Compelled by Love

PLEASE HELP

2011-12-07T15:00:00.002-06:00

** THIS IS THE FUNDRAISING LETTER I SENT OUT EARLIER THIS MORNING. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR HELP AS WE FINISH OUT THIS YEAR!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY AND TAKING THE TIME TO SUPPORT US! WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!!

Dearest friends and family,

As the year is winding down it’s time for us to start “closing our books” for the year and looking toward next year for the ministry. As with any non profit, that inevitably means attempting to “catch up” and pray toward a budget for next year - deciding how and sometimes “if” we’ll be able to continue with commitments we have made and really want to keep.

On paper it’s been a hard year. Several “unexpected” expenses have thrown us for a loop. Some friends of ours who borrowed our car for a day had an accident that totaled our truck and we obviously had to replace that as it is the only transportation we have. I have had to had more medical tests run this year and had a minor surgery which cost significant money to an already tight budget. We had an electricity problem in the house which cost us almost a thousand dollars extra in an electric bill. There have just been many unexpected’s on top of an economy that is certainly showing most of us working in the non profit sector that “times are tough.” We aren’t exempt in any way from feeling the weight of what happens with the economy in the States. In fact to a budget without a cushion it sometimes is crippling in some ways or at the very least inhibiting significantly to a ministry.

We continue to believe with all of our hearts that we’re operating out of God’s economy and not what it “looks like” to a world full of people. God certainly continues to provide and we are grateful. He continues to touch people’s hearts and we watch generosity pour in and continue to touch us to our toenails.

The truth is however that as we are looking at our end of the year, we need to raise about $15,000 to be able to continue our commitments as we approach 2012 and we really need your help. It sounds like a tremendous amount of money but when broken down into pieces we can all work with - it’s 15 people at $1000 or 30 people at $500 or 60 people at $250 or 150 at $100. You get the picture. If spread out among a team of people it becomes possible.

With honestly we admit that we have an electric bill we presently can not pay. For the first time in 6 years, last month was the first month we were unable to pay rent at the ministry house. Our tire fell off the truck two days ago and to fix it we have a bill of $800. We have “borrowed” from folks we love to cover for a time but it’s time to pay up. So it is no exaggeration when I tell you that we could use your help in almost “desperate” ways.

As you are making plans for your end of the year tax deductions, if you would consider us we would be so incredibly grateful. If your heart is touched by God to donate toward a ministry that we believe is still bent toward elevating the poor, to fighting for justice, whose heartbeat is still to love with the heart of Christ and make Him visible and tangible in a world that at moments exists without hope - we would be so grateful for your help. We would welcome you to be a part of this team of people who help to make this happen. We thank God for your heart to help us serve and rescue. Truly.

We cannot do this without so many of you and we have never been more aware of that than we are in this present season. We are praying on this side of the globe that we will be able to come up with the deficit in this phase of fundraising season and then will be able to secure more monthly sponsors come January in Phase 2 of our fundraising plan.

It has been a good year in terms of what we have been able to be a part of at Called and Compelled. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to host and facilitate teams and do the follow up for all that goes along with relationships built through those experiences. We are delighted at what God is creating and sustaining through our partnership with Women of Purpose in an effort to bring English speaking missionary women together for refreshment and renewal. We continue to work closely with a homeless ministry we believe chases the heart of Christ into the darkness and lights up places most people avoid. We are excited about the opportunities to build more houses through sponsorships throughout the year and not just in the summer when teams are here. We pray to be able to continue to invest in and even study and build relationships with those families and continue to love and encourage them. The privilege of walking closely alongside Carlos and Saul and pouring into them as they live in our home is precious and we adore them. Although the proximity of the little boys family has changed, they moved back to Comayagua (about 3 hours from us) a few months ago, our heart remains steadfast in our prayers for and our desire to continue to walk alongside their family in whatever way the Lord allows.

So as you can see, our ministry plate remains full to overflowing. Both with tasks and with blessings.

I was reminded just how very blessed we are again last week. We built a house for a sweet momma and her four children, who worked beside us all day pounding nails, or moving wood, or anything else they could help us do. We had finished building and it was time to leave and as usual we prayed over the family - that God would reign in that home, that they would always be blessed there and that they would come to know how very much He loves them. I turned toward the momma, her name is Telma and she grabbed ahold of me in a death-clutch hug and just kept patting my back. I tried to let go at one point and she just held on and I felt these quiet cries coming from her. So we stood that way for a moment and as my good friend Mark reminded me on the way out the door, “this is why we keep doing it Jen, that’s exactly why, cause all we have in life are moments, and they need to matter.” True enough brother.

So here’s to continuing to partner to make the moments matter for a Savior who is present in every single one of them wooing us toward Himself.

If you would be willing to help us -
TO DONATE:
1) www.calledandcompelled.blogspot.com (you can donate with credit card here if you wish)
2) For tax deductible donations - make the check payable to Belpre Church of Christ and send it to Mary Ann Laughery, 685 Timberline Dr. Vincent, OH 45784

If you have any questions or need more info, please feel free to ask.

Please keep track of where we are with our fundraising goal on my blog at www.calledandcompelled.blogspot.com and watch how with each of us playing our part we can continue to make a difference in this country and for these precious people.

If you know of any other churches or individuals that might be interested in becoming involved with the ministry here in Honduras, please pass this along to them as well or give us their contact information. We are seeking to develop a broader base of partners and expand what Called and Compelled Ministries is and does over the coming year.

Thank you so much for your time and sacrifice.

Because we are still compelled by His love,
Jen Wright (on behalf of all of us at Called and Compelled Ministries)

The Kingdom Is Alive Tour

2011-09-06T14:44:00.005-05:00

Well we are in the final stages of preparing to head to Dallas, TX on Thursday morning. Some amazing friends have agreed to help us raise money for the causes most near and dear our hearts this year and so we are tour bound. It is humbling to have them using their gifts (which are plentiful in each of them) to help us raise money for Called and Compelled. I am excited to travel with them and look forward to what God will do in each of us through this experience. For our first benefit show Called and Compelled is also getting to link arms with the Touch A Life Foundation. Their story is incredible and we eagerly await learning more about their work in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Ghana over the course of the weekend. Find more information on them at http://www.touchalifekids.org/

Please check out the website www.thekingdomisalivetour.com to see more about the crew :)

Please pray for us that Jesus might be elevated, that things might be spoken that would challenge and grow places in each of us that need to be touched and tended to and that because of something that happens more people might be helped in the name of Christ.

We will try to keep you posted as we travel as well.

COMMITMENT...

2011-03-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

We were asked at the renewal that we just came from to make some “commitments” (which is hard for some of us who flee from most anything that requires commitment for fear that we will fail, but that’s another post altogether).

We were to ponder and pray and listen for God to speak in regards to what He was seeking to transform within us throughout the week and how what we felt Him shifting would play itself out on the following Monday morning when we were no longer in “renewal” setting. It was obvious that real life was waiting, so how would our time together with one another, and mostly, with the Lord have affected the everyday-ness of our life.

In an attempt to not oversimplify but not write a ridiculously long post – one of my RUDE awakenings throughout the week of being in God’s presence and the presence of some other folks who invited us to engage with them in the process of a “deeper life,” was that I felt clearly convicted that I had traded in my DELIGHT at being a daughter of the King and walking with Him into hard places and feeling privileged to do so – to attempt to lead a ministry. The exchange has been stinky and it’s taken the best parts about doing all of this with it. It has left me tired and frustrated and burnt out and bitter and hurt and lacking in so many places. I was offering the people I was certain God has asked me to serve, a very manufactured offering, because my cup was bone dry – there was nothing there worth anything to offer. I found myself scary dry and scary numb toward some things that should move this girls heart.

One of the largest regrets I have about ministry is that sometimes it hardens things that were so soft and vulnerable and nurturing in some far off distant place in the past. Some of that is “theirs” to own (whoever “they” might be)…for instance my heart remembers soft and vulnerable before it seemed like everyone was watching and knew how you were supposed to do things and were dishonoring in their conversations about how wrong even your best attempt at following Him passionately and serving people is. It was that way before ministries fought and competed for credit instead of working together to help the people who needed it. It was that way before people who loved Jesus didn’t act like Jesus very much at all. AND THEN…if I am honest a whole big lot of it is mine to own…It was that way before I took my eyes off Him and put my eyes on all the needs in front of us and our inadequacy to meet them. It was that way before I was able to walk past a half naked hungry soul and that feel like a “normal” part of my world, without needing to respond. It was that way before the pictures in the newspapers of murdered bodies lying on the ground no longer made me sick to my stomach or burdened in my heart and I was able to flip the page without much feeling about that at all. It was that way until I allowed my guilt over what other people thought a missionary should be to dictate what I did whether I felt God leading in that direction or not. It was that way until I began behaving as though I believed that working for God might be the same thing as pursuing God. It was that way before I thought that being a “missionary” had now become part of my “identity” instead of a really humbling piece of my journey through this life. It was that way until one day I realized that I had gotten so far from the girl I was when I came here to do this that I honestly wasn’t sure whether I really knew myself at this point at all. There’s a whole lot there that takes some “owning” from me as well.

Sure there are places that have grown and changed and shifted. There are places that are better as a result of the journey, but I think sometimes moving forward from where you are requires naming what you hate about where you are. I think this is that.

Somehow naming it and saying it and calling it what it is – liberates. There it is, honest, and out in the open, I am far from who I desperately want to be.

So now what??? Well, I think that’s where the “commitment” of what would change on Monday morning after our renewal time together comes in. At the risk of this sounding like I’m binding myself to some “law” I’ll never be able to keep, and using some tag line that has become an easy way to bury someone with guilt, I was certain that some things were going to have to change in my world. You know what I decided. I deserve an hour in the morning to seek God. I deserve a pretty place to be able to do that. I desire a cup that overflows with Him and things that would honor Him and if that’s true then it’s going to take some devotion on my part to bring that cup to Him for His abundant filling. So I decorated my patio. I bought myself a table and chairs. I was gifted with some gorgeous flowers to plant in my flower boxes. I bought some more pots and some other flowers that I just loved. I created a space to meet with God. It won’t be magic. It won’t create something I couldn’t have created in a corner of my bare room – but I want to be intentional about meeting with God and delighting in that again. I figured He was deserving of my time and energy in creating and decorating a place where we would have a date each day. So I dedicated that corner of the patio to be my “prayer chair.” Many other things will inevitably take place there but at the beginning of my day whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour or longer, I’ll seek Him there. I’ll put myself in position of surrender and listen for His lead. I’ll remember that my identity is in being His daughter…NOTHING else. I’ll be still and I will allow Him to quiet this heart that can hear the criticisms and opinions of others so loud some days I think I might go nuts. I will bring Him my mess and ask Him to start here with me first, change this before I invite or serve or “work” for everyone else who “needs” Jesus, I’ll remember that I’m pretty desperately in need of Him as well.

This prayer was one that was shared at the “renewal” and will become a regular part of my morning time…it speaks of morning, but it also speaks toward new beginnings and I feel like that also is where I am at this point in the journey.

AT THE DAWN

Our first glimpse of reality this day – everyday – is your fidelity.

We are dazzled by the ways you remain constant among us,
in season, out of season,
for better, for worse,
in sickness and in health.
You are there in watchfulness as we fall asleep;
You are there in alertness when we awaken…and we are glad.
Before the day ends, we will have occasion
to flag your absence in indifference…
but not now, not at the dawn.
Before the day ends, we will think more than once
that we need a better deal from you…
but not now, not at the dawn.
Before the day ends, we will look away from you and
relish our own fidelity and our virtue in mercy…
but not now, not at the dawn.
Now, at the dawn, our eyes are fixed on you in gladness.
We ask only that your faithfulness
permeate every troubled place we are able to name,
that your mercy
move against the hurts to make new,
that your steadfastness
hold firmly what is too fragile on its own.
And we begin the day in joy, in hope, and in deep gladness. Amen.

I desperately want to be honest with myself and with my God about who and where I am and how desperately I need Him – and today at this dawn – I think I make the commitment to start there again…knowing that I will no doubt fail…and that He will NO doubt still love me. Amazing!! Absolutely amazing!!

ROCKED MY FACE OFF!!!

2011-03-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

I have just had a “defining moment” week in my life.

I remember the season that led up to my reinvention of what this heart believed to be true about church and God and an authentic relationship with Him so vividly. It sticks out to me and will forever be a mark of my spiritual journey because it reshaped so much of my own walk with God. I learned in a small group of people in my 20′s what it meant to passionately love God and become a disciple attempting to follow so closely that the dust from His steps might land upon these feet. I wanted to become a follower of Christ, the platitudes and cliches would no longer satisfy all that was stirring in my heart. I wanted Him – a true version of Him – a pursued intentionally version of Him – a manifestation of Him in my life in the ways that I chose to live out every part of life. That season actually began my “relationship with Him.” My belief in Him came much earlier but His permanent home in my heart took up residence during that season. It was a “defining moment.”

So when I use the words “defining moment” they bear weight in my heart. They carry with it the idea that it marked me so deeply that parts of my heart/life/pursuit of God will forever be changed from the experience.

In the same way that worshipping with a small group of folks “reinvented” my ideas about community and God and church and walking with Him, this week has marked me as significantly in my views of ministry. I have been changed forever by both witnessing these women serve and minister and by the empowering of feeling like God was challenging me to go and do likewise in the sphere of ministry that He has placed before me.

I have a feeling this blog will be the spot where I wrestle out some of what’s in my heart about my time here and ALL that has happened as a result of it. Even typing that I have a myriad of words coming to mind for blog topics…hesed, easy love/hard love and all that happens in between, Psalm 103 (which could easily be 150 blogs on it’s own), a whole host of names of women who have touched me deeply and things you should hear and know about each of them, oh heavens, I have soooooooooo much crowding for space and desperately needing a way to flow out that I’m gonna need a way (if for no one else but me) to say some of this … so this is it!!

One of the things I have read over and over and over again since someone was kind enough to share this with me is this prayer. It resonates. It challenges. It screams in some moments and whispers in others. Today this is what I need to share and what I need to log on this space, so that I never forget how much it spoke to me in this season.

An Answering and a Refusing

We confess you to be the God who calls,
Who wills,
Who summons,
Who has concrete intentions,
For your creation,
And addresses human agents
Who do your will.

We imagine ourselves called by you…
Yet a strange lot:
Called but cowarldly,
Obedient but self-indulgent,
Devoted to you, but otherwise preoccupied.

In our strange mix an answering and a refusing,
We give thanks for your call.

We pray this day,
For ourselves, fresh vision;
For our friends, great courage,
For those who search for You in places more dangerous than ours,
Deep freedom.

As we seek to answer your call,
May we be haunted by your large purposes,
We pray in the name of the utterly called Jesus, Amen.

And amen

WEDNESDAY - Gals :)

2010-04-13T07:51:00.000-05:00

Wednesday we divided to conquer and the girls plus one very sweet bodyguard (Mark) headed to a new place for this year. We went to the juvenile detention center for teenage girls. It was a sight to behold. We sat and looked into the eyes of BEAUTIFUL girls 12-18 years old who had done what was required to land yourself in prison but they were just too young to go there. Many of them though if their sentences last over the time that they turn 18 will be transferred to the women's prison system. It was one of the most heart wrenching things I have ever seen and I've laid eyes on some pretty gutt wrenching stuff in this country. I sat near a couple of them and talked to them and asked their story and there were 13 year old girls in there for murder. I could not hardly remember to continue to inhale and exhale a few times when they told me some of that stuff. A 17 year old girl in there with a month and a half year old baby who was absolutely gorgeous and sweet as could be when we were talking to her in for at least 5 years for trying to smuggle drugs into her boyfriend who is in the mens prison system. She went for a visit had drugs in her pocket and life has dramatically changed for a very long time.

We teamed up with a ministry that I team up with anytime I can get the chance called Mi Esperanza. Some of my very good friends work with this ministry to empower and educate women to learn a skill to be able to provide a life for their children and themselves. It's a great ministry that is doing fantastic things, but on this particular day they took their beauty school students for a social service day. So the beauty students spent all day with these young girls giving hair do's and pedicures and manicures and just loving on the girls and hearing their stories. It's a new thing that has been implemented into the program not so long ago and the students love it. Old students ask to return for social service days because they believe in it. It's a neat thing to watch some of the women who have come in poor with little self esteem now have something to offer to someone else. Fun to witness and the young girls love having older gals to talk to and look up to. It's pretty special.

We took spaghetti and had lunch with them and popped popcorn and met some very special ladies with Orphan Helpers who are committed to teaching those young girls about Christ. We promised to continue to try to resource for them and find them bibles and spanish curriculum to use with the girls inside the center.

A few of us who live here and are able are going to make this a once a month stop at least. It stole a piece of our hearts and we recognized them as the least of the least in so many ways. Without hope, many of them, and no one up to this point who has loved on them. I really believe that sitting beside them for a couple hours a month might be one of the most worthy expenditures of my time I've found in a while.

TUESDAY Stop 3

2010-04-12T08:09:00.000-05:00

Next place on the agenda was the Mother Teresa Home. This is a facility with special needs children, orphaned children, single mothers, basically anyone who needs a place to go is welcomed. There are 2 sisters for 42 children and that was pretty obvious. They are low on resources and time and energy. We had fun doing popcorn with them and just playing for a couple hours in the afternoon. It will be a place that I will visit again and try to help. We were touched and tormented by the way the children were treated pretty harshly. Then we heard their story and realized they were under serious stress with only 2 of them for 42 childrens needs. That is certainly no justification for being unkind to the children but it perhaps gave us a tad more grace as we reached out to love on the children and the people who care for them. Brian Feldmeier must have played airplane with the popcorn for 10 minutes solid clear around the table as more little boys came and wanted to be a part of someone paying enough attention to them to put a piece of popcorn in their mouth. It was fun to see little boys get to play with grown up men and enjoy it so much. They lack male attention for sure and so they crave it and latch onto it when given a chance. Our guys did a terrific job of that.

This was the end of our day and we went back up to the mission house after we were done playing and were whooped...a good whooped, the best kinda whooped I know. It was a great day.

2010-04-12T04:32:00.000-05:00

So this was a little lady we saw at the market who had a basket FULL of bananas on her head that she was trying to sell. We decided we'd like to try and make her day and buy her out. She walked away dancing a little jig with a HUGE smile on her face. Fun stuff!!

This is Rosa's little store in the market. I love visiting there and buying from her when I can and knowing that I'm helping her family. It was fun to allow the group to see another moment in the life of one of the people we love here.

2010-04-12T04:14:00.000-05:00

Eva and Sarah - it was one of the sweetest spots of the trip for me as well.

When we asked Don Francisco what some of his greatest needs were he said...honestly Jen we really need food. Alrighty then. I shared that with the group and so we loaded up to head to the little market where my friend Rosa has now opened a little store and so we went and bought food for the folks we had just sat beside. We loaded them up on corn for tortillas, beans, rice, eggs, some fruits and veggies, and a few other things that should last at least a week. I'll go back to check on them soon and make sure they're ok and bring more if they need it. It was a sweet experience both to be able to bless Rosa as she is attempting to pay back the microloan she was given to open her little store and know that at the same time we would be able to bless CEDER. I will try to look for a picture of Rosa's store so you can see the type of market we experienced. It was a cool experience for the team to see Rosa as well because she used to be the one serving us every year at the mission house when we brought teams in and now we were able to serve her. They enjoyed getting to see one another. Another cool moment of attempting to intentionally use the money that God asked us to steward in ways that would provide the most ripples.

TUESDAY Stop 2

2010-04-12T04:06:00.000-05:00

So after the hospital we were off to the elderly home. Last year was our first trip there but it's becoming a pretty sacred spot for us as well. We were reminded of the precious work that Don Francisco does as he provides a place for the elderly to pass from this life with some shred of dignity and someone beside them as they go. I watched people cry because we asked about people we had connected to last year who were no longer there this year. It was like the reality of the moment hit as Don Francisco talked about them with love in his eyes and a knowing in his heart that he'd done the right thing by giving up a career as a dentist to come and live a life among these precious "least of these." I had the privilege of sitting and trying to translate for Eva while she talked to this sweet little lady named Sarah who has breast cancer and is just waiting for it to take her from this life into the next and she was sitting there no longer able to see quoting scripture to us. Then she would take our hands and kiss them and say now listen you go and continue to be kind to people and try not to hurt anyone ok? Think that's a great motto to live by and sounds a whole lot like the simplicity of the gospel to me.

We had some flowers left over from the hospital so we brought them with us and did some more arrangments to place beside the beds of the folks who reside in CEDER (the elderly home). It was so sweet almost as soon as Brian started to put them together a little lady who resides there came right over to where they were working and started to help place the flowers in the cups. She was so sweet and particular as she arranged them to look just right. Once again a special moment of her being able to serve her friends who have now become family there that she wouldn't have had without resources that were brought by this team. The flowers gave her an opportunity to serve her people. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful! I think God smiled big on that one.

2010-04-12T03:54:00.000-05:00

A few more pictures of the hydrocephaly kiddo's and their momma's waiting for a shred of hope that their baby might make it...and Cesar our bus driver being a part of the things we were involved in. That was a really sweet part of this journey too. He jumped right in and wanted to be a part of serving his people. I think I've mentioned it but I will say it again probably several hundred times...I LOVE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS...I am learning that a large part of a short term teams experience is to provide experiences for Hondurans to serve Hondurans as much as it is possible. It's beautiful to watch and the effects of that last long after we're gone and that's what we hope for...that when we're gone they will still be helped and served. There were some very neat moments of that this year.

TUESDAY Stop 1

2010-04-12T03:45:00.000-05:00

Tuesday will rank right up there with one of my VERY favorite days in team history. I LOVED it!!! I can't tell you the number of times I have been at the hospital for visits now...but it's ALOT!! This was by far the neatest visit that I've had. We had the privilege of having one of the doctors from Hospital Escuela come and we had devo that morning in the foyer of the hospital. She shared some about her experience working in a place with limited resources and how much she loved what she does. We had a donation from some very sweet folks as well to use at the hospital and so Doctora Sandra was able to take a few of us across the street to the medical supply store where we were able to buy two shunts for hydrocephaly children that will essentially save their lives. The tremendously humbling and difficult thing to grasp is that one of these shunts costs about $250 and the families watch their children die often because they can't come up with $250. I can't even grasp that. So to know that $500 was spent to save two children's lives was a really touching experience. Doctora Sandra led us all around the hospital and took us to see the hydrocephaly children and to present the shunts to the head nurse on staff (the doctor was in surgery). We stood in the room of the children who will likely receive the shunts and placed our hands on them and prayed over them their families and all who work with them. It was a beautiful/heartwrenching way to start the morning. Extreme sorrow and extreme joy living in exactly the same moment.

A couple years ago Momma Grose visited a little girls room while on a hospital visit and laid a single flower on the little girls bed and watched her eyes light up and a smile break over her face as she noticed it was the only thing with any color in a very dull room and how that one little flower brought so much joy. While talking about our trip this year that idea just mushroomed into...let's go to a flower stand really early one morning and buy most everything they have and take it to the hospital and make little cups of flowers to put beside the beds of the kiddo's. So, as God would have it, we had a flower expert with us and so Brian worked with a few other people to make little arrangments in plastic cups to take to the children. You should have seen the people coming by asking for one. They were beautiful and it was so much fun to watch a plastic cup and some flowers turn into something way better than that.

2010-04-08T08:25:00.000-05:00

Monday we had a packed day and built a house for a family out near the dump. We had heard about this family through another guy Marlon who had a house built for him a few months ago. A man wanting to help someone else he knew that needed help. It is touching to watch people become missionaries to their own people when given a chance to extend God's goodness and explain to them that God will provide and then help to make that happen. They worked alongside us all day long to help build their own house and be a part of the gift that was being extended. I love watching that happen may I just say.

We took a break at lunch to go and serve at the dump. For some of our team it was the the first time that they had laid eyes on this place. A difficult day no matter how many times you've seen it.

In the afternoon when the house was about finished we went back for another load of water in a bag and delivered a second time to those working in the dump. The heat at this time of the year is horrible and they beg for more water every single time we come.

It was a hard day but it was an honor to come alongside some people who praised God for a cup (or bag in this case) of water and a roof over their head. For the least of these Father...thank you for them and the way it helps us see you.

2010-04-08T08:13:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning we worshipped with the church in Sector Ocho which is a very needy community where we found Sarahi, Marisol and their family in great need a couple years ago. We knew they were one of the poorest communities we spend time in and so we loaded up our clothing for a distribution and after worship allowed the community members to come through. We had blankets, shoes, and clothing. I wish I could express to you how humbling it was to see them all DART for the blankets. They are cold and often without anything to protect them from that. It was great fun to watch the team helping people "shop" for themselves. A great way to start the day before we were off to Didasko.

Easter Sunday

2010-04-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

As is our tradition we spent Easter Sunday afternoon with the sweet bunch at Didasko. We did our annual Easter Egg Hunt which they have grown to love so much and we also did a project this year where we bought each of them new pillows and had one of the Mi Esperanza ladies make a pillowcase for each one of their sweet little heads. Our hands and messages were traced with markers to put on the pillowcases so they could be reminded that while they slept we would be praying over them and carrying them close to our heart. This is one of those places with VERY limited resources that has captured our hearts and the relationships that have been built there remain long after the 10 days we spend in this country. I saw a grown man and a 17 year old kid cry hard when they hugged each other and tried to leave. I saw a teenage girl who has had her life changed literally by the knowing that a family cares and loves her consistently even from far away. When people question why short term missions matter I don't need to look for a reason very long...they matter because the effects are anything but short term. They live on in a little guys heart who remembers your name every single time he sees you. They ripple over to sweet lives who know that they matter and they capture our hearts into believing that we must or are compelled to find ways to love on them all year long. We are watching the effects of that. It was a sweet day to witness the lives of some kiddo's and some big people who have been deeply changed by loving one another.

More to come stay tuned... :)

2010-04-04T14:45:00.000-05:00

2010-04-04T14:34:00.000-05:00

HOLA...

2010-04-04T14:18:00.002-05:00

Hello friends and family...everyone arrived all safe and sound and I PROMISE you this is the first breath we've had to sit down and try to share with you the events of the past few days. They are jam packed full and late when we get home and we have LITERALLY fallen into bed when we get there. Right now we are sitting in a fast food restaurant for a very quick lunch before we head to Didasko.

I of course am thrilled to pieces that these precious folks have landed and are now sitting near my heart and we are loving getting to do this together once again. We miss some of you who are normally with us so much and are carrying you with us in our hearts every single place that we go.

I will attempt to post some pictures from yesterday if I have time before the bus loads again if not I promise to put them on there tonight.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We're off to Didasko soon for our annual Easter Egg hunt and to love on them for a while.

Love and blessings,

ALL OF US :)

AND WE ARE OFF...

2010-03-31T11:09:00.002-05:00

ONLY A FEW MORE HOURS UNTIL MY PEEPS ARE HERE....yayyyyyy and we'll begin another journey to attempt to be the hands and feet of Christ to those He places in our path. Please pray with us over the next few days as we finish making preparations and perhaps work on the most important preparation of all - our hearts.

I am also attaching a copy of our itinerary here on the blog so you'll have some idea where we are and what we're doing and you'll be able to follow the ones you love vicariously through the journey. More importantly I am attaching it so that you'll be prayerful for us in the locations that we believe God has placed before us this year to go and serve. Please ask Him to teach us and show us and grow us in ways we can't even imagine yet. Pray that the people who see us miss us and see Jesus and that we meet them with a humble heart wherever they are and come alongside them. Please ask God to use us to be a remedy for those who are impoverished most of all for love, knowing that He put all of who He is in us and if that's so we carry His love with us and it covers their deepest need. We covet your prayers and appreciate you joining us on the journey.

ITINERARY 2010 - APRIL 2-10

FRIDAY 4/2/10

12:00 PM Teguce Team Arrives - Mark/Lori/Sam Pick Up
12:00 PM SPS Team Arrives - Jen and David Pick Up
12:30 PM Group eats lunch across from airport
SPS Team - Eats lunch on way back to Teguce
2:00 PM Arrive at Mission House - Unload luggage
Help load wood on truck (TGU crew)
Go to house site to unload wood at house site (TGU crew)
Fill easter eggs for Easter Egg Hunt at Didasko (TGU crew)
6:00 PM Team from SAP arrives
8:00 PM Team Meeting - Devotional

SATURDAY 4/3/10

7:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Load bus
8:00 AM Arrive at house site (family who have been burnt out)- devotional on site
4:00 PM Head back to Mission House
5:00 PM Dinner at Mission House
6:45 PM Head out for Mass with Larios Family for those who want to

SUNDAY 4/4/10

6:30 AM Breakfast
7:00 AM Load bus
7:30 AM Organize clothes for church members - Sector Ocho
9:00 AM Worship
11:00 AM Clothing Distribution
1:00 PM Travel to Didasko
2:00 PM Lunch/Easter Egg Hunt/Pillow Case Project
5:00 PM Back to Mission House
6:00 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Jesus Statue Devo

MONDAY 4/5/10

7:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Travel to House Site - devo on way at water collection point
9:00 AM Arrive at house site (Near dump)
12:00 PM Break for lunch to serve in the dump
1:00 PM Finish house
3:00 PM Travel to Bencaleth - special needs orphanage
5:00 PM Travel to Mission House
6:00 PM Dinner at Mission House
8:00 PM Devo/Discussion Group

TUESDAY 4/6/10

7:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Load bus
8:00 AM Hospital Escuela - (flower stand on way)
10:00 AM Elderly Home - (possibly take Paola with us to give haircuts)
12:00 PM Mother Teresa Home - (take veggie tales movie in Spanish and popcorn machine)
2:00 PM Casitas Kennedy - (think of something to do with them)
3:30 PM Travel back up mountain
4:00 PM Early dinner before meeting Amber
4:45 PM Load bus for stadium feeding
8:00 PM Head back up the mountain

WEDNESDAY 4/7/10

7:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Load bus
8:15 AM Meet up in city with Mi Esperanza
9:00 AM Arrive and help Mi Esperanza unload
12:00 PM Lunch with girls - spaghetti
3:00 PM Load up - pass out hygiene kits to the girls
4:30 PM Arrive back in the city - Shop at Mi Esperanza
6:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Devo/Discussion Group

THURSDAY 4/8/10

7:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 AM Travel to House Site - San Miguel
8:00 AM Arrive at house site/unload wood, etc.
3:00 PM Play with kiddo’s at day care in San Miguel
5:00 PM Organize and pack up
6:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Devotional/Discussion Group

FRIDAY 4/9/10

8:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Load bus for Good Shepherd
1:30 PM Load bus for Ojojona
3:00 PM Ojojona
4:00 PM Play with Casa Kiddo’s
5:00 PM Have a cookout on Casa property
7:00 PM Head back to city
8:00 PM Devo/Discussion Group

SATURDAY 4/10/10

4:00 AM Head to SAP airport
9:00 AM Head to the Teguce airport
10:00 AM Check in at airport in TGU
Check in at airport in SAP
12:00 PM Everyone flies out minus Andrew, Teresa, Jessica, and Adrian

2010-02-01T13:24:00.000-06:00

A few of my very favorite faces. This family has come a long way but still needs your prayers and support. Thanks for walking alongside them and us. We appreciate you!

2010-01-18T22:44:00.000-06:00

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!! We never get this boy to smile for a picture. He's in a stage where he'd rather pose in cool mode and not so much show the sweet soft guy that is buried underneath...but the other day we were at a build site and I had my new camera with me and I said oh smile Eduardo and he did and this is what turned out. :)

I look at it and remember a day several years ago sitting in a village with a sweet little boy who grabbed a hold of my hand and my heart as we sat on a cement floor and sang all day long while a team built his family a new house. I remember a hundred times when he hugged me and meant it. I remember many times when he has asked for my help or my advice. I remember the times when he has allowed me a glimpse into his heart. I remember the good stuff...

Amazing when I look at this picture how I really sort of forget the moments that have felt like frustration or failure or hopelessness. I have sort of just been pulling it up every couple of hours over the past couple of days since I took it and feeling a flood of hope when I see those eyeballs and remember there's a heart behind them that I love a WHOLE BUNCH!!!

I continue to covet your prayers for his heart as he is attempting to find his way in a culture that doesn't necessarily encourage soft and kind...I continue to beg God to seal His heart in ways that He can never turn from.

As always I appreciate you journeying with us...this ministry is the effort of so many and we couldn't do what we do without you.

Love and blessings.

2010-01-14T23:26:00.003-06:00

Some sweet faces I got to meet today who were waiting to have surgery to repair cleft lip and palate problems. Looking into these little eyes was a great way to remember why I love being here. I got to play outside with some of them for a few minutes while they waited anxiously to be called into the room for surgery. The little people always draw me in somehow...I am a sucker for a brown eyed baby. A group of doctors came this week to volunteer their time to fix their sweet little selves...what a beautiful gift they are offering...it's an honor to witness even a small part of all they're doing!

2010-01-08T13:16:00.002-06:00

I wish I could paint you a picture or show you one of my day today. I'll try to use my words to do so.

I am at Tony and Sarajane's house today, (no doubt you've read their names on here before they are two of my favorite people on the planet.) I stayed overnight last night and to say that I get spoiled rotten when I'm here is a mild understatement. There is a fire roaring in the fireplace right beside me and I can feel the warmth of it on my arm as I'm typing this (not to mention the soothing sound of the crackling) and the curtains are pulled back from the double door windows and I'm watching the snow fall. Maggie just brought me a cup of Sugar Plum Spice hot tea a bit ago and I'm enjoying it as it is my very favorite flavor near the holidays...when you've walked this many miles together, you know those sorts of things about one another. Casting Crowns is playing softly on my laptop as I type this and just up the stairs I can hear the sounds of life and laughter from some of my VERY favorite people on earth as they take down their Christmas tree together.

Can't even describe to you today the blessing of having people in my world who know me so well that they give me permission to be in their home, light a fire for me, come love on me every once in a while, and then give me permission to sit in quiet and read and spend a very much needed day with God.

I don't have a ton to write today, nothing of deep eternal significance I suppose...or maybe it is, maybe I am just reminding myself of the gift that this sweet family is to my life and they have been of EXTREME eternal significance. They still are.

And maybe just maybe I'm remembering that most often I see Jesus in my relationships with other people and remembering that we have the opportunity to show Him to one another whenever we choose to.

Today I see Him in a fire, some snow, several hugs, and the freedom to do whatever I want to do while in their home.

I love you all so much. You do love me like Jesus. You always have. I love Him more because of you!!!

(Sidenote: as I was getting ready to close this, this precious little gal with big ole brown eyes just delivered a candy cane to me from the tree and said "here auntie Jen" and stoked my fire cause it was dying down. thanks God for your tender touches through human hands. you ARE good to me.)

2010-01-04T13:41:00.003-06:00

Ohhhh and #11 - I will use this blog to share and process again because those of you who follow and support us are worth the time it takes to process and share here.

And you could help me by praying for my "list." I appreciate you all!!

2010-01-03T10:53:00.005-06:00

I love new things don't you???

I got a brand new computer for Christmas from my parents (because my old one crashed completely) and I loved the fact that the desktop was completely clean, I opened the music folder and it had NOTHING in it, picture folder - same thing, completely clean for me to add anything I wanted to, it was totally organized and without clutter, the outside was clean, the box it was packaged in was even cute, I just love NEW!!! I am having a hard time wanting to put anything in the folders because they'll start to become messy again and filled with stuff and right now I just like the feeling of clean and new. I realize that the feeling about my computer probably has implications about my feelings on life right now.

I kinda feel like that with this new year. I'm feeling this really big tug to simplify life. I don't know yet what all of that means, but I know that it has gotten too cluttered. I have had some time recently to reflect and process and I guess meditate on what it is that in 32 years I've created for a life. Am I living the way I want to be living at this point, glorifying God, serving other people, cherishing my family, following God's voice and lead?

If I'm honest, the answer is yes and no. I mean I have my moments which probably even turn into days and weeks sometimes when things feel just as they should be. I'm living out a dream doing my best to humbly serve people in Honduras, I'm surrounded in life by people who love me and support what I do, and I think more often than not I would tell you that I'm listening for God to show me what to do next. I laugh and love on my nephews and my nieces and I watch movies with my parents and I celebrate my friends and the gifts that they are to my world. I read my bible and I ask God to reveal to me what He wants for the next chapters of life and I embrace those with boldness and courage. I contribute to a community of faith and seek their accountability and involvement in my life and I do my best to offer myself to their journey.

If I'm honest with you though, there are moments when I look at all I've attempted to do and everything I believe I've thrown my heart into and I far too often am motivated by what everyone else thinks, I say yes to far more things than I should and then get upset with other people for their expectations not with myself for being undisciplined in my commitments, I get tired of being broke instead of embracing a life with less for a worthy cause, I feel defeated when the outcome doesn't look like what I thought it would and one of my kiddo's moves back to a horrible neighborhood, I look for the quick fix and throw money when I'm stressed and busy instead of offering my heart, I get upset with a struggling father who really is trying to better his life when he isn't changing fast enough to meet my timetable, I think far more highly of myself than I ought to sometimes and I enjoy the praise of people and wallow because of their criticism, I put burdens upon myself to be a robot when I am a human being who needs rest and a break. So if I'm really honest and transparent before you some days my answer to the question of am i living the way I want to be living is no.

This isn't a beat up on myself post, it really isn't. It's my looking back on a year and wanting to refine some things for the next.

I love the idea of new. I have no idea where the idea for new years resolutions came from, and I know they hold no more power than any other decision I make any other day with commitment and conviction but there's something about a year that hasn't yet been filled up with mess, that has 365 (well 361 days now) left for me to fill up and organize, it's a clean calendar with blank spaces and it feels like it holds so much opportunity for doing it better.

So I am limiting myself to 10 because I can still wrap my head around that many and I might actually hit 5 out of 10 if I give myself a broad target :) Let's be honest our success rating on these isn't terrific. So here we go, my list for 2010...

1. I will take my boys on some dates with their momma to hear about the things that really roll around in those little hearts. I will not assume anymore that just because they have a roof and plenty to eat that they have a heart at rest. (Sidenote for my own confessions: Forgive me God for thinking that because they had far more than what they used to that I had fulfilled what you had asked of me in regard to them. You did the giving of the "stuff" and somehow I felt like I got the credit and should receive their gratitude. Help me to realize that even nearly grown boys need to know a momma's love and it's my heart and praise they're after not my stuff. Please continue to teach me Father, but will you please somehow protect them from my inadequacies.)

2. I will give myself permission to take Monday mornings "off" from running - to be quiet before God and to organize heart and mind so that I might be a better leader for those that God has placed on my team and all those that may someday be, and so that I might be a better follower of His heart. (Confessions Part 2: God there have been moments in this when I have bought into believing that something might fall apart if I shut my door and had uninterrupted time with you in quiet to focus and renew. As though you needed me to keep things running... I have learned I can't function long without burning out without it, so help me here to let go and stand still once a week as we begin a new week will you please help me start from the right spot, on my knees in submission to Your authority.)

3. I will write one handwritten letter once a week to the people who matter to me. I will deliberately invest in my circle of influence and attempt to make them feel cherished and loved. I will do this for their sake and my own.

4. I will hit the gym 3 days a week at some point in the day. When I feel better I am able to serve better and so I will make a deliberate effort to take care of myself and my health.

5. I will forgive more and be bitter less.

6. I will read my bible every morning even if it makes me 10 minutes late for what I'm going to do. Showing up 10 minutes later when my heart is right will accomplish far more than showing up 10 minutes earlier without lining things up within my heart for the day and I will pray to remember that.

7. I will work to take captive every thought and operate less out of what other people think and more out of what I know is right as God speaks it into my circumstances.

8. I will be diligent about reading and studying ways to help people I love help themselves and become self sufficient instead of attempting to be their savior. I am totally inadequate and do a very poor job, so Lord will you please be the rescuer and use these hands and show this mind how to be wise about the help we offer and the ways we do it.

9. Even when I don't know how to do it well and I sometimes fail I will at all times and WITHOUT REGRET love them from a place so deep that I know it will at moments hurt and I will trust that when it does you will hold me. I will also trust that when we celebrate the victories together they will be twice as sweet because of the love that exists in the deep places.

10. I will celebrate every victory large or small because they're worth it and because tomorrow is never guaranteed. I will acknowledge the places we've messed up and attempt to make those places better but I will do my absolute best not to let those overshadow the things that are going right...and Lord when I do remind me that life is good and I am surrounded by people to love that love me. I am blessed!!

So knowing that in my humanity I won't succeed at these for an entire year in all the ways I'll want to, but from a heart that's looking at a year in review, these are a pretty sweet list to work towards for this girl.

Happy New Year. Lord help us to make you famous...you deserve it!!

Blessings.

2009-10-25T18:16:00.002-05:00

Hello all...my friend Amy is a classroom teacher in North Carolina and she has a fantastic bunch of students who are challenging students and teachers, even classrooms, across America to become a part of providing a bilingual education for children in Honduras. They put together a sweet little promo video and you can watch it here. I'm so proud of them and grateful always when young people get passionate about serving someone else. If you know any other teachers in other places who would like to get on board with us, let us know.

For the sake of the children,
Jen

2009-09-13T17:00:00.002-05:00

The love of God displayed through a body of Christ's people today, MESSED ME UP!!!

Ever feel that way??? I hope so. I pray that we are becoming better and better at being the hands and feet of Jesus. When people are near us they feel Him and cannot help but notice that we are the temple of God and that His presence, the very love of Christ fills us up and overflows.

I am learning so much about what it means to be an "usher for the kingdom" right now. It's huge. No more feeling insignificant or unimportant because there are people out there who are dying for just one touch from Him and He has asked us to be His agents.

It's time dear ones, let's exude Him as He gives everything He is that we might give everything we are away for the sake of His name.

It's time to change the world, and as crazy as it sounds, God's plan was for us to sign up to be the change agents.

May someone be MESSED UP in all the right ways by the love of Christ flowing from your life today!!

Blessings.

2009-08-31T22:49:00.002-05:00

"I've heard people say that it isn't good to give money to homeless people because "they'll just spend it on alcohol." I used to agree. Now I'm realizing, it isn't about how they use my money... it's about how they use the feeling they get when they are shown compassion. I'll pay a few bucks to send the message that someone cares... regardless of how they spend it" - Francis Chan

I'm gnawing on this and putting a hearty AMEN on his sentiment. God never asked us to weigh their ethics or integrity or try to make distinction about who "really" needed it and who didn't. You know why is it that we feel such a need to justify our lack of desire to help sometimes?? I'm guilty. Repenting and guilty.

My job is to attempt to live in line with His kingdom order, elevating those who are outcast, unloved, not accepted, impoverished, oppressed, those who are having the hope squished out of them.

It never ever was about whether they use it to buy alcohol or not. It never ever was about it being "MY" money come to think of it.

2009-08-20T15:58:00.002-05:00

Hey gang ... first of all, please tell me the last post doesn't say April on this blog ...

I apologize profusely. PROFUSELY.

We are in a definite transition time within the ministry and so with that comes re-casting of vision and new fundraising plans and another look at short term and long term goals and re-evaluating where we are and where we really believe God is leading.

This time at home (although I wish it would have come a thousand other ways, rather than serious conflict in the country) has been so good at allowing me some quiet time to think and process and look at the last year and see what we've done both well and horribly poorly.

This blog for sure (and in general keeping up with our supporters) certainly goes in my "need to improve" column. Without offering excuses, I will just say, we are working to improve that in the coming months.

So I am going to start here with this for now and attempt to post at least once a week to let you know how things are going. We're also going to try to add some "extra's" into the blog, such as video's from the boys, and opportunities for you to interact with some of the little brown people we've all grown to love, music that's touching us at the moment, books we're reading that are changing us, resources for other ministries that are affecting the world in beautiful ways, etc.

So for now let's start here with a song that has just been working it's way to all sorts of places in my heart. This is a new group I hadn't heard until recently, but the title is "You Won't Relent"

Love and blessings. JEN

2009-04-20T12:21:00.005-05:00

We're home, most of us are anyway, the rest fly in today. Why does it seem like there is less holding me here these days and more bidding me come back there? God's voice is gentle but urgent..."feed my sheep."

You will get Jen's sweet words back after this posting. She was kind and allowed her Momma Grose (and thanks to Poppa Grose for writing Thursday's post) the space on here this week to share some stories of what our eyes saw, our ears heard, our nostrils smelled, our hands touched and visions of desperation that drilled their way into the most protected places in our very souls.

I had such good intentions of detailed blogs every night so you could share it all but honestly, there were nights when I had no words. It was almost as if God was saying to me, "child, don't you get those fingers typing just so you can fulfill an obligation to write unless you work out inside your heart what you are going to do with all of this except just talk about it. Your words are cheaper than the most filthy rag of a shirt you saw on any man here unless they move your hands and heart to action."

I still don't know what to do about it all. Rick and I muddled it all over on the 2 hour ride home from the airport and awoke to start the conversations all over again today. I'm in the middle of reading Claiborne's book, "Irresistible Revolution" and I know it's not just a coincidence that I'm reading such a poignant book while in the middle of experiencing the heart-crushing scenes of the last 10 days.

Our trip ended with a sacred moment Saturday night with a baptism but it is God's story to tell thru Jen so please watch for that.

Please go and see, dear ones. Keep writing your checks and providing support but please don't allow yourselves to be satisfied with sending only. Go and see what the Lord has planned for you to do in His Kingdom. Go and touch their faces, rub lotion into their calloused feet, sit with them inside their brand new one room "mansion, hear them tell you their stories of God's faithfulness, because no words of my own will ever tell you the sacred story that is lived out in their lives.

Blessings on you all. Thank you for joining us in the journey. May we all continue to seek His face and strive to live by the rules of His kingdom, elevating the things He elevates and throwing away as rubbish those things that are unimportant in a Jesus sort of kingdom. Our eyes have seen and our hearts have felt this week how freed up a heart becomes when you sell out to living His way. Lord help us learn to live that way in our eating and breathing going about everyday lives.

To you be all the glory for anything that has been done, may we accept none of the glory you are due...

2009-04-19T07:23:00.004-05:00

2009-04-17T23:04:00.009-05:00

2009-04-17T21:36:00.004-05:00

It was our last building day today and we chose to return to the community by the city dump. A 78 year old village matriarch, Fillipa, will sleep on a new wood floor tonight instead of the dirt floor we found when we got to her shack on her plot of ground. (The black widow spider added an element of surprise to the demolition phase!)

And 22 year old Gina, who has buried 4 babies, was so excited for her new house she was jumping up and down like a child on Christmas Day.

The need is so incredibly great in this community...like so many others. And when we gave out food and clothing bags at the end of the day, our supply ran out long before the line was at an end.

We are exhausted. It's a good exhaustion. It's an exhaustion not one of us would trade. And tonight, two more families will have roofs over their heads, literally, and food to eat that wasn't scavaged from the dump.

Glory!

2009-04-17T01:19:00.003-05:00

2009-04-16T11:42:00.003-05:00

April15th, 2009

Today saw our team working in several different places in and around the Santa Ana area. Our “Community Service Day” had many of the team working on laying concrete walkways (see pics) around some of the buildings at Casa de Esperanza (children’s home). For those of you who have previously had the privilege of enjoying that experience, you know what that’s like in the 90 degree heat.

A few team members worked raking and cleaning around the Medical Clinic on the property, while other members of the team served the community around the Cacui houses (small duplexes located in close proximity to the Children’s Home that house those living in poverty). These team members, who were also joined by some of the community residents, collected and disposed of trash and garbage in the area. Because of their poverty, a part of the property adjacent to the duplexes has ended up becoming their own mini-dump. While working in the community, team members also had an opportunity share in the life stories of some of those who had experienced a life of desperation, but yet still found purpose and meaning in their lives, and have maintained a great faith in their God. Truly we are humbled at times by such a faith they possess.

Later that afternoon, several of the team tore the existing roof off of a house we had built a few years ago that had suffered storm damage. The family got a brand new roof, with modifications to help prevent future storm damage. Additional families in the area also need this type of work, and hopefully there will be time to do a bit more in the area. In the meantime, many of the other team members were engaged in a casa-to-casa distribution of food bags for the poor in the area.

Later, the team took the children from Casa de Esperanza to a locally constructed “CROSS” (see pics) for the evening devotional. Notably, the timbers of the cross were plastered with “junk pieces” from old cars and trucks. Seeing those parts plastered on that cross was a poignant reminder, and an unusually effective analogy of how the Lord asks US to leave our “junk” at the Cross of Christ as well.

Before leaving for the Mission House, the team gathered behind Casa de Esperanza to plant a tree (see pics) in honor of the passing of Juanita Foreman, mother and grandmother to many of our team members. Our hearts and prayers are with Rebekah as she leaves us today to return home for her grandmother’s funeral and to be with her family. Our hearts also go out to Ashley, who is also leaving today for her aunt’s funeral and funding raising efforts in the States.

2009-04-15T23:06:00.003-05:00

2009-04-15T07:58:00.010-05:00

Tuesday was a building day for the team but homes were not the only result. The heat was relentless and our sites had no spots for seeking even a minute of shade so, needless to say, we had some rough moments of heat exhaustion. But when you're serving people who make their living by digging thru the garbage at the city dump, it hardly seems worth the energy it would take to draw a breath to complain about the heat compared to their plight.

But that was the part of the experience that built something within us...their incredible, amazing faith.

The government had given some land near the dump for building houses and it was so appropriate that on the day after we distributed food at the dump, we were building houses for two of the families that survive day-to-day living as a result of scavaging at the dump.

Pictures 11-20 (Ord, you'll want to see these) are from Team One's site. The lady of the house was Marcia. Picture 19 is a picture of their current dwelling. Marcia lived here with her 4 children and her 3 grandchildren. Her husband passed away 8 years ago and ever since - for 8 entire YEARS - Marcia had been praying that God would provide a home for her with a roof so that her children and grandchildren (the boys on the mattress) would be able to sleep under a roof when it rains.

She and her grown daughter (with the shawl over her head) and her grown son spend every day at the dump. Everything they own, including their furnishings, clothes and food, are from the dump. Dinner consists of whatever they can find at the dump that the vultures haven't found first. That is their life.

Yet they are rich in joy, peace and faith. Rich in ways that make US the ones who are impoverished. I have never in my 55 years of living been so inspired as I was as I sat at the feet of a group of 8-10 women who one by one told us about their confidence in Almighty God. I'm telling you, these people GET God. They don't just talk about how much they trust Him, they live out their trust in HUGE ways every single day. When they need food, they ask God for it and then wait for His provision. Over and over I heard them say, first we praise Him, then we make our request of Him and then we wait.

And let me tell you, they don't weep while they wait. They work and trust and pray and work and trust and pray some more. I saw tears in this group of ladies only once yesterday. They were in the eyes of a young 20-something sweet girl who said she had buried 4 children and she was grateful that God had given her a fifth child and that he was healthy and still alive. Can you believe it? Can you even believe that kind of grateful heart?

There was not one single "poor me" story. We asked, "How has God blessed you," and they talked for over an hour.

And you'd think, with all they lack (although I have to say, right now, I truly feel like I lack far more than they do) they would be asking for mattresses to sleep on or new roofs. But their prayer now is that some land will be provided so they can build a church for their community by the dump. How about that for a church name - the church by the dump. I tell you the truth, if it happens (and I have no doubt that with their faith it will) and I lived here, I'd be making tracks to that church on some Sundays. I have no idea if they use instruments or sing acappella, if they let women preach or remain silent, but I tell you this, those folks already do church in ways that smack dead on of the church we read about it Acts. And these folks can't even read!

The stories are endless but our time and space isn't. More to come.

Poverty breeds faith. That's truth. And it's being lived out loud on a mountainside in Honduras near the dump with a view of the waiting vultures (picture 28). Glory!

2009-04-14T23:11:00.009-05:00

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2009-04-13T22:11:00.008-05:00

It has been a day like none other our team has ever experienced. In some ways, parts of today defy the ability of any vocabulary, any language or any author to adequately describe what our eyes have seen. There is a very big part of me that simply wants to crawl in bed, pull the covers over my head and wish to God that I could open my eyes and it would all have been a very bad dream. But dreams require no response. Today does.

We started with a visit to a facility that is a safe home to about 15 elderly people who were found on the street. Francisco is the man who finds them and takes them in and while he's fixing food for them, he makes extra and feeds the drug addicts and alcoholics who now line up at his door for lunch every day. The house reeks of urine; it was an offense to our nostrils just to walk in the door. No government organization subsidizes his facility and no families pay room and board. It's just Francisco, his few staff members and 15 outcasts.

Some simply stared right past us. Some grabbed our hands and stroked our arms, hungry for human touch. Some told stories of their lives and although most of us had absolutely no idea what they were saying, I witnessed so many of our team members kneeling at the residents feet with tender eyes of compassion.

We had the privilege of serving them lunch (Rebekah made chicken and noodles and we added applesauce and rolls), feeding some of them and then holding them as we said good-bye.

They have been given dignity by the kind gesture of just one man who determined that he would no longer turn his face from their agony.

What happened next deserves so much more than I am able to convey so I need to say that up front. I am woefully inadequate, absolutely ill-equipped to express the extent of the desperation and flat out unreality of our trip to the city dump. There are no pictures posted because it is not safe to take a camera out of the bus and to be honest, the thought of snapping a picture of someone's devastation seems inately wrong.

Approximately 1,200 people live in the dump.

Vultures live there.

Cows live there.

It stinks there.

I can still smell the stench on my clothes. And with no desire to be crude but to help you understand the extent of the odor, in Honduras the water pipes in buildings are small so no one flushes their toilet paper. It is all disposed of in a trashcan and thrown away....and taken to the dump.

We stood beside garbage truck after garbage truck that came into the dump and watched as mounds of garbage, filthy, putrid garbage were dumped onto the ground. And then the indescribable happened. Human beings - men, women and children - climbed into the heaps and started sorting through it. Looking for plastic to recycle, clothes to salvage and food to eat.

We tried to help. We pulled on gloves and attempted to find the clear plastic bottles that were the most desired objects. A few team members held bags for others to put their "finds" in and some of our team passed out sandwiches, apples and water.

But the agony of the stench mixed with the sight of the bulls snorting thru the garbage and the vultures so thick they looked like a dark blanket and God's children in the thick of it all trying to survive on someone elses trash and soiled toilet paper was nauseating. I realized on the bus on the way back that it wasn't just my stomach that was rebelling. My very Spirit wanted to vomit.

I asked my 9 year old grandson what his thoughts were about the dump, when we were at the feet of the Jesus statue and he said, "We sure have messed things up Grandma."

Indeed we have.

2009-04-13T21:22:00.009-05:00

Tuesday morning

2009-04-13T08:27:00.006-05:00

If you count our arrival day on Friday as Day 1, we are beginnng Day 4 today - why do the days have to pass so quickly?

Here are the sounds on this early Tuesday morning - birds competing for the loudest chirping (squawking?) award, dogs fighting (oh yes, there's always a good dog fight going on somewhere within earshot), the roosters are doing what God made roosters to do, only in Honduras they don't just crow in the dawn, they crow whenever they draw breath throughout the day...and night. And then there are the construction workers right outside our windows building a staging area. Yep, they are at it bright and early, hammers pounding and echoing on this mountaintop retreat we call home for the week. We LOVE this place!

Before we meet for breakfast and then devote some time to prayer and asking God to scrape out our hearts of anything not of Him, I want to tell you the story about the family Team 2 built a house for on Saturday.

The sweet grandmother had a daughter who died 10 years ago, leaving 3 grandchildren for her to raise. Please do not imagine a family where the grandmother can adequately provide for three mouths to feed, let alone a place for them to lay their heads - think shack, think no money and no way to generate any income. That was 10 years ago and they have survived. Survived. Only Survived. Barely Survived.

The now 16 year old granddaughter had been working and saving money with one very deliberate purpose, to be able to afford a new house to be built on their tiny piece of the mountain. (It costs about $1,500 to build the houses you see in our pictures. But it takes years and years for the mountain people to save that kind of money, if ever.)

Last winter, the granddaughter was found on the street near the American Embassy with five gunshots in her head.

When our team showed up to build the house, this grieving grandma was convinced they were sent by angels as her granddaughter's way of providing what she had been dreaming she would be able to do.

Human hands providing heavenly dreams on a mountainside in Honduras.

May your hands be His today.

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T22:13:00.010-05:00

Easter is always a time for celebration, but when the celebration occurs with 30 children at Didasko Children's Home outside Tegucigalpa, Honduras it is a celebration to remember!

Our team was blessed by a time of sweet worship with the children at Didasko and let me tell you, when their little voices lift praises in song and prayer it is a precious sound. Following worship, our team kicked into gear preparing food for 90, hid 100's of Easter eggs and had a blast with relay races. When scripture says that Jesus insisted the little children be allowed to come to Him, it is no wonder...there is something sacred about spending the day delighting in the laughter of children. Glory!

The team is still recuperating from the aches and pains of our first building day yesterday but no injuries, thank You, Lord! Tonight, 2 dear families will slumber in new homes with the smell of fresh lumber and the memory of a bunch of Americans pounding nails in the name of Jesus. One family's story is so very touching and we will relay that another night. For tonight, we need you to know that tomorrow we are going to the dump and we would cherish your prayers for our hearts and the ones of those who live there.

Day #1

2009-04-11T00:19:00.003-05:00

Well the team arrived safe and sound this afternoon, along with ALL of their luggage, wonder of all wonders!! :)

We've had a great first day, settling in, getting things organized, filling food bags, having a devotional together...and now all of us are way tired and are headed to bed. We just wanted to let everyone know that we're all here safe and sound.

We realize you couldn't see the video tonight of the devo, but we've fixed the problem, so you should be able to the rest of the week. We will not have a devo tomorrow night at 7 as we will be in the city for other activities at that time, so don't sign on expecting to find us. We'll resume Sunday night with the video online.

Thanks for all of your support and encouragment. Blessings on you all...

2009-04-10T08:02:00.004-05:00

The rest of my peeps come in today...so looking forward to spending this week with them!! Can't wait to watch what God does among a body of people who are desiring so much to see His face and represent His glory to the people we serve.

We built our first house yesterday for a family near Santa Ana. It was a good day and a family slept out of the dirt and grime last night and that's a sweet feeling.

Our boys went with us and their mami and daddy and they had so much fun building. Just a couple pics to start you off today.

Stay tuned for more stories and pics to come soon. The team arrives around noon so we'll head to the mission house today to begin our time together. Please pray for safe travels and hearts that are prepared to serve with a sacrificial heart that we may display the One who lived his life sacrificing until His very last breath.

Blessings on your day...

Devo's Online Part 2...

2009-04-08T17:13:00.002-05:00

Ok so as far as I know...this is how this works, please bear in mind this is something new we're trying this year and so there may be a few glitches before it works perfectly, but my brother Jeffrey and his techy self set it up today, so I'm pretty sure we're good to go here.

This is the address you'll type in http://www.ustream.tv/channel/belpre-honduras-devo

It will lead you to a window where (when it is time remember 7 pm our time or somewhere near there...always subject to some change based on unexpected stuff in the day) you will be able to watch the devo streaming and even chat with other users that are watching at the same time and leave us messages on the site. It should prove to be a cool experience linking those of us traveling, those who have sent us financially, those who are committed to praying us through, and make us all better in the process.

Please bear with us. We'll try to keep you posted if we'll be doing devo at a different time or of any changes we're able to tell you ahead of time.

Please stay tuned to the blog, as of Friday we'll post to keep you informed of what's happening each day as the team arrives and begins once again to attempt to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world that needs Him. Father may we be invisible and lift you up high.

Thank you to each of you who help us do any of this...we are humbled and honored to be given the privilege. Truly.

Devo's Online...

2009-04-05T13:40:00.002-05:00

We will be having our annual Belpre Trip (which is sorta unfair to call it that, cause we're including a few other cities, even states now as well) but you get the point. A few of them arrive on Wednesday and then the rest of the crew comes in on Friday. I am delighted by that fact. In the season of my life when I really was seeking for God and realizing that I needed Him to control my life because I was doing a pretty lousy job, God planted me down among these amazing folks. We have grown together, struggled together, laughed a tremendous amount together, cried a tremendous amount together, we have done life together. Some of the people who have most affected my life with Christ will be on this trip and so this is always an incredibly special week out of the year for me, because I get to not only do life here WHICH I LOVE, but I get to do life here with them, which is Heaven on earth in my world. :)

While they are here, we will try something new this year, and stream our devo's online as much as is possible. Each night at 7 pm here (9 pm where you are most likely) we'll gather to sing (and trust me you will not want to miss this groups singing) and share what has changed us throughout the day. While so many of you will not get to be here in person, you've helped to send us, support us, you're praying each day for us, and so we'd love to share those moments with you as well. Perhaps together we'll all be changed in the face of some kingdom moments.

I'll keep you posted in the days to come on how to log on and be a part of witnessing our journey in a different way. We will still post pictures and stories from the day, but this may help paint a deeper picture.

Stay tuned...

2009-03-28T09:01:00.002-05:00

Well the time has come to start loading up those doggone suitcases again...

Am headed back to Hondo early tomorrow morning. The feeling remains the same. I miss that place like crazy when I'm here, but when it's time to go my heart divides itself into two pieces once again.

I have ABSOLUTELY loved getting to be here to be an aunt and snuggle that little sweet thing about to death. I have gotten to watch my nephew play basketball now (and as a sidebar may I just say he is stinking good and I am proud as punch). Carley has once again melted my heart in her sweet little voice saying, "I wuv you Jennay." It's one of those things you want to store in some really sweet place in your heart forever. I've hung out with my grannie's and just sat at my house a lot this trip so I could spend time with my family. I have LOVED that!!

I really felt like I was supposed to come home this time to be an aunt and a daughter and a friend and that has been good for my heart. I don't do well guarding my time while I'm here because I feel an urgency to fundraise and speak up for the folks I love over there and to be "productive" with the little time that I have to be in the States. Really felt God telling me this time though to work while everyone was at school and work during the day and to try to guard my other moments. I spoke at one church while I was home and did a few other little things, but mostly my evenings and my weekends have been spent with people I love just doing life together for a bit.

So please pray as I head back tomorrow. I can't wait to see my kiddo's there either and go back to doing life with my Hondo "family." I know that I am so blessed to get to love people soooooo much in both places. I'm grateful for that.

We have two teams coming in the next few weeks, so your prayers for that would be appreciated. As a matter of fact from the 10th - 19th of April this blog will be updated regularly throughout the week with posts about what's happening during the Belpre Teams mission week. Momma Grose will be writing those and you won't want to miss them.

We also are going to stream our devo's this year so that you can be a part of those if you would like to. We will have more details about that coming VERY soon!!

Thanks for hanging in there with us through the various seasons of this ministry, this life, this blog, etc. I am committed to doing better sharing all of that with you through this blog again. Pray that I will be more disciplined in finding time to do some of the necessary things that get pushed away by the urgent.

My new goal is to order my life better...we'll see how that goes! :)

2009-03-25T09:31:00.002-05:00

Just spent an hour with one of my favorite people on the face of the planet having a warm beverage and great fellowship...we sat in this cozy new place in town called The Awakening Cafe. Started by a Christian couple in the middle of downtown Parkersburg - am sitting here just imagining how it will become a hub of activity that will reflect Jesus. I'm excited to hear about their journey.

I have watched several of my homeless friends walk by the window and somehow it has been a welcome reminder that this life that we live doesn't always fit in a box that surrounds our put together life. We exist in the same space on this planet, all of us given our lives by God, and all of us with an invite to join His perfection again someday when our time here is over. Equal ground and yet such vastly different experiences...

It's raining, pretty heavily, and I'm watching out my window as an entire street has been blocked off for the funeral of an elected official for the state and many people are headed down the street with their umbrellas and spiffy clothes to pay their respects and I can't help but feel the sense of tension that planet earth experiences by it's inhabitants...

God meet us here in this ever present dichotomy that will always be present on the planet and show us how to usher in Your kingdom and it's principles...help us to elevate the right things...help us to stand up and be counted as we accept your invitation to bear witness to a God who redeems...all of it...any of it...

and Lord will you please be with my friends in the rain today...oh Lord forgive me for assuming that because they're out there that evidently You need me to ask You to be with them as though you're absent, forgive the times that we buy into this thinking that you are with those of us who "have" - as we measure the "have's" and "have not's" by all the wrong stuff sometimes I'm sure - so Lord let me rephrase my sentiments...God thank You for being with my friends in the rain today...

teach me Lord, please continue to keep teaching me - teach us - and would you pleas help us to be what you paid for - the remnant of your body living and breathing in a world that needs You.

2009-03-24T01:22:00.002-05:00

Ran across a quote the other day that has stuck with me for days...it's not that it's that deep necessarily, it's just that it's that true, and perhaps convicting...

It said, "authenticity always has an audience." Thought about how true that has been in my own life. I watched long and hard for lives that I knew somewhere within me were real and when I found them, I intently studied what made their faith look that way.

People are watching and way more than they want to know our doctrinal statements, our theology, our rhetoric, our ___________ (fill in the blank about what it becomes so much of the time)...way more than that they want to see that we mean what we say when we talk about Jesus.

If we ever want them to fall in love with this Jesus we proclaim, then it will have to be doused in an authentic pursuit of Him. They don't so much care if we're messy, they just want to know that we're real.

I'm challenged by that today...

2009-03-06T21:27:00.000-06:00

She is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo TINY!!!

The Nursery

2009-03-06T21:22:00.002-06:00

Auntie Part 2

2009-03-06T20:26:00.001-06:00

Being an Auntie...

2009-03-06T20:21:00.000-06:00

Miss Adisyn...

2009-03-06T00:32:00.002-06:00

Is she beautiful or what???!!

My sisters tribe now includes some pink :) She had two adorable little guys until now but they ushered a beautiful little gal into the world last week.

She scared us all to death and there were moments when I was on my knees in Honduras begging God to let her be ok when they thought the baby was bleeding internally. God worked it all out and she is healthy and growing and wonderful.

I am home now to spend some time with them but haven't been able to see her yet because I caught the virus the little guys had at our house just before I left and so have not felt well and have kept my distance because I did not want to get her sick.

Looks like I'll be able to see her little face tomorrow. I can't wait. Being an aunt is one of my favorite titles on earth!!

Honduras HELP...

2009-03-01T09:57:00.001-06:00

Good morning all...

I sent out an email a month or two ago about needing your help with Carlos' surgery when he had an appendix attack and you showed up with giving hearts and blew us away by your kindness. He is doing so well and is in school learning computers and LOVES it. I tell you the truth that people were shocked and amazed that God came up with the money in such a short time and it was a beautiful testimony around this house and to people we know of God's faithfulness and provision. The truth is we're learning soooooo much about that right now. We never know from one month to the next how much might show up in our account and always by the end of the month the money is gone and God continually reminds us to trust Him for our provision.

When I transitioned out of the children's home, I very much felt like God was impressing upon my spirit not to ask for new support that He would take care of me and that this was going to be a time of dependence unlike any other. It has been. There have been days when I stressed over how we would pay the light bill here and money would come out of nowhere and I would have enough to cover that, or when we didn't have money to buy more food for these little guys (who eat like horses) and God would send someone out of the blue who said, I just wanted to help with what you're doing. I have no doubt that God will show up...I can't doubt that now, He has outdone Himself.

It's time now though to ask again...I have tried not to do this very often, so that when I do, you know that it's because we really need it. That it is a sincere cry for help. I have to remind you, for my own peace of mind, that I am not asking for myself, I'm asking for these little brown people that I love and adore who need a voice. Please hear their voices in the heart of this letter.

We have SEVERAL things right now that are really important within our ministry and so let me explain a couple at the top of the list...

1) Today the boys father is finished with his 60 days in an alcohol rehab center. For those of you who don't know, we have been housing the 6 boys and their mother here at the house for the past 2 months while the father completed his rehab. We have prayed with sincere hearts that God would work a miracle in his life and that he would be the father and the husband he needs to be. Today marks the beginning of his "last chance" to keep his boys and do this right and so they are moving into a small house to try and make it as a family. It is God's ideal and we have worked hard to try and help this family become what God intends and give their life to Him. Progress is being made. His willingness to stay in a program for 60 days was a good thing. I found a house near us and near the school where the boys are receiving a bilingual education. (That is their ticket out of poverty, if we can convince their parents of the importance of this.) It will allow us to be more involved in their lives and show up to help with homework and such but also gives them an opportunity to make it as a family. In order to rent the house though for the next 2 months I need to have $700 in my account by early next week. Then helping them to have some food in the house and something to start with will cost another couple hundred bucks...so altogether for this project right now we really need to come up with about $1000 in a hurry.

2) We desperately need a ministry vehicle. For the past few months we have been using a vehicle that another ministry graciously let us use, but it was having serious problems with the transmission and we spent several thousand dollars on repairs and rental car fees while it was in the shop and honestly we need a vehicle for our house and the ministry here. We cannot expect to use and abuse someone else's vehicle forever. It was a HUGE blessing and we appreciated it so much, but we are at a place where we need to have our own. We sold the Suburban that we were using and we're going to use that money to pay towards something new and dependable later, but for now we need a used car that can be used when we need to go to the mountains and rescue starving babies (like one we found on Thursday who is now in the hospital with Sam getting rehydrated and medicated) or doing the other things God has us doing. As of right now we are renting a vehicle, while we raise money for another one and it's getting very costly. We found a truck in great condition and have put a deposit down to hold it, but we need to come up with $7500 within a week to pay it off.

We are believing God for BIG things in regard to these two things. For those of you who know me well, you know that few things are closer to my heart than these boys and so this may be one of the requests closest to my heart. The request for help with a truck is only so we can continue to do what God has asked us to do.

We are only a small piece of this puzzle here on the ground. You all enable us to be here by your support from where you are. I know times are tough, we are all feeling the pressure, but God will honor your every sacrifice. I've watched it a million times. Please don't think that someone else will play your part. God wants you to be involved, not for our benefit...mostly for your own, because playing a part in something bigger than all of us brings blessings we never could have imagined. Sometimes I think a huge part of my responsibility here is to invite you into it and watch God wow you with His faithfulness to you. I hate the asking but I love hearing the stories of how He touched you.

This is hard, and it's humbling and I thank you for allowing me the privilege of asking and making me feel like we are a team and that you're blessed to be on it. You touch me deeply and I'm grateful for the people in my corner.

Blessings and love to you all. JEN

*** Any donations can be made on my blog through Paypal (www.calledandcompelled.blogspot.com) - you have the option of paying with a checking account or credit card...this is a secure way to make an online transaction quickly. If you are near Belpre they may be given to MaryAnn Laughery. Checks should be made out to Belpre Church of Christ and my name should be included in the memo line. If you're sending them through the mail, the address is for Mary Ann is 685 Timberline Dr. Vincent, OH 45784.

2009-02-20T08:41:00.007-06:00

"The only measure of what you believe is what you do. If you want to know what people believe, don't read what they write, don't ask them what they believe, just observe what they do."

- Ashley Montagu-

2009-02-10T10:03:00.001-06:00

Welcome Mr. Toby the newest member of our little family here. I finally gave into the pressure of young and old alike to get a puppy. Cocker Spaniels happen to be my preferred choice because of their little floppy ears and so when I glanced into the pet store yesterday and he was sitting there with his ears flopping I had a weak moment. :)

Had some Christmas money left over from my parents and it was Yoni's birthday yesterday, so he came home as a surprise for the party last night.

We LOVE him already!!

2009-01-21T11:06:00.002-06:00

For those of you who were so incredibly kind to help with Carlos' surgery and the costs associated with that, this is a HUGE shout out of THANK YOU from the depths of my heart. He is incredibly grateful too. The patient is doing very well. We went yesterday to have his stitches taken out and the doctor said he's doing very well and in a couple more weeks should be back to doing everything normally.

Things could have been so different, and quite honestly are very different for so many families who do not have access to the resources they need to save people they love from something that we consider so minor as an appendix ready to rupture.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ and reaching out to help us. I am aware on so many occasions how God has assembled a team here of which you are most certainly a part and how incredibly grateful I am to serve alongside you.

May God honor your every sacrifice and return it a hundredfold.

Love and blessings,
Jen and gang :)

2008-12-28T23:07:00.001-06:00

I LOVE YOU ANNA!!!

I updated my blog just for you. Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-26T09:33:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Thank you all so much for those who sent money to contribute to things for the boys who are now in our home and hearts this Christmas. They were all like 5 year olds (even the biggest ones)...it was so much fun.

We gathered at Mami and Papi's house for Christmas Eve as is their tradition here. The table had been set beautifully, there were decorations and candles everywhere, and I got all kinds of sappy as I thought about how these boys had never ever in their life witnessed the special touches of "home" as we know it at Christmas time. It was so special. We each took our part in helping to prepare. I was in charge of Christmas cookies, David in charge of mashed potatoes, etc. We loved it. They open presents at midnight here and so the festivities of that began...I thought the kiddo's were going to die as they waited for the clock to get there. :)

Anyway, it was a beautiful night with family. We are so incredibly blessed to know them all.

As I sat around with Luvin and watched him settled and at peace, I thought about how far we'd come in just a little over a year. He's quite the little man these days, so polite and just inwardly settled. It's making my eyes tear up about every 5 minutes but I'm so honored to get to be a witness.

And the 3 guys who now live with us...Carlos, Eduardo, and Saul. Good things are happening, they are growing everyday in ways that matter. Funny how being surrounded by "good" people naturally kinda urges your goodness to ooze out. Watched Carlos stand for an hour and was the after Christmas dinner dishes with Mami the other night and thought, yep...beautiful!! They're all doing well and loved their gifts and loved getting to spend time here with terrific people.

Then yesterday we drove up the mountain to see our little guys and have a party with their family. It was a LONG ride as the rodes up there have been significantly damaged by all the rain we had here a couple months ago, but well worth it. They had made tamales for us and they were made with love in their kitchen as the holiday feast and so we prayed with every bite and ate them. :) So far so good, no effects as of yet, so I think we're safe.

The boys opened their presents and their parents watched with delight.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Seems that it makes us all better people in some ways. More about giving than receiving. We're willing to go the extra mile much easier than we normally do. We love from a deeper truer place in some ways as we sacrifice for one another. I like me better when my heart is focused on other people. Christmas somehow helps us do that in so many ways I think. Perhaps it's that Christ if Christ is in the middle of it, somehow we naturally become better people as we think and attempt to become more like Him.

I pray you all had a wonderful time with family and friends and that you are refreshed in both heart and soul.

I love you much. Merry Christmas from our whole "tribe."

2008-12-08T13:15:00.002-06:00

LUVIN GETS TO COME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

Just received word lately that Luvin will be able to be here for Christmas...he has gotten the grades and good behavior to get permission to leave the property for a bit. I AM SO EXCITED to have him here with me. I haven't gotten to spend much time with him since he went to the other facility because he needed to have time to adjust and rehabilitate some from his street life and get in a routine with rules and such. We have visited several times, but he's not been able to leave the property for weekends or anything.

YAY YAY YAY...gonna be a house full of boys this Christmas.

For those of you who may not know, Carlos, Eduardo, and Saul have moved in and are living here now full time as well. So we're having fun with a Christmas tree and lights and baking cookies and allowing them a home this Christmas.

I look back at the times I knew God was leading me to invest in these little lives and am so grateful that I listened regardless of how much flack I received because they were the "bad" kids. I can't imagine missing out on this with all of them. I'm watching God change them each day and I am humbled to be able to play a part in any of this for or with them.

Sometimes all it takes is someone to believe that you're better than the way you are acting. I know I needed someone to love me in spite of my actions and love me into being better.

By the way Carlos announced to us out of the blue the other night that he wants to be baptized, and Eduardo went away to a teen camp with the church this weekend. Good things are happening.

Please keep us in your prayers as we attempt to love on and direct them in ways that are pleasing to God. It's a whole new world, but we're loving it!!

I'm a firm believer that a house is made for filling up...guess God believes my house is for filling up too. I like that!!

Blessings on you this day.

Miss Betty...

2008-12-07T21:41:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite people in all the world passed away today.

She's gone to meet Jesus and Heaven is no doubt having a party...but the earth (and more specifically my heart) are feeling a tremendous loss!

There are certain people in your world that have secured such a spot in your heart that even though you know when their days here on earth are over and Heaven is certain you would love to be a part of ushering them there you know??!! Holding their hands as they take their last breath, saying the things that you say in moments like those, rubbing feet or hands, just being present as the days on this broken planet come to an end. She is one of those for me.

She just went into the hospital a few days ago and since then has been basically unresponsive. They discovered she had multiple myloma and then her kidneys weren't functioning well and last night she had a massive heart attack and so the medical personnel said they didn't expect her to live through the day.

For the past few days I have faithfully been receiving text messages letting me know her condition and two things kept running through my head. #1 ... I am sooooo mad at myself because I was just home and saw Miss Betty and I kept being "reminded" in my heart somewhere that I needed to go spend time with her and take her to lunch or something and I didn't do it. I got busy, distracted, selfish, whatever and it got bumped down on my to do list until the days ran out and I missed my chance. I knew better, I heard better...I didn't listen well to what God was trying to warn me of at all. So I'm reminded again today that the moments matter, they way matter. #2...I want to be there. If I were home or anywhere close I would have shown up at her bedside and I would have sat beside her for a bit nad reminded her that I love her so much. I would have thanked her for praying for me every single day while I have been here and for her commitment to praying everyday without fail for the mister that God would choose to allow me to walk through life beside. I would have laughed (even if she couldn't laugh with me) about all the crazy things she's said and ways she's made me laugh. I would have reminisced with her about good moments, sacred moments that God allowed us to share. Doggone it, I may not have done a single one of those things, I may have sat there silently and not been able to do a thing, but I WOULD have been there.

Some days being far away feels like a chasm too wide to cross. I love here. I so love being here. I love getting to do what I do. I love feeling like it matters. I just hate it when being here means I can't be there for moments like these.

Tonight though Miss Betty sees the face of the one she's spent a lifetime serving. For a long time we've all talked about how we want to be like her when we're her age. She was in her late seventies and still went to ladies class always...she attended Kid City...she was just a cheerleader in the lives of so many. You would be hard pressed to find someone who didn't just genuinely like this sweet lady.

I had the privilege of getting to stay with her for a couple weeks a few years ago after she'd fallen and broken her hip. We watched movies together and I slept in the bedroom across the hall and listened for her to yell if she needed help in the night and I watched her hobble every morning to a chair by the window to read her Bible and spend time praying.

She was SUCH a sweet lady. I miss her deeply already and cannot wait until I get to see her face again.

Thank you Miss Betty for all you added to the lives of so many of us. Thank you for the memories, for your heart bent toward listening to Jesus, for your faithful prayers, for your sense of humor, and for your realness that made anyone and everyone comfortable in your presence. Thank you for your love and kindness to everyone who knew you. You have left quite a legacy dear one. We will remember you with grateful hearts and an abundance of memories that will forever be company on the days and times that we miss you most.

2008-10-19T05:18:00.003-05:00

It's early Sunday morning and I'm in the den and there's not another sound in the house...it's still dark outside and to be quite honest I don't see mornings real often when the sun hasn't even come up yet. I lean more toward the staying up way after it's gone down not getting up way before it's come up, but every once in a while this delights me. Circumstances have beckoned me upward from my warm bed this morning :) I am speaking at my uncle's little country church this morning and so wanted to make sure that I had my pictures ready for their sweet little selves to see.

Finding myself this morning just kinda sappy about all I've been allowed to be a part of just in the past few days. Friday morning I woke up early (that's twice this week, but please DO NOT think a habit is forming:) and had the privilege and I mean that so sincerely to go and spend some time with some gals who are in college at OVU and taking my friend Linda's bible class. She had asked me a while ago if I would do that and to be quite honest I couldn't wait to be with them. It's an age group I certainly have a heart for as they begin the journey and start putting their own walk into action away from mom and dad or whoever influenced them at home daily. They were delightful.

Then got to go spend some time at the Frock's...Sarajane has been knit to my soul for several years now and she is so wonderful about sharing the blessing of her dear family with me. Her hubby has become my big brother and her daughters are my neices in deep deep places in my heart. So my time with them is ALWAYS cherished.

Then Steve and his sweet wife Marcy fixed Ash and I a big pot of stew for lunch yesterday and we got to visit with them and play with their little guy Isaac. Keep that little guy in your prayers. He's been diagnosed with a rare "syndrome" that makes him VERY sick every 2o days or so with high fevers and just horrible aches and pains and he's only 5 so it's way hard on a mommy and daddy to watch. They could use your prayers.

AND THEN...last night I experienced truly a piece of Heaven on earth. I got to sit around a campfire with some of my VERY favorite people and watch the moon come up over the river and my words will never be able to paint an accurate picture of what any of that looked like. It was absolutely gorgeous and I don't use those words lightly. Sometimes God just outdoes Himself even you know and last night was one of those times.

It's been a great couple of days and my time here at home is winding down quickly. I will be leaving in about 12 days and that is always bittersweet. I can't wait to get back to my little brown people I love so much. I am sooooo ready to hug Francisco's neck and cuddle with my boys, but I will so miss this den and my nephews and my mom's treats just to remind me she loves me, cups of tea made with love, sitting near my heart friends here and just sharing about our walk with Christ and what He's teaching us, fall leaves, fires in the fireplace...

What a blessing to have so much of your heart live in two places and both of them carry such rich treasures...help me remember that Lord when the leaving is difficult. This is a privilege!!

Blessings on you all...

Shout Out...

2008-09-26T06:42:00.002-05:00

Well I've been back in the States for a couple weeks now and have gotten to visit my family a bit and be with people I love. That has been so nice. My sister is carrying another little bambino around in that tummy of hers and we wait with delight to watch God bring another sweet little being into our family. You've heard me say on here before probably that I have two absolutely adorably SWEET nephews, and one niece who has totally stolen my heart. I love being an aunt. love love love it...so the thought of one more does nothing but overjoy me.

I am so incredibly grateful that my brother and his wife and my sister and her hubby have been so kind to me in talking to the kids about what I'm doing so far away and trying to make that a good thing in their eyes. We all miss each other A BUNCH, but they know why it's important for me to live in a country really far away while I miss a lot of their growing up. That is a huge gift that they've given me to remind them that while I'm not here I wish I could be and that the reasons for not being here are ones that are important for some other kiddo's who don't live the way they do. (Just as a sidenote if I had to pick one of the things that is the hardest for me to give up it's that...being on the sidelines for their games, and getting to be a constant presence in the dailyness of their lives, I would love to be able to be around more for their important stuff.)

So I have gotten to go watch one of the boys football games. That makes me an absolutely nervous wreck. They are 10 and 7 and they love playing, but for crying out loud do they really have to like run at each other that hard hit each other that forcefully and oh goodness I needed a valium. :) It's important to them though and therefore it's important to me.

Have also gotten to speak at a few places and meet some new folks which is always one of my favorite parts of the journey. Spoke at the Ohio Valley Opry last weekend and it was such a tremendous treat. The family that has organized it and kept it going in our area for the past 8 years is nothing short of tremendous talent...all of them, and their hearts as big as Texas, so I will consider it one of the greatest joys of this trip home to get to meet them and be among them for a bit.

Spoke yesterday to a group of high school students at River High School near New Martinsville West Virginia. Met a teacher and advisor to their Fellowship of Christian Students program at the Opry last weekend and coordinated with him a time to come and share with them and we had a great time. I am always touched to sit in a room with young people and attempt to encourage them to start now with living lives that are passionate about the things God is passionate about. I wish I would have known how "rich" a life like that was at their age. I will continue to pray for them as they are in one of the toughest mission fields on the earth while among their friends and they are trying to do what's right. So here's a shout out to all of you sweet ones that I had the privilege to be with yesterday. You have tremendous potential...chase hard after HIS heart!!

This weekend we're headed to Indiana and then next weekend is the annual Women of Purpose Conference that I am blessed to get to be a part of so things are busy busy busy but filled with all sorts of good stuff.

Just wanted to check in and remind you all that you're loved by God and by me.

Keep on keeping on, there's a world out there that needs loved on and God uses our hands to do it. We are so honored God that You would choose to use us, may we have hearts and hands ready and positioned to be used by You today Lord.

2008-08-12T22:37:00.002-05:00

Well...where to start...LOTS going on to update you about, so let's start here...

Spent a week with a dental team that came through Cadena de Amor and Medical Teams International. It was fantastic. I LOVED it!! My job for the week was to sit by Dr. John's chair (a very gentle spirited dentist who came in from Oregon) and help translate, but truly by job title for the week was the hand holder for the scared little ones. It was perfect for this heart. I got to love on them a little bit, remind them that they would be ok, explain what was going to happen and hold their hands when it hurt. I'm pretty sure if I could get paid to be an official "hand holder" I'd sign up quickly for the job. Sorta ironic since I'm scared to death of the dentist as well. I have NO idea where that came from exactly, but it's there nonetheless.

The folks who came to help the kiddo's whose teeth are at times rotting out of their mouths were so incredibly special. Their hearts to serve were so evident and it was humbling to have an opportunity to get to know them and serve beside them. They treated 273 children in 5 days time. Needless to say they worked tirelessly and served selflessly. I am honored to know them.

Shortly after they left, we moved into our new house. It is near the city, in a very safe part of town, and it has space enough for us to live and to be able to allow Carlos, Eduardo, and Saul to come and live with us as well. It's a beautiful place and we truly believe it was a gift from God. The way it all came to be is in fact proof of His providence. I have two "interns" turned into "full timer's" living with me now and they are a tremendous gift as well. I'll do a seperate post about them at a later date. You need to know them personally. I am excited to begin this journey with them and ask for God's guidance and figure out where it leads.

We're gearing up for one of Steve's first teams to come down with his organization, International Agape Missons. We'll do some work in Yamaranguila, help fix up a pediatric clinic which treats the street children and some of the least fortunate kiddo's in the city, we'll build a house for a lady who works for us at Casa, distribute food to a community or two, visit the boys home where Luvin lives and love on them, visit the dump and feed those precious folks there. I am certain it will be a great trip.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we transition and fundraise and all that comes along with all of that. The barrel is empty at the moment and in our humanness it is easy to worry and concern ourselves over where the electric money will come from, but God is always on time and when I am down to the last bit He sends help just in time. It's such a HUGE lesson in trust and depending upon Him right now. When all is said and done and I pillow my head at night, I am reminded, God is faithful and we rest there.

I appreciate you all so much and your help that allows me to be here living out a dream. Blessings dear ones.

2008-07-30T08:19:00.006-05:00

One of the things I do almost everyday is log onto this page and go to the right with the links and hit the Beth Moore blog link...I'm a groupie, I am.

I would do every single one of her bible studies, listen to anything she's ever done, read anything she's ever written, sometimes two or three times. I believe with all of my heart that she is annointed and boldly and courageously speaking the word of God in profoundly powerful ways in a day and time when we need someone to stand up and speak it because it's truth whether we like it or not.

I could share so much about what I love and appreciate about her heart for Christ, but today I just wanted to highlight one thing from her that I continue to see her write and hear her say. She primarily ministers to women and in her bible studies, on her blog, etc. she uses this line often.

"I love you and I am so blessed to be your servant."

That hit me this morning. You know so often I am well aware that my "job title" for this moment in life is to be a servant to these little brown souls that I have the opportunity to serve, but as I read that this morning, I couldn't help but think how God has given me the opportunity to be your servants as well.

I know full well that so many of you wish that you could be here among the kiddo's and people you've grown to love. If some circumstances were different, many of you would be.

I just wanted you to know today that I love you and I am so blessed to be your servant.

Please know that I take very seriously and consider it a tremendous privilege to be here. I know it is a gift, and while I am reaching and touching it is for your hands as well and always propelled with more purpose because of your prayers and support.

Just a humbled and honored servant today...who loves them so much...and loves you too!!

2008-07-29T08:27:00.002-05:00

Just a note this morning to touch base and say hello to all of you who are faithful to check this thing no matter how sporadic I am with it at moments...

Have a dental brigade here this week and am working with them to hold hands and tell these sweet little souls that things are ok as we are extracting rotten teeth and putting fillings in others. The doctors who come have touched me deeply already in just a 24 hour time period. Their gentleness and desire to be here is evident and even when they don't speak a word or cross the barrier with words they have found a way to do it in so many other ways already. It is beautiful to watch them use their talents to help some kiddo's who have pain from never using a toothbrush ever.

You should see their eyeballs when the needles and drills come out. They have never even had a tootbrush in there and then this big hands and instruments are flying into their mouth. The doctors do not have an easy job.

Yesterday I sat beside a little girl who was terrified and she would look at the dentist through tear filled eyes and say, "ok I'm ready." Then when the doctor started to open her mouth and put the needle in she would clamp down and shake her head no. Then we'd try again. She was so sweet you couldn't get upset. This is HARD stuff.

I mean seriously who likes the dentist. I have some dentists in my world now that I love, but I do NOT like them so much when instruments are being plunged into my mouth. :):)

It's a great way to spend a week. Loving on some kiddo's who need help in these ways. There are lots of moments I've learned too while they're sitting there in those chairs to talk to them about God as well. Got to hold that little girls hand yesterday and tell her that even now while I'm a big girl, I get so scared sometimes and in those moments I ask God to give me courage and peace. That these are opportunities for my heart to grow bigger because when I conquer my fear this time, my heart gets bigger and doesn't get as scared the next time because I know God was with me and I remember.

Sweet stuff. I love being with these people in case I haven't mentioned that lately!!

Much love and blessings all over your day.

2008-07-23T16:21:00.000-05:00

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

John Wooden

2008-07-21T14:49:00.002-05:00

I was listening to a Louie Giglio talk last night that someone had given to me. I had listened to it one other time several months ago but found my heart saying amen to everything he said as silent tears ran down my cheeks.

He talked about the fact the church ought to be one of the most "unsafe" places on the face of the earth. Not talking about being a lunatic or danger for the sake of danger, but that we as the church ought to be going out into the most unsafe places in the world.

He mentioned a quote from a 14 year old girl that had come in the form of a letter and it said. "Hi Louie, my name is Jessica (can't remember what her name was for sure but you get the point) and my friends and I have a band. We go into hell and we pull people out!"

We go into hell and we pull people out...what a tremendous description of our calling. Don't know if you've looked around lately but there are some places that are hell on earth. Chances are you won't have to look far to find one.

Wonder how long it's been since someone looked into your eyeballs and said...yep you march yourself right on in there to hell and you help pull them out. It'll be messy and there will be pain and at times you might fail...but it's still worth your effort.

Wonder if instead of sending our children to church and expecting them to come away with a safe faith that behaves well and to christian schools to attempt to keep them from becoming tainted by the world and to social circles where the "good" kids hang out...wonder if instead we begged God to grow them into crazy God lovers...to give them permission to get a little messy and try some things big enough that without God in them they will surely fail, I just wonder what that might do to a world full of hell on earth if we taught our children that our calling was to march into hell and help pull people out.

And don't even get me started on a church that might choose to start empowering people to be about that mission.

That's God's kingdom come to earth. May your kingdom reign Lord, start here please and please start now.

Blessings.

The Changes...

2008-07-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

There are so many things to say in this one letter that I am clueless as to how to begin...so many sentiments that need to be expressed adequately that will surely end up lacking. Always a daunting task, knowing you owe so much and have so little to offer. All the more reason to love a God who takes the little you offer and turns it into something amazing...so I'll just ask Him to do that here and trust that His sufficiency will hover over these words.

Karen and I came as a team to the children's home in the fall of 2005. We started the journey in the spring and summer with funds and plans being made and so every year at that time we take a look at where we are and our desire to continue our work here. It was the commitment that we made when we began that we would commit a year at a time and would always have the option to do something else if that's what we felt God was leading us to do. In October of this year, we will have been here in the country for 3 years.

Allow me to say that it has been 3 of the very best years of my life. 3 of the most difficult, 3 of the most heart wearying, 3 of the most grueling emotionally, but 3 of the most growing changing fulfilling passionate years of my whole life. I have learned to love from a place deeper than I knew existed. I've prayed through sobs of desperation now unlike anything I had experienced before. I've cuddled up so tight with some little souls, that I'm not sure where my heartbeat ends and theirs begins, our hearts have just kinda become one in so many ways. I've combed lice, cleaned vomit, wiped up poo poo from the floor, all things that I could never have done before, my stomach is weaker than weak. I've also learned the "I love you more" game, the mountain of kisses game, the herbie - every color in the world game. Above all else, I have been taught through grace and patience how to be a mommy. These kiddo's will always hold the most precious of spaces within my heart because among them God grew a momma heart that will hold them so tightly for the rest of my days.

For the past several months though the staff here and the IRC board have known that I will be transitioning from my full time role here at Casa. That certainly doesn't mean that I will be walking away from their lives. I will come to visit and do anything I can to help if and when it is needed. I just feel called to a different form of ministry in the country at this point in the journey.

Every year when we bring teams down we spend our week visiting the hospital and the state run orphange that you've read about before on here and the mountain villages where people are sick and hungry. We spend time among the people and it is one of my very favorite things to do. I feel called out there among them. So, I want to schedule my days, weeks, and months to include more of that. I have an opportunity to go and spend a few hours a week with the teenage girls at Casitas Kennedy (the state run orphanage) who never get to leave there because the children's homes don't want to take them because they are too old and have too much baggage. So I will be starting a program next month to go in and invest in their lives for a few hours a week to remind them that they can "beat the system" and that they are worth it. I am way excited about that.

I will be spending a day a week visiting the hospital and especially helping with the babies with hydrocephaly. Attempting to start a program for the mothers who have just miscarried where they recieve a "prayer shawl" reminding them that we will be praying in their time of tremendous loss while they recuperate in a large hospital room where their beds rest right beside mothers who have delivered perfectly healthy babies who are crying and cooing right next to them.

I will spend days of my week on the mountains finding families who need help and attempting to find ways to meet that need more consistently than a few weeks out of the year. Adopt a family programs possibly or food drive through sacrifice, etc.

Have plans to work with the street kiddo's who haven't been taken in and cleaned up yet and who may never be who need the love of Christ as much as any of them. We're looking at ways to safely feed them a couple times a week and share some time with them and build relationships.

I want to spend some time in some of the private high schools setting up service learning programs. Some of the rich kids here in the country have no idea the "other side" exists and so merging the two is incredibly important for everyone. There is so much potential as we all know when we ignite passion within young people.

New things are happening, plans are being formed, God is giving my heart passion for things to come and I am excited for all that is yet to be.

Three of the biggest FOR ABSOLUTE SURE things that I'll be involved in are...

1) providing a "haven" for 3 guys who have grown so near and dear to my heart. They are like my little brothers and they have sooo much potential to be men of God with some help and guidance. They live near the Casa property now and ever since we have come to this country God has put them in our lives and I have heard Him whisper over and over again, "help them." So they'll be coming to live in a house that I rent in the city that will become my "ministry house." It will never be mine, it's all God's anyway, and He will show me what to use it for and when. I will begin by putting in 3 bunks for these guys and allowing them to call this place home. I will also open it up to folks who are wanting to come and minister here on a longer term basis so that they can have a home to serve out of.

2) and I am supremely excited about this...for the past year and a half or so you've read some things and certainly heard me talk about my little Larios family. I love them so much. They have gone above and beyond to serve me and people that God brings into my life that need help and I have watched from a distance at moments the way they live their lives. I am humbled beyond my ability to say so. Mami and Papi Larios started an organization twenty some years ago called Cadena de Amor (Chain of Love) to help children get back and forth to the States for medical treatment that they couldn't receive here. Essentially without help they would not make it. So Cadena arranges for their visas, finds a hospital that will donate their care, secures an escort for the child and sometimes their family, arranges their transportation and gets them to the States and back for treatment. In the past 20 years or so they have helped more than 8,000 children. They get no fanfare, there is no hype, they just set their hearts and minds to serve and help and it is beautiful. For so long they have done so much of the work without much adequate help. They both have private clinics, Mami is a dentist and Papi an orthopedic surgeon, but they both donate the first hours of their days to this volunteer effort. They wake at 6 to pray together, spend until about 12 doing volunteer work, then go to their clinics everyday from 1 until 8 or 9 at night. Lives lived well and I am grateful and honored to be invited to be a part of what they are doing to serve people. So I will be joining the "Chain of Love" team to help in whatever ways God allows me to do so.

3) And equally as exciting, a new ministry will begin working in Honduras, which also includes some dear people to my heart. My friend Steve Jeffers and some other folks have felt called to come and invest in life in Honduras and help the suffering as well. They have asked me to be their on the ground coordinator for what they will begin here and we are dreaming together of what that will look like. Steve's ministry is called International Agape Missions and he has done mission work in various countries, including Indonesia and others, and is a member of the disaster relief team that is called upon when disasters happen all over the world. He is a man of faith and he chases after God's heart and I am overjoyed to be able to work with he and his team.

Transition is always bittersweet. Excitement for the future and sorrow at leaving these sweet kiddo's to pursue it. Trust me when I say that if I didn't know this was of God I would never have been able to leave them and walk away. It still is one of the most difficult things I've ever done and I know it is from Him. It's difficult to leave something you've poured so much of your heart and soul into.

I would certainly appreciate your prayers for the next couple of months as we all transition. Please pray that for all the ways that Satan would like to wreak havoc that he will be stunted in every attempt. Pray that God will use us all in the ways He most wants to use us and that we will listen to His voice alone and follow His example.

Above all else please pray for the kiddo's here at Casa. Pray that they will be protected by His almighty hands and cradled in His arms of love as things change for them.

He is faithful.

Thank each of you so much for the ways you have encouraged and supported both me and this project. I pray you will continue to support this project and this girl as things look a bit different but this hearts goal continues to remain the same.

Called into his kingdom and compelled by love to live there. My hearts desire is still and prayerfully will always be to love others into His arms in any way He gives me to do so.

Blessings on all of you. Continue to seek His face. Much love.

2008-07-11T01:07:00.000-05:00

It's late here and it's quiet and for the first time in a while I have a cup of hot tea in my hand, a candle lit, some soft praise and worship music playing and God and I are alone in the stillness and that feels good. I've decided tonight to be still. Truth is, that I've allowed myself to get buried again. Goodness it makes me so mad at me when that happens, but I find myself here far more often than I'd like to admit. Buried and at total unrest. Perhaps you're familiar with that place that feels like the world is swirling and you cannot stop your head for long enough to just be still and even when your body is your mind isn't.

I got an email from one of my "adopted by heart" brothers today with some of the kindest encouragment I've received in a while. Didn't have much to do with me, and everything to do with seeking the kingdom and I needed reminded that was my job on this earth. He passed along this quote to me in reference to some of the "fighst" I'm feeling in regards to some things my heart is witnessing right now and it spoke. It just perhaps is it's own post tonight without any explanation needed from me.

It was written by a Danish pastor, Taj Munk, who at the end of WWII found himself one of the only outwardly vocal opponents of the Nazi regime. He saw what they were doing and all the horrors they perpetrated and got angry. This is what he wrote...

"What is, therefore, our task today? Faith, hope, and love? That sounds beautiful. But I would say, courage. No, even that isn't challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack is not psychology or literature - we lack a holy rage - the recklessness which comes from the knowledge of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth...a holy anger about the things that are wrong in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God's earth, and the destruction of God's world. To rage when little children must die of hunger when the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage against the senseless killing of so many, and against the madness of militaries. To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction "peace". To rage against complacency. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the Kingdom of God. And remember the signs of the Christian church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish...but never the chameleon."

Make us reckless Lord, in all the right ways, please call us out of our complacency and excessive abundance and please Lord help us live for more than ourselves. Please start here...right here in this heart, and then use this heart to speak and live with boldness and courage to affect change for those whose voice may never get heard but whose cry pierces your ears tonight and breaks your heart. For the times we've ignored their cry and sat in our selfishness forgive us. Help us God never to want to blend in but to stand up and live called out. Create within us a holy anger that compels us to a reckless life sold out to your kingdom. Please start here and please start now. Amen.

2008-07-07T13:13:00.003-05:00

When God sees someone abusing his wife, betraying her husband, corrupting a child, or otherwise perpetrating injustice, it makes him mad. Anger is the healthy response of a holy and moral God to the unholy and immoral deeds we perpetrate against one another.

Some theories of social justice and the spiritual life are modeled more on Aristotle's god - the "Unmoved Mover" - than the God we know in Jesus. When thousands are starving because of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, homeless because of recent flooding, or being aborted and abused, anyone who can be "unmoved" is worshiping Aristotle's impersonal god who is without feeling.

Anyone who knows the God revealed by Jesus of Nazareth has to feel something of God's outrage at the sight of innocent children suffering. He feels seething anger over the sordid things human beings do to one another. He should be enraged. Cry out for justice to be established.

"Give me 100 people who love God and hate sin," said John Wesley, who founded the Methodist Church, "and we will turn the world upside down for Christ!" Dr. Jack Arnold quoted that line from Wesley in the final sermon he preached in January 2005 - collapsing and dying in his pulpit as he moved to its conclusion - and said, "I think I could find 100 men and women who love Christ in America, but I am not sure I could find 100 men and women in America that hate sin." I have been haunted by that line since reading it. I fear he is correct.

I fear we are so sophisticated and unmoved by evil that it doesn't make us angry. We'd rather do lists and observe rituals. We prefer to fight our church battles over whose doctrine is sounder than to follow Jesus into unpleasant places for the sake of caring about prisoners, prostitutes, and pushers.

Is there a parent reading this who would not be enraged at the person who seduced his daughter or hooked her son on cocaine? Is there anyone so cold and indifferent to the welfare of your own flesh and blood that you would be "unmoved" that your child has thrown away innocence? Made memories that will haunt and terrify for the rest of life? If you could receive such news with the calm of a statue, it is only because you have a heart of stone!

God has a tender heart that is passionate for his sons and daughters. If anyone has caused you to think that anger or getting mad is a wrong-headed thing for Christians, rethink that notion.

And get mad about something.

-- Rubel Shelly --

I was sent this article this morning after sending out a few emails just crying out with frustration to those who are near my heart. I am so trying to sort out what you do with the anger at watching so much of this.

I felt myself starting to get really angry a couple weeks ago when one of our interns Kalie was in the hospital downtown to have her appendix removed. I would be going back and forth from the hospital and every night I would see a young gal standing out there prostituting herself...no doubt for food to feed her family. I felt so mad. Mad for her not mad at her.

Then I watched 5 little boys, that I love like my own, climb up into my car and scour it for any sort of food we may have in there, after we'd already given them bags of food. They were so hungry.

I was so angry as I stood and watched. Angry at me. Angry at all of us. Angry at a society that convinces us the "right" thing to do is grow our 401K and save so that when we die we can have A LOT of money to give to our children, so that they can save and put away into their 401K and make sure they save enough to give to their children.

While just a 6 hour plane ride away mother's are watching their children die, with absolutely nothing to give to them in that moment. Does anyone see a vicious cycle that is wrong here??

I'm afraid that sometimes it's not just the perpetrator doing nasty bad things that perpetuates injustice. I'm afraid that we perpetuate it too.

Mom and dad, please know that I am as serious as I have ever been in my life right now. I don't want your money when your time on this earth is over. I will have been grateful for everything you have given me on this earth, but I will not need your pocketbook to treasure every one of those memories. Please spend my share now. You give it to somebody who today has nothing and has no hope of ever getting to save a penny, because they live day to day attempting to survive. You trust God to take care of me when you're gone, because He will. He always does. You hear me shout a loud thank you for loving me and for teaching me that God is in control of this life. I know that sometimes Him being in control has required some serious sacrifice from you. I know He'll have rewards waiting in Heaven for that. I'm sorry that anyone has ever attempted to make you think that to be good parents you owed us that. You do NOT owe me that. I would far rather know that while you were here you attempted to give of yourself and you left with nothing to pass on then that you saved to pass something on for my sake. So excuse yourself from that burden and live giving to those things that you're angry enough about to do something. That will make me prouder than any paycheck at the end of your days. Shame on us. Shame on all of us.

Maybe if we just start somewhere. Maybe getting angry enough to see it is a start.

2008-06-23T12:34:00.000-05:00

The mountain of kisses game...one of my personal favorites!! :)

2008-06-23T12:30:00.000-05:00

Got to see my boys on Saturday...always bittersweet right now. Francisco told me numerous times that he was ready to come back to Casa de Esperanza. Rip this heart out!!

We stayed just like this for much of the few hours we spent with them. He gave me "mountain of kisses" on my cheek and hugged the stuffin's out of me.

We miss each other soooooooooooooooo much. Pray for us please!!

Blessings on your day.

The Fab Five...

2008-06-19T11:24:00.003-05:00

Well as most all of you know by now, tomorrow will mark 3 weeks ago that things significantly changed around Casa and within the family God has built here within these walls.

When Casa officially opened in June of 2006 our first babies to enter these halls were five brothers whose father was in prison for alleged homicide and whose mother was unable to feed them. Essentially they were taken into government care because they were starving and needed help to be able to live.

In God's divine wisdom and providence, He allowed them to call this home. I will never forget the day we walked into the room at Casitas to decide whether this was the case we were going to take or not and Marvin was sitting at the table and just started grinning from ear to ear. That was it. Karen and I were both done and so we looked at each other like yep think we're gonna have to take them.

Everyday since then has been filled with adventures...sometimes hilarious, sometimes tearful, sometimes just plain fun. It has been quite a journey.

I remember the first week they came, Antonio hated white people. :) He cried non stop and we wondered if he would ever stop. To watch him smile and giggle and love on us now is GOOD stuff. He's come a long way baby.

Mario...awww sweet Mario, he hit and kicked and screamed and cried and pulled our hair, and Karen and I would sit on the floor with him for hours during the first few months reminding him that we loved him and that he was going to be ok. He was so angry. To watch him at peace now singing his little heart out, he loves to sing, is God's grace and nothing less.

Francisco -- yep can't go there today. I'll post a part 2 about these sweet boys tomorrow and continue to fill you in over the next few days.

Seems appropriate to celebrate God's faithfulness to us and to them and to acknowledge the precious journey God led us on together.

My momma's heart aches for them in ways I never knew existed...but I would not give up one moment of this ache not a single moment if it meant that I had to give up a single minute of getting to live with them and love and be loved by them. It has changed me in a billion ways and it was one of life's greatest privileges to be able to attempt to serve them for a time.

Please pray for them and for us as we all transition. We all miss each other. The kids bring it up often and the boys call frequently wanting to just touch base and remember we're here and we're ok.

As much as it hurts, I like it that there's an ache and an empty spot. I think it serves as a reminder that we all loved deeply. That God created something here that meant something to all of us. That He was present and that He melded us all into a family no matter how hodge podge it looked and so I'll bear the ache with a sense of gratitude and pride that I was blessed to be a part of any of this. That God would invite us into something so sacred is beyond humbling.

We love you all and are strengthened by your prayers and support. Blessings on you this day!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY...

2008-06-17T11:30:00.003-05:00

Today is my parents ??? anniversary. Pretty sure it's like 36, who knows I lost count. It's a long stinking time that's all I know.

I'm 31 and I think they were married for several years before I came along, so yeah 36 sounds about right...I could be wrong.

Anyway that is so very much not the point...the point is that all of my life growing up I had the privilege of living in a home with parents who loved each other. You know those kind of parents where you make YUCK noises when they walk in and kiss each other when you're little and then grow up and realize how tremendously grateful you are that they just really like doing life together.

I know there have been plenty of moments when one or both of them could have given up cause times were hard, but they didn't. They held on through times that were difficult, when they had no idea how to parent these crazy kids God entrusted to them, through times when our family was hurting, through times when it would have been easier honestly to quit sometimes.

I know now at 31 what a gift it is to be able to go home to one house where mom and dad still live. Not just live but live in love with each other still after so many years and experiences together.

I love you guys. Happy Anniversary. Thank you for loving each other and allowing us to grow up knowing you did.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA GROSE...

2008-06-15T10:53:00.006-05:00

Not long ago, while on a retreat with some precious folks, I was asked to spend some time journaling and taking some time to reflect and be quiet before God. One of the questions we were asked to ponder was...consider the greatest gifts of grace God has given you and list the top 5.

Truth be known, the question merited some serious contemplation because we are talking about the 5 greatest gifts of grace to your world. HUGE!! I don't know about you but in light of being given FAR beyond anything I deserve choosing five of those seemed pretty significant.

So I went through the list of blessings and settled on the phrase "gifts of grace." While I have been given so much, there have been a few tremendously significant things that have spoken grace to me unlike anything else ever has.

Getting to walk out a calling that is SO much bigger than me and live out dreams with God here in Honduras is high on my list. I know I should have been disqualified from EVER getting to do anything like this. I should have been the last one chosen, and yet, here I am in a country with people I love supernaturally and children who have become my own and as I stand back one word comes to mind...grace, nothing but God's gracious kindness to this girls life.

There are some other things on the list, which would take way too many words to put on this blog, so for today I'll focus on one person that has spoken grace into my life and reminds me often that God's goodness is abundant.

Somewhere near the top of my list I had to make, right under my salvation and walking righteous with God because of the blood of His Son, was the name of this dear one and the relationship that we are privileged to share. At a time in my life when I had just failed at most everything and was rock bottom in a lot of ways, God divinely appointed this lady a place in my life and I had no idea all that would come to mean.

Truth is by all forms of logic she should have given up and not paid any attention to my messed up self. In terms of the wisdom this world gives I was in many ways a hopeless cause and a rebel in all forms of the word. I had decided at that time in life that I was done with God and fed up with religion and was tired of hearing about what I should do and watching next to no one do it. I was angry and hard and failing...

She believed when I couldn't, prayed when I wouldn't, listened for hours while I questioned and vented, loved when I didn't receive or return it well, made time in her tremendously busy schedule to drive to Athens to meet me for lunch and invest into my world, she was the hands of Christ, the heart of Him and somwhere in the middle of all of that, I caught her passion for Christ and I felt His love.

So many people have been such a BIG part of my faith journey, but if I had to pick one that was grace personified, she's it.

She reached out and believed when I didn't deserve it and nothing logical merited it. She just doesn't operate out of logic. She's got a Jesus heart and that made her heart move toward this one that needed His love and she decided to be a conduit of that.

Since then, she's modeled for these eyes a faith that moves mountains while abiding in Him. She has been tender in moments when my heart has been broken and tough as nails in moments when my stubborn will was keeping me from Him. She's prayed me through doing ministry here and almost everyday I open my email to a note from her that encourages me to chase His heart with everything in me.

So today on your birthday dear one, may you be abundantly blessed, wrapped up in Him...may He honor you beyond your wildest imagination for all you've invested in me, and may He thank you in ways I'm not able for the difference you've made in my life.

I am so grateful for this day...when God allowed your life a place in this world, so that one day your heart and life might bump into mine and change the course of my path forever.

Thank you for loving Him the way you do. My life is one among many who have been changed by watching.

Happy Birthday.

And Amen...

2008-06-15T10:46:00.001-05:00

May God bless you with discomfort…
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger…
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears…
To shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection,starvation and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness…
To believe that you can make a difference in this world.
So that you can do What others claim cannot be done.
Amen

Pray Saints...

2008-05-21T23:19:00.000-05:00

I can not even imagine...but I know that they could use an army of praying people to hold them up. I read this last night before bed and just couldn't wrap my head around it. Pray on!!

From Fox News -
NASHVILLE, Tenn. —

The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. McPherson said no charges are expected.

"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.

She said several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said.

She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.The girl died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.

Chapman, originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria.

Chapman has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association.The singer's Web site said that Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, were persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China.

The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site."After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'

Chapman also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."

I MISS MY KIDS...

2008-05-10T12:03:00.001-05:00

Well mother's day is tomorrow and while I am so incredibly grateful to be here with my mom and celebrating with her this year...I also miss my kiddo's. Pretty honest statement that when you choose to move away and do mission work that your heart forever lives in two places. Part here, part there, forever and always. That's hard to explain other than to say that when you choose to leave all those you love, you don't do that part way, God creates within you an all or nothing kind of going. While your family and friends remain and you miss them so deeply, you know you were sent and asked to go to invite those folks into your heart as well and so God births another family for you there. I am grateful to my toes for both.

Today though I just need to take a moment to write a note to the ones who call me "Mami" with a joy and exuberance that warms you all over. The ones who want my shoulder to cry on when they're hurt. The ones who want me to lay down with them at night and sing to them and pray with them. The ones who hug the stuffin's out of me and it reaches my soul. The ones whose beds I've now knelt beside and begged the demons to flee and whose bedframes I have touched on a thousand occasions and asked God's Spirit to hover over. The ones who've sat on my lap or kissed my cheek or grabbed my hand and reeled this girls heart in forever.

My dear ones,

Though you won't be able to read this in English (perhaps Mami Ashley or Mami Karen) will read it to you, or maybe we'll print a copy and read it to you someday when you're older and can understand this better.

I just wanted you to hear today that I love being your Mami. I love when you climb up on my lap and just want to sit there cause it feels safe. I love when you smile at me and tell me you love me. I love when you hold my hand because you just want to touch mami. I love it when we play the "I love you more" game and you finish with your I love you to the moon and back in your little Spanish accents. I love singing Jesus loves me with you. I love our trips to town when it's just you and I and we talk about things that matter to you. I love when you beg to sleep with Mami and we lay there before we fall to sleep and you just chatter while we snuggle. (those are some of my favorite times on earth). I love laughing with you. I love the moments when God allows me to pray with you and to hear your pure little hearts pray. I love to watch you praise Him when you sing with all of your hearts. I love to watch you being kind to the others that God has placed into our "Casa family." I love when you bring home your papers from school and want me to have them. I love when you ask me repeatedly to sit with you at lunch or dinner or anytime in between. I love your hugs. I love your mountain of kisses game when you cover my cheek with your kisses. I love doing life with you and watching you grow and change and become the people God is intending for you to be.

While I'm away from you now and when I'm away from you in the future you need to know that a day will NOT pass when I don't feel so incredibly proud to play the part in your life of "Mami Jenny." When I get to Heaven after I have thanked Jesus for my salvation, I will thank Him for letting me be your momma when you needed one, and for using your sweet little lives to touch places in my soul I didn't know existed. You have changed me.

You are precious to my heart and you are forever as close as my heartbeat and my prayers.

Mami Jenny

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU WHO PLAY THE ROLE OF BIRTH MOTHER OR THE ROLE OF MOTHER TO A HEART THAT NEEDS ONE. I'M FIRMLY CONVINCED NOW THAT THERE ARE MOTHER'S IN THIS WORLD WHO DID NOT GIVE BIRTH TO THEIR CHILDREN BUT LOVE THEM JUST THE SAME. THAT IS A GOD GIVEN GIFT AND JUST AS PRECIOUS. CONTINUE TO BE BLESSED AS YOU ARE A BLESSING MOMMA'S!!

2008-05-09T02:46:00.000-05:00

"People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are usually the ones who do."

Checking In...

2008-04-25T02:55:00.002-05:00

Well I've spent a couple weeks at home just living life near some folks I love a bunch and it has been GOOD for this girls heart. I've sat beside some of the people who remind me without saying a word who I really want to be. I've spent lots of time with my Bible open and my hand just caressing the page as I have sought God in ways different than I ever have before. I've rested. I've read. I've journaled. I've watched the sun rise and I've watched it set. I've listened to the birds make noises and the trees rustle and it has been sacred time.

Today I am going to a Women of Faith Conference in Columbus. As God would have it, some dear saint, has donated a ticket so I can go and be a part of that. I'm going ALL by myself, (I have NEVER done that before and would never have wanted to) but this year it sounded exactly like what I needed to do. Just Him and I. Will sit in a chair all by myself and just listen to Him and soak.

I am relishing in my time with Him right now. Felt like I was parched from the lack of doing so over the past couple of months. I don't know if any of you can relate, but I'm guessing something in that could resonate with a time in your life. Seems as though there are some times in life when you get no heart relief except through those times with Him and Him only. I'm a people girl to the hilt and so it's usually not difficult for me to just feel Him in the middle of all my favorite folks and give me a church setting with whole bunches of people loving Him and I'm in Heaven. Not so right now. It's completely different. I want Him, my Bible, a space in the quiet where I can just hear Him and be with Him. I thought something was really wrong and now I'm just starting to feel like it's way sweet time with Him.

He is faithful. He continues to be so incredibly faithful! I just want to encourage you that the God of the universe can handle your moments of doubt, your months of distance, your questions, your brokenness, your bitterness, your rebellion. All of it. Your God knows how to handle your heart and all that is within it.

I find peace there today! May you do the same.

Blessings abounding on you this day.

Invisibility...

2008-04-17T10:22:00.002-05:00

You know it's one of the hardest places to be...that place of invisibility where you feel as though no one notices...notices your effort, notices your advice, notices your presence, notices your behind the scenes diligence, notices what would be missing if you weren't a part of it, notices...well just notices, noone notices.

Makes you think every once in a while that perhaps you should stop offering your effort if no one will notice doesn't it?? Oh come on we've all been there. Well if it doesn't make any difference, then I don't need to ____________, and if matters so little then I'll just show them what happens if I just do nothing. I've said it. I've said it lately even.

And then in this still small voice you know that someone bigger than you and all of them...well He notices. And you're working for Him anyway.

Nicole Johnson does a beautiful job in this short little video of showing the sacredness of invisibility. It is a sacred place to be. May we embrace it as such!!

He notices.

Here's the link http://youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Worth the Watch...

2008-04-16T11:18:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to alert you to a video I watched this morning that was touching to say the least. Very good. It's a Nicole C Mullen video called "One Touch."

Take a minute today and watch it. We're all dying for a touch in the middle of our broken places. This is a beautiful representation of that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Zw-9QLlSs

Blessings and Love.

2008-04-13T21:38:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered how hurting so bad could ever be a part of God's plan for your life...like how to reconcile Him being my "protector" and choosing not to protect me from certain things that have broken my heart...

I'm in this new stage of relationship with God where I have more questions than answers about what following Him all the way to the cross means. I'm sure some of you are very familiar with this place, when God chooses to reveal Himself in harder more difficult ways because deeper requires it. It hurts like heck I've decided...and it's causing me to evaluate so much about what it requires of me to follow Him all the way to the cross.

What does that require when people falsely accuse you... when do you fight for justice and when do you stand silent before your sheerers? Do you ever fight for justice for yourself or are you only to be a voice for justice for others?

Do you speak truth when you know it or do you just wait for God to expose truth in His time? Where do I get in the way of God's timing?

How much pride factors into so much of what I decide to do with my life? Daily where is it hidden from my eyes and so visible to others?

How do you watch a dream die and relinquish it without getting angry or bitter?

If the cross means death and I am supposed to die, then it no longer matters whether I'm right, whether I'm offended, whether I'm hurt, whether I'm applauded, whether it feels good, whether I'm _________ because I'm dead and my "rights" died with it.

it just no longer matters -- but the road to the cross is long and it's hard and it's bloody and it's messy and you sweat and you cry and you struggle and you want to stop and quit and you break and you crumble beneath it - before you ever get to the dying.

So pray that I'll follow Him all the way there, that I'll die to myself...and that in the middle of the journey there that I'll honor Him and that I'll rest knowing that my "desire to please Him does in fact please Him."

no matter how messy it may look along the way.

This I Know....

2008-04-08T23:16:00.003-05:00

Just a few things that I KNOW that I KNOW after I've spent a week back in the villages among the people...

I can sit beside the suffering and forget all about what color we are or language we speak and all at once this undeniable bond forms in spite of every difference we share...

Suffering has a way of putting everything back into perspective...

Arms are arms no matter whose they are when the pain is so great that you just need someone to hold you while you cry...

Dirty faces covering up hurting hearts have a way of removing your pretense and pride and I welcome that...

Sharing moments in sacred spaces like these does something that you have no words for...

Jesus lives among the brokenhearted, lowly, humble, and hurting and I see Him more clearly everytime I choose to live among them as well...

I want more than anything in this world to serve them well...

To Keep You Posted...

2008-03-31T07:22:00.002-05:00

Hey all, for any of you checking this on a regular basis (again my apologies offered), we have a group here now...MY PEEPS ARE HERE!!!! The group from my home church has come and they are terrific people who have loved and supported us through the living here and we could not have done what we do without them. And now...we are hitting the ground running...

We were at Didasko children's home on Saturday, spent the day at Casa yesterday with our kiddo's, today we'll be off to the hospital...Casitas Kennedy...and the blind school, so our days are being filled with the blessing of giving yourself away to some folks who steal your heart and end up giving you so much more than you could have ever given. It's a beautiful thing.

If you'd like to stay up to date on the daily happenings...my brother Chris (yeah I adopted him too, I told you I LIKE big families) and besides that he's just doggone good stuff, is posting on the Captured Heart website, missions tab.

Here's the link, Missions Trip Updates, click and read...enjoy...and most of all please pray as we continue to attempt to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Be blessed as you are a blessing!

May I Just Say...

2008-03-08T07:13:00.005-06:00

She was beautiful...the day was blessed by God...Dorian was thrilled to behold his bride...and we were humbled to be a part of it.

I will post more pictures very soon, as for now the happy couple have set off for Costa Rica for 10 days.

Some things you just know were planned by God before the beginning of time. This is one of them!!

Your Praying Hearts...

2008-02-03T17:59:00.000-06:00

Before another day passes I want to just alert you all to a family that could certainly use an army of prayer warriors.

Most of you who know me well, have heard me talk about Mark and Lori Connell. They are pretty near and dear to the heart of this place. Our children adore them, and we're not far behind in the adoring category. We adore them too!!

For a long time now they have been feeling God tug on their hearts to be down here full time being a part of the work in Honduras. Lori is the executive director for the Mi Esperanza project which many of you are familiar with that helps impoverished women learn a trade and begin to be able to provide for their families through the skills they've learned. That is a very poor description of the multitude of things they're accomplishing, it's amazing, but you can check out more about it at their website...it's linked on the right of this page. Mark is nuts, that's all there is to it, but he's also got a heart as big as Texas and he would serve till his knuckles were raw and does sometimes. He is joy personified and we love having him around here. Every summer he helps TORCH teams, he for lack of a better word "mentors" some little guys in a poor community called San Miguel, he serves and when someone recently described some of what he was doing, one of his very good friends said "real ministry just speaks for itself huh??!!" It's true, and it fits him.

Anyway, future plans are to build an artisan center here in Santa Ana to teach and employ even more women and so we've been singing Mr. Rogers theme song to them for so long begging them to be our neighbor's and live across the street from our project here at Casa. Handy huh??!!

So just a few weeks ago they made an announcement to come on board full time in Honduras with Mi Esperanza and various other projects here and we are DELIGHTED to say the least. If you're looking for a good place to spend a few bucks right now they could use some help getting their things down here and all the start up expenses that come with a move like this. If you're interested let me know and I can get you some more information on all of that.

As so many of us know, Satan never turns his head for a moment to things like a passionate devotion to Christ and a willingness to leave it all and go and so the attacks have begun. This last week or so their family has had a rough time and that's a tremendous understatement...I could tell you what I know about it, but Lori did a beautiful job of sharing her heart and so I'd encourage you to read what she wrote on her blog.

Then I'd encourage you to be a part of an army of prayer warriors who are pleading fervently for the heart of this sweet new mommy who should be getting to enjoy the stuffin's out of her baby right now who is struggling in no uncertain terms. Pray for her dear parents too who are watching their baby struggle. Not an easy thing to do we know. They could just all use some folks to hold them up right now.

Rise up my friends it's time for battle...better yet let's bow on behalf of them!! We'll win the battle there. He is faithful!!

Is it too late???

2008-02-03T17:38:00.000-06:00

So my question is, is it too late to make a New Years Resolution??

Cause if it isn't I am RESOLVED to doing better about this daggone blog. Goodness, I used to write on here all the time and update you all. I have been so slacking, and it's not for a lack of things to tell you about. For one thing, our internet (which comes from satellite) has been undergoing rough times...slow as Moses times, so it takes 3 hours for a post to upload sometimes, which talks you clear out of the notion of wanting to post anything for sure. However, it is NO excuse for not filling you in on some way wonderful stuff that's been going on.

So my resolution is this...(Ashley inspired me)...that at least half the days of the month I'm putting something on here. 15 posts a month, yep gonna do it!! May be a one liner some days ... but you deserve better than I've done and so I'm buckling down, fighting off the demon that interferes with our satellite signal and producing some posts.

Think I'll start now. Might do a few today to catch up and we'll see what happens from here.

Much love!

Spoiled Rotten...

2008-01-31T11:37:00.000-06:00

You know every once in a while, God shows us how incredibly spoiled we are and we have the sense to recognize it, and then there are those times in life when He overwhelmingly seems set upon it being in your face in HUGE ways. When your blessings could not be denied if you wanted to try, and where you feel so incredibly small as you run through the record of your spoiledness.

It's a fact, I am a spoiled girl. Sometimes a spoiled brat, I'd like to think most often I'm just a spoiled girl who is learning how better to handle that and share it and be a blessing because of it. I could spend a lot of time listing just the ways I'm aware of that I have been blessed far beyond anything I deserve, but it would leave out soooo many ways I still don't have sense to see, and it would take an awfully long time to list just the ones I do.

God help us. Help us to never believe we have any of this because we've done something to deserve it or because someone came along before us and was able to create for us a land that was entitled to blessings while others weren't. Help us to understand, to really get that You are the giver of every single one of them and you've asked one single thing of us in them...to be a blessing as we have been blessed.

Help us to understand that better every day that we live!!

LUVIN...

2008-01-23T21:36:00.000-06:00

Well today was the 31st day and we were supposed to be able to go and visit Luvin today. I called the gentleman who has Luvin in his center and he told me that unfortunately a couple weeks ago, Luvin had one of his "moments" when he decided he wanted to run away from the center where he is and so it was decided best if we give him a bit more time to adjust and reprogram some of the junk.

We set up a date and time for a week from Saturday to visit, so we're looking forward to that. They have him in an intense bible program right now to help him work through some things that his heart needs to sort out. He will love getting to learn the Bible, he is so sensitive to things of God. I've said for a LONG time that he's going to be a little preacher someday. May it be so Lord that he preaches you whether from a pulpit or with his life.

Anyway just wanted to give you an update, he is doing well, and is safe and sound still at the center, praise God. We appreciate your prayers on his behalf so much and beg for you to continue. God is going to do amazing things in the life of this little guy, I have believed that fro the moment he looked into these eyes and asked if he could call me mom the first day I met him. Good stuff in there, God's just uncovering the diamond that's been covered up with dirt.

I can't wait to watch him shine!!

2008-01-12T08:56:00.000-06:00

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God our Father is THIS...

and it feels as pure and undefiled as anything I've ever experienced, guess He knew what He was talking about!!

Prayers Please...

2008-01-10T08:30:00.001-06:00

And by the way, we started with chicken pox yesterday in the house, so if you could all just pray us through that potential epidemic that would be great. :):) I mean with 2 or 3 it is a potential problem, but with 15 well yeah, nuff said!

All will be just fine but for now Fito is scratching and itching with those little lovely bumps all over his chest and arms and we're waiting to see who else will develop them in the days to come.

We appreciate your prayers. Love you all.

2008-01-09T20:26:00.000-06:00

I have so much to write to you, and pictures to show you, and I can't find my camera cord at the moment and no one has one to fit my camera so say some prayers it shows up and I'll get on that, but I wanted to pass along this to you today.

Maybe I'm passing it along cause I read it a year or so ago and loved it and when I read it this week I realized how much my heart needed to hear and proclaim it again. I was touched in deep places the first time by it and maybe in deeper places this time, as I realized how desperately I want this, to live this way, be this way, surrender this way, and how difficult that is to do most often.

I've printed it out and put it in my journal to read and reread and reread and reread, maybe daily...think it sums up the best of anything else I've read what my hearts cry really is when it comes to walking this thing out passionately.

So I pass it on to you in the hopes that it touches you as well...and causes you to live differently in pursuit of Him.

A Call to Radical Commitment
by Rick Warren

Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling, and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying.Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace.

I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes!

I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one.

Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"

Luvin's Adventure...

2007-12-23T10:28:00.000-06:00

Well as of about 7:30 last night Luvin is at his new "home." I pray it feels like home soon. Not easy to watch a little guy who has about perfected tough and street kid standing there crying because he's scared and because he really really thinks he wants to stay with people that he knows love him. Certainly not easy to drive away.

Regardless the new adventure begins and we pray that this sweet place called "Arca de Noe" (Noah's ark) will be a vivid reminder that God keeps His promises faithfully.

Last year for my birthday Momma Grose gave me a music box and wrote a precious note and put inside it. It plays Jesus Loves Me. How fitting is that. Didn't have any idea that God would use it as a symbol to remind me that He is with us through this. Gina took it off my shelf last night when she saw it and handed it to me and said here it's a sign. On the top of the music box it has this precious little picture of the ark and at the top says, "Noah's Ark" and at the bottom it says, "God Keeps His Promises." I held onto it last night while the song played and we prayed and cried. Have a feeling I'll hold it close to my chest a few times this week to remind myself that He is faithful and that God planned all this before time and will carry Him through.

Please please please continue to pray for Luvin. Scary stuff for a 10 year old who has never had a safe place in his life. Praying for God to wrap him up, please join me in that prayer. This one could use an army of prayer warriors.

I love you all. Blessings on your day.

Update #2 - Luvin

2007-12-20T09:14:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, and any of you who heard me speak on my last trip home to fundraise are acutely aware, one of the little guys that God had brought to us a few months ago has been quite the handful. He’s a smart kid and he’s got a great heart that is way sensitive to the things of God, but he’s got quite the rebellious little spirit going on in there at lots of moments. His name is Luvin and you’ve heard me talk about his story on here before. He’s run away from Casa more times than we care to count. The reasons are always different, but most of it is that he doesn’t have regulations living on the streets and Casa has a couple...hundred ;) (we’d never survive with 15 kids without them) and if he doesn’t like the rules at any given time he gets angry and decides he’ll bolt. It’s what he knows and what life has taught him. We are all a product of our environment in some ways.

So…when I had left to go to the States, Luvin had decided he’d bolt again. I was so afraid that would happen. Luvin and I’s hearts connected early, perhaps it’s because I see so much of myself in him and he reminds me what might have happened at some points in my life if people hadn’t believed that I wanted to be different even when all of my actions proved to the contrary. They believed me into being better and it’s what I really wanted to do with him. Desperately wanted. I prayed and tried, God knows I did.

Some folks didn’t understand why I would give so much of my time to this one little guy and take him with me everywhere I went for a while, and give him more chances than “he deserved.” Why would I continue to bother with a little guy who kept choosing to blow his opportunities and chances of a better life. I mean for Pete’s sake out there he had no food and in here he has food and clothes and that should be enough to make him stay. Shewww I know that feeling of having way more chances than I deserve and I have a feeling it will resonate with some of you too. Some of us just had to be given more chances than we deserved didn’t we??!!

It’s so hard though you know because we have a home here where we pray every day to create a safe environment for all of them, and Luvin rocked the boat so much so that some of the other kids definitely felt like their world was shaky. So…we had to make some decisions as a group for the ministry and because it’s early and we do not have some things in place for “troubled” kids who are older, it was decided that we should not allow Luvin to come back after the last time that he left.

So I was driving back into the lane to enter the gate on Tuesday afternoon and I saw this little guy walking down the path toward the gate. He was way skinny and filthy dirty and I think had the same clothes on that he left in, his shoes were way ragged, and his hair was hanging over his eyes and way long, and I honestly couldn’t tell who it was for sure until he got closer. I looked at Jaime who was with me and I said, that could be Luvin, I think that’s Luvin, I’m pretty sure that’s Luvin, and THAT IS LUVIN, and before I could have another thought I was out of the drivers seat and kneeling down hugging this little boy that I’ve grown to love as my own so thankful that he was ok. Took me 6 seconds to figure out what to do next, he needed a shower, he needed some clean clothes, he needed a meal, and so off we went. No child should have to live that way...they just shouldn't.

I thought he was here for a visit, but before the night was over he had shared with Mama Lillita that he was “back at Casa for forever.” Ay no, and the struggle in this heart began. Cause everything in me wanted to say ok, come in you’re safe, yes I want you to be here, and my head knew what we'd all decided was best. Why can't your heart listen in moments like that?? It's just like they don't communicate well, matter of fact I've learned sometimes my head and heart are enemies.

I sat at Gina's that night until long after midnight processing with her and Mama Lillita about what I was going to do...because I knew one thing, I could NOT put him back on the street push him aside and sleep well at night. I couldn't. Nothing in that felt right. I kept saying through huge tears, mama's do not throw their kids to the wolves, they don't. What am I doing? In a few hours time, I'd thought about quitting the ministry here and buying a house and raising a little guy who has never had anyone love him enough to stick it out with him forever. I'd run the gamet to be quite honest. I was wrestling again in ways that I've never ever known before now, because what do you do when you "could" do something about the injustice of the world, but in some ways you can't. Or can you??? You understand my dilemma.

So I brought him home with me that first night and he slept in here on my floor, because I was convinced I could not give him hope that he was going to be allowed to stay. I mean our heads had decided, so what the heck was the problem with my heart??

Took him with me the next day to town and this little guy that I hadn't seen for a couple months was still calling me mama and what in the world other than God makes that even possible. A year ago, I didn't know this little face, and now I won't ever be able to get his face out of my mind. It's embedded in there.

I had spent the next day making phone calls to anyone I knew that might be willing to take Luvin in and offer him more than I was able to here. He needs some men in his world who will show him how to work and be God's man and he hasn't connected with anyone here who will do that. So I was racking my brain and to no avail...people didn't call me back, they had no space, etc.

I was convinced that I was going to have to put him back on a bus to go toward his hometown of Chuloteca where I knew he was selling things on the streets, hadn't eaten well for sure by his thin little self, and wasn't treated well. I was broken.

I called in a sister favor and I said, look Gina, I cannot take Luvin back to Casa tonight, I can't. Is there anyway he can stay at your house for one more night while we try to find somewhere for him to go. (Luvin adores that family so he felt at home with them.) One night turned into two and Mama Lillita and Gina were as committed to finding him somewhere to go as I was, knowing that none of us could allow him to go back to the streets.

So I get this phone call at 8:30 on Friday morning and it's Mama Lillita and she says Jen can you be in here at 10, there's a guy that we knew from a long time ago and he takes in street boys and he wants to hear Luvin's story. We had a group coming in a couple of hours, it was the worst day possible for it to have happened, but all the other things seemed way unimportant in light of this little face I was looking at. So I'm praying the whole way to town, ok God if we're supposed to be doing something different with him please show us but if it is possible this could work, will you please open the doors wide.

So I walked in and waited a few moments and Mr. Samuel came in and from the moment I met him, his face was just kind and for a moment honestly I was puzzled and I thought...wow, I would not have expected this humble, gentle, kind man to be able to handle the rough and tough street kids, but you could see his passion and love for them in the way he spoke and the things he was doing. It was beautiful. The more he talked and the more I listened, way skeptically in some ways, cause this is like giving away someone you love so much, and you want to know they will handle him with care. I cried, and I told him, sir this isn't about me not wanting this little boy, I just need help, because I feel like we can't offer him what he needs right now. Asked if we could visit and he assured us that would be fine, things like that. Told us about their programs to teach the boys mechanics, and farm skills, and how to build houses, so many things that fit Luvin to a T. He is a hands on boy and he needs that desperately. He will be educated, they do two years of schooling in a year and so he'll be able to catch up for his age. And I just plain liked this guy. Period. He told us he didn't have room really, but that he could see that we loved Luvin and that he had lots of potential and so he would take him.

Sheeeewwwwwwwwwww to say that my heart was relieved might be the biggest understatement of the year. I was at the end of my rope of options...I had no more. I was begging God to do something, show me something I hadn't seen. I wanted to help Luvin but I had no idea how and then God showed up and did abundantly more than all we could hope or imagine. He is so incredibly kind.

So we had promised Luvin he could work with this group this week and we wanted to keep our word, it's important for him to know that he can trust what we say, especially now when we're telling him that this is a good place, and we'll come to visit, etc. So he's here working this week and will go to his new home on Saturday afternoon. We went the day before yesterday to visit with him and after some coersion decided he liked it when he saw the cows and pigs and fruit trees and huge soccer field and I think it will fit him well.

I will continue to be a part of his life, I have promised him that. I told him mama's don't quit on their boys and I won't. I will believe him into being better, cause I feel like it's what God has asked me to do. When it makes no sense to anyone else, I'll remember, I'm sure there were times in my life when it made no sense to continue to believe in this heart cause I'd flubbed up soooo much, and some people just wouldn't quit. Now I realize that maybe it wasn't that they wouldn't but that they couldn't cause when God puts it in your heart and calls you to it, it's compelling. Regardless, we're gonna go the distance with Luvin.

Please pray for his transition and ours as well. Pray that God will continue to use us to encourage and love and strengthen a soul that has experienced way too much in 10 years. Please above all else pray that we'll be to Luvin the things God has asked us to be and that we'll honor Him always in the process.

I am so thankful that God goes looking for the one lost and helps him find his way. I am so thankful...

Update #1 - Papi...

2007-12-13T06:20:00.000-06:00

I'm gonna spend some time over the next couple of days sending several updates about random happenings because so many neat things are happening, but I have not had a chance to sit down and fill you all in, and so I'm making that a priority over the next day or so.

So many of you have heard me talk about the fact that I have now adopted Honduran family (or they adopted me, I'm never really sure how that works out) but nonetheless, I like it. See some people collect dolls, stamps, trading cards, trinkets, etc. Nope I collect people...family if you will. If you asked me I'd tell you I have family in Ohio, Nashville, Alabama, Florida, West Virginia, Washington State, and our blood lines run different, but our hearts pump with the same passion for things that matter and somewhere in the middle of all of that they became more than friends they became "family." Some of you can relate out there, because you know the feeling of being so linked up in Christ that the title of friend just would never do the bond justice. So now add to that sweet list, Honduras, and this precious family that have just taken us in and loved all over us.

It started with Gina, (my now like a sister just for the record), who has become this precious addition to my world, the lives of these kiddo's, and this place, and you've heard me talk about her before on here. So although I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, I'll save that for another day.

Then came Mama Lillita, Gina's sweet momma, that Gina is selflessly sharing with us. When I tell you she has one of the most gentle hearts and sweet spirits I've ever seen it is quite the understatement, but the best I've got with this limited vocabulary. She is classy in every sense of the word and we are so grateful to have her around when we are soooo far from home and our momma's there. She's a gift in no uncertain terms and we're grateful for her.

Gina's got two sweet brothers and we've decided to adopt them too as part of the package. Saul, her oldest brother is a photographer on contract with Pepsi and he's quite the little artsy fartsy guy. :) Extremely talented guy. Then Carlos Alberto, her younger brother, is about as sweet as they come. He's worked with us on a few teams translating and he's just such a neat kid.

But this email is about Papi...from the moment I met this guy I have walked around telling people he's so cute I want to just pinch his cheeks. It is the TRUTH!!! Goodness he's close to 70 and a doctor who still works every single day helping people, and then volunteers his time for a mission organization every morning. His face just speaks kindness. I was privileged to get to go with their family on a trip to see the site for their project just a few months ago, (sidenote, I thought I would pee my pants laughing at Papi a few times, he's hilarious and ornery as can be) and so I got to know him better through that weekend. Since then he's reminded us at least a dozen times that his home is our home and that we're welcome there always. (You have no idea how much that means when you're way far away from everything that resembles "home") So the other night I walked into their house and I was having a rough day in no uncertain terms. My momma heart was hurting in horrible ways (will post more about that in another post) and Gina and Mama Lillita and I were all sitting in the living room talking, and I had my feet dangling over the edge of the couch laying down and Papi came and sat down at the edge of the sofa and before I even knew what was happening he was rubbing lotion on my feet and massaging them.

Talk about humbled, goodness. My stinky unclean feet and he was willing to sit there for probably a half an hour with gentleness and kindness and speak love through his servanthood. It's funny you know, Papi can understand some English and I can understand some Spanish so we don't have long conversations about anything usually, but I heard a whole lot spoken in that one act. It spoke so much of acceptance and love and encouragement and the fact that sometimes I don't know exactly what to do to help, and my "language" will in some moments be so lacking, but I can always show up and do something to be kind and compassionate. He didn't say a word really, the rest of us talked while he sat there and rubbed my feet. A silent servant. A heart full of love for a God who would have done the same thing from a man who has learned that this is who he wants to be, cause you can see it in most everything he does...the way he loves his wife, the way he loves his children, the way he treats people.

So Papi rubbed my feet and I learned something in the process about who I really want to be as well.

Thanks to all of you that pillow your heads in that Larios house. You have become family, in neat places in our hearts, and I am honored that God's kindness would take us from different parts of the world and place us together to learn and grow together in Him. You are a blessing to us, a HUGE blessing!!

And thanks Papi, for silently serving, and through your actions, challenging me to live my life doing the same.

A Homecoming Like No Other...

2007-11-28T20:38:00.000-06:00

Well to put it mildly I have been LOVED all over. I have gotten drawings and flowers made out of paper and gotten kisses all over these cheeks and hugs around this neck too numerous to count. Until God put all this love in this heart for these kiddo's I had no idea what "coming home" meant in quite the same way. I always came home as the daughter or the sister or the friend, but when I stepped these feet through the gate and I heard a two year old Antonio yell "mommy" and watched a 4 year old Francisco lose his face in the smile that came over it as he ran to meet me, and I watched an 11 year old Rudy timidly walk up and bury his face in my tummy as he hugged the stuffins out of me, I knew I'd come home in a completely different way. I came home this time as "mommy." I LOVE that!!!

Here are a few pictures to show you the beauty of coming home for this girl...I'll write more soon. For now just know it is good to be back!!

2007-11-25T14:25:00.000-06:00

I am going back to my babies tomorrow!!! :) That part makes this momma heart God has grown within me want to jump up and down...it's just that goodness to go back to them means I have to leave all of these sweet people that make up "home." I have not written as much as I would like to about my fundraising trip and hopefully when I get back and settled in, I will have a bit more time to share with you some of the neat people I got to meet and experiences God allowed me to have while here for a couple months.

I miss Karen too a whole bunch. When God put us together in this ministry and asked us to go rescue some kiddo's I had no idea what all that would entail. The past 2 years however have had high's and low's and we have learned about the faithfulness and our desperate need for God and we have weathered some storms together to say the least and in the middle of that I have grown to respect her character and her love for God so very very much. She has become dear to my heart, a sister in this ministry and being away for a couple months has helped me understand how much I have taken that for granted at moments. She has stayed and been the consistent without much help girl at the house while I've been here fundraising and I never worried once if the kids would be taken care of, they just are when she's around. Anyway, for all the times I don't say it and should...I am soooo incredibly thankful for the partner she is in this ministry and the sister she has become to my heart!!

Anyway, please keep us in your prayers as Ashley and I will be headed back early tomorrow morning. The hello's are always a delight and the goodbye's are always HARD!! I could use your prayers. Thanks as always.

Might I Just Suggest...

2007-11-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

Well made a quick trip to Nashville over the weekend because some dear friends had planned a fundraiser for Casa there and it was great to get to see them and visit for a bit.

While there I picked up a new cd and a few new books.

Thought I would lend my rants and raves about them for a minute on today's blog. Can I just say that Mandisa is being used by God in beautiful ways. Her adventure on American Idol was only the beginning of her glorifying God with her gifts. I believe that because her cd is top notch. We listened to it on repeat the WHOLE way back from Nashville.

And I picked up Rob Bell's new book called Sex God. I know a bit of an awkward title until you get into the book and he explains the premise and then you find yourself nodding in agreement with what he's laying out before you with his words. It's a book the body of Christ needs to read and beyond that live out. I would HIGHLY recommend it.

Ok that's all for today just a little book and music review for this morning. The trip is going well, I've gotten to meet so many neat new people and it's fun to watch them getting excited about this project that has stolen my heart.

We continue to pray for people who will give to help us stay and tuck these sweet kiddo's in at night and love on them throughout life. If you are willing and able to help with staff support for the next year, please contact us at casadeesperanza@gmail.com and we'll be glad to send out more information if necessary. It sure does take God's village to raise a child!! :)