What A Missions Trip…

Thank you so much for your prayers for our missions trip to Mazatlan.  We had an absolutely incredible time.  The trip definitely exceeded our expectations.  In fact, I wasn’t sure what to expect taking 22 people to Mazatlan during spring break, especially 12 children.  God was gracious, merciful, and definitely moved in a powerful way in the lives of the children.

It was pretty special seeing our kids experience things for the very first time.  As we came to the end of our 13 hour drive, the ocean appeared over the horizon.  The look on the children’s faces was priceless.  Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and gasps could be heard throughout the vans.  After a wonderful welcome and dinner from the YWAM crew, we headed down to the beach.  I tried to make the rule that you could only get your feet wet, but that lasted for about 30 seconds.  By the end of our time the kids were soaked, filled with joy, laughter and excitement for the rest of the week.

YWAM did a wonderful job setting up a schedule for us to both serve as well as have fun.  Each morning started out pretty early, usually on the road by 6:30 AM.  Throughout the week we were able to serve at an orphanage, feeding center, and retirement home.  The children did a lovely job singing songs, serving other children breakfast,  cleaning tables, doing dishes, playing mass quantities of soccer, interacting with other children, and, of course, having fun.

We made it clear that this was a missions trip, with the priority to SERVE first and then play later.  Our service/work projects usually ended after lunch and so we had the afternoon for different activities.   I’ve never seen children swim as much as our kids did.   Whether we were at the beach, or in the YWAM base pool,  the kids (and staff) swam forhours upon end.  Not a moment went by throughout the day where the question was asked, “when can we go swimming?”  They swam so much; some of the children actually taught themselves how to swim.

Before we left, Jackie and the gals put together little goodie bags for the kids, which included a journal and pen.  We really wanted to the kids to learn the importance of “personal devotion time”.  Each night before we went to bed, the children had to spend 10-15 minutes reading, writing, drawing (for those who don’t know how to write), praying, thinking about the things that the learned throughout the day.  It was a challenge for some of the kids at first, but by the end of the week, all of the children were looking forward to their “devotional” time.

I think for me, this was the highlight of the trip because it has carried over since returning home.  We have officially made nightly devotions part of the weekly schedule.  Every night since we’ve been home, the kids have been spending 15-20 minutes of quiet time on their bed with God.

The other night was extra special for me as I was putting the boys to bed.  I kept telling them 5 more minutes and then lights out.  I was tired and ready for bed myself.  Every time I went into their room, they kept asking for more time.  “Please, can we have 10 more minutes, or I have 1 more verse to write, they would say.  After about 45 minutes or so, they started falling asleep with their journals or Bibles still open on their beds.

What a testimony and answer to prayer!  Indeed, we had an amazing time serving, swimming, hanging out, laughing, going to the aquarium and a movie, walking along the beach, etc.  And the kids loved it all.  But, now that we are home and back to the “normal” routine of school, homework, chores, and daily life, we continue to see that change in the their lives.  They are fighting less, arguing less, serving more, and spending more time with Jesus then ever before.  That I would say, was the biggest blessing of the whole trip.

Please continue to pray for the kids and that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will continue to change their lives for eternity!

Viaje de Mazatlan…

We just bid farewell to our dear friends from Redemption Church in Delray Beach Florida.  What a wonderful time we had serving alongside this team.  Missions teams are a huge part of the ministry down here.  Without the help, love, and support of families, individuals and churches, we would not be able to do what we do.  The children especially love when people come to visit.  They constantly ask when the next missions team is coming and who is coming down with them.

Speaking of missions trips, it seems as if the Lord has given us a wonderful opportunity forthe children.  Towards the end of last year, I began noticing that the children are taking certain things for granted.  Especially around Christmas time, it was as if they felt like they deserved all the attention, presents, etc, that so many people gave. I began praying for a way that we could help the children understand the importance of not just “receiving” all the time, but also “giving.”

I was right in the midst of planning a few of our missions trips for this year, when the “light bulb” went off.  What if we took our children on a missions trip?  I shared the thought with our team and they loved it.  We began to pray and think of where we might be able to take a bunch of children.  Someone suggested Mazatlan.  I couldn’t find any Calvary Chapels in Mazatlan, however, the Lord lead me to YWAM’s website.  I began to read about their ministry and the different opportunities for teams to be involved in.  I emailed the director asking if it would even be a possibility to bring an “orphanage” on a missions trip.  I shared a little about our ministry and what the Lord had been speaking to me.  I had no idea what kind of response I would get, but I sent the email anyway.

I got an email back with an overwhelming response.  The director had shared with the YWAM team our desire to bring our kids on a missions trip and they LOVED it.  The thought of one orphanage going on a trip to serve another orphanage, seemed wonderful to them.  They even asked if it would be possible to make a short documentary of our trip.

Last week I was able to talk with the director on the phone for a few hours.  By the end of our time, it was apparent to both of our ministries that the Lord was opening up this wonderful door of opportunity.  I can’t believe how quickly all this has come about and we are rapidly getting things prepared and in order for our departure.

We will be leaving early Monday morning, April 6th.  The drive will take 10-12 hours.  We will then spend the next four days doing some of the following things…

• serve @ feeding centers
• serve @ 2 different orphanages (one of which is for handicap children)
  • we will sing songs, color, tell bible stories and playwith the children
• help clean/serve around the YWAM base as well as some local churches
• participate in small work projects at local churches and in the community

And, of course there will be a lot of time hanging out with and investing in our children.  Non of the children have seen the ocean before and they are ECSTATIC about that.  We will also spend time at an aquarium (which they have never been to either), learning about God’s creation, visit a lighthouse, go on a boat ride, and help teach them how to swim.

Our team is especially looking forward to this extended getaway time with our kids.  Often times we get lost in the routine, structure, schedule, etc, here, that we don’t have that much needed uninterrupted time to spend with them.  This will definitely be a life changing trip not only for our staff and volunteers, but also for the children.

YWAM has graciously waived most of their fees since we are an orphanage.  In fact, they are not charging us for any of the children, only the adults.  What a wonderful blessing! The most expensive part of our trip will be getting there.  We estimate that the gas and tolls will cost between $800-$900.  The rest of the expenses are not that much.  The children are working hard around the orphanage on the weekends and after school to help pay for their trip.  If you would like to donate specifically to our missions trip, please let me know via email, jason@thehouseofblessing.org OR phone call, 253.223.9397, and I can explain how you can do so.

There will definitely be lots of pictures and stories to come.  We are having a number of different prep meetings with the children, where we spend time in prayer, the word and explaining what a missions trip will be like.  The two meetings we have had thus far have been incredibly fruitful!  Please, please, please pray for our team, the children and all the preparation that will go into this trip.  Muchas Gracias!

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!