On our return trip back to San Juan Cosala, God determined that we needed traveling companions. They arrived in the form of a very friendly Mexican man named Gerado and his elderly mother. We were standing in one of the many lines waiting to get our visas and vehicle registration processed. Gerado was in line behind us, and asked us where we were going. He was so excited for us that we were in Mexico and seeing his beautiful country. He told us he was bringing his mother home to the state of Michoacan, and that it was three hours south of Guadalajara. He said it was, "the most beautiful state!" In the next line we contined talking and we shared that we actually lived in the Chapala area. He was really excited and said, "We should travel together!" He waited in the parking lot for us and said he would follow us. (Which we thought was a little strange since we are the gringos here.) So off we started, with their copper colored pick-up truck behind us. Each time we stopped for gas or a bathroom break, we'd talk a little more. We shared our cookies we had packed for the road and got to practice our new 'gustar' verb. "Te gustarian unas galletas?" (Would you like some cookies?)

Gerado shared with Steve that he had actually tried to cross the border in El Paso but had gotten 'freaked out' and had turned around and driven all the way back to Arizona and to the Nogales crossing. We knew what he meant. Border towns tend to be controlled chaos. He also did not have a map. Our first night we stopped in Ciudad Obregon. The next morning, Steve drove away with the kids to get some breakfast and I stayed at the room. I hear Gerado's frantic voice outside my door, "They have gone?" He knocks on our door. When I opened the door, the look of relief and joy on his face was priceless. When we finally parted ways, we prayed over them and gave them our map. They invited us to come visit them in Michoacan. His mother was so sweet; a typical short, round, huggable abuela. She smoothed her hair down and straightened her dress when we took their picture. She gave us all big hugs and kissed our cheeks. We were sorry to see them go. They were another "buen regalo" from God!

Hope House Boys

More pictures of the muchachos...
there are currently 15 boys.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:1-3

Tigers in Mexico

The circus recently came to town. Part of their promotional campaign was to drive around neighboring villages showing off their animals: tigers, jaguars, lions, kangaroos...

These photos are of some tigers that we saw one day in the village of Jocotepec.

His name is Jim...

...he is homeless and lives behind the grocery store that we walk by to get to language school. He likes to talk. No, he needs to talk. Probably because so few people will take the time to talk with him. All it takes is a few minutes. A few minutes to build a relationship, buy him some food, and talk about Jesus.

The results are not our own; that's the Lord's domain. But will we take the time? Will we obey the Master when He tells us to go, to speak, to help?

Jim is searching. He needs Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open his eyes to see Jesus for who He truly is--the Son of the living God who was crucified and paid the penalty of sin for us, so that we might live for Him!

"Prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work." -- A.B. Simpson

"There was no water..."

...and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron.” Numbers 20:2

Once again we found ourselves without water. The main pump was broken again that pumps the water out of the thermal hot springs, up the mountain and into everyone’s aljibe (cistern). There was no notification this time, so we used water not realizing we needed to be conserving it. We found out on a Sunday that the pump had been broken for a week already. On Tuesday morning we ran out of water, even though we had only used it for flushing toilets and washing hands.

Steve and I were standing in the kitchen, frustrated with the way things run (or don’t run) in Mexico. I said, “I feel like the Israelites, whom God had provided for all along the way and when they run out of water, they start complaining again against Moses and God.” At least our complaining wasn’t as dramatic as theirs—“If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord!” (verse 3). God HAS provided for us every time when we haven’t had water, or electricity, or needed medical help, or needed someone who was bilingual to assist in communicating. So why do we, like the Israelites, complain first and pray second? Again, God is challenging us about our attitude of comfort and security being our sense of joy instead of HIM! So once again we prayed.

God answered in the form of sending Lupe, the gardener (the owners of the home pay to have a gardener, which is a good thing since we know nothing about the trimming and upkeep of tropical plants.) He normally shows up on Friday. He came on this particular Tuesday because he had a very large bucket of fresh red raspberries for us. Why? Probably because we had a long conversation with him on the previous Saturday, when he had shown up quite inebriated. We shared the gospel the best we could in Spanish. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to help our words stick in his mind and heart. Then Steve and Josh gave him a ride home to Jocotepec (about 7 miles). Anyway, he showed up at our house shortly after we had prayed about the water. Steve told him we don’t have water. He said he’ll be back later. He came later with a hose and siphoned water from our neighbor’s aljibe (they are not home—usually only staying a few days each month) into our aljibe. Once again, we thanked the Lord for providing, maybe not in the way we had thought He would provide, but He always provides what we need for that day. The main pump was fixed again within a couple of days and all the aljibes were filled with fresh, hot (thermal) water. May we encourage each other to pray first when we have problems and fears and try to skip the complaining, (or make it a distant fifth place)!

Luis & Letti's Casa

Another project we are currently involved in is helping a family in a neighboring village build a home. Luis and Letti and their four children live in the village of Mezcala. In the past, they have generously opened their home for the showing of the Jesus film, something for which they have received much opposition from their Catholic neighbors. Unfortunately, opposition has come not only from neighbors, but also from family members (Luis’ father and in-laws). These family members have brought so much spiritual darkness and emotional stress into the home, that Luis and Letti are willing to give up their home and move, leaving the home to the rest of the family. Thankfully, Luis already owns a small piece of property that he inherited where the new home will be built. This parcel has been cleared and walls are being erected. Since this parcel is in a more central location than Luis’ other home, it will allow even greater opportunities for outreach to the village.

We have committed a portion of our income to helping Luis build a home for his family. With the Lord’s blessing and the help of other Christian friends here, we will be able to turn something Satan meant for evil into something God can use for God. Please join with us in praying for that to happen. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

The boys of "Hope House"

The "Hope House" currently houses 10 boys in Ixtlahuacan - just over the mountain from Chapala. Many of the boys come from abusive homes or have been in trouble with the law. Our desire is to build relationships with the boys and share the love of Christ through teaching, playing games, and one-on-one interaction.

Mission School Kids

On Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays we also teach at the local YWAM (Youth With A Mission) mission school. Leigh Ann teaches 8th. grade History and Literature, and I teach the same subjects to 9th. graders.

Uninvited guests!

The critters of Mexico... beetles & scorpions & Black Widows!

Thank you!

If you would like to share in our support--either financially or through prayer--we would be very appreciative.

Oversight of our ministry is provided by a mission board comprised of five individuals from Vriesland Reformed Church (VrieslandChurch.org) and by our sending organization—Ripe For Harvest (RipeForHarvest.org)

Tax deductable contributions can be mailed to:

Ripe For Harvest/DenHartog
2824 N. Power Rd. #113282
Mesa, AZ 85215

Please be sure to include our name (Steve & Leigh Ann Den Hartog) and account number (251) when you send your contribution.

More than anything, we want to share the blessings God has given us. In Luke 12:48, Jesus tells us that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Please email us: Leigh Ann - ladenhartog@gmail.com OR Steve - stesol@mac.com

When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” Matthew 14:32, 33