Holloween

Years ago, I didn't see much harm in Holloween. It seemed like harmless fun. I don't want to be critical of anyone who celebrates trick or treating with kids. But I have also come to realize in my 6 years of living here in Mexico that the spiritual world is very real. Most of the work that we do here in the children's home is not so much physical but spiritual. Satan has had his way with families here for generations. The result is thousands of kids that are abused and abandoned. There are real live witches that live within walking distance of our children's home. Some of them have been so bold as to ask for our children or they will put a spell on us!
This year, in the children's home, we are spending Oct 30 & 31 in the evenings praising God in worship.

Medical Outreach in Rio 3

We recently hosted a medical outreach team at Rio 3. They were able to serve this very poor community from the inside of the church that we have been constructing for 4 years now. The building is a huge blessing to the church as they serve this community in practical ways. This medical team was an added blessing because they not only provided medical treatment but also brought groceries to stock Olga's soup kitchen pantry.

Testimonies

I have been thinking a lot about the testimonies that God gives each of us. The thing that I have discovered is that they are all God's testimonies. You see the point is that whatever happens to us is to be used for God's glory. I have learned to try and remember that in every story that I am a part of or have a chance to witness, it is not about us. It is all about God! God uses us and allows us to even suffer sometimes so that He can be glorified. I think if we fail to use our testimony for anything but to show the world about God's great power, mercy and love for us then we are not honoring Him.
Recently, we have witnessed and even been a part of some amazing stories of God showing His love for His children. I want to be sure that in every way I give God all the glory for what He has done!

Medical blessings

We have been working with the local Monterrey University and their medical school to have medical exams and dental visits with their medical students. All 68 kids that are at Casa Hogar Douglas children's home are in the process of having their teeth cleaned and any work that needs to be done is being scheduled for followup visits. This is being done by dental students in the University hospital under the supervision of their teachers. Also, the medical students are doing general checkups on the kids in a similar fashion. We are transporting anywhere from 3 to 16 kids per day to the hospital for these exams so it keeps us very busy but it is a great blessing. The young medical students have been falling in love with the kids from the children's home as you can imagine. Some of the older girls have discovered a couple of handsome young medical students and have become jealous. It is funny to hear them question us about their friends, "Who did she see? I hope not Jorge because I think he is cute and don't want him seeing anyone else!"

God is moving in many ways as we seek to provide care for these kids and show them how Great our God is and how much He loves them!

Anna - our newest caregiver

I want to share about a recent blessing that came to Casa Hogar Douglas. In early January, we had a guest come with one of our visitibng groups that I was introduced to. Anna, was a 25 year old who lived in Texas on the border and who had recently finished her masters study. As I talked to her, I learned that her dad is a pastor and that she was interested in working with orphans. At Casa Hogar Douglas, we were in need of a caregiver to help with the oldest girls' dorm. I stayed in contact with Anna over the next month and she eventually felt God calling her to come and help us in the children's home.

We are very excited to have Anna join our team! She moved in and began working at the home about 2 weeks ago now. Anna is a huge blessing to the girls she cares for as well as a valuable source of encouragement to the rest of the staff.

Blessings multiplied

One of the things I recently realized, is how blessings can multiply. About 2 years ago, we had about 70 kids in Casa Hogar Douglas and received less than $1,000 per month to cover the expenses of the home. That amount doesn't even cover the electric bill each month, much less food, workers' salaries, education costs, gas, etc. Those needs were covered each month basically by begging. I use the example of a begger on a street corner who is holding out an old coffee cup. He might receive enough to survive and avoid starvation, but I would not describe that as success.

In the summer of 2009, Back2Back started our Shelter child sponsorship program. This was started so that we could help homes likes Casa Hogar Douglas to better meet the necessary needs they have each month. People who want to help sponsor one of our children. They write and receive letters 4 times a year with this child and the money they send is used to make a better life for the child in the children's home.

At the beginning of 2012, we now receive almost $5,000 per month to use to take care of the 68 kids we have at Casa Hogar Douglas. Let me share with you how that money has helped. We are now able to do the following:

1. Electric bill is paid on-time. We don't live with the fear of losing service.

2. There is always gas for cooking and hot water.

3. 19 kids are in "special schools" for learning disabilities or higher education.

4. The kids now eat better meals including beef or chicken 3 times per week.

5. We have been able to attract more and better qualified workers.

6. Workers that are responsible for child care have had their salaries doubled.

In addition, we are no longer looked at like the begger on the street corner. When American groups as well as local Mexican groups come to visit they see success. People want to be a part of something that is successful. They are eager to inquire how they can be a part of caring for these hurt children and giving them a true hope for tomorrow. Let me share with you some of the additional blessings that we have received because of that:

1. Over $50,000 in campus improvements including lighting upgrade, sport court and slide reconstruction, new concrete driveway, sunshade canopy over playground area and new paint.

2. New closets in all the dorms.

3. New mattresses and curtains for all dorms.

4. Ceiling fans and new lighting in the dining hall.

5. Installation of 20 new toilets to replace old ones.

6. A new library with over 1,000 new books.

7. Five new desktop computers with internet access.

8. A new wooden playground right outside the youngest kids' dorm.

9. A new deck, patio and garden overlooking the children's home outside the chapel.

10. Each dorm now has a new 32" plasma TV and DVD player.

In addition, we have a new office building that is 85% completed. We are beginning an infrastructure project to run all of our main wiring underground. This will make it cleaner, safer and we hope reduce our energy costs by being more efficient. We have plans to construct more buildings that will enable us to better care for more kids.

The part that I love about all of this is how successes multiply. We know that God wants to care for these children and bless them with what is important. We believe as we give Him all of the glory and praise for what He is doing in this children's home, He will send more blessing. 

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!!!