God's Love is Extravagant!

Today, I witnessed the most beautiful thing. I saw God's love poured out on the kids from the orphanage in a way I never could have imagined. An individual that loves God and has been blessed financially through over 100 kids a huge beach party just because he could. It wasn't a special day to celebrate. It wasn't earned for good behavior. It wasn't to win them over. It was solely for the purpose of enjoying kids being happy.

We had horse back riding, quads, and para airplane rides over the beach. The resort on the beach had a jump house, jousting, and two types of water slides. Then there were the two pools and hot tub available and tennis. There was soda, popcorn, pizza, popcorn,candy, and chips to eat. All of this was provided just because someone gets a kick out of being generous. Then, if that wasn't enough, the evening ended with a fireworks presentation. It was great to hear the kids yell out "por DJ, por Mexico" or "por mi" as the fireworks shot up in the sky.

As I took in all this generousity, all I could think about was how some would think it was foolish to spend money that way. So many other good things could have come from the amount of money that had to have been spent today. Yet, I couldn't get passed the thought that Jesus may have done the very same thing if the occasion was for kids. What I saw today was priceless. It's just like the Lord to take a hard situation, like being placed in an oprhanage and turn it all around and allow these kids to experience fun and laughter with seemingly no limits.

It challenges me as a parent to bless my kids with something or someplace and say to them "Just because I love you." I tell my kids all the time that they can't earn God's love or blessing, and yet how often do I do something just out of love and not them having to earn it. The Bible is clear that God does not treat us as our sins make us deserve. I am so thankful that God loves me just because He wants to; nothing more and nothing less.

The Passing of Our Good Friend Buddy

It's been a difficult few days. Last Friday as we were visiting with the team from GVCC, I was called outside to find our dear Buddy (David's dog of 8 years) lying on the ground not able to move. He had been chained in the front of our house and a truck drove over his chain and apparently pulled so hard that his neck was fractured in two places.

DJ offered the services of a vet in Rosarito, so we drove him there through much fog and winding roads. The vet gave Buddy some pain killers and a tranquilizer. We had to bring him back the next day for xrays. After we saw clearly how badly he was hurt and the pain he was in we knew he had to be put down. Needless to say, Saturday was one of the hardest days we've had as a family in a long time.

Saturday, David didn't do much visiting with our GVCC Family. He was too sad. But our friends did pray for him before we left for the vet and he did want to see the guys from Green Valley just after we returned with the sad news. As a Mom, I was so grateful to have the guys from church available for David. Again I was reminded that God is never surprised or caught off guard. He knew we would need our church family to get us through a very difficult time.

On Sunday, we all went to church services in a small church in Ensenda. It was so far out that I was surprised to see the people attending. Most of them had to walk to get there. When I arrived, my GVCC family was pointing at me and saying something to the pastor about me. The next thing I knew I was being asked to play the keyboard for their service. I was delighted to help out. Brian DeCamp joined me on guitar. It seemed that by the time the service was over, Brian and I had not only served to accompany the worship leader, but we had become an illustration for the pastor's sermon. He talked how every week he comes and sees the keyboard, the guitar, the bass and the drums sitting on the platform with no one to play them. He challenged the congregation to service with the gifts God had given them and talked about the gift of service. While I was sitting in the service all I could think about was how God never wastes anything. The songs that we played I had learned the words to either when I was a little girl or in our KSA at church when it had a Spanish theme. God is so good.

Today, our friends from church left. It was hard to see them go, but I'm so confident that I will keep seeing them throughout are stay here that it made it a little easier. Never have I had friends before that are so given over to serve. It is amazing. They smile and laugh as they work themselves close to exhaustion. Their strength so clearly comes from the joy of knowing Jesus. Even with all the hard physical work they did at Casa de Maria they came bringing gifts of things I needed so much. They even painted my bedroom and fixed my shower faucet!

Yes, GVCC has a way about them that makes people scratch their head and say "What is with these people, that they keep giving and serving. And why are they so happy about it anyhow? What's up with that?" I am look forward to hearing the good things that are still to come from their example of what it means to love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your STRENGTH.

What a diverse weekend. What an amazing God we serve.

Learning the "Ins and Outs" of Running Errands

Today I tagged along with Lynette and Lauren as we ran errands in Mexico as well as in the states. Learned a lot about the rules of the road including those primarily for Americans. I also learned that there are places I need to stop even when the stop sign has been missing for years.

We went to a few post offices to pick up mail, shopping at Target and Costco. We purchased personal items as well as items for the orphanage. The primary reason however, was to pick up one of the orphanage vans that had been repaired.

I learned that you need to divide up the things that you purchase because of how much is allowed per driver. Even if you're bringing things for children in an orphanage you still have to do things a certain way. Orphanages are no exception.

I learned that 15 passenger vans are almost always automatically pulled over to be checked out. I learned that pray is the way to handle every situation that arises.

My friends from church came down for the weekend to do work at Casa de Maria. I've only been here about a week , but it's great to see them.

Breakfast Anyone?

This morning I got up at 4:30am (for those of you who know me well, I have to be pretty excited about something to get up that early). At 5am I was off to Tijuana to help serve breakfast to about 82 children. These precious kids live in shacks on top of what used to be a dump. They come to the church dressed in their uniforms that they are required to have or they can't go to school. They well mannered and appreciative. Some bring their baby siblings and make sure that they have breakfast and some families even come. Nothing is required of them. It's just encouragement to keep in school and to let them know that God sees them and cares deeply for them.

I learned today it takes about $50 a day to feed all of these kids. Today they had milk, beans, corn tortillas, and eggs with hotdogs. I'm told they couldn't serve them breakfast for about 2 weeks because there was no money coming in to support the purchase of food. It's not for a lack of help, it's only a lack of funds.

I also spent part of the day teaching some rhythm to the children. The biggest turn out for participation is about age 5 - 8. It's a lot of fun. They call me Maestra (teacher) or Miga (short for Amiga). It's hard to get them to stop chanting my name so I can teach them. Surprisingly, some of the most active boys can be attentive when they are involved with music.

In my devotions today, I found it interesting how God continues to get me to try and focus on what His will is for me in the moment. I leave you with this quote from my favorite author "Oswald Chambers". "the goal of the missionary is to do God's will, not to be useful or to win the lost. a missionary is useful and he does win the lost, but that is not his goal. His goal is to do the will of his Lord."