The Waiting Game

August has always been a very special month in our family.  15 years ago, on August 27th, my wife and I were married.  8 years ago, on August 13th, my family and I moved down to Bachiniva Mexico to purchase 40 acres and begin building the House of Blessing Orphanage.  And then there is today, August 31st.  Today is special and very unusual all at the same time.  Not only is it the first day of school, but the first day of “virtual” school. Carolina is starting her junior year of high school, Natalia is in 6th grade and our daughter Ayantu Faith is in 5th.

Like so many of you are experiencing, Mexico launched its new school year with remote learning from home due to COVID-19.  Because 95% of Mexicans have TV, Mexico opted to broadcast school classes via 6 different TV stations.  I honestly never thought I would have to get a TV subscription for my child to go to school.

Indeed, we are in very peculiar and difficult times.

2020, was supposed to be one of the most exciting years here at the House Of Blessing.  We had 9 teams scheduled from all over the United States to come down and serve with us.  We had not only 1 but 2 golf tournaments scheduled in Washington and Florida to raise funds for HOB.  I had 5 speaking engagements throughout the states to share about the ministry.  My wife and I strategically planned our 15 year wedding anniversary trip to New York.  All the travel arrangements and lodging were booked and we were ready to go in April.  And then, my siblings and I had our family reunion scheduled for July.  My four siblings and I along with our spouses and a whole lot of children (15 of them) were to descend upon the beautiful town of Leavenworth for an incredible week.

However, all of that drastically came to a halt due to the Global Pandemic. Mexico closed schools nationwide in March.  Both USA & Mexico agreed to close its border indefinitely, for all non-essential travel. We either tried to reschedule OR had to cancel event after event, trip after trip, activity after activity.  And then suddenly, just like that, what was shaping up to be a busy, exciting and eventful year, has become a very quiet and difficult year.  A most trying time of patience, trust, endurance and the ever difficulty of “waiting”.

The orphanage temporarily closed its doors on Monday, March 16 as well, and continues to remain closed. 10 of our 12 children were relocated to quarantine with their moms.  What we thought was only going to be 3 or 4 weeks has turned into 4 months and counting.  Two girls, Natalia and Carolina, moved into our house as they unfortunately do not have mothers who have the ability nor desire to care for them.

I’ll be honest with you, the past 5 1/2 months have been incredibly challenging and difficult in light of everything that has transpired.  It would be pretty easy and at times tempting to call it quits, to give up, retire, etc, etc.  I have really had to cling to David’s beautiful words that he wrote in Psalm 27

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

And so the waiting game continues. Let us not lose heart though, as we WILL continue to see the goodness of the Lord during this time.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement and financial support. Please continue to check your emails for more updates as well as our website, www.thehouseofblessing.org and facebook page, facebook.com/bachinivaorphanage.

Jason and Jackie Sanchez