Psalm 27...

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord. Let all the inhabitants of the world STAND IN AWE of Him” (Psalm 33:6-8) Just as David exhorted us in this verse, to stand in awe of the Lord, I am definitely doing that, as I think about everything that took place over the past 3 weeks.  

My last blog post came at the tail end of a missions trip, and the beginning of my trip up to Seattle.  I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a week back home, full of family, friends and ministry opportunities.  The main focus of my trip, was to support and be a part of our 5th annual “Golf Invitational” that benefitted the orphanage.  I am definitely in awe of how well things turned out.  We had the highest number of players participating this year, as well as raised over $5,000 to support the orphanage.  I was able to sit on the 13th hole and meet and talk with every player that came out.  Over half of the players, were not familiar with the ministry or orphanage down in Mexico, so it was wonderful being able to share a little bit about it in between shots.

It was also great, having the opportunity to lead worship and teach at 3 different churches.  God continues to rally new people and churches that have a desire to come alongside Casa de Bendicion and the future care of children in Mexico.

I was at a Starbucks on a Thursday, preparing for one of those teachings, when I got a call I would never have expected to get.  It was my cousin Nieves, informing me that Spencer, the young man who had been down serving with us, was bitten by a rattlesnake and taken to the hospital.  Of all the things that could happen, and especially the timing of it happening, while i’m gone in WA, Spencer had to go and get bit by a snake.  There were definitely some scary moments, wondering what the outcome of this snakebite would be.  But, rather then letting fear and worry overtake us, hundreds of people went to prayer and seeking the Lord, for Spencer to be healed.

How did it all go down?  Well, Spencer was working on the orphanage property with our team, clearing brush and branches, to prepare for planting.  He felt what seemed to be a prick on his finger, and then saw part of the snake.  Fortunately, the snake was only able to get one fang in the bite and they were able to squeeze out some of the venom.  However, the venom that was left inside began to spread through his arm up to his elbow.  The swelling was intense enough where they had to make 3 major incisions in his hand, arm and bicep, to try to drain what was in there.  The doctors in the hospital did a wonderful job taking care of Spencer and thankfully no serious damage was done. After 6 long days in the hospital, Spencer was released and then able to fly home the next day.

Spencer showing his battle wounds and "Toy Story" band aid from Ayantu!

It so happened that I had been meditating on Psalm 27 that week, and felt that that’s what I was to share with the churches.  When I got the news about Spencer, verses 1-2 helped me resolve some of the fears that satan was trying to discourage me with...

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

My trip ended on a Sunday, teaching at our church and then catching a plane back to El Paso, with my nephew Charlie, to meet our next missions team.  Charlie is 13 and this was his first missions trip.  It was such a blessing having him apart of the team and watching the Lord work in his life.

We had a total of 25 people, from 3 different churches in 2 states, come down for our 5th missions trip.  Normally, when you have a group that large from different churches, there can be challenges.  That wasn’t even the case with this team.  It was a wonderful group of young, old, men and women that came together with one heart and desire...to love and serve Jesus and the community of Bachiniva!

Once again, I was in awe of all that we accomplished during our time.  We were able to build bunk beds and visit homes to pass out some of the over 200 pounds of school supplies and toiletries that have been donated.  Lots of cement work was completed at the orphanage, including pouring two patio slabs and one sidewalk.  We were hoping to be able to finish both sidewalks of the building, but we had a slight setback. We tried to hire a backhoe, from two different individuals to clear and level one side to pour the sidewalk,  however, they never showed up.  Rather then giving up and doing something else, a team of people stepped up with shovels in hand and wheel barrels and cleared all of the dirt alongside the 105 foot long facility.  It was long, tiring, and incredibly hard work, which was only accomplished through the strength of the Lord.  At one point, as we neared our quitting time, my nephew turned to me and said, “this is the longest 2 hours of my life.”  I chuckled and encouraged him to keep going.  When the last wheel barrel was relieved of its dirt, it was as if we had just moved a mountain or something.  The cheers and excitement of our victory will not soon be forgotten.

The bunk bed crew and finished product...

We split up into teams and spent time praying over every room in the orphanage

Shoveling and clearing the dirt to pour the sidewalk...

Passing out food, toiletries and praying with people at the hospital...

The only hard part of the trip was having to say goodbye to the team.  Its one thing, when you get to go back  home with them after the trip.  But is another thing to see them on the plane and know that your heading back down to Mexico.  I’m not complaining at all, but I would be lying to say that it hasn’t been a bit lonely and quiet, now that teams are gone and summer is winding down.  Fortunately, again, the Lord has been using Psalm 27 to strengthen our hearts.  Sometimes we can rely too much on missions teams, church services, discipleship groups, retreats, etc...for our spiritual fuel and encouragement.  And although those are all good things, they don’t compare to the encouragement and comfort that we can find in the Lord.  That is what led David to desire and seek ONE thing in his life...

“One things I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27: 4).

Lord, please give us a desire to dwell in Your house, not just on Sunday’s or Wednesdays, but every single day of our lives.  For in that we get to behold your beauty, inquire and learn more of you and then stand in AWE of You.  Amen!

Missions Team...

This past week, we had the blessing of hosting our 4th missions team this year.  It was a combination of men and women from Horizon Christian Fellowship and Immanuel Christian School, in El Paso Texas.  Our desire was to accomplish some work projects at the orphanage and church, as well as host a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, to reach the community.  God was incredibly faithful to not only meet, but, exceed our expectations! I think this was my 20th or so missions trip to Bachiniva, that I've been a part of.  In all of these trips, I have learned that you can definitely expect the unexpected.  No matter how much you plan, coordinate or "schedule" the Lord will often change things up...which is ALWAYS for the better!

One of those things we didn't expect, was VBS part two.  There is a dear couple in the church, Sergio and Josefina, who have been leading a bible study in a town named Porvenir, about 25 minutes away.  Pastor Luis and Kim asked them to lead our VBS in Bachiniva, in which they did an outstanding job.  I found out that they needed some help running the VBS in Porvenir, and figured we could spare a day to help out.  However, not too much, because we had our "schedule" to keep with the missions team.

All of that changed, after the first day, on Monday.  About 45 kids came out to the town hall to hear about Jesus, some, for the very first time.  All of the VBS' I've been apart of have been hosted by a church.  However, this was my first VBS, in which a young couple and their family, stepped out to reach a small town for Christ.  Talk about being the "hands and feet" of Jesus.  I felt so blessed and privileged to be apart of what took place.

Here come the kids...

Morning started with worship, prayer and our memory verse...

The day was broken up into 3 stages...bible study, craft and game.  Here is Pastor Jose teaching one group about Jesus being the TRUTH...

 Working hard on their crafts...

Hanging out waiting to be picked up...or..walk home...

Another exciting event we had, was our 3 on 3 basketball tournament.  Dan, one of the team members from El Paso, played basketball in high school and then went on to play in college.  He now teaches and is the head basketball coach at Immanuel Christian school.  Spencer, another brother who is serving down here with us from Puyallup WA, also played basketball in high-school.  However, he quit his senior year because he fell more in love with Jesus then basketball.  Then you have my cousin Jose, who played basketball in high school and now loves playing with the youth from the church.

In light of that, we felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to share the love of Christ with the community.  After lots of prayer, planning and prepping...the Lord gave us the green light to go for it...OR...”just do it.”  The city gave us approval to use the gym and we began to get the word around town.  The nice thing about Bachiniva, is that word travels very past.  We put up posters, passed out fliers, and invited anyone we came across.

Tuesday night came and we were all AMAZED at the turnout.  12 teams of 3 signed up to play in the tournament.  Plus, we had probably another 100 people show up throughout the night to watch and cheer on.  The night was full of basketball, contests, hotdogs, prizes and most importantly, the Word of God.  Before the championship game was played, we invited everyone to sit down on the bleachers.  Normally this is where people start to leave...however, over 50 people stayed, listening very intently on what was being shared.  Dan gave his testimony of a life changed by God’s grace and forgiveness, and then Jose brought the gospel message.

At one point, I noticed out of the corner of my eyes, a man walk in with a machine gun.  It was the director of the police.  He was with another gentleman who too had a gun.  I began to get nervous, thinking this was it, they are going to shut us down, ESPECIALLY because they walked in right as Jose was talking about the price that Jesus paid for everyone.  They stayed for a few minutes and then left.  What I learned afterward, from Luis, was that the other man with the gun, the drug lord of the area).  Rather then being worried or scared that he came, I began to get very excited.  Of all the people who could have shown up, at the perfect moment, to hear words of life that he so desperately needs, were these men.  They need Jesus so badly, and we know that the Lord desires for them to come to repentance.  Isn’t that the beauty of what 2 Peter says...

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We were all exhausted by the end of the night, but it was a such a rich, rewarding and incredible night.  Please join us as we continue to pray for all those that stayed to hear the message of hope and were invited to church.  Please also pray for the drug dealers, that the Lord would bring them to the end of themselves, in an attitude of repentance and a need for Jesus.

Dan, Nieves and Spencer organizing the tournament...

Immanuel Christian School donated a bunch of basketball jersey's that we will be able to donate to the schools...

Registration and welcome table...

Lets the games begin...

Testimony and the Gospel...

The last 2 teams standing...

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

VBS (Escuelita De Ninos)...

 "Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth" (Ps 127:3-4). Think of how much you love your kids.  Yes they can get annoying, fiesty, cranky and make you want to rip your hair out at times.  However, they are a tremendous blessing from the Lord.  Now...imagine how much the LORD loves them.  And not just your kids, but all the children of the world.  All throughout scriptures we see how special, precious and treasured children are to the Lord.  We are also carefully warned and instructed how to treat them, care for them and raise them up.

Unfortunately, this is a huge issue down here in Bachiniva.  There is a tremendous lack of parents that are taking a responsibility, before the Lord, to care for their children.  It is difficult at times to see children all over the place, doing whatever they want, coming and going as they choose, and trying to get through life in the absence of parents.  Oh they might be there physically, to put food on the table or clothes on their back.  But for the most part, any type of raising or training up is not there, especially, in the ways of the Lord. As a result, you find kids who are forced to look to other things to fill that void in their life.

One of the biggest blessings of the church and ministry down here, is how many children are apart of it.  Tonight, we will feed 60-70  people after church through our soup kitchen.  30-40 of those will most likely be children and youth.  God has given us the opportunity to invest in the lives of these children and more importantly, teach them how much Jesus loves them and what a relationship with Him looks like.

Like most churches back home in the states, we too held our VBS (escuelita de ninos) last week.  It was a huge success and blessing to see all of the children come out , over the 3 days, to hear and learn about Jesus.  Our theme was "Rancha Avalancha" (Avanlance Ranch).  During our time together, we wanted the kids to understand that Jesus is the Truth, "Jesus es la Verdad", Jesus is with us, "Jesus esta conmigo" and Jesus is our strength, "Jesus es mi Fuerza." 

Through our daily time of worship, bible study, craft, games and questions/answers at the end, we were pleased with how the Lord worked and moved.  Our continual prayer is that the Word will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent...AND...that the seeds that were planted in these kids' hearts will begin to grow.

The theme song for the week was "You Are My All In All"  I hadn't heard that song in a while, and it ministered to my heart in a tremendous way, especially in spanish.  There are just certain songs that are incredibly beautiful in other languages.  It was also extra special, watching all of the children worshipping and singing from the depths of their hearts....

"Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.  Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.  Worthy is Your name, worthy is Your name."