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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!