Late 30's...

Last Saturday I turned 37 years old.  Yes, I know, I’m officially in my late 30’s now.  It was a rather splendid day filled with lots of homemade cards, gifts and hugs from 19 children.  I was able to relax a little bit, take all the kids out for pizza, work in our house and then eat some homemade strawberry shortcake (my absolute favorite).  Overall it was a wonderful day.

However, there was something unique that occurred that cool brisk Saturday.  Actually, it was something rather difficult and heart breaking.  There I was setting up Ayantu’s new bed set, in her new room, in our soon to be done new house.  One of our boys, Osvaldo, walked in and asked if it was the right time to call his mom.  He had been missing her a lot of late and wanted to know when she was coming to visit.  Truth be told, she wasn’t.  In fact just a few days earlier, she had called Jackie and shared that she left her job and home (which was about 5 minutes away from the orphanage) to go back up to the Sierra Madres.

We contemplated how to break the news to Osvaldo, but that Saturday, he would hear the news himself from his mom.  They chit chatted on the phone for a bit before she told him she left and wasn’t sure if she was coming back.  The mood in the room clearly changed and so did the roles it seemed.  Osvaldo was very concerned about his mom, “Do you have money? Did you find a job?  Do you have food?” were some of the questions he was asking her.  His mother sort of chuckled and said she wasn’t sure but thought she’d be fine.  It was as if Osvaldo was the worried parent, in that moment, looking out for his child (his mother).

They talked for a bit longer and then hung up.  Osvaldo came back into the room to hand me the phone.  I asked if he was okay.  He said, yes, but I knew that wasn’t the case.  I put my hand on his shoulder and said, are you sure?  And then Osvaldo sort of collapsed in my lap, sobbing on my shoulder.  Gosh, these are the moments that make this job, this calling, so difficult.  There we sat for 2 or 3 minutes as this young 10 year old boy cried out every last tear.  When he was done, he sort of lifted his head.  I looked him in the eyes and told him how much we love him, we are here for him, and then I prayed over him.  When all was said and done, I asked him if he wanted to go out and play some more, or hangout with Jackie.  “I want to be with Jackie” he responded, and then they both left the house.

So yes, my 37th birthday will be memorable, however, not because of the presents or food or activities that took place.  But because of that moment holding Osvaldo in my arms.  

This job has left me speechless so many times as I often can’t find the words to say to these hurt and broken children.  Thankfully, I can meditate on and treasure the words of our Heavenly Father, and the hope that they can bring these kids in their greatest time of need.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me (Psalm 27:10).

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me (Isaiah 49:15-16).

Please pray for Osvaldo this week....

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

How do I even begin to summarize all the events that have taken place the past 10 days?  I probably need to start with this amazing verse found in the Psalms, because I have had to cling to it with my everything.

"From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalms 61:2).

My heart has been beyond overwhelmed in light of all the difficult trials that have come across our path here at the orphanage.  We are in the heart of the rainy season and it has been one of the worst ones yet.  The rains have brought massive storms, flooding and destruction.

It all seemed to start about a week and a half ago when our truck and 15 passenger van got stuck in the mud and water.  It had rained so much that the rivers breached the banks and flooded our fields, creating a flash flood which began washing away our road.  We were able to pull out the vehicles with Pastor Luis' giant 4x4 truck (nicknamed "Black Beauty").  However, that night seemed to set forth in motion a week of vehicles getting stuck over 15 times, somewhere on our property.

One of those was the Coca Cola truck that delivers our bottled water.  It was as if he had hit quicksand.  His truck quickly sank about 3 feet in the middle of our road.  For the next 3 days, all sorts of trucks, tractors, backhoes, tow trucks, and a slew of people tried to get the massive truck out, but to no avail.

Fortunately, last Friday they were finally able to get the truck out of the road and to safety.  Unfortunately, what suffered the most during this whole ordeal was our poor little road, which is no longer a road.  It is completely destroyed and undriveable.  We now have to park both of our 15 passenger vans out near the main road and walk back and forth to get the kids to and from school, as well as bring supplies in to the orphanage.  Boy, do wheelbarrows come in handy when you’re hauling groceries, propane tanks, bottled water, and other supplies back to the house.

Our new route to walk to the vans.

Coca Cola bought pallets and created a new walking path for the children!

One little ray of hope we received during this time was a new 15 passenger van.  We’ve desperately been in need of another one for our growing family and had been earnestly praying and searching for one.  It’s kind of funny how right in the midst of chaos, the Lord blesses us with a new van.  It reminds me of what Job cried out….

“…the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

The Lord gave us a new van…and also took away our road.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Our new van, Rhonda!

The other major problem that came as a result of the massive rain, involved our septic tank system.  The girls’ side septic tank is now completely destroyed as well.  It all started one night as Jackie, another worker, and myself spent 4 hours cleaning up septic water that had backed up into our building.  There was so much rain and water that it not only flooded our tanks but also lifted one up about 5 feet above ground.  This of course broke other pipes and important pieces, which has now left us operating on a broken system on life support.  Fortunately, somehow (basically by a miracle), the one remaining tank is still functioning a little, which is allowing us to still use the bathrooms, showers, etc.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any water because our main water line busted as well.  During the whole fiasco of trying to get trucks unstuck from our road, one of the back hoes sank and busted the main water line…which is now in the process of being repaired.

So, yes, it has definitely been a rough week and a half.  Yes, we feel beat up and discouraged.  BUT…we are hopeful in our Lord!

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8).

There are so many other stories to share, prayer requests, and needs.  Please continue to follow along our adventure via the blog and especially Facebook.  Thank you so much to you all for your kind words, and especially for your prayers.  They are definitely felt and needed.  It’s amazing to see the continual support we have from people all over the world!

Many of you have asked specifically of how you might be able to help aside from praying.  All of these challenges have brought up a number of unexpected expenses.  If you would like to donate specifically for the repairs that are being done OR needed to be done, you can do so through our website, www.thehouseofblessing.org or mail a check, made out to HOB, to the following address, 1902 South Meridian Puyallup WA 98371.

Thanks so much...talk with you soon!

Back To School...

Summer is drawing to a close here for the children of CDB as they prepare to start school this coming Monday.  I don’t think any of our kids would actually “admit” they are excited for school, however, you can tell that they are.  

The summer was fairly busy, though pretty relaxing as well.  Most of our children got to spend some of their vacation with family and relatives.  We only had a few missions teams serve with us this summer.  My wife was able to go on a missions trip to China with a church from El Paso.  Ayantu and I flew up to Seattle for our annual golf tournament in which we raised $6300 for the orphanage.  And then, we met up with Jackie as well as all my siblings and their families for our family reunion in Lincoln City, Oregon.  What a great time that was.

When school finished in July, we had 14 children in the home.  Now with school starting we have 18.  The Lord was faithful to bring us 4 more children to care for and minister to, 3 of those having come this past week.

Some of you might remember Valeria, the sweet little gal with a squeaky voice that lived with us last year for 6 months.  Her mom decided to pull her from the home after Christmas break.  Honestly, we were all heartbroken and missed this precious gal very much.  What made it even harder was the fact that Valeria wasn’t even staying with her mom.  She was living here in town with her grandparents in horrible living conditions. 

I hadn’t seen Valeria since she left until Jairo and Jessie’s wedding in June.  Valeria came with her grandparents and greeted me with the biggest hug ever.  Towards the end of the wedding, Valeria came up and whispered something in my ear.  I couldn’t understand at first but then realized what she was saying…”can I please come live with you guys again.”  My heart was overwhelmed with emotions and all I wanted to do was take this precious girl home with us.  Sure it was justified, right?  I mean, her mom was neglecting her again, her living environment was very unhealthy, it all made sense to me.

However the Lord quickly spoke and reminded me that as much as I wanted to intervene, I needed to “be still, and know that He is God.” He was in control and would work something out.

Well, the Lord was faithful (as always) to do that.  We received a call from Valeria’s mom asking us to please take her daughter back.  She realized she made a mistake taking her out of the orphanage in the first place and once again was not in a place to take care of her.  Of course we said yes and Valeria is as happy as she was when she left…if not a little bit more.  It is SO wonderful to have her with us again.  Valeria will be starting 1st grade on Monday.

We also received a little guy named Edgar.  Edgar is 5 years old and has a mom and dad.  They are actually a really neat family and we are so thankful the Lord brought them into our lives to help and minister to.  Their story goes like a lot of the other stories.  Both parents are working hard to survive and due to their long work days, 6, sometimes 7, days a week, they aren’t able to nor do they have anyone else to care for Edgar.  Edgar’s parents are thrilled that he will be able to get an education (starting 1st grade on Monday), learn about the Lord, be cared for in a healthy environment, and that they will be able to visit or spend time with him on weekends.

The 3rd child that came to us is a young lady named Carolina.  She is the younger sister of Erasmo and Maria Ana.  We have known her since our very first trip up to their little village in the mountains, 3 years ago.  Carolina finished elementary school in her town and her mom now wants her to continue her schooling along with Erasmo and Maria Ana.  Carolina is very shy, but is already coming out of her shell.  She is a huge help with things around the house and is excited to start school.  She will start 7th grade on Monday.

So, including our daughter Ayantu, we now have 19 children in the house.  WOW…sounds a little crazy even as I read and write it.   Yes, it seems a little overwhelming right now as we change up room arrangements, build new beds, buy more clothes, food, etc.  But what an absolute joy and honor to help care for God’s precious children.

Please, please, please, continue to pray for us, especially over the next week as we get all 19 children settled in school.  Please pray for Valeria, Edgar and Carolina as they adjust to their new home.  Also, please pray for continual finances.  With the additional children as well school supplies, uniforms, back to school clothes, etc. that need to be purchased, we are trusting and excited to see in which ways the Lord chooses to provide.

We are also in great need of sponsors for most of our children.  I will be sharing a bit more about that here in the next few weeks regarding ways that you can partner with us and a child here at the orphanage.

Thank you for your faithfulness in taking the time to read the things the Lord is doing here!

Blessings!