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).

God always listens...

"I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live" (Psalm 116:1-2) Thank you for all your prayers.  How wonderful to know the Lord has heard them and has answered them.  Many of you have been praying for our workers, and we are rejoicing that  our brother Eloy surrendered his life to Jesus on Sunday.  He continues to grow and love his new relationship with Jesus.  Some of his friends wanted him to go out drinking but Eloy said no.  He expressed to Pastor Luis that he badly wants to change his ways and Luis has begun to disciple him.  There is a different countenance on his face and we are praying that his co-workers will see that...and desire a relationship with Jesus as well!

Here are some specific prayer requests...

• We are in need of getting electricity to the property.  We basically have 3 options.  Option 1 is from the main road, which is over 1 kilometer away.  This would be the most expensive.  Option 2 is running lines underground from where the well is.  This would save a little money but be a ton of work.  Option 3 is the easiest, cheapest and closest, however, causing the most resistance.  To the right of the property, their is power about 450 yards away.  We asked the gentleman who lives next door if we could run 2 poles to get power.  He adamantly said no.  He gave a bunch of reasons that made no sense, other then he just doesn't want us too.  We are praying that the Lord will open a door and for a change of heart for this gentleman.  If not, we know God will provide other means for one of the other options.

• Word has gotten out to other local churches and the Mennonite communities, regarding the orphanage.  They don't understand why we are doing what we are doing. They are asking a lot of questions as to why we would move orphans to Bachiniva.  Please pray for wisdom for Ray, Luis and I as we share the vision, desire, and most importantly, God's heart in this!

• We have scheduled our 2nd trip to Creel...for September 16th-18th.  This will be a time for Jackie, Ayantu and I to continue getting to know the children, as well as Pastor Luis and I continuing conversations with Lino and Lupe about the change.  Even though we are 11 days out...we are praying very hard for a productive, blessed  and Jesus centered trip!

Thanking God for...

• hearing the cries of our hearts
• lessons learned about humility
• conversations that can take place even with a language barrier
• Eloy, Alejo, Florentino, Lico, Chayo, Jorge, Carlos and Nieves, who work so hard, so fast and never complain.
• the building project which is going faster then anticipated
• AT&T, which allows us to keep in touch with the states
• internet, facebook, blogs and websites that can capture ALL that God is doing through words, posts, pictures and videos
• His amazing grace...though we once were lost, we've been found...though we once were blind, now we see!

How Great Thou Art...

We had a wonderful and powerful service at church yesterday.  Now that our trip to Creel has taken place, we felt it was time to reveal the whole amazing story about the orphanage..and ALL that God has and is doing.  The church knew a little about what was going on, but not the full details of the orphans in Creel and relocating them. Our service started out as usual with a wonderful time of worship.  For me personally, this time was extra special as I sat there holding my precious Ayantu on my lap.  She was clinging to her daddy and it was one of those incredible moments as a parent.  And then...we came to the song that stirred my heart tremendously, How Great Thou Art.  As the church sang from the bottom of their hearts, how great their God is...I was moved to tears.  I've song this song a thousand times before, but in that moment, as I held my daughter, who once was an orphan, abandoned naked in a road 2 days after being born, my heart was overwhelmed...How Great Thou Art.  And here I am now, about to share with this wonderful church in Bachiniva Mexico, that God is opening the doors for us to build an orphanage...and begin to care and minister to children in need...How Great Thou Art.  After Pastor Luis and I shared, we showed a number of pictures of our trip to Creel, the children at the orphanage and the building project.  After it was over the church began to applaud and thank God.  Pastor Luis shared that there are multiple opportunities for the entire church to get involved in this adventure.  The response thus far has been wonderful.  One gentleman came up and said "I'd like to donate 1 1/2 bags of cement from my house."  Others began to put money in a little box that the youth made, for donations to buy block.  160 pesos was given, which will buy 16 blocks.  Some may think that is small in light of the 8,000 blocks we need to buy.  HOWEVER...remember what Jesus said in the gospel of Mark...

"...De cierto os digo que esta viuda pobre echo mas que todos los que han echado en el arca; porque todos han echado de lo que les sobra; pero esta, de su pobreza echo todo lo que tenia, todo su sustento" (Marcos 13:44).

"...assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in ALL that she had, her whole livelihood" (Mark 13:44).

Seeing and hearing this scripture being fulfilled was absolutely beautiful.  Others offered their help through working and cooking for the workers on Saturdays.  I can't wait to see how the body of Christ here, continues to rally together for the work of the Kingdom.

One of the other highlights of yesterday was a wonderful answer to your prayers and ours.  Pastor Luis gave the gospel message at the end of the service and a chance for people to put their faith and trust in Jesus.  A number of people raised their hands, INCLUDING, Eloy, one of our workers.  When I heard that after service, I wanted to leap for joy.  This man has been on my heart ever since the first time I met him...and we have been praying constantly for him to surrender to Jesus...How Great Thou Art!

Please pray for other workers who don't the Lord.  Florentino in particular...who has yet to come to church, nor, has really heard about Jesus.  We are praying that every morning as we pray and read a little from the Word as a team...seeds will be planted and watered and his heart would be forever changed!

One more thought I'd like to share with you all...regarding worship.  It is so easy to slip into complacency when it comes to worship.  Sometimes we get tired of certain songs, don't feel like singing...or we just aren't "moved" by worship.  May I encourage you in something.  The next time you worship...try reading and actually "thinking" about the very words you are singing.  Don't view it as just another song to sing...but words to minister to your soul.  That is what made worship so sweet on Sunday, especially, How Great Thou Art!

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.   I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

And when I think, that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scare can take it in.  That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.  Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee...how great Thou art, how great Thou art.  Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee...how great Thou art, how great Thou art!