2012

Well, after taking a break from blogging for the month of January, I'm ready to start up again. It isn't that we didn't have a lot going on, but I just didn't take the time to blog anything. You can check our Facebook page @ BettyyJim Betscher for some pics and posts about what went on if you like.

On January 1, Betty woke up with a song in her mind. In English, the chorus goes " Nothing is impossible for God." For much of the month of January, we have been singing this song as a family. I believe it will be the theme of this year for us. We are, like you, always facing trials both in our family and in our work. But we want to always be reminded and encouraged that we serve a God who is greater than any problem that comes along. He just wants us to be faithful in all things and cling to His Rightousness.

We've already experienced some great accomplishments in 2012. I hope in the next several posts to update you on what is going on both in Rio 3 and in Casa Hogar Douglas. But, before we share more of what is new, we want to thank each of you for loving us, praying for us and supporting us! We often close our day by remembering and giving thanks for YOU! We have the best family and friends that we could ever want or ask for! We are truly blessed by each of you! We honestly love what God allows us to do, that He allows us to do it together and that He blesses us with your love, friendship, prayers and support!

THANK YOU for being YOU!!!

Merry Christmas!

We want to thank each of you for the blessing that you are to us throughout the year! We love you and hope that each of you have a blessed Christmas season!

Reality

This is a photo of a 16 year old mom and her soon to be 1 year old son. They live in Rio 3 with her 3 year old sister and her mom who is in her mid thirties in a house like the one pictured above. She is a very pretty girl and her baby is adorable. Our work here in Monterrey can be summed up as we consider this young teenager's future.

Betty and I serve in Rio 3 because we want to minister to families like this one that are surviving on a thread. Over 30 million people in Mexico live in conditions that we would describe as extreme poverty. We believe Jesus loved the poor and has called us to love and serve them also. In Rio 3,we serve them by working side by side with the local church, Mercy House Church. Our highest priority is that they come to know and love Jesus. But we realize that we must help with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter in order for them to understand that God loves them.

We also serve in Casa Hogar Douglas, a children's home to almost 70 children. Unfortunately, young moms like this one, come to the point where they can't go on. They bring their children to a children's home like Casa Hogar Douglas. Sometimes, the family situation becomes unsafe. No one is really taking care of the children and they are roaming the streets. We believe it is better that they are in a safe place.

A Rescue

A short while ago, we had the privilege to help out in a child rescue case. Actually, there were 3 siblings under the age of 8 years old that were brought to us by their mother, through a friend of ours. For privacy reasons I won't go into all the details but I can say that all 3 of these kids were in physical danger. They had no home and were living on the streets. That alone is not safe in this country! But I am so thankful that ever since they were brought to us, they have been safe, well fed, cared for and loved daily.

I remember what my friend who brought them to us told me on the day that we met them. He said, "Jim, I was made for days like today!" As every paramedic or fireman knows, there is a rush when you assist in a real live rescue! There are many aspects to orphan care ministry. There is education, physical, spiritual and emotional development. All of these things are part of what we do as a whole. But when you are able to be there in that moment of a young child's life and be a part of changing their destiny, there is contentment. I know for sure, that on that fall day in 2011, we saw the future change for those 3 young children. They were literally snatched from the hands of Satan and placed in a place where they are not only protected but are free to grow in their knowledge of Christ as their True Savior.

Yesterday, I was reminded of this as I was worshiping in the church at Casa Hogar Douglas. I turned to my side and there was the oldest singing out loud the songs of the redeemed. He was singing them as one who knows!

A Day to Remember

A couple of weeks ago, in our Sunday morning church service, an important milestone was accomplished that I believe will have a profound impact on the future of Casa Hogar Douglas. It wasn't planned. In fact, I was thinking before the service started that morning that Satan was having his way more than God it seemed. Ever feel like that?

We didn't have a sermon prepared. After the time of worship, the song leader invited anyone to come forward and share a testimony. When we have done this in the past, it is usually only the adults that want to share anything. This Sunday, after a couple of adults shared what God was doing in their lives, a 6th grade boy came forward. This young boy has never wanted to open up about his feelings or openly share anything that was going on in his life before. The whole crowd was quiet as he shared the hurt and pain that he had been carrying for a long time. At times his emotions had him crying but he spoke very clearly and thoughtfully with all of us. This opened the door for others to follow. Many kids began to share what they were feeling in their hearts and asking God to fill up the void that they had in their lives. Many gave thanks for the children's home and the staff that showed them God's love.

At the close of the service we sang a closing chorus as usual. Another boy who had shared his pain, was on the front row and fell down to his knees with his hands lifted high as we sang "Blessed be the name of the Lord." His 6 year old sister came forward and began to hug him. By the close of chorus, the 2 of them were embracing each other on the floor and crying.

I believe God is not only blessing the kids of this children's home, but I believe that He is breaking down barriers as well. As many kids have experienced pain in their young lives, they have reacted by holding their feelings and emotions in. Or they have acted out in anger or frustration that has led to them being labeled a "troubled child" by others. This morning, that I thought at first would be a day without hope, turned out to be a milestone where hearts and minds were opened by the Holy Spirit. I would ask for continued prayer as God continues to work through His Spirit in breaking down walls that have been built out of anger and frustration in these kids' lives.

Using the Blessing we've received to bless others

Recently, the kids at Casa Hogar Douglas received a blessing of new mattresses for their beds. When the kids learned that another home we serve, Casa Hogar Bethany, had 24 kids that slept on thin foam mats, they wanted to share their old mattresses with them. So last Wednesday, we loaded up the mattresses and took some of the older kids to meet the kids at Bethany. We shared a sandwich lunch that we brought along with some other treats and the kids enjoyed the afternoon getting to know each other. It was a great time that was had by all and we are already planning more activities to do together with our new friends at Bethany. We invited them over to play soccer in our large soccer field and they invited us to come back next summer to swim in the river that flows through their property!

Shelter Program Highlight

This past week, we had something happen that I think says alot about the hearts of the people who come to serve with us. We had a group of NASCAR people come and serve with us in Monterrey. We have had several other NASCAR groups in the past and they all have impressed me with their humility and desire to serve! On this trip, we had Nationwide Series driver, Justin Allgaier and his wife Ashley come and meet their sponsored child, Magali from Casa Hogar Douglas. We also had several members of Joe Gibbs Racing #18 car crew on the trip.

The day after they got home, one of these guys called me to let me know that he and his wife wanted to sponsor Lola from Douglas in our Shelter child sponsorship program. For those who do not know Lola, she is a 38 year old Downs Syndrome girl who has lived at Casa Hogar Douglas since she was 3 years old. We never really thought that we would ever have a sponsor for Lola. When Jason called to tell me this, I told him that I doubted that Lola would ever be able to write to them. Her level of communication is very limited. He told me that he understood that and that he was moved by watching Justin & Ashley and the relationship that Magali has with them. He also said that he felt God calling him to sponsor Lola who truly is one of the least of these!

I am humbled and stand in awe of our God! For us, we give thanks to ALL of our Shelter Sponsors because you truly enable us with the power to care for these children! God is using so many people in 2 countries to carry out the work that is going on here! THANK YOU!!!

                         Justin and Ashley Allgaier with Magali (their sponsored child)

                        Lola in the front on the swingset at Douglas