A New Season

It's hard to know where to begin. God has been incredibly generous to me and my sons with the ministries he's allowed us to be a apart of since coming to Mexico September 18, 2009.  We started serving at Door of Faith Orphanage. In time, like many of the volunteers of Door of Faith, God gave us opportunity to be involved in ministry outside of Door of Faith.  This speaks well of the generous and grace filled leadership of Door of Faith; a ministry that not only serves the children of the orphanage, but the community around them and sends out to other ministries with their blessing.

A few years ago, I believe the Lord lead me to help in  ministry with my friends Hector and Maribel Gonzales in colony 89; an impoverished, violent, drug addicted and forgotten colony.  The ministry of Dios Me Ve (God Sees Me), was begun as we worked together to reach the lost and forgotten people of colony 89.  What started with door to door groceries delivered to the hungry, grew to blankets, mattresses, jackets and uniforms for school being given to those in need. Before long we were feeding over 180 families twice a month with groceries, passing out shoes and clothing for the children and even rebuilding a few homes that had burned down due to fires.  From there, Dios Me Ve ministries began to change and to grow even more.  Property was purchased, a building was built on the property by our friends from Calvary Chapel of Apple Valley and Bible and English classes began.

To date, there are over 12 Bible studies either in homes or in the Dios Me Ve building. Gang members that used to earn colony 89 it's dark reputation are now beginning to follow Christ and giving back to their community. The colony is changing as the children, parents and youth gather to learn  of  God's love for them through faithfulness to the study of the Bible.

After much prayer, the Lord has made it clear that it's time for a new season in our lives. It is now time for us to return to the states for the next step in our faith journey. In mid April, My son Tyler and I will be headed to Milwaukie, Oregon while my eldest son, David is remaining in Mexico.  We wish to thank you for your all of your encouragement, prayers and financial support.  I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider sending the personal support that you've sent in the past to enable my family to serve in Mexico, to the ministry of Dios Me Ve or personally to Hector and Maribel. If this is something that God would lead you to do, please write out your tax deductible donation and send your support to:

Calvary Chapel of Apple Valley
13601 Del Mar Rd.
Apple Valley, Ca, 92308

Designate it to Dios Me Ve or Hector and Maribel Gonzales.

By sending your support through this local fellowship, you will receive a tax deduction.

Please continue to pray for and support this wonderful work of God.  I've seen with my own eyes what God can do through the teaching of His word to the most hardened of hearts. I've seen with my own eyes the response to the pure gospel; changed attitudes and countenances, hope restored and lives redeemed and given purpose.

Where He leads I will follow,

Robin Schmidt

The Next Step in the Schmidt Family Adventure

I have some news to share with you concerning the LORD's plan for me and my two sons.  As most of you know, we have been living at Door of Faith Orphanage in La Mision, BC Mexico.  I have to say it's been one of the best experiences of my life.  It's been an opportunity of living out what I've always said I believed.  It's also been a great experience for my sons to learn and see first hand what it means to living a simple life of service and experiencing the fulfillment of knowing that their lives are making a difference in the lives of others.

For many months, I have felt prompted to pray for what the LORD would ask of us next.  It's been made abundantly clear to me that we're remaining in Mexico still for quite a while.  There's still plenty of work that God has for us to do.  

I don't know all the reasons why, but I have felt that God has lead me and my sons to rent a home in La Mision near the orphanage.  We will live very close to the orphanage and still very involved in serving there.  I will continue to work with Lynette on celebrating birthdays and corresponding with sponsors of our kids.  I still will be helping with running errands and picking up supplies for the orphanage.

I will also continue to work in Ensenada with Dios Me Ve Ministries.  We will continue to show the love of God to the poor in the colony Ochenta Nueve through bimonthly groceries, events for the children and classes for the adults.

So, "why the change in residence?" you might ask.  I am not absolutely sure.  Practically speaking I can see how it might enable me to be a little more flexible in schedule, or a little larger to store the things that God sends to the people in Ensenada.  I know that I would like to have a vegetable garden to help with the food for Ensenada as well.  I also have thoughts of how I may be able to help some of our kids at the orphanage that have special learning needs and...  I also realize that God's ways are higher than mine.  I can make plans, but it's the LORD's plans that will prevail.  I am confident that God knows why I am to move, so I've put my trust is in Him. 

Please continue to pray for us.  We love serving here in Mexico and plan on staying until the LORD tells us otherwise.

Visit with Mom

Recently I had the privilege of having a quick visit with my Mom.  The older I get the more I see her influence in my life.  At the age of 82 she still brings the "elderly" to church, visits those in the need and hosts a Bible study.  I can call on her for prayer any time.  She even collects designated items for Door of Faith Orphanage, in La Mision Mexico and needed items for Dios Me Ve Ministries in Ensenada.  

I really have been blessed.  I have experienced the joy of serving most of my life because of my parents daily modeling that it's better to give than receive. It's funny when she talks about me slowing down or taking a break.  It's foreign to me because she didn't model much of that.  I've mostly seen her give, serve, pray and testify all my life of the goodness and blessings of God.  As far as I'm concerned, my mother has been part of an early reward of me trying to follow in her footsteps.

Changing Blogs

It's come to my attention that what used to be my "family blog" is looking more like a "Dios Me Ve" blog.  So, to eliminate confusion, there are now two different blogs.  This blog will return to being about my experience and thoughts while living in Mexico.

Some of you are aware that I live with my two sons at Door of Faith Orphanage.  For the past year and a half, I've been involved in a new off-site ministry in Ensenada called Dios Me Ve.  To stay updated on that ministry, please go to diosmeve.blogspot.com .  There you will see what I'm up to when I'm not in La Mision, at Door of Faith.

Recently, I've been doing my own personal study on what the Bible says about the poor, the fatherless, and the widow.  I'm trying to get to God's perspective alone.  I must admit, I've seen many "people's" perspective on "how" we should help them, "when" we should help, for "how long" we should help the poor, and even "why" we are poor.

I've also noticed that I hear when things are going "wrong" for a believer that it's because they "must being doing something right."  They say "I'm under attack because I'm making the enemy mad."  Although I think that this can be true, I don't think it's mostly true.  It's not anymore true than the opposite belief that someone is suffering or having a bad time because they've down something "wrong" or "sinned."

I've seen this applied with the status of being poor.  Although it is true that you can be poor because of laziness, drunkenness, haste  and greed, etc;  it's not always the case.  Sometimes someone is poor because of being exploited by the rich....and 1 Samuel 2:7 says "The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and exalts."  Still seems like God has the last word on who's poor and who's wealthy.

The other side of that assumption would lead to the conclusion that people are wealthy because they are "doing things right."  Although, I agree this can be the case, it is not always the case.  Again, in the end, God decides who are wealthy as well.

I am sure of this.  It is not right to assume why someone is poor.  Since I've been in Mexico, I've seen believers that you and I would consider poor.  They love God with all their heart.  They're content.  They choose to live simply and are also "poor in spirit" depending on God to supply their every need.  They don't share the gospel from the prospective of material gain.  They realize that this world is not their home and look forward to the return of their Savior Jesus and to their new home in heaven.

I'm also sure of this.  It's not right to assume why someone is wealthy.  Yes, it can be because they are "doing things right", but not necessarily.  Sometimes it is ill-gotten gain from preying on the emotions of others.

Personally, I wonder if it's a test to how we will respond to God and others.  Do I follow Christ faithfully, even in the midst of poverty?  Can I be content when my fellow Christian seems to have more than they know what to do with?  Do I hold on to the little that I have in fear that God won't take care of my needs?  Do I still trust in God in the midst of my prosperity?  Do I trust in my blessings or horde them for the day when I "run out", or a "rainy day"?  Do I snub other fellow Christians that have little because of the assumptions that I've made about their reasons for being poor?

May it be said of me like that of the apostle Paul.  "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12,13