So, you're probably thinking that there's someone missing in this picture. David is living in Anaheim, Ca. and Ty is with me in our new home, in Milwaukie, Oregon. Ty's going to school at Rex Putnam High School while I have been volunteering the last 8 months at The Father's Heart Street Ministry.

While I miss David like crazy, I am proud of his work ethic and resourcefulness. He has jumped in to the "adult" world with both feet, working many long days and of course visiting friends in Mexico....well, let's just say..."often".

Ty is still and always has been "Mr. Friendly".  He makes friends easily and I'm grateful for that.  He also is showing more and more interest with working will young children.  Some have even called him "the child whisperer" because he has this ability to get little kids not only to listen to him, but he's like a "kid magnet" wherever we go.  His gentleness and patience with kids is amazing and I'm excited to see what God has for him as he approaches adulthood.

I've been volunteering at a wonderful ministry called The Father's Heart Street Ministry since last June.  When we came to Oregon last April, I was pretty clear on the reasons for my sons coming here, but very unsure why God brought me here.  All my long term plans to stay in Mexico seem to come to a halt that I never anticipated.  I struggled emotionally with the move.  My friends in Mexico are very dear to my heart. I didn't want to leave, but I knew that it was what God was directing me to do.  

It wasn't the first time that I had to trust that God was leading and in time, His plans for me would be revealed.  God got my attention shortly after arriving in Oregon.  I injured my back, which prohibited me from going straight into the job market and brought me to the day shelter called The Father's Heart Street Ministry. Being in Mexico taught me a lot about stepping out in faith and watching God provide for me. I have continued to volunteer at the shelter for 8 months now and I couldn't be any more sure of God calling me there.  

God Sees Me

My heart for the poor, the lost and forgotten have been touched through this shelter time and time again.  It has enabled me to work with the very people God has called me to reach with His love.  I am so grateful for the direction of the Holy Spirit and almost every day I feel the pleasure of God's love working through me to touch lives with His love. I am so blessed to be allowed to serve in this shelter, to work with the incredible volunteers, to be able to pray with the hurting and offer them hope and love. 

As I continue in this new adventure of faith in Oregon, I ask that you pray for me and my family.  Recently, I re-injured my back. So, I need my back to be strengthened. I am also praying and looking for a means of income soon.  I'm open to working from home online if I can find a way not to get caught up in a scam.  Or, if my back heals soon, I would like to pursue employment in the evenings in the service industry. I'm looking for something that will work around my volunteer position. God has always taken care of me and I have no doubt He will continue to do so.  Would you pray that I would be sensitive the Holy Spirit's leading in what God has for me in the area of employment?  

Until He comes!

Robin

Waiting on the Lord

A lot has happened since my last entry. I'm approaching the 2 month mark of living here in Milwaukie, Oregon.  It's quite the change from Mexico, or even from California, if I look at my environment.  Way more flowers, green trees, rivers than I'm used to.  I am enjoying that part of the change.  I'm also enjoying the body of Christ up here.  It's so great to know that the body of Christ is everywhere.

Tyler is adapting well.  He's very happy here and making many friends. He continues to jump in to every opportunity to serve through the local church we attend and is even pursuing helping in a VBS with his new friends from another church.

David made the decision to leave recently. He is pursuing work in southern California so that he can be close to the border and visit his friends in Mexico. David will be 20 years old on June 20th.  Time has really gone by fast.

I continue to wait for the Lord's direction.  I have been just a little incapacitated by something going on with my lower back for the last month or so. Today, I was referred to a neurologist to see if they can figure out what is causing the pain, stiffness and spasms.  The Lord has me very still right now.  As much as I would like to hit the job market, my back is telling me "not yet".  So, I continue to wait on the Lord.

I am pursuing the possibilities of working with a ministry called Father's Heart Street Ministry in Oregon City.  I should be starting sometime this week part time while I wait for my back to heal.  Father's Heart seems to offer everything that I could dream of all in one place.  They prepare meals, provide meals, clothes and showers to the homeless in the area.  They even help find the homeless work and get them back on their feet.  Most of all, they share the hope that comes from a life of trusting in Jesus.

Another project that I'm working on is getting food to my friends at Dios Me Ve. Since I am not currently employed, I am unable to send funds on a regular basis. I've had a lot of time to brainstorm while waiting on the Lord. One of the ways that to help my friends in Dios Me Ve is to collect water bottles and soda cans. My plan is to go my neighbors here on my street and ask them if I can have their bottles and cans for recycling. This will help me get funds to them to purchase food in Mexico for the hungry families of the colony and Dios Me Ve. 

If this is something that you would like to be a part of, you can email me for more information.

God bless you,

Robin Schmidt

rschmidt316@yahoo.com

Oregon Update

Yes, it's true.  We really did move from Mexico to Milwaukie, Oregon. At the last minute, there was a change in our plans.  My son David, made the difficult choice to come with us to Oregon due to lack of employment options.  His heart is still very much in Mexico.  Please pray for him to find work here in Oregon, as he prepares to pursue a career in heavy equipment engineering.  I'm very proud of David for making a difficult decision in order to pursue his dream of living in Mexico one day.  Once he has his training and apprenticeship, he hopes that he can land a job close to the border so that he can return "home" to Mexico.

Tyler is doing very well here.  He's enjoying getting to know the area and making friends at our new church home, Waterfront Foursquare Church.  He's already helping in the sound and tech ministries and will soon be helping in the children's ministry as well.  Today, he applied for his first job and hopes to work on getting his driver's license!

All three of us joined with our new church family and others in community to clean and help a local high school.  It was a blessing to be able to get to know people better and meet new people, but....the best part was when people saw us helping when we didn't have any students at the school.  We really had no connection to it at all.  We were just willing and looking for a way to put our faith into action.  

My sons worked much harder than I did at the high school.  I was so proud of them for jumping in to help in a new place, where we knew so few people. 

I'm doing well here.  It's a blessing to be able to live with my long time friends, Judy and Reese Mayo.  God is directing my steps daily.  I've been taking my time looking at the community, different ministries to the homeless and social services in the area.  I would appreciate your prayers in looking for a job for myself.  I'm deciding between a job that would allow me to serve in the community or a job with flexible hours so that I can pursue helping in the community after hours.  Not quite sure what that even looks like, but that's where I'm at.

I continue to think of Door of Faith Orphanage and Dios Me Ve ministries.  It was very hard to leave, not knowing when and if the Lord will allow me to return.  I sure hope He does.  I really miss my dear friends in Mexico.  

I am also pursuing ideas to still help my friends in Mexico while living up here in Oregon.  It would have to be in a different capacity, but I think there's still a way I can help.  Please join me in prayer about the following:

- Collecting donations for Dios Me Ve for purchasing food only.  Since I am no longer living in Mexico, I need to have a way to get funds to a Mexican grocery shopper, that loves Jesus and would like to help. I think I have that already. I also have a Paypal account that people can donate through. I'm looking at fundraising as much as passing the financial blessings.

- Door of Faith Orphanage is in great financial need due to several needs that occurred in the same week.  If you would like to learn more about Door of Faith go to www.dofo.org and you'll get updated on the current needs.

- There are other ministries that could use help too.  Maybe God wants me to network and help them all.  Not sure.  Please pray.

So, there you have it.  Please pray as we continue to follow Jesus daily.

Robin 

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

Another Fire in the Colony

On New Year's Eve, while were passing out Christmas presents at Dios Me Ve, I was introduced to Griselda.  I was asked to pray for her.  Her house had been intentionally burned down.  It seems that her husband, who struggles with substance abuse, was angry with her and set the house on fire.  When he set the fire, he didn't realize that his son Julian was in the house with his mother.  It was Julian that was able to convince his mother to get out of the house.  His mother, Griselda, thought that it was a trash fire close to the house and wasn't even aware it was her own house that was burning.  Julian convinced her just in time to get out.  Fortunately, no lives were lost in this fire.

Griselda and her four kids (Julian (11), Sarai (10), Ivan (18) and Irvin (21) were staying at a neighbors because they had lost everything.  When I prayed for Griselda,  I asked God to provide for her in such a way that she would know that it was the love of God at work and that only God would be thanked.  We gave her some food dispensas and I asked her for the sizes of everyone in her family after she made it clear that they had no food or clothing.

I went back home to Door of Faith and asked if they could help me out with some clothes.  They were happy to help out and were even able to give us a couple of mattresses to help out Griselda's family.  

I returned with Maribel the next day with two mattresses and bags of clothes.  I wish I would have taken pictures to show you the hike to get to their property.  It's not that it was far, but it was very steep and quite comical to watch us climb the hill with bags of clothes.  When we arrived we found the daughter, Sarai very excited to see us.  Griselda was happy too.  Much to our surprise the neighbors had given up small scraps of wood for them to try and assemble some kind of shelter.  Julian was at the top of their very temporary home, nailing a blue tarp over the top where they had no wood for a roof.

When I saw where they were going to be sleeping that night, I could only think about how cold it had already become in the late afternoon.  Being New Year's Eve, most of the stores were closed.  We were able to find a Calimax grocery store and bought some blankets to take back to them.

You might be thinking at this point that the need is overwhelming.  It is, but.....we have God who owns everything, who has children that He talks to about helping others.  I haven't even got to the other immediate need I'd like help with.  Uniforms for Julian and Sarai are needed to attend school.  Not only that, but it would be a great way to help these two kids get their minds focused back on their education.  

My concern is that the kids will drop out of school to help bring in income.  Uniforms cost a little over $100 per kid.  They are required for school.  Although it's possible the school might look the other way for a time and let the kids attend school, I'm sure that uniforms would help them move forward instead of constantly being reminded of their loss each day they attend school .

So, would you like to contribute towards uniforms for Julian and Sarai?  If this is something you'd like to help with, you can send your check to me here at the orphanage PO Box 6434, Chula Vista, CA 91909, but make the check out to VIDA OUTREACH and write in the memo "uniforms."

You might wonder why I'm asking you to write your checks out to VIDA OUTREACH.  VIDA OUTREACH is a non-profit that helps various ministries like Dios Me Ve that don't have a non-profit status.  They have been such a blessing to us at Dios Me Ve.  VIDA OUTREACH will give you tax credit and 100% of what you send them comes to me at Dios Me Ve.  If you can send the dollars, I'm more than glad to purchase the uniforms for these precious kids.

The End of a Fruitful Year

The end of the year is a great to reflect and give thanks for all that God has done.  This year, I want to thank God for somethings that I've taken for granted in years past.  First of all, I would like to thank God for...not only transportation, but reliable transportation.  Today, as I drove through Ensenada, I saw many families walking from grocery stores, each family member carrying their share of groceries.

Secondly, I like to thank God not only for running water, drinking water and hot water, but water pressure.  My visit to my mother's during Christmas reminded me how much water pressure is a beautiful thing.

I am so thankful for what God has done for Marco Antonio at Door of Faith Orphanage.  It gave me great joy to see a young man dancing and being silly with his dorm buddies at our Christmas gathering.  Praying and fasting for Marco make it through a dangerous surgery, to seeing him laughing it up in a hysterical Christmas routine was simply priceless.

God's faithfulness through groups of people bring supplies to the orphanage has also been a blessing.  Those with the least means have seemed to be the most generous at times.  I've seen from little grandmas to little children being creative or giving their very best to help our kids at Door of Faith and I'm sure it makes God smile.

I've watched God continue to provide for Dios Me Ve Ministries in Ensenada.  I'm still learning and still amazed.  Our Bible and English classes are progressing and it's great to see people learning skills that will improve their future.  It's also great to see the community of the colony becoming more united in helping each other.

Today while I was at Dios Me Ve, helping pass out toys that some dear friends had brought for the kids, I was introduced to Griselda.  I was asked to pray for her.  Her house had been intentionally burned down.  She and her four kids were staying at a neighbors because they had lost everything.  I asked God to provide for her in such a way that she would know that it was the love of God at work and that only God would be thanked.

As we move into this new year, let us all be compelled not just to do good works; good works that make us feel good, good works that bring attention to us, but good works that make other glorify our father in heaven. Lord help all of us to do good works in such a way that we are not noticed and our loving God is. 

Response vs. Reaction

Recently, it was brought to my attention that the toys we were counting on for Christmas were very likely not coming this year.  With Christmas so close I went through a variety of strong emotions.  First, I was angry that I had received such late notice.  Then I contemplated trying to make it happen myself.  When I thought of how the kids of Dios Me Ve had been asking me when they were supposed to come for their Christmas gift, I just wasn't sure what the right thing was to say.  They weren't asking if they would receive gifts.  They were asking me when the gifts were coming to their colony.

Being the great spiritual person that I am (sarcasm), I took matters into my own hands and sent out an email to almost my entire contact list and sent out a notice to most of my Facebook friends.  After I sent the messages, I was feeling pretty proud of myself.  Yes sir, I did the very thing that I had told myself in the beginning of ministry that I wouldn't do.

I'm not even sure how my news came across to friends, but I began to feel like I had really "jumped the gun."  I remember thinking how much I wanted to "do ministry" much like George Muller.  I remember reading how he only would ask God for his needs and count on God to touch peoples hearts to meet needs. 

I thought about how when Dios Me Ve needed property and I just stood on the property and asked God to supply what we needed and for the owner to make his price known to us.  I remember I stepped out in faith and bought it with my own money hoping that I would be reimbursed so that I could use that money again and again to help the people of the colony.  People started coming to me and asking me how much was needed to purchase the property.  People actually would come up to me and put money in my hands and say "We want to bless you and the work that you're doing here."

So, I'm learning again that I need to respond to need first and foremost with prayer.  God first and not after I've already told a bunch of people myself.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's wrong to share the need, but I know that in my heart I had decided how I was going to take care of this problem by contacting everyone I knew first.

The response from friends and family has been great. Already, people have started sending checks and some are even bringing or sending toys down to me!   I hope that I didn't come across as panicked as I was.  I also hope that the next time a need like this presents itself that I will go straight to my heavenly father who already knows what I have need of even before I ask. 

God is amazing.  He is faithful.  If He's in it, then He does it well.  I have to remind myself, that God does things in the way that will bring Him glory.  He's really not interested in sharing His glory.  In fact, I think He gets the most glory when we stay out of His way and let Him speak to the hearts of men and women to meet a need.

Preparing for Christmas

Excitement is in the air at Door of Faith.  Decorations are up!  Kids are on their best behavior and it feels cold enough for snow!  There's nothing quite like Christmas in a family of 100+ members.

Last Saturday we had a full day.  We had visiting optometrists from the Rotary Club come and check all the eyes in the orphanage.  We also had unexpected guests stop by for a tour and Corazon de Vida come with much needed items, fun crafts for the kids and they served us pizza!

In the midst of all this excitement, I am so grateful for the LORD meeting all of our needs.  David continues to work hard in the trade school in Ensenada.  While he's taking welding and machinery classes in the evening, we are investing in the used car business to see if we can generate some family income.  I am blessed with an 18 year old that wants to work.  We're looking for guidance from the LORD as to what type of business David could do during the day while he's in school in the evenings.  For right now, we're investing in cars with some of the money I received from the sale of my house.  We're also praying about a possible car tire business.  Please join us in prayer as we endeavor to be wise stewards of what God has blessed us with.

I can hardly believe it, but Tyler turned15 years old this last Tuesday.  His heart to serve and help wherever he is makes this mom proud and brings a smile to God's face.  Even as I type this blog, he is getting ready to go with me to transfer birthday presents from Casa de Maria into our Christmas room here at the orphanage.

Another point of prayer for us would be how we will celebrate Christmas at Dios Me Ve.  Please pray that God will not only supply more monthly sponsors for our feeding program, but also for this Christmas season.  It would be nice to be able to do something special for the colony at Dios Me Ve for Christmas, but as of now there are no gifts coming as I had thought. It's been hard when I see the children of the colony because they keep asking what day do they come for their Christmas gifts.  They've received gifts for the past two previous years, but I've lost contact with the people that made the donation.

If you or someone you know would like to make a tax deductible donation for the colony families of Dios Me Ve, please make checks payable to:

Vida Outreach
Mail to:
Robin Schmidt
PO Box 6434
Chula Vista, CA 91909
Memo: Dios Me Ve

Thank you and God bless.

Where to Begin

"Where to begin?" is the question that first comes to mind as I begin to update.  The first and foremost thing that comes to my mind is that Marco Antonio of Door of Faith Orphanage has already returned home from his incredible journey. 

Marco began to loose sight in his left eye a few weeks ago.  It was soon discovered that he had a large tumor behind his pressing on his optic nerve.  After MRIs and many doctors appt. we began the search for doctors that would even consider removing his tumor.  It was high risk at best, and then there was "paperwork".  

It takes months usually to get paperwork processed in Mexico.  But then....we were all praying, and that made all the difference in the world.  God heard our prayers and everything began to move forward quickly.  Marco had his birth certificate, passport and visa within 2 weeks time.  EVERYTHING went faster or better than what we were being prepared for.  His surgery was completed far sooner than expected and so was his stay in ICU.  His tumor was benign!

We are grateful for Marco's life being spared and we give all the credit to our God and no one else.  Please continue to pray for sight to return to Marco's left eye, for the tumor not to return, and his complete recovery.

On another note, DIOS ME VE continues to move forward through the doors that the LORD has opened to us.  Last week, I taught my first English class, Hector taught two Bible classes and started teaching a few how to read and write, and Maribel taught an English class as well!  

Last Friday, our friend, Pastor Gary brought some men and his youth group to put tar, paper and a metal roof on top of our building to keep the soon coming rain out.  We also painted most of the building with primer to seal up the wood.  While the group was preparing for the roof, Hector was on his way to his truck to run a quick errand.  On his way to his truck, he saw a baby boy crawling on the dirt road with no adult in sight!  He called for Maribel to get him before he got hurt.  As Maribel cleaned up the little boy and changed his diaper she asked the children if they knew where his home was.  No one seemed to know.  About 15 minutes later, the baby's uncle came looking for him.  He said he was sleeping and the baby somehow got out of the house.

While we were painting and roofing, one of Hector's students came to practice writing his name.  He wants to learn to read and write.  He's probably in his 70's.  It was precious to watch his determination at his age to learn to read and write.  

I also, learned a little about my friend Pablo, one of our little boys that is so eager to help, so polite and responsible.  While teaching some ladies to make hats Sunday afternoon, Pablo was also in the class.  I asked if the lady he was with was his mother and he smiled and said that she wasn't his mother, but was his Nana.  I found out later that Pablo is being raised by his neighbor (Nana) because his parents are addicted to drugs.  Pablo has siblings living next door, but he wants a better life and chooses to live with his Nana. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.  Together we are making a difference in lives of families.  You are helping feed, clothe, educate and most of all present the gospel to the lost people of colonia #89.

Times are Changing

Many changes happening in our family.  Good changes, yet the list seems long and hard to prioritize.  Some of you may know that we recently sold our house in Wastonville....in just 4 and a half weeks of being on the market.  Amazing!  Of course, with a move, there comes the packing and relocating.  

Ty and I were up in Watsonville to pack and sell everything we couldn't sell.  Another amazing story during our week in Watsonville.  We sold almost all of our large items, i.e. furniture and appliances, even before we had our yard sale.  Our yard sale went well, but in the end, it seemed like we were being given many opportunities to tell people that we were moving to serve in Mexico long term.  I even saw Tyler speaking Spanish to some of our buyers that weren't able to speak English.  I was truly blessed to see this.

During the two weeks Ty and I were in Watsonville closing things up, David remained in Mexico.  No surprise there.  David loves Mexico so much it's hard to bring him into the states.  However, it wasn't just David's love for Mexico that kept him back.  He started a trade school in Ensenada to get his certificate in welding and in machinery.  I'm hearing that he's already at the top of his class in his skill level and he seems to be fine with the class being taught in Spanish.

While David is going to trade school, he is currently staying with our friends Hector and Maribel during the week.  The live about five blocks away from his school.  David comes on the weekends on the bus.  We're still working on getting him his license and a truck so that he can commute.  So, in the mean time he's catching the bus and looking for a part time job in Ensenada.

Tyler has started high school!  Mom is trying to keep up her youngest in his Math and Science skills.  He definitely keeps me hopping.  Tyler continues to be an incredible and much appreciated help to me personally, in ministering to the groups that visit the orphanage, to the kiddos on the patio of DOFO and in Ensenada as we go twice a month to dispense groceries.

"So where next?"  you might ask.  Yes, we sold our house.  Yes we have two generous friends helping us store our keepsakes for the time being.  "Where next?" Eventually, we will more than likely live in Ensenada closer to the colonia of people we're reaching out to.  For now, we continue to stay serving at Door of Faith Orphanage.  We're waiting on the LORD for the timing of an eventual move from here, but for now we are very content to serve the LORD here.  This has become our family of.....100+ family members.

Meet Maria

Meet Maria.  I met Maria about 7 months ago.  It was before we had any property that I met Maria.  I found out she was a seamstress because she had asked me if I could buy her a certain kind of serger for sewing clothes.  Hers had been stolen and was how she earned a living.  She even showed me the outfits that she sewed for kids.  I remember her telling me how it was a great way to earn some income and still be able to stay at home with her kids.  I told her to pray and that I would look in the states for a machine for her.  (I had no idea how much they were when I told her I'd look.)  

When I saw the clothes that she had sewed, I knew she was a good seamstress.  Right away I thought to myself, "If I could get her a machine and she was willing to teach some ladies to sew, maybe more ladies in the colony could earn some income for their families!"  I decided to just come out and ask her.  When I asked if she would be willing to teach other ladies some day so that they could earn some income, well...she looked at me like I was from another planet!  She smiled and said, "If I did that, then I would not make as much income.  I'd be giving my customers away."  I smiled and told her I understood.

About a month ago, I saw Maria again.  It had been quite awhile since I'd seen her last and she didn't look the same.  She looked sad and tired; worn down.  When she passed through the line to get dispenses, Hector had talked with her and then asked me if I knew she was a seamstress.  He reminded me of the sewing machine that we had just be donated and wondered what I thought about giving it to her.  I wasn't sure if she would want the machine or not because I wasn't sure if she knew how to use it or not.  When I told her a friend in the states had donated a sewing machine for someone in the river colony, she lit up.  I told her if she came in two weeks, (today), that I would have a machine for her.

Well, today was the big day for Maria.  She came to thank me and I told her that it was a gift from God.  I asked if I could please take her picture so that my friend that donated it could see a picture of the recipient of sewing machine.  She agreed and asked if she should take it out of the blue plastic bag that we had it in.  We decided it would be best to keep it in the bag, since there were so many people around from the colony.  I knew we'd be overwhelmed with requests once they saw it.

After Maria left with her machine, I continued to interact with the children, take photos, hold babies and practice my Spanish.  After an hour had passed, I noticed Maria came back.  I thought to myself, "I hope the machine works okay.  Maybe she doesn't know how to use it."  She came to Maribel and me.  She began to cry as she spoke to me through Maribel's translation.  She just wanted me to know how grateful she was.  She said the machine worked great.  She tried it as soon as she brought it home.  She told us that it was just what she needed to be able to work again.  She said that she had to come back and thank me again.

I continued to talk to Maria through Maribel.  I asked her the same question that I had asked her months before.  "Would you be willing, some time in the future, to teach another lady how to sew so that she could earn an income?"  This time she smiled and said "yes."  

It gets even better.  Maria began to ask about the Bible classes she had heard were going to start soon.  She said she'd like to come if she could bring her children.  We assured her that we would have someone to watch the children so that all interested parents could take the class.

This is what I've learned.  The Bible says that God loved us first.  He loved us before we ever knew Him.  He loved us while we were lost in our sins.  He loved us unconditionally, because He is love.  

When we love first, people that don't even know us, people that are lost in their sins then they are drawn to God.  Just like God, we are to show love first.  Not show love so that people will come to know Christ, but show love and then more than likely, people will come to know Christ.  Our motivation to love others should never be to get anything in return; not even good things.  Our motivation to love others should always be because.....He first loved us.

God is Our Faithful Provider

So much is happening that it's hard to know where to begin.  Recently, my house in the states sold in just 4.5 weeks of being on the market!  As we are moving through escrow, we are also working on paper work for our family to have their VISAs.  As we're working our paperwork, I'm preparing David for attending a welding school in Ensenada.  That leads us to David getting his driver's license and also a truck for commuting back and forth between school and Door of Faith Orphanage.  Whew!  There is a lot going on!

Tyler is entering high school and has grown about a foot in the past year.  He is just days away from being able to say that he's taller than me!  Tyler has been a great help this summer to the American groups that have come to serve at the orphanage and made some great friends with people from all over the US.  His Spanish is very good and I already find myself calling on him to help me communicate sometimes to the kids at the orphanage.

On top of all the great things that are happening in our family, I've seen God's faithfulness this summer in many different areas.  While many surrounding ministries and orphanages have had little to no visitors, Door of Faith continues to see groups come and serve.  The groups have been a little smaller and less than before, but they have been faithful to come, despite the "fear factor" portrayed by the media.  We are running a "tighter" ship due to the effects of the economy in the US, but again we are still eating 3 meals a day, our kids are all going to school in their uniforms and we still believe in blessing others in the midst of our needs.

Dios Me Ve (the outreach our family is a part of in Ensenada) continues to be blessed.  Recently, we received our first monthly pledge to help us feed our needy families and one time gifts have started coming in just in time for purchasing groceries.  On top of all that, this weekend will be the first of our dispensas (groceries) that we will have produce donated from a ranch 2 hours away.  The LORD even worked it out so that it's brought to us.

We have been very busy, but being busy for the kingdom of God is an exciting kind of busyness.  It's taught me to stay on my knees in prayer.  I've also learned the beauty of getting connected with others to accomplish the same goal....SOULS.  

The other day, as I was in a car with two friends on the way to run errands in the states, another major need was met.  I like to say that it was a "Divine appointment".  While riding with my friends, Mike and Becky Spitz, we began to clearly see how God was bringing our ministries together.  Mike and Becky have a non-profit, VIDA Outreach, that is specifically for helping ministries like Dios Me Ve.  As we began to talk, I saw some ways that I may be able to help them out a little too.  I am so excited to see God bringing people together, with different skills and gifts, all to serve the same true living God.

If you are interested in sending a financial gift to Dios Me Ve to help us help the needy in Ensenada with food, clothing and shelter, all checks can no be made out to:

VIDA Outreach

PO Box 6434

Chula Vista, CA 91909 

and write Dios Me Ve in the memo!

We Have a Building!

Thanks to the grace of God through Los Altos Church, Calvary Chapel Apple Valley and Calvary Chapel Big Bear we have a church building at the river colony.  That's not including thanks to all the people that contributed to the prep work so that a building could be built!  Our thanks to everyone who contributed to purchasing dirt to level the property, laying a foundation frame, funding the footings for the building to be built on and much more.  

Today was a day of celebration in the river colony at Dios Me Ve.  A friend from GVCC Placerville contributed to pop up tents to give us much needed shade today, GVCC Watsonville left us their carnival games that they had used for the carnival they presented at Door of Faith Orphanage and Apple Valley brought face paints for the kids too!  

While Apple Valley continued to finish cutting out the front doors and windows to the church building, over 400 people were fed hotdogs, chips, bananas and oranges.  But before they even were fed, they were playing numerous carnival games and having their faces painted.  Many were even asking for their pictures to be taken.

I met a young man this weekend that used to sell drugs on the Dios Me Ve property previous to us purchasing it.  He came to check us out.  When asked what he thought of what had happened to his old space, he was glad for what we were doing.  He thought it was good and ended up helping for three days straight!  He was given a Bible and one of the Americans that came to build the church building, befriended him and shared Christ with him.

On Friday, two men were apparently on their way to buy drugs and again a visiting American that came to build, stopped the two men and with the help of an interpreter ended up praying with these two men to receive Christ!

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for Bible classes to begin discipling people so that they understand why they need a Savior and so they understand Jesus came to give them abundant life here and eternal life as well.  

We will be trusting God to give us tables and chairs, the curriculum for Firm Foundations and complete NIV Bibles in Spanish.  

We are excited about all God has done and is continuing to do in this colony.  The Light of Jesus has come to a very dark place.  God is bringing beauty for ashes and hope for despair.  Continue to pray as we move forward in the grace that God is providing.

Progress Continues

The latest.... I was at Dios Me Ve today in Ensenada to check on the progress.  When I got there I saw a man with his two sons finishing up the footings that will hold up the building that is going up on Friday.  It was quite the site to behold, when you look back and up to the present, just to think of how far God has brought us. 

When I pulled up to the property, there was a man and two sons working.  I asked Hector who the man was.  He was someone from Hector and Maribel's church that Hector used to work with in the past.  He had agreed to do the work for the price of his son's tuition for school.

It continues to amaze me the investment that different people have put into this little dirt lot on the corner of a forgotten community.  It's as if the words "Dios Me Ve" (God Sees Me) have been realized. 

I have no doubt that in the very near future there is going to be a harvest of souls.  I look forward to the Light of God's love continuing to push back the darkness.

God Sent Me an Intersessor

Sometimes God sends you a gift that you are not expecting, desperately need, when you think you need something else.  This weekend, I got reacquainted with someone that has been coming to La Mision with her husband for quite some time.  Her name was easy to remember, because it was the same as mine.  But this weekend, when I had been asking God for more funds for purchasing food, He sent me an intercessor instead.  I wasn't able to purchase as much food as before because of a change in my income.  I kept asking the LORD to supply what I needed, but what I needed was not more money.  What I needed was someone that was going to intercede for me in prayer on my behalf.  Someone to cover me as I move forward in the plans God planned in advance for me to do.

It's interesting, sometimes how we pray for what we believe we need and find out that we didn't need it at all.  I brought my new friend Robin, to the colony on Sunday.  I also brought Cesar from the orphanage, because Tyler was home feeling ill.  Luis, from church, followed us to the colony too.  I brought lots of people to help and so did Hector and Maribel.  I was feeling a little sad about not being able to buy as much dispensas for the families of the colony.  

All the time and energy I spent on trying to figure out how to have more money for dispensas  had been totally unnecessary.  What I needed was an intercessor.  

When we started passing out the food we noticed that only about 1/2 of the people came that day.  Someone had spread a rumor that we had said that we weren't coming back with food anymore.  We actually had plenty of dispensas left over.  Please don't misunderstand.  The food will never go to waste for there is so much need wherever we go.  But I found it interesting how I brought Robin on a day that there were only half the people.  I wanted her to see the many people that come, but God had other plans.

You see, on the way to the colony, Robin shared with me that God had put me on her heart to pray for me.  She also felt she was supposed to come to the colony that day.  Then she told me that she was an intercessor for various people and ministries here in Baja.  

I am so very grateful that I serve a God that loves me enough to give me what I really need and not necessarily what I "think" I need.  I look forward to a wonderful friendship with my new friend, Robin. I love how God has weaved our paths in life together.  Then again, He's awesome like that.

Great News is Always Welcomed!

Today I learned that some churches in California, (3 I think) are coming in July to build a church building on the property of Dios Me Ve.  It's hard for me to grasp the reality of this for many reasons.  First of all, we made no requests for this except to God.  Yes, we dreamed for this to happen, but we approached it differently than some may have.

We focused on building relationship with the people.  It took time....a lot of time.  It took investing in children, parents, grand parents.  It took encouraging words, words of hope and it took faithfulness.  As we stayed faithful to coming just to spend time, bring food and clothing that God had provided, people began to smile.  Next thing you know, people were asking us why we came week after week and Hector and Maribel more often than that.  We gained trust.  We were careful not to promise anything except prayer.  We gave lots of hugs and smiles.  Everything we could think of to convey that God sees these precious people and that He loves them dearly, we did.  

I can still remember walking with a lady from the colony about 6 months ago.  We were on our way to see if she needed a mattress.  I remember her asking if we would build a church.  As great as it was to hear, I thought it was strange.  I'm not sure if I lived under the same conditions, in such poverty, that the first thing I would be hoping for would be a church.  She followed that by saying how it would be nice to have a church so that the people of the colony could be refreshed.

As the team of Dios Me Ve has been challenged again and again both physically and financially, we've acknowledged that are fight is not against flesh and blood.  Recently, it seems like we've been pressed on every side, but together we've recognized the different attacks and stood firm together in prayer.  It is very clear to us that there are many strong holds in the colony.  It feels like when you "stick it out" with a strong willed child and finally there comes that moment of break through where the child realizes that no matter what they do you will always keep loving them.  That to me is where we're at in Dios Me Ve.

Please continue to pray for us.  We are excited about getting a building, but only because it will allow us to reach out in more ways.  Soon after the building is up, we will start some Bible classes.  We've slowly started telling people, but we've made it very clear that their attendance is not required to continue to receive food or clothes.  We want people to come because God is drawing them and not the FOOD!   Eventually, the LORD willing, we would like to build a kitchen in the building to start a hot meal program.  I can even see possibilities of teaching some music classes there.

We are so grateful for the body of Christ that is coming together with their skills and giftings for the benefit of some very forgotten people hearing the gospel AFTER seeing the gospel demonstrated.  God bless you for praying for us and sending funds to help us show the love of God to these precious people.

Preparing for David's Graduation

It is amazing to me to think that my son, David, is graduating from high school while living here in Mexico.  It's amazing because I almost waited to serve here until my kids were grown and on their own.  You know how it is.  You can always put off things until it's just up to you and all your decisions just effect you and you alone.  The problem is that there will probably never be a time in our lives that our decisions only effect us.

Is there something that you'd like to do for the LORD that you're putting off until the time is right?  The truth is that the time is SHORT.  Jesus is coming soon and He's going ask us all what did we do with what He gave us. 

When we came to Mexico, almost 2 years ago, I never pictured what God has done in our hearts to this point.  My sons are young men now.  They are growing up "others" focused instead of "self" focused.  I just couldn't ask for more than that.  

We're not sure of all God's plans for the future, but at this time we're pretty sure that David will be headed to Ensenada in the Fall to enter a trade school to get his certificate in welding.  I never thought that David would be the first one in the family to be bilingual.  He actually looks forward to going to school and being taught welding in Spanish.  Go figure.

We gave our son David the middle name Jeremiah.  We based it on Jeremiah 29:11.  I remember reading and praying it over David when he was a baby.  I also remember singing over him the song "He who began a good work in you...He who began a good work in you....will be faithful to complete it.  He'll be faithful to complete it.  He who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you."

So proud of both my sons.  Both their futures look bright because both of them find their joy in serving others.  God has been so good to me.  If you want to see how....just take a look at my two young men, Dave and Ty.