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MEXICO

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

May, 2005

Warm Spring Greetings to all of our friends and family,

The rain has finally stopped and skies are blue once again here in Tijuana. As God brings forth new buds and flowers and sprouts of greenery all around us, we can’t help but be reminded of the new life that He is bringing forth in the lives of the children of Mexico.

The little ones at the orphanage in Tijuana are growing—-way too fast, I might add. We are going to have to admit our kids are growing up and not blame it on too-short jeans and shrinking shoes any more! .

They love being able to go to church and be a part of Royal Rangers and Missionettes (boys & girls church clubs), too. God has done such amazing things in their lives——Each one a testimony of His love and saving power.

AThis past week we finished two of the bedrooms on the second floor and were able to move the boys from the downstairs classroom where they had been sleeping into their very own bedrooms. They were thrilled. We had so much fun moving them in and making things ready. We came back a little later and my heart was touched by what I saw. On one of the beds was a little teddy bear and on another was a little model car.

I know these teenaged boys may seem too old for these things, but they are trying to make up for lost time. Their childhoods were not filled with toys and treats and love, but with struggle and loneliness. Now these little things that they have collected are special to them and they were so proud to be able to have a place for them. God is restoring all that Satan tried to steal and we are so grateful.

For several years, we have been telling you what God has been doing in the ministry of the Boys Home in Mexicali. We’ve told you a little about Pastor Juanita, the wonderful pastor that God brought into our lives, and her vision for the street boys of the city—-a vision which God has deeply entwined with ours. We have been honored to work with her and want to share her testimony with you. Her life has been a blessing to us and we think her testimony will touch your hearts as well

That same thing happened to her many times in the following weeks as she drove through the city. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had, yet she couldn’t comprehend how she could possibly care for these young boys that she saw on the streets each day. She knew God had a plan, and she wanted to be a part of that plan, but how could she do this thing that God was calling her to do? There was one thing, however, that Juanita knew for sure: Nothing was impossible with God---a truth she had learned very early in her life.

The real beginning of this story started much earlier, long before God placed the burden for the street children upon Juanita’s heart. The plan that God had for the children of Mexicali was wrapped up in the plan that he had for Juanita. To understand this pastor, her faith and her vision, you must hear her story.

When Juanita was 9 years old, she began having epileptic seizures. By the time she was 13, she was having 10 to 12 attacks every day. She became violent and uncontrollable. She pulled out her hair, bit and clawed and fought with anyone that came near her. She was so violent that no one wanted to go near her and they could only shove her food into her room and leave. Her parents couldn’t control her. They took her to neurologists and psychologists and even witches, but no one could help her. At age 15, she was so violent that her parents just couldn’t take care of her any more and placed her in a mental hospital in the city.

At the hospital, they cut off all of Juanita’s hair, because she pulled it out by the handfuls during her attacks and put her in a straight jacket to keep her from hurting herself and others. They gave her shock treatments and every other form of treatment that was available to them, but she only got worse.

When Juanita had been in the hospital for two years, she received a visit from a stranger---a preacher, who said that he wanted to pray for her. He talked to Juanita for a little while and gave her a little tract, “The Four Spiritual Laws.” Before he left he laid his hands on her and prayed for her healing. This was all new to Juanita. She didn’t really understand what was happening, but the next day, instead of having a dozen attacks, as was usual for Juanita, she did not have even one! The following day the same thing happened. Every day thereafter was the same---the attacks were gone. Juanita was healed!

In October 1957, at Age 17, Juanita walked out of that hospital never to return and never to have another seizure as long as she lived. She returned home miraculously healed of epilepsy, but with lingering effects of her time in the hospital. She was very thin and weak and had terrible sores on her head, which she kept covered with a scarf. Each morning her mother would remove the scarf that was wrapped around her head and treat her infection as best she could, but the terrible draining sores only got worse.

One day in November, her dad came in the house waving a tract in his hand. He said that it had been thrown out of plane that was flying over the city. They were announcing a tent crusade in the city, where there would be a preacher who would pray for the sick. Juanita’s dad had never heard of anyone praying for the sick until Juanita told him the story of the man that visited her in the hospital, so he was sure that this had to be the very same man. He wanted Juanita to go with him to the crusade and have the man pray for the sores on her head. Juanita’s mother was very upset at the idea and would not go to the meeting, so Juanita and her dad went to the crusade without her.

That night the evangelist (not the same man who prayed for Juanita in the hospital) preached the salvation message and told of Christ’s love. When he made the altar call, Juanita found herself at the front of the tent, crying, kneeling in the dirt, where she gave her heart to the Lord. Later in the service, she went forward again for prayer for healing. The evangelist laid his hands on her head and prayed for healing of the sores on her head. That was November 22, 1957, and since that date nothing has ever been the same for Juanita.

The next morning, Juanita’s mom began the daily chore of dressing the sores on her head. When she removed the scarf from Juanita’s head, she fell back in shock. The sores that had been so swollen and infected and draining just the morning before were now totally dry and scabbed over as if they had been healed weeks before. Now this got her mom’s attention! She wanted to know all about this God of miracles, who could heal and save. A few Sundays later, Juanita and her family visited the Assemblies of God church in Mexicali. It was in that service that her mom gave her heart to the Lord---just the beginning of God’s love snowballing through Juanita’s family.

Juanita’s story is a beautiful one---attended Bible school, earned her credentials, married a preacher, co-pastored with him for 22 years in Culiacan. Then in1985 she and her husband returned to Mexicali, her home town, to be the pastors of La Hermosa, the very church that she first attended as a teenager. Nine years ago her wonderful husband died, and Juanita has continued as pastor of the thriving church of her youth. It was in this church and in this city, that God gave Juanita His plan for the street children.

So, that brings us back to that fateful morning in 1986 at 5:00 a.m when God first spoke to Juanita concerning the children of the city. Each day that she passed the young boys, God told her to help them. She asked Him what she should do and all He said was “Feed them.” So the adventure began. In the following years, Juanita and the people of her church made sandwiches and took them to the children in the streets. They had programs and did all that they could do to reach out to the children. But even this did not relieve the burden that was upon Juanita to help these young boys. She knew that God wanted her to do more.

Finally in the Fall of 2000, Juanita felt it was time to do something drastic. She had shared her burden for the street boys of Mexicali with many people over the years, but to no avail. No one ever seemed to believe in her vision or want to help. But, this time, things were different. This time when she shared her heart with the congregation and asked them to pray with her, things started happening. People in the church caught the vision and poured out to help, volunteering to teach, cook, clean, serve or do whatever was necessary.

Taking on the responsibility to feed, clothe and school the children was a huge step of faith for Pastor Juanita, but she knew this was God’s timing and she was obedient to His direction. Soon God’s plan began to unfold and He sent people who had the same vision as Juanita to help in the work. Now, there is a new two-story building under construction that will house the boys home, the school and the feeding center. In the 4 years since the children’s center was started, many children have heard the message of God’s love and have experienced that love first-hand. Juanita, a strong and mighty warrior for the children of the city, is finally seeing her dream become a reality. Our God is an awesome God!

In November 2000, the new ministry began. In a small rented house the church started a feeding center for the children of the city. The ladies of the church cooked and cleaned and served and the church provided the food and all that was needed. Soon they were feeding 60 children each day and seeing the need to help in so many other ways. Within months they started a Christian school for the street children who were not attending school and soon opened their doors for 5 young boys who had nowhere else to live.

This year we want to “adopt” two lovely young ladies from Sonora, Mexico, to help them with their studies at the Bible School here in Tijuana. Both just started their second year of school this month. They are wonderful young women, with a heart to serve, who spent their one-month vacation between classes volunteering at the Boys Home in Mexicali.

Glenda’s vision is to be a missionary to India and Rosa is studying to be a pastor. Their tuition is a huge mountain before them. The total cost for tuition, room and board is just $1200 per year, which may seem a small amount compared to the costs of US schools and universities, but it is a giant hurdle for these young ladies. Please help us pray for God’s provision for Glenda and Rosa and for the other young people at the Bible School who are answering God’s call upon their lives. They truly are the future of Mexico.

Gerardo, our oldest, is now 10 years old, so we have been handed a whole new set of interests as the older boys (8-10) want to play soccer and the older girls (age 7-8) just want some peace and quiet! I’m sure that sounds like some of your homes, too. But as these little ones grow in size, we watch them growing in the Lord, as well. .

A few hours east of the Tijuana orphanage, in Mexicali, we are also watching God bring forth new life in the young men at the Boys Home. Of course, this group of God’s kids (Age 11-20) is older than the children at the orphanage, but children nevertheless. While it appears that God has a bigger job here, because these boys are bigger, it is amazing to see how quickly these “big” boys turn their lives around because they are so desperate for God’s love. God knows how to do all things well.

She was driving through the city very early one morning on her way to a prayer meeting at the church. It was very cold and windy that day, and as she pulled up to a stop light, she noticed a raggedy young boy standing in the center of the street, selling newspapers. He was shivering in the cold and the look of despair on his face struck her heart. She was immediately overwhelmed by the burden that she felt for him, and she “heard” God speak to her heart the words “Ayúdalo.” So, she reached into her purse to get a few coins to give him. As she was reaching into her purse, she felt that God was telling her "No that's not enough. I want you to do more."

It was fifteen years ago, that God first gave Pastor Juanita Murillo, a burden and vision for the street boys of Mexicali.

Carlos is one of the "first five". A newspaper boy and lost boy of the streets of Mexicali. But because someone listened to the voice of God, and offered him a sandwich, Carlos is now writing Christian songs, singing those same songs, and sharing his testimony in tent meetings in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods of Mexicali.

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

October 2009

Now, let me tell you about one more blessing that fills me with thanksgiving—— you! Without you, we could not do what we are doing. We are so thankful for your prayers, your support and your love. You are a part of everything that we do and we are so thankful to God for bringing you into our lives. When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he told them just what we would like to say to you:

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil 1:3-5)

You are a blessing and in this beautiful Thanksgiving season we count you among our most precious . Thank you for your kindness and generosity to us and the people of Mexico.

Tijuana, Mexico

June 2009

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

September, 2006

Breaking new ground---that seems to be the theme of every aspect of the ministry here in Baja Mexico at the moment.

In the past few months we have broken ground on two new church construction projects here in Tijuana and next month will break ground on the third. Each church project is unique with its own special challenges, but we are thankful to God for leading us to help these 3 wonderful pastors realize their dreams.

Has your church been thinking and dreaming about a missions trip? If so, please pray about coming to work with us in Mexico. Right now, we are scheduling construction teams for these three projects for next year. If God leads you to help in some way, please contact us and we will do all we can to make it happen.

Last month, we broke ground on a new building behind the Boys Home. Some weeks ago, a good friend surprised and delighted us by offering to donate a printing press and other commercial equipment to set up a print shop for the boys home. Within weeks, with the help of a PA construction team, the floor was poured. Next month, a team is scheduled to begin construction on the new building. We are so grateful to our friends who have made this new exciting project possible and thank God for his awesome provision.

Now God has sent us 13 new treasures—diamonds in the rough. All but 2 of them have been there less than 5 months and 4 of them are brand-new. These young boys have been battered and abused, both physically and emotionally.

We are also seeing God breaking new ground at the Boys Home in Mexicali. All of the older young men have “graduated” from the Boys Home and now all have jobs and are living on their own—-Christian young men making a positive impact on those around them.

Yet we are seeing God break through their tough exteriors and bring healing into their lives.

The Scripture that God has given us for these boys is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”——and they are beginning to believe it! Please pray for these wonderful young boys.

We have new and exciting news at the children’s home in Tijuana as well. In July, our director, Alejandra, married Rafael, a wonderful young man from the church. Their story is a beautiful testimony of God’s love and provision. The wedding was beautiful with all of the children of the orphanage taking part in the ceremony. A wonderful lady of the church volunteered to make dresses for all the girls and ties and cummerbunds for all the boys.

It was a special day for their “mommy” and they are so happy with their new “daddy.” Rafael loves the children as much as we do and is a blessing to our little household.

God does all things well.

We now have a brand-new website—-I guess this means we have finally stepped into the 21st century—-kicking and screaming all the way! In addition to information on the ministry here, you cans see photos of each of the children at the orphanage and at the Boys Home. We hope this will help you to pray specifically for these children. Our address is an easy one to remember: http://www.artstoneking.com

(click on the link to the left to go to our website)

Also, for future email editions of our newsletters, please send us your current email address.

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

February. 2007

The above caption kind of sounds like a headline you'd find in a small-town newspaper in the U.S. telling the story of a young man, who made it to the big-time----pro football player, author, doctor, etc. Well, in this story, the town is Tijuana, Mexico, hardly small-town USA, and the hero is Rueben, one of our boy's at the children's home. While Rueben didn't become famous or wealthy, we think you'll agree with us that he definitely has "made good". Rueben is a chronically happy 9-year old, whose straight, black hair is almost always standing on end, whose smile is contagious, and who has an endless stream of jokes and gags engineered to make you laugh. To look at him, you would never suspect that his early years were sad ones, spent living on the streets, eventually abandoned by his mother. It is good to see that most memories of those early days have faded and he is enjoying the new life he has found at the children's home.

Rueben attends the local elementary school with the other children of the children's home. One day last month, Alejandra, the director of the children's home and "mommy" to all of the kids, was at one of the many school meetings required when you have a family of 19 children who are all in school. A woman came up to her and said she wanted to talk to her about Rueben, because he and her son, Alberto were friends. She then asked Alejandra if she knew what Rueben had been doing in School. Well, as we all know, a question like that can strike fear to a mom or dad's heart and prompt a dozen wild questions to jump into your mind. What is he doing? Did he take someones lunch? Did he kick a dog? Get in a fight? Try to sell his matchbox car to another student? (by the way....all are real scenarios that have cropped up during the last 10 years in the care and feeding of our little guys.) Alejandra's mind was racing. Then Alberts mom proceeded to tell her what Rueben had been up to. Since the beginning of the school year, Rueben had been giving Alberto little Christian tracts and telling him about Jesus. now, this was no surprise to Alejandra because it was Rueben's habit to carry tracts with him wherever he went---he stuffed them in his pokets, put them in his backpack, ect. He loved to give people a tract wherever he went. Alberto's mom said that whenever Alberto received a new tract from Rueben, he brought it home and asked his mom to read it to him. Then, on Christmas day at their house, Albert's mom got a surprise. When everyone was gathered around the dinner table- aunts-uncles-grandma, etc...Albert stood up and said that they needed to pray. Well, they had never prayed before over their dinner, but little Albert told his whole family that his friend Rueben, told him that he should thank God for his food and also told him that Christmas was Jesus' birthday which was new for Albert. So Albert told his family that he wanted to pray. As the family sat dumbfounded, this 8-year old boy prayed. "Dear Jesus, thank you for Christmas and thank you for this good food. Amen" Later, Alberto told his mom that he wanted to be like his friend Rueben and that he wanted to go to heaven like Rueben when he died.

Needless to say, we are proud of our little evangelist. Rueben continues to tell his friends about Jesus and we continue to thank God for him. If God can take a little boy like Rueben who only knew abuse and abandonment and so fill his heart with love that he can't keep from sharing the Good News with his friends, then we can rest assured that He can do anything. God's love has so totally crowded out the bad memories of Rueben's past that he bubbles over with the good stuff of the present. We thank God for each and every one of the children He has brought our way and for the miracles that He is performing in their lives. Rueben's message was simple yet profound----Jesus loves us and has a plan for our lives.

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

June, 2007

Last week, we dedicated the new print shop at the Boys Home in Mexicali. This is the beginning of the vocational school to equip and train the boys for their future.

It was so exciting to see the first sheets of paper come off the press and know that this was just the beginning of something great. All of the boys are excited about the opportunity to learn. We realize that not all of them will have the ability or the desire to make this their career, but it will provide them an opportunity to learn.

The most exciting part is that the boys are beginning to realize that they really do have options -- despite the lies that they have been told all of their lives, they don't have to rely on begging and stealing to stay alive. The boys are learning about God's love and the hope and future that He has planned for them. What a mighty God we serve!

God is doing an amazing work in the lives of the boys at the Boy Home. Almost every day brings a new miracle and, some months ago, we were definitely convinced that it would take a miracle to teach these boys good study habits for school. However, classes ended last week and the boys recieved their final grades. None of then had grades less than 8, four of them earned an average of 9.3 and one of the boys, Alan, got straight 10's! (which is the same as straight A's.) Alan has the honor of being the top student in all 6 of the 7th grade classes in school. That's pretty incredible when you remember what a rough start in life these youn men had. To God be the glory --great things He has done!

In April, we traveled south to visit some of our national pastors in South Baja. Many of them live in very remote areas, some of which had been devastated by the furricanes last winter.

We began preparation for the trip months earlier as we collected food, hygiene items and gifts for the families. We also took this opportunity to include the children of the orphanage in this outreach, to teach them the joy of giving and serving. The children helped by packing the boxes of food for the families. They loved being a part of the project and were anxious to hear the reports of the families that received them when we returned.

The pastors that we visited serve in areas definitely “off the beaten path.” One village has water only one day a week and no electricity after 11:00 pm. Another area in the mountains, has no electricity at all. Other areas were in the path of the hurricane and pastors’ homes and churches had been damaged or destroyed. It was a blessing to us to be able to help these families with provisions and gifts and to let them know how much we honor the work that they are doing.

At a lunch meeting, several days after we had visited, one of the pastors pulled out a little bottle of men’s cologne that had been in his gift package and said, “I love having this. I only use 2 drops at a time so that it will last a long, long time.” That little comment really touched my heart. We all have so much and so often take it for granted. How wonderful it was to share with these beautiful servants of God!

We were blessed by the ministry of the dedicated pastors serving in South Baja. They have few resources, their churches are not grand, their villages are small, but the work that they are doing in these areas is truly inspiring. We pray God’s special blessings on them and their work for Him.

If we commit ourselves to honor and follow the vision that God has placed within our pastors then we will experience prosperity in our lives. Not just money, but success, favor, and blessing, in all areas of our life.

Meet Maria and Miguel, the newest children in our family at the children’s home in Tijuana. Aren’t they beautiful? Their life story thus far has been a sad one, but their smiling faces reveal new-found joy. They now have a warm bed, good food, a brand-new family and a lot of love. It’s God’s love that makes all the difference and we thank God for these two precious gifts that He has placed in our care.

At this time, we have three new church construction projects underway in Tijuana. We still need construction teams for this year and 2008.

Please pray about this opportunity and if God leads you to help in some way, please contact us and we will do all we can to make it happen!

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION IN TIJUANA

Because so many of you were a part of the Christmas blessings that were poured out upon the children of the Children's Home and the Boy's Home this year, we wanted to share with you a few of the photos of our Christmas here in Mexico. Thank you for your prayers and support. God is performing miracles in the lives of the children, healing then, blessing them, and making them brand new. To God be the Glory!

Mexico

Tijuana, Mexico

July 2008

We are all pretty excited here because we have finally found land to build the new children's home. We have been looking for land all over the city for some time and just couldn't locate what we believed to be the right place. But, now we are thrilled to report that we have found a piece of land that will allow us to build a new home for the children, have some space for them to play and maybe even space for a little garden.

The children are so excited. Thay have all seen the land and are helping us to envision their new home there. The present children's home has become very crowded now that our children are getting older and since we have increased the size of our family. How wonderful to be able to build a new home for the children where they will have room to play and grow and where we will be able to expand our family.

Please pray for us. We will soon be signing the contract and begin payment of the land. We are going ahead by faith, because we believe this is the place that God has chosen for our children.

Help us pray for God's direction for every step and for His provision. We are thanking God for his provision to us.

In the midst of looking for land and finishing the church projects in Tijuana. God gave us the opportunity to start a new children's ministry in a little fishing village in South Baja. The little village is Bahia de Los Angeles, which means "Bay of the Angels," and we believe it will be a site of blessing for the little "angels" that live there.

It was in this little village, several years ago that we were able to build the first evangelical church within 150 miles. At that time the town only had electricity from a generator until 10:00 pm each night, water for only 4 hours a week, and the only phone was at the local market. This past year, things really started changing in the village. Now they have electricity 24 hours a day (not without weekly interruptions however). phone service, and water twice a week! The little church is doing well and is truly blessed with young hardworking pastors with great vision. Pastor Tony and his wife, Luci, saw a need for the children of their town and had the vision and drive to do something about it.

In May we started construction on the new building and the fence that was needed to accommodate the new children's center. There is still much to be done before we are ready to accept children, but we are hoping to be able to open the doors to the children of the village before the end of the year. We thank God for his provision and blessing.

The dream of these young pastors was to start a daycare ministry for the children of the village. During the day, while most of the parents are working, the children are left to their own devices on the streets or must accompany their parents to work. While the village appears quiet and tranquil, there is a danger for the children that are left alone. Drugs are a real problem in the community as boats loaded with contraband for the North often land here at the bay.

The dream is to build a center for the children to care for them during the time that they are not in school and provide a breakfast and lunch for each child. Not only will the children be safe and cared for, but each day they will be taught about Jesus' love.

Last month, several of our children at the orphanage recieved scholastic awards at the close of the school year. What a delight it was to see then with their medals!

Now we are getting ready for the new school year which starts in just a few weeks. That means new uniforms, shoes, books, supplies, registrations for 24 of our 28 children. This is the largest number we have had in school at one time. There will be challenges, and life will be very interesting -- especially when it comes to homework each day! However we are so grateful that God has brought us these beautiful children and provided a way for them to recieve an education and, more importantly, learn of His love. We thank each and every one of you that has helped us through the year. You are a blessing to the ministry here and we thank God for youi.

All in all, the children had done well this year. Many of our newer children have struggled in their studies as this was their first encounter with school and it was difficult for them. However, almost all of our children have improved and we have told them how proud we are of their endeavors. We thank God for the way that He is working in their lives.

Construction teams and materials are still needed to finish the church construction in Tijuana and begin work on the new orphanage

Please pray about this opportunity and if God leads you to help in some way, please contact us and we will do all we can to make it happen!

CONSTRUCTION TEAMS STILL NEEDED IN MEXICO

To see photos of the children at the orphanage and updates on the other projects,

check out our website: www.artstoneking.com

I’ve got one of those “good news—-bad news” kind of reports this month. The bad news is that Satan has been out in full force, trying to deter the work at the new orphanage here in Tijuana. We already told you about the government refusing approval for the construction. Well, that was just the beginning.

Gathering Children

Some would gather money

Along the path of life.

Some would gather roses

And rest from worldly strife.

But I would gather children

From among the thorns of sin.

I would seek a golden curl

And a freckled, toothless grin.

For money cannot enter

In the land of endless day.

But, oh, the laughing children

As I cross the sunset sea

And the gates swing wide to heaven

I can take them in with me!

Our director, Alejandra, became critically ill; Rafael, her husband and our project manager, got bell’s palsy; all 30 of the children became suddenly sick overnight (not the swine flu) including the baby who had to be hospitalized; the construction work was halted due to the need for another permit; our architect was called out of town delaying the blueprints; all 5 of the construction teams that were scheduled to work on the orphanage this summer cancelled out—and we haven’t even started to talk about the border violence and the swine flu!

But are we feeling sad or defeated? Never! We remind ourselves that God must have an awesome plan for these children because the old devil is working overtime to stop it. Well, too bad for him! The good news is that God is in control and He is ever watchful and ever faithful. We are glad to say that our good news totally outweighs the bad. As a matter of fact, our news is not just good news, it is great news! We are seeing miracles! To begin with, our director received a miraculous, instantaneous healing. Praise God! We also discovered that we have wonderful, faithful friends, who will stand with us in times of trouble. They stormed heaven on behalf of the children and God completely healed every one of our sick kids.

God also gave us a real miracle in the lives of two of our older boys, who were having tremendous emotional and behavioral problems. God did an incredible work in their hearts and they are totally different boys now. Their teachers at school are asking what has happened to them.

What about the construction on the new children’s home and the increased expenses for land, etc? Well, it looks like our Father, has a plan for that as well. God gave us “friends in high places” who battled the government and got us the approval to begin construction. The foundation is almost complete, thanks to a an amazing MAPS team in April.

When we didn’t even know the struggle that would be ahead concerning our land payment each month, God used a wonderful group of people to commit to help us each month with that payment. Each payment, each month is a new miracle of God’s provision. Then one of the churches who had to cancel their MAPS trip this summer, called to tell us that they were sending the funds for construction materials even though the team could not come. With this awesome blessing, the construction work at the children’s home can continue with the help of our Mexican brothers. Another of our favorite MAPS teams called to tell us that they were going to plan on two missions trips this year instead of one, so that the work on the orphanage would not be delayed. I could go on and on, but will just say that God is confirming His promise to us to complete the work that He started. Are we blessed? Absolutely. Is God taking care of us and providing for our every need? Every day and all the time. Life is good in Mexico, leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5:7,8,9

We can’t let this month go by without telling you what God is doing in the lives of the young men at the Boys Home. When I think of these boys and where they’ve come from and where they are today, I just want to jump with joy. Of the twelve boys that are living at the Boys Home right now, 10 have accepted Christ into their hearts and are sold-out, radical Christians. (The other two are very close!) Several have recently received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Two of the boys feel a call upon their lives to ministry and want to go to Bible School when they complete high school. (Actually they want to go now, without finishing school, but that is not an option!) Another wants to be a doctor and they all have dreams for their futures. Thus far in school this year, the lowest grade that any of the boys received was a B. Can you imagine that?

But life is not all school and work for the boys; they are enjoying life and having a good time. They recently joined a soccer league and are playing various teams in the city. They are loving the competition, their new uniforms, and the sport. They won their first game and are pretty happy with themselves. They had a celebration party with pizza and ice cream after the game.

Right now they are all abuzz over the prospect of school ending for the summer, because this July they are going to all go on a 3-day retreat—-the first vacation most of them have ever had.

I could just pop with pride over these boys and filled with gratitude to God. Just a few years ago, these boys were living on the streets or with abusive families or in government institutions. Most of them did not know how to read or write. Now they are excelling in life; filled with dreams, a hope and a future. God is so good.

“For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 20:11

CONSTRUCTION TEAMS URGENTLY NEEDED IN MEXICO

Construction teams and materials are needed for the coming year to build the new Children's Home in Tijuana.

Please pray about this opportunity and if God leads you to help in some way, please contact us and we will do all we can to make it happen!

If you don’t feel that this is the year for a trip to Mexico, you may want to consider a “Missions Trip in a Box.” Give us a call and we’ll tell you all about it!

A New Song

Below is a loose translation of a song that one of the boys at the Boys Home wrote— a song of gratitude to God for the change in his life:

I was sad,

Tired of life.

You came to me.

You changed my soul.

Tired of darkness,

I found a new place.

Help me, Jesus,

I don’t want to be the same.

I love you, Lord.

Here inside this Home.

Please let me be

A great blessing for you

We just got home from a week in South Baja, where little towns are cleaning up after the hurricane of last month. Since the larger resort cities were not in the hurricane's final path, there wasn’t much in the news about the damage. For that reason, we were surprised at the devastation that we saw when we arrived. In one city, huge waves had carried cars out to sea and others were buried in mud. Another town was flooded and the church was completely covered in water, 3 feet above the roof.

With a couple of great guys from Utah and a group of our Mexican brothers, we were able to put a new roof on the church, the pastor’s house and the feeding center patio. Praise God! The church is back up and running, full of energy and eager to help their neighbors. As soon as we arrived, the pastor began distributing the beans and rice and clothing that we had brought to the families who had been hardest hit.

There are still so many families and churches that need help and we pray that God will enable us to do more to bless these hurting people. At the same time, we are filled with gratitude to God for His provision for the little town of Insurgentes. While it has been a tragic time for many families, it was good to see that people knew where to run when they needed help. I know many of them have been touched by the love that was shared with them during this time. God is able to bring good from the most tragic circumstances and we pray that many lives will continue to be touched by His love during this time.

Please pray for these beautiful children as they work to make up for lost time in their education. We thank God for the opportunity that our children have to get an education and learn of Jesus' love. We are blessed.

After many delays to construction these past few months, we are so glad to report that yesterday we were able to finally pour the last part of the foundation on the children’s home. It seems like it has been a long road to this point, but we are happy to be here and more than ready to move ahead.

The children are anxious for their new home to be completed. They continue to grow, which only makes their present home seem smaller! However, for the moment, their focus is on the new school year.

As I mentioned, delays and obstacles seemed to be the norm for the past few months. Many of our construction teams cancelled out and we found ourselves wondering what was ahead. We had to remind ourselves in the midst of it all, that our ways are not God’s ways and our timing is not necessarily His.

Then, as we thought about our work in South Baja last week, we realized that if the team scheduled for last week had not cancelled, we would not have had the week open to go help that little church. God knew all about the hurricane and He knew that pastor would be praying for help. We were only aware of the needs that we could see in front of our faces. When will we ever learn to completely trust in God’s wisdom and timing? Our crazy year of schedule upsets reminds me of one of my favorite stories of Amy Carmichael, early 20th century missionary to India.

Amy tells of an early experience on the mission field, when she and several other missionaries were traveling to a rather remote area for a long-anticipated series of evangelistic services. The journey was a long one and at one point they encountered a 6-day delay in their travel because the boat scheduled to take them the last leg of the journey did not arrive.

The little band settled in on the docks and waited patiently, spending time resting, reading and, as Amy described it, “having a welcome little hemming up time.” One of the team became very frustrated and began pacing and complaining to the leader that if they continued on their journey in this happy-go-lucky manner, they would arrive too late to fulfill the very reason for the trip. The leader, never ruffled, merely pointed out the obvious and said, “God knows all about the boats.”

That little phrase has been one that has come to my mind so many times when I find myself being the ruffled, upset and frustrated one instead of the quiet, peaceful, contented one. As a matter of fact, the need has arisen so often in my life, that there is a little card resting on my desk with the words, “God knows all about the boats” just to bring proper prospective when I am out of sorts. Never forget: God knows all about the boats!

MEXICO

Tijuana, Mexico

March 2010

Last year was interesting to say the least. Most folks were avoiding Tijuana like the plague: If it wasn't the kidnappings and violence in the streets that frightrened them, it was the swine flu or just plain bad economy. But, while there were times that things didn't look too bright, we never forgot that God was in control. In spite of problems and delays, we are so happy to report that the walls of the new children's home are going up. Praise God!

The walls of the first floor are almost finished

Last week, the children all came over to the jobsite for an outdoor service. It was a delight to watch them explode out of the van and run around like little ponies who have been fenced in too long. They had such a great time running and jumping and playing.

They were thrilled to see the walls of their new home and to imagine where they will sleep and where they will eat and even what color they want to paint the walls. We are all getting so excited about the glorious day when we will be able to move our kids into their new home.

We've just got to tell you about our kids. We are pretty sure they are the best ones in the world. Earlier this year, we asked the kids to pray that God woule send us the teams and funds we needed to finish their new home. They know that when the funds run out, we stop construction and wait for God's next provision.

Well, our kids are champion prayers, but what they did in addition to their praying really touched my heart. They started selling chocolates and little homemade bracelets at their school. (That is a pretty normal activity here in the schools in Mexico.) They kept it a secret from us and last week they told us while giggling and wiggling, that they had just bought and entire truck load of fill dirt for the project with the money they had earned.

The kids are more than ready to move

into their new home

Are we proud of these beautiful children? Absolutely. We thank God for each and every one of them and the newe life that He had given them. We are blessed, blessed, blessed.