A Successful Missions Trip...

We had another wonderful, successful and blessed missions trip.  A team of 8, from Bellingham WA, came down for a week to serve and minister in Bachiniva.  Their objective was to paint the inside of the orphanage, but also, be open to anything else the Lord had in store.  God definitely had some other things in store, especially for me.  As we were heading up to pick up the team, I got word that my grandmother had passed away.  After lots of prayer and seeking the Lord, it was clear that I was to go to Vegas, to be with my siblings and mom for the memorial service.  That of course meant, me being away from the team, which was a first for me.  It was strange in the beginning, however over the next few days, it became apparent that this is exactly what the Lord had in store. This was a very special team.  It was evident that they had spent many months, praying, planning and seeking the Lord, before leaving.  They were not only physically and emotionally prepared for the trip, however, more importantly, spiritually.  As a team, they spent a lot of time studying through the book of Philippians, sharing testimonies, praying and worshipping together.  I must admit as excited as I was to get updates about how the trip was going, I wanted to be there and was very anxious to get back to Bachiniva and join them.

Although it was a short and quick trip to Vegas, it was both a blessed as well as fun time.  It was the first time the five of us kids had been together and with our mom in over 4 years.  Although it was only for 18 hours in total, we had an incredible time.  The Lord did a lot of amazing things that trip and I'm glad He led me there.  One thing that stood out, was during the memorial service as my grandma's brother, Chuck, shared.  He spoke of a phone conversation he had with grandma a few years ago.  Grandma had grown up a very devote Catholic, however, towards the end of her life, she understood the importance of "relationship" and not "religion".  That was why she called Chuck...just to remind him that Jesus is right here, and we can talk with Him whenever we want.  He is always there for us and we don't need anyone else to go before us to meet with Jesus.  What an encouragement and wonderful reminder to hear.  First of all, confirming that my grandma is spending a lot of time with Jesus right now, in Heaven, and also that we, on this earth, have incredible access to the King of Kings...

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

My flight arrive at midnight on Tuesday the 9th and I was on the road, early Wednesday morning.  Everything was going smooth, and I was making great time to meet up with the team and see my family.  That of course was until I had a blowout of not ONE but TWO of my truck tires.  Fortunately, there was an area on the side of the road for me to pull over.  I don't know what I hit, but my back right tire was completely shredded.  My back left one had a bulging tumor the size of a grapefruit.  It looked like it would explode anytime.  Great, here I was, in the middle of Mexico, 12 miles away from the nearest town, with 2 jacked up tires and only 1 spare.  I was angry and frustrated, and then that quickly turned into laughing by myself on the side of the road, truly thinking, "only in Mexico."  I'm not sure why the Lord allowed this to happen, but, I know that His hand was with me and watching out for me.  I was able to use the spare for the shredded on and safely and slowly drive the 12 miles to the next town, to get the other tire replaced.  So, 2 hours and 800 pesos later, I was back on the road.  The Lord has yet to reveal to me why that happened, but, I must trust and believe in this verse...

"And we know that all things work together for good to who who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

I was amazed to see all that was accomplished when I arrived Wednesday afternoon.  Only after a day and a half of working the orphanage was nearly finished painting.  What we thought would take the week, took only a few days.  It was so beautiful to see and brought so much more warmth and life to the orphanage.

Boys bedrooms...

Kitchen area...

Foyer and dining hall...

Girls bedrooms...

Nursery and playrooms...

Because the team worked so fast and hard, it allowed us to get a few other things accomplished as well.  One brother on the team, Tony, was able to work on one of the murals in the dining hall area....

"...man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

We are praying that the Lord might lead Tony down here again to do some more murals, he's definitely gifted in this area.

The team was also able to pour a slab of concrete floor, in Nieves' house, as well as visit families in need, passing out food baskets and firewood, to heat homes and cook with.  That seemed to be everyones favorite time.  Being invited into homes, seeing how people live, how little they have, yet still full of  joy, and how much a $10 food basket or a load of wood can bless someone.

The guys chopping it up...

While delivering one basket, a little girl Rosa, had a nasty cut on her finger.  So, one of the team members Brad, who has been a nurse for 20 years, was able to patch her up.  It was both a team effort on Dan AND Ayantu's part.  Antu has a little obsession with band aids, and wanted to make sure Rosa had one of her Dora bandaids, to help her feel better!

The trip went by fast, like always, but what an incredible time it was.  This is probably my 20th missions trip I've been a part of and they NEVER get old.  Seeing peoples lives changed for Jesus, is just as powerful and beautiful as it was thousands of years ago when Jesus was ministering to people and then when Paul, Peter and company, traveled the globe to minister the love and compassion of Jesus!

There is still a lot of work to accomplish and people to love on down here in Bachiniva.  If the Lord stirs on your heart and you would like to be involved in one of our summer missions trips, or, one we are planning for the fall, please let me know.  It would be a blessing to have you.  We are also starting a Summer Service program, for those who are interested and able to come down for 1-3 months and serve.  I am working on the final details of that, and would love to hear from those of you who might be interested in that.

May the Lord bless and encourage you today.  May He reveal more of Himself to you as you desire to decrease, so He might increase!

What A Week...

“A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). This has been quite the busy and crazy week.  This verse in Proverbs has really become evident and true this week, with all the events that have taken place.

Monday started with the wonderful opportunity to bring Pancho’s mom, to Chihuahua to visit her son for the first time since the surgery.  What an emotional and powerful day it was.  My daughter was especially excited to go to “Cheezwahwah” as she calls it.  She spent the morning making Pancho’s “get well” card, full of colors and stickers.

The hospital is very strict in regards to visitors, only allowing a few to pass at a time.   Nieves went up first and we were hoping that Antu would be able to go as well to deliver her picture. Unfortunately they don’t allow kids in the recovery rooms.  Nieves took her picture and promised he would give it to Pancho.  After he left, I looked at my little girl and saw the tears begin to form in her eyes.  I picked her up and asked what was wrong, “I’m sad...they won’t let me see Pancho daddy...”  I held her tight as we walked, and talked and cried...and I promised her that Pancho would see her picture and know that she wanted to come visit.

Pastor Luis and I went to visit him next.  There was our brother, alive, awake and excited to see us.  As I mentioned before, the doctors had thought that he would barely be able to talk, however that wasn’t the case.  Pancho was speaking in full sentences and praising the Lord for that.  Pastor Luis leaned over to give him a hug and Pancho began to weep.  Of course, I started to tear up as I watched my uncle hold this frail, weak and crying man, and begin to pray over him.  It was a wonderful 10 minutes as we rejoiced with this dear family.  As we were leaving, I had to take a picture of what stood tall on the table tray behind me, directly facing Pancho’s bed...Antu’s beautiful “get well” card

We had a lot to do Wednesday to finish getting ready for the team.  We had a quick meeting at the Vargas house...talking about our day and continual plans for the team coming on Friday.  That was interrupted by Nieves’ text from Sabrina...letting us know that they had just released Pancho and he was ready to come home.  So, i found myself back in the van with Nieves, driving to Chihuahua to bring our brother home.  God has continued to answer the prayers of his saints, for this brother.    We also found out that God lowered the cost of his surgery and hospital stay from 20,000 pesos ($1600) to 365 pesos ($30)...WOW!

Thursday morning came early for Pastor Luis, Kim and myself, as we departed for El Paso to meet the incoming missions team.  Calvary Chapel Northwest, in Bellingham WA, sent 6 brothers and 2 sisters who arrived safely Friday afternoon.  They have been praying, fasting, believing and trusting that God will do great things on this missions trip.  Our goal is to paint the inside of the orphanage. Lots of planning and preparation has taken place, to get things ready for this big project.  Paint is ridiculously expensive down in Mexico and they estimated cost was atleast $2300 for the paint.  God had a different plan and we are rejoicing about that.  A brother at Calvary Chapel Northwest, has a company that knows a guy who knows a guy, who ended up getting us all the paint we needed for $909.  Not only that, but after sharing with the Sherman Williams guys, what the paint was for and what we were doing down in Mexico, they gave us a bunch of free stuff...WOW!

We had no problems getting across the border with the team and paint...and they have safely arrived in Bachiniva.  However, for myself, I am back here in El Paso.  My grandmother, who lives in Las Vegas, went home to be with the Lord early yesterday morning.  The last hours of her life were very painful and difficult.  Everyone was praying that the Lord would just take her home.    I woke up yesterday morning to a text message from my mom, saying...“IT IS FINISHED...grandma is dancing with Jesus!  No more pain, no more sorrow!”

God worked things out in a way that both the team will be greatly taken care of in Mexico, and I will be able to join my siblings and family, in Vegas for the memorial service.  I arrive back in El Paso, at 11:55 PM Tuesday night, and then will head back down to Bachiniva early Wednesday morning.

As I sit here at Starbucks, trying to take in the madness of this past week...God continues to give that great “peace which surpasses all understanding.”  Last week, I had everything planned out the way I thought it should go this week, yet that was completely turned upside down.  And God has a wonderful plan in it.  We must never lose sight of His ways being better then our ways.  No matter what happens, it happens for a reason and God ordained purpose.

Please pray for the missions team and the painting project.  They desire to complete it but are completely open to any other plans the Lord might have.  Please pray for Pancho for a speedy and quick recovery, and, that the cancer will not return.  Please pray for my siblings and I as we travel to Vegas.  We are trusting that the service will be a Christ centered time and encouragement to all who come.  Please pray for my wife and daughter as we are apart for 4 more additional days.  Thank you very much!

“...and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Santo, Santo, Santo...

The students down here are on spring break for 2 weeks.  Nieves and I thought it’d be a great idea to have a youth cleaning day at the orphanage.  Things started early yesterday morning as I was getting ready to leave.  Antu had been talking about how excited she was to go work at the orphanage.  I was going to have her come later, but she woke up extra early and insisted that she had to go with me.  She quickly ran to get dressed, grab her bike, dog, fruit snacks, blankie, all the essentials for an effective work day. As we were heading to the orphanage, she kept saying something in Spanish, “santo, santo, santo, sldkjf;alsdkjf;...” (couldn’t make out the rest).  I asked her what she was saying...she said, “santo, santo, santo, daddy.”  I didn’t put two and two together until she told me it had to do with my guitar.  Ah, she was singing one of the worship songs we sing.  Santo, is spanish for “holy”...and the chorus of the song sings, “singing holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”  Antu asked me if we could sing that song...so thus started our day filled with singing, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”

The plan was to clean the orphanage and prepare it for the missions team that is coming next week to paint the facility.  About 15 of us showed up for our work day.  We started off with a sweet time of worship and devotional, which of course, included Ayantu’s favorite song.

After about 4 hours of work, all the floors had been swept, mopped, scrapped, trashed picked up, supplies arranged neatly and windows washed.  Having been a youth pastor for so many years, it was such great joy to watch all of these young people, faithfully, willingly and humbly serving the Lord.  We all enjoyed ourselves so much, we are going to have another work party next week to prime the walls and ceilings for paint.

Throughout the rest of the day, I kept thinking about that moment with my daughter in the truck, singing “holy, holy, holy is the Lord” over and over and over again.  It reminded me of what John wrote in the book of Revelation...

“The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.  And they DO NOT REST day or night, saying; Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:8)!

 How glorious that day will be, when we for all eternity...will be singing, “holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

That afternoon, we called my cousin Becky, who was leading worship, and Antu asked her if we could sing her (Antu’s) song again at church.  Last night, as we were up there, leading worship, singing out to the Lord, I looked back and I saw my precious 3 year old, lifting her hands and singing with all her heart...”holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!” It was truly a blessed and wonderful day....thank you Jesus!

After a long hard, dirty work day...Antu insisted she had to wash her bike...