only hope...

Ely- Salvation in the Tanning Salon :)

2012-01-30T16:10:00.001-06:00

Ely, my friend :)

This is Ely (pronounced Ellie). One could say that our lives randomly intersected, but I've known Jesus long enough to believe that there are no such things as coincidence. He had planned for us to meet long before I even had a clue. I hope this story shows you that God wants to use you wherever you go, according to His plan, not yours :)

I met Ely exactly one month before my wedding. I know it was exactly one month before my wedding because that is when I had decided I would start tanning for the "Big Day." Ely works at the tanning salon. I remember walking in and seeing this pretty redheaded girl but was nervous about my first time in the tanning beds so didn't give her much thought. Honestly I felt super self-conscious about tanning for my wedding. "What a frivolous thing to do", I had told myself one hundred times. "I'm a missionary, what will people back home think?" I admit that I am one of those who teases others about "fake baking" and here I was about to bake myself! However, I knew I didn't want to look like a ghost with my white skin in my white wedding dress on that "Big Day" and I surely didn't want to terribly stick out in the photos with my new Mexican family. So, there I was shamefully signing my name to a month of sessions.

When I'm nervous I just talk, doesn't matter the language. So I started talking to Ely as I signed my name and pulled out my lotion. I told her that I was marrying a Mexican man in one month and wanted to be tan for the wedding, even though it seemed frivolous. I told her we had dated for two years. I told her all about his proposal and all about the wedding plans... I only stopped talking when I noticed that Ely was crying. She brushed away tears as she told me that her and her boyfriend of three years had just broken up. ( Yeah, just call me Cruella Devil!) Well, that definitely shut me up! I told her I was so sorry, grabbed my lotion and headed for the back room.

After this first questionable meeting I saw Ely about 3 times a week as I stopped by to tan. Each time we talked more and more. I learned about her life, her parents, her ex... and in return shared with her my pre-wedding stress and joys. There were some days that we talked longer than I was actually in the tanning bed!

Three days before the wedding (as I was on the way to the airport to pick up my parents) I stopped by the shop for one last tan. I noticed that Ely seemed really sad. I asked her what was wrong and in a fountain of tears she told me that she had hit the lowest spot in her life. She missed her ex like mad but was terribly hurt by him, she spent all her days sitting in the tanning booth which gave her lots of time to dwell on the negative things in her life. She felt hopelessly trapped. In this moment I sensed that nudging peace of the Holy Spirit to share. I had to tell her the Good News! So I did. I began by saying that God had a huge plan and purpose for her life, that it was not His will for her to live sad and defeated. I told her that our help comes from the Lord our God the Maker of heaven and earth.

Ely looked at me with tears in her eyes and said that when she had first met me (Cruella Devil day) she was taken by how much joy I had (had to be God!). She said I intrigued her and she knew that she wanted to be my friend. I told her that it really couldn't have been me mustering up the joy she saw that day (honestly, I was a wedding stress ball!). No, it was Christ dwelling in me that made me joyful. So there that day I shared with Ely the truth of the Gospel and the joy that Christ wanted to give her.

It was over two weeks before I saw Ely again. I had gotten married, gone on a honeymoon, moved into a new apartment, etc. Feeling urged by the Holy Spirit I stopped by the tanning salon one afternoon to say hi and to catch up.... It turned out to be that day that Ely prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior!

Since then Ely and I have been meeting once a week at a local coffee shop to study God's Word together. She is so hungry to know more of the Lord. She came to the second week of discipleship with 20 chapters of Matthew marked up with pencil. Wanting to know that pharisees were and what the parable of the sower and the seed meant, and tons of other questions. I love it! Her heart is genuinely seeking the truth and devouring what it receives. Ely has also refreshed me with the joy of new salvation! She has helped me to see the scriptures as she does... with brand new eyes. I love to hear each week how God has showed up and surprised her, either through her morning devotional that turned out to be perfect for that day, or through strangers as church giving her a word that was right on. God is so taking care of Ely and rapidly teaching her. It is a delight to see her grow! Praise Jesus for salvation!

Praise Jesus who decided to use me when I least expected it and was by no means looking for it. Honestly, I thought my ministry was just to be to orphans and the poor and my frivolous tanning was just a guilty pleasure. At no time did I expected that He would have me ministering to the young girl in the tanning booth and sharing with her the joys of salvation. Praise Jesus that His plan is higher than ours and that He uses us wherever we go.

Milagros Graduates

2012-01-30T14:51:00.000-06:00

Milagros receiving her diploma

Do you remember Milagros? I've written about her a few times on this blog. Milagros is an amazing young woman. I met her several years ago in the impoverished community of Rio1 where I serve. Milagros was born poor and born deaf but also born a fighter. I have never seen anyone more determined in my life! Through the generous donation of a supporter, B2B has been paying for Milagros to go to cosmetology school. I'm so excited to announce that Milagros has graduated from her 2 year program!!! Milagros is the first person in her family (and most likely in her community) to graduate from anything higher than middle school. We at B2B are so proud of our girl! She graduated with awesome grades and tons more self esteem than when she started. Praise Jesus who never gives up on us, shows us His favor, and completes the good work He started! Here are some pictures from Milagros' graduation ceremony. (Check out earlier posts to read more about Milagros' amazing story.)

Milagros (top left in black) showing off her model at graduation. Milagros' final exam included doing the hair, nails, and makeup on her model. Milagros stands by one of her teachers and the announcer who is explaining the work Milagros has done.

Milagros and her weepy-eyed mom, Tere, after the graduation. Tere cried through the whole thing, so proud of her daughter who has overcome so many obstacles to be there that day.

Milagros' graduating class and teachers. (Milagros is the second from the left)

Please continue to lift Milagros up in prayer as she now needs to find a cosmetology job! Pray that God would prepare the right place for her to work and continue to give Milagros the strength to pursue it.

Too Comfortable...

2012-01-28T15:25:00.000-06:00

Bed covers entitled "Pure Comfort"

I am way too comfortable, and that is the truth. The theme of "my comfort" has been resounding in my heart for the past several weeks. I know the Lord is getting at something in me with all of this as it just won't go away. Time after time I am hit with examples of living, breathing people who have chosen Christ's love over their own comfort... and are satisfied. To earthly eyes, denying your own comfort in order to love someone else doesn't equal satisfaction. In fact it equals a pretty miserable situation for you. However to heavenly eyes, denying your own comfort in order to love someone else leads to the most satisfying, joyful life you can live. Note that I did not say the easiest life you can live. Not easy, but satisfying.

I'm reading Kisses from Katie. The biography of a 19 year old American teenager who, compelled by the Spirit, left the comforts of the States to move to Uganda by herself and love people. She is now 21, and the adoptive mother to 14 abandoned Ugandan girls. She is also the director of Amazima Ministries (http://www.amazima.org/ ) which feeds and sends to school nearly 1600 Ugandan children who would otherwise spend their days scavenging for food. Her story has sunk into some deep place of my heart and challenged me that the comforts I crave in my life are "mud pies" compared to to the satisfaction that comes from really dying and serving with Christ's love. I am way to comfortable.

Katie Davis and one of her Ugandan girls

During the week I picked up Kisses from Katie, a good friend came down on a team to minister for a week with us here in Monterrey. I was talking to him over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the cement church at Caderayta one afternoon. I had heard through the grapevine that he and his wife were in the process of adopting a little boy. I began to ask about the adoption and through the conversation again was confronted with an example of denying comforts in order to love as Christ loves.

God has laid on Chris and Julie's hearts to adopt, but not just any child. They have a fervent passion to adopt a little boy named Ryan who has severe special needs. As Chris started explaining Ryan's needs, I was overwhelmed with the thought of how much work, sacrifice, and love it will take to include him into their family. This boy's needs are so severe that it is likely that he will never even be able to say "thank you" to Chris and Julie. I asked Chris how he felt about all this. His only words were, "We can't wait to bring him home!" ... I started tearing up right there in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Caderayta church. I wasn't wispy-eyed because of Ryan's story, I was affected by the extreme amounts of Christ's love I saw flowing through my friend for a boy he hadn't even met yet. This was Christ. This was true sacrifice. This was pure joy.

I am way too comfortable.

Chris and Julie's Ryan

(For more about Chris and Julie's adoption look here: http://goingafterone.blogspot.com)

Katie, Chris, and Julie didn't choose the easy way or the comfortable way. They chose Jesus' way and are filled with joy and satisfaction.There is no better place to be.

Comfort is our biggest enemy. It can kill the soul, yet I find myself desiring more if it. I look for all sorts of ways to make myself comfortable and to keep that comfort. Jesus hasn't called us to a comfortable lifestyle. His life was nowhere near comfortable! True satisfaction in Jesus can't be found in our comfort, I'm convinced.

"I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy... Jesus called His followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warns us to be safe. We are not called to be safe, we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands." (Kisses from Katie, pg. xix- xx)

That is so true, Lord! There is no better place than to be in Your Hands! I want to be there, even if that means a loss of comfort. Help me to knowingly forgo comfort today, in order to love purely and totally as you love. Take away every point of selfishness and make me like you. I feel challenged with the burning desire to leave everything and follow You. I want to want to forsake it all. We are committed to you Lord Jesus, and not to our own comfort. Keep us from getting too comfortable. Amen.

Ohio Wedding Reception

2012-01-10T18:19:00.000-06:00

We were so blessed to have so many friends and family come out for our wedding reception in Ohio! Here are a few shots from the night as we celebrated marriage and the new year!

The center pieces

Aunt Deb and I :)

Our wedding cake made by Deb Anderson

Many family and friends!

The Kalous Family

The newly married Lambs :)

Good friends Heidi and Tyler

Aunt Laura and Uncle Frank

The Hitchcocks

Maynard Family

Everyone watching a slideshow from the wedding getting ready for dancing!

Cheque giving me a bit of wedding cake.

My sister, Lydia, presenting a "Quilt poem" to us :)

The Beginnings of a Literacy Program...

2011-12-13T18:29:00.000-06:00

About 2 months ago I was hanging out with a few girls in the Rio and we got to talking about reading. Somewhere in our conversation I asked them if they ever get read to at home. They both said no. I knew both the girls had several books in their home, because I had brought them out in a donation. I asked the girls where they books were and they said "on the shelf." I praised them for this, because taking care of items in the Rio is not always a priority. We had a conversation when I first brought the books out about where to keep them and how to care for them. So I was pleased to see that they had done this. However, when I asked how many books the girls had read that week the answer was, zero. When I asked why, they reported that they weren't allowed to take them down from the shelf because their grandmother knew I was going to come by and she didn't want to take a chance that the books would be ruined before my next visit.

I sighed internally as I realized that this family didn't understand the reason for the books. I remembered the library programs that I participated in as a child growing up in Oxford, OH. Almost every summer we would set reading goals and earn prizes for the books that we read... I wondered if Sara nd Monse needed a little motivation like I did when I was little. I asked for a scrap of paper and scrawled out a one week reading chart for the girls. "Try to see if you can read one book a day or if your grandmother can read one book a day to you for the next week," I said. For added motivation I let the girls borrow some of the children's books I had with me in my car. "Next week when I come, show me what you have read and you can borrow some more books." I then talked to their grandmother to make sure she understood that the books were for the girls to read, regardless of whether or not they got messed up.

The next week I drove up to Sara and Monse's house and was greeted by the girls proudly standing outside holding up their reading charts. "We did it every day!" They shouted. Each girl got to pick a lollypop as a prize then we sat down to talk about the experience and to read a book out loud together. It was wonderful!

The next week even more kids showed up and the same thing happened the week after. I now have about 6 consistent students every week! I set up a very basic library system, where the kids can check out and return books. The best part is that the kids are reading or being read to and that there are books entering their homes. I've even noticed some of the teenage boys standing at a distance where they can hear the story I'm reading to the children yet still look cool! They were only given away when they too started laughing at the funny parts.

I have several Christian books and some children's Bibles that I let the kids borrow. Sara told me one day that her grandmother loves the Children's Bible best of all.She reads it everyday to her granddaughters. Yajiara borrowed a Max Lucado book one week that illustrated the story of our Heavenly Father's love for us. She said that her mom started reading it and loved the story. Her mother read it over and over several times that week :)

I'm excited to see where this literacy program goes!Two months later and the kids are still excited about reading. I can already see that he kids are enjoying reading and that their parents are being influenced too. Compared to when we first started, the children are now very engaged in the stories I read aloud. They are making their own predictions and making connections to the text... two very important skills for readers to know. I also love to see them being responsible for the books they check out. We have only misplaced a few! They have read most of the books in my collection and I am in need of more!

Please keep us in your prayers! Pray for the kids enthusiasm to continue. Pray for the ones who struggle with reading to continue learning, pray for parents to continue to be on my team with this, pray for more children's books in Spanish, pray for me to have wisdom to know how to teach and encourage these kids.

The Literacy Program students with their books.

My students selecting the books they want to borrow for the week.

Monse, Sara, and Alondra reading together

Yajaira reading to Daniel

Sara with her book

Alondra decorating her reading chart for the week

My students having some silent reading time

El Nido de Amor

2011-12-13T13:06:00.000-06:00

Many people have been asking about our apartment. Here are some pictures of the before and after remodeling process. It started out as one bedroom and bathroom but, with the help of many fellow B2B staff members, family, and friends it has turned into our apartment! We love living here and are very thankful for all those who put in their time and effort to help us make this home :)

Bedroom before

Kitchen before

Living Room/Dining Room before

Bedroom before

Living room before

Construction to separate the bedroom from the living room

Bedroom after

Living room/ Dining Room after

Living room / Dining room after

Closet after

Kitchen after

The Wedding of Hope and Cheque

2011-11-23T16:26:00.001-06:00

It's official. We're married! Cheque and I tied the knot on October 30th, 2011 at 4:00pm in Monterrey, Mexico! Yay! It was an amazing day that I so wish all of you could have been at! God blessed Cheque and I with every detail of the day. The weather was beautiful and sunny, the flowers fragrant, the guests excited, the food so delicious, the dancing so much fun, but most importantly we sensed God's smile over us:)

My family came in from Ohio and many of Cheque's relatives came from Mexico City. It wasn't just a fun day it was a fun week with people arriving several days before! There was tons of fellowship between the families and so much help as we set up and prepared for the Big Day.

Here are a few pictures from the wedding. I hope you like them! We are still waiting on the professional pictures, and will put some up when we get them.

Many thanks to EVERYONE who helped with this day! Thanks for your love, encouragement, support, and friendship! We couldn't have done it without you.

Flower bouquet and the wedding program

Getting all the buttons done up the back of my dress by my sisters and bridesmaids.

Mom and I right before the wedding!

Walking down the isle with dad (Cheque's parents are on the left)

Our wedding ceremony took place at the Antigua Hacienda de Santiago about 20 min from the B2B property. It had an amazingly beautiful view of the mountains and the lake.

Cheque and I with the lasso. This is a Mexican wedding tradition. The lasso is draped around the bride and groom during the ceremony to symbolize unity.

The Kiss! One of my favorite pictures!

We are pretty excited about being married... as you can see :)

Me and my silly man!

Yay!

Me and my bridesmaids (my 2 sisters and Cheque's 2 sisters)

Cutting the brownie cake.

Cheque giving me the first bite... and enjoying it :)

The happy bride and groom :)

My Family

Etiquette Class for Jovenes

2011-09-17T10:55:00.000-05:00

Before the crazy summer season started some fellow staff members, David and Stacy Whited hosted an etiquette class for some of the teens in the Hope Program. The class consisted of various sessions where the kids learned about table manners and courtesies that should be shown when out to a nice dinner whether it be a wedding, work event, or a date.

Most of the students in the class had spent the majority of their lives in a childrens’ home before coming into the Back2Back Hope Program, not having many good examples nor chances to practice etiquette. One of our goals with the Hope Program is to prepare our students for life in the ‘real world.’ These students are studying at the highschool and collage levels and when they graduate will most definitely have times where they will need to know proper etiquette. Sometimes a job interview is nailed by the etiquette skills of the applicant!

Rodo and Colton folding napkins as we prepared to serve a 3 course meal.

David and Stacy taught the students how to eat a nice 3 course meal. What each piece of silverware is for, and basic manners on how to cut, chew, eat etc. when in a nice restaurant. For most of these students this was a first time experience.

I was greatly surprised when later that week I went out to eat with Shannen, a Hope Program student that I disciple. We weren’t at a fancy restaurant or anything, but she was practicing her manners and teaching me a thing or two!

A nicely set table awaiting the teens to arrive...

The etiquette class culminated in a nice three course meal, prepared and served in David and Stacy’s house. Cheque and I and several other staff members were invited to serve the meal as though it was at a real 3 star restaurant. It was so much fun to serve the teens and even more fun to see what they had learned during the class. All the guys opened the doors for the ladies, pulled out their chairs, and engaged them in conversation. All the students used the correct silverware at the correct times, politely asked for refills, and cut and chewed like ladies and gentlemen.

Shannen, Homero, Daniel, and Selene politely eating their first course.

Mario, Averee, Colton, and Perla conversing over the main course.

Already several students have had the chance to put their etiquette skills to practice in the ‘real world’ at their graduation receptions. It is so fun to see these kids blossom into fine young men and women.

Servers!!!

All of us B2B staff who participated that night.

Some Favorite Things from Cancun

2011-09-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

I went to the B2B ministry site in Cancun in the month of June. Here are a few pictures that capture the trip. I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you to take a trip of your own. Praise Jesus for what He is doing in Cancun, Mexico.

Students from Southbrook Church putting on a skit of David and Goliath for the kids at the San Jose Children's home. San Jose is a Catholic run home that has 12 girls and just 1 boy...

Myself, Jody Massey, and Luanne outside Casa Hogar Esperanza.... getting ready for a hamburger cookout with the kids and games!

Here I am with Naomi in her home in Cancun. Naomi is native Mayan. She lives in a one room block house with several grandchildren and one great-grand baby. She makes a living by selling tamales on the street. By the generosity of God and friends of mine we are currently constructing a house for Naomi and her family where they won't have to pay rent and where they will fit much better. (notice the hammocks in the background... these are common beds for the poor in Cancun.)

The church in Tres Rios B2B is supporting. We were helping to pour a concrete floor in this church the week I was there. The church is located in one of the most impoverished communities just outside Cancun.

Matt Cooper (Cancun director), myself, and Jody and Ryan Massey!

This is the sound system at the church in Tres Rios! I love how creative these people are.

Smiling faces as we play games outside the Tres Rios church with children' from the community.

Two of the littlest boys at the DIF children's home in Cancun. This is a government run children's home that B2B Cancun has had a relationship with since the beginning.

Myself and my friend Teresa posing for a picture together!

Two of Oti's children at a pizza and games restaurant. Oti is a women that B2B got connecting with through the DIF government program. Oti is a single mom of 8 kids and has some serious health needs. She was at the point of dropping her kids off at the local children's home when B2B came into the picture. Our goal is to help Oti with her needs so that she can continue to raise her kids in her home.... a much better option than an institution.

A home in Tres Rios... similar to Rio1 in Monterrey where I work, but with a Cancun feel.

Beautiful!

My last day in Cancun with the Coopers and we went snorkeling in a nearby reef!

A beautiful beach in Riviera Maya.

Just gorgeous what God creates, hun?

Huge drift wood!

Good to be Back :)

2011-09-12T13:25:00.000-05:00

It was so wonderful to be back in Ohio for a few weeks to visit with family and see many of you! Cheque and I were busy visiting, speaking at churches, hanging with family, and getting things ready for our wedding on October 30th! It was a busy few weeks, but soooo good to be home :)

We are now back in Monterrey, but here are a few pictures from our trip to Ohio!

Joe, Laina, Cheque, Jon, Brooke, and myself having Auntie Anne's pretzels at a kiddie table in Cincinnati!

Eating Skyline with friends and supporters the Jones in Oxford, OH!

I was surprised to see my name on the sign outside my grandparents' church! Cheque and I had a wonderful Sunday sharing at Grace Pointe.

Visiting with the Anderson family!

Family dinner :)

Cheque and his soon-to-be niece, Suzie!

Cheque and I got a chance to visit friends at the Back2Back home office in Mason, OH. Behind us is the "Day in a Life of an Orphan" photo exhibit. The purpose is to help bring about awareness of the orphan crisis.

Me and my good friend, Jenn who surprised me and drove over 4 hours to come to my support raising event. Thanks Jenn!

Coming to Ohio!

2011-08-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

Cheque and I are headed to the Cincinnati, Ohio area August 10th-29th. Our desire is to visit with friends, family, and ministry supporters :) We would love to see you!

Mark your calendars for an Open House Thursday, August 25th from 7-9pm at my parent's house (909 S. Locust St., Oxford, OH). Cheque and I will be sharing stories from the summer and sharing about our future plans with Back2Back. We would love to see you there!

I'm Engaged!!!!

2011-07-16T10:06:00.001-05:00

On July 3rd, 2011 Cheque Garcia asked me to marry him! He did a wonderful job of surprising me! We are officially ENGAGED and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life :)

Here is the story....

Cheque and I decided to hike the mountain behind the B2B property on our day off! We love hiking together :) In the picture above I am completely unaware of what the next few moments will hold :)

We came across a a really neat spring flowing out of a cliff wall into a pool! It was beautiful! It had just rained for a week so everything was so green. Here Cheque is playing it cool, before the big moment :) He did so well, I never had a clue it was coming! We ended up climbing the cliff where we had a beautiful view of the mountains and valley.

The next thing I know Cheque is telling me how much he loves me... He pulls a ring out of nowhere and asks if I will marry him!!!!! All I could do was cry (as you will note in this photo)! I just sat there completely surprised. Cheque thought that maybe I didn't understand his question (because I couldn't answer) and asked me again in Spanish... I finally pulled myself together and gave him a huge hug and a huge YES!!!!

My ring! This is a God-story too! I love it when God is involved even in the little stuff :)

Happy as can be!

It is official and sometimes hard to believe it is really true!

This is the view of the mountains and the valley where Cheque proposed.

Cheque further surprised me by pulling a picnic lunch out of his backpack. He had brought our favorite treats! We had cheese, salami, bread... it was great! Cheers to the newly engaged!

I know, this really is the man I am going to marry!!!! Yay! He is a bit excited too, to say the least :)

Shannen

2011-07-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

This is my friend Shannen! She is a student in B2B’s Hope Program and lives just a few doors down from me on our property. Shannen and I meet each week to talk about life, dreams, school, family, and most importantly our Savior Jesus Christ. Shannen is beautiful, deep, and honest. She has a heart sold out for Jesus and I SO enjoy the time I get to spend with her. We are currently working through a Bible study called Gospel Transformations. It rocked my world when I did it with our staff women, and I know Shannen is learning quite a bit as well! Praise God for Shannen who is already impacting the world for Christ! God has a mighty call on her life and I feel privileged to see a part of that.

Sarahi's Dreams

2011-06-30T19:26:00.001-05:00

The palapas on the beach under which Sarahi and I talked about her dreams.

Sarahi had lived at the government children’s home for close to a year before I met her. She had been removed from her home as a teenager due to abuse from her mother. Now Sarahi is 17. Despite her background she smiles and laughs and engages with others.

While I was at the B2B site in Cancun, we took Sarahi and others from her children’s home to the beach for a fieldtrip! These kids are not able to get out much, so for them a trip to the beach was quite the adventure. While we were smearing sun block on one another at the beach I fell into an amazing conversation with Sarahi and don’t know if I will ever be quite the same…

While we slathered on the SPF 30 Sarahi began to tell me that the director of the children’s home was thinking of placing her once again with her mom. When I asked how she felt about that she told me that she was nervous. After suffering abuse at the hands of her mother, she didn’t have much confidence that it wouldn’t happen again. “However,” she told me, “I know that wherever I am God will never leave me. He is always with me.” I looked at Sarahi a bit surprised. She was not living in a Christian facility, how did she know this?

“Wow!” I said, “You are absolutely right. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you, but how do you know that? Have you been to church before?”

“No,” she answered, slathering the sun block on her shoulders, “I’ve never been to church.” Sarahi glanced around as though making sure no one would overhear. “You see,” she said, “I have dreams.”

I stopped rubbing in the sun block on my nose. My curiosity was immediately peaked. What did she mean by, ‘dreams’?

“When I go to sleep at night I dream about God,” she told me. “I know that He is my Father, that He loves me. I know that He created me and that He loves me more than anything else He created.”

“You are so right on,” I said, so surprised by all she was saying that a large glob of sun block dropped from my hand to the sand. “Has anyone ever told you about the Lord?”

“No, nobody ever has.”

Shocked, I put the sun block bottle down altogether. I asked if Sarahi had ever dreamt about a guy named Jesus Christ.

“Oh yes,” she said, filled with joy. “I know that He died for me and because He died I am alive. He lives in me.”

Really shocked this time at how Sunday-school-perfect her answers sounded, I asked again, “are you sure no one has ever told you this?”

“No,” she said. “I have dreams.”

“Okay Lord,” I prayed. “I’m going to stop doubting now. Why couldn’t you speak to Sarahi with dreams?” For some reason my limited brain only allowed space for this sort of thing to happen with unreached tribes in Africa, but here He was showing Himself in a very personal way to His beloved in a children’s home in Cancun.

We talked all through the salvation story. Sarahi tracked with me the whole time, agreeing with what I was saying like she had known it all her life.

“The story doesn’t stop here,” I said, “There is someone called the Holy Spirit who had come to help us. Have you ever had dreams about the Holy Spirit?”

“Oh yes!” replied Sarahi with joy in her voice, “not long ago I was laying down in my bed in the dorm at the children’s home. It was night and we had a fan blowing in our room. I felt the breeze blow around me and it felt like huge arms that were embracing me. Then I saw a white dove and I heard a voice that said, ‘I am the Holy Spirit. I want you to invite me to live in you and be your guide. You need to listen to my voice and follow me. Don’t follow any other voice. I am your guide.’”

I stood there dumbfounded on the beach, in awe of Jesus! He had spoken every part of who He was to Sarahi. He had revealed Himself to her without anyone else in the middle. This abused teenage girl had an authentic relationship with Jesus and was being led by the Holy Spirit because Jesus cared that much about her. He cares for the orphan and loves them so much more than we do. He revealed everything to this girl and I was there simply to confirm that it was God. I felt my Spirit struck with the revelation that He does not need me at all… but that He has graciously invited me in be a part of the story.

Sarahi and I spent some time praying together on the beach. I prayed for her continued growth in the Lord and boldness to share Him with the other girls in her dorm. I asked if she had a Bible and she said no I explained that the Bible was an additional way for her to learn about God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and offered to get one for her. I don’t think I have ever seen someone so excited! She was literally jumping up in down in the sand and hugging me. “You would do that?” she said. “I would love a Bible!” Arrangements were made the next day to purchase one for her.

This was my highlight of the two weeks I spent at the B2B site in Cancun! God is so big! He is so good! He is fully capable. He takes care of His own. All glory to You, Jesus! Amen.

Me and Gloria (one of Sarahi's friends who I also got to witness to that day. I don't have a picture of Sarahi.)

The Horizon group hanging with the kids from the Children's home at the beach!

More Than we Ever Dreamed of

2011-06-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

Milagros outside her school

As many of you know, Milagros is a young girl who lives in Rio1 and through generous supporters of B2B is studying cosmetology at a local school. Milagros was born deaf and has learned how to overcome many difficulties in her life. She has grown up and still lives with her parents and brother in a shack in the Rio and has now finished nearly 2 years of classes at a cosmetology school. As of today Milagros is officially done with her course work! She will continue to practice her skills, study and take her final exam and then attend graduation in October.

At the beginning of this month I took Milagros and her mom, Tere, to the cosmetology school to make a payment and talk to the director. The director had only good things to say about Milagros and her work! In my car, on the way to take Tere back home, I asked her how she felt about her daughter’s achievements. Tears began to well up in Tere’s eyes as she said that when Milagros was born deaf she never thought that she would be able to do much. “I never thought I would see my daughter finish school or have a career,” she said with a quivering voice. “This is more than any of us ever dreamed of.” Tere and I talked about how God had a special plan for Milagros from the time she was an infant and that He will carry it on till completion. How beautiful to see how the Lord changes our expectations and does more than any of us could ever dream of!

Milagros showing the hair dye options available at her school.

A Little Bit of Oxford at the Rio

2011-05-09T16:18:00.000-05:00

Oscar leading the kids is worship

Brian and Susan Joyce, friends and supporters from Oxford, OH, are currently visiting Monterrey! I was blessed to have their help at the Rio this past Saturday at our kids Bible class. It was so fun for me to have friends from my hometown come and be a part of what we do here at B2B. They were such a big help and their presence such an encouragement to me :)

Sue practicing English words with Esteban

Esteban, Brian, and Monse goofing around

The sticker king working his magic!

Family Therapy

2011-05-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

This past Thursday was my first time to meet with Monse and her family as a whole! I had asked many of you to be praying that this time would happen and that it would go well. Thank you for your prayers, I feel that it was a very successful first step.

Miriam and Marian, Monse's 1 1/2 year old little sisters

For those of you not up to speed, Monse is a little girl in the Rio who suffers from neglect. Her mom has a host of stresses and often feels overwhelmed with all that lays on her shoulders. Several weeks ago I talked to Monse's mom, Madelena, about Monse's need for her attention and possible ways I could help out. This past Thursday I went to their home in the Rio, loaded down with games, books, and snacks in order to take care of Monse's little twin sisters so that Monse and her mom could have some positive interaction together.

When I arrived the twins were sleeping and Monse was finishing some homework. I sat down and just began to talk to Madelena about her life, her dreams, her kids, her stresses... immediately I saw how much Madelena needed and wanted a friend. Madelena in some ways has been shunned by her community and I could tell was aching for someone to talk to. She opened up much more than I had expected and we were able to talk about her dreams for time to herself and people around her who might be able to offer her some support. It was good for me to understand more of Madelena's problems and has definitely caused me to have more grace and mercy for her.

Monse, Madelena, and Sarita playing Candy Land

When Monse had finished her homework, I pulled out picture books for her and her mom to read together. Madelena told me that she enjoys reading but doesn't have many children's books in her home. She read aloud to Monse while Monse colored pictures that went along with the story. The stories I had chosen were purposeful and demonstrated healthy mother child relationships. After reading a few stories Sarita stopped in for a visit and all three played several rounds of Candy Land, while I entertained the twins who had woken up.

The day was simple... games, books, chatting... but the bonding, priceless! Monse and her mom had a good 1 1/2 hours together sharing and communicating in a positive way! It was great! I am planning on meeting with Monse and her family every week for as long as I can. Please keep this time in your prayers!

Marian climbing into the dresser to play!

Sights and Sounds of Mexico

2011-05-09T14:55:00.001-05:00

On the way to Tere's wedding (see post below) some B2B friends and I were able to do a little sight-seeing around Mexico City and Pachuca. Mexico City is one of the world's largest cities, bustling with people. We tried all kinds of new foods and saw famous landmarks. It was fun to be a tourist in Mexico for a change :) I hope you enjoy these sights of Mexico as much as I did!

Cheque and I in front of the Federal Palace, downtown Mexico City.

Scene inside the Catedral Metropolitana de Mexico, downtown Mexico City.

Inside the Federal Palace is a famous mural by Diego Rivera. This gives you an idea how huge it is!

The Fays, Jessica, Ruby, Cheque and Myself in front of the clock of Pachuca.

Local vendors with their goods is a little mining town called Real de Monte, famous for it's silver. Their blackberries were incredible!

Pachuca is know for its Pastes, a empanada type food. It includes a dough shell stuffed with either sweet or salty fillings, like pineapple or chicken, then baked. Here are some ladies making pastes.

The B2B miners!
All of us sight-seers from B2B found a place in Real de Monte where we could get our picture taken all dressed up :) What a fun group of people, from jovenes in the Hope Program, to B2B staff, and staff kids!

Bakery in Real de Monte

Preparing barbacoa for our tacos! This is a process of cooking sheep meat for up to 24 hours wrapped in banana leaves in underground ovens. One of Cheque's favorite dishes!

Enjoying a quesodilla and barbacoa tacos.

Tere's Wedding

2011-05-09T13:39:00.002-05:00

Here comes the bride!

Cheque's sister Tere got married on April 30th in a small town called Pachuca near Mexico City. Tere has lived with her parents on the B2B campus for the past 3 years and worked as a social worker for B2B this past year. Tere and her husband Jorge will live near to Mexico city. I am so sad to see her leave, but very excited about her marriage!

Cheque and I presenting the Bible to the bride and groom during the ceremony.

Cheque and I were "padrinos" of the Bible in Tere's wedding. Mexican wedding ceremonies include the presentation of several gifts by "padrinos". The couple is presented with a Bible, coins, lasso, and rings during the ceremony from special friends or couples they have chosen. The pastor then talks about the symbolism of each gift in the marriage. It was a great honor for Cheque and I to present the Bible to Tere and Jorge.

Cheque and I enjoying some strawberry smoothies at the reception.

The meal that was served.

Mariachi's serenade the bride and groom

In a Mexican wedding it is traditional for a Mariachi band to come some time during the night to serenade the couple. There are several singers in the family so we heard selections from several guests that night. The most touching was by far when Antonio (Tere's dad) sang to his wife! Beautiful!

I caught the bouquet!

Guess who caught the bouquet???? I did!!! The first time in my life to do so! Cheque's family had a hay-day teasing us about when the next wedding might be :)

The Garcia family and me.

Hannah, Ruby, Jessica, and myself

Several friends from Monterrey traveled with us to the wedding. We had a great time sight seeing and living the experience together! Two of these ladies will be heading back to the States in the next few months. It was such a blessing to be able to spend some good time with them.

Suzanna

2011-05-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

Suzanna Grace, 1 month old

Last week I spent some time with my family in Kansas City. My sister, Lydia, recently had a baby and it was soooo good to finally meet her! She is so cute :)

Dad and Suzie

Nearly my whole family made it out to Kansas City for the weekend. It was great to see them and to spend Easter together for the first time in 3 years. I miss my family so much, so it was a good dose of home to see them.

The uncles

Suzie's first time in the front pack without crying! She likes her Aunt Hope!

My family left after the weekend but I was able to stay for a few days longer to help my sister. We had full days of bouncing the baby, tidying the house, and even made it out to Target! Suzie is still getting to know and understand the world, so trips in the car are not her most favorite thing :)

Suzanna with her mom

My sister and Tim do a phenomenal job caring for Suzanna. I was daily (and nightly) impressed with all that my sister does as a mom. Babies are a LOT of work and Lyd does not shy away.

Suzie's first tea party (she looks a little distraught in this picture, so we are hoping that she grows up to like tea!)

The morning before I left my sister and I decided to take Suzanna out for a walk. We ended up at a little tea shop and decided to sit down for lunch as Suzanna was fast asleep. My sister and I have grown up having tea parties and simply enjoying a good cup of tea and a muffin. This was christened as Suzanna's first tea! After about 15 min she woke up, started screaming, blew out her diaper, and we took the tea to go :)... Suzanna's first tea wasn't much of a success, although Lyd and I did laugh a lot! ...we are hoping that she will grow into liking tea parties with her mom and aunt :)

Splish Splash!

2011-04-19T15:12:00.000-05:00

Sarita and I playing at the pool!

Yesterday I had the privileged to take Sarita and her family to the pool for the day! Sara lives in the Rio community with her grandmother, aunt, and little cousin. They don't often get the chance to get out of the Monterrey heat and go swimming, so yesterday was a very special day.

Sara

Sara and I had been planning this day for weeks. A B2B supporter had sent down money specifically to take Sara out for the day. She had tossed around many ideas of what she wanted to do from ice skating to the zoo, but finally decided on the pools at San Benito. Sara also asked me if she could invite her family. One of the main things I try to do when working with the Rio families is help them to strengthen family bonds. Many of the children who end up in children's homes in Monterrey come from circumstances similar to those that Sarita lives in. Our goal in working in the Rio areas is to help prevent children from entering the casa hogares by bringing the transforming power of the Gospel, emergency relief, and investing in the entire family. So of course, we took Sarita's family to the pool with us :)

Playing in the fountain

Sara had a blast! I don't think I have ever heard her talk so much! Usually she is very quite and reserved, but yesterday she couldn't stop the chatter. She bounced from pool to pool and slide to slide with more energy than I knew she was capable of! It was a blessing to see how much she enjoyed the day.

Sara with her grandmother

Sara loved the time she got with her grandmother, China, and her aunt, Chavela. It was good for me to see the way they interacted with Sara and to see Sara getting positive attention from them both, something she desperately needs.

Sara ready to go down some more slides

A fried chicken lunch with Sara's family

We played all afternoon on the slides and in the pools. We ate fried chicken and tortillas for lunch, played some more, and then headed home. Sara was completely blessed and all of us were completely tuckered out! Praise the Lord because He has extravagant love for Sara and her family.

Spiritual Transformation Retreat

2011-04-04T19:42:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Meme and I were blessed to go on a spiritual transformation retreat (RET) with one of the local churches in Monterrey. We had been prepping for this retreat for the past month so I was pretty expectant that the Lord was going to do something awesome for us, and in particularly for Meme.

Meme has suffered more trauma, hurt, and pain that anyone should in a lifetime. Her story is terribly sad. Meme came to Christ 20 years ago, but I've recently discovered that she has not had much discipleship since then. This past weekend the Lord met her in new ways and I can truthfully say that she is a different woman! Praise Jesus!

Myself and Meme at breakfast during the retreat

During the retreat we were blessed with teachings on a variety of subjects. We learned about forgiveness, the cross, the Father's love, curses, healing, blessings, and the Holy Spirit. Every teaching was clearly laid out, backed with scripture, and given with so much love. Meme told me that she had never before been in teachings such as those. She comes from a church background of "fire, brimstone, and hail" rather than of the Father's love. Meme cried through every session. The first session was on the Father's love for us. That we are His children and He cares deeply for us. During the ministry time Meme said that she heard the Lord speak to her and say, "Here I am. I've been there with you." "I don't fully know how great the Lord's love is for me," she said with tears in her eyes. "He loves me!" I could tell that this truth had sunk down into the depths of her heart.

Myself and Meme, Princesses to the King of Kings

Meme told me that the session on forgiveness really sunk into her. She said she was able to forgive and lay down offenses that she had carried for years. "I feel new and totally free!" she said. It has been hard for Meme to take a break from ministering in the soup kitchen. She told me that she now sees how much she needed to be poured into, that God had laid aside this time to meet her and that she is so thankful for this time to rest and receive. Praise Jesus!

Worship at the retreat. The theme song was "O Happy Day" by Kim Walker!

One of the most intense session of the retreat dealt with curses, both generational ones and ones brought about by our sin. We had a sheet to work through to help us recognize areas in our lives where we needed to seek freedom. Meme turned to me and said that she felt like she needed freedom in nearly every area, either from things she had done or generational sins in her family. I encouraged her that God was big enough to bring freedom to every area in her life. God met Meme in a great way during the ministry time and set her free. We were then able to throw those nasty papers onto a cross set up in the room as a symbolic act of what Christ has truly done for us.

Meme opening her letter from Beth

One of my favorite sessions was on blessings. The pastor shared with us the power that blessings have on our lives. He shared that the blessing is like fuel in a car, it accelerates your gifts and talents that were made in His image. This also greatly impacted Meme. In conclusion to the session they surprised us with letters from close family and friends. The retreat staff had sought out these people to write words of encouragement and blessing to us. It was a powerful detail. Meme and I both wept as we read words written to us from the people who love us most.

Meme was met so much those first two days of the retreat. I personally felt so full every time someone would pray for her and when God would meet her. I could tell that He was doing a big work in her life. I also felt a supernatural peace from the Lord to rest, that He was taking care of Meme's needs and that I just needed to rest and let Him do it. I desire so badly to see her healing, that often I can't contain myself from praying, encouraging, teaching her etc. This weekend I felt the Spirit of God moving me to rest and receive myself and let God use others to minister to Meme.... and He did just that! It was so fun to not minister! I know that sounds strange, but my heart desperately needed to take a break from pouring out and to be filled up. It was so refreshing to have others lay hands on me in prayer, to teach me, and to encourage me... it is what I needed.

Just when I thought all was over and my cup so full of the Lord, He yet again surprised us. The last session of the retreat was on the Holy Spirit. I've been filled with the Spirit before, but love to be filled again and again. We had a ministry time to receive what the Holy Spirit wanted to pour out to us. Meme was baptized in the Holy Spirit and there is NO denying it. The pastor came up to her and shared that he believed that the Lord wanted to pour His Spirit out on her, that it was time for her be minister with the power of the Spirit in her work. Meme said that she had never experienced being full of the Spirit before. The pastor began to pray and there was no denying that Meme had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, or as some say 'baptized in the Holy Spirit.' Meme spent the majority of that session weeping bowed on the floor. She told me later that she had never felt so full in her life! She laughed and rejoiced like I have never seen her do before! There was almost a playfulness in the way she was telling me what happened. "I feel so light!" she said. "I know that God has my family and my problems and that He is taking care of them." This is HUGE breakthrough for Meme! She has been burdened almost every day with the weights and sins of her family, finding it hard not to be consumed by them. I had never seen her so joyful and carefree. Praise Jesus!

I was also met by the Lord during this session. He spoke some clear and personal words to me that showed me that he genuinely cares, sees, and is with me. He is transforming my life and using me to transform those of others. Just when I thought my cup was full, He filled it to overflowing... isn't that the way of our God?

Celebration for us in the church

Sunday morning we arrived back at the church and were greeted with a party by the body of Christ. We were ushered into the sanctuary where they cheered and applauded for all the changes God has wrought in our lives. We are new creations! Freed beings! What a great surprise. Once again I found Meme weeping... this is not her home church and she does not know anyone there, yet she was loved and hugged by all. She had never experienced the body of Christ is this way before and it melted her heart.

All the servants at Principe de Paz who put on the retreat for us.

God has done some real healing in Meme that I know cannot be reversed! Today I picked Meme up from the Rio to bring her to Back2Back. When I got to her house her brother greeted me at the door. He told me that Meme had just finished sharing about all that God did in her during the retreat. "Her face looks different," he said. "Her face is full of Joy like I've never seen.... When is the next retreat?" I laughed at this. Her brother has his own host of problems, wounds, and sins. He saw the difference in his sister and was interested in a similar encounter for himself. Praise Jesus!

I asked Meme if it would be okay for me to blog about what happened at the retreat. She was delighted at the idea of sharing her testimony and experience with others. "Tell them," she said, "thank you for praying for me. I know there were people lifting us up and God has heard their prayers!" Later I found out that whenever this church puts on a retreat they have people constantly covering the entire thing in prayer and praying for each participant by name. I also know that many of you were praying for us as well. Thank you. God has been faithful!

Back2Back with Local Churches

2011-03-31T17:11:00.000-05:00

Turquoise t-shirts were milling about everywhere, the palapa was decorated with B2B banners, sound equipment was being tested, cookies were being set out on tables, the chiliquilies were hot and ready and our local partners began to arrive. We had been planning this breakfast for local pastors for months, had to reschedule it twice, but by the grace of God we were finally meeting with these indispensable ministry partners.

Local pastors gathered at the breakfast

Last summer B2B Monterrey invited several youth from neighboring churches to help out with our new VBS program. We needed their cultural wise, fluent Spanish, and fun-loving attitudes to make VBS a success. The local youth were interested, B2B was greatly appreciative, and VBS turned out to be a lot of fun. After that summer were saw more than ever how indispensible local churches are to what we do for the orphan. While we are supported in many ways by USA churches and groups, these partners cannot meet all the daily and cultural needs as the local church body can. It is our desire to call the local church forth in the ministry to orphans; to envision them, equip them, and partner with them in this call. We desire to see Mexican Christians caring for abandoned children in their homes and more churches ministering in the casa hogares. With the language and culture already under their belts, local Christians are one step ahead in the game. B2B has a great need for the local church to stand back to back with us in this ministry.

Reading about how their churches can be involved in orphan care

A hug from a local pastor who as been a long time supporter of B2B

We were surprised the morning of the breakfast to receive 37 guests representing 18 different churches and/or ministries in Monterrey. This was more than we had expected! In the mix there were familiar faces and new faces too. We took the group on a tour of our campus , sat down to have marvelous chiliquilies, and from there began to share about the ministry, the orphan, the mission, the call, and the need.

Antonio, Gabo, and Todd sharing the vision

Maru, the cook of the morning!

Chiliquili fixin's!

The breakfast

Attention was held as Todd, Gabo, Juan, Priscila, and Antonio shared about why we do what we do, what the Bible says about the orphan, and the great need for the local church to be involved in this mission. The response was equally encouraging. Many pastors have invited B2B staff to come speak at their churches. Others are interested in participating in a mission trip with B2B. And still others are offering their services at the children’s homes, with the Hope Program, and to staff as well. We are greatly blessed by these prospective partners! Please continue to pray for our relationships with local churches and for wisdom as we begin to take the next steps forward with local church partnerships.

Local pastors reading about how to be involved with B2B

Our development team and more!

A New Song!

2011-03-23T13:45:00.003-05:00

"God saved us from the Egyptians

Lets sing to the Lord

God loves us very much

Lets sing to the Lord

God created us

God healed us

God protected and provided for us

Lets sing to the Lord. "

(Written by the children in Rio1)

My favorite day of our Worship unit with the kids in the Rio was when we taught the Children about Miriam praising the Lord after he saved the Israelites from the Egyptians. Miriam took up her tambourine and praised the Lord with a new song! After learning about Miriam we decided as a class that we would write a new song to the Lord just a Miriam did. Cheque got on the guitar, I got out the dry erase board and we began to write a song of praise to the Lord, worshiping Him for the ways that he loves us. Cheque and I started out the song but in no time the kids were shouting their ideas as well. It was the kids who came up with most of the words and reasons why we praise the Lord. It was beautiful for me to hear these children, who live with very little, shouting out reasons they have to praise the Lord! Oh how true it is!!!! Within 20 minutes our song was done, Cheque had a tune, and we all began to worship the Lord with a new song! We have now added this song to our collection and sing it each week :)

Me teaching the kids about Miriam and how she praised the Lord.

Why do We Worship?

2011-03-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

This Spring we have been teaching the Rio children about worship. It has been fantastic! A donor supplied us with money to purchase instruments for the children and thus the idea sprang into action. Our heart was to teach the kids not only how to worship the Lord but reasons we have to worship Him! When we truly know His character there is nothing left to do but worship.

Cheque used to be a percussion major! He taught the children how to use shakers, tambourines, rhythm sticks, and the triangle. The children love using the instruments to praise the Lord! I've also been very impressed with the way they respect the instruments. We talked about how these are not toys but tools we can use to praise the Lord. They listen well and do a great job playing the instruments.

Monse with the tirangle

Eduardo with the rhythm sticks

Cheque leading the children in worship

After several lessons in our unit on worship we had the kids make their own instruments that they could take home with them. Here is Fernanda with her shaker and below is Naomi with her tambourine.

Our goal is to teach the kids why we praise the Lord through examples in the Bible. Above the kids are playing a game with a memory verse about praise.

One of the Bible stories we studied during our unit on worship was that of God providing and protecting the Israelites in the desert. He sent them a cloud to protect them by day and fire by night. He sent down manna from heaven as food for them. One of the reason we worship the Lord is because he protects us and provides for us. Above is an activity we did with collecting "manna".

Update on the Rio Community

2011-03-14T19:18:00.000-05:00

Last summer we had a horrible hurricane come through Monterrey. Even though Rio 1 wasn’t one of the hardest hit areas there were still homes lost and people were in grave danger. As a result of this and other factors, the government has plans to move this community somewhere and provide them with new housing sometime in 2011. Because of different situations like the one above, the ministry in Rio 1 is in a transition period. We feel God is allowing this time for us to take a step back from the soup kitchen and pray and seek Him about what He would have us to do. Would you join us in prayer as we seek God’s face and His plans for this ministry at Rio 1? As we wait for God’s answer we are continuing to build into the children spiritually through weekly Bible classes. We are also using this time to pour into Meme. She is being mentored by a women on staff and attending inner healing classes. We covet your prayers during this season of waiting on the Lord.

Please note that I will continue to be a presence in the Rio1 community. I try to be out there at least a couple times a week to continue serving the children even in this transition period. Thanks for your prayers for direction! Let me know if you have any questions.

The Carrot Seed

2011-02-28T18:49:00.002-06:00

" A little boy planted a carrot seed... and the whole world said nothing would sprout." - The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss

For the majority of the children I work with in the Rio the whole world has said they won't succeed, they won't thrive, they won't amount to anything,... they won't sprout. That is sadly the story of two girls, Sarah and Monse. They come from rough situations and unsupportive environments where they have been told, they won't "sprout."

I went to the Rio about a week ago with my tutoring supplies in hand. I hadn't ever tutored kids in Spanish before, but thought it couldn't be that much different than the experiences I had tutoring in the States. The three of us girls sat down in the comedor and I pulled out a supply of books that I had with me. The girls looked through the stack and then we all decided on The Carrot Seed (La semilla de zanahoria). As an early childhood teacher I am ashamed to say that I had never read this book before! We cracked the cover and began to read about the boy, the seed, and the disbelief of the world around him.

" His mom said, 'I fear it won't sprout.'

His dad said, ' I fear it won't sprout.'

His older brother said, ' I know it won't sprout.' "

I asked the girls how the boy must have felt. They said he felt sad and discouraged. I asked them if they ever felt like that, or if anyone ever said those type of things to them. They both nodded and we kept reading.

"Everyday the boy pulled up the weeds that were growing around the seed and sprayed the soil with water. But nothing sprouted... And nothing sprouted... The whole world said that nothing would sprout."

"Have you ever felt like the whole world is saying you won't grow and change and that you can't do the things you want to when you grow up?" I asked. Again there were silent nods.

"But everyday he continued to pull up the weeds and spray the soil with water. And then, one day,... a carrot sprouted.... Just as the boy knew it would."

The girl's faces were delighted as we got to the last page! "We knew it would sprout!" they said. "and the carrot is HUGE!!!" The picture on this page is priceless. The boy in the story has a wheelbarrow and one huge carrot inside. Not only did the carrot sprout, it was much bigger and better than any normal carrot.

We closed the book and began to talk about how we are like carrot seeds. That sometimes people will say to us, "You won't sprout... you will never be good at math, you will never amount to anything, you can't be a doctor, you can never leave this place..." But what did the boy do? I asked.

"He kept working hard." Was the answer. "He didn't give up because he knew the carrot seed would sprout."

"Hmm," I said, "what do you think we can learn from this story?"

Sarita replied, "That if we work hard and don't give up, one day the seed will sprout."

"Good," I replied. "But there is more than that." I went on to explain to the girls that God created them with a purpose. That He has a plan for their lives. That it wasn't an accident that they were born onto this earth. "It may seem like the whole world is against you," I said. " Your mom, your dad, or your teacher may be against you, but God is always for you. He know the plans and the purpose and the future that He has for you. You are special. You are unique, you are dearly loved, and you will sprout."

The truth is that God believes in these girls and supports them. He is pulling up the weeds in their lives and He is faithful to put water on the soil of their hearts. The whole world may say, "they won't sprout." But God says otherwise....

"I know the plans I have for you delclares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

And when God sprouts a seed....watch out! It is bigger and better than anything we can imagine!

Sarah and Monse writing and drawing pictures of themselves planting a seed and then the seed sprouting.

Sarah (4th grade) coloring her picture of an apple seed.

Sarah and Monse with their finished stories.

Sarita Reads

2011-02-26T22:44:00.000-06:00

Sarita has one of the saddest stories possible. She is 10 and lives with her grandmother in the Rio because her mom decided that she didn’t want her. Sarita’s spirit is very kind and gentle. She is very smart, loves to read and write, and is a huge help to her aunts with their little kids. Recently Sarita’s grandmother, who she was living with, took up a job in a children’s home not far away. Because Sarita’s grades started to fall when she went with her grandmother to the children’s home her grandmother has no longer permitted her to stay there during the week. Sarita is staying with a very young aunt in the Rio. I know Sarita is lonely. The one person who seemed to care for her, her grandmother, has left her as well. You can see the loneliness on her face and it makes you sad.

Recently I have felt burdened for Sarita. I have started to try to spend quality time with Sarita each week. One day not long ago Sarita told me that she liked to read. I asked her if anyone ever read out loud to her and she said no. She went on to explain that sometimes she asks her uncle if she can read to him, but after a little bit it bothers him and he tells her to stop. She loves to read out loud. With this in mind, and a backpocket full of teacher tricks, I have started meeting weekly with Sarita and her younger sister to read and do literacy activities. While the main goal is quality time, not literacy, for these girls, literacy is certainly a byproduct that will help them for years to come. I am a firm believer that one of the main ways out of the poverty cycle is education. While Sarita seems to be on grade level, her younger sister, Monse is not doing great in school.

We have started meeting weekly to read together, play spelling games, and do writing activities. So far the girls have loved it and I have too! It is meeting a need in me to teach that I just can’t shake! The Lord has also opened up opportunities during out time together, to talk about Him, His plan for their lives, and how much each girl means to our Savior. These are by far the sweetest moments J

Monse spelling her name and other words with Scrabble letters.

Sarita reading one of the books I brought for her. She loves to read and is good at it.

Sarita and 2 friends working on a puzzle together.

The finished puzzle! After they finished putting it together we played I Spy with the scene. A great way to wake up the brain before school.

El Limon Trip

2011-02-22T23:24:00.000-06:00

I had the awesome privileged to go to a children's home that is 5 hours away from Monterrey to serve for a week. We had a hardworking men's group come down so we decided to take them to El Limon to work on a project that B2B has been involved with for years. B2B helped the children's home build a sport court and are now working on the accompanying bleachers. The hope is that this sport court can help bring an income to the children's home. The directors plan to rent out the court for soccer tournaments and also plan to use the court to hose prayer gatherings and revivals.

Mixed in with all the work was all the play! The children of El Limon are unlike any I have ever met. They are kind, loving, respectful, and have sold out hearts for Jesus. I had a wonderful week living alongside these kids.

Some of my El Limon friends. These boys were playing their own kind of Nascar (see the video below). One thing that struck me about these boys is how kind they are to one another. The whole week I was in this children's home I never heard anyone fight... amazing when you have 42 kids! They truly cared for one another and helped one another.

Some fresh mangoes growing outside the casa hogar!

These kids LOVE to play games. They taught me a new form of Uno... now one of my favorite games :) The first day I sat down to play boardgames with these kids I was struck by a number of things. First, they had all the pieces to the game we were playing. After working in many children's homes I found this to be amazing! I don't think I have ever seen a boardgame with enough pieces. Next I noticed how all the kids followed the rules to the game. This was also amazing. Lastly, I noticed that when someone made a mistake or went out of turn, the children kindly corrected and helped that person to play!... After my first afternoon in El Limon I knew there was something different about this place.

Here Becca and I are creating a support structure for the bleachers... lots of wire, rebar, and twisting!

Hope with the power tools :)

Our group cooked and served a meal of arrachera to the kids at the home. They loved it! I was also amazed as I sat at a table with middle school boys and they waited for second helpings... the boys told me that it just worked out so much better to wait their turn and let the girls go first...seriously, who are these kids?????

Here is the team with all 42 kids, workers, and directors of El Limon children's home.

Toribio (tall) and Jose (small)! I remember Toribio from years ago when I would go to El Limon with my church mission team. He was about 6 back then. Now Toribio is 14 and much taller :) It was great reconnecting with him.

Me and my friend Jose :)

This is a quick video I shot of the work going on with the sport court at El Limon, kinda gives you an idea of what we did that week.

This is a video of the boys playing Nascar!

Every Wednesday night the children's home has a church service. This video shows how these kids love to worship the Lord. They are not ashamed of dancing and praising Him for who He is. I love how the caretakers are right there with the kids. You can tell that these kids have relationships with Christ because of the wonderful role models they have caring for them. With 42 kids this place really functions like a home.

One other thing that really impacted me about this home was the way the children seemed so whole. In many of the children's homes we work in the kids are very troubled, angry, hurt, etc because of things that have happened in their past. This place is no different. All of the kids here have a sad story. However, in this place the kids have found healing in Jesus and have been restored. I was stuck as on the last night a teen named Ada stood up to thank the group who had been serving that week. After saying thanks, she then started to preach. She told the men that she wanted to encourage them that God will never leave them nor forsake them. That He is always with them and has a plan and a purpose for their lives. As she was speaking I kept thinking, "this is what we should be telling her... she is the one who was abandoned by her parents!" I felt like the Lord showed me that He had healed Ada so much that she was now whole and able to minister this healing to others. Wow! We have had several teens in our Hope Program in Monterrey who came from this children's home and they all have amazing spiritual lives.

Thank you God for this place, for the caretakers and the directors who are truly seeking after you and teaching the kids your truths. Thank you for the complete restoration you have done in their lives and the way they pour that healing out on others. Keep it coming! Amen.

My 25th Birthday!

2011-02-21T22:27:00.000-06:00

On February 2nd, I turned 25!!!! A quarter of a century can seem daunting :) However it was a surprised filled day that I had the privileged of celebrating with some of the people I love most.

This is Cathy Huffer. She is a wonderful friend, neighbor, and co-worker and can makes everyone around her feel very special! She came to my house in the morning to drop off homemade blueberry muffins and fresh squeezed orange juice for a birthday breakfast.... what a GREAT birthday gift from a great person!

I had a meeting to go to in the morning, but when I arrived back at my house I was greeted by this beautiful bouquet of flowers and a hand-painted card from Cheque sitting on my counter. Gotta love that guy :)

Later in the afternoon Cheque and I went out for lunch at IHOP. This was a big treat for me because I LOVE breakfast food and I love everything on the menu at IHOP! The only problem was then deciding what to order...I'll be honest and say I labored of the decision for 20 min. God bless my patient boyfriend! After lunch we decided to go bowling to celebrate.. neither of us have done any kind of bowling (except on the neighbor's wii) for years... we were both pretty bad, which made it really fun. Why is wii bowling so much easier than real bowling?

Yes, I ate out again that night! It was great! This time I was treated to an Italian meal by the B2B ladies. Here are a few that went out. After the meal all the waiters came out from the back singing, clapping, and bringing me a plate of cake! It was fun, and a bit embarrassing to have so much attention focused on me!

Later that night, Cheque came over with a birthday present. He had designed and made me an earring holder, however it is pretty much the coolest earring holder I have ever seen. I really like earrings and have many so I have been needing something like this for awhile. Never in my life did I guess that it would look this cool! That's Cheque for you. I have it hanging up in my bathroom and love using it everyday! It is pretty much a piece of artwork that I get to hang my earrings on. I'm obsessed. I love dating an artist!

So that was my 25th birthday! It was great and I felt very loved. Thanks friends.

Rosi, a Single Rio Mom

2011-01-28T18:01:00.000-06:00

Rosi and her baby.

Single moms have been on my heart and mind for a few weeks now. It all really started with Rosi. Rosi has come on and off to the soup kitchen for awhile with her three small children. About 2 weeks ago I sat down and started talking to Rosi about her life situation and her children.

Four months before, Rosi's husband walked out on the family. Rosi has a seven month old baby, a 4 year old boy, and a 6 year old girl. Rosi, once a stay-at-home-mom, suddenly found herself without an income and in need of a job. She moved in with her mom, but still was unable to meet the needs of her small family. Rosi told me that she had gone to one of the children's homes we work with to look for a job. "I want to stay with my children," she said, "but that greatly limits my job opportunities." She went to the children's home hoping to find a job where she could work and care for her children at the same time. The children's home was going through it's own problems and was unable to hire her.

"I want my children to be with me," Rosi said. I could tell from the way her children ran up to hug her and her soft responses to them that she really did care for her children and that they really did love her. Rosi told me that if she wasn't able to locate work soon, she would have to go back to the children's home and simply drop off her children. I told Rosi that we really didn't want that to happen. I shared with her the detrimental effects of abandonment on children and encouraged her to seek every other possibility first. I encouraged her to seek the Lord and ask Him to provide for her family.

I began to pray for Rosi and her situation and began to think that she is just one of many, many single moms in the same position. Here she is a loving mom who cares for her kids, but simply cannot find a way to provide for them and keep them at home with her. How incredibly sad. I also began to think about the ministry we have in the Rio. We are ministering in the Rio community exactly for this reason: to support families and prevent children from being dropped off at children's homes. We do many things to help, primarily introducing parents to the Great Provider of their needs, and also helping with medications, food, clothing, and school expenses. However, when it comes to desperate situations like Rosi's, we really don't have anything to offer her. This has been bothering me a lot. Rosi is the reason I do what I do, and when she asks for help there is not much I have to give her.

Thankfully, Rosi kept trying and went to another children's home we work with to seek a job. There she was able to locate work and is now taking care of her own children plus 10 other little girls. I saw Rosi and her family at the children's home last week and asked how things were going. Rosi told me that she was still getting used to the work, but that she was thankful to be there with her kids. Praise Jesus that Rosi has a job and that her family is still with her.

My heart continues to be burdened for those single moms who are not as privileged as Rosi. It is not uncommon for us to receive requests for work from Rio ladies and single moms, showing that there are many women in Rosi's same situation. Nearly every week the children's homes we work with are bombarded with women who feel they have no other option than to drop off their children and look for work. I know that single moms are on the Lord's heart and mind as He promises to be a Father to the fatherless and the Defender of widows. I want to be open and creative to the many ways our Lord might want B2B to respond to this great need. I spent last week fasting and praying for our staff and our ministry. I'm encouraged and inspired with ideas of how we might come alongside single mothers, but ask for your continued prayers. This is a big need that I am convinced God wants to meet. Pray for His inspiration, creativity, connections, funding, and most of all for His heart for single moms to be impressed upon us all. He is Faithful and True and His love knows no bounds. I am expectantly waiting for His answer.

Rosi's 4 year-old son, Efrain.

Milagros Update

2011-01-28T16:57:00.001-06:00

A few months ago I wrote about a Rio teen named Milagros who B2B is helping to support through cosmetology school. Milagros was born deaf, but has been excelling in her classes. Here are a few recent shots of Milagros at work at her school. Milagros is coming down the home stretch of her studies. She is finishing up a unit on hair dying and currently her biggest need is models. Milagros needs a certain number of real models to come in so she can practice before she will be allowed to graduate. It has been hard for her to get all the models she needs. These pictures are of Milagros dying Maru's hair (Cheque's mom). Please help us by praying for Milagros to get all the models she needs to graduate.

Dying Maru's hair.

Maru went for a new look with red highlights! Here Milagros is styling her hair after the dying.

Maru and Milagros after a job well done. Maru was a trooper as it took nearly 4 hours from start to finish. It takes quite a bit of time because Milagros' teachers are teaching, explaining, demonstrating, etc the whole time.

Milagros (middle) with her teachers and the director of the school.

Introductions

2011-01-28T16:57:00.000-06:00

I want to take a minute and introduce you to some of the sweet faces of the Rio. These are the faces that I am privileged to interact with each week. These are the faces of children, women, men, friends, amigos, students, grandfathers, mothers, servants, sister's in Christ, equals... who I am privileged to live life with, with whom I am privileged to serve, from whom I am learning, and with whom I hope to spend eternity. I hope you enjoy their faces and stories as much as I do :)

Diego

Diego is two. He comes to the soup kitchen early with his mom who helps serve. His favorite thing in the whole world is a guitar. A neighbor made him one of wood and he joins in the worship at the soup kitchen with it. One of his favorite people in the whole world is Memo. Memo is a teen who recently graduated from the Hope Program and has volunteered his time on Saturdays at the soup kitchen for over a year. He is Diego's hero! Namely because he plays the guitar and has spent hours sitting next to Diego playing cars, guitar, etc. Diego has been known to even have dreams about Memo. They have a strong connection. We all think one day Diego will be a famous musician. Pray for him to reach the full potential God has for him.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn is two as well. She is Meme's youngest granddaughter and is often in the Rio visiting. She is the youngest of four girls all very close in age. Kaitlyn likes to stick close to her mom and can be seen almost any day of the week wearing pink. Pray for Kaitlyn to grow in the love and grace of the Lord.

Valeria

Valeria is seven. She lives with her mom, dad, and teenage brother in the community that borders the Rio. She has come to my class at the soup kitchen for over a year. Every week Valeria likes to show me the gaping holes in her mouth where she has lost teeth and then likes to wiggle every other lose tooth in her mouth. We have a running joke that one day she is going to show up at the comedor with no teeth at all! Pray for Valeria to know and delight in the Lord's love for her.

Don Chewy and Calet

Don Chewy recently became a grandpa when his grandson, Calet was born 5 months ago. Calet is the son of Lucero who is about to turn 15. Don Chewy lives in the Rio where he provides for his family by fixing broken trash carts. Recently Cathy and myself had the privileged to sit down with Don Chewy and hear his dreams. In high school he learned some woodworking skills. Fixing trash carts is not bringing in the income he needs, so he is thinking about a career in woodworking. It is sadly not often that I see a man in the Rio who has a dream and is working on pursuing it. Don Chewy is the exception. I spent hours listening to him talk about the things he wants to make and sell, seeing his examples, and hearing about how he is going to go about the detail work. It is refreshing to see him so inspired. He needs a few more tools before he can begin. Pray for Don Chewy's passion to last and for his needs to be provided for.

Eduardo

Eduardo is the oldest of three. He lives with his parents and siblings in the community that borders the Rio. Him and his brother are faithful attendants to the comedor class on Saturdays. Eduardo has a sense of humor and is constantly trying to play jokes on me. His smile is infectious and he is one of the few that has the verse memorized each week. Pray for Eduardo to encounter the Lord and follow Him all the days of his life.

Jesus

Jesus is 10. He is the oldest of three and one of my biggest challenges on Saturdays. Jesus is a roamer. It is hard for him to sit down and pay attention. I've found the best way to keep him engaged is to give him a job and make him a helper in the class. Jesus has a beautiful smile and likes to accompany me to go invite the kids each week. His mom is worried about him as he enters his pre-teen years. Jesus has a call and purpose on this earth. Pray for him to follow the Lord and not get sucked into the world.

Monse

Monse is one of my best friends in the Rio. She is seven and can be quite a handful, but I find myself constantly drawn to her. Monse is a middle child, sandwiched between an older sister and younger twin sisters. Sometimes I think Monse feels forgotten. She likes to help her mom with her younger sisters and is often seen riding her bike to and from the small neighborhood store. Monse has trouble in school and often fights with the other kids. She often acts out negatively to get attention, but deep inside she has a soft heart. Monse loves to sit on my lap during worship, or hold my hand. I know God is fighting for her heart. Pray for Monse. Pray that she surrenders to the Lord and comes to trust Him as her Father. Pray for Monse's mom to give her the attention that she needs. Pray for Monse's heart to be whole.

Frida

Frida is a beautiful child. She has green-brown eyes that seem uncommon in a country of predominantly black or brown eyes. She is the youngest of three girls. This past fall I was invited to her house for lunch one Sunday. She showed me the video of her kindergarten graduation, the blue dress she wore, and the dance she did. Precious! Recently Frida's father left their family. They are living with an uncle nearby and her mom has had to seek work. Please keep Frida and her family in your prayers. Pray that they find their hope in the Lord and encouragement from Him.

Fernando

Fernando is Meme's brother. He has helped serve in the soup kitchen for about a year now. His specialty is salsa and he takes great pride in making it. We had Fernando teach a salsa making class to a group from the States. I was surprised at how much he knew about the history of the chilies. If you come to the comedor you need to try Fernando's salsa. In this picture Fernando was introducing me to his oldest granddaughter. He has around 14 grandkids. He likes to update me on their lives often, but this was one of the first times I actually met one of his grandkids. Pray for Fernando to know and believe the love the Lord has for Him. Pray for him to know in the depths of his heart that it is Jesus' blood that saves, not any good work that he can do.

Chofero

Chofero is one of the oldest in the Rio community. He lives rather far from the soup kitchen and because of his health rarely makes it up for a service. Chofero has a colostomy bag and often complains of knee pain. Every time we take a group with us to go invite we try to stop by and encourage Chofero with a prayer. Chofer's wife works collecting trash to support the family and his children sometimes come to the soup kitchen classes. Just looking at Chofero's face you can tell that he has stories to tell and has lived through much. Pray for complete healing to come to Chofero. Pray for strength for his wife and children. Pray for them to enter into relationship with Christ, if they don't know Him already.

These are just a FEW of the Rio faces. Please use this entry to pray for these ones specifically. We can't fathom how much Jesus cares about each and every one. Thank you.

Rio Christmas Party

2011-01-28T16:56:00.000-06:00

I know this is long overdue, but here are a few shots from the Christmas party we hosted at the Rio! We had quite the turnout with nearly 100 kids and over 50 women. We were joined by a local church who provided worship and teaching for the adults. What a great day!

A women in worship

Priscila teaching the youngest kids about the Nativity

A Nativity play put on by B2B staff and jovenes. Here Mary and Joseph celebrate their baby boy.

As a continuation to the Nativity story, we showed the Children how Jesus grew up and conquered evil. This is the same skit we did with the children's homes in Cancun.

Priscila gives the Gospel message to the kids.

Our yummy Christmas meal!

All the kids lined up for a swing at the piñata.

We were blessed with the resources to give each person a gift to take home. Here are some Hope Program students handing out the presents.

Cancun in a Nutshell... Well Coconut-sized Shell!

2010-12-16T21:14:00.001-06:00

During the first week of December I was privileged to fly to Cancun with 6 other B2B staff ladies to help out with one of the first groups to our new B2B site in Cancun. Matt and Julie Cooper and Mau and Lizy Davila are the on-site staff for Cancun and have been doing a fantastic job making connections and getting involved with the 3 children’s homes after only a few months of being there. During this first week of December we had 17 women, mostly from the Cincinnati area, and good friend Craig Aven fly down to Cancun to serve and deliver Christmas to the Children. To say it was an amazing trip is an understatement! The Lord did so many AWESOME things that week!!! I have been forever impacted by some of the people that I crossed paths with, as well as from the God-experiences that we had. So here is the “nutshell” account of our trip and some of the many ways we saw the Lord moving in Cancun... He is up to somethings there! To HIM be the glory!

Our awesome group of staff and women on the beach for small group time.

Above is a picture of our group... few but furious! These ladies are awesome women of the Lord who helped the kids in Cancun see Jesus.

Teen moms at a program offered by the government to aid and educate them.

The day after the group of ladies got to Cancun we went to the DIF (government run children's home) to throw a Christmas party for a number of teen moms. There are 200 registered moms between the ages of 12 and 17 in Cancun, however there are only 33 who attend a class offered by the DIF once each week. These young girls come with their babies, drop the kids off in child care and then participate in a class ranging from a variety of topics like parenting, baby health, pregnancy, etc. This day our group of ladies threw a Christmas party for the girls and blessed each young mom with a box of baby clothes, formula, diapers, etc.

Working with teen moms is something that the Lord seems to keep bringing across my path! I have had several experiences with teen moms in the Rio and now here in Cancun I found myself surrounded again by young moms and precious babies... I was in seventh heaven! I had a chance to talk to a social worker about the program details and was super encouraged by what they offered. I'm excited about seeing if this program is offered in Monterrey and if I can get my friend from the Rio hooked up with it there.

Teen moms at the program. The girl in the blue is 12 and was about to give birth any day.

Our skit team ready to perform for the young moms.

You may think the above picture is out of order, but it's not. The day before Priscilla (B2B staff) and myself felt burdened by the Lord to not just give a Christmas party to these moms, but to communicate to them the Lord's heart for them as well... this was a little difficult considering we were working in a government facility and not technically allowed to preach Christ. However, God gave us the inspiration for a skit all about a princess who gets stripped of her identity by evil in the world, but then is rescued by a prince who knows who she truly is and what she is truly worth. The message went across beautifully and the girls cheered as the prince saved the princess and restored her crown back to her. We were then able to explain how the Lord sees each of those girls as a princess, no matter what the world says, or what has been done to them, or what choices they have made. He knows who they are and desires to rescue them... it was powerful!

I love working with teen moms and babies because for me, this is the heart of orphan prevention. Young moms are at high risk of one day dropping off their children at a children's home. If we can intervene before they become desperate we can truly save children from becoming orphans, and teach the entire family about our Heavenly Father.

Me and a baby :)

While the Christmas party was going on I was recruited to watch the babies.... yay! There were about 30 babies in this room and a good 20 of us watching them. At one point I had two infants, one in each arm! Usually there are only 4 social workers to take care of all the babies!! They were glad to see us women... many of which were experienced moms and grandmas.

Okay, this picture does not do it justice... there were so many more babies yet to arrive!

Writing prayers on the drywall, claiming the pregnancy counseling center for Christ.

After ministering to the teen moms and babies in the morning, Matt and Julie took us to the new pregnancy counseling center a few blocks away. Currently there are about 20 offices in one very small room in which the social workers and counselors do their jobs. This does not give the girls much privacy as they are sharing some rather heart wrenching stories with the case workers. B2B is helping the DIF to construct cubicles in the new building that will give the girls and social workers more privacy as they work. We went over to the new facility to pray and dedicate the space to the Lord. It was really powerful to write prayers and scripture on the back of the drywall that is being put up in the offices. It is cool to know that hidden in the walls of the government counseling facility are scriptures, prayers, and truth. Our prayer is that God would put His people into this building, His counselors, that they would speak His words and His truth to these young moms and babies.

Writing prayers and scripture on the walls

Oti and 7 of her 8 children

After the pregnancy center we loaded up in white vans and drove to visit a women by the name of Oti. Oti lives in a middle-class neighborhood, but is far from middle-class. She has 8 children 14 and under and her husband recently passed away. Her living conditions reminded me of some of the families I work with in the Rio... very impoverished. About a week before we came, Matt and Julie received a call from the DIF director asking if they could help Oti out. Upon arrival they learned that she had 8 children and only one had ever been to school, and he had only attended through the first grade. They did not have sufficient food nor sufficient clothes or beds. Matt and Julie brought our group to pray for the family and deliver Christmas gifts to the children. The kids were sooo excited! Oti told us that they never have extra money to spend on gifts, so the kids did not have many toys. The girls almost didn't know how to contain themselves! The oldest, a boy, at first seemed like he was too embarrassed to even leave the little room they all shared. Eventually he came out but hid behind his sisters, not expecting anything for himself. We got the impression that a lot of attention is given to the girls or to his baby brother, while he is leaned on by his mother to help provide for the family. When we pulled out a gift for this boy his grin was uncontainable! We were told later that the kids stayed up till 2am that night pulling all the gifts out of their bags and arranging the items they had gotten, then putting them back in and doing it over again... really makes us think twice about the gifts we are so accustomed to getting at Christmas, huh?

Cancun in a Nutshell... Well, Coconut-sized Shell! (Part 2)

2010-12-16T21:14:00.000-06:00

Here is the second part about Cancun! What an amazing time!

Below is a picture of Craig and Sherri acting in a play for the kids at the government children's home that we worked at. This was by far my favorite day of the trip (see the posts on Jaime and Virginia to see why!). The play told the story of Jesus' lowly birth then about His calling here on earth. In this picture Jesus has triumphed over the evil in the world. Because we are not able to directly share the gospel at the government children's home we focused in on the point that even though Jesus was born in a lowly place, God had amazing and wonderful plans for Him. God also has wonderful plans for each child in that home despite their background or family situation and Jesus is here to help each child accomplish what is is God has called him to do and to defeat the lies of the enemy in the process. It was a powerful message.

Jesus conquers evil!

Priscila explaining to the kids that God has a purpose for their lives.

Christmas Parties!

During our time in Cancun we helped the ladies from the group host Christmas parties at each children's home. The kids loved it! They were able to decorate a tree, make ornaments to hang on it, frost cookies, and receive a personalized gift. What a blessing for these kids. At Casa Hogar Esperanza the men grilled out arrachera (a Monterrey favorite) for the kids while us ladies participated in an on-the-spot ladies conference. The director of this home has battled cancer for several years. In our group were 4 cancer survivors who shared their testimonies with the director to encourage her. What a powerful time of giving God the glory He deserves for healing our diseases... believe me there was hardly a dry eye.

Mauricio and Matt (Cancun B2B staff) grilling out with a boy from Casa Hogar Esperanza.

Pretty scene from Casa Hogar San Jose

The day after spending time at Casa Hogar Esperanza we all set out for Casa Hogar San Jose. This children's home is Catholic run and has all girls except for one little boy named Jorge. At this home the ladies in the group prepared a "room makeover" for the kids. Below is a picture of the girl's dorm before and the next picture is after the makeover. I wish you could have been with us when we showed the girls their new room! They were literally jumping with excitement outside the door then ran in and began jumping on their beds! So fun! Later another caretaker came in who had not been their for the unveiling of the room. The girls made him close his eyes and led him into the room just as we had done for them... precious. We had a Christmas party for the San Jose kids has well and gave each one a present.

Girls' dorm before the make over

Me and Diane in the girls room after the makeover!! Que bonita!!! Each girl had a pillow with her name embroidered on it.

The twins excitedly snuggling on their new blankets.

A friend and I putting together hew new toy at San Jose.

After our party at San Jose we headed with the ladies to the pregnancy counseling center where we working on painting the rooms that will soon be offices.

Fellow B2B staff helping to paint a room.

What a great week! Thanks to all of you for your prayers and blessings. The Lord did amazing things and I know that I will never be the same! Keep reading for more specific stories of what God did in one week in Cancun :)

Okay, I had to add just one picture of the beach! Us staff ladies got a few hours at the beach before our flight back to Monterrey. This picture is deceiving because really the sun was hardly out and it was pretty cold... but still beautiful! Here I am greatly enjoying the Lord's creation :)

Jaime- God heals the most hurt heart

2010-12-16T21:11:00.008-06:00

A friend (Craig) helping Jaime make an ornament.

This is the story of a blind boy I met in Cancun. For his protection he will be referred to as Jamie in this entry.

Jamie is 17 and has been blind since the day he was born. He is tall with a chubby face and black curly hair. I ran into Jaime on a tour of the orphanage during my first day in Cancun. He was alone in his dorm room talking with Mau a fellow B2B staff member when I first laid eyes on him. The compassion that gripped my heart when I first saw him is hard to describe. All I know is that with one glimpse I felt like I saw into the depths of his pain and sorrow and knew that he was so hurt. I left the dorm room without saying a word to Jamie and began another conversation with two teenage girls right outside the door.

Virginia looked very mature for her age and at first I was unsure of whether she was a worker or a teen at the home. When I asked her she said she was living at the home and then proceeded to tell me how much she hated being in the children’s home and how much she wanted to leave. Her friend next to her chimed in that she too didn’t like being there, but admitted that it was better than her home with her family. I was shocked at the openness of these girls in our first conversation and at the same time my heart was overwhelmed with the hurt gushing forth from them. The word, “lastimada” kept running through my head… “Hurt. So hurt. These girls are so hurt.” I felt urged to bring something positive into the conversation. I looked at Virginia and told her that I wasn’t sure why God had her at that children’s home, but that that I knew that He had a purpose for her life and that we could praise God that she was in a safe place. In two days I would realize how prophetic those words actually were… (See post on Virginia)

Mau left Jaime’s dorm room just as I was finishing my conversation with Virginia and began to fill me in on the details of Jamie’s life. Jamie had arrived at the home about a week earlier. He had been battered and bruised by his father. His story revealed that he had grown up familiar with such abuse from his dad. His real mom died when he was little and his step mother stepped into the picture. About a week earlier Jamie’s stepmother had too much of him and his needs. She loaded blind Jamie up on a bus, paid a ticket to who knows where, and said she never wanted to see him again. Jamie arrived in the middle of Cancun, hours from his home, knowing no one, and seeing nothing. Government officials picked him up and took him to the children’s home where we met him a few days later.

My heart broke as Mau told me Jamie’s story. Jamie said that he had heard about Mau from the other boys at the home and wondered if Mau would take him out to talk and hang out as he had with the others. He also asked Mau if he would find him some music. “I’m bored,” Jamie commented, “music makes me relax.”

At the end of the conversation Mau felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to give Jamie a hug. As he pulled away Jamie calmly told Mau that that was the first hug he can ever remember receiving. … As Mau told me this story, I cried.

Both Mau and I wept in the courtyard of the children’s home, as God let us feel the pain and hurt in these lives. God began speaking to me that while I cover up my heart and numb it from the pain in this world and the pain that I see in the Rio every week, His heart is never numb. His heart feels every hurt. His heart cries with every child. He feels every pain and it hurts his heart to the core. The compassion of the Lord is amazing. I went to bed that night with these things still on my heart and mind.

Two days later our team of ladies returned to this same children’s home to throw a Christmas party. Part of the festivities included a skit put on by our team. At this particular children’s home we are not able to openly share the gospel, so in a metaphorical way we portrayed Christ conquering evil in the world. At one point in the skit “the evil” was whispering lies in the ear of a child. Things like, “no one loves you,” “you are stupid,” “they are laughing at you.” During this part of the skit Jamie leaned over to a fellow staff member and said, “I’ve heard those things before. I hear those lies every day.” When I heard this I knew that I wanted to pray for Jamie.

After the skit, I sat down next to Jamie with some other ladies from our team and began to talk with him. Another lady also felt the urge to pray so we asked Jamie if we could. He readily agreed. About halfway through our prayer Jamie started grabbing at his chest. “My heart hurts. My heart hurts,” he repeated. We clarified that it was a spiritual pain that he was feeling. We finished praying and I went to find Mau. I knew in my spirit that today was the day of salvation for Jamie. I have never been so sure of something in my life! I found Mau and told him that he needed to explain the gospel to Jamie. Jamie was so ready, but my Spanish couldn’t do it justice and Mau is the one who is going to be there long term with Jamie. After the activities of the Christmas party calmed down a bit, Mau went over and sat next to Jamie. I knew that he was sharing the gospel with Jamie, so I began to pray. The next thing I know Jamie is crying and hugging Mau. He prayed that day and met Jesus as his Savior and the Healer of his heart!

Later, I gave Jamie a hug to welcome him into the family. He told me that when we had prayed earlier he had felt so much peace, but that now he felt so happy. “This is the best day of my life!” said an excited Jamie, “I will never forget this day as long as I live.” I know that I too will never forget this day. Praise Jesus who is able to heal the most hurt of hearts. Nothing is impossible for God! Please continue to keep Jamie in your prayers. Pray for this growth in Christ and for his physical sight to be restored! Amen!

Jamie decorating a Christmas tree

Jamie learning how to work his new Ipod that someone donated to him for Christmas.

Virginia- God heals the hardest heart

2010-12-16T21:10:00.000-06:00

This is a post about a teen whose story impacted my life while I was in Cancun. For her security she will be referred to as Virginia in this entry.

Virginia looks to be about twice her actual age. She acts very mature and her body suggests maturity as well. I met her on the first day that I met Jamie. She was wearing a tight tank top with the casa hogar button-up shirt placed provocatively over the top. I have never really understood what a face of stone looked like until I met Virginia. Her face was beautiful, but ice cold, her jaw set in a clench like I have never seen before, her eyes icy. It was clear that she took out her pain in sarcasm and in disgust of those around her. Even with the hard shell it was apparent that this was a very hurt young lady.

In the first conversation I had with Virginia she made it very clear that she hated her life and hated the children’s home she was temporarily staying at. All I could think was how hurt she must be.

Two days after I first met Virginia our team of ladies returned to the children’s home to host a Christmas party. When we entered the home, my good friend and fellow staff member, Priscila, was encouraged to go up and talk with Virginia. “You have got to be kidding,” was Priscila’s reply. “Look at her, she wants nothing to do with us, let alone me! ” However, the Holy Spirit kept prompting Priscila until she went over to introduce herself to Virginia. Priscila found out that Virginia was 15 years old. “My fifteenth year was very impacting,” Pris shared. “That year God placed many Christians in my life who spoke to me about Jesus. It was when I was fifteen that I had an experience with God and I have never been the same.”

Virginia stared at Priscila in surprise. “That is weird that you say that,” she said. “Just last night someone told me that I needed to have an experience with God.” Virginia then went on to share about how the night before her mom had come to get her and bring her home. When Virginia arrived home she began arguing with her mom, started uncontrollably freaking out, and tried to commit suicide. At this point her mom got scared and called the police to come and take Virginia back to the children’s home. As Virginia and the police officer were sitting in the squad car outside the children’s home, the officer turned to Virginia and said, “Virginia, have you not had an encounter with God? You need to have an experience with God.” Virginia was startled that now Priscila was also talking with her about having an encounter with God.

Priscila came up to me after this conversation with Virginia and told me what happened. As Pris was talking, I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God wanted Virginia to experience Himself that day. I told Priscila that she needed to go back and share the truth of the Gospel with Virginia. Today was the day of her salvation, I was sure of it.

A little later Pris found Virginia and asked if they could finish their conversation. I saw them sit down on a stone wall and begin to talk. I knew that Priscila was sharing the gospel with Virginia, so I began to pray. Virginia was sitting very straight with a face of stone as Pris began to share. I kept praying that the Lord would break through. That he would soften her heart so she could hear and receive what Pris was sharing. Suddenly as I was watching, and it was as if the stone mask on Virginia’s face began to crack and slide off. I have never physically seen such a change happen in a person. One moment she was sitting erect hard as stone, the next second she had tears streaming down her cheeks and a wide smile spreading across her face. That day Virginia’s name was written in the Lamb’s book of Life. With tears streaming down her face, Virginia was laughing and smiling. Her countenance was completely changed! I went up to her and gave her a huge hug. I told her I knew that God had a plan and purpose for her life and for her being at that home. She hugged me back and through her tears said, “I feel so happy!”

It was apparent the moment Christ entered Virginia that she was completely changed. She had an experience with God that had been prophesied to her the night before. She was a new creation! Virginia was supposed to leave the children’s home that night to go back with her mom. God was so purposeful and strategic in his timing of things! There is not a doubt in my mind that He divinely ordained the events of that day to bring Virginia into his kingdom. Through this I saw that God can heal and soften the hardest of hearts. Please keep Virginia in your prayers. Her family has been involved with drugs in Cancun which can get pretty serious. Pray for her protection and for her continued growth in Christ. Praise Jesus for this salvation!

Virginia and her friends at the casa hogar.

Thanksgiving at El Retiro Juvenil

2010-12-07T19:23:00.000-06:00

I was privileged to go with a group out to ERJ children’s home the day before Thanksgiving. After a day of work and ropes course events, we came up to the cafeteria to see these friendly faces!!!

A turkey :)

Pilgrims and a turkey

A pilgrim, or as Luis told me, "a north American"... I tried to explain to him that he was dressed as a north American from a LONG time ago and that most of us, don't really look like that anymore.... I'm not sure he totally got it!

Some of the children were involved in a Thanksgiving play that night. I was touched to see all the hard work put into their costumes. Literally there were at least 3 encargadas working all day on the costumes. I remember my mom spending days making Indian outfits, or pioneer costumes for me and my brothers and sisters. It was beautiful to see these kids getting the same treatment from their caretakers. One thing I love about ERJ is that the directors and caretakers really treat the kids as their own. The costumes were well-made and very detailed and the kids were having the time of their lives!

Thanksgiving in the Rio

2010-12-07T18:53:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving was a joyous time in the Rio this year! We were accompanied by a wonderful group of mothers and daughters from Columbus. We really wanted to talk to the people about giving thanks to God for the things that they DO have and the many things God has blessed them with. Often the focus of the people in the Rio is on their needs, their insufficiencies, or the things they are “faulta,” as we say in Spanish. We wanted this day to be a day when the people we minister to put their sights on God and thank Him for the things they do have… life, health, family, friends, etc. … for in fact, He has given them many things!

To help the women and children count their blessings I designed a “Thanksgiving Tree.” Each person wrote on a leaf what they were thankful for that year and stuck it up on the tree. It was a great time to count our blessings together and focus our attention on God who fulfills all our needs.

The afternoon was spent playing with the kids and making fleece blankets with the women. What a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Putting up leaves on the tree

"Thanks God for B2B"

" Thanks God for having guided me up till here and for giving me some brothers in Christ Jesus. Thank you for giving me wisdom and intelligence for everything or almost everything in life.
Thank you Father - Benny"

"Thank you God for... (a truck)"

Eating delicious Mole made from scratch.

Making blankets with the ladies!

Can we be Thankful for Poverty?

2010-11-19T00:33:00.000-06:00

I remember as a child sitting around the Thanksgiving table with my family and all of us taking a turn to say what we were thankful for. The common things mentioned were family, friends, warm house, clothes, and it never failed that someone was thankful for turkey! We always mentioned the things that we had and gave thanks for those things. In my mind I would compare myself with someone who didn’t have the possession or positions I did, and sincerely thank God that He had chosen to give those things to me.

After working closely with the people in the Rio for over a year, my thoughts on giving thanks have changed a bit. It is easy to look at poverty and feel sympathy, pity, and guilt about what we have and what they don’t. However, have we ever thought that poverty could be a thing to give thanks for in and of itself?

A family in the Rio.

Poverty is “the state of one with insufficient resources” (Merriam-Webster). It is the knowledge that you can’t take care of yourself and your family on your own. With poverty come dependence and humility and the deep realization that you need help, that you can’t satisfy your own needs. Many times we look on poverty through our self-sufficient lenses and are disgusted by it. However isn’t humility and dependence on God to satisfy our needs exactly what our Father in Heaven desires of us?

Often, when we have all the material possessions we need the thing we lack is dependence on God. We are able in many ways to provide for our own needs. We don’t really need Him. When we have too much we are tempted to disown our God, forget about Him and say “Who is the Lord?” (Prov. 30:9).

In Matthew 5 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ‘Blessed’ is a word that means so much more than happiness. It means a spiritual joy and well-being. Oh how much eternal joy a person has whose spirit is dependent on God and humbled before Him!

Recently I was talking to a Mexican friend who experienced a severe time of financial need before coming to serve with Back2Back. His told me stories of walking 4 miles to get to school because he couldn’t pay for a bus ticket and about how he and his sisters would go to bed early at night because it helped them forget about the pain in their gnawing stomachs. “That time was hard,” he said, “But I wouldn’t trade what I learned for anything. During those years I saw the Lord’s provision for me in ways I never could have dreamed.” He then went on to tell story after story of the miraculous ways his Father in heaven provided him with food, clothing, school supplies, etc. Stories of people calling and inviting him and his sisters to eat the day they ran out of food, others dropping by with bags of groceries right when they weren’t sure what they would have for dinner, stories of finding the materials he needed for school laying on the side of the road. As a result of his poverty, the man’s faith in God is unlike any I have seen.

The Kingdom of God is about the least being the greatest, the last being first, and the weak being strong so that ultimately the Lord is glorified. We can praise God for weakness, humility, and poverty when it causes us to be dependent on Him and when it builds in us a testimony of His faithfulness.

Are there ways in which you can thank God for poverty this Thanksgiving?

Welcome Home J.J. !!!!

2010-11-08T17:50:00.000-06:00

On Saturday J.J. Lail was welcomed back to Monterrey, Mexico by this happy crowd of B2B staff and teens at the airport! J.J, a fellow staff member, has been fighting jaw cancer for the past few months and had to go back home to Ohio for surgery and radiation. Four months later he is back with us in Monterrey ready to continue the journey here! We praise God for J.J.'s return and continue to pray for whole recovery to his body!

A Thank You for our Rio Servants

2010-11-08T17:44:00.000-06:00

Meme with her children (and spouses) and grandchildren at Santa Lucia.

What a great day it was about a week ago, when Cathy Huffer and I took some of our Rio friends out for the day! Meme has been serving faithfully at the Rio soup kitchen for several years. She cooks, cleans, sings, preaches... does whatever she needs to to serve the Lord and love the people. About a year ago another woman from the area, Anita, began faithfully volunteering her time at the soup kitchen each week. Anita has been a huge blessing to Meme and to us! She arrives early every Saturday to help with the cooking which takes quite a load off of Meme's shoulders.

We wanted to thank these ladies for their faithful service, so Cathy and I organized a trip for their families to a local park for a picnic and boat ride. Santa Lucia is right in the downtown part of Monterrey. It is a beautiful river with parks and swing sets beside it. It is similar to the San Antonio river walk and passes right through the center of the city. Meme is forty-something and has lived most of her life in Monterrey. This would be her first time ever to Santa Lucia.

So two Sundays ago we loaded up two suburbans with fried chicken, tortillas, and 16 people and headed out for the day!

Anita and her children.

The kids and adults loved the play sets in the park, the fountains, and boat ride. It was fun for me to see them enjoying themselves so much. .

Mariana playing on the swing set.

All of us before the boat ride!

Five fascinated girls on the boat.

We are truly thankful for the service these families give into their own community! It is hard work each week but both Anita and Meme faithfully show up to serve at the soup kitchen. It was a pleasure to bless these families with just a tiny taste of our gratitude, but we all know that the best reward will be when they hear their Heavenly Father say, "Well done good and faithful servants!"

Little Boys :)

2010-11-02T18:59:00.000-05:00

I just had to put this picture up on the blog because it makes me chuckle! These are little boys from Rio3 having the time of their lives :)

Baby Development

2010-10-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

Over the past several months the Lord has brought a young girl across my path named Lucero who lives in the Rio. Lucero is 14 and two months ago gave birth to Jesus Calet. (I wrote an earlier post about her baby's birth.) During her pregnancy I was able to pray with Lucero and encourage her often. When Jesus Calet was close to two months old Lucero and her husband (16 years old) came to the soup kitchen for a birthday party and tried to feed their precious baby cake! As I talked to them I found out that they had tried feeding him rice and given him tastes of coffee as well!!! Don't get me wrong, these parents love their baby, just honestly have no idea about baby care and development. I arranged a time to meet with them and then went home to look up all sorts of information in Spanish on baby development.

The next week I was able to sit down with mom and dad and talk about what 2 month old babies can and can't do, what they can and can't eat, etc. We talked through developmental stages for the first few months, healthy eating habits, how to prepare a bottle, and how to relieve gas and constipation in a little guy. Jesus Calet has been having constipation problems since he was born, so praise be to God, I was able to show them how to do different tummy massages, bicycle legs, and give the advice of a warm bath to help him.

In my last semester of college I happened to take a class where I could shadow a Help Me Grow worker in order to skip the final. I shadowed the worker for 2 weeks. During those two weeks we went to homes of teenage moms and poverty stricken girls who had at risk babies to help educate them on child development and baby massage. I had NO idea how much this would come in handy! I LOVE the Lord!!! I love that He prepares us in advance for what He has for us to do. He can use EVERYTHING and I believe has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives.

This past Saturday Lucero came up to me at the soup kitchen, very excited. She told me that she has been doing the things I taught her to help Jesus Calet with his tummy and that it had worked! Excitement and relief were written all over her face.

Praise Jesus for His wisdom and understanding! I loved the time I got to spend with Lucero and her husband educating them about babies... it felt exactily like a hand in a glove for me. I'm praying about what other opportunites the Lord has for me in this arena.

Brian, Lucero, and myself reading and talking about baby development.

Good Times at Rio 3

2010-10-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

I've been able to spend some more time recently out at Rio 3. There are many more kids and people who live out there than at Rio 1. Here are some pics from my time out there!

Playing Twister with some of the girls

Watching a cement truck pour a load for a new floor in the church.
Boys are boys no matter where they live!

Registering women and children to see a doctor.
That day we had 130 patients seen by a medical team.

Jorge, my little friend :)

A local doctor who joined the medical brigade that day!

A Little Boy and a Multi-Colored Pen

2010-10-26T17:39:00.001-05:00

This is Ricardo and the multi-colored pen.

A couple weeks ago I was praying before I went out for the day with a team from the states. In my prayer time I poured out the the Lord my desire to connect that day. It is easy for me to get into the "management mode". I can run and direct a group of people all day without really connecting with a single child that we are minsitering to. It is easy for me to slip into a heart attitude of managing instead of a heart attitude of ministering. That morning I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to submit my day to Him and to live the day conscious of the people he had placed around me.

In the afternoon we took the group to a children's home called Del Norte. As the Americans began playing soccer and jump rope with the kids, I noticed a little boy sitting off to the side of the soccer field, head down. I walked over and tried to initiate conversation with him, but he wanted none of me. So I sat down, rubbed his back, and watched the soccer match next to him. A few moments later a stray ball beaned the child right in the head. He started wailing! Trying to avoid any more stray balls, I scooped Ricardo up and walked with him around the corner of the children's home.

If there is one thing I have learned from nannying and having younger siblings it is what my dad calls "the art of distraction". I knew Ricardo was not seriously hurt, just having a bad day and needed to be distracted from it all. What could I do? I had my backpack with me so for the time being I tried to interest Ricardo in the backpack... what could be inside? Was there something special? Would he like to see?... in the back of my mind I was thinking, "Dear Jesus, please let there be something cool in here. I didn't put anything cool in there this morning... but you do miracles, right?" We opened up the backpack and by the grace of God found one of those mulit-colored pens, the kind that has the little tabs at the top that you can push down to change the color. Ricardo was fascinated!

Soon Ricardo had colored up nearly 10 pages in a notebook I had! I began to see how creative this little boy was. Ricardo is about four years old I think. He has some developmental problems that effect his speech and his attention, however his creativity is out of this world. I wish I could show you the pictures that he drew! There were houses, pools, and, my favorite, a shark. Soon Ricardo found a jump rope one of the others had discarded. In moments we were rock stars singing into the handle as a microphone. Bored with the pages he had colored, and the "microphone" Ricardo, and another boy who had joined us, began making different styles of paper planes... super creative and super fun!

In no time I realized that we had been there playing together for well over an hour. Ricardo was happy, as were the other chidlren who had gathered around us. I was thankful that we had enough staff working that day that I could sit down and love on this little boy who was having a bad day. How many bad days go by for Ricardo, in which there is no one to sit down with and pull pens out of backpacks, color pictures of sharks, or sing into jump ropes? I was privileged to be Christ's hands and feet to this little 4 year old that day. To show him that he mattered and that he was worth investing in. I was also thankful for the Holy Spirit's prompting that morning to keep my eyes open for how He wanted to use me... never had I thought it would be through a little boy and a multi-colored pen.

Ricardo and myself

Playing with the camera, trying to get a self-portrait.

Ricardo and Elvis playing around.

Sebas the Cook!

2010-10-26T16:45:00.002-05:00

Sebas is a teen who lives on our campus and is a part of the Hope Program. He grew up in children's home about 6 hours outside Monterrey. Thankfully he has been supported to go to one of top culinary schools in Monterrey. Earlier this month his school had a exhibition in which the students researched traditional foods from each state in Mexico, set up booths, decorated, and represented that state at a fair. Cheque and I were invited to go and try some of the food that Sebas and his classmates had prepared. I can honestly say that there was not one thing I tried and did not like! Sebas is a talented cook. I'm excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for him :)

Cheque, Sebas, and myself standing outside Sebas' "Puebla" booth at the fair.

Sebas' classmates outside the booth they made.

Sweet gorditas from Puebla... very tasty!

Chiles en nogadas, the main dish Sebas' team prepared. Sebas was in charge of the
rice, and let me tell you, it was super good!

Here is the chef with his food!

A dish from another booth. It is a stuffed fruit that tasted like apple pie! yum!

Cheque and I before we try one of the many weird foods we encountered that day.

Becca and I trying Sopes topped with dried crickets... yum?

The New Family in the Rio

2010-09-25T18:50:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago a new family of 7 entered the doors of the soup kitchen in the Rio. One glance and one sniff told us that this family was in need of help. Mom, Virginia, is younger than myself and has 5 little kids. The oldest is 9 and the youngest (a set of twins) are 2. Virgina, her husband, and children had moved into a shack with her mom after being unable to pay rent for their own place. Their house is smaller than most kitchens and houses 9 people.

After seeing the children arrive at the soup kitchen on Saturday dressed in school uniforms (because they didn't have other clothes) and smelling as though they had worn the same uniform the whole week, I realized that we needed to help. A few days later I dropped off several bags of clothing and toiletries and loaded kids, mom, and grandma into my car to go school shopping. Thanks to a donor we had money to buy the oldest kids new uniforms, school shoes, and notebooks.

I think the best part for the kids was just riding in my car! They laughed the whole time :)

The family and Meme outside thier home.

The twins in the cart while their brothers and sister try on shoes.

Three beautiful children with three beautiful new pairs of shoes!

Francisco, Joanna, and Brian with their newly purchased school supplies.

I didn't really realize how much in need this family was until one day when the grandma asked me if we had any dishes they could have. I'm used to families from the Rio asking for money and honestly thought that was what she was going to say when she pulled me aside. I went to their home later that week and saw that the kids were drinking out of pieces of plastic coke bottles! The b2b staff pulled together as well as some donors and we were able to supply them with cups, plates, silverware, etc.

By God's grace I have had many interactions with the family, including prayer and a sharing of the gospel with them! Please keep them in your prayers! Currently we are trying to get them connected to the government resources that are available to them as well as trying so satisfy some of their basic needs. Things with families in poverty are always sticky... please pray for me to have wisdom and discernment to know what to do and what not to do, how to help, but not enable, to know the truth and discern the lie. It is for families like this one that we, as B2B, have a Rio ministry. Virginia is a prime candidate to take her children to a children's home because of difficulties in providing for them. Pray for her and her husband! Pray for these children! Pray for me and the other B2B workers as we seek the Lord on what to do! He is faithful! Yeah!

The Armor of God (La Armadura de Dios)

2010-09-25T18:09:00.001-05:00

We just finished a unit on the Armor of God with the kids in the Rio. Once again I was amazed by how much they learned and remembered. Several of the girls could recite the memory verse and almost all of the kids could name the parts of the armor and what they signified! This is HUGE considering how much energy and attention these kids have to spend on just mere survival. One of the highlights for the kids was a plastic armor set that got donated. I printed off the names of the armor in Spanish and taped them to each piece. They loved it!

Brian displaying the Armor of God

Our class ranging in ages from 3-12.

The kids with their shields of faith!

Trip to Oxford (sorry backtracking a bit!)

2010-09-20T15:04:00.000-05:00

In August I was blessed with a trip back home to support raise and visit family and friends. Cheque got to come back with me which was such a huge answer to prayer! He got to visit the States for the first time, met tons of you all, got to hang out with my family, went to several churches with me to speak, and just got to get to know this part of who I am... it was a GREAT trip! The Lord was faithful and provided time for me to meet with some of my most favorite people! He provided the opportunity to share at 3 different churches and some time to just relax and enjoy my family. Here are some pictures from my two weeks at home. It was great to see you guys.

Cheque and myself with Kelly in Kofenya!

What's a trip to Cincy area without Graeters?

Overlook of Cincinnati

Spending time with family

Here we are hanging out with my good friends Nick and Karen.

Grandma and Grandpa

A Message From the Kids in the Rio

2010-09-20T14:03:00.000-05:00

Mexico Celebrates 200 Years of Independence!

2010-09-20T13:53:00.000-05:00

For weeks the streets of Monterrey have shimmered red, white, and green as vendors have displayed their flags, t-shirts, streamers, and noisemakers on the sides of the roads. Monterrey has been a bustle of activity with concerts, plays, and movies about the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain and the centennial celebration of the Mexican revolution. September 15^th, 2010 was quite a day in Mexico!

For Back2Back our festivities started at Casa Hogar Douglas. Staff, children, encargadas, and two American groups gathered in the CHD courtyard dressed in red, white, and green, ready for the ceremony and celebration! Several of the older children, dressed in uniform, marched the Mexican flag into the center of the courtyard for the anthem to be sung. Then Daniela, from Douglas, led the children in the student promise to the flag. Together as a community we sang the state of Nuevo Leon anthem and waited for the climax of it all, “El Grito”.

Traditionally the 15^th of September is referred to as “El Grito”(the cry). Two hundred years ago in the village of Dolores (near to Mexico City) on September 15^th at 11:00pm a priest named Miguel Hidalgo gave the shout to the people to take up arms and fight for Mexico’s independence. This started the 11 years of war with Spain for what is now the country of Mexico.

In independence day celebrations traditionally the mayor or governor of the town will give the cry to the people just as Hidalgo did many years ago. At Casa Hogar Douglas one of our teens and member of the Hope Program, Leo, dressed in traditional “charro” costume gave the historic cry to the children, B2B staff, and group members participating with us. All around echoed the response to each phrase Leo spoke, “Viva Mexico!” “Viva Mexico!” “Viva Mexico! With excitement high, Casa Hogar Douglas director, Pastor Javiar, stood up and spoke to all those standing there about how as believers we are called “the city of God” and how the greatest independence we have is that of freedom and liberty that is found in Christ. Together as a community we thanked God for the freedom and grace he has showered on us.

The rest of the evening was celebrated with a Mexican buffet and a carnival for the children! Little red, white, and green bodies were everywhere as they waited for their turn to play games, eat tacos, and win prizes!

Later that night we put on a special event for our teenagers in the Hope Program. We celebrated their country’s heritage with them with a decorated palapa, pina coladas, and the events in downtown Mexico City projected on the big screen. Together at 11:00pm we watched President Calderon give the grito shout from the Zocalo and the amazing festivities happening in Mexico City. We also had the fun of shooting off our own fireworks from the top of a teen home! The teens loved it, as did the staff! We finished with salsa dancing into the night.

It was amazing to experience Mexico’s bicentennial here in the country and even more exciting to celebrate with the children and teens such an important part of their heritage. Viva Mexico!

Kids at Casa Hogar Douglas dressed in traditional costume.

The flag ceremony at CHD.

Leo and myself!

Viva Mexico!

Part of our Mexican buffet.. yum!

So cute!

Virgin pina coladas for all!

The big screen in the palapa with Mexico City events.

The fireworks we shot off... pretty cool!

Leo giving the "Grito" at CHD!

Monse Turns 7

2010-08-30T22:04:00.002-05:00

My little friend, Monse, turns 7 on Saturday!!! Monse has come to our soup kitchen children’s classes for the past few years. This past year specifically I have begun to build a relationship with her. Monse comes from a troubled and very impoverished home in the Rio and it has been made obvious that she needs positive attention! She often acts up in our Sunday school class and has a hard time obeying. Today I took Monse out, just her and I, to celebrate her 7^th birthday! First, we went to a local store for her to pick out a birthday gift. She had been telling me since last Saturday that what she really wanted was a backpack with wheels because her books for school are just “too heavy.” Her neighbor told me that she often sees Monse dragging her bag down the dirt road. We looked in 4 stores for a backpack with wheels but had to settle for a normal backpack and a “backpack cart” to pull it on because we couldn’t find anything else. She was VERY excited! After shopping we went to McDonalds to play and eat. She had the time of her life! Monse prayed for the meal (the first time I have heard her pray) and while she has munching on her hamburger I was able to speak some truth into her life about who she is and the big plans God has for her. Monse told me that she knows God is powerful and that she remembers the lessons we are teaching about the Armor of God, specifically about the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. She also told me that one day she would like to be a doctor. I encouraged her that she could do that because she is very smart and talented. I dropped Monse off at her home. She put her school books into her new backpack, and wheeled off to school as happy as could be. It is so fun to be able to bless Monse and pour into her. I am hoping to be able to take her out more often than just her birthday. Please continue to keep this precious girl in your prayers.

Monse with her newly purchased backpack

Monse, Ronald, and Me celebrating!!!

Enjoying a hamburger

Playing in the play land

Self portrait!

Monse in front of her house, ready for school!

Welcome to the World, Kalet!!!

2010-08-30T21:51:00.000-05:00

Kalet de Jesus was born one week and a half ago to a young girl in the Rio, Lucero. Lucero came to the soup kitchen the day after her baby was born to have him prayed for by the pastor. I have been talking to and praying for Lucero throughout her pregnancy. As a young mom at 14, she had many questions, fears, etc., about the birth, her health, and her relationship with her husband, Brian. Man, was I glad for those child development classes in college! I have been able to pass on what I know about babies and offer up lots of prayers. We have had several good talks about the Lord in all of this which have been good. Last Saturday I went to visit the baby and his mom and dad and brought them some infant clothes and blankets. Amazing to see such a tiny, perfect baby in a house with dirt floors! His mom seems absolutely in love with him. Please keep praying for Lucero and Brian. They have a lot on their hands and are very young. Please pray for Kalet, for his health and safety.

Kalet being prayed for at the Soup Kitchen (1 day old).

Me and Kalet (1 week old)

Lucero and Kalet

Summer VBS

2010-08-26T18:02:00.029-05:00

This summer our mission teams were given the opportunity to minister in a new way to the children we serve in Monterrey. Along with the work projects, fieldtrips, and play times we felt led to incorporate Vacation Bible School into our weekly summer schedule. Back in September myself and others began organizing children’s ministry classes in one of the impoverished areas we work with during weekly soup kitchen services. The children loved the lessons and activities and were truly learning the scriptures we were teaching them! After seeing the success of this kind of ministry in the Rio areas, we asked ourselves, “Why not in the children’s homes as well?” For many years the mission teams partnering with B2B have helped the children see and receive the love of Christ through participating in work projects at the homes as well as through personal connections and playtimes with the kids. Now the children also have the opportunity to receive Christ’s love through the direct teaching of the Word of God in a child friendly way.

Our VBS theme for the summer was “The Fruit of the Spirit.” Each week teams would go out to nearly every children’s home equipped with songs, skits, crafts, and memory verses in order to teach the children about the Holy Spirit. In order to help cross the language barrier, we had nearly 40 Mexican students from 4 local churches sign up to partner with us in the VBS. Each VBS day our United States teams, mixed with local church youth, would together minister to the children. One of B2B’s goals is to partner with the local body of believers in ministry. It was beautiful to see this happen this summer! Through VBS many of the local volunteers formed relationships with the homes and Rio areas we work with and are now going to minister in these places independently from B2B. We are excited about what has happened this summer with the volunteers and where it might lead! As B2B we are committed to help raise up national leaders and ministers!

We are praising God for His word that went forth this summer and the many seeds that were planted in children’s hearts all over Monterrey. We are also thankful for the many connections we now have with churches and youth in the city! Hopefully this will be the first of many summer VBS programs to come.

Check out the videos below for a taste of summer VBS!

Games!!!

A skit about love put on by our local volunteers.

Kids at the craft table

A US team putting on a skit about the life of Christ.

Continued Work in Rio 3

2010-08-26T17:42:00.000-05:00

I wrote and posted pictures several weeks ago about the devastation Hurricane Alex caused in the impoverished community of Rio 3. After the flood swept through, B2B went in (along with many other aid groups in the city) to bring relief. Here are some pictures of relief at work.

B2B staff teach the women leaders of the Rio3 community how to purify drinking water with PUR packets.

Clothes give away to the Rio 3 women.

The local government employing people from the Rio community to help with the clean up efforts in their own neighborhood.

Rio 3 children in a newly rebuilt home!

One of hundreds of Rio children.

Shacks being rebuilt by Rio families.

Women and children in line for food donations and work possibilities.

This is a short video I took of Rio 3 right after the hurricane.