education, nurture, and God’s love.” They see themselves not just as caretakers, but as family, walking alongside single mothers, enabling parents to spend time with their children on “Family Days,” and sometimes restoring broken family relationships.
The sacrifices have been real: staff working long hours, construction teams volunteering time to build or expand housing and facilities, the constant maintenance of the facilities, and the emotional weight of raising vulnerable children. But through it all, their faith sustains and drives them.
Big Heart depends heavily on donations from caring individuals in both the United States and Mexico. Without those generous gifts, the homes, school, outreach, and future development would not be possible. The ministry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and many supporters in the U.S. give regularly to sustain their work.
Over the years, countless church groups and mission teams have traveled to Mexico to build, paint, renovate, and serve. From students painting walls, to construction crews adding dorms or classrooms, to medical teams and outreach volunteers distributing food and clothing — these have become part of the lifeblood of Big Heart. In a testimony from a recent trip, one member a a visisting group from the U.S. shared how the team became “one big family,” as volunteers labored alongside staff.
These visiting groups bring not only sweat equity but encouragement, connection, and global awareness to the cause. Their presence over the years has helped expand facilities, deepen ministry, and ignite passion in young people who return home changed.
As they celebrate 25 years, Big Heart Orphanage stands as an example: what begins as a small act of faith can blossom into a transformative movement. They continue to welcome and care for children, strengthen families, expand educational reach, and pursue sustainability.
If you feel led to support them — through prayer, giving, or serving a mission team — your involvement will become part of a legacy of sacrifice, love, and hope. At 25 years and counting, Big Heart Orphanage is more than an orphanage or children's home— it is a family embracing children, communities, and futures, one life at a time.
The Rugged Compass newsletter keeps you up-to-date on inspiring humanitarian work from every corner of the globe.
