About Us

In April 2013, I arrived in Milwaukie, Oregon after spending 3.5 years on the mission field in Northern Baja Mexico. Soon I discovered God's purpose in bringing me to Oregon...the homeless community.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Getting Busy Preparing for Christmas

Today is my birthday. When got up my sons wished me a happy birthday and proceeded to give me gifts. They were very thoughtful and had to be very resourceful due to our living in Mexico. It takes a little creativity and planning to get someone a gift. I know this very well because yesterday I was in the states finishing a little Christmas shopping.

Today was also the birthday of my little amigo Leonardo. Because we share the same birthday, and we arrived here at Door of Faith close to the same time, Leonardo holds a special place in my heart. I had bought him a hot wheel and some race track for his birthday. When I went to give it to him, I noticed that his mother, grandmother and a man came to visit him. I hesitated interrupting their family time, but I was encouraged to go ahead and present my gift. His mother welcomed me and served my some flan that she brought for his birthday. It was nice, happy and sad all at the same time. I don't know all the reasons that the different children are at Door of Faith. I just see the behavior of the children and can usually guess. Today, though, I would have given anything for the thoughts of Leonardo as he sat with his family in the orphanage celebrating his birthday.

At lunch today, Oscar, a boy that I sponsor, came up to me and gave me a great big hug and wished me a Happy Birthday in English. He smiled and said "Today is your birthday?" I told him yes and then he replied that it was also his sister's birthday today, but that she lived at another orphanage. Again, I would have given anything for this little boys thoughts of being apart from his sister on her birthday. I'm told, however, that he does get to see her regularly on Sundays at church.

The chiropractor returned today! I felt like it was my birthday present from God. I love chiropractic care. We also had a group from in the states and another group that were Russian. They sang Russian Christmas carols and other worship songs while the children ate their lunch. Then they prayed over the children before they left. Wish you could have heard these people sing. It made me think that all the singing of the Lord Jesus that for many years was not allowed in their country was now bursting out in great freedom. I don't think I've ever heard such strong voices, especially the men's voices.

At dinner tonight, there were a few of us at the front of the dining hall with birthday cakes in front of us. All the recent December birthdays were lined up and all the children sang "Es la son de Manyanitas" (I have no idea if that's even close to the correct spelling.) It's the song they sing for birthdays. It was very sweet.

Tyler asked me this evening if I had had a good birthday. I told him yes. I remember for many years dreaming of being able to serve in an orphanage and never thinking it would happen. And here I am celebrating my birthday at an orphanage. God truly does give us the desires of our heart.

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