And the angels rejoice…

Jesus said that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents and truly there is joy for us as believers as well, for another lamb has come into the fold! We’ve seen that the Spirit has been working in the heart of Alex and yesterday she wanted to talk again. In the end she truly wanted to accept the salvation that Jesus offered her and be free from her miserable sinful state. What joy to hear her repentance and her desire to fully follow God! She immediately began going to different people and asking forgiveness for wrongs she had done. And then she asked if I could make her a veil for today as she desired to live in obedience to God’s word. My spirits were so lifted to see God’s work in the life of this previously volatile, pain filled girl. Her battles are certainly not all over but the victory is the Lord’s! The devil is not winning!! Amen!! Jacqueline also had asked Regina for a veil earlier this week so they both started wearing them this morning.

Since Friday evening I now have 9 children that I am responsible to mother. And the extras that I have are all boys! Talk about energy flowing here in our house. If only the energy was mine! Nevin is helping a lot to occupy and watch them all. Jacob and Noemi left for Costa Rica on Friday evening and the boys’ next caregiver hasn’t come yet and won’t come for another month at least. So if you don’t hear from me again this month you’ll understand why! Regina received 2 little girls from the same pod so she now has 4 teenagers and 3 little girls, ages 4, 3, and 2 yrs old. I’m trying to help her as well with decisions that need to be made so I feel as if I have 16 children. Or rather, 14 children and my 2 teenagers that are being a tremendous help right now. Needless to say we are operating in a state of perpetual exhaustion but we trust that this too shall pass.

God sent us several angels in shoes this last week! Heidi Mast and Frieda Kuepfer from Kansas came on Tues. and plan to be here for 16 days. They are caring for 4 children as well as helping in the kitchen and wherever needed. It has been a tremendous blessing just to have the Lord send someone and to know that He hasn’t forgotten about us! And of course, they are blessing us so much with their heart to serve and their interest in the work here!

On Friday afternoon we got a text saying that we would have company for the night. We really enjoyed having Abe Heinrichs here until this afternoon. They were on their way home to Canada from her mother’s funeral in Chihuahua, MX. They were former house parents for the home and were here the first time our youth came to work in MX. It was interesting to compare experiences and to fellowship with them, even tho it was just a little.

Continue to pray for us here as Satan does not like when we gain ground for the Lord and he will be busy here! But “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.” Hallelujah!!

Newsletter

Well, it’s been so long since I was able to write that I’m afraid it’ll turn into a newsletter. There’s been many a day that in my mind I formed a post but didn’t have time to actually get it onto the page. So bear with me as I catch up the news from us here.

On April 23, when Darin left here he took Nevin with him. Nevin had a wonderful time surprising family and friends in IN as only a few people knew that he was coming. He had a great week with the people there and then flew back on Sat. May 1. We all went to pick him up from the airport then spent the day in San Diego, shopping and relaxing at the ocean for a while.

On April 24, Lorne & our 2 youngest boys went deep sea fishing with Greivin, Phil & Phil’s dad. They only caught a few fish but enjoyed the outing. While they were gone I was invited to join the ladies for a tea time and have Phil’s mother share with us. I was so excited about going, but God had other plans for me. It was about 1:00 when in drove a police car. This is not highly unusual and I went out to see what they might need. Wow! Was I ever in for a change of direction!

The police had with them 4 children that they had taken from their drug addicted parents because of neglect and the horrible conditions in which the children were living. The police brought them here because the DIF office was closed and they needed someone to care for these children until something could be done. I quickly called Lorne but I knew we could not turn away these children. I had never seen such a pathetic set of children. The horrible filth & smell, the lice infested hair, the indescribable sadness of these little people was heartrending! The first thing to do was to attempt to clean them up and get them fit to have in the house. They were obviously living a life no better than animals. It was almost suppertime when we finally had them cleaned and settled. Once again I was overwhelmed at God’s mercy on my life. He saved me from a life of filth and wretchedness and gave me His grace, His love, His forgiveness and a new life in Him. Oh, that I could glorify Him in every breath that I take!

  Before…

The same children several days later…

 

The first weekend in May we also were blessed to have Jerry & Velma Ulrich here to visit.

May 5th was a double or triple blessed day!! Sarah flew in to San Diego in the morning so Regina & Nevin went to the airport to get her. The rest of us then met them in Tijuana at the hospital to spend some time with Liz & Andrea as this was her week to come again for treatment. We had a wonderful time with them all! We went shopping downtown then when we were back at the hospital we walked to the beach for a while. Times with family are very precious indeed! Sarah was here until the 11th and it was wonderful, wonderful! We didn’t do anything grand and big but just being together was very special!

 

Memories…

 

 

May 8th was a day with sadness again. Marcela left to go home and help her parents. She was our main cook and the caregiver of the teen girls. We haven’t been able to find anyone to come take her place so Regina is filling that spot until we do find someone. This has been a big adjustment for both of us, as I really depended on Regina to help me keep things caught up in our house and she now needs to be out most of the day and sleeps with the girls as well. We continue to pray and trust that God will send someone for the needs that we have.

The day that Sarah left, Bethany also left for a 2 week vacation at home. We really miss her help here and do look forward to her return as she plans to bring her sister along back to help here for a number of months as well! That same day we were also very  happy to welcome Marlene back from her Costa Rica vacation! Staff returning is such a good thing!

This is little Eduardo that Regina took care of for Marlene the month that she was gone.

 

A week ago tonight, the home boys went out to let the cows over into another pasture. Jose wanted to try to lasso the one and in the process somehow missed the fact that the lasso was around his feet. He did catch the cow but, alas his feet were jerked out from under him and a wild trip followed! He caught his foot in a fence which stopped him and then Ismael was able to help him get free from the cow and the fence. He was in a lot of pain and his foot swelled quite rapidly. On Saturday then he was taken in to have the foot x-rayed but they couldn’t find any broken bones. They were quite concerned about the swelling and so they sent him to Tijuana. Jacob’s and Milena stayed with him there and ended up spending the night at the hospital. The one Dr talked of doing surgery but then another Dr said it wasn’t necessary and just gave an anti-inflammatory and he finally came home Sunday afternoon. He is on crutches and for 3 weeks will have his partial cast to keep the foot rigid. We are so thankful that he wasn’t injured worse as it could have been a lot more serious.

Yesterday Lorne, Tania & I had another DIF meeting. It was a regular visit just to see how Tania is doing and how we are doing with the adoption adjustments. We received a very positive report as they are pleased with her progress and growth. We continue to wait on the lawyer and the process as it right now. Key word continues to be wait. 

This morning again, we had another goodbye to process as Milena left for Texas. She has terminated her time here and we also continue to search for someone to come care for the children that she had.

Our God is a God who specializes in impossible situations and in last minute deliverances and so we wait for His time.