Inside of Church at Rio 3 Painted

For those that haven't seen it yet, we painted the inside of the church building at Rio 3. We would like to thank Dave Schreier Photography and Lifepoint Vineyard Church for making this possible. What a huge difference paint makes for a concrete building!

Fighting for the Orphan Child

A group of 18 adults, from Lifepoint Vineyard, came to serve with us in February. On Wednesday of that week, we headed to Casa Hogar Douglas to work for the day. I had a list of projects planned for the group to work on ahead of time. But, when we arrived, the workers at the home told me that the septic line was clogged and sewage was backing up. When I was dividing up

the job assignments for the day, I asked if a couple of the men could check out the problem and let me know what they thought we needed to do. Within the first hour, they discovered we had a big problem. About 200 feet of an 8" sewer pipe was clogged and in some places crushed. I really thought this was a problem that might take weeks to fix right. But these guys, were determined to fix it that day.

They quickly came up with a plan that involved jack hammering concrete, cutting out old damaged PVC piping and replacing it with new. They gave me a list of parts that they would need, and we abandoned some of our initial projects to concentrate on this more important one. I sent Mauricio to purchase the new parts and we got busy jack hammering. As the afternoon went on, we could see that we might end up working into the night. These determined guys were unanimous in wanting to finish this project before they left. As the sun was setting, and we were working by flashlight, many of the kids were beginning to go to sleep in their dorms. But just outside their window, they could hear 11 men fighting for their cause. These men weren't angry or even upset. Instead they were laughing and joking about working in poop in the dark.

The part that impressed me the most, was how safe these young kids felt as they went to sleep that night. Most nights, children in a casa hogar go to sleep insecure. Sometimes, they may even have fear about something that is going on in their life. And for most kids in a children's home, men have let them down the most. But on this night, the young kids at Casa Hogar Douglas, went to sleep knowing that 11 men were working with the joy of the Lord, in very unpleasant conditions, for their benefit. For at least one night, the men of Lifepoint Vineyard brought peace and security to the frightening world these kids live in. And they did it in a very simple way.

Miguel

If I were to tell you the child I have seen the most change in during the last 6 months, it would be Miguel. Miguel is 12 years old and an only child. His mother has many psychological problems and he has lived at Casa Hogar Douglas for as long as I can remember. A year ago, I was very worried for Miguel. He was always angry and depressed. I had many people who came to serve in groups notice the same thing about him.

But since August, when Javier came to be the head care giver, I have seen a huge change in Miguel. He always is seeking ways to help, even when he isn't asked to. He jokes with the other boys and seems to always have a positive attitude. In church, Miguel is almost always one of the first to come forward for prayer. And then, the other day during the sermon, I heard a couple of "Amens" coming from the left side of the congregation. When I turned to see who it was, I smiled when I saw that it was Miguel. I'm thankful for the work that God has begun in the life of Miguel. I know that just as Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, "that He that began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," God will complete the work that He began in the life of Miguel.

Sunday in Cadereyta

This past Sunday, I helped lead a group of men to one of the ministry areas we serve, called Cadereyta. I haven't been to this area in several months because it is actually another staff member's responsibility and Betty and I are usually leading groups to Rio 3. I was very impressed with how God has been moving in this place. I first visited this place 4 years ago. I remember then there was talk of building a ministry center to serve the people of this area. In my many trips back there over the years we have seen much progress as the building has been constructed. There still is much to do, but last summer we were able to pour the roof to the first floor. What a difference this has made!

This group of men helped work on the building in the morning and then at 3:30 we invited people from the neigbiorhood to a worship service. I was so impressed by the leadership I witnessed in the church. Many of them were men. I am sad to say that this is unusual in many of the poor areas hat we serve. But there were men leading worship and men with their families worshiping in the congregation. I know that Pastor Jose Angel has been especially working to raise up the men in this community and I have witnessed the fruit on Sunday. I didn't bring my camara so I have no pictures but I was very uplifted by what I witnessed God doing in this community.

Feeling the Power of God - Grace is Greater in Service

Sometimes I write about things or events that have gone on here and other times I write about how the things that I experience here affect my feelings. Lately, I feel like I've shared a lot about how I've felt the heavy burden of dealing with injustice and witnessing the work of satan. Sometimes, this might have sounded depressing. I want to share the positiveness I am feeling today. The last few days I have felt the comfort of the Holy Spirit in dealing with all of this. I feel strengthened by knowing our God is greater than any other power. I know that He promises to take care of the orpan child and will protect us from anyone or anything that wants to attack us.

I've been praying, the last few days, for God to put an army of angels around His children and protect them from the power of satan. I have prayed, in the Holy name of Jesus, that God send satan away from the children's homes, that we serve in. I have felt that the conflict that I have experienced lately is because I am in the middle of a spiritual war. God called me to fight in this war, but He did not call me to do it alone. It is His battle! And, He has already won! We are merely His hands and feet as He accomplishes His work.

All of this has caused me to be more energized. I am not growing weary of the battle. I am eagerly awaiting what God has in store next. The future doesn't look dark it looks brighter than ever. I have also realized that God's grace is greater in service. At one time, I felt I had to have a certain level of spiritual development in order to really serve God. But I know I am not perfect and there is no way I can fight these battles alone. But God makes up for my failures and really I am made perfect in Christ Jesus. And the truth is, I am called to serve Him just as I am. The more I commit to serving Him, the greater His grace is in making me whole. 

Thank you for your prayers!!! They are being answered!

Isaiah 41 - Words I need to hear

The 41st chapter of Isaiah is full of words that I needed to hear recently. 

The other night, Betty was reading her Bible while I was working at my desk. At one point she said, "Jim, listen to this," as she began to read it to me. I asked her, "who gave you those verses?" She answered, "God!" I want to just share a few of these verses that I highlighted in my Bible.

vs. 9 "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you....I have chosen you and have not rejected you."

vs. 10 "So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

vs.12..." Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all."

vs. 17 "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none....But I the Lord will answer them: I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Perhaps you are like me and need to be lifted up with words of encouragement. There are no better words, than the words of encouragement from our Heavenly Father. I pray these words will lift you up and give you strength! God bless.

A "House Call" at Rio 3

This past week, we had a group of students here from CHCA High School in Cincinnati. On Saturday, we served at the ministry site, Rio 3. One of the things that the group wanted to do was hand out groceries to the families that live there. Together, we fed 350 people a hot meal and handed out groceries for 150 families.

After we handed out the groceries, Betty told me she wanted to take some groceries to an elderly mother and daughter we know, who live down by the river. They both suffer from poor circulation and have each had 1 leg amputated. For this reason, they are not able to get out much. The mother, who is over 70 years old, has had a large open sore on her only foot. In the past 6 months, we have visited their house with doctors and other medical personnel, and we've helped her care for her open sore. Each time, the faith and courage of these 2 women has inspired the people that we've brought to their house. This time was no exception.

Betty and Olga took a group of about a dozen students and a few adults to deliver the groceries to these 2 ladies. The looks on their faces, when they returned, told me everything. Some were crying and others appeared to be in shock. I was told that these 2 ladies didn't just accept the ministry that the students were offering. They wanted to minister to the students as well. Our group helped change the dressing on the mother's open sore and prayed for them both. The mother then sang a song for our group and told them how she knew that God had sent them there that day. She thanked God for their lives. As I talked to some of them, upon their return, they told me that they had never witnessed anything like that before. They were amazed as they witnessed the unswaggering faith of those who had very little physical shelter but had a wealth of "God's Eternal Shelter."