HOB Update (8/04)

Back to school is in full effect here at the Casa.  The children started school last week and so far so good.  Wow, it was a bit crazy getting 13 children (including our daughter) prepped and ready for school.  But, with our great staff and a lot of work, everything fell into place and the kids are loving the new school year.  We have 4 kids in Jr. High, 7 kids in elementary and 2 in kindergarten.  Our staff was just as excited as the kids, for school to start because now we have 8 hours of peace and quiet each day.  I do miss the kids, but I too am enjoying the quietness.  Now I know why my mom was so excited all those years for the 5 of us kids to start school.

The elementary and jr high kids are all set!

We had quite the busy summer, and time FLEW by.  Our Casa family continues to change and grow constantly.  At the beginning of summer, I think we had 14 kids.  Most of the children were able to spend part of their summer vacation with their mom's and extended family.  Overall, the kids enjoyed their time.  It is usually a challenge when kids come back from vacation because they are use to the freedom and lack of rules with their family.  However, for the most part, the kids have adjusted just fine being back at the orphanage.

Mary, the mother of Delia, Zuley and Victoria, also went to spend time with her sister in Chihuahua city.  We were really hoping and praying that they would come back to the orphanage by school time, however, they decided to stay in Chihuahua.  There are mixed feelings and emotions about this.  Obviously it is hard when children leave, but, in this case, Mary has found a job and will be living with her sister.  We are very thankful for the time the Lord allowed us to minister to this sweet mother and her girls.  Please continue to pray for them!

We also had a surge of new children come to the orphanage.  This past week, 3 new precious kids joined our family.  Natalia (age 6) and Valeria (age 5) came to the orphanage 6 days ago.  Both of their moms live locally here in Bachiniva, but need to travel to try to search for work.  They were wanting the girls to get a chance to go to school, but couldn't do that on their own.  These two girls are beautiful and have already been a blessing thus far.  Valeria is in the same class as our daughter Ayantu and already they are best friends.  

Valeria (on the left) and Natalia.  Sweet little princesses!

This past Sunday, another young boy named Osvaldo (age 10) joined our family.  Osvaldo's mother works locally here at the nursing home.  It's a blessing that she has a steady job, however, she works anywhere from 60-70 hours a week.  Whether its the morning shift or graveyard shift, Maria works constantly which forces Osvaldo to be home alone most of the day.  We were able to enroll Osvaldo in school and he is doing great.  He is a very nice and polite young man.  He has already become friends with the boys here at the orphanage and is adjusting very well!

Osvaldo...

Not only were we busy with children coming and going, but also with activities and missions teams.  This summer we were able to host 2 different missions teams.  Our first group consisted of 16 individuals from Horizon Christian Fellowship and Immanuel Christian School, both located in El Paso.  Then earlier this month, we hosted 8 individuals from Cottage Grove Calvary in Oregon.  Both teams did an amazing job loving on the children, serving, encouraging and working hard.  The focus for both teams was laying the foundation and plumbing for our new offices.  We are SO exited to have these as it will free up space and allow for further growth.

I had the chance again, to travel back to Seattle for our annual golf invitational.  This year we had 81 golfers come out for an incredible day and we raised over $6,000.  I was absolutely amazed and had an incredible time with so many people supporting the ministry!

GOD IS FAITHFUL...and continues to show that to me every single day.  Most recently, it has been in His financial provision.  I am absolutely amazed at the individuals, families, churches, businesses and even people I've never met, who give to the orphanage.  When Paul encouraged us that God would supply all our needs, he was speaking wonderful truths.  Anytime we've been in need of something, be that a vehicle, clothes, school uniforms and supplies, washing machine, utility bills, food, etc for our ever growing family, GOD HAS PROVIDED.  He has put it on the hearts of so many individuals who tirelessly give, pray and support us.  To all of you, we thank you from the bottom of our heart.  Truly, we could not do this without your help and support!

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).