God Gave Them Rest...

“The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers...not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel.  All came to pass” (Joshua 21:43,44). A dear friend gave me a book before we moved down, that I have started to read and absolutely love.  Mainly, because its about one of my favorite persons in the bible, Joshua.  The book is, ‘Joshua; Mighty Warrior and Man of Faith’ by Phillip Keller.  After successfully bringing the nation of Israel across the Jordan river, defeating a lot of enemies and finally settling into the Promise Land, God’s promise to His people was fulfilled, ”...all came to pass.”

Just as the Lord gave them rest all around...it feels that way a bit down here.  After 3 weeks of packing, moving, traveling, a missions team, bringing trucks and vans of our stuff across the border, unpacking, etc...we have finally settled here and have a chance to rest.  It truly feels like home now and we are absolutely loving it.

We were able to finish the 2nd story of the youth room addition, our summer team built, which has been a blessing to the youth group on Saturday nights.  It has also been a tremendous blessing to Jackie, Antu and I as we now have the entire old youth room to ourselves.  This has allowed us to give Antu her own room, have a living room and kitchen.  While I was in the states getting the last bit of our stuff this past weekend, Jackie and the youth group did a great job rearranging and setting things up.

Antu observing Eloy, replacing a door with a wall...

We have added a new addition to the family as well, “Jessie Girl” our new German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix dog.  Ayantu picked out the name, from Jessie on Toy Story, her favorite cow-girl.  Jessie girl eats a lot, sleeps a lot and is already growing.  Its a little adjustment, having never owned a dog before, but we love it!

Work has slowed down a bit at the orphanage as all of the main projects are being completed.  This past week, we were able to finish installing the exterior doors, mud and taping of the sheetrock and have now begun plastering the rooms (in preparation for painting them).  We are getting them ready for a missions team from Calvary Northwest in Bellingham WA that will be coming down the first week in April, to paint the inside of the facility.

We are still waiting to hear back on word regarding the water and electrical hookup.  The water line is dug and ready to be hooked up.  We just need final confirmation from our neighbor Marcello, who has agreed to let us hook up into his line.  This is a blessing because it prevents us having to run water lines from 600 meters away, to our well.  He has been out of town so hopefully next week.

Our dear friend, Pastor Jacob and another brother, Cornelius, came out to the property on Thursday to look at the power situation.  Cornelius is an electrician and has agreed to help us out.  We have narrowed down our options, really to just one, running power from the well.  We have gotten an estimate for running wire underground and are now waiting for an estimate to run the power via poles and power lines.  600 meters is too long to run underground, and unless the government gives us special permission, we’ll need to run via poles.  Cornelius is hopeful that maybe since its for an orphanage, the government will make an exception.  This too would save us money.

Pastor Jacob, Cornelius and Nieves...

We made a trip to Cuahtemoc on Friday to hopefully start the final paper work for our AC (non-profit) for the orphanage.  Unfortunately the notary was out of the country in El Paso.  Whether we make an appointment or just show up, he never seems to be there.  We will call again on Monday and LORD WILLING, be able to file the documents on Tuesday or Wednesday.  The Lord definitely teaches you patience and the importance of “waiting” on Him.  Its difficult at times, but I know that in the end...ALL will come to pass, just as it did for Joshua!

PRAYER REQUESTS...

• Please pray that we can get a hold of Marcelo and the notary to finish the water and AC paperwork.
• Please pray for Pastor Jacob and Cornelius as they look into the electrical work for the orphanage.
• Please pray for our safety, health and continual adjustment to living here. Please pray for Aaron Wiens, a brother from South Hill Calvary, who is serving here with us and will eventually end up in Peru for bible college.

“Wait on the Lord;  be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).