Dia de Golf…

This past Father’s day was extra special for me for a few reasons.  It happened to fall on the same day as my wife’s 31st birthday and my dad and his wife happened to be in town as well, visiting.  So in one day I was able to celebrate my wife’s birth, get a few presents for Father’s day from all the kids here at the orphanage, as well as hangout with my dad and watch the 115th US Open Championship.

For as long as I can remember, Father’s day in the Sanchez home was the same every single year.  It was very simple and consisted of 3 main things, food, golf and sleep.  It was our dad’s request to eat snacks and watch the final round of the US Open for golf.  At a young age, I viewed this as a boring time that took 4 hours.  However, as I got older, I began to appreciate those Sunday’s all the more.  I started learning more about the game, but mainly, just appreciating the time I got to spend with my dad.

Spending time with my dad this Father’s day was a very special moment that I will treasure.  We were very thankful (more so my dad) for the high speed internet we know have here, and the ability to watch the final round online.  Man, was it an incredible round.  For those of you who love golf or watched it, you know what I’m talking about.

Watching the tournament got me VERY excited for our annual “Golf Invitational.” In just 4 weeks, our home church, the Chapel Church, will once again host its 7th annual Golf Invitational that will sponsor the orphanage.  Friends, family members, churches, businesses and golfers from all over will gather together on Saturday, July 25th for a wonderful day of playing golf, hanging out and raising money for Casa de Bendicion.

As always, I’m extra excited because I get to spend the week up in Washington, teaching at various churches and then participating in the tournament.  I would love to see as many of you as possible come out for this very special day.

If you would like more information regarding how to get registered, how you or your business can sponsor the tournament, or have any other questions, please check out the website, http://thechapel.church/events/golf.  You can also get in contact with myself jason@thehouseofblessing.org or, Mike Melchior mikem@thechapelchurch.com who is the golf tournament director.

Thanks so much and looking forward to seeing someone of you next month!

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!