12 and counting...

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” (Psalm 127:4-5). I truly am a blessed man.  Just as the psalmist declares, blessings come from arrows (children) being added to your quiver (family).  That is exactly what the Lord has done once again this past week…bringing us 3 more children to care and minister to.

Pastor Luis, Kim, my dad and Erasmo took an unexpected trip back up to Corareyvo last Monday.  There had been discussion and talks of Erasmo’s sister, Maria Ana, wanting to come to the orphanage.  We hadn’t received confirmation of that, but felt like we needed to step out in faith and make the trip.  Either way, every trip up to the beautiful village is a blessing, as you get to continue sharing Jesus with individuals.

We anxiously waited for their return on Tuesday, to see if she decided to come live with us.  As the van pulled up, that beautiful afternoon, our children ran out to greet whoever was in it.  There she was, Maria Ana, looking shy and nervous, but excited to be here.  The Vargas’ then told us they had an extra surprise.  The van door opened, and out came running, Judith (Erasmo’s older sister).  With a huge smile on her face she gave me a giant hug.  WOW…I wasn’t expecting her to be there.

IMG_0691

Judith Maria Rascon, 15 years old...

Maria Ana

Maria Ana Rascon, 12 years old...

When we took our first trip to Corareyvo in October of 2013, we wanted both Judith and Erasmo to come down.  When we went to get Erasmo in January, I was hoping his sister would decide to come as well, however, she was gone.  Word was, she had left town with a bunch of other youth looking for work and adventures.  I was sad, discouraged, and felt like it was my fault because we didn’t bring her here in October.  However, we can take comfort knowing that with the Lord, His timing is always perfect.  No matter what the situation looks like, He works ALL things out for good.  Although I wanted her to come back in January, the Lord wanted her to be here in August!

IMG_8464

First time meeting Judith (last year)...drinking some coffee...

During this time, we received another call from the DIF, regarding a young man named Juan (10 years old).  Juan happened to be in the same orphanage at one point with Luisito.  The DIF felt like our home would be a perfect fit for this young man, because of the success and progress they have seen with Luisito.  So, this past Saturday, three DIF officials, Maricela (director of the DIF in Guerrero) along with Eddie and Ana, brought Juan.  Eddie and Ana are the two who first brought Luis to us in February, and they were very excited to see him again.  In fact, as we met with the two of them and Maricela, guess who was sitting comfortably with them on the couch?  Luisito!  They were amazed at how well he is doing…and very excited to see the same transformation with Juan.

IMG_0701

Reunited

Maricela, Eddie, Ana and Juan... Luisito...reunited with his friends...

JUan

Juan Morales Marquez, 11 years old...

Our Family

Now, we are a family of 15...13 kids (including Antu), Jackie and myself…truly a blessing!  Please continue to pray for Juan, Erasmo, Jorge, Judith, Adrianna, Maria Ana, Aaron, Myron, Sandra, Pablo, Luisito and Gael.

Peace Be Still...

Many, years ago, I had the privilege and honor of playing with a wonderful Christian artist named Sherri Youngward.  At a time in my life when I was broken and confused, God opened the door for me to join her band and tour all over the country. When you travel and play a lot, you can get tired of certain songs, or, feel like you’ve played it for the thousandth time.  One of those songs in particular was called “Peace.”  It was usually played towards the end of our set and probably the most popular song played.  Night after night, we played and sung these simple words, that often times, I took for granted.

“Peace, be still, lay all your worries down.  Be still, oh my soul, for our God is in control.  And if God is for us, then whom shall I fear.  And our God is for us, so lay down, be still, He is God.  Hallelujah, or God has overcome.  Hallelujah, our Lord, Jesus Christ has won.”

Driving down to Mexico last week, with a missions team from Washington, I had a thousand thoughts racing through my mind.  This is usually the case, as I return from trips, full of meetings and important decisions that have to be made.  Those thoughts mixed with the anticipation of meeting the 5 newest children in our home, began to overwhelm my mind.

Needless to say, I began to stress and worry. "How is this going to work? What decisions should I make? How can we raise more money?" and so on.  The very one fueling those worrisome thoughts was the enemy, doing everything he could to discourage me.  To be honest, I felt as if he was winning, UNTIL, that song I use to be so familiar with, flooded my mind.  Driving through the beautiful mountains of Mexico, the Lord began to remind me and speak to me, through those wonderful words and promises, that I need only be still, because He is God!

What a blessing it has been, getting to know the newest members of our family, Adrianna, Pablo, Myra, Gale and Aaron.  It has also been incredibly hard, as I continue to hear the stories and learn more about these precious children's past.  I’ve never held this many kids before, as they are sobbing, broken, confused, missing their mothers.

The other night, I heard little 2 year old Gale, screaming for his mother.  I went in to his room, picked him up and began to rock him.  As I held him tight in my arms, I thought, this child has never had this before from a father.  So I began to pray and sing over him as he quietly fell asleep.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet Aaron’s mom.  She made an unexpected trip and visit to the orphanage, as she is on the run.  Fearing for her life, that has been threatened by her latest boyfriend, she wanted to see her son one more time, before leaving town.  As we sat in my office, listening to her story, tears began to stream from her eyes.  And then the moment came, when little Aaron came into my office.  He began to weep, she began to weep as she held him, and then we all began to cry.

The stories and situations that take place down here are unbelievable.  I can’t fully understand or believe what these 9 children have been through.  However, I do know that they are here, and are safe, and have a God who loves them more then anything.  He is in control, He is for them, and they now have nothing to fear.   Each night, they can now lay their heads down, rest peacefully, and be still and know that He is God.  Hallelujah!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fruitful Week...

I had a wonderful time this past week, up in Seattle.  It’s always great being reunited with family, friends and our home church.  The week was packed with meetings, teaching at churches, leading worship and our golf tournament.  Although it was a long and tiring week, it was an incredibly fruitful and productive time. Thank you so much to all those who participated and helped out with our 2nd annual golf invitational.  We had our biggest turnout, 78 players, who joined us for a beautiful day of golf, fellowship and raising money for the orphanage.  When it was all said and done, we were able to raise $5,000 that we would like to put towards the purchase of a bigger van.

Part of the reason we are in great need of a 15 passenger van, is because our family continues to grow down at the orphanage.  In fact, when I left, we had 4 children we’ve been caring for.  When I return tomorrow, with a team of 11 people from Washington, we will have 9 children in the home.  God brought us 5 more children this past week, who we now have the blessed privilege of caring for and ministering to.

Little Aaron has come from the mountains of Naquiachi.  My friend Aaron Wiens and his wife, have been pastoring a church up in the mountains about 3 hours away.  This young 10 year old boy has quickly become a part of their family, spending every waking moment he can with them.  Little Aaron lives with his drunk and abusive uncle.  Both his grandmother and mom are wanting a better life for him, especially now, as it is marijuana picking season.  This is the time when the drug cartels come into towns to lure the youth into their organization.  The temptation of money, drugs, women, etc, is often to great to say no.  As a result of this temptation and offer, many teens (as young as a 10 year old) leave their homes and usually never return.  Aaron and his wife brought little Aaron to Casa de Bendicion last week and he is adjusting well.  What a blessing, knowing that this young boy was snatched out of the grips of the enemy.  Now, we are praying he will be brought into Jesus’ marvelous light!

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

We have been praying on another 4 kids (all siblings)  the past few months, who are in a very difficult home situation.  We were seeking the Lord for the right time for when or if, these children should come into our care.  God made it evident that they were indeed to be in the home and they came in officially this past Sunday night.  Adriana (12) Pablo (9) Mida (7) and Gale (2) have basically been raising and taking care of themselves.  There is no father in the picture and their mother is barely around.  Whether she is out working or cruising the streets, drinking and meeting men, the kids are left at home alone.  Their mother has expressed that she loves her children, which is why she is wanting them to be in a better, healthier, safer environment.

The fab four (as Jackie calls them) came in on Sunday night.  It is a huge adjustment, going from 4 children to 9, but the Lord is showing Himself strong in our midst.  He is giving our team great strength, as well as bigger hearts, to love and care for these children!

We could use your prayers for a number of different things right now…

• Please pray for Aaron, Adrianna, Pablo, Mida and Gale.  Pray that they continue to adjust to their new living situation, as well as have hearts open to Jesus and His love for them.

• Please pray for a 15 passenger van.  We are asking that the Lord provides one soon, as we now have 14 people to transport around.  If you have any insight or know of one available, please let me know.

• Please pray for the team of 11, from South Hill Calvary, who will be serving with us for the next week, helping with VBS, cement work, plumbing and loving on the children.

• Please pray about helping support a child on a monthly basis.  As our family continues to grow, so do the expenses to facilitate and care for the children.  If you feel like you or your family or your church, would like to help support one of our 9 kids, please let me know!

May you all have a blessed day.  Thank you again for your faithful prayers on our behalf!