The New Ministry Van
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Saturday night Ron and I were on our way to buy our much needed ministry van. We were $100 short of the asking price and the owner of the van had already dropped the price $500 adamantly stating he was not going to budge from the amount he quoted over the phone because he already had another committed buyer lined up. We made the trip by faith anyway praying simply that the Lord’s will would be done. Thirty minutes later we were checking the van out, driving it around, and asking questions. Never once did we bring up the fact that we were missing a $100 dollars. As we began the normal husband and wife discussion to buy or not, the owner said, “I’m going to take a $100 off the price”. God is Faithful! Here He was showing us once again that He always takes care of us.

The other day someone said to me, “I don’t know if I would have the guts to do what y’all do” Well, I don’t know about guts, or smarts but we do have faith. This new journey has many needs but on countless occasions we have seen God’s provision in the past so it would be foolish to fear that He will not provide again. His resources are not limited by the struggling economies of any country. While many are worrying today about the future, let us remember that God is the fountain from which everything we need flows. He is our source. He is our security. He is the one that will meet our needs if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Concealed in every crisis is an opportunity for God to be glorified. Don’t be afraid to get out of the boat and walk on the water at Christ’s calling.

Here is a picture of the Life Mission’s ministry van. It needs some TLC but we are happy to have it :) For those who have been standing in prayer with us about finding a vehicle for moving teams… Thank you – God answered our prayers. Now let’s keep believing for everything else on our list… and yours.

Many of you have been praying for us to acquire a ministry van -- God is Faithful! We look forward to our trips to the airport to pick up teams.

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The Next Chapter
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It was one of the most painful days of my life. I had been dreading Sunday, September 4th 2011 for weeks. After serving here as a missionary on the coast for nearly six years with The Lighthouse of Hope (three while I was single and three more with my family), we were saying goodbye to our church family here in Arriaga, Chiapas Mexico.

Ivonne and I were happily married, had a nice home, good paying jobs, and 2 beautiful boys when the Lord originally touched our hearts to move to southern Mexico. In the natural it seemed crazy. We were comfortable and we knew it would take a small list of miracles in order to happen. But where God guides He also provides. In spite of the poor economy and the multitude of houses on the market in our area, God told Ivonne that we would sell our home without a realtor (or paid advertising) and we did. The third couple to inquire about the house bought it!! We arrrived in Arriaga October 19, 2008 debt free and ready for a new life serving the people of Chiapas.

It has been wonderful to be a part of the work here in Arriaga. In the last three years we have seen the church where we serve (pastored by Bill and Tammy Woods) grow, and the youth group we lead has doubled in size. We have developed many great friendships and a real sense of family with the people here. Yet, several months ago we started hearing a small voice once again saying, “Go”.

We will be in the States for a few months. In early December our plan is to begin raising up a new work in the area of Comitan, Chiapas (about 4 hrs. from our current location). We will greatly miss being with the people here in Arriaga but we are excited about what is coming next. God has already opened doors for us to immediately start working with two indigenous groups the Tzetal and Tojolabal. Just like the first time we again have a long list of needs/miracles, but we are confident in the Lord’s faithfulness, and grateful for your financial support and prayers. We rejoice in faith over what God will do. Ready to share testimonies of his healing power and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for opening this new chapter with us. Together we shall see the Lord glorified among the nations.

Click here to view these pictures larger

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Mousers Stateside
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visiting a drive-thru cavern in Springfield, MO

At my Alma Mater ORU

We came home for a month to rest, visit family, enjoy good times with friends and share about what God is doing in Chiapas. So far on the trip, we have stayed the night in 7 homes, visited 4 churches, had dinner with 14 families, driven 1,200 miles and stopped at 8 different McDonalds. We are looking forward to the rest of our trip. We greatly miss our family in Mexico but it feels good to be visiting the USA. Caleb and Josiah are having a lot of fun.

at the Zoo with some very special friends

 

 

with Tia (aunt) Andrea

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Summer Youth Camp 2010
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The Campers

getting to know each other

seeking God

love these girls

Having fun

Having more fun

We had 55 teens join us this year at Youth camp. We had 3 goals, to grow closer to God, get know each other more and have fun. As you can see we accomplished all 3 of these goals. God is so faithful. There are so many things trying to rob these youth from the life God has for them. We stand with them and encourage them to seek after that abundant life that Christ has for them.

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Personal farewell message to Pastor Terry Culberson
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Today July 25th the man I call pastor is retiring.

Due to our current responsibilities as missionaries in Chiapas, Mexico my family and I couldn’t be there for the farewell service at Covenant Christian Center in Fruitland, MO. We did, however, prepare this small video to be shared at the meeting.

If the above video doesn’t work, follow this link:

Personal farewell message to Pastor Terry Culberson

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Women’s bible study
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Our weekly women’s bible study with Tammy had grown to over 50 women. A few months ago, Tammy felt from the Lord to divide into six groups. Now every Thursday morning at 10am, we have small groups meeting all throughout Arriaga. I’m so blessed to be leading one of these groups. It is an awesome time for the ladies to come together to share God’s word and life with each other.

Celebrating my birthday with my small group

Thankful for new friends

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Children’s day
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Celebrating Children's dayThis past week we celebrated “Dia del Niño” a.k.a. Children’s day here in Mexico, a day set apart to honor and bless our children, to shower them with gifts and allow them to eat more candy than usual. Sunday at church we celebrated the day by singing, playing games, serving cake and praying over the 60-70 kids who regularly attend our Sunday school classes. I’m convinced that in the midst of this group of children there are evangelists, worship leaders, preachers, teachers and missionaries. I find it a great honor to serve these little ones, equiping them to seek and hear God for themselves and enabling them to walk in the calling the Lord has for them.

Psa 127:3  Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psa 138:8  The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your love, O LORD, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

Children singinglittle ones

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No Free Ride
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Illegals riding on top of the train heading north

Illegals riding on top of the train heading north


"Undocumented" immigrants catching a ride to the US border

Here, on Mexico’s southern border, the debate over illegal immigration is impossible to ignore as droves of the undocumented travel daily before our door. The trains in front of the orphanage, often overflowing but never without at least a few faces of Central and South Americans who believe the metal frame they are clinging to will whisk them away to the promised land.

Faces mingled with hope and fear, pain and desperation… usually belonging to young men, although it is not uncommon to see older men, women, pregnant women or even children sleeping on the tracks waiting for the next departure. They run the risk of being shot at or chopped down by machetes. Often they are robbed and forced to travel without funds. You can always find them sleeping on the streets.

Regardless of where one stands on the immigration issue, the question arises, “What pushes a person to risk their life in this manner? What kind of hell are they escaping that justifies the sacrifice they are making?” The train ride is free but we know that for these people there is no such a thing as a free ride. Hope comes at a high cost. Nothing has made me love America more than being forced to live far from her shores, yet in these days when the economy is down and unemployment is rising the question is easy to ask,

“What would I do if the tables were turned and I were in their shoes? What desperate measures would I be willing to take to put food on the table for my family? What if I belonged to the poor neighboring country?”

I am not suggesting that we condone breaking the law. Illegal entry into the US needs to be stopped, it is dangerous for all who are involved… especially for those who are entering illegally. But along with securing our borders immigration legislation must be revised to allow a greater number of honest hardworking individuals to enter the country legally and filter out those who possibly pose a threat to our nation… and if not, then perhaps we should change the words of hope inscribed on the Statue of Liberty …

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these — the homeless, tempest-tossed — to me;
I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door

–the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty

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Carmita’s “new princess smile”
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The "Princess smile"

Before
Three years ago Carmita, along with her sister Romelia, came to live with Bill and Tammy here at the orphanage. She had gotten beaten all night long by her drunken father. Through much prayer and love many of her  scars have disappeared however everytime she smiled we were reminded of the physical abuse she experienced because her father had left  her with two broken front teeth.  A dentist heard about Carmita’s story and decided to do the work for free, only charging us $400 pesos (apprx. 40 dollars) for materials. Tonight Ron and I had the privilige to be there when Carmita’s front teeth got fixed. The moment is one that I wish I could have shared with many of you. As I started taking pictures tears started rolling down my face and I noticed that the dentist was also crying. Carmita now says that she got her “Princess smile”.

Carmita with Dr. Monica

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Hope
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On January 12th, 2006 my son Caleb was born in Plano, TX. Three months later in Arriaga, Chiapas a little boy by the name of Christian would be born to a prostitute with AIDS. The other day as I watched them chase each other I thought about the contrasting worlds they were born into. At 11 months of age Christian was brought to the orphanage severily malnourished weighing only 10 lbs. Today, he is a healthy, energetic and beautiful 3 year old. The bible tells us that before we were formed in our mother’s womb God knew us. He knew my Caleb, and He also knew Christian. God knew the choices the poor little boy’s mom would make and He rescued him. We know that God has great plans for Christian’s life and we are excited about his future.

“for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” -Jer. 29:11

Christian, Caleb and Josiah

Christian, Caleb and Josiah enjoying a snack

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