All Things Made Beautiful…

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

I think about these words that Solomon penned as I look back on the things that have taken place the past 3 weeks.  There are things that we have rejoiced in and other things that have been very difficult.  No matter what the circumstance or situation was or is, Solomon reminds us it has happened or is happening for a reason.  This can be frustrating and hard to understand at times, especially when it’s something difficult.  However, Solomon encourages us later on in his writing with these words…

“He (God) has made everything BEAUTIFUL in its time…”(Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Yes, there is a season for hard things, but the Lord makes EVERYTHING beautiful in its time…OR…in His perfect timing.

Two weeks ago, the Lord brought into our care 10 year old Jesus Miguel.  Jesus Miguel’s mom (Belen) contacted us and asked if we would consider taking in her son.  Belen’s story is like most of the other children’s moms.  She is single, trying to work and raise children at the same time.  Jesus has been a handful for her and she was in need of a breakthrough in his life.  We have seen that breakthrough already in the past 2 weeks.  He has adjusted well to his new home and “roommates,” and has been consistently going to school more than he has in the past.  Jesus Miguel loves to eat, play outside, and draw.

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Another VERY exciting thing took place last week.  The Lord brought us a young mother named Mary and her 3 beautiful girls: Zuleyma (pronounced Zoo-ley) (4 yrs), Delia (2 yrs), and Victoria (5 months).

A lot of the children in our home have been brought by their mothers in need of help.  This has given us great opportunities not only to care for children, but also to share the gospel and minister to the moms.  Up until now, it has only been children living with us.  That has now changed with Mary and her daughters.

Mary is a young, 20 yr old mother of 3 who does not know how to read, write, tell time, count, or even know when her birthday is.  A local Mennonite woman has basically been raising the children for Mary and has tried to help her as much as she can.  It had gotten to be too much for her, so she reached out to us to see if we could help.

My first thought was, “well we can help with the kids, but I don’t think we can take in the mom.”  The Lord quickly reminded me of his words in James 1:27…

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and WIDOWS in their trouble.”

Technically, Mary might not be a widow because she hasn’t had a  husband who has died.  She’s actually never been married.  However, Mary and her daughters have been abandoned, and she is in trouble.  So I felt as if the Lord was telling me…this is a new season of not only caring for orphans, but widows (or single mothers) who are in trouble as well.

Mary and the girls moved in last Wednesday and it has been going very well.  Obviously, it’s been a little noisier with a 5 month and 2 year old crying and fussing, but, man, we are falling in love with these girls.  Mary has opened up and really has a desire to learn how to be a good mom.  She is doing great thus far.  She wants to understand and learn about the Lord, learn how to work, cook, read, write…basically everything.  We have the JOY and privilege of coming alongside her and her daughters and watching these things unfold.  Thank you Jesus!

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So, for a few days our house was full with 14 children and a mom.  Unfortunately, one of our little boys was removed from the home and placed with an aunt.  We got a call fromthe DIF last week letting us know that they wanted to take Jesus Alfredo and place him with his aunt.  This was very difficult to hear.  They didn’t give us a lot of details or explanation other then that they felt it would be better for him to be with his aunt and siblings.

Will Alfredo continue to learn how to read and write while going to school?  Will his family take him to church so he can continue learning about Jesus’ love for him? Will Alfredo have a warm bed, hot meal, and roof over his head all of the time?  These are questions we all asked and that were left unanswered.  I don’t know what will happen with Alfredo.  But, the Lord does, and we must lay all of these questions at the feet of Jesus.  We must trust that EVERYTHING is made beautiful in His time.  We definitely will miss this sweet little guy and we pray that the Lord will continue ministering to his heart.

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Solomon says, “to EVERYTHING there is a season…”  Everything happens for a God ordained reason and purpose.  The Lord knows exactly what He is doing and chooses the timing in which to accomplish it!

Thank you all for your faithful and continual prayers…they are most definitely needed!

Jose Alfredo…

The Lord brought us a special blessing a 10 days ago, in the form of a little boy named Jose Alfredo.  The DIF stopped by with Alfredo (which he likes to be called), who they believe had been neglected and abandoned by his alcoholic mother and abusive stepdad.  A woman in town had taken Alfredo in to care for him until another home became available.  The DIF turned to us to be that home, at least for the weekend, while they launched their investigation to find out more about this little boy.

It was a rough first night for this little guy, who we believe is 7 years old.  He cried for a good portion of the night, however things turned around quickly.  He quickly warmed up to the other children and they began reaching out and playing with their new friend.

Alfredo goes to a different school in town.  We went to meet with the principal to see about changing schools, so he can be with the other House of Blessing students.  Come to find out, Alfredo isn’t even enrolled in school.  He has no papers, no documents, no birth certificate.  He has just been considered a “visitor at the school”.  So, basically, Alfredo is sort of “lost” in the system.

Each of the children that come into our home, tug on your heart in a different way.  This little guy has been unique.  There is no record that Jose Alfredo even exists.

It has been wonderful spending time with him and seeing how much he has changed in just those few days.  He is smiling, laughing and even talking.  Up until a few days ago, if you asked Alfredo how old he is, he’d say 3 years old.  He doesn’t know how to read or write, however that is a huge aspiration of his.  Alfredo told Jackie the other day that he is going to learn how to read really fast.  Carlos has been working with him after school and Alfredo can already write part of his name.

Please pray for Alfredo.  The DIF came yesterday morning to give us an update on the investigation.  They are doing everything they can to keep Alfredo here with us, in a safe and healthy home.  This week some more officials will come out to meet with us and Aldredo.  Lord willing, he will be apart of our family for many years to come!

As I have prayed much for this young man and thought a lot about what his life has been like…the Lord has flooded my thoughts with His wonderful words.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-33).

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).

There may not be any physical documents/record of who this young boy is, however, our Savior knows EXACTLY who Jose Alfredo is.  He knows the number of hairs on his little head.  Alfredo has been fearfully and wonderfully made.  Alfredo is loved by the Most High God…as well as his new family here at Casa de Bendicion!

Wisdom from Above...

As 2014 was nearing its end, naturally I was thinking about the new year.  What’s going to happen?  When will new children come into our care? What projects do we want to accomplish? How should we spend our resources? How many missions teams should we host? How can I be a better husband and dad? And so forth!

During those thoughts and final days of 2014, I found my myself constantly praying forWISDOM.  Oh how badly I need wisdom beyond my years, especially in this new year.  I came across this very this morning that was perfect timing…

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

Not only should I pray for wisdom, but the kind of wisdom that James describes in this verse, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

After ringing in the New Year, I found myself desperately needing wisdom, as I was stuck up in El Paso.  We finished 2014 and began 2015 with a missions team from Calvary Wedgwood in Seattle WA.  It was a wonderful time and we were sad to see them go, especially because my sister and her family were leading the team.

As I was driving back down to Mexico, I heard this horrible loud shaking in our van.  Great, I’m 5 minutes from the border and now this.  Fortunately, I was still in the states and was able to turn around and get to a mechanic.  This began my first of four days in El Paso TX.  Of course the part they needed wasn’t available and would take 2-3 days to get there.  So, obviously I had a lot of time on my hands…especially time to think and pray.  I wan’t peaceful, I wasn’t gentle, I wasn’t open to reason, I was being a grouch because I wanted to be home.

However, the Lord in His wonderful timing, wanted some uninterrupted time to speak and minister to my heart.  He began reminding me of His faithfulness this past year….His kindness, love, provision, blessings, and everything else that makes our Lord incredible.

“I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12).

God did incredible things last year, that I’d like to take a moment to remember, meditate on and talk about.

• The doors of Casa de Bendicion officially opened, Saturday, January 18th when our first young man came into our care.  Over the next 11 months, we were able to care for a total of 16 children, ranging in age from 3 to 15 years old.  9 children (3 girls and 6 boys) are currently in the home full-time.

• A total of $124,774.15 came into the House of Blessing.  $60,081.99 was fromthe 10 missions trips that we hosted.  $13,440.25 was donated for special projects. $51,251.33 came in through general donations from individuals, families, churches, schools and businesses.  AMAZING!

• We were able to hire 2 more staff members, Jairo Gonzalez (our children administrator) and Guadalupe (our amazing cook/cleaner).

• Another family joined us on the missions field from Bellingham WA.  The Heist family moved down in October and have been settling in.  They have been a big blessing both here at the orphanage and at the church.

• Not 1, not 2, but 3 vans were donated to the ministry.  2, 15 passenger vans and 1, minivan.  Perfect timing for our growing family.

• I was able to travel quite a bit throughout the states to share and teach at churches about the ministry.  What a blessing to see the list of our supporters continue to grow.

So, we are greatly looking forward to this new year and all that the Lord has in store.  No matter what it looks like, good or bad, I know it will be another blessed year.  None of this would be possible without the continued support and prayer from all of our dear friends and loving churches.  We are forever thankful for each and every one of you!

Happy New Year…

Jason and the Casa de Bendicion team!