Open Your Mouth Wide...

Some many exciting things have happened down in Mexico, since we have been home.  What a blessing its been to see the Lord continuing His work down there, as well as up here, during our stay.  I am anxious to get back down to Bachiniva, however, there is still a lot of work and opportunities that the Lord has for us here. He continues to faithfully provide open doors, to share about the orphanage.  He has also been faithful to “...supply all our needs according to HIS riches in glory.”  I came across this verse this morning and have been meditating on it all day... “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10).

The Lord reminded me that He will fill, pour out, satisfy, provide, as much as we will allow Him to.  If we are only open to Him on Sunday’s or Wednesday’s or during the holidays, when in need...that’s all we will get.  However, if we daily come before Him with our “mouths open wide” He WILL fill it!  And God CONTINUES to do that.

I wanted to share one of the email updates I received from my cousin, Jose, who is overseeing the work in my absence.  He has been taking pictures, leading the construction team in devotions and has really been maturing in the Lord during this time.  Here’s what he wrote...

“Last week me and my dad went to Rubio (town about 20 mins away) to get a part for the Mazda. since we were in Rubio we decided to stop and eat a delicious bowl of shrimp soup (its amazing we have to go when you’re back) so when we got all of that done we headed to Feasa (Mexican Home Depot). We needed to buy some welding sticks and other supplies. As we walked in we saw Jacob, the Menonite Pastor. We greeted each other and then Jacob tells my dad that he had been trying to call him but that he never answered. So my dad checks his phone and says says no you haven’t. Well what had happened was that Jacob had the wrong number. Jacob had been trying to contact my dad so that they could talk about when they could come down and help with orphanage. SO...after talking and getting organized we decided that monday would be a great time for them to come and help. So on monday Six Menonite brothers (Jacob the Pastor, Jacob the welder, Jacob the welders son, Tony, Jason, Abraham and Rony. Rony came yesterday only) arrived at the orphanage ready to work. And when they say work they mean work. These guys got the welder and some how made it so that two people could weld at  a time. They were hanging off the trusses welding, others were cutting and others helping us put the tin on the roof! It was pretty amazing!! I know that our team was real encouraged! Personally the Lord reminded me of the early church, of how they sold everything and lived and helped each other as a family! That was really encouraging! And what is more encouraging is that the Family doesn’t stop in Bachiniva and the Campos (where the Menonites live and work) but rather it extends to Washington, Utah, New Mexico and God willing the World. We serve an amazing GOD!

Indeed we do serve an AMAZING GOD! The pictures below show the roof insulation, tin and windows that were completed in about five days.

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).