Heart of Thankfulness...

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!  For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near" (Psalm 75:1).

We have entered the time where everyone has a chance to reflect on what they are thankful for.  Of course, we are to rejoice and be thankful always...throughout the year, but there is something extra special about Thanksgiving week.  As we have been back home in Washington for a week now, I too have had time to reflect on and "give thanks" to the Lord for ALL His wondrous works that have declared His name.  I have been amazed at what the Lord continues to do and has done most recently in just this past week.  Here are some stories that should encourage our hearts to give thanks to the Lord!

VEHICLES...Not only has the Lord given us ONE but TWO vehicles to be used for the orphanage.  Jackie and I are in need of a vehicle and have been praying, what kind to buy (truck or SUV), how much we could afford, etc.  While we were down in El Paso, the Lord gave us a truck.  This past Sunday, a brother in the church told us that the company he use to work with would like to donate a 2007 cargo van for the orphanage.  "We give thanks, to You O God."

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL....A christian school located in El Paso has decided to support the orphanage during their week of "Great Giving".  Here is the message that I received from one of their teachers a few days ago...

"Hey Jason, I wanted to chat with you regarding the Christian school where I teach sponsoring your ministry in our week of Great Giving.  For one week, our students in grades 7-12 (about 300 students) bring a donation item for the ministry we are sponsoring.  If you could send me a list before the end of next week containing 3-6 items that your ministry needs, then we will highlight your ministry for December.  May God richly bless you today through the abundance of His grace"

Normally they collect physical items to donate, however, since we are still building and in need of finances, the school has decided to collect an offering for their Great Giving! "We give thanks, to You O God"

SHARING THE STORY...The Lord continues to bring opportunities across our path to share the story and adventure with people, churches and organizations.  I've already had the wonderful opportunity to teach at 2 churches and will be speaking at 3 more churches during our time here.  We were also blessed to be able to speak at World Vision's financial departments weekly devotionals. "We give thanks, to You O God"

MISSIONS TRIPS...We are in the process of planning our missions trips for 2013.  Already we have 3 churches that are planning to come down this spring and summer to serve and minister in Bachiniva.  One of those teams, are three brothers from Utah, that want to finish our septic tank system in January. We are also putting together a "Pastors" trip.  This will give senior pastors an opportunity to come down, see what God is doing, and then share that with their congregations. "We give thanks, to You O God"

BUILDING CONTINUES...Even though we are here in the states, the Lord continues to build the orphanage.  Today, the team has begun putting on the metal for the roofing as well as insulating.  My cousin, Pastor Jose Nieves, has taken a lead role with the building project and its been awesome seeing how God continues to use him.  He gives me weekly updates and pictures of the project, and here is something he recently shared...

"Hey bro...the day after the team left, after we gathered for prayer and team devotions we noticed that the job site was a lot quieter!  It was exciting to know that when it is the Lord's work no matter what happens it will be finished.  Whether it be done by a huge team, or Douglas and 4 Mexicans.  Praise the Lord!!"             "We give thanks, to You O God"

Finally...I never would have imagined how God would spread word of what He's doing...and see the people, from all over the country that are praying, supporting, and encouraging us in this venture.  From Washington, Utah, Oregon, Texas...to Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida..."We give thanks to You, O God"

I'd like to share one more story with you, that above all these awesome things that we have seen the Lord do...really touches my heart.  Upon arriving home last Monday, I found a letter on our desk.  It was from my cousin who lives in Phoenix Arizona.  First of all, I love that it was an actual letter.  Its to easy just to shoot out an email or text...but a letter...that was nice.  It'd probably be a good thing for people to send and receive actual letters.  Anyways, she was just sharing how our story and the orphanage has encouraged her and how excited her family is.  The main point of the letter was sharing what God has been speaking to her 9 year old son.  As he prays at night, she wrote this...

"He repeats the same sentence over and over every night in his prayers, 'please help the people that don't have mom and dads"

The 2nd page of the letter was from Cole...who wanted to write to me.  I had to fight back the tears as I read the precious words from this 9 year old...

Brothers and sisters...give thanks to the Lord today, tomorrow, this week, month, year, for the rest of your lives.  NOT because its Thanksgiving, and that time of the year, BUT, because of what Jesus Christ has done and has given to each of us.  Our lives, testimonies, stories, should speak of the wondrous works that declare who Jesus is!

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upone Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1).

THANK YOU JESUS...! 

Back in the States...

"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.  The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.  Blessed be God" (Psalm 68:35). We have been back in the states for the past 6 days and already we are missing Mexico. Its a bit strange adjusting back to food and especially the weather (going from 75 degrees to 38 and snowing in Utah)..however we are enjoying our time with family, friends and sharing about the orphanage.

The last 2 weeks of our time there was incredibly busy with our missions team from Washington and Utah.  In a period of 5 working days, we were absolutely amazed at what was accomplished.  As I reflect on what the Lord did...and read what the Psalmist proclaimed...truly we have an "awesome" God.  During the trip, we were able to pour the rest of the concrete floor, frame the inside of the orphanage, install all the plumbing, dig and put in 1/2 the septic tank system, tile the 400 square foot room the summer team added onto the church...AND...have lots of time for fellowship, study through 1st Timothy, and serve over 100 kids at the Fall Festival.  The Lord was faithful to give the team strength, power, good health and a blessed trip.

On Monday, we headed up to El Paso and put the team on a plane back to WA and Utah.  Jackie, Ayantu and I, along with my dad and Jenny stayed a few extra days in El Paso.  Monday night and Tuesday morning were dedicated to our first “Board of Advisors” meeting.  I spent 8 hours with 4 brothers that I highly respect and appreciate their love for the Lord and passion for the orphanage.  I must admit there were moments throughout our time together that I felt like, “what in the world am I doing? I’m not qualified or skilled or ready for this...”  However, the Lord reminded me of the uneducated and untrained men the book of Acts talks about...

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

That is my desire...and I know it is the boards desire as well...spend more time with Jesus, meditate on Him, love and serve Him and all other things will fall into place.

On Wednesday, we flew from El Paso to Salt Lake City.  My brother and his family have been living their the past 8 years and are very involved in a great church, Calvary Mountain View.  I had the honor of sharing at the college group, Regeneration, last night. It was a sweet time of worship, fellowship and watching the Lord move on the hearts of young people in the area of missions and taking steps of faith.  The Lord has also opened the doors for me to lead worship and teach tomorrow morning as well.  Please be praying for me...I’d love that!

Finally, on Monday, we will make our trek back home to WA.  After being gone for 3 1/2 months, it will be great to be reunited with our family and church again.  For the next 2 months, I will be focusing solely on the orphanage...logistics, administration, missions trip planning and speaking at different churches.  I know the time will go by fast so we are praying that God will help us get everything done before we move back down, permanently in January.

This new chapter in our lives has been one of the biggest blessings, and yet biggest challenges.  We know now more then every before that this is what God has for us and we can’t wait to see it all unfold before us.  We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and support thus far...it has ministered to our hearts and family greatly!

The team from WA, Utah and our brothers in Bachiniva...

We left one brother behind, Doug (El Capitan) who installed all the electrical work...

Chris, Judah, Jose and Jesse inside on our of water tanks for the septic system...these tanks are massive...

The roof is red to put the "rustic red" tin on...

"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who ONLY does wondrous things!  And blessed be His glorious name forever!  And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.  Amen and Amen" (Psalm 72:18-19).

Missions Team Update...

Its hard to believe that the fall construction trip has reached the halfway point.  Seems like just yesterday we were up in the states picking up the 8 brothers and 1 sister from Puyallup WA.  They arrived safely in El Paso on Friday and we spent Friday and Saturday shopping, purchasing equipment and preparing to head into Mexico.  The original plan was to pick up 34 windows and bring them down.  However, as the bible says, "a man's heart plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps" (Prov 16:9).  The Lord had a different plan for us.  The windows which were suppose to arrive on Friday, didn't come in until Sunday.  This was a bit of a bummer, however, "no hay problema".  PLUS...it actually worked out for the good.  This enabled us to purchase all of the plumbing stuff as well as the bulk of the electrical as well.  We were fully prepared and ready to pay the 16% tax to cross good into Mexico.  The gal we talked to was very nice, very helpful and in fact gave us some VERY valuable information.  She shared that with a letter from the church, to the mayor of Bachiniva...stating that we would like to donate items to the orphanage, we can then bring that signed letter from the mayor and cross items TAX free.  What a blessing this was to hear, as this will save additional money.  So truly, the Lord always works things out for good. Here's the team trying to figure out how to fill our their visa forms...

Pastor Ron shared the word on Sunday.  He is teaching us through the book of 1st Timothy.  The Church was packed and what a blessing it was to see hearts encouraged and strengthened in the Lord.  After church, we all headed to the orphanage for fellowship, food, games and seeing all that God has done so far.  This was the first time the team saw the orphanage as well as a lot of people from the church.  As I saw kids running around, laughing, smiling, enjoying the facility...God gave me a glimpse of whats to come with the orphans He will bring...

Come breakfast time Monday morning, the team was ready and eager to work.  We started with our time of prayer and a Psalm at the orphanage at 7:30 AM.

After prayer, we split the team up into 4 groups...framing, plumbing/septic, cement floor and welding/roofing.  By the end of the first 2 days of work, it was amazing to see all that had taken place...

Judah and Chris, leading the plumbing crew...

El Capitan give direction to the framing crew...

The two Marks...

After 1 day of framing...one side almost finished...

Judah weaving his web of plumbing...

2 of our 4, 6,000 liter septic tanks that will be buried 8 feet underground...WOW!

Hanging the 12 foot high trusses...

As we only have a few more work days left, we are trusting and praying for the strength and time to get all the necessary things done.  The team is staying healthy, loving Jesus, loving each other, working great with our Mexican brothers...and plain just having a blast down here.  Thanks for your continued support and prayers!