LIFE Missions » Faith

Hope

Ivonne — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:55:57 +0000

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 enjoying a snack

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.”

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.

Do NOT fear what the world fears

Ron — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:17:26 +0000

As believers we must make a distinction between God and everything else. We must learn to be concerned about what our Savior says and not what the world around us is panicking about. Force your biblically unfounded fears to submit to faith in our Father´s promises… and you will find rest.

Isaiah 8:11-20 For so Jehovah spoke to me with a strong hand, and warned me against walking in the way of this people, saying, (12) Do not say, A conspiracy! to everything of which this people says, A conspiracy! And do not fear their fear, nor be afraid. (13) Sanctify Jehovah of Hosts Himself, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. (14) And He shall be a sanctuary for you, but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of falling to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the people of Jerusalem. (15) And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. (16) Bind up the testimony, seal the Law among My disciples. (17) And I will wait on Jehovah, who hides His face from the house of Jacob; and I will look for Him. (18) Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of Hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion. (19) And when they shall say to you, Seek to the mediums and to wizards who peep and mutter; should not a people seek to their God, than for the living to the dead? (20) To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because no light is in them.