Blessed

Advent seems to be an especially good time to pause and reflect on the many ways God has blessed each one of us. I couldn’t help but think about this topic after a recent conversation. Another fellow and I were perusing some photos of the Hope House boys on a bulletin board set up at church. The fellow made a comment that got me thinking; he said, “What do these boys have to look forward to?” Perhaps this is a natural inclination for many on the outside, looking in. After pondering this gentleman’s comment though, I have come to the conclusion that these boys do indeed have a lot to look forward to, and a lot to be thankful for right now.

To begin with, they are surrounded by people who truly love them and want to see them mature as productive citizens in society. All of the staff and volunteers at Hope House have a keen interest in encouraging the boys and teaching them the values and skills they will need for success in life. Each one of the boys has chores they are responsible for, and completion of homework is a high priority. They are learning English and other vocational skills (like woodworking) that could be valuable for them later in life. The boys are also taught the importance of respect for adults and each other. True, the boys are not living with their biological mothers and fathers, but nonetheless they know and experience unconditional love everyday. For some, it may be the first time in their lives that they have experienced such wholehearted love and acceptance—even if they have come from a two-parent family.

The greatest blessing I believe these boys experience—and the one that will benefit them most in life—is the Christian nurture they receive. All of the boys hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are encouraged to grow in Him. They spend time in devotions and prayer everyday. Five, ten, twenty years from now only God knows where these boys will be and what kind of a positive influence they could have on someone else because of the Christian foundation that was laid years earlier. I believe some of them will be the Christian leaders of the future, having the opportunity to bless countless others in the name of Christ. Advent reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. Who could have imagined that God’s plan of salvation for mankind included coming to earth as a baby, in a manger, the child of humble parents with no political clout? Who could have imagined what God could do? Who can imagine what God will do?

This Advent, take some time to thank God for his abundant blessings in your life, the greatest of which is salvation through Jesus Christ. But rest assured that you can also trust Him with whatever challenges you face. He is God, and He can…

Back from Laredo

We arrived back home Tuesday afternoon with a VERY loaded Durango (kind of reminded us of our first trip down to Mexico). Thank you Vriesland for sending down another pallet of supplies - the clothing, helmets, balls, Matchbox cars, books, tents, and all sorts of other miscellaneous goodies will be put to good use.

While in Laredo we stayed at Stepping Stone Ministries again. Stepping Stone is a ministry devoted to serving missionaries - they provide short term housing for missionaries staying at the border. We have been blessed to become good friends with the family that helps to run the ministry, and our kids had a great time hanging out together for a few days.

If you haven't done so already, check out the new pics in the right column "Pics from life in Mexico"

Feliz Navidad!

Thankful...

In this month of November, as we focus on giving thanks, may we be thankful to God for all that He is and has given to us. Take time to praise Him for His attributes found in scripture. “Siempre damos gracias a Dios por todos ustedes, y los recordamos en nuestras oraciones.” 1 Tesalonicenses 1:2 (“We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2)

One of the attributes of God that we are thankful for is His providence - we are reminded of it often. For example, one day a few weeks ago I was walking through Walmart while wearing my Texas Longhorns T-shirt (I'm not really a Longhorns fan, but I do like Texas). Anyway, a lady yelled out "Hey are you from Texas?" That brief introduction led to the opportunity to talk with this friendly lady and her husband, and eventually take them on a tour of the Hope House. As it turns out, she writes articles for a web site on Chapala, and she is going to write an article on the Hope House to publish to the web. Who knows where it will all lead, but I trust God will use it as an opportunity to promote the mission of Hope House and encourage others to become involved in that ministry.

Our children wanted to share a story of how very different school is here compared to public school in the states. We’ve seen several stories lately of “Zero tolerance” in regard to knives at school in the United States. Josh and Anna thought it was pretty funny that Pastor Bob, their Bible and Life Skills teacher, actually handed out pocket knives to every student in class. The knife was theirs to keep, to use in stripping wires for their wiring unit in Life Skills. Where’s a news camera when you need it?

Now that we have settled back into a routine for the school year, Anna has started working again at Casi Nuevo on Mondays, after she gets out of class at the missionary school at YWAM. This is the thrift shop that helps support the boy’s home and the school for the deaf. Josh helps Steve on Fridays at Casa Hogar. Sophie helps me get ready for the prayer group on Mondays and then stays out of sight until we are done praying.

PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAISE:

-We thank God for your support and your prayers!

-We thank God for your emails and letters!

-We thank God for the Mexican and American women who have come to pray!

-We thank God for Casa Hogar Mi’ Esperanza, may He continue to bless all the boys and staff.

-We thank God for the good health our family has had. May God protect us from the dengue fever and the flu that is in our area. May He protect the children and staff at the local orphanages.

-Request for safe travel as we travel to the border over Thanksgiving to get more supplies.

"I can live for two months...

...on a good compliment." While teaching English at various locations and teaching MKs at the YWAM missionary school, we are reminded of the truth of this quote from Mark Twain. Let's face it, learning--especially a new language--is an arduous task. Actually, taking on any new challenge can be, well, challenging. The more we can encourage one another along the way, the more likely we are to follow through and "echale ganas!" (go for it!).

Kids love compliments--we see it every day at the boys shelter. One good compliment and you'd think you had just given them a grande Tommy Turtle Sundae (my apologies if you don't know about Captain Sundae in Holland, MI).

But adults appreciate compliments just as much... "puedes hacerlo, poco a poco" (you can do it, little by little). Learning a new language, starting a new job, going back to school, raising kids... life. We're all in this together. Who can you give a "good compliment" to today?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Discipleship

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24

Hard words... but two things I have found to be true when we "deny" self:

1. We open ourselves up to the Lord's provision and blessing in our lives. Rather than conspiring and striving to get what we want, when we deny self and follow Christ, He takes care of our needs--then we find that His blessings are better than anything we could hope to achieve for ourselves.
   
2. The focus moves off ourselves to others and we are more likely to be conduits of blessing to the people God puts in our path. When God does bless us (which is everyday), we see those blessings as opportunities to bless others, rather than stockpiling them for ourselves.

"When we rely upon organization...

we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do." Dr. A.C. Dixon

Since moving to Mexico, we have seen this truth fleshed out in daily life; not only in our own lives, but in the lives of other missionaries that we have come to know. Education and eloquence are blessings and can be used as instruments to bring glory to God... as long as they don't cause us to rely more on ourselves than we do upon God. Far more important is the time spent with the Lord at the beginning of each day, followed up with a humble submission to His leading throughout the day.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

A pallet community, horny toads...

During our recent trip to Laredo for supplies and visa renewals, we were able to visit a pallet community in Nuevo Laredo (on the Mexican side of the border across from Laredo). The need in these communities is great; an estimated 350 - 400 people were served a meal. The conditions that the residents of these communities live in is incomprehensible to most of us - 100 plus degree heat, no electricity, shacks for homes, little economic opportunity - a huge opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ in a tangible way. Josh and I were also able to help out with a food distribution ministry in downtown Laredo. There are many homeless people in Laredo, and again the opportunities to reflect Christ are endless.

While in Laredo, we stayed at the Stepping Stone border ministry. Stepping Stone supplies housing to missionaries in transit between Mexico and the U.S. They also provide housing for short term mission teams, and organize ministry opportunities to people in need in both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. While at Stepping Stone, Leigh Ann was able to help out in the kitchen, cooking meals for a couple teams that were there at the same time we were.

You can see photos from our recent trip to Laredo and life and ministry in Mexico by clicking on the links on right side of our blog.

Reverance and relationship...

One of the attributes that I appreciate in many of the churches found in Mexico is the sense of reverence that they inspire. The church's Gothic architecture--the spiraling steeples reaching toward the sky outside, along with the monumental and ornate ceilings inside--rouse a sense of awe and respect when you visit.

Unfortunately, a ritualistic form of religion is practiced in most instances--an impoverished alternative to the relationship we can have with the living God through Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it seems our temptation in America sometimes is to swing too far in the direction of comfort. In so doing, perhaps we lose some of the respect and reverence that we should have for Jesus Christ the Lord. "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10,11

What's your synagogue?

Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. John 12:42-43

This passage convicted me the other day when I read it during my devotions. How often do we as Christians--men and women for whom The Savior died--choose the approval of men over the approval of God? What synagogue are we afraid of being thrown out of when we show our devotion to Christ: the clique at work or school, neighborhood gossip club, unsaved friends that might be "offended" if we talk about Jesus, even family members that think you're too uptight? Name your synagogue. We've all got one.

If you're a Christian, Christ died for you. But He's not just your Savior. He should be your King.

Ahhhhhh...

...the rainy season has finally arrived. After almost 8 months with no measurable rain, you can hear the collective sigh of relief after our recent thunderstorm. There's nothing like the smell of fresh, rain drizzled earth after a drought...

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
O God, when You went forth before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah.
The earth quaked;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God;
You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.
Your creatures settled in it;
You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God.

Psalm 68:4-10

The mountain is on fire!

These are photos of the mountain behind our home. At this time of year the brush is bone dry, and smoke is ever-present from all the fires around the lake.

El Señor es mi Pastor

¹ El Señor es mi pastor;
nada me falta.
² En verdes praderas me hace descansar,
a las aguas tranquilas me conduce,
³ me da nuevas fuerzas
y me lleva por caminos rectos,
haciendo honor a su nombre.
⁴ Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles,
no temeré peligro alguno,
porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo;
tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza.
⁵ Me has preparado un banquete
ante los ojos de mis enemigos;
has vertido perfume en mi cabeza,
y has llenado mi copa a rebosar.
⁶ Tu bondad y tu amor me acompañan
a lo largo de mis días,
y en tu casa, oh Señor, por siempre viviré.
¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³ He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Los abuelos en Mexico...

Grandma and Grandpa were recently able to visit for a couple of weeks. After a long, 24 hour bus ride from Tucson, AZ, they finally arrived in Guadalajara on April 7th. It was great to have them visit and show them some of our hangouts.




Hector makes beautiful hand-made jewelry and sells it at the "Thrift Shop" where some of the proceeds go to support the Hope House.





The butcher in Jocotepec where we often get our carne molida de res (ground beef).














The Hope House.



















I like this picture of a bunch of radishes (photo by Grandma).

Miscellaneous scenes in Mexico...

The street we now live on. Behind the fence on the left lives Jim (the homeless man described in an earlier post). Pray that we would reflect Christ to him, and that he comes to know Christ as Savior and Lord.






Anna and our neighbor (Diego) inspecting a snake recently killed by some workers.















The local church we attend. They have services in both English and Spanish.

Spring in Mexico

Let me set the scene. We have not had measurable rain since October (two days in January of very brief showers). The mountains are now brown. Daily you see smoke rising from the mountains or around the lake as dry brush is burning. Everyday is sunny and in the 80’s. White clouds pop up in the afternoons, but no rain comes. And yet, spring has come. The deep lavender Jacaranda trees are in full bloom. The Plumeria are starting to blossom with their waxy yellow or pink petals. Other trees I’ve never seen before are breaking forth in gorgeous color in the midst of this dryness...
“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”
Isaiah 35:1-2

My mind says it is impossible that new growth can come in such times of dryness. But as we learned every year in Worship Center, “With God all things are possible.” It encourages us when we feel dried up inside due to situations beyond our control. We can cling to Jesus’ words in John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” May it encourage you as well.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB)

"Fear? I fear nothing. My dictionary does not contain the word fear. I believe in God and I believe that the epistle of Ephesians says we are created in Jesus Christ for a plan, which was engaged from the early beginning. No one can cut it, and when it is completed no one can continue it." -Christian Zakaria Botros in an interview with WORLD magazine regarding his ministry to Muslims (December 13/20, 2008).

You, dear Christian were created in Jesus Christ for a plan which God ordained. Because of Him, we have nothing to fear.

The dry season...

January 2009 - A New Year and a new President of the United States of America...and for many, new difficulties and challenges. A friend sent me the "Daily Walk" devotional for September last year. One of the focuses was on Habakkuk 3:17-19. They rephrased it into a 21st century perspective. "Even if the stock market does not rise, my boss fails to give me a raise, I lose my job, the supermarket shelves are bare, and the gas stations are closed on weekends, yet I will ..." We all can come up with a list of things that attempts to steal our joy and peace. I find myself rereading Habakkuk almost daily to remind myself about where my joy and peace comes from. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." May we all meditate on God's Word daily and find our strength and refreshment in Him!!

As we get back into our routines in Mexico (Harvest Language School- Level 3 for Steve, teaching at the missionary school, and volunteering at the Hope House), here are a few photos that endear us to this region of God's world:

The daily cattle drive in front of our gate. They go up the mountain in the morning and down in the late afternoon. The dry season is making it hard for many animals to find food.









When people sell their wares or food products, their young children are usually with them. These children are sleeping on the steps of the Catholic Church in Chapala on a Saturday afternoon. The mother had just nursed her baby, laid the baby on the coats, and then went back to selling guavas.











Carlie Post is visiting us from Michigan and is our first official visitor since we came to Mexico last May. She is fluent in Spanish and the boys at the Hope House already love her. They asked when she was coming back. Here is a picture of them playing Blokus.