The Word Of The Lord…

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the WORD of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

One of the biggest adjustments for me when we moved down to Mexico 3 years ago, was not teaching anymore.  I had been so used to teaching bibles studies 2-3 times a week forabout 9 years.  Now, I wouldn’t say that I “ceased” teaching the word, especially once the children started coming in to the orphanage.  It just looks different now.  I am no longer leading formal bible studies with worship, prayer and then a 45 minute message.  Now, it is simply incorporated into daily life.  I find myself teaching the children things about the Lord throughout the day and in our devotional times at night.

I’ve been traveling for almost 2 weeks now and have had the blessed opportunity to teach formally again, 10 times.  Many of you have been praying for this trip, which I am deeply grateful for.  It has been a great trip, although i’m at the point now where I am very anxious too be back home with my lovely wife and 15 children tomorrow.

My adventure began with spending a week down in Ensenada Mexico.  I was invited to come and teach a week long worship class at the Calvary Chapel Bible College campus.  Not only did this allow me to see all the amazing things the Lord is doing there at the school, but I was also able to visit a few orphanages as well.

We are in a very transitional period in the ministry down in Bachiniva.  God is bringing tremendous fruit and growth at the orphanage.  It has FAR exceeded my thoughts or expectations, as Paul mentioned in Ephesians 3:20.  Now that we have a full staff and are caring for 14 people full-time, the learning curve is greatly increasing.  I felt the great need and importance of connecting with other missionaries, directors, pastors, seasoned veterans that have paved the way before.

My first stop was at the Colina de Luz orphanage in Tijuana.  Jim Drake and his wife answered the call some 30 years ago to minister to the children in that area.  Although we only spent a few hours together,  it was unbelievable to see and hear all of the stories that God has done through that ministry.  Very inspiring and a huge example to me of someone who trusts God, never gave up and has been faithful to keep Jesus the center of everything.

On the bible college campus, there is another orphanage that takes in disabled children.  They currently have 6 beautiful boys and girls.  I was given a tour by one of the workers and a precious little girl named Jessica.  Jessica is Ayantu’s age, 5, and is blind.  She immediately grabbed my hand and led me around the facility.  “This is the office, this is the bathroom, this is where we eat, and this is my bedroom.”  The joy in this girls voice, the endless smile she had on her face and the enthusiasm of life was beautiful to see and something I will never be forget.

I headed back up to San Diego to catch a plane for Kansas City Missouri.  Yes, Kansas City is in Missouri…well, and also in Kansas.  I know, I was confused too.  A map might help you as it did me.

Pastor Jack Coultas of Park Grove Christian church in Lowry City, invited me to come out to teach and share about the ministry.  He also asked if I could lead the 3 day revival services.  I wasn’t quite sure what this would look like, so as Jack explained a little more, it  sounded like something straight out of a Billy Graham book.  Once or twice a year, churches gather together for 3 evenings of worship and preaching.  Jacks prayer and desire for the 3 days was to be centered on missions, orphans and getting out of our comfort zones.  Each evening, churches all throughout the neighboring cities came out forthe services.  We had an incredible time together.  The response to the word of God was amazing.  Lives were changed, commitments were made, and a desire to go outside the “four walls of church” was deepened.  I’m very thankful for that opportunity and glad we have some new friends from the midwest praying for and supporting the orphanage.

The final leg of my trip led me to Nashville for the CAFO (Christian Alliance For Orphans) annual summit.  Some 2,500 people from all over the word have been gathering for a time of worship, prayer, studies, workshops, networking, etc…with a desire to see the Lord continue to work amongst adoptions, orphans and foster care.  It has been a very powerful time and I have learned so much to take back to our staff, volunteers and children.

The underlying theme throughout the past two days has been Jesus and His word.  This is why I started the blog with the verse found in Isaiah.  We can rest on the hope, encouragement and PROMISES throughout God’s word.  It has to be our very foundation, our core being.   Caring for widows and orphans in their time of need is not easy.  In fact, it can be incredibly hard.  You’re fighting for the lives of these children with governments, leaders and individuals that don’t seem to care.  Yet, we know that the Lord cares in a profound way for the fatherless.

I came across this verse today that will give me the much needed strength as I head back home tomorrow to the orphanage, to the 14 children that we are caring for, to the battle ground that the Lord has called us too!

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Is 40:28-31).

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!