July Update

Missionary Jim Elliot once said,

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

I am so blessed.  Truly blessed.  On the outside and according to American culture standards, I don't have much.  I don't have a big nice house, all of the cool new gadgets, ipads, iphones, etc..  I don't have a stable paycheck.  Sometimes we don't have water, electricity, gas, internet, etc..  And yet I am so blessed.

This past month I was able to travel to the US for a little bit and I was reminded of what life is like back in the States.  It is amazing how different life is just right across the border in Mexico.  It is always such a blessing to spend time with friends and family in the US and I fully enjoy the time I get to 'relax' and reflect on everything going on in Mexico.  However it is always so good to come back 'home' to Mexico.  It is a weird feeling to consider a different country as 'home', but that is honestly how I feel.  I think when God calls you to serve somewhere, He really gives you a deep love and passion for the country, culture and people. 

On my trip God orchestrated some awesome networking opportunities.  While on one of my flights I read a book called Orphanology which talks about orphan care and how the church is called to respond.  As I walked off the plane, a man approached me and mentioned that he saw me reading the book.  I told him that I really enjoyed it and that it really challenged me.  He then said,  "Good.  I'm actually the author and my intent was to challenge people to respond to God's call to care for the orphan."  We then had a short opportunity to talk about what God is doing here in the state of Jalisco in orphan care, adoption and foster care.  It was so encouraging to talk with him and be reminded of all that God is doing all over the world in orphan care. 

I was also able to spend a day in Tennessee with the staff and board of directors of Orphanos.  It was so great to meet them all in person and to share that time with them.  It is always so encouraging to see all that God is doing and how He brings us together as a family to serve Him and others.  They are truly a blessing to me in seeing how they are so focused and dedicated to serving us missionaries as we serve orphans around the world.

While in North Carolina visiting the Stewart family, one of my supporters, I was able to spend some time with the youth of their church, and they invited me to share at their youth group.  I shared with them my testimony, how God brought me to Mexico and all that He is doing here in the lives of these orphans.  I got to share about the heart of an orphan and how much they hunger and thirst for the love of God and how in reality we are the same.  We were once orphans, but now we have a loving Father who has chosen, redeemed, accepted and loved us.  It was really cool to see the youth reflect on that truth.

This upcoming month of August will be busy with a lot of important networking meetings.

• Meeting with the YWAM education coordinator and a few others to discuss how to start a school at the Love In Action orphanage in Chapala.

• Meeting with Julio, the director of Josiah and Bethany Orphanage, about how they are training families who want to foster care.

• Meeting with an adoption lawyer in Ocotlan to discuss the adoption process in Jalisco.

• Meeting with government child care services and orphanage leaders to discuss new regulations for orphanages in Jalisco.

Please join me in praying for...

• Possible trip to Costa Rica to train under "Casa Viva" ministry who is doing foster care, adoption and family reintegration.  

• I am currently in the process of renewing my visa.  It looks like I only need to renew it for 1 year and then I can apply for permanent residency.  Pray that God would provide the finances I need and that He would grant me favor in the whole process before the Mexican government.  The total cost is $403 USD for the renewal. 

• I am starting to look for housing in Chapala.  Pray that God would provide the perfect house within my budget so that it can be a blessing to others. 

• All of the upcoming meetings we have this month.

• Pray that God would be glorified.

Please take 4 minutes to watch this video on the heart of the orphan.

June Update

Church Involved at Orphanage Kids in Victory:
This past month has been full of some awesome opportunities to see my church family starting to get involved at the orphanage, Kids in Victory.  Two women from my church have started bible studies with two of the young girls at the orphanage; counseling and guiding them through their pregnancies.  A couple of weeks ago one of my friends, Susy, a hair stylist, cut the kid's hair.  The following week another friend went to cut and style the director's wife's hair; it was a great time for the director's wife to rest as she is constantly on the go.  My church's women's ministry is also putting together a project to start making lunch for the kids once a week to give the orphanage workers a chance to rest.  God is bringing together a team to help serve at Kids in Victory!

Susy cutting Chavita's hair

Brayan styling his hair after getting it cut

I am also serving in an orphanage in Chapala called Love In Action.  One of the girls at Love In Action has a brother at Kids in Victory.  It has been fun being a bridge between the two of them.  They send each other letters, drawings, photos and videos.  It is so encouraging to see the joy that they have in communicating with each other.

I think one of my biggest dreams is to get the church involved in orphan care.  Not just involved in orphanages, but rather in adoption and foster care.  Bringing brothers and sisters back together.  Putting them in families.  It is exciting to see that God has put this on others' hearts as well...

Collaboration Meetings:

This past month we had a collaboration meeting with various orphanage directors, church pastors and members of DIF (Integral Family Development of Chapala- a division of government involved in orphanages).  The main focus was on how to start a foster care program to focus on placing children in families (through foster care or adoption if possible) rather than in institutions.

Collaboration Meeting

Our Team at the Meeting

Meetings with Consejo Estatal:

The government of Jalisco is also on the same page.  The Consejo Estatal de la Familia (State Family Council) has held 2 meetings this past month where we have discussed new regulations for orphanages and also how their new goal is to place children in families and not in institutions.

Meeting at Consejo Estatal

 In about 3 weeks we will have another meeting with all of the state's government agencies involved in orphanages and orphanage directors to discuss the new regulations.  Please continue praying for legal changes to facilitate foster care + adoptions.

Praise God for clarity. 
Last month I took a couple days off.  A family in Chapala invited me to spend time at their little cabin.  So I took advantage of the offer and spent those days resting and really seeking God as to where He wanted me.  I was torn between continuing to serve at Kids in Victory or moving to Chapala to work on a new foster care program.  I didn't want to leave the kids at Kids in Victory, because I have been with them for so long, however over these past 2 months I have seen God raising up a team of volunteers and people from my church who want to serve there.  And God has been opening the doors to work with the government to implement a foster care + adoption program in the orphanages of Jalisco.  I believe God is calling me to start a pilot program of foster care at the orphanage Love in Action in Chapala.  The directors are completely supportive and have been praying for such a program.  Praise God that He gave me a couple days to rest and that He is opening doors at Love in Action and within the government regulations in the state of Jalisco.  A couple of opportunities have opened up to train and learn from other organizations who have more experience in foster care/adoptions.  Continue praying for more learning opportunities and partnerships.

Nothing better than coffee and time in the Word.

Walking around the outskirts of Chapala

Lake Chapala is beautiful.

PICS FROM THIS MONTH...

Library time at Love in Action

Math Class at Kids in Victory

Coby learning his numbers

Classes in El Humedo with the little kids (1-6 yrs)

Thank you for your prayers.  We have seen God answer so many prayers over this past month.  Thank you for your faithful financial support and encouragement.  Bendiciones (Blessings).