Definately time for an update!

                      My granddaughter Penny & me at Easter

             Betty & me with the 4 youngest kids still at home

Well it has been over a month since I have blogged anything. I find at times that there are periods like this for me. It isn't that I have nothing to blog about. It is just that I am going through a reflective time where it is hard to put my thoughts into words. Actually, I have had a lot going on. Betty's oldest son, Jhonatan is in Cincinnati visiting my family for about 6 months. I had the opportunity to go to Cincy and visit my kids and my granddaughter for Easter. It had been a year since I saw them so that was sweet. I also finished reading a great book entitled The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. It is a great, thought provoking book that I highly recommend. This book, along with my personal experiences recently, has prompted me to think about what is it that we are called to do for Christ.

I believe that you could argue that the American Church is the most giving church in history. At the same time, you could argue that it is the most apathetic. I think it is time that we all examine ourselves and ask "What is it that God is calling me to do about Christ?" I am privileged to witness Christians here that face hardship, danger and even death on a regular basis, but who have learned the meaning of fully trusting in God. Unfortunately, I tend to trust my own ability rather than putting my faith in the "impossible" that can only be accomplished by God.

I'm not completely finished processing all of this yet. I just wanted you to have an update on what God has been speaking to me. I'm sure it might be reflected in what I experience and write about in the near future.

New Name for the Chapel on the Hill

We have a new name for the renovated chapel at Casa Hogar Douglas. It is now called The Juniper Tree Chapel. Back2Back has been assisting in the weekly worship services for more than a year now. In May of 2009 we finished remodeling the chapel with the help of the Juniper Tree Foundation. And finally, in January 2010, we officially named the building The Juniper Tree Chapel.

The name comes from the verse in 1 Kings 19. The prophet Elijah, was scared and fleeing for his life from Jezebel. The scripture says that he went a days journey into the desert and took refuge under a juniper tree. It says that he actually prayed that he would die there. Can you imagine being so scared and feeling so helpless? But under that juniper tree, in the middle of a desert, an angel of the Lord began to speak to Elijah. First, God provided food and water and rest. Then, He told him where He wanted him to go from there.

Like Elijah, most of the kids that live at Casa Hogar Douglas, are scared and perhaps running from their past. Some may even think death could be better. But just as the great prophet of old did thousands of years ago under a juniper tree, we want the children of Casa Hogar Douglas to find refuge in the Juniper Tree Chapel.

Sometimes, we are intimidated, by the impressive lives and experiences of people like Elijah. But, James 5:17 reminds us that "Elijah was a man just like us." We desire that all that come to worship God at the Juniper Tree Chapel, would find hope that they also can accomplish great things for God. All that is required is that they submit everything to Him.

Kids at Casa Hogar Douglas Serving again

The kids at Casa Hogar Douglas, took another road trip to share the love of Christ to some children in need. We chartered a bus so that everyone could make the 4 hour trip to Ciudad Victoria. For many of these kids, it was the farthest they have been from their home. The kids were able to share food, a pinata and gifts to 75 children who have very little. Our objective is for the kids of Casa Hogar Douglas to experience the joy of giving and not just receiving. The kids were excited to share the love of Christ in this way.

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.