8 Days In .... WOW!

Last month my family and I celebrated 12 years since taking a step of faith and moving down to Bachiniva Chihuahua Mexico.  We were much younger, a lot less grey, had more energy and our daughter Ayantu was just 2 years old.  How incredible it’s been having the opportunity to work with family and friends to buy 40 acres of land, build a 7500 SQ foot facility that would serve as a children’s home.  To have the opportunity to care for over 65 children at various times for the next 6 years.  And then, after 2 years of waiting and persevering through the pandemic, be a part of a wonderful team to help start a Christian Bilingual School on our campus.

Here we are 8 days into the 3rd year of our new school year and WOW!  That is probably the best word to describe how it’s been going thus far.  Exciting, happy, thrilling, emotional, a blessing, exhausting, challenging.  We started classes on August 26th with an enrollment of 110 students, kindergarten to high school and a staff of 19.  I included the word ‘emotional’ because it indeed has been quite emotional.  Seeing the joy and excitement on the students faces as they come to school everyday (yes, even our 14 high school students are excited).  Seeing the passion, effort, hard-work and love our teachers and staff pour into the lives of these students everyday.  Seeing our school grow, from 53 students our first year, to 90 students last year and now 110 . This morning I woke up to a message from our Director, who happens to be my aunt.  She said this, ‘Thanks for working so hard for this school. In my wildest dreams I couldn’t have dreamt what the Lord is doing with the school. Love you!’

She is absolutely right, who could ever have imagined where we would be at today, and the impact House of Blessing and our school would be having in the lives of children, their families and the surrounding communities in Mexico.  Truly emotional and definitely WOW!

One last thing i’d like to share with you is regarding ways that you could be involved to help financially support a student.  Over the next few months as I begin traveling for our House of Blessing Golf Tournaments, meetings, conferences, speaking at schools and churches, we will be focusing on our Sponsorship Program.  We are praying and hoping to get at least 10-15 more individuals or families that would partner with us on a monthly basis to help financially with a students tuition.  $50-$60 a month will help a student attend our school.  It helps cover the cost for their education, transportation, books & supplies, food and special activities.  There are a number of students in our school that are on full and partial scholarships.  If that is something you would consider and pray about, we would love that.  You can learn more information through our website, www.thehouseofblessing.org or just send me an email, jason@thehouseofblessing.org

Please continue to pray for us, the students, their families and our team.  I will do my best with our admin & marketing team to help keep you all updated with pictures, videos, stories, etc through the school year.  You can get those updates and things through our blog posts or through our facebook page.

Here is a short video with pictures and video from our first week as well as some more information on our sponsorship program. Please take a look. Until next time!

Back To School .... Almost!

T-minus 24 days until yet another school year begins.  That feels a bit strange since it was just 6 weeks ago that we finished our 2nd year.  What an incredible year it was.  After completing the second year of our new Christian Bilingual School, I can definitely and confidently say that God has exceeded any and all expectations we had.  But that should be expected right?  We do indeed serve the Creator and Sustainer of all things who, “…alone does wondrous things” (Psalm 72:18).

This pas school year we saw our enrollment almost double. We went from 53 students (kinder-jr high) to 95 students and had the opportunity to start a high school.  We finished the school year with 88 students as 7 had to leave for various reasons.  We started basketball, soccer & volleyball teams.  How exciting it was to see our students compete against other schools in our town and the surrounding community.  We held ‘clubs’ at our school on Wednesdays for things like music, chess, explorers, dance, history, art, crafters.  We hosted chess and volleyball tournaments a kids fair, science fairs, special family events, concerts, Christmas programs and all sorts of things at our campus for our students, their families and our community.   We saw 5 kiddos graduate from kindergarten, 6 students from elementary school and 5 students from Jr High.

We have seen firsthand and have been blessed to be a part of the impact taking place in the lives of our students.  They are learning how to read, write, excelling in their academics.  They are speaking english through our english program.  They have learned how to play instruments.  And, most importantly, they are learning and understanding about a God who created them, loves them, forgives them and died for them.

Thank you so much for your prayers, your financial support your text messages and emails of encouragement. Please continue to pray for us in the coming weeks, especially as we prepare to start classes on Monday August 26th. We already have an enrollment of over 100 students and a wonderful staff and team of 18 men and woman who are passionate about teaching and caring for children and teens.

On the last day of school, we showed a recap video to our staff and students of all the exciting things that took place over the school year.

Next week we will be sharing about our House of Blessing Golf Tournaments coming up in September as well as ways you can get involved in helping sponsor a students tuition. Blessings to you all and talk to you soon!

Jason

Death, Grief & Beauty...

Trying to understand God’s timing or why things happen when they do, is a great and at times frustrating mystery.  To be fair, the bible does indicate that we really can’t, in our own strength or ability…

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

When difficult things happen it pushes us to press in closer to the Lord. It challenges us to lean not on our OWN understanding, but to completely trust in the Lord, placing our hope and faith in Him.

This past Sunday, a former student of our school and member of our church passed away.  Alejandro Meza Rivas was just 16 years old.  He battled with a rare heart condition for many years.  After countless doctor’s appointments, tests and long stays in hospitals, Alejandro made the list for a heart transplant.  He was taken to Monterrey to await his turn for a transplant.  Alejandro spoke with his mother, Rosa, one last time Sunday evening before passing away a few hours later.  His little heart just couldn’t take it anymore.  His older brother Dionicio was there with him when he passed.

On Wednesday, we were able to have his memorial service at our church.  What a difficult, emotional and yet special time it was, remembering and celebrating his life.  I had the opportunity to lead worship for the service.  What a powerful time it was to hear the voices of those grieving as they sang and cried out to the Lord for comfort. One of our pastors, Jose Nieves gave the message which was a wonderful reminder that Alejandro is in the presence of the Lord. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more heart condition!

Alejandro Meza Rivas is survived by his parents, Rosa and Ignacio and his siblings, Adrian, Dionicio, Rosita, Carmen, Ignacio Jr and Juan Pablo.  This dear family has been a part of our church for many years and it’s been amazing to see the love and support that has come both from our church, our school and the community.

Please pray for Alejandro’s family as they grieve and begin the new chapter without their son and brother. Please pray for our staff and students at our school who are also grieving his passing.

Thank you so very much….

Jason