Faith In God...

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:12-13). I wanted to take a moment to share with you about our trip to the Creel orphanage this past weekend.  We were very excited and eager to meet and play with the children again. However, upon arriving to the orphanage, things did not go according to plan.  We noticed there was something strange going on, especially as all of the children were asked to get onto the bus. We could tell that we weren't really welcomed there and the directors did not want us talking to or playing with the kids.  Pastor Luis went into the house and met with them for about 30 minutes.  It was during this time that he was informed that they will never let one child be removed from the grounds.  The current directors basically said that what we are doing is illegal and they contacted the authorities and others to help them fight to keep the children.  They will not submit to the wishes of their boss Ray Wilson, his board of directors or their organization, Black Buffalo Ministries.  This obviously was heartbreaking to hear.  Sadly, the focus has been shifted from what is best for the children, to what is best for the directors.

As we drove away from the orphanage, I began praying and asking the Lord what all this meant...and then...His peace which surpasses all understanding filled my heart.  He reminded me that He is in control and will work ALL things out for good.   I called Ray that night and shared what had happened.  He of course was bummed as well, but hopeful knowing that our God is in control.  All of us have been praying like crazy, waiting for the Lord to lead and direct our next step.

During this whole ordeal, the Lord has reminded me that we didn't move down here just for the kids in Creel...but to care for ANY and ALL orphans the Lord brings to us.  God will be faithful to bring us orphans from wherever He chooses.  He also reminded me of something I read, "faith in God includes faith in his timing." Both Ray, the Vargas', Jackie and I believe that God has something else for those orphans in Creel.  I don't know when or how, but we are going to continue relying on the Lord and His timing.

Ray is talking with his organization as well as others to see what they can do in light of the situation.  As for us, we will continue our course of building the orphanage and preparing for orphans to come into our care.  God is doing something bigger and greater and we must not let the enemy discourage us when difficulties come about.  If "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble..." then you can believe there will be resistance from the enemy.  But that which can give us peace and assurance at the end of the day is knowing that our God is able...He is on our side and will fight for us!

Please join us as we fervently pray for those children and the difficult situation!

"God is able, He will never fail, He is almighty God, greater than all we seek, greater than all we ask, He has done great things.  God is with us, God is on our side, He will make a way, far above all we know, far above all we hope, He has done great things."

His Unusual Act...

"For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon - that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act" (Isaiah 28:21). The latter part of this verse seems to describe best how this week went.  I love how it says, "...His UNUSUAL act..." To me, that speaks of when the Lord does things that are hard to explain or grasp.  At the beginning of this building project, we projected with a crew of 8, it would take 6-8 weeks to lay 8,000 blocks for the outer structure of the orphanage.  Well, the Lord has done His awesome work...His unusual act.  After only 2 weeks of working...we have about 1,200 blocks left to lay, which means we should be finished by end of next week.  If that isn't "unusual" enough, our total count of blocks needed comes to 5,200 block, rather than 8,000.

Thank you Jesus that You do Your work, your AWESOME work.  And when You do that awesome, unusual act, we can stand in awe, unable to explain the very hand of God at work!

Tomorrow after church, we will be heading back up to Creel for another visit to the orphanage.  There is no school on Monday, so the entire Vargas family will be able to join us.  We are greatly looking forward to a time of hanging out with the children, singing songs, playing games, cooking them food and loving on them.  Please be praying for safe travels up there and our time with the kids!  Looking forward to sharing more photos!

"O Lord, You are my God.  I will exalt You , I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things;  Your counsels of old are FAITHFULNESS and TRUTH" (Isaiah 25:1)

Strength Will Rise As We Wait...

Yesterday was quite an interesting day.  Our crew has worked so hard and fast, that they laid ALL of the first load of 2,000 blocks.  We thought they would average 300 a day...but in 4 1/2 days, all 2,000 were finished.  The new shipment of blocks were suppose to arrive yesterday morning.  So, the men did projects here and there around the property...patiently waiting.  They were able to pour cement for 6 of the columns.  We also hired another gentleman and his tractor to begin leveling the road leading into the property.  He did an incredible job and the land received a tremendous makeover.

Luis and I spent the day driving all over Bachiniva and San Jose, looking to hire a forklift and driver, to help unload the 22 palettes of blocks.  We had zero success.  By 5:30, the blocks still had not arrived, so we called it quits and headed home, thinking the truck would arrive tomorrow.  I was hungry and ready for an evening with my two ladies.  I walked into the house, excited to be home and then I got the call..."the blocks are here, we need money and help to unload."  There was nothing inside of me that wanted to go...but knew what had to be done.  Luis, Nieves, Carlos and myself met up with the truck at the property to begin the unimaginable task of unloading 2,000 concrete blocks on 22 palettes, weighing a total of 22 tons...OR...about 44,000 pounds.  The truck came with 3 men that we thought were to help unload...however only 1 of them was really helpful.  The other 2 seemed more interested in their cigarettes and cell phones.  They were cursing like sailors and it got to a point where Luis asked one of them, why are you swearing so much. He responded, "I'm sorry...i'll try to stop."  The 3 of them were also shocked when we prayed before the work.  Luis asked if it was okay to pray and one of them immediately said "no".  Luis went ahead and prayed anyways, and afterwards, the guy apologized...he thought Luis was joking when he wanted to pray.

So, one block at a time, we began to unload...block, after block after block.  As always you start off strong...thinking this is easy...until about the 50th block.  The sun was setting fast and the rain began to fall hard.  In my mind, I was thinking, Lord, what do you want to teach me here...and He gave me the song, Everlasting God...

"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.  You are the Everlasting God, the everlasting God, You do not faint you won't grow weary.  Your the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need, You lift us up on wings like eagles"

As Luis and I were singing that...I could hear Nieves singing, Psalm 121...

"I lift my eyes up, to the mountains, where does my help come from.  My help comes from You, maker of Heaven, Creator of the earth..."

The Lord met us in our time of need in a great way...not only giving us strength to carry on, BUT, one by one, our workers began to show up and help.  It was dark, cold, wet, sweaty, etc...and yet the joy of the Lord was our strength.  Within 2 hours, all 2,000 blocks were unloaded and safely put away.  We were rejoicing and praising God, not just because it was over...but because He gave us the what we needed to finish strong!

As Luis and I were climbing down off the truck, Luis said, "...we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us..." I said, amen brother...AND THEN...Luis continued "...and 3 advil...!"  We both were laughing so hard!

All in all it was a wonderful day...and great way to lead into the weekend.  Since its been raining so much the past 2 days and the roads are incredibly muddy, we will be working around the church tomorrow.  We will finish some of the projects the MM12 team started...insulation, sheet rock, mud and tape and installing a few doors.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;  They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall rund and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Is 40:31).