Crash

Some days start out ordinary and usual but really they are not. They are, each one, extraordinary opportunities to witness the connectedness God desires with each of us. This morning we were on our way to San Diego to stock up on provisions for the next month. We stopped as usual to get gasoline before hitting the toll road. Rob decided to check the air in the tires which made no sense to me as the tires were new. He seemed to dawdle today, answering emails, checking Facebook. This just seemed his pace today. We turned onto the toll road and within minutes came upon shattered glass everywhere. Cringing we maneuvered to protect the new tires from the glass and passed a truck facing us with 3 shocked passengers looking through a smashed windshield. Our van came to a halt behind a red SUV that has stopped because a young man was laying on the road just in front, his car banked half on the dirt shoulder. The passenger was frantically trying to make a call while another man seemed to be assisting the guy on the road. Needless to say we were stunned. These are the moments that time slows and your thoughts compound, while the voice in your head screams to be heard, all the while calming your kids, and trying to think rationally how to get out of the way for when help arrives. Retracing our timing and thoughts of the air in the tire and the few minutes it added to our time, became no longer an annoyance but an answer to our prayer for travelling mercies.

The seconds hung like stagnant air as we prayed eyes wide open, watching and seeing someone on a cell calling for help and another person shouting for someone to call or so it seemed, in a language we do not yet speak. Construction workers started waving traffic on as we realized the other driver with the smashed windshield bolted, allowing traffic to move. As we rolled by we saw the impact on the injured mans forehead and yet the blood was coming from behind his head, and his listless body begged for a response. I said, "We should pull over and try to help, at least pray for him and his friend. Try to park on the side. Lets go!" All of this, none to easy to maneuver with people waving and shouting for us to move, with no actual place to pullover. By the time we were able to respond and were standing near, the ambulance had come. You assess if your position or intention would hinder the critical help he needed, yet there was his friend panicked by the reality of what we were all seeing. The river of red leaving his body. The attendants hovering, while workers waved the traffic through. Kids in the car processing through their little minds the same info we are all grappling with. We reluctantly leave the scene hoping the prayers manifest, yet overwhelmed, questioning ourselves because of the time lapse in responsing to a man who's life is on the edge.

Maybe it is being out of our comfort zone, with our inability to communicate, that played a part in our response. Maybe it was concern for our kids, and keeping them intact. Maybe it was a fear of the unknown, how the police would handle it, and our role as witnesses, or concern for our safety being as it was on the highway with no shoulder to pull over. Still it screams in my head that we are called to minister for such a time as this. That minute that hung as stagnant air for eternity has saturated my heart beyond words. I am comforted slightly that my children needed us and still do as their prayers reflect the impact of the day still. I am left with thoughts of the courage and boldness that is needed to be that acting "pastor" in those moments the same as the paramedics have to save a physical life. I am haunted by that minute, and weighing the reality of his life slipping away, and the prayers that scream from my heart on his behalf, that it would be enough.

I think of our family and friends on a dangerous road about to crash(life) and question the courage to minister the gift of salvation that is in Jesus alone. There is such a tremendous gift of life, hope, freedom and joy that can only come through Christ. The gift of grace. I know, I used to think that I could earn some favour by God… and I tried. But every effort , every work, every thought, was tainted by pride, selfishness ,ambition, and so vile that it could never compare to the unselfish, complete and perfect act of Love that God Himself displayed. It was foolishness to try. I started to have a right view of who God was, but most importantly, of who I was in relation to Him. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding ~ Proverbs 9:10. Now, it wasn't a fear of God in a bad way, but a yielding, respectful awe and acknowledgement of who He is, that demanded a response. The moment I admitted in my heart where I was wrong before God… Grace began. I got what I didn't deserve. Forgiveness, love, and peace in it's place…. His spirit . All because of His unselfish unblemished act of sacrificial Love.

Where I fell short separated me from God. When I admitted my wrongs, recognized the accomplished work of Jesus, and began to trust in Him, a new life began. It gave me access. I still mess up and fall short, but His spirit guides me, speaks to me, and teaches me. The more I learn the simpler it is… it is ALL about Jesus. His desire to reach each us. The boy on the road, my family, my friends, all of us. It is His heart that breaks in me when I hesitate to share the love that poured out in red for all of us. I think of those that have a spiritual understanding, yet know nothing of God. They are those that think that God, being love, will accept their effort or intentions, and bypass their lack of holiness and righteousness at the eleventh hour. They will get to heaven on an assumption about Gods character. There are those that reject the bible because they believe an account of man that claims the bible is tainted by man, yet they believe the account of THIS man. Then there are those that want to wait until later. They hear Him calling but are putting it off. Today, on the road, seeing that fallen boy, reminded me that there may not be a later, only now. Now for you, and for me. For me it is to be that witness to testify and not hesitate. For you ...

Romans 3:23 ~ "… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 3:10- 12 ~ "none is righteous, no, not one, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

Romans 6:23 ~ "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 5:8 ~ "But God demonstrates his own Love toward us in that, while we were still sinners Christ died for us."

Romans 10:9 ~ "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 10:13 ~ "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 5:1 ~ "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:1 ~ "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:38- 39 ~ "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither present nor future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Lighten up Already

So it was one of those beautiful warm sunny Mexican brag to your friends kind of day.
It had been raining prior. In Vancouver what we would call showers, but here where infrastructure fails, roads are obliterated with minor rainfall. Great for homeschool lessons on erosion.
So off we head towards Ensenada a beautiful postcard ocean drive dotted with cool cactus yet to be collected for my garden.
We hang a right at the River Guadalupe to a winding road through vibrant green vistas of olive trees and vineyards into the valley.
Our plan was to visit Rancho Poiema a discipleship center for for men who have come out of recovery.
Our lack of understanding could not prepare us for the road in.

My heart had been yearning for some of my comforts from home or luxuries that I have not been able to participate in. My garden of prayer at here was reduced to a few pots with cacti that need little care. Long walks where a short hobble to the base and back about 400 steps total..limited exercise to say the least. Long unencumbered chats with friends squelched by the awkwardness of skype. I was feeling very caged in and the bars on the windows and doors began to play with my mind.

Back at the Ranch..cracks me up that I can use that in context....we turn off the comfort of the washed out asphalt and hit the open dirt road.
The first few rough spots we maneuvered with angled skill until we came upon the beast. Large moca chocolata van swallowing demon mud puddles.
Most of them are harmless and shallow. The approach was this. I said take the left, ground yourself on a solid bank and Rob in his confidence decided speed and aggression down the middle was the the best approach. He launched. The puddle engulfed then grabbed and pulled the van into the thick silt, like quicksand on a struggling yak.
We were certainly stuck and no I did not say one word. Not one!
Being that my husband has a very expensive prosthetic and our 2 boys would have relished the opportunity for a mud fight that would inevitably pollute the interior. I roll up my pants take off my shoes and out I go. My fierce arthritic self. The mud was warm and smooth but very dark. I thought not of what might be lurking. Water scorpions I am sure exist.
I pull branches grass and push under the tires with no avail. Finally help comes. Sort of. A beat up Datsun truck with skipping rope intended to pull the yak out.
After witnessing 3 obvious attempts with the rope snapping within dangerous proximity I decide to walk to the ranch after all it is only around the corner.

My hot pink shirt rolled up pants, bare mud covered feet I stomp off intent to resolve this foolishness. So down the dirt road I trek. Within minutes I relaxed with the heavy fragrance of blossoming citrus, the warm soft sand on my feet and azul sky as the back drop to the warmth of the full midday sun. In my person it was the tonic I longed for and I drank it in.
Then comes the band of migrant farm workers on a flat bed driving up along side me looking like something out of a Clint Eastwood movie. I wondered about my ransom and decided to make like I was out for a jog. The funny thing is NOBODY jogs in Mexico or rarely walks either but I thought I could pull it off.
So the stride begins resembling a fast pathetic limp followed by something that was a cross between as seizure and an Ellen dance. I thought I was running. As I turned, they turned, until I realized there was a fence between us and they were heading to the orange grove. Just in case I kept running..sort of. The around the corner was around several corners up a hill down a hill around another few corners up another hill. Looking up to the sky I notice a vulture... for real.. I wonder... as movies scenes flash in my head.
As I come up the hill a large group of gnarly men step down from their construction as one comes toward me. I question my stubborn foolishness.
Just then our van comes around the corner my knight in blue as a comfort and he wasn't mad or even concerned. He has seen that determined look in me before. He was surprised at how far I had traveled.

In the end I had to laugh. I must of look like a crazy lady to these men, all guys working from the discipleship center. They were probably a little nervous themselves as it is not every day you see a 50 year old , mud covered bare foot white woman jogging down dirt roads in Mexico wearing hot pink with a mad look on her face. This new hair do does not do well in the wind..hence the Donald Trump photo.
I also recognized the answered prayer. How the Lord provided for me specific to my person all with a sense of humor . I got out, stretched my legs in the wide open, got grounded with the earth( covered in mud) drank in nature, had time in prayer. Just like a day in my garden. AWESOME! God is so Good.

Some things that cross my mind

This has been a tough piece for me to finish. Maybe it is the transparency of my sinfulness or my pride wanting to conceal it.

I will be honest this journey here living life in ministry is a wonderful paradox of blessings and brokenness where even the brokenness is sweet. It is a joy to be able to participate in the work of the Lord and see his mercies and provision unfold so tenderly for those He Loves. Daily we witness how it is by His grace that we even breath let alone get to participate in telling the story of redemption from the vantage point of lives redeemed, walking miracles of His unfathomable Love. Humbling to say the least.
Just as much as you see it unfold for others there is the continual refining work He is accomplishing in our own hearts as well.

These past months here have been laced with lessons steeped in grace and mercy that only hindsight can reveal.

In short I will say that I have had a compilation of ailments that began to consume me. Chronic roaming pain lead to 5 months of sleep deprivation and limited ability to walk comfortably. Was it the cold air, cement floors, did arthritis just hit me?The thorn in my side, back legs, hips, head you name it.
Then came the reoccurring sinus issues daily headaches with motion sickness and inner ear pain and dull hearing.
My approach to suffering has been to avoid it at all costs so this already sets me up for a resistant heart followed by the well visited pity pot of "why me" and a honed habit of trying to complain it away concluding with spiritual pouting. Needless to say I was not a great witness..luckily it rained a lot and I moved so slow my radius of damage was small.

A trip to Canada provided a possible explanation for my sinus issues...failed dental work... the tooth had to come out. I have a irrational fear/ insane phobia of the dentist so much so that I had not been to the dentist in 10 years and I have no cavities. So pulling a perfectly good non painful tooth seemed a cruel joke. I did not pray for courage or patience.

Through all of this I started to think about the Sovereignty of God. That He is indeed in control. The creator has allowed all of this so there must be a purpose in it.

I knew this much, that at times suffering comes to reveal your heart, your faith, your resolve at other times it is to complete a work in those around us. I wanted to respond differently than my whiney past. So the teaching begins. As I sit at his feet accepting that in some measure this is His provision for me I ask WWJD? I thought about how he faced an unimaginable trial.

He prepared.
We are often in a trial, about to enter one or just leaving one. How do we prepare?
He prayed to the father while others slept.
Three times he asked the father to remove this from Him if it was His will.
No answer.
No answer is an answer.
Sadly for me a bit short on endurance and jeers from the enemy convincing me of my inadequacies, sadly I listen. Fostering doubt in who we are in the Lord. Our position as sons and daughters. Somehow I equated pain with punishment and this is a lie and the doubting or lack of faith is a sin.
I considered Jesus steps in the Garden. I think what gave Him the strength to accept this cup was truly understanding the sovereignty of God. The creator, the author of life was calling the shots and trusting that ALL things work for the good of those that Love Him.
That He holds All things together that He is outside of time and space and can see the beginning and the end. Believing that God is good ALL the time.
Considering suffering from that perspective would strengthen you for the journey. Pray first accept the answer then trust in His sovereignity.

Again I return to Canada this time with a heavy heart as I am prostrate in prayer for a sister at our church who has a massive brain tumor. Teresa was sent home to live out her remaining days due to a lack of insurance with an aggressive tumor. When I arrive home I chat with our dentist Matt who also attends our church who had graciously dealt with my my tooth as well as my neurosis.

I was sick. I thought I had a sinus infection again instead my tooth site and sinuses were infected he would need to operate on me. Seriously! didn't God get my memo about me being terrified of dentists!
So here we go.... being that it was a Sunday my dear friend Starr willingly agreed to assist. Although talented with many things, dental assisting is not one of them nor is it on her resume. Now don't get me wrong as much as I love her I was not so thrilled about her holding pain tools in my face even if she is good with a vacuum. This felt like a back alley operation. Words like incision, stitches, bone chips just about had me faint. Then I thought about Theresa. All I could do was be humbled. After all I had an infection in my face like her and here I was receiving such merciful provision. I could not get her face from my mind. Instead of feeling self consumed with "why me" and my own suffering I began to pray for her as silent tears streaked my face.
My focus shifted. Off of me onto the Lord praising him and thanking Him lifting my sister up in prayer.
Often pain is exaggerated by a horizontal focus where as relief comes through a vertical one.

I wondered how these past months of suffering might have been limited even relieved by faithful prayer or time spent with the Father in His word at his feet in the garden in my heart.
Take it even further to consider to sing joyfully dare I say even grateful rejoicing in and through the pain, thankful that I am His full of hope in the work to be accomplished.
To accept that this trial was Gods will. That the suffering could glorify the Father.
It is an opportunity for even a closer relationship with the father. Much like a mother suffers in childbirth something beautiful has occurred a knitting together through the process.
We are being knit together participating in his Glory being revealed through the suffering if we trust Him. Truly it is a blessed event if we have this perspective.
This is where the rubber meets the road and the choice of obedience begins.

As I phone home I hear reports of Theresa's wide stretched hands on her knees at church with praise to the Father while the whole church silently wept in conviction behind her. I am humbled yet again.

I am also reminded of a dear sister Karleen who has endured great suffering with her life suspended each day by grace. I have witness her suffering as a Holy event where she honors Him with each heartbeat with her honest adoration with each breath he wills.
Both of these women glorify the Father in their darkest moments trusting Him and their faces are marked by an unimaginable peace.

And so I conclude with the thought of Jesus and His silent suffering, His complete trust and submission to the Father's will. It's beautiful accomplishment. The separation from the father does not exist for us because of Jesus.

Each day we face we have the security of Him in dying world how much more should we shine differently when trials come living in His promises reflecting the Hope we have in him with a grateful heart for the opportunity to Glorify him.

Interesting things to ponder after my second dental surgery, with pain still in my jaw, sinuses and face with a looming threat of another infection.

This has been my meditation..how to bring Him Glory in and through it I shudder at the missed opportunity with the shallow measure in my cup and yet I am convicted ,taught and grateful, blessed by the mercy of hindsight and hope these word in some small measure give Him Glory.

My prayer is that His will be done and I won't whine.

Wow time flys

Wow time flys

A slice of life in Mexico.

I cant believe that we have been here almost 8 months! Time has just flown by. I have several posts that I have not yet posted. Some a bit personally revealing and others just comedic drivel.
Still deciding on if they are finished yet which brings me to here. I realized that a very practical post was necessary outlining our life here in general.

I have to laugh first of all...as there was some suspicion not actually spoken that we might have desired to serve in Mexico as a tropical escape to beautiful beaches and warm temperatures.

I have been to the beach twice.
It has been freezing, like living in a cement meat locker with drafts, our vistas are littered brush with random animal corpses amidst the rolling verdant hills. On occasion a warm wind blows through with rumors of sickness in it's gusts that actually appear to be truthful in the aftermath.

There is a funny assumption that if you are white you have money...correction the right word would be debt with the appearance of money. This is not us but just a generalization of one of the differences in culture. Mexican people may live in a cement cinder block house but it is ALL theirs. There is a decency about living within your means to be respected yet they have little option. And yet it is what piques our emotions when we first arrived. The humble homes amid the muddy washed out roads, clothes hanging on a fence collecting more dust as cars race past. Unsupervised children playing on roads. Suicide dogs waiting for a merciful truck to put them out of their misery.
There is a most certain vibe, a current of regeneration of life and hope amidst the undercurrent of darkness that wants to steal it's breath. It is a tangible spiritual battlefield that is fought by the spirit that is greater. The love and hope found in Christ Jesus.
The armor of God is so necessary.( Ephesians 6:10-18) Often we coach our boys to put on the full armor, the belt of truth around their waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, your feet shod with the gospel of peace the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. We make believe getting dressed with this armor but it is such an essential exercise in preparedness.
Once we are all dressed and ready for the day we begin in prayer followed by study ending in prayer. Then homeschool begins. From 9-12 is our usual schedule to be ready to go and serve in the afternoon. If it is a quiet afternoon then we will work longer hours preparing for when the groups are here and we loose a week. Rob is always studying. He studies the bible online as well as preparing for messages yet to be taught.
Groups have finally started to book. It is quite a busy time. Each time a group is scheduled we gather for corporate prayer over the group and the work that they will do, from the time that they are booked until they leave. The weeks prior is spent with visiting the orphanages to assesss the needs so the group will be able to serve effectively as well as coordinating activities, projects, needed to complete their missions trip. Things such as acquire chairs for out reach, gather PA system, make carnival games, assemble crafts, organize clothing ,toiletries and toys to be given away and prepare teaching for children women's studies as well as outreach to be prepared. Once the group arrives our days are packed. Early morning devotions with worship and prayer followed by serving. The types of serving is varied depending on the group but can include visitation to orphanage , shelters, recovery descipleship centers, community work, and out reach with our day concluding in next day prep worship and prayer. The week always ends in awe of the power of prayer and how that very spirit ministers so specifically in the small things and how lives are changed by a hope they find in Jesus Christ. Typically the group here leaves changed with new hearts that the Lord has for the widows and orphans.

The week following the group although rest is in order , begs for cleaning and reorganizing the base, distributing left over food to needy families in the neighborhood, catching up on homeschool, re-establishing our routine, uploading images, processing the web news, answering followup correspondence. Just when we are all caught up the next group is scheduled to come and we start all over again.
The visits from the groups remind me of Paul in Romans 1:11-12 " I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith." It is a mutual affection when the groups come where we are equally encouraged by each others faith. It is the body of Christ in action and we are continually in awe to be participating.

There is the mundane as well. The monotony of life where you are tested to walk in trusting Him through the small things searching for His fingerprint or His will in the 10 loads of laundry and the freshly mopped floors with muddy foot prints. Often is is a question of our heart, a choice to glorify Him, through our attitudes and example. I say this not as one who has perfected it only as one who is still learning and I am resigned to this life long task.

I realize that there is this romantic notion of a missionary. An uncomfortable elevated position of sorts that expects a higher spiritual understanding /calling/knowledge. The reality is the only difference between us here and our brothers and sisters at home is Geography and a language barrier. All believers are a missionaries, in your church your town, your work place. I think it is harder to minister to a nation that rejects God because of abundance and apathy. Nations full of riches and self-sufficiency that there is no need for a Savior. The Good News, is old news and often falls on deaf ears as they have heard it all before. So I admire those that faithfully serve where they are planted inspiring others by their faithfulness and their very lives courageously facing daily indifference.
I see the importance of this very work and the specific equipping for it and I stand in deep respect of how the Lord is being revealed through these faithful co-laborers despite the climate of national apathy.

Romans 13: 11 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

The urgency is now. Time is short and so here we are wanting to be about the Father's business.
And so to conclude these past months I can say with assurance that our calling remains as we see the lives around us transform....our own, the groups that serve and the communities they serve in. Gloria a Dios!

Christmas and New Years.

Christmas and New Years

What can I say. We are so spoiled. On December 23 we took off to Palm Springs to join the Smith's as well as the Kamps for a few days at the Oasis. Certainly true to its name. It was almost a surprise with the exception of at least one person daily blowing it on skype, email or in person for the weeks leading up to it. The ones still in the dark had rather stunned responses that shifted to picking up where they left off within seconds.

Our little dog jack has found a loving Mexican family to care for him while we travel, when his furry self is less than acceptable or it is unsafe for him. They truly love him and even have popped by to visit him since our return.

Our visit with the Smith's was natural, relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyable like no time had passed at all, and it was our pool in the back yard all the kids were swimming in. Michelle, as you can imagine, had scoped out every deal and cool thing to do and amazed me with the energy to do them with a broken toe. Christmas eve was spent at Joshua Tree National Park where the Kamps met us. Ron in certainly part billy goat, a contender for energy, but a questionable influence on boys who want to compete with his rock climbing skills(lol). My motto was pray and then don't watch. I managed to photograph some amazing photos that I will treasure, from such an incredible place with incredible people.

On Christmas day we went to L.A. as there was no room in the Inn (Oasis), where we had Christmas dinner at Denny's and it was actually quite satisfying minus the rainstorm on the way back to the hotel that had us all tucked in for the night.

Boxing Day otherwise known as Rob's birthday, we went to Reality Church, and then to be tourists on Hollywood Blvd, followed by Santa Monica pier.

It was a full day!

The next day we would part ways, with us headed back to Mexico and the Smiths to begin their long journey home. Hard to say Good bye even if it is only for a few months.

So many thoughtful blessings from home that took the sting out of our arrival back to Mexico, with the culture shock of Palm springs to the poverty of Mexico that had us reeling to adjust.

Crossing the border is a testimony of answered prayer as our van was loaded with gift boxes that had arrived from Riverside Calvary Chapel as well as our personal provisions for the next 2 weeks. The approach is uneventful until you pass through a lane that issues your fate... green you go and red you go to secondary for inspection. As you pass through the gate that says "nothing to declare" you gulp, visualizing some dank cockroach infested jail, deciding prayer is probably better, you open your eyes and you are thrust into the insane convergence of what seems like 32 lanes into 4 lanes at 60 miles per hour, as if passing with a "green light means boot it." Even if you get the green light there is the possibility of the "wave", an official gesture that issues you to secondary. How on earth you would even notice while trying not to get hit by other drivers is beyond me. Quite frankly we were not sure if we saw the "wave" or not.

This all becomes very nerve wracking when you hear sirens in the distance coming from behind as you navigate your abrupt turning lanes dodging wondering drug addicts along a dark unlit scenic road to Rosarito. In the distance we see many police lights and traffic backing up, feeling some relief that it at least is not about us as we drive into the mess hearing what sound like fire crackers going off in the distance. The exchange of a glance between Rob and I where we both were thinking gun shots?, but saying little. Just then we hit a pot hole, our van goes dead. Really!? Is this what my ole heart needs? Yes, apparently a reminder to not cease praying.

To summarize, our van starts, we pass the congestion which was road construction, the police apparently just fire up the sirens when they want to pass everyone quickly and the "gun shots" were probably just fire crackers preparing for New years. That is a Mexican Welcome!

Back home in Rosarito Victor still in the south and Sonia visiting her mom I was grateful Rob stayed with us as the New Years Celebrations began. I had no idea. Fire crackers that sounded like pipe bombs, people drinking in the streets, whoop'in and holler'in with bonfires on every corner gives you the vibe your in a foreign third world country... hey wait a minute... right... that is now home.

The New Years was rung in by a skype call with friends praying with hearts of gratitude for the year past and filled with hope for the year to come while wearing, snugglies, sitting on a heating pad, drinking Tim Hortons. God is so good to us.

December 2010

Our December flew by in an blessed blur. Looking back I don't even know where to begin to express all that has taken place. It has been a time of growing and refining in so many ways. The rainy season is upon us and the sharp biting ocean breeze and never ever gonna warm up cement floors make me feel like a neglected old nag with a sway back and dripping sinuses. Believe me there is no beauty contest going on here as I brave the natural and allow my real roots of gray to surface where my reflection shocks me thinking someone had just broken in. That is the vanity, but the matters of the spirit challenge me in the complete yet gentle way that the Lord moves. Many days of joint pain had me surrendered to prayer along with Ibprophen and yet when in the moments of wanting to cry "why me"..I chose for a second to be thankful, to walk in Joy to face those with so little I was stunned how my acute suffering had lifted. It has been humbling to feel so weak yet it is also an opportunity. ll Corinthinas 12:9 "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" a reminder for me to trust and let go.

So as this season has progressed with the challenge of my limitations we "press on" in faith to share the news to bring you up to date.

Sojournersmission.com has launched. This is where much of my time had been spent figuring out what is so simple for some was epic for me. Clearly the Lord was the instructor and sent help just when I was about to blow a fuse, Thank you Mike Chalmers!!! I am still perplexed that what I had set out to do actually looks pretty much the way I had envisioned. With God all things are possible.
Along with the web site and a decent mac program I was able to design a brochure, business cards, stationary and a cover letter for the Mayorals announcing this new venture.
Almost to the day of completing we began hosting small groups in the Missions house. This is the house where Rob has been helping Victor reno to facilitate those wanting to come and serve on the mission field short term.
Here is the posting from the new web site that shares the details of our month. Thank you for your prayers and interest. May God bless you.

News

Nov 14th, 2010 Edit |

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father..”

As the month of December progressed so quickly so has the need as well as the provision. Many gifts to present but the greatest gift is the Salvation that only comes through Christ Jesus.

We were blessed this week by a small group from Burbank as well as Pastor Jeff Stewart from Pomona Valley. The group from Burbank so graciously provided for 40 plus children at the Orphanage El Farro in Tijuana. The children enjoyed a healthy lunch, great worship and teaching, puppet shows, and drama performances. It is worth it to see men of God being impacted for His people as well as the children shedding tears of joy reading heartfelt notes, grateful for the provision and Love that came through a strangers hands.

A visit to El Farro Rancho to visit the youth girls there sponsored by Pomona Valley. Love poured out to these young women in ways so important to maturing women though fellowship, music, manicures, and make up as well as teaching, worship and an incredible barbecue filling every one mind body and soul.

Wonderful teaching from Pastor Jeff encouraging us that we can have peace with Christ no matter what takes place in our lives and this is our joy.

The girls presented a beautiful presentation upon receiving their gifts and then many, as was lead of the Lord, shared from the heart how special this visit truly was for them as many tears fell. It is a continual reminder to never under estimate the things we take for granted that can mean so much to those who often do without.

Visitors and Travels

Many blessings have come this week and there is much to be thankful for as we watch continually how the Lord provides. We had a short visit from a friend in Canada who wanted to visit an orphanage as well as encourage our host missionary family. As we left to buy lunch for the kids for the following day we were stopped by friends of Theresa donating the exact amount we needed to provide lunch not knowing that we were taking rent money to purchase lunch in faith.

The Lord gives us exactly what we need.

Many blessings came with Theresa from Riverside Calvary Chapel in Langley , British Columbia in support of our hosting family. Fabric for curtains, toys and gifts for the children and a keyboard for the church in Tortuga were among many supplies that the Lord blessed us with.

We had a great visit to the orphanage “Alcanzando la Vision”. We are blessed that Riverside Calvary Chapel is supporting this orphanage this Christmas, reflecting the Love of Christ through giving.

We look forward to many more guests visiting from Canada.

Our focus shifted to preparing for our visit to the Baja South to bring gifts to the children there. Each day the numbers of children would accumulate, having us trusting that the Lord would provide.

Again, our Lord as always, came through and additional funds were provided to cover these additional gifts.

Pastor Bill Walden from Cornerstone Ministries provided the Christmas gifts and blessings for all of the children and youth that attend Calvary chapel Vizcaino.

Troy and Kelly, along with their 7 year old son Zach, came down from Placerville, (a 12 hour drive) bearing gifts and candies which Calvary Chapel Pacerville provided, joining us for the trip south for another 10 hour drive. The Pipe family and their home church have been faithful servants to the people of Mexico and are wonderful supportive friends. Such a blessing.

Over the next three days we would visit Vizciano, Tortuga, Bonfil, San Bruno and Santa Rosalia, bringing gifts for each of the stops, sharing the Word, worship, crafts, food and fellowship with the children as well as their families of each of these churches.

It is humbling to be received so graciously and warmly by each of these communities. It is hard to put into words the great honor and privilege it is to be trusted to bring the Love that represents the body of Christ through the gifts they have provided.

If you could picture for a moment children standing holding their gift as if almost in shock that someone 2000 miles away would even care. Imagine then telling the story of a God that lived 2000 years ago who loves them that much that these gifts are from Him. A simple moment to reveal His love to them by practical service and Love that somehow made it very real.

So many little faces forever etched in our hearts.

One little girl who has the Joy of the Lord despite her circumstances who’s radiant face lit up the room with such joyful worship it brought tears to our eyes and hope for the work that is before us.

Young siblings parenting even younger ones with such sweetness.

Sick little faces with runny noses and teary eyes fixated on their one and only toy with fascination and awe.

Little girls coming to church proudly wearing new dress up clothes complete with plastic shoes, bangles and drop earrings.

The humble home with cardboard walls that provides food (El Comedor) for hungry children throughout the week and the family that radiated joy that lived there was convicting and inspiring.

The silent tears that fell during prayer.

The beautiful creation of our surroundings that reflect his workmanship.

The Word that was shared, that was the confirmation needed.

The fourteen year old girl expecting her first child.

The drunken man that Victor shared the gospel with and the hope of the many seeds planted.

The moment of comfort between two mothers from different cultures and countries sharing the loss of their children and their Love of the Lord was such an example of a divine appointment of encouragement and fellowship.

The mix up of a name that was supposed to be for a girl that provided the exact toy to a boy who would not have received a gift at all this Christmas.

And so it was a wonderful time to minister, to see the Lord orchestrating so many details, to encourage, to serve and yet so illuminating of how much more there is to do. As the message shared was so timely to “press on”, we will do just that…in faith…sharing the tender mercies of our wonderful Lord and Savior Christ Jesus with grateful hearts that we got to participate in His plan.