Let Your Light Shine...

It was a glorious thing last week, watching the light posts FINALLY being installed on the orphanage property after waiting for such a long time.  I’m not going to lie, the waiting process was killing me and I was about to lose heart...this is NEVER going to happen!  Well, thankfully, the Lord, who is always patient, helped lift me out of that rut, and reminded me of His goodness and faithfulness these past 9 months. “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).

The Mennonites have almost finished their part of the electrical work, and now we are waiting for CFE to come and hook things up to the main power line.  Could it be a longer wait?  Possibly, but that’s okay...because I have seen the “...goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.” 

Last week was also special because my dad and a small team were down here from WA for my cousin's wedding.  It was so great to hangout with him, catch up and have some father/son time.  I think Ayantu was the most excited to have her "Pa" here for a week.  They spent the week full of telling funny stories, watching Jesus movies, playing at the park, trips to the store, LOTS of candy..AND...especially hugs and kisses.

This week, I have experienced yet again, something new, in Mexico...graduations.  Now, having been a youth pastor for 9 years, I don't know how many graduations I've attended.  Normally, they are long, drawn out and can tend to be boring.  Nevertheless, it is exciting to see students finish a milestone in their life...as well as listen to that one random person who always brings a giant fog horn, and lets it ring at the most awkward times!

This week, I will have experienced not one, but two graduations.  In fact, I was even able to be a part of one of them.  Let me explain...

On Thursday morning, I was reading the Word and came across this verse, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

I began praying that verse...asking that my works and everything I do, might shine in such a way that it draws people to glorify the Lord.  Right then there was a knock at the door.  It was my uncle and Panchito, who is the director of the Jr. High school.  He was hoping to borrow some guitars for the graduation.  We walked over to the church to get them and I asked if he needed anything else.  He then shared that they were having a lot of problems with their sound system and didn't know what to do.  This was definitely an area I knew about and I wandered if I should ask to help.  The Lord quickly reminded me, I had just read and prayed to be used in such a way.

I ended up at the gym, working with teachers, administrators and students, to get things resolved.  I was able to bring some extra chords and equipment to the school, yesterday, to make sure the musicians, speakers, and especially, audience, could hear things clearly.  And then I found myself, sitting in the front of the gym, helping run sound for the graduation.  I know it might now seem like a big deal...or one might ask, how could running sound at a graduation, be a light and witness.  I don't fully know...BUT...we are commanded in scripture...

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).

I pray that for myself, and each of you, whether we are running sound at a graduation, taking care of our kids, teaching a bible study, leading a small group or going on a missions trip...that whatever we do, we would do with a joyful heart that wants nothing more to honor our Lord!

Washed By The Water...

"Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37). Have you ever wondered what exactly that "water" was?  Was the eunuch pointing to a pond, river or maybe a lake?

I have been a part of many baptisms in my day...witnessing people make that 'outward profession' of their 'inward change'.  These have taken place in all kinds of water...pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, hot tubs and ponds.  This past Sunday, I along with some 80 other people, were able to witness the joyous celebration of our dear brother Pancho's baptism.  It was an incredibly special day.  Because of Pancho's health, it would have been too difficult to take him to the usual spot...SO...we brought an old bath tub to the church, and had it outside.  This indeed was a first, but probably one of the most powerful baptisms I've ever been a part of.

I had the privilege of leading us in a worship song, and we sang Pancho's favorite song, "Levanto Mis Manos" (I Lift My Hands).  Please take time to go online and listen to one of the most beautiful worship songs.  So fitting for this brother and his state!

I lift up my hands to you even when my strength is failing. I lift up my hands to you even when my life is troubled. When I lift up my hands, I begin to feel Your spirit that moves me to sing. When I lift up my hands, I begin to feel, a fire burning in me. When I lift up my hands my burdens are gone. You give me, the strength that I need. Lord, anything is possible, anything is possible, When I lift up my hands to You.

Hands were raised, voices were lifted, tears were flowing and my heart was overwhelmed.  As I watched this weak and feeble man raise his hands to his Lord, any little problem or difficulty that I have seemed to fade away, 'in the light of His glory and grace!'

Summer Is Upon Us...

The weather is beautiful down here and summer is almost upon us.  With that, also comes three of the busiest months of the year.  We are working hard, fast and gearing up for another wedding, 3 missions trips, a 3-4 day VBS, church baptism, women’s quarterly dinner and anything else that comes along as well. My step-mom, Jenny, has been down here for a few weeks now.  She came down to help with the two weddings as well as come alongside Kim Vargas, to assist and serve in anyway needed.  Ayantu was ecstatic to finally see “gamma Jenny” after patiently waiting her arrival.

My dad and a small team from our church back home, will be joining her in a few weeks for Jose Nieves and his fiancee, Karen’s wedding on June 22nd.  This is actually the 2nd wedding we have had down here in the past month.  We recently celebrated the matrimony of a young lady named Magaly and her now husband Andres.  Magaly is a wonderful young woman who loves the Lord, her church and the Vargas family.  The Vargas’ actually took her in a number of years ago and she became like another daughter to them.  She recently finished up at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Ensenada Mexico, and now, being married, they will return back to that area to continue serving and working over there.

Waiting for the ceremony to start...

Photo courtesy of Ayantu Faith...using an iphone 5...(new talent?)

 One of the most exciting parts of that special day was that we were able to host the reception at the orphanage.  The only other building in town, big enough for an event like that is the gym, which is usually not accessible.  The Lord worked things out, for us to get the orphanage up and running by the time the wedding came.  Although we still don’t have the main power hooked up yet...we were able to hook up enough lights and run things of the generator.  It was amazing to see the orphanage filled with over 100 people.  I was so proud of all the work that has gone into that facility the past 8 months, and seeing if full of people, children, laughter, worship music, it made me all the more excited for it to be officially opened.

Good looking lights are working...

So, in regards to the orphanage being officially opened, here is an update of what’s going on.  As I’ve been sharing before, 2 main pieces are left..our ‘non-profit’ (civil association OR AC) paperwork, and the government (CFE) giving us the green light to install the power.  The paperwork, process and waiting time has taken months.  However, it does seem like we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We have signed all the final documents necessary for our AC.  The lawyer’s office has now submitted that to the government for approval, which we should hear back from in the next few weeks.  We have also begun the work with our accountant (who happens to be a christian lady).  She will be handling our taxes and financial records each year.

Signing the final 'AC' paperwork...

The paperwork that CFE (electric company) has told us is necessary for approval to install power, has been completed and signed.  As is the case a lot of time, when we went to notarize those documents a few weeks ago, we were told something else.  Basically, this particular notary place is telling us one way to do it, and a director for CFE is telling us a different way.  This is very frustrating, but an everyday part of life here in Mexico.  The left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.  The lady at the notary place said she would notarize the documents, but there’s a chance we could get denied.  After some prayer and talking, we decided to just go ahead with it...putting NOT our trust in people, but in our Great God.  Yesterday, Cornelius and his sons, who will be installing all the poles and power lines, came out to the property yesterday to measure things and take our paperwork.  He will now submit that to CFE for approval.  Once they approve it (which we trust and are praying they will), the work will take about a week to do!

Our friend Cornelius explaining how things will go down...

 Here are some specific dates and requests, if you would like to join us in praying for them.

• June 18th-25th - Team from SHCC here for wedding
• June 22nd - Nieves and Karen's wedding
• July 1st-4th - VBS @ the orphanage
• July 13th-20th - Missions team from HCF church and Immanuel Christian School
• July 20th-July 28th - My trip to Seattle for sharing and our golf tournament
• July 28th - SHCC annual 'golf tournament' benefiting the House of Blessing
• July 28th-August 6th - SHCC and Cottage Grove missions tream

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.  My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up" (Ps 5:1-3).