LIFE Missions

Love

Ivonne — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:14:50 +0000

Sunday February 14th, being Valentine’s day and all I had a lesson to be reminded of. As I was walking out of the church my husband informed me that a family had come to visit from another town and he wanted to have them over for lunch. I immediately said “no way!” A flood of thoughts came in “I have other plans, I don’t even remember what condition I left my house in, what am I going to cook for these people?” My husband wanted an answer but all I could do was roll my eyes and quickly got in the car. I could see the mom from the rear view mirror with her baby in the hot sun but that still did not move me, I held on to my selfish desire to go on with my Valentine’s day plans. My husband got in the car and said they live far away and I really feel like we need to feed them lunch. I will buy a couple of roasted chickens to make things easier. The drive home from church is only 5 minutes but it was long enough for the Holy Spirit to convict my heart and for me to get a quick revelation of what love really is. It is not always convenient and often loving others cost us something.
“let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth”

- 1john 3:18

Religion vs. Relationship

Ivonne — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:44:12 +0000

Something that we talk about a lot in our home and at the orphanage is our desire to see the children have a relationship with Jesus and not just gain a religion with a set of rules that they can never meet.
Sadly, I’ve met plenty of people who grew up in Christian homes and have a lot of head knowledge about God but in their hearts they do not serve him. Especially sad are those who have grown up in the ministry and left home with nothing more than religion. I do not want this to be the story of my children or the children that we work with. So, my question is how do I keep this from happening? I would love to hear from you Christian mommies and daddies who have walked this road or are walking it. I have found the following verses to be a key in answering my own question but if you would like to share other ones that would be great!

1Corinthians 15:56 NIV
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.”

Romans 4:13-15
“It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression”

James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Home for the Holidays

Ivonne — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:44:15 +0000

After being on the missions field for 13 months we decided to come home to visit. It took us 3 days to get out of Mexico. We are so proud of our boys for being awesome travel troopers. It was a nice time to bond with them by singing, reading books, watching movies and eating junk food together in the car. We arrived just in time to be with my parents in Houston for Thanksgiving. Our hearts are filled with so many things to be thankful for this year. Personally, it has been so nice to see my family and friends. We look forward to traveling further North to be with other friends and family. With all the cold weather, it feels like we have left the oven in Arriaga and got thrown into the freezer.

Our hearts desire is to report what is going on in Arriaga and after hearing our stories, for everyone to be able to say “God is good!” with us. We are currently in Stillwater, Oklahoma and will be sharing in New Covenant Fellowship church tomorrow. The church has an awesome apartment that they have kindly let us use and it has been a nice place to rest. Next Sunday we will be sharing in two churches near Tulsa and then we head to Missouri where we will be ministering in Uncle Terry’s church, Covenant Christian Center.

Caleb yesterday stated that he was ready to go back to Mexico and when we asked him why, he responded that he missed his dog and his friends from El Faro (the orphanage). Although, I’m not ready to go back to Mexico yet, I do miss our family in Arriaga immensely. We will miss seeing 20 children open gifts and all the excitement that goes with it this Christmas. We hope that snow awaits us in Virginia where we will be spending Christmas with my inlaws.

Thus far has the Lord helped us…

Ron — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:26 +0000

October 19th, 2009 marked our one year aniversary as missionaries with El Faro de Esperanza in Arriaga, Chiapas MEXICO. On Sunday my wife testified in the service of God´s faithfulness to take care of us thus far. Listening to her recount the miracles of our Father´s financial provision, divine health and protection reminded me of a passage in 1 Samuel 7:12. After a miraculous victory in battle, the prophet took a large stone and erected it in that place to serve as a reminder of the event saying,

“Thus far has the Lord helped us.”
While circumstances, emotions and our economy may seem to be under constant fluctuation God´s character and faithfulness are unchanging. We do well to remind our minds and hearts on a continual basis of the past victories and miraculous interventions of the Lord on our behalf.

And to that end I began a photo-blogsite –

The Life Missions Photo Gallery @ http://lifemissions.shutterfly.com/

as a visual reminder of how far the Lord has taken my family and this ministry. From a small bible study to a thriving church, from desires to care for children to a functioning orphanage and the beginning stages of an orphan village.

We will be adding content on a regular basis so check back often.

Answered Prayers

Ivonne — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:42:53 +0000

We recently had a need for two of our Junior High girls to switch schools due to concerns about the quality of their education and peer pressure. This led us to inquire about a private Junior High here in town. Upon discovering the cost of tuition each month the team realized we could not afford to send them to that school so we began to pray about the situation and encouraged the girls to pray as well. A few days later we felt led to try a new approach and asked the school to partner with us in the girls education. They agreed to give us a 50% discount for each. We were so happy with the news but God surprised us with something even better. A woman from our church spoke to her husband about the situation and although he is not a believer, he offered to pay another fourth of the tuition. It was an amazing miracle of God’s provision.

Marina and Tania- beautiful sisters

The girls are thriving at the new school, and they know it was their father God who loves them and provided for them to be there.

Who He Calls

Ivonne — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:39:27 +0000

A few weeks ago, I was walking around town. It is not unusual to see drunks passed out on the sidewalk here. As I made my way to a store I could see that a drunk was right on my way and there was no way to get around him. I was scared but knew I had to step over him or forget the errand and head home. I decided to ignore my fear. As I walked back home, I reflected about the incident. Half laughing at myself, I thought , “I’m so silly, why was I so scared” just as that thought left another one came “God you have such a sense of humor to call someone like me to a foreign country”. I mean I’m the girl that screams at the sight of a cockroach. I’m sure my neighbors think I’m crazy.

New Believers being baptized

I believe that God simply sent me because I was willing to come, with all my heart I said “send me Lord, send me!” I’m willing to let go of the predictable. Is it difficult? like you would not believe but there is so much grace in the calling. There are times that I get discouraged, change does not happen fast enough, I get tired, I miss home and so on. I can honestly say that none of my discomforts can compare to the joy of people finding the truth and being set free. I thank God for those times when the “poor me” attitude has no room because it’s squeezed out by the joy of giving. I love that we are not just handing out temporary happiness and band-aids but it’s a gospel that transforms and changes lives. It is a gospel that I pray that my children will carry on throughout Latin America and the World. My greatest desire is for my children to see Christianity lived out. To love not just in words but in actions and in truth. To encounter Jesus love and out of that love to flow a life of abundance. A love that they can not keep quite about.

Children singing at Church

I’m now 2!

Josiah1 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:23:20 +0000

Me aka Pablo with Mommy

Here are a few pictures of my Backyardigans fiesta to celebrate my second birthday. It was so special because Grammy and WaWa were able to be here for the party.

I love Pablo!

Grammy and Wawa came to visit me

I’m a big kid now

Caleb — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:11:04 +0000

I visited a mango processing plant with the El Faro kids & mommy

Going to school

I’ve been living in Mexico for about a year. There were several BIG changes in my life this year. I stopped using diapers, started school and learned lots of Spanish.

My first graduation & my new uniform

With mommy & little Tammy at the missions conference in Tuxtla

Eating ice cream with the kids from El Faro during Spring Break

I got to dress up as a bunny rabbit!

A Knock at the Door

Ivonne — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:03:45 +0000

Our precious little visitors

First knock: little children who come every day to eat a meal here. Their torn clothes, matted hair and calloused feet do not take away from their cuteness. We stopped asking what they need and just wash their hands, pray with them and feed them.

Second knock: a single mom with four children. She looks desperate and says she can not feed her kids today, and wants to know if we can help. We sent her home with two bags of food.

Third knock: An illegal immigrant in search of a better future. Rainy season is upon us and he asks for a plastic bag to keep dry.

As I thought about those who came to my door today I remembered this scripture:

Mat 25:34-40 Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35) For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; (36) I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. (37) Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? (38) When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? (39) Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? (40) And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me.

WHO IS KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR?

Precious little ones

3 Observaciones acerca de la Oracion

Ron — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:47:05 +0000

I. Debemos Orar sin cesar.

La Viuda persistente

Lucas 18:1-8 Y les refería Jesús una parábola para enseñarles que ellos debían orar en todo tiempo, y no desfallecer, (2) diciendo: Había en cierta ciudad un juez que ni temía a Dios ni respetaba a hombre alguno. (3) Y había en aquella ciudad una viuda, la cual venía a él constantemente, diciendo: “Hazme justicia de mi adversario.” (4) Por algún tiempo él no quiso, pero después dijo para sí: “Aunque ni temo a Dios, ni respeto a hombre alguno, (5) sin embargo, porque esta viuda me molesta, le haré justicia; no sea que por venir continuamente me agote la paciencia.” (6) Y el Señor dijo: Escuchad lo que dijo* el juez injusto. (7) ¿Y no hará Dios justicia a sus escogidos, que claman a El día y noche? ¿Se tardará mucho en responderles? (8) Os digo que pronto les hará justicia. No obstante, cuando el Hijo del Hombre venga, ¿hallará fe en la tierra?

II. Debemos Orar con la actitud y motivo correcto

La Autojusticia no es agradable a Dios

Luk 18:9-14 Refirió también esta parábola a unos que confiaban en sí mismos como justos, y despreciaban a los demás: (10) Dos hombres subieron al templo a orar; uno era fariseo y el otro recaudador de impuestos. (11) El fariseo puesto en pie, oraba para sí de esta manera: “Dios, te doy gracias porque no soy como los demás hombres: estafadores, injustos, adúlteros; ni aun como este recaudador de impuestos. (12) “Yo ayuno dos veces por semana; doy el diezmo de todo lo que gano.” (13) Pero el recaudador de impuestos, de pie y a cierta distancia, no quería ni siquiera alzar los ojos al cielo, sino que se golpeaba el pecho, diciendo: “Dios, ten piedad de mí, pecador.” (14) Os digo que éste descendió a su casa justificado pero aquél no; porque todo el que se ensalza será humillado, pero el que se humilla será ensalzado.

Hay oraciones que Dios no contesta

Mat 6:6 (6) Pero tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cuando hayas cerrado la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto, y tu Padre, que ve en lo secreto, te recompensará. (7) Y al orar, no uséis repeticiones sin sentido, como los gentiles, porque ellos se imaginan que serán oídos por su palabrería. (8) Por tanto, no os hagáis semejantes a ellos; porque vuestro Padre sabe lo que necesitáis antes que vosotros le pidáis.

Si pedimos cualquier cosa conforme a su voluntad, El nos oye.

1Jn 5:13-15 Estas cosas os he escrito a vosotros que creéis en el nombre del Hijo de Dios, para que sepáis que tenéis vida eterna. (14) Y esta es la confianza que tenemos delante de El, que si pedimos cualquier cosa conforme a su voluntad, El nos oye. (15) Y si sabemos que El nos oye en cualquier cosa que pidamos, sabemos que tenemos las peticiones que le hemos hecho.

III. Debemos Orar con FE

El Ciego persistente

Lucas 18:35-43 Y aconteció que al acercarse a Jericó, un ciego estaba sentado junto al camino mendigando. (36) Al oír que pasaba una multitud, preguntaba qué era aquello. (37) Y le informaron que pasaba Jesús de Nazaret. (38) Entonces gritó, diciendo: ¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! (39) Y los que iban delante lo reprendían para que se callara; pero él gritaba mucho más: ¡Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! (40) Jesús se detuvo y ordenó que se lo trajeran; y cuando estuvo cerca, le preguntó: (41) ¿Qué deseas que haga por ti? Y él dijo: Señor, que recobre la vista. (42) Jesús entonces le dijo: Recibe la vista, tu fe te ha sanado. (43) Y al instante recobró la vista, y le seguía glorificando a Dios; cuando toda la gente vio aquello, dieron gloria a Dios.

Heb 11:6 NBLH Y sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios. Porque es necesario que el que se acerca a Dios crea que El existe, y que recompensa a los que Lo buscan.

La mano de Dios no se mueve por necesidad sino por FE.