Happy New Year to all!!

Just a few moments of quiet I have while the guys are choring, Regina & a load of girls went on an afternoon drive and Tania works on a cookie. We've had a more quiet week which has given us some time to catch up those projects which fall by the wayside when we're so busy.

Today we started school again for our children after a 2 week break. The boys and Mom really enjoyed the time off and the added flexibility of our days but it's good to get back to our routine again.

On Monday we went to Tijuana for Nevin's ortho appointment. He's in the sore mouth stage of spacers for his braces. He's thinking he may shrink several sizes thru all this! But he also really wants to get his teeth straightened so thinks it worth the pain. We really like the dental office we found and are thankful for a good place to go.

On our way home we were in Tecate and Regina called saying Brent was hurt and wondering what to do. He had come into the house crying then went toward the couch, but before getting onto the couch he fainted onto the floor. Regina quickly went for help but when she came back in only a little later he was up on the couch awake. He seemed to have stomach pain & a bad headache but couldn't remember what happened. We quickly headed home and told Regina to let us know if he should get worse. We did have a very rapid ride home! When we got here his color was better and his pain was mostly headache. The other boys pieced together what they saw and it seemed he hit the edge of the cement with his scooter and flipped back onto the cement, hitting his head on the cement. We kept him holding still for the next day yet too and he's doing much better. We thank God for His protection and healing!

For those of you in the cold north, we invite you to the sunny south! We had 70 degrees today with beautiful sunshine. Doors and windows open, children playing outside; so refreshing after a few weeks of cold and rain!!

We wish for all of you God's blessings as we begin a new year! Another year to see what the Lord has for us and to bring glory to Him! There is nowhere on earth that we'd rather be, than in the will of the Lord!

We wish you all a very blessed Christmas!

For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given... a Saviour which is Christ the Lord!

What a precious story and wonderful privilege to be able to teach these children the real meaning of Christmas! Our burden has been to teach the children that Christmas is not about santa but a much greater story. For an object lesson to make the story real we staff decided to have a live story. We had a wonderful time preparing and then last night doing the story for the children! Gordon's joined us for supper then helped us with the story too.

And Joseph went up..unto the city..which is called Bethlehem..with Mary

Coming to the inn, looking for a place to stay...

...but there was no room for them in the inn

but a place is offered in the stable.

There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field...and, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

There was with the angel a ''multitude'' of the heavenly host, praising God.. and singing carols at the right time

And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

The wisemen... when they came into the house...they worshipped Him...

and presented unto Him gifts.

Nelson Burkholder (a former worker here) is visiting at this time and he narrated the story and then talked to the children after the story was finished.

Afterwards the children wanted to ride the donkey too. A wonderful time of fellowship and lots of great memories!

The donkey waiting for his cue to enter...

Nevin & Gideon are our donkey...

Thanks to all of you who lifted us up in prayer this last week! We really can tell when you pray! I'm sure you're all wondering what has happened with our situation here with the authorities... I kept waiting to post until we have more answers, but it appears we may not have answers right away. The board has tried different ways to contact the officials and haven't been able to talk with them yet! Obviously, the time is not yet right for whatever details God has in His plan for this story that we are in. He asks us to trust Him, whether we see His plan or not. I told Lorne tonight it seems God has sent His angels to shut the lion's mouth. We are confident that when we do face the officials it will be in God's time and in His strength. Please continue to pray for the protection of the children here.



This has been a week of changes for us! We came thru last weekend much encouraged and strengthened even in the midst of heaviness of heart. First was the adjustment of having the children at home and trying to keep them busy in the in-between here of no school. It was an adjustment for our family to face as there were new schedules and we were still having school. Then on Tues. we said farewell to Renita Friesen as she returned to Texas. She was our Spanish/English go-between and helped us so much when we got stuck with the language. We miss you Renita!

Wed. was catch-up day around our house and on Thurs., with great excitement, we got the call that Dad & Mom Hershberger were in town and ready for us to meet them! They brought a load of our things that had not fit into our van. And also, so many things from family & friends that just bless us over and over! We are so loved and it means so much to know that you care!! We are really enjoying having Dad's here and having them be a part of our lives here!

The first part of the week we had rain, rain, rain! Rain outside and rain inside! The walls were weeping along with the skies. But we're back to our warm days and sunshine! And appreciating more our warm, dry house.

Friday was a bittersweet day. In the afternoon we received a call that little Derrick would be leaving that evening yet. We knew he would be going at some point but yet so hard to watch him go! The happy news of the day was that in the night Milena came back after being gone for 2 months. We are excited about having our staff become complete again. Only one Mom still roaming! We also have another helper that came Fri. night. Regina Miller from Costa Rica came to help wherever needed so it appears our load will be lightening. God has been so good to us, giving strength for every day!

Only one week and yet so many things I want to share with you! Thanks again for your support!

Christmas caroling like we've never done!!

For the last several weeks we've been singing Christmas songs so that the children can memorize them. This afternoon then we took the bus with our quiver-full and went to Tecate to an area called 'sad town' to go caroling. Darin took the truck with an open trailer that we all rode on to sing. I cannot fully describe to you the pitifulness of those peoples existence! I don't know how you could call it living... only existing! They walked behind us listening and drinking in the singing! What a sad life without God!

These are actual living places for the people!

After we finished singing we handed out packets of cookies along with a printout of the Christmas story. We pray maybe some soul may find hope and seek God as the answer to their plight! The most heart rending thing was to see all the children there. They have no running water, no electricity, and often no food. How can it be that we are so blessed?

Praise report & Urgent Prayer Request!!

First I want to thank all of you who prayed for our water problem! God is answering those prayers! Yesterday Nevin hauled water from the neighbors for most of the day until that man said his levels are getting low, so no more until Mon. Well, we knew we didn't have enough water until then so we've done all we can, now it's in God's hands. Lorne came in this morning and said he checked the water level and the water will be gone this forenoon yet. A little later Darin came in and said he thought we'd want to know that he checked the pump and it's pumping water and hadn't shut off for the time that he was watching!!! Hallelujah! Thank You, God!

Along with this water problem we've been facing an even greater spiritual battle, yet trusting the Lord to give us wisdom to know His will. This week we reached a crossroads and have needed to make some serious decisions concerning the children. We praise God for arranging for the board to be here this weekend to help us thru this time. Following is a letter from our board that explains our situation:
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Greetings from Shining Light Children’s Home, we would like for you to join us in prayer on a very urgent need regarding our school situation. As most of you are aware, earlier the Home was forced to send the children to public school or the children would be taken away. After much prayer and seeking council the children were sent to public school. Now we face some serious moral corruption happening at school and have decided we cannot continue sending the children to public school. We will be having a meeting in the next few days with the social services (DIF) to discuss this matter, we realize this decision could have serious consequences.
Please join us in prayer for the following request:
1. God would give us wisdom for this meeting.
2. That God would move in the official’s heart to consider our plea.
3. That God would give the home staff grace and strength as they face this time of testing.
If you have any questions on this situation please feel free to contact us.
Bro. Leland Ulrich

We serve an awesome God who can make the water run out of the rocks and who even more can move on behalf of His children! We are at peace with the way God is leading, but pray for us that we would have no fear of the enemy and what he may do. The powers of darkness have brought so much pain in these children's lives and our deepest hearts desire is to be able to bring them God's love in the midst of the darkness!
Again we say, thank you for your support in bringing our needs to the Father!

Prayer Request!

Go with me for a moment out into the desert. Scrubby landscape... parched, hard ground... very little rain all year. You've come to Mexico. God chose this place to put a children's home and He gave us a well with water. But now the well has run out of water and we have 35 children in our care. God knows our needs... He knows that we have mountains of laundry needing to be cleaned... He knows these children need showers... they need water to drink... we need water to cook. Pray with us that God would again replenish our well, or provide another. He has promised to supply all our needs and we claim this promise! Last night the men went to the neighbor man and hauled water over and pumped it into our reservoir but this is a short term solution. Again, I ask, please join us in praying for water for our home!

Random Life at the Home!

Gideon & the boys decided to make some cookies since its chilly and dreary out.

Wonderful idea, we say!

Sour cream cookies and they are good!!

Friday evening the girls had a sleepover party as an early farewell for Renita.

Pretty little cheesecakes... candles... artsy activities... lots of laughter... memories!

We picked the black beans from the garden, then had a shelling.

Ivannia & Joel

Pretty little ladies all in a row!

Some girls came over and wanted to help us so they blessed us by washing the dishes!

They so love to help!

Grocery day! When we return, we have lots of help to unload the loot and put it all away!

We made soft pretzels and had a fun time making them. An even better time eating them!

Thanks for joining us in our daily snatches of life here!

Thanksgiving!

Thursday morning we had some Russian immigrant visitors from Sacramento. They came for a tour of the home here, brought us a gift of food and some candy for the children. They sang us some songs in Russian to bless us! The girls then took the candy and made some wonderful centerpieces for the tables.

We were blessed with a wonderful meal! Gordon's came to share the evening with us and also helped provide the meal. It helped all of us to put our energies into making a special evening for the children and lessen our longings to join our families at home!

Before supper Gordon had a short devotional about the meaning of Thanksgiving. He gave time for the children to express something for which they are thankful and what a privilege to be able to listen to their sincere thoughts of thanks!

Thank You God for all the wonderful blessings you shower upon us! For Jesus and the joy we can have in Him no matter where we are... Our friends and family at home whom we love so much... For these precious children You've given us to care for and to give to them Your love... For the staff You've brought together here and the friends we can have in You! We are blessed beyond measure! We praise You!