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!