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.