His Children

As 7 of us headed down to Mexico last week all I could think of was of seeing my kidos at the orphanage again. I have not seen them in a couple of month because of the busy craziness of my life lately. I have been going to this orphanage for over 7 years. The first orphanage called El faro in Tijuana, Mexico is where we spent the first night. It was an amazing time just loving on the kids and doing devotionals with them.  The best part for me was sleeping over with the girls in their dorm and getting tickled to death (they found out my secret).

The kids at El faro during devo.

As we headed out the next morning to go to the tecate orphanage for boys I was a little sad we had to leave the other orphanage so soon, but I was ready to see some of my boys that I have not seen for a while. They are actualy part of the other orphanage in Tijauana, but they had to separate the guys from the other orphanage because of problems of having them together with the girls. As you know being a teen can get a little crazy. However, as we got there there was only half a roof in their home and no windows and doors. They were also limited of food. Our bathroom was a whole in the ground. It made me realize how privileged I am.

Inside the house

The hallway

The House

The bathroom

Beside the circumstances they did not complain! We worshiped with them. Loved them and had the best time of our lives! God really used us to bring comfort and joy! Also a revival in may of their lives. It was so beautiful. We also got up at 5am to worship with the kids and watch the sunset (don't tell anyone I gave them candy too). It was a beautiful night with them and the Lord.

Most of these kids don't have stable relationships and it would be nice to have people commit to going down every week or every 2 weeks. Love is what they need the most. Also there is so much needs in materials to build and food needs. They also need help in paying the electricity, mortgage on the property, etc... There is so much need!

The team with the kids and staff (farewell picture)

If you all would like to help in any way contact me at 619-750-7403. Also if you would like to come down let me know. It would be a blessing to have you on board!

 

His Healing Hands

When you first come back from a missions trip everyone wants to know how it went. My response is "it was AMAZING!" Yes, the Philippines was an amazing trip but also a trip that was challenging. Throughout the trip I felt spiritually disconnected from God. I wanted to be in His presence everyday but I just felt so distant from that. I was not even stepping out in any of my spiritual gifts. But I knew that besides my emotions or how distant I felt from God I needed to press in.

During the festival we did for the community in the Philippines I got assigned to do the prayer booth. I did not have a desire to pray for people because I knew I had been so distant from God, but I decided that I needed to press in and love like Christ does. As an older women approached me she asked me to pray for her. I asked, "is there anything I can pray for you for?"  She just looked at me with a blank stare she did not understand English very well, so I decided to just pray over her. As I stopped praying for her she started to cry, I had no idea why? Then in broken down English she told me she had no money for her eye medicine. She has really bad cataracts in her eyes that she could not really see. You really could not even see her eyes as the were almost completely covered by a white layer and she was almost completely blind. My first thoughts were " I know she is not trying to ask me for money!" it is very common for people to ask you for money in other countries because you are American (considered RICH). My heart had be hardened because everywhere I would go they would ask me for money... I knew I was not going to give her money and I said, "okay God this is up to you to heal this women because I can't even feel you right now." I looked at her and said "do you believe Jesus Christ can heal you right now?" she said, "yes." So I put my hands over her eyes and said in the name of Jesus I proclaim that you are healed!" Then she started to cry even more and then she kept giving me kisses and hugs. I just told her "thanks for letting me pray for you." I had no idea what she was saying in her language. Thank God one of the dad's of the long term people was there and knew the language and said, " she can see now!" I was like "oh that is why she kept giving me hugs and kisses." God had healed this women! The next thing I saw her do was tell everyone in the crowd that she was healed. It was beautiful.

(This was after the women after she was healed)

I could of walked away not knowing this women was healed and it humbled me because I knew it was nothing of me. I did not have to be right with God or feeling spiritually high to see God move in a mighty way. God did not even need me at that moment, but he decided to show me His power. God wants to show us more of him even when we feel so distant from Him. He is always there, but it's in those times we need to press in and truly build that foundation on him and not emotions. He is alive and active in each one of us everyday! All we have to do is say "YES God I am willing!" I am willing to run after you even when I don't feel you or hear you.  Even signing up to go to IMPACT 195 I was not willing to give up a year of my life and first of all I did not even have the money! But all I had to do is say "YES Lord I am willing!" I was willing to pursue God even in the times I was not feeling it or thought it was impossible. He has blessed my life and has showed me how faithful he is besides my circumstances. Keep pressing in and he will show how faithful he is!