December 9th

Saludos!!! We celebrated Noemi's 1st birthday two weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe that she is a year old already. Time flies. She looked so cute... Then again she always looks cute :)
Is anybody else as amazed as I am that it’s already December 9th. Christmas is 2 weeks away! Our tree is up and decorated. I’m afraid to say that it is missing the Winnie the Pooh, Star Trek, and Veggie Tales ornaments that adorn the tree at 1727 Hillcrest Dr.

Since I last wrote we had the Fellowship Sunday here at the ranch.

It was a wonderful time of fellowship and worship. There were A LOT of people. We were happy to see many faces that we hadn’t seen in quite a while. The theme this year was Luke 4:18.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised”. Luke 4:18

In the morning Pastor Dan encouraged us to be watchman, announcing His coming to the world.

“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me”. Ezekiel 33:7

Sunday school was split up into morning and afternoon sessions. Daniela was with them in the morning and taught them the colors of the salvation bracelet. In the afternoon it was my turn. We made salvation bracelets and then watched a cartoon version of the Jim Elliot story.

Thanks to Tara, Josie, Monce, Dulce, and Karlita for helping. Also to Vanessa for taking care of the snacks.

Monce and Noemi :)

Aaliyah's new look :)

Below is Lolita teaching Sunday School this last Sunday.I really love it when we have church at the ranch :) We are so thankful that it's not hot and sweaty right now. Definately not missing being hot and sweaty.

Last week I took chocolate chip cookies to the kids in Huazahuari. THEY FELL IN LOVE. They came to class this week asking if I had made more cookies. I'm afraid that I've created a bunch of cookie monsters. Store bought cookies no longer cut-it. Two Wednesdays ago a lady named Luz gave her life to the Lord. Dan met Luz's husband in jail in Obregon. He is a Carla's (Noemi's mother) cousin. She went with us on the San Antonio/Huazahuari trip and gave her life to the Lord on the way back!!!!! She went with us again this week. Please pray for her and her three children.

Karla Melissa turned 14 last week. Once again, we are SO HAPPY to have her back with us. For her birthday Roshon took her out to the movies. We saw, 'Puss in Boots'.

We have started teaching the Christmas story in all of the Sunday School classes. Teaching the immaculate conception is something that I had never really thought about before... Interesting. Especially in a culture that is mainly catholic.

Dan and Ana are in Tucson. They left this morning and will pick up Rochelle and the twins on Monday. If God wills they should be here on Tuesday.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.... Remember the real reason for the season!

November 17th

"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end". Hebrews 3:14

Don't you just love being around new believers?!?!?! They are so full of life and joy. They have some many questions. They are seeing and hearing everything for the first time. They see beauty and miracles and things that we have begun to take for granted. They are so busy exploring the word and exploring God's character. They are full of hope for the future. So what has happened to us? Has God changed? Is God less marvelous, less merciful? Are God's promises greater for the new believer than for us? Are the stars any less His handiwork than they were before?
The more we know Him the MORE we should STAND in AWE of Him. The more we know Him the more we should DESIRE Him. The more we should long to be like him. The more we should long to search out the depths of His character and His love for us. We should be just as confident as we were in the beginning. Have we not seen His hand of mercy move over and over again in our lives? Our pace should not slow. Our gaze should not wander. Our gate should not swagger. We are closer to the finish line than ever before. We can see it. We know what is awaiting us. Eternity..... Eternity, basking in the beauty and perfection of God.


Below is lovely Ruth with Niña, the puppy. Ruth stayed with us last week and we worked on her reading. As you can also see we had a WONDERFUL rain. It was simply splendid. It rained and rained, and then rained some more. We are so very greatful for it. As you can see it left the roads a complete mud pit. We had to drive through this to get to biblestudy Tuesday night.

Below are Tara and Monce. We celebrated Tara's birthday before her sister, Christy, headed back to the states last week. Tara and Maddox will be staying through the middle of December. Monce's birthday is Saturday. Noemi is turning 1 YEAR OLD on Friday. I can't believe it !!!!! Time flies when you are having fun.

Above there is also a pic of Brother Juan with the children of Huazahuari. I introduced Juan a while back. Dan met him in jail actually. He is from El Salvador, was falsly accused, and then put behind bars. After a series of miracles the Lord has sent him to us. We are very happy to have him. He has taken over much of the Fish Project. Turns out that he has quite the green thumb. Many of us have been praying that the Lord would provide someone with know-how and initiative to work on the aquaponics. It appears that the Lord has answered our prayers.
This last week in Huazahuari I had quite a surprise. We were sitting under the Mesquite tree having bible class, as always, when a little pick-up drove into town. The kids screamed, "bananas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will you buy us bananas?" How can you say no to kids asking for bananas???? So we bought bananas and the fruit guy took pity on us and gave us apples as well. You would have thought it was Christmas. I've never seen kids get so excited over fruit. I've also never seen bananas shoved into mouths so fast before, hahahahahaha.

Here we have Christy, Tara, and Maddox filling the monthly despensas. Many hands make light work. Cheezy saying, I know, but it's true!!!

Karla Melissa is now back at the ranch with us. She will be 14 next month. Since leaving the ranch several years ago she has been living with her grandmother in Navojoa. We are very happy to have her back at the ranch. Please pray that she would come to know the Lord. We desire her to be healed and renewed. Please pray that she would love us and allow us to love on her.

Thanksgiving is THIS Thursday. I can't believe it! Jo is cooking 2 turkeys for those of us who partake here at the ranch. I'm super excited :) I hope that ya'll have a blessed day. I'm thankfuly for every single one of you!

Please keep Sunday the 27th in your prayers as well. The 27th will be the annual gathering of CC Alamos and CC Maranatha here at the ranch. People come from near, far, high, and low. It will be a day of fellowship and praise. Please pray that the vehicles would do their job without any major mishap. Also for the 3 men that will be sharing the word. Those of us working with the children could also use your prayers.

Thank all of you who keep this ministry in your prayers SO VERY MUCH. Your intercession makes a huge diference in all that is done here. Be blessed, be safe. Keep your eyes on the clouds and your ears tuned for the sounding of the trumpet!

Beautiful Faces

It has been a while since I've posted any pics of the children of Huazahuari. So one year later here they are. This Wednesday we learned about the Israelites and the Golden Calf. Lesson; We worship God and God alone. James (from CC Wichita ) and Christy (from MN) joined in a game of balloon tag afterwards. It was LOTS of fun. Please continue to pray for these children. Also that Rogelio and Carla would have the opportunity to reach out to more of the families of Huazahuari.

This week we have had Bud, Christy, and James here from Calvary Chapel Wichita. They have been a huge blessing!! The guys have been working, working, working. The girls have been painting. It has also been a blessing to take them to the villages and have James share his testimony with the congregation.

I would also like to ask prayer for a dear sister in Christ, Maria Juana. Dan met her husband in jail and reached out to Maria Juana and the family. She has been fellowshipping with us for quite a while now. She and her husband have 4 sons, the youngest is 13. Maria Juana also has scoliosis. Recently she has been suffering and in alot of pain. I would ask that you ask the Lord to fill her with peace and hope. Also for healing if it is His will. And also for her sons' salvation.

Thank you as always for your prayers and support. Be blessed and be used :)

1 Cor 9

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all thiis for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings". 1 Cor 9

I have always LOVED these verses! We are to live as pilgrims as travelers in this world. Who we are is NOT defined by our culture, our childhood, who our parents were or where we were born. We do not belong to any of these things. Our identity is is Christ. We rest not in where we have been but in what He has done for us. Our foundation is not our education, not the set of principles that the world has taught us to live by. Our foundation is Jesus Christ, and Him alone. Because of this we are unshakable. The waves that shake the world, the fear that is driving our world to destruction does not affect us. We are Not Of This World.

Maria Elena

Maria Elena is the girl on the right, in the pink sweater. She is 4th grade and will potentially be the first person in her family to graduate from high school, Lord willing. This little girl faithfully comes to church ever Tuesday and every Sunday. She plays on the worship team, stands right next to me :) :) :) :)
Her mother is lost in drugs and drinking, the rest of her family is uneducated and very superstitious. Her grandmother, Florencia, is the only believer in the family.
Maria Elena is always very heavy on my heart. Every time I see her I pray over her. I pray God's protection over her physically, spiritually, and mentally. She has a very hard road ahead of her. The odds are not in her favor. This last Tuesday she showed up looking sad, dirty, and tired. My heart broke (not the first time). My heart was filled with questions and doubts," Lord, why? How can you allow this? Why must she remain is such treacherous circumstances?"
I went to bed worrying and praying.
I woke up the next morning to these verses:

Psa 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psa 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
Psa 72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Jesus really loves the chidldren! We don't always understand why or how but after all, He is God. His ways and His thoughts are much greater than ours. I love Maria Elena, I really do, but my selfish, inperfect, love can not compare to His love for her. He created her, He knit her in her mother's womb. He died for her, and then rose again. He, not me, is preparing a place for her :) A place with no more pain, no more heartbreak, no more disappointments, and no more fear. God is on the throne. And, HE IS A GOD OF LOVE.

10.11.10

"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become like a portent* to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. ..........But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not it's measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord: I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds". Psalm 71

*Portent: A prodigy or marvel.
My heart was so moved this morning when I read this passage. I was overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness and mercy in my life. He HAS been my confidence since my youth. From birth I have been taught to rely on Him. He HAS taught me since I was young. Every day has been filled with lessons of His love and mercy. Because of all this, "I WILL ALWAYS HAVE HOPE". As the first verse of a very famous hymn goes:

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name".

(vs15)"My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvtion all day long, thought I know not it's measure". We know no the measure of His salvation. We have only a taste of what He saved us from. We know only a sliver of what it is that He has done for us. Glory to God in the Highest!


The days are getting shorter :( This was on the way to church Sunday evening.

Josie and the girls from her Sunday evening class. They made the "Garden of Eden" this Sunday :)

We are +6 at the Ranch now :) Jo and Jerry are back!!!!!!! It's SSSOOOOOO good to have them. Jerry has been busy mowing, trimming, and cutting all over the place. He's also giving some much needed TLC to the vehicles that have been neglected in his absense. The cars love Jerry :) Jo is busy taking care of Jerry. That is a full time job as well. They will be starting back up the English bible study in Alamos this week. Jo is also going to start teaching an English study for ladies here at the Ranch on Wednesdays.

We also have Tara, Christy, and Maddox here from Montana. Maddox (picture above) is a brave little man. He has been nicknamed Mr.Montana. Maddox is going to be a bean lover and a spanish speaking fool by the time he leaves ;) In the picture above he is praying with the men before church on Sunday evening. We pray that the Lord would preserve this little guy and grow him into a mighty man of God!!!!! Below is a picture of Tara, Christy, and Maddox checking out the fish :)

We also have Brother Juan Francisco here right now. Dan met Juan, who is from El Salvador, in jail. He arrived on Saturday and will be living and working here at the Ranch.

Pray for Dan, he is in CA visiting his dear friend, Mike. He will be gone for atleast another week. Roshon and her kids are with him visiting family. The end of this month we will have 3 visitors from Jo and Jerry's church in Wichita, KS.

Since Dan is gone our outings are at a minimal. Ana is taking advantage of the time at home and is having us do all of the deep cleaning :) :) :) We've been working, working, working.

This morning Carla, Christy, Abuela (Grandma), and I went to Osobampo for the ladies's study while Ana and Lola went to Jusibampo. The study in Osobampo was a blessing as always. Carla is sharing on how we should deal with fear and worry as believing women.

This evening we go to Tesia. Brother Beto will be teaching in Dan's absense.

Greetings from everyone at Rancho Maranatha.

God bless ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flowers

Today is my little brother's birthday :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABE!

Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


In Sunday School this week we 'dressed' flowers. Obviously our designs are dull in comparison to what the Creator of the universe made for them though.


Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thought.

This is my verse right now. The Lord has made it apparent every single day that He will have His way and that'll be alot easier for me if I just go along :)



The Lord always speaks to me through the lessons I prepare for the kids. Most of the time as I am sharing with the kids the Lord will throw something in my face that came out of my very own mouth! Very funny.... not really :)


This Sunday evening we saw lots of faces that we hadn't seen in a while. It was such a huge blessing. I wish I could have taken a picture during worship so you could see all of the faces.





Noemi is getting so BIG!!!!!!!!!! Number 2 is on the way, due the beginning of February. Carla and Rogelio are hoping for a boy this time around :)

Isn't she just gorgeous? We all love her so much :)

Ana will be back on Wednesday, I CAN'T WAIT. We have missed her tremendously.

The weather is starting to change a bit. The wind picks up in the afternoons and it isn't quite as hot.

Tomorrow is ladies biblestudy in Osobampo :) One of the highlights of my week. Please keep these ladies in your prayers. They are fighting the good fight for sure.

This Wednesday I am planning on beginning my class with the children of Huazahuari again. Some of you may remember the pictures from last year. I had stopped going because the kids were being very disrespectful and disobedient. However, a little birdie told me that they want me to come back. So we're going to give it another try. We shall see what the Lord allows. I am pretty excited though.

God bless!

Sweet Sweet Song

I am an instrument of the living God
My life a melody to His name
More than the songs I sing
Worship is everything
I live to glorify my King

Hear the song of my life
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
I raise this anthem high
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound

Through all the mire and clay
You're washing me with grace
You carry me, oh Lord, through it all
So I will testify even in the fire
I live to praise my Savior

Let everything that has breathe
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord
And all cre-ation will sing Hallelujah

-sarah reeves

kids!

I love kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is Danielito Here are some pictures of the children in my life. They are all so ,so, so very precious!

This is Aaliyah This is Dislania

Arielito and Noemi Ana Sofia

Belen







Noemi

Children are a gift from God. These are some priceless gifts :)