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 :)

I'm back

Hello Everyone :)

I'm back, safe and sound. It's been a whirlwind week so far. I arrived at the Ranch Friday afternoon after three days of traveling only to leave 2 hours later for a youth group camping trip with Calvary Chapel Alamos. I don't regret it one bit. We can sleep when we get to heaven right?!?!!?!?!!??

We arrived at the campground later Friday night, it was pitch black out. What I saw when I awoke Saturday morning totally took my breathe away. Beautiful emerald green hills covered with mist. You could hear the birds and the river down below. Yes, there were also an insane amount of mosqitos and no-see'ums as well. I was blessed to get to know the youth from our sister church, Calvary Chapel Alamos, better. The teachings were blessed, the worship was anointed. There were also many fun games. I have a confession, something I was sorely reminded of on this trip. "I love volleyball!!!!! But I really stink at it". Who else would serve the ball right into one of their team-mate's head.............. :) I graciously took a couple of bows and moved on after everybody finally stopped laughing.

Last night was the study in Tesia. It was a HUGE blessing to see all of my fellow brothers and sisters. I had missed them so much.

Today we will find out whether Levi's surgery was successful or not. Ana will be leaving the end of this week to go spend some time with Brian, Rochelle, and the boys. Please praying for traveling mercies. Also that God would give us the supernatural ability to keep things together while she's gone!

Pray for rain. We need more to make it through the dry months.

Thanks to all and God bless!!!