LIFE Missions » Kids

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.”

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!

Better to Give…

Ron — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:53:32 +0000

Lots of excited kids

The ministry here in Mexico annually hosts a Samaritan’s Purse Christmas event. In case you don’t know… Samaritan’s Purse rallies caring souls to fill shoe boxes with toys and goodies so they can be distributed to needy children around the world. This year the church decided to step it up a notch and we hosted two events, one in the small mountain village of San Marcos and another in a poor subdivision outside the city dump.

A grateful little girl

The entire church was represented at the event. The kids, teenagers and many of the adults wore costumes, performed skits, sang songs and choreographed dances. My three year old Caleb even danced with the crowd. There was a ventriloquist, a puppet show and most importantly a mountain of presents and candy to give away. Many poor children in areas like these never receive Christmas gifts. What a delight it was to see their faces light up as they were handed the tenderly wrapped boxes full of surprises!

The Best Gift

The salvation message was presented to everyone at each event and along with all of the other gifts the children were given a small book called “The Best Gift” which explained God’s love and purpose for them.

Prior to the Samaritan’s Purse events El Faro de Esperanza sponsored a medical outreach in San Marcos. A follow-up medical/dental outreach was held after the Christmas event.

A group of medical professionals volunteered for the San Marcos outreach

Waiting for a check-up

Proof that Ron is taller in Mexico

Walking

Josiah1 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:28:56 +0000

Thanksgiving day 2008.

Today I started walking!!!

Caleb´s 1st Blog

Caleb — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:12:14 +0000

My name is Caleb Josuè Mouser. My parents moved to Arriaga, Chiapas Mexico on October 19th of 2008 when I was 2 years old… and this is my blog.

Leaving your spouse – not your kids

Ivonne — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:00:37 +0000

From the Therapist’s Desk
EASING THE PAIN OF DIVORCE FOR CHILDREN

Today I went to court for a child custody case for one of my clients. I was reminded once again of the ugliness of divorce. Children are often the ones who pay the consequences. Each week they come in to my sessions so broken over mommy and daddy not being together anymore. I know that divorces are a reality in our country. Here are some things that could maybe help ease the pain of divorce on children.

Remember:
Your children carry the same number of Chromosomes from each of you. When you criticize each other you are in many ways attacking the child’s own DNA.

When you decide to stop loving your partner, it does not give you the right to stop loving your children.

Child support is not due because your partner hates you. It is your responsibility to continue to financially support your children. The 20% of your income is probably not enough to take care of them so don’t think that there is extra for your partner to use.

Children often feel guilty about the divorce. You can help by not making them take responsibility for things that do not correspond to them.

Don’t tell children secrets to keep from the other parent. When you do is as if you were putting a backpack full of bricks on them and then telling them to hide it.

At times you will be inconvenienced just accept this as part of it because your children did not choose to live in two different households.

Children thrive when there is structure. They need to know when and where they are going to be. Provide them with a calendar and do your best to keep the schedule.

Be sensitive when introducing children to a new partner. Children most of the time fantasize about their parents getting back together. The new relationship is viewed as a threat therefore it will not be easily accepted.

Never ask children “who would you rather live with?” Children most of the time have no choice over this and often this question just makes them feel like they are betraying the other parent.

In sharing information ask yourself and be honest “why am I sharing this with my child?” if it’s just to vent then please call a friend

When they are with you act as if they are always there and make the most of it. Don’t try to make up for lost time. Play with them, and reassure them that you are still their mommy/daddy who will ALWAYS love them.

Our Christmas Newsletter

Ivonne — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:00:27 +0000

This year we had another baby boy, Josiah Levi. Two boys under two = little sleep, piles of dirty diapers, constant commotion and plenty of giggles. They fill our lives with so much joy and we are so thankful to our God for them.
As many of you already know, during Thanksgiving we took a trip down to southern Mexico to visit the ministry where Ron previously worked. He got the opportunity to preach, teach and do some baptisms. The ministry, which started as just a Bible school, now consists of a school, church and an orphanage with 17 children. Among the precious kids, I met a young girl who was sexually abused by her father. During our one on one time she really opened up to me and I was able to help her process her feelings. The next day she gave me the biggest hug to express what words just couldn’t say. It reminded me again of God’s sovereign hand on my own life, and how I always knew that he brought me out of Honduras with a purpose of someday helping children who are in the same position I was in.
This wonderful trip defined the next step for our family. Through much prayer, we have decided to move to Chiapas, Mexico. There are still many unanswered questions but we know our Father, in His timing, will reveal all of the details. Please pray for God’s grace in our lives as we begin this journey of faith… a journey we are excited to take.

– Ron, Ivonne & the boys