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.

Sometimes the Need is Just So Great

I'm so glad that I serve a big God.  Sometimes the need is so great, but God in His greatness directs our steps in how to meet the need.  For instance, today was the first time I ran out of shoes.  Usually I purchase around 10 to 15 pairs a month.  Today was the first time I ran out.  When I finished dispensing shoes, I saw a lady that had been waiting and asked if I had any her size.  I looked at her feet and then I looked at mine.  Next thing I knew I was pulling off my shoes and giving them to her.  You see, I had another pair in the car that I had switched out of so they'd stay nice for "special occasions".  When I realized I own two pairs of shoes I realized that I had more than I needed.  

I don't share that story so that I can look good. I actually have seen Hector many times give the shoes off his feet and today his daughter gave her shoes as well.  (I've learned so much from this family.  Mostly how God provides over and over again.) I share that story because I can't escape how blessed Americans are.  I was recently in the states with friends and was hit with the abundance of food and clothes we all have.  I even visited a Starbucks a couple of times and thought with the money I spent on this one drink I probably could have fed a family in the colony.  At the same time, I don't feel guilt because of treating myself to a mocha from Starbucks.  I guess what I'm trying to say is I can live with or without Starbucks.

What about you?  Is there something you can't live without?  Why not put the money aside that you usually spend for your wants, but not needs and see how difficult it is.  Even better, give the money you saved to help someone with their needs.  If you can't think of anyone in need....I can help you out.

Shoes $12 @ Walmart = 4 tall drinks from Starbucks. 

Visit From Friends of Placerville

We were so blessed a few weeks ago to meet some more precious brothers and sister from Placerville.  They came and served the people of the river colony.  With smiles of compassion, they helped distribute food and clothing to our friends in need.  

No matter how I try to explain to people how precious these people are, I'm learning that meeting them face to face is really the only way.  While our friends from Placerville were distributing food and clothing a lady approached Hector and Maribel with some paperwork.  She was sobbing and didn't know what she could do about her situation.  Hector called me over to her and explained her circumstance.

The paperwork that she had with her contained information telling us that her brother was basically being released from the hospital to die.  It was her younger brother and she wanted to know if we could help her bring her brother home.  She needed to rent a room to take care of him.  As Hector gave what he had to give, I headed over to my car to get some money to meet her need.  I bowed my head in prayer while I was in my car and once again told the LORD, "I need more money.  The need is so great.  Please send me more."  As I started to walk over to Hector, some of the men that were visiting asked how they could help.  Once again I was blown away not only how fast God answered me, but how generously God met the need.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm being tested in my faith when it comes to the needs of others.  I know that God doesn't expect me to meet every need myself, but He does seem to check on me a lot in the stewardship of what He's given to me.  

Never make the mistake of thinking what you have is yours.  It's not.  It's all God's and it's on loan to you.  What are we doing with what God has given us?  Do we trust Him?  Do we really believe that if we seek His kingdom first that He really will meet our needs?  

When I see what has happened in the U.S. economy, I can't help but wonder if it's a test of the church.  We've been so blessed that it's easy to think that our skills or intelligence have something to do with it. 

This last year I have met all kinds of givers.  I know of some that give away everything left over after paying off their bills.  I've met some that have requested money for missions instead of birthday gifts.  I've seen some take the jackets off of their backs and some the shoes off their own feet to give to someone in need.  All of these people have one belief in common.  God is faithful to His word.  If He says He will meet all of your needs if you put His kingdom first, then He will.  He's not a man that He should lie.  He's faithful.