Our First River Colony Event

We seem to call it an event when we set up and people come to us. So, with that definition I can say we had our first "event". Four cars and ten friends came together and made a difference in the lives of some precious people that live in the river colony of Ensenda.

The afternoon started with numerous prayers for the rain to be held back until the end of the event. (Amazing how we didn't have a drop until we were done. ) As we followed Hector to the colony, I noticed that he was taking us through the back road. It was very bumpy and narrow, with lots of turns. I couldn't figure out what he was doing until I saw him roll down his window and talk to a little boy. Maribel informed me that he was telling the little boy that we had toys. Well that's all it took to get a line going. That little boy ran and told every other kid he could find and soon we had our crowd.

It was wonderful the way the people that we're starting to get to know us came up to us and some even helped us get set up. One little girl, Irma, remembered me and came running up to me and gave me a big hug. (That was priceless.)

I talked with one of the young mom's that we've been trying to help. Her name is Noemi. She is pregnant and has a 2 year old girl named Genesis. She informed us that her 17 year old sister Alejandra and her 1 year old daughter Tabita had just moved out. She was now living alone and not sure what she was going to do with her sister not living with her anymore. She has no way to go to work if she found work, because she needs to watch her daughter. Then I got an idea. I remembered that Kate Logan had brought down some looms to teach me and the girls at the orphanage how to make beanies. I asked Noemi would she like to learn to make beanies. I told her she could learn how to make them and maybe she could sell them to earn some money. She was very interested and then her relative standing next to her was listening and interested also. So, I think we may have our first beanie class starting in a week or two!

Because of the your generosity we gave away 40 dispensas, tons of toys and clothes. Thanks to all that sent prayers, money, clothes, and toys to make this first event, of many to come, successful.

Starting tonight, a dorm mom, a handful of girls at the orphanage and myself are starting to make beanies for the our new friends. They are glad to help and some of them will be coming with me to Ensenada to teach our friends in the river colony how to make them as well. It's all about relationships. Who would have ever thought that God could take the skill of making a beanie and bring people together. It's just a new tool to present the gospel. I love it!

Wow! That was fast!

Up until today, I have been buying jackets, blankets, beanies, shoes, socks, beans, pasta, tomato sauce, and oil with the extra support and sometimes not extra support that has come in. I don't say that to boast in myself, I share that because it's all because of God that I've been able to. Each time I tell Him if He sends me extra I'll help someone with it, He comes through.

Yesterday, was a little more than I expected. I was in my friend Mary's house preparing dispensas (groceries to give out) for the people in the river colony of Ensenada. I'm still learning how many dispensas I can get out of the portions I buy, where's the best country to buy it (Mexico or US) and how much time will it take to gather everything. I was trying to prepare 40 dispensas when I came up short on beans for the last 10 dispensas. I was alone in the casa so I was having a conversation with God about what the work He was doing in the river colony of Ensenada. When I came up short on beans I just blurted out, "God you've got to send me some money. I need more beans!" Mind you, I do realize that God is not obligated to send me money so I can buy more beans. In any case, God heard that prayer even before I prayed it.

It seems that God was already talking to some friends of mine, Mike and Kate Logan. Mike and Kate attend Green Valley church in Placerville. When they heard what God was leading me and my friends Hector and Maribel to do in the river colony, they began to ask people for their help. So, getting back to my awkward prayer for more money for more beans. Approximately an hour after that prayer I headed back to the orphanage. Kate and Mike Logan were visiting and had some wonderful news. Not only were they able to help on Sunday when I go to Ensenada, not only did they bring toys and beanies and looms and yarn to teach the kids at the orphanage how to make beanies....they brought me far more money than needed to buy the beans I needed this weekend. I'm telling you...I dare you. I double dog dare you to ask God to use you. Make yourself available and God will do amazing things far beyond your wildest imagination. He's looking for for hands, feet, mouths, ears to come together in the body of Christ and reach people with the love of Jesus.

The God Who Pursues

Have you ever thought about how God pursues us? How he goes out of His way, to find us and love us even when we don't want anything to do with Him? We can choose to resist His love, but I believe that there are few who can resist the love of God.

It says in the Bible that it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. It's not His justice, or His holiness, but His kindness. I believe it was kindness God was showing when He loved us first, before we ever knew Him. If you think about it, it takes a certain attitude of the heart to realize God's kindness. When you realize that you are eternally lost unless God pardons you of the penalty of your sin, then God would be perceived as being kind. On the contrary, if you don't have need for a savior because your plan is to either work your way to heaven on your good works or you think that you can get there without going through His son, Jesus, then you might not see God as kind. You might think of God as narrow minded or arrogant.

The truth of the matter is that God is His kindness and mercy sent His Son to pay the complete penalty of our sins. We couldn't do it. Even in our best of efforts we would be covered in sin. Our holy, righteous God can't be around sin.

I bring the matter of salvation up not only because we are approaching Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, but because I'm hearing more and more about a gospel without repentance. Be sure as you have opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas this year that you not only talk about the love of God. Make sure people understand that a Holy God, sent His perfect Son to take our punishment.

The people that I'm beginning to meet in the river colony of Ensenada have been showing me something that I rarely see in the United States. This last Sunday, I met two sisters living with their two toddlers and another baby on the way. One of them was 16 and the other was 20. I don't remember exactly how we got on the subject of if they knew God, but one thing was very clear. They had heard about Jesus. They knew that He died for their sins. Their Christian mother had told them that God was with them and would always take care of them, but if you asked them if they were Christians they would tell you "no". Do you know why? Because they had not repented of their sins and come to the place that they believed that Christ paid the full price for their sins. They knew that to follow Christ was to live very differently, but they hadn't come to the realization yet that Jesus paid the full price for their sins, once and for all. When we began to share Jesus with them, the old sister would begin to cry and tell us her heart and mind were not clean.

Most people I've shared the gospel with in the United States seem to think that they are Christians because their parents are or because they attend church. I even heard someone on the radio say that he was curious whether or not the greatest harvest of souls was sitting in our churches. That is a very sad thought. I hope it's not true.

As we continue to share the love of God to the people of the river colony in Ensenada, pray that we will have opportunity to lead people to a genuine faith and understanding of salvation through Jesus. We are more concerned about their eternal destiny than their immediate comfort. And believe me we are trying very hard to meet their physical needs. We do both out of obedience to what God says in His word. We do not try and meet their physical needs so that they will feel obligated to listen to us. Instead we try to meet their physical needs so that it becomes a tool that God can use. If for no other reason, Christ commands us to take care of the poor.

Otro Ves "Again"

Every night as I lay in bed underneath 4 blankets, next to a heater, in my 2 bedroom house with running water (hot and cold) I'm careful not to complain about the cold. It has become a real reminder about the people in the River colony that God has placed on my heart. I can't imagine living in the conditions that I saw last Sunday. i especially have a hard time knowing that children are living there. I can't imagine not having a bathroom to use in the middle of a cold rainy night. I know that with all that I have to keep me warm, I don't want to get out of bed because it's so cold for me. Imagine being pregnant with a couple of toddlers and having to endure such conditions.

It's going to be especially difficult for me to go to Ensenada this Sunday after church. The reason being is that after church this Sunday the American missionaries in the area will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner after church. There's going to be plenty of food to enjoy and then I'm going to see people that have hardly anything.

I am, however, looking forward to a different part of the trip to Ensenada. More than likely. I'm going to be given permission to take the little boy, Jesus, that has been living with me. Jesus has been doing so well that we are slowly transitioning him back into his dorm. He will now have two dorm parents (mom and dad) and spending the night with me will become a reward for his good behavior. I'm excited because I love discipling kids in what Jesus asks us to do. Giving back, being grateful, obedient, learning compassion for others are all the things that all of us need to learn.

The River People

Just returned from having my heart broken....in a good way. God brought two missionaries from way down south across my path today and then opened my eyes to a need in my own backyard.

I met the missionary couple while I was visiting my friends Maribel and Hector that live in Ensenada. Over the past few days Maribel, Hector and I have been discussing the importance of building relationships before and during ministry. While sitting in their home today, a missionary couple showed up at their front door after driving about 10 hours. They were coming from a more southern part of Mexico for their annual visit. That's right. They visit Hector and Maribel once a year to see if they can help them with supplies for the people they are trying to reach with the gospel. They kind of "make the rounds" to different brothers and sisters in Christ that might be able to help them and then return to where they live. Their stories of perseverance and determination made me feel very humble and privileged to meet them. While they told me how they many times have to ride burros to reach the people they minister too, I began to feel like I was not paying a very high price like they had been. When they told me how they get off the burros and then half to walk 3 or 4 hours to the next group of people that needed the gospel, God began to stir something in my heart.

I asked the missionary couple a lot of questions. The people they were reaching with the gospel did not know how to read and were very isolated from the "outside world". Many of them had never seen a car or electricity. The Bible was being presented to them with illustrated teachings to help them understand God's plan. After listening to the things they had to overcome to do what God had called them to do, I thought how physically couldn't keep up with all that these two did. They appeared to me to be in their early 50's. When I asked my friends how old they were, I was told they were in their late 30's and early 40's.

After the highlight of meeting the missionary couple, my friends Hector and Maribel took me and my friends Mary and Pat to a colony just down the road about a mile or so from where he lived. We parked on the side of the road and he told me to follow him. Hector wanted me to me Mario. Mario came as soon as he saw Hector and took us to show us where he lived. This was when my heart began to break. Mario and his wife lived in a river bed with over 600 other people. His house was made completely out of tarps. I was told how the bed had to be moved with the rains came so that they would get wet when they slept in it at night. Mario then began to give us a tour of his neighborhood.

It was very cold as we walked around the river bed, looking at the condition of where the people lived. Children played in between the little tarp shacks and homemade septic "pits". There was no electricity. No fires, or the tarp homes would go up in flames. My heart was already breaking when I saw the condition of the homes. Homes where children lived. What really broke my heart was when Hector told me that to his knowledge, no Americans, Asians, even Mexicans for that matter, had ever come to help the people living in the river bed. I was shocked. We weren't talking about a few homeless people living in hidden places under a bridge or behind a bush. There were hundreds of squatters, living in this river bed in clear view to the neighbors on the other side of the road.

Before leaving, my friend Mary made a few videos of Hector and me explaining the help that these people needed. As we headed back to my car, I kept thinking about the $90 tennis shows I had just purchased. As I stared at the shoes on my feet, I couldn't help but think that my shoes cost more than the people's homes I had just seen. Pat took off her jacket and gave it to Mario's wife and Mary gave her jacket to Mario. We asked if we could pray for them before we left. Hector interpreted my prayer for Mario and his wife. I told Mario that I would be back. I asked God to reveal to Mario that He saw Mario and his wife and that the things that concerned them concerned God.

In one day I went from feeling like a pretty insignificant part of God's plan to a very significant part of God's plan. What a journey. I will never be the same after what I experienced today. God help me to always remember that You waste no experiences. There are no surprises with You, Lord. You have it all planned out. Most of all, I love being included in those plans!

Heidi's Family

I have been keeping me busy...in a good way. I've been ministering to a family that I've been staying involved with since I've been here at Door of Faith. I've mentioned "Heidi's family" in the past. Of and on I've been trying to encourage her in her faith and fellowship in church. Many times I visit with diapers and some food. That was good, but not enough. In August, I endeavored to give incentive to step-daughter, Yuliana, to stay in school. She needed a uniform, backpack and school supplies for school. Because of God's generous provision for me I was able to make sure that Yuliana had what she needed for school.
As time went on I began to notice more and more that little baby David, Heidi's son, was not growing very much. I had seen her feed him. I knew that she was nursing him, but something was unsettling to me. I had some conversations with my friends at the local clinic where Heidi received care for David. I asked if they could see why David was so small and did Heidi have enough food for David. She had almost always told me that she was fine with enough food.

When Heidi went to her next appointment at the clinic, the doctor at the clinic had a very serious talk with Heidi. David was soon to be a year old and he was only weighing in at 15lbs! I can not bear to repeat what she was feeding him on an average day, but I will say that it sure wasn't much. I had the doctor tell Heidi what and how much she needed to feed her baby everyday. I would purchase all of his necessary food if she would feed him what was required. Although, Heidi has been feeding her baby more than she did before, it is far less then that what he needs.

I also discovered that her step-daughter, Yuliana, has not been eating much either. When I learned this, I came up with a plan that involved the little boy, Jesus that lives with me. Jesus would see Yuliana every day at school (now that she was attending). So, I started sending healthy snacks with Jesus to give to her when he saw her at school.

It is not a crime to be poor. There are no laws that require you to have possessions or even certain amounts of food in your home. As a mother, however, I find it very difficult to watch another mother's seemingly apathy towards the needs of her own child. It doesn't seem that I'm observing willful neglect, but neglect nonetheless.

Who knows what things this mom may have encountered before I ever arrived in her life. It is very possible in the near future that the children that I've been trying to keep out of growing up in an orphanage, may very well end up here at Door of Faith. There is a family in our church that is interested in taking in baby David. In either case, it looks as if baby David and/or Yuliana will be growing up in a healthier, safer environment where they can thrive.

Please pray for me and my relationship with Heidi. Whatever the LORD's plans are for her and her children, I want to continue to minister to her. She was the first person that I saw come to Christ when I came to Mexico. Whatever reason she seems to be unable to care for her children, she still needs to be discipled.

Bible Institute

I have a wonderful opportunity starting at the beginning of October. I plan to study the Bible through a Bible Institute that will be held at Casa de Maria Skills Center. I can think of no better life skill for anyone than to be able to gain better understanding of God's word. So, hear I go into a new adventure in Mexico. Oh, one small catch....It's going to be taught in Spanish. Please pray for me. I will have an interpreter, but it's not quite the same.

Another possible opportunity that is coming my way is to reach a community about 40 minutes south of the orphanage with the gospel. My good friend Lynette and I had a friend lead us to this community that he had been to before to do various outreaches.

It was a lot for me to take in while traveling to this community. God had recently blessed me with another vehicle that is all wheel drive and higher up so that I was able to drive the seemingly endless dirt road to our destination. I felt like I was going to a place that no one had ever been to before. I knew that wasn't true because of the tire tracks I saw on the dirt road in front of me, but I never saw any cars on the road.

When we finally arrived at the community, our friend took us to the local church. The church was about the size of my master bedroom in the states. It has hand made posters on the walls saying in the Spanish that God loved children and that they were precious to Him. In the front corner, there was an old dirty chair, I presumed for the Pastor to sit. About the chair in English was a plaque in English that said "Praise Jesus".

When I looked over the community, it was extremely quite with really no signs of occupancy. I was told that most were far away working the fields. It was strange still. I missed seeing children playing outside. I saw no one. My guess was that they were probably out in the fields working with their parents.

I asked my friend how he had gathered people for past outreaches,. He told me that first they tell the local pastor that they're coming. When they arrive, someone on their team honks his horn as he drives through town, to tell everyone to head to the church. When enough people arrive, they divide them into groups of adults, youth and children. Each gets a "to the point" message of the gospel and then following the little service is a time for a meal, a bag of food to take home.

I'm praying on how we can get involved. Please pray for us as we seek God's direction.

One Year Down

"Where has the time gone?" seems the appropriate question to start with. It's hard to believe that in just a few days a year has gone by. As a family, we find ourselves content because of God's goodness to us this past year.

With the addition of little Jesus as well as David's most recent dog and yes a horse, we are becoming more and more settled in Mexico. It has become home and the many visits from church family have made it easier to transition. It has become apparent to me that my oldest son David has little to no desire to return to the states with the exception of running errands to the states with his "compadre" Julian. Tyler, my youngest, seems to enjoy the benefits of living here, but reserves the right to return to live in the states. All in all, it seems that God continues to bless here beyond our wildest dreams.

It is with great anticipation that I look forward to this next year serving here at Door of Faith. I've learned much of God's faithfulness in provision and encouragement here. I still hold to the belief that if you simple make yourself available to God's purposes, He takes care of all the details. I've seen it over and over again in this past year. I'm learning to trust Him in even greater ways the longer we are here. For this, I am so very thankful.

Seek First to Understand

Life has been a little bit crazy here. Well, at the least I would say that life has "kept me on my toes." Due to some "behavioral" issues with little Jesus, I've removed the door of our bedroom and taken the doorknob off of the bathroom door. The "party manners" are over and the testing time has come. It's time to show unconditional love and break the thoughts of certain behavior guaranteeing rejection.

Although it's not everyday or all day, Jesus is on his second type of medication to help him fight against every impulse that pops into his mind. I haven't been too impressed with the new medicine. We switched to a time released medication, that in theory sounded better, but in my opinion it still is not a fit.

Yesterday, Jesus ran out of his meds, that were helping a little bit. He was having a very difficult day that progressed to me taking him to the Mexican directors for a time out. Very scary for Jesus. He knew this was very serious.

Unfortunately, my Spanish is still a work in progress and through a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation I began to understand that it appeared to the Mexican Directors that I was in over my head and was "throwing in the towel", when what I was trying to communicate was "can Jesus stay with you for a little while so I can finish up something I started with some other kids." After meeting with the directors, for what seemed like an eternity, a very bad potential outcome turned around and a small bridge was built in communication and appreciation.

What I'm trying to say is that yesterday, because of a miscommunication and a misunderstanding, Jesus was almost removed from my care and was possibly facing moving to another orphanage. Thank God for his grace in the situation.

Today, Jesus is happy and behaving. I can see him struggling to fight his impulsive behavior, but overall he's doing great.

Friends in Pain

Lately, I've been praying for two friends that are in chronic pain. It's hard to find ways to encourage people, when I have absolutely no idea of what they are experiencing in the area of pain. It's awkward not being able to take away their pain by some special prayer. Knowing and believing that God could take it all away if He chose to and not understanding why He hasn't.

I hear of people telling them things from "just confess that they are healed to ask God to forgive you." It breaks my heart to think that that is a way to "minister" the love and compassion of Jesus. It's teaching me a lot on how well do I understand scripture and a lot about this journey of faith.

I caught myself saying today, "I would make your pain go away if I could." I thought about that statement. Even though it sounds compassionate, am I coming across like I know better than God? God could take the pain away and yet He has not. Who am I to say I would take it away if I could?

We are so quick to seek instant gratification; even if for someone else. Is this right as a believer? I am starting to pray that God would get the most glory out of these situations. I am reminded of the blind man in scripture that had people guessing that he had sinned, or that his parents had sinned. That was the reason he was blind.

Why do we have to have all the answers. Does it show more faith when we provide answers or when we still trust God even though we may never have the answers? We are still living on earth as foreigners. If heaven is our home and one of it's rewards is a glorified body. Another no more sickness or pain. Shouldn't we all the more looking forward to heaven instead of focusing on being comfortable down here?

I believe it was Franny Crosby that was asked about her blindness since birth . Her response was beautiful. It was something like,"Why should I be sad about my blindness when the first thing my eyes will ever behold will be my blessed Savior."

Schools in Baja

(FIRST THINGS FIRST, thank you to all that are reading my blog and to those of you who are sending us support. Your timing in giving is perfect and much appreciated especially in this difficult economy. It brings me to tears to know that you are mindful of our needs and are praying for us and supporting us financially. We really could not stay here without your support. God Bless you.)

The school system is very different here in Baja. It closes down for rainy days and cancels class time for full days dedicated to the celebration of children, Mothers and other various celebrations.

Yesterday, the circus came to town, so school was only for 2 hours so the children could enjoy the circus. Here at the orphanage, the children stayed back because funding about 80 children for circus rides is a expensive.

Today, Mexico is playing Italy in a soccer game. People are staying home to watch the game. Older students, do not have school so they can watch the game. It all seems so strange and yet it's interesting to see how people here enjoy life as it comes instead of putting off celebration and coming together when they've finally finished their goals and plans. I rarely see any "putting off" here.

I also visited Jesus' class at school the other day. What an eye opener. His classroom was very humble in appearance. Simply put it was a concrete room with one door and a couple of windows. No tile on the floor, just concrete. 30 or more unmatched, old desks for the children and a desk in front for the teacher. The teacher has no aide to help her, and I saw no visual aides on the walls. It didn't strike me as a very happy place to learn.

I went to Jesus' class to see if I could observe what a day in school in Mexico was like. I took a friend to help me translate. I was introduced to the teacher as Jesus' mother and the teacher was asked if I could observe Jesus in the classroom setting. I was quickly told "No." I was told that he would behave well if I was in the classroom. I think the teacher was trying to say it would make things worse for her when I wasn't there and that Jesus needed to behave without me being in the classroom. She proceeded to vent her frustrations with him in front of the entire class and made it clear to everyone that if Jesus would behave then they would have a good class. I could tell my presence was making things worse so I quickly opted to come back a little later when the teacher said I could meet with her.

When I met with the teacher later, the situation had completely turned a "180". I apologized to her and told her that I felt I had offended her. I told her that I had great appreciation for her position and only wanted to see how I could help her or Jesus in the classroom setting. She told me that she had not been offended and seemed quite surprised that I felt I needed to apologize. Nevertheless, we had a good conversation and a tiny bridge was built between Jesus' teacher and myself.

No Regrets

I am learning more and more how much we are prone to do things in our own strength. Yes, even very good things, noble things, things that maybe no one else is willing to do. I am also learning that we can to things in the strength that God provides. Yes, good things, noble things, things that maybe no one else is willing to do.

I am learning more and more what it looks like to live by my own convictions and living by another persons' convictions. The second doesn't work very well either. Neither does trying to get someone else to live by my convictions.

Coming to Mexico has taught me a lot about my self. Good and bad. Strengths and weaknesses. I've learned to let go of quite a bit of frustration when things don't go as planned. Every situation is becoming a divine appointment, opportunity, or learning experience. I used to say "God's delays are not always His denials." Now, I would be more prone to say, "God's delays might be to slow me down so that I don't miss different opportunities He has for me on the way to the next thing." For instance, many times, due to things beyond my control, I might be running late to "the next thing" and on the way to "the next thing" someone from the orphanage is walking home because they don't own a car. In the states I would have thought to myself, "I'm already late. I'll have to help them next time." Here in Mexico, I think, "I'm already late, might as well give them a ride."

God is definitely leading me and guiding me on this faith journey in Mexico. I already knew that I was shaped to serve, but now I'm learning how I'm shaped to serve. I've always loved to be an encourager. It seems that here in Mexico, there is such a need for an encouragement. It is amazing how far a smile, a hug or an encouraging word goes here. I'm learning not to underestimate the power of encouragement.

I already wonder how it will be if and when I return to live in the states. I picture it being a very difficult transition. Here in Mexico, it seems that people drop everything to help someone or just to talk to someone. In the states it feels like you have to make an appointment to talk with a friend.

Yes, I'm learning a lot about myself. I'm learning what motivates me and what doesn't. I'm learning how much of what I think is because of my American mind set and how much is because of my Spiritual mind set. What does God think vs. what will people think. What matters more to me, what God thinks or what people think?

All in all, I still have to say that I have not regretted any part of my decision to come here to Door of Faith. I can't think of one time that I thought I had made a mistake. It feels so right being here and yet strange to think that I am actually here, serving in an orphanage. It's the life I want to live. By God's grace, I want to live a life with no regrets.

Jesus Update

Our recent addition to the family, Jesus, is doing great. By taking him off sugar and sending him to school with a healthy snack, he has been able to tolerate staying in class. I also tried something that was recommend by some trusted friends with experience. I give Jesus a small amount of coffee with no sugar. The caffeine has the reverse affect on the little guy. He's much calmer and less impulsive. It seems to be the ticket for successful behavior in school. I know this because the one day that Jesus dumped his coffee in the sink without me knowing, it was reported that he was in and out of his seat, taking things out of the desks of other students and singing worship songs from church at the top of his lungs!

Once we got him to stay in the classroom, our next step was to get him to do his work in class. Although we had managed to help him with his behavioral issues, there was still the issue of doing his work in class. I quickly learned that Jesus did not know his alphabet, or numbers. They were hit and miss and had very little significance. So, I started printing out papers off the internet to help him learn to write his letters and I also found some great games on the internet to practice the alphabet and numbers. I noticed how quickly he responded to praise and made him a chart of chores and responsibilities. Whenever he completed something I put a corresponding sticker on his chart. At the end of the week, if he had enough stickers he got a prize.

Another big change for Jesus has been regarding his ears. I'm not sure of the reason, but Jesus has had tubes put in his ears and he has at least one if not two perforated eardrums. Because of this condition, he has never been allowed to go in swimming pools.

On Easter Sunday, there was a water baptism at community pools down the road. Before and after the baptism many children were swimming in the pool. I was told that Jesus was not even allowed to sit on the steps of the pool because they didn't want to risk water going into his ears. Apparently when water gets in his ears it causes and infection and it's quite an ordeal.

After walking, talking, eating, playing with a soccer ball and hanging out with as many adults possible, while at the pool, I decided we should go back to the orphanage. I felt so bad for Jesus having watch so many children playing all afternoon in the water and he was the only one not allowed to go in. It broke my heart that he could enjoy the water, so I began to investigate.

One of my friends that runs a clinic down here told me about some special ear plugs and head band that Jesus could wear that would keep the water out of his ears. For hardly any money, I was able to order the ear plugs and head band for Jesus. When they arrived he quickly asked for a bath so that he could try them out. The timing of their arrival is what's special to me. Tomorrow, we are having a special celebration at a pool. Tomorrow will be Jesus' first time in the water...well at least first time with permission in the water.

In just a few weeks, Jesus has gone from "Gitano" (Gypsy); from trouble maker to helper; from taking off, coming and going as he pleased, to asking for permission to go places. He will still tell you that he doesn't like school, but I have a feeling as soon as he's able to participate in reading and understanding the lessons that will change.

Jesus is in the House!

Recently, our lives at the orphanage have had a lot of changes. Let me back up a little. About a week before Easter a new volunteer came to stay here at DOFO. With the expectation of her arrival and wanting her to have a roommate, the housing accommodations changed.

I had always preferred a different house on the property for many reasons, but one of them being that it was a better fit for what I wanted to do with the kids in the orphanage. It has a porch in front for having the kids over, plus it is in the immediate area of the other dorms and it makes it easier for the kids to come and go with supervision. So, we moved into the "Yellow house" in back and two of of volunteers moved to our previous home. This was change number one.

Change number two was a something I had dreamed of doing, but it was not something that was normally allowed down here. After only being her about six months, we were asked if we would take in a little six year old boy, Jesus. Jesus was in great need of extra attention that is hard to provide with eight or nine other boys living in the same house. He has become my little shadow and does great with one on one attention, but struggles making good choices when his little ears and eyes are overloaded with attraction. School is difficult for Jesus for the same reasons.

About two weeks ago, Jesus moved in to our house. He sleeps in the bunk above me. He is settling in just find. Besides the joy of loving on another kid through hugs, encouragement and guidance, I have also lost a few pounds trying to keep up with all his energy! We have been working on changing his diet and seen significant changes in his behavior. It's amazing what giving value and worth to someone can do. I'm learning to tell him in Spanish that he is precious to me and to God. I'm reading him Bible stories in the Spanish Children's Bible I have. But what is most precious to me about this little boy is that he loves to sing praises to God in Spanish at the top of his lungs! If you know me very well, I love to do the very same thing but in English; singing praises to God at the top of my lungs!

6 months

In 3 days it will mark the 6 month mark for our family being here in La Mision, Mexico serving at Door of Faith Orphanage. I have learned so much in 6 months. Some things that I've learned are too difficult for me to find the words, but it has all been good.

I feel a little bit like Paul in Philippians when he talks about being content in everything, but perhaps the verse that best describes me right now is "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 Because God has taken such great care of me I am confident that He will take care of my friends, family in the states as well as my new friends and family in Mexico.

I have learned and experienced things that I really didn't think were going to be a part of my adventure down here. For instance, I've learned that it is possible to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to my heart even though I am surrounded with people praying or speaking in Spanish.

I've also learned how important it is to encourage missionaries. I have been amazed how far a simply word of encouragement goes here. Missionaries need to know that they're being prayed for, held accountable, and called every now and then. (Or at least emailed.) Some serve without support from others. Others serve with all they have until it runs out. Some serve even though great difficulty is going on back home.

I think of all the missionaries here, I am one of the most supported. I know that people "have my back" in prayer. All that support allows me to encourage others.

Last but not least, I've learned that unless you have a strong walk with Jesus, love His Word and His Church, you will not last very long in a foreign land. You need the fellowship of others and fellowship with Jesus. You need to humble yourself everyday and remember that you came to serve and not be served.

God is With Us

Wow! It's been way too long since my last blog. It tells you how busy I've been.

It's already been two weeks since I went to a leadership conference at Saddleback with my friends from Green Valley. It was great to see my church family during the day and then spend some evenings with my Mom.

I learned a lot that week. It started with some testing of my faith and some careful listening to God's voice. On our way to the states, my van got a flat tire. I was still in Mexico, about 20 minutes north of the orphanage. Having car trouble was one of my greatest fears when I came to Mexico. God is his great mercy allowed me to have a flat in an area where I could easily pull over. My son Tyler was with me and is always encouraging to have with me in these situations. I called a friend at the orphanage to send David and his friend Julian to come to our rescue and they did. They changed my tire to my spare and I was good to go.

My greatest fear had been overcome. Practicing the presence of Jesus, acknowledging Him wherever I find myself, has brought me great peace. It's a great feeling to have God confirm His promise to never leave us or forsake us. He is always with us; even on the side of the road in Mexico.

When we arrived at my Mom's we rested a little and then took Tyler to see his Aunt Becky and Uncle Tony. He would stay there for the week so he could work on his school work using their internet service and get to know his Aunt and Uncle a little more. I stayed at my Mom's. While turning in for the night I began to pray about going to the conference on my spare tire. I had been told in Mexico that I was good to go, but when I got to the states I was being advised not to travel on my spare. I knew I needed to use my ATM to get some money for the replacement of the back two tires. I had been unable to use my card because it was being converted according to the bank. So, I decided that if I still couldn't use it that I would not go straight to the conference on my spare, but that I would wait for the bank to open, get the funds and then tires. After purchasing my tires I was on my way to the conference. Suddenly it began to pour rain harder than I'd seen it in a long time. Much to my surprise, my windshield wipers actually buckled and bowed. They quit working. I pulled of the freeway safely and asked the LORD to help me get the wipers fixed. When I looked in the sky, the rain was moving away from the conference and back towards my Mom's house. I bent the wipers back in shape enough to make them work and get to the conference.

On the way to the conference I couldn't help but think about what God was sparing me from. Had I missed an accident by this 4 hour delay. Perhaps is was a test in perseverance, or my response to inconvenience. Whatever the reason, I did sense that God had spared me from something that I may never know. Sometimes, many times, we may never understand the reason for God's delays. I have learned to trust Him. I am so convinced that God is with us, that if we'll acknowledge His presence throughout our day it gives opportunity for Him to speak to us and build our faith in Him, Emmanuel; God is with us.

Heidi and Baby David

Wonderful church service this morning. It was amazing to me what people would drive through to get to church service today, but we stilled gathered together today. After much help on Friday from many of the people of our congregation spending hours of of talking buckets of water out of the kitchen and medical clinic of the church, we were able to meet.

Heidi and baby David were also in the service today. I've been wanting to bring them food for a few days, but was unable because of the storm. I brought the food with me, but found out that I could only get to their home by walking there. So, we agreed to meet at the local school at 3pm and she would walk with us to her home.

My friend Lauren and I drove to the local school where we were greeted by Heidi holding her baby and a little girl that was living with her also. We carried the food down the road and then down a dirt hill. At the bottom of the hill was a huge lake of water that the rains from the storm had left. It was only yards away from Heidi's humble home. Her home was very humble, but at least she had a portion of someones house to live in. She explained that she was able to live there for another month, but that usually it takes almost 2 months for them to pay for one months rent. After this month she wasn't sure if they'd be out looking again or not. Her husband was away working wherever he could to see how much money he could make. In the mean time, his daughter from a previous marriage was brought back to live with him.

After spending some time talking with Heidi in her home, I asked Lauren to ask her much it was to rent the house for the month. It was about $60 dollars. Actually a little less. My heart broke for her. She wanted to work to help bring in some money, but how could she with a 2 month old baby completely dependent on her, plus she now had a little girl living with her as well. Her food would have to come from people that new her need. Her little baby didn't look completely healthy to me. I wondered if he was getting enough to eat.

In the next two days I will be on a quest for diapers, Infamil, powered milk for the little girl and other staples that can keep because Heidi has no refrigerator. Lauren invited her family over to the orphanage Tuesday night for dinner at her house. It will be hard to take Heidi back to her home after her dinner, but we are learning to give what we have to give as the LORD provides.

As the LORD provides support for our family, anything extra will be going to help people like Heidi, or the breakfast ministry in Tijuana, or however else the LORD directs. We are just vessels for God to give through. All of my needs are met when I need them. As the LORD moves on the hearts of people to send support, it is exciting to see that it's usually the same time that an unknown need comes up. God is so faithful.

So Many Needs

Yesterday afternoon our third storm of the week came through. There's a river that now flows through the orphanage. You can see the waterfall flowing for the mesa behind the orphanage. It's quite a sight. It runs through the center of the orphanage across the road and into the fields.

In the afternoon, Lauren and Becca asked if I would like to go deliver some food to a family down the road. We had to walk because the roads are not accessible by car due to mud. It wasn't too far down the road when we came to a little grandma and grandpa huddled in the rain around a small fire. They had some wood boards blocking the wind and a small pot on the fire. She was so grateful for us coming and gave us all hugs. She told us that she didn't know how she was going to make tortillas with the wind and rain. I was blown away. This lady had no complaints. In fact she kept saying that Jesus was with her.

I learned a lot in that short moment. This couple sleeps in a van at night and during the day they herd goats. "It's not even close to what I picture myself doing at their age," I thought. "I wonder how old they really are." My friend Lauren guessed them to be just a few years older than I . Not sure how much she was joking.

There are so many needs here in La Mision. It could easily get overwhelming, but for the comfort of knowing that the Holy Spirit directs us to who He wants us to help and how to do it. Recently I heard that a young lady Heidi was in need of food for her and her baby David. Heidi is a girl that we held a baby shower for when I first arrive at DOFO. She found the LORD as her savior a few weeks after the baby shower and soon after that had her baby dedicated to the LORD. Now, because of lack of income, her husband has left to look for work and her and her baby have no food. I fixed some soup that I'd like to take to her, but I can't reach her by car right now. I may be walking a mile for Jesus this afternoon. I can't bare the thought that a young mom with a little baby is huddled in a tiny shell of a house not able to nurse her baby because she has no food for herself.

This story is sure to continue in flowing blogs.

God Can Use Anything, Anyone

Wow! It's been too long since I've posted something. Recently, my pastors from Green Valley Christian Center of Watsonville came down with a team from our church family. It was great to see everyone, but I was very touched that they would take the time to come and see what God has done through about 1/3 to 1/2 of our congregation. What I mean by that is that there are few people at my home church that haven't been to Door of Faith Orphanage. If they haven't, someone in their family has or they sponsor children at the orphanage. I could tell it was a lot for my pastors to take in for their short trip. It had to feel great to know that their influence was reaching down to Baja whether they had been coming or not.

It was a real picture to me of the different gifts represented in the body of Christ. People discipling and equipping believers are just as important as the ones that live out what they've been equipped to do. I've also noticed that when people come to Mexico, they discover that they do have gifts and abilities that may get overlooked in the states. Shopping, cooking, hugging, smiling, lifting, moving, hanging things up, taking things down, loading, unloading, washing, painting, driving, praying, reading, etc. are all things that God can use.

Letting God use the ordinary things into healing times, teaching times, learning times brings tremendous joy not only to the "doer", but to God. Today for instance, I asked children what they wanted for their birthday. Seems ordinary enough. But God uses it to teach me Spanish, build relationships with children, build relationships with sponsors, and give hope to children that could be forgotten, but their not. They've been brought to Door of Faith by God, not Social Services.

I also taught eight little boys how to play the card game "Go Fish". Since we've had tremendously stormy weather this week the children here have been staying inside. Not the end of the world, but staying inside for long periods of time, especially for little boys is not an easy task. Knowing this, I dropped by the little boys dorm and saw their faithful, smiling yet exhausted dorm mom watching a movie with them. Within minutes of me sitting down I was climbed on, hugged, kissed, called mommy, my pockets were searched, my ears were yelled in and I was talked to by several at the same time. I absolutely loved it! (Partly because I knew that I could leave at any time.) How that dorm mom does it day in and day out is amazing.

All this to say God uses the prayers of some, the money of others, influence, parenting, teachers, bad life experiences and good ones and mixes them together to shape us for service. Don't ever underestimate the power of a faithful smile every time you greet someone, or the kindness of tying a shoe. All of these things are things God can use to show His great love for all people everywhere.

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve at church for a special service. Great time of worship, youth and adults singing special music, a time of teaching from our pastor. It was wonderful, but I have to admit my favorite part is how we brought the new year in together. At about 20 minutes before midnight, the entire church congregation came to the front and joined their arms around each other. As we stood there arm in arm we sang a song in Spanish that says "I'm hungry for You, Lord. I love your presence and I'm hungry for you." Then we began to pray, the pastor closed in prayer followed by a count down to midnight. Everyone began hugging each other and wishing everyone a happy new year. What I really loved was that it didn't matter if you were a first time visitor or had been attending for many years. Everyone received a fair amount of hugs and wishes.

When all the hugging and wishing finished, we went downstairs for pasole (soup) and fellowship. While most of us were eating and talking, Tyler was outside having fun with the confetti filled eggs I had bought him to bring in the year a little differently than the rest of us!

On New Year's Day many of us went to DJ and Lynette's other home off of the orphanage property. They mostly use if for hosting occasions like were having that day. Numerous volley ball games, a little soccer, someone even brought their bow and arrow to show us how he hunts. Music was playing, kids were laughing, and a good time was had by all.

As I took in all that was happening, I once again observed many things that I love about the people I'm surrounded with. First of all, as soon as I got out of my van, people were so glad to see me. I was greeted with many "Hey Robin! Sit over here" or "How are you? Happy New Year!" Once I sat down to watch volley ball the pastor asked me what he could get me to drink. Then I saw something in the children that I hadn't observed before. Children that I didn't even know were offering me chips from their single serving bags of chips. And not just offering to me, but they seemed to be going to every adult around the volley ball game. If everyone had took them up on their offer they easily could have handed all their chips and had been left with none.

I'm used to attending a friendly church. In fact my church is known for being very friendly. But this was outside of the walls of the church building. This group of people were from our church in Mexico and another in Sinaloa. I guess you could say, I just haven't met a Mexican with an "attitude" yet. Even when I was turned around in Tijuana the other day, everyone I asked was glad to help. It's like going to Walmart, but you're outside and people offer to help you. (Speaking of Walmart, I was just there today, and no one offered to help. It might be because they don't speak English, I'm not sure. Everyone's nice, but it's funny that in Walmart I'm not asked if I need help. Go figure.)