tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42305234977653281102024-03-13T22:51:57.554-06:00SURELYAn account of our journey as we follow God's call in Mexico and beyond. Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-19459823149725287972020-04-18T15:45:00.003-05:002020-04-18T15:45:27.525-05:00Guaymas 2020<br />
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Guaymas 2020</div>
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The year of the
Optometrist</div>
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-By Dr. Luke-</div>
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What an interesting way to start a
trip...on the way down to Mexico, in Arizona, we stopped to eat at a
restaurant and there was a crash right out front. Bob, a retired
police officer, and I ran to the scene to make sure everyone was ok.
I called 911 and we checked on everyone...thank the Lord, only the
vehicles were badly damaged. We went back inside when the police and
fire trucks showed up. The crew from Chicago flew into Arizona, I
drove to meet them and we all rented buses for the last 5-6 hours of
the trip south to Mexico.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doctor Dave and I</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvLTAMA7iz3vk4OvD_aFVe3CWnNcO3rRTuNtal8gMjjNh2bdcequPsTSbZxCB4EIW_i6DY_XqZmOgPw_2Ts77T74Fl-XQ_bhKudvObtvdywH3VF6W9iSOShCZhk5KkN4deAQVYQxq9uOk/s1600/2019-12-28+09.23.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvLTAMA7iz3vk4OvD_aFVe3CWnNcO3rRTuNtal8gMjjNh2bdcequPsTSbZxCB4EIW_i6DY_XqZmOgPw_2Ts77T74Fl-XQ_bhKudvObtvdywH3VF6W9iSOShCZhk5KkN4deAQVYQxq9uOk/s320/2019-12-28+09.23.05.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was a truly wonderful week with such
good friends, new and old! It was and is always a pleasure to work
with Dr. Dave. He was the one that invited me to my first ever
mission trip and he holds such a special place in my heart. Dr.
Brittany was there too...she was on the first trip also. The three
of us ended up being the only docs on the trip, as the students were
unable to make it this year. The rest of the team was incredible as
we worked together to see around 800 patients in 7 days...wow!</div>
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There were so many patients that were
blind from cataracts. The body of Christ that the team came from
pays for the surgery for each and every one that needs it...what a
blessing! I saw one sweet patient that had a genetic disease that
caused gradual blindness from the periphery to the center, one with a
cancerous tumor on her optic nerve, and one with a malignant tumor on
the front of his eye.<br />
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Those cases always make me feel sad and heavy.
It's not good news to share with them, but it does amaze me each
time to see the strength in these beautiful people when they realize
that this life is not the end. Their story, and mine, will not end
here. That thought gives me such hope.</div>
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I'm so thankful at this time
for what the Lord has done for me. I remember that He has saved me,
He has bought me, and He has cleansed me with His blood that He shed
on the cross.</div>
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“My hope is found in
nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness.”
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-22135920863774592612019-11-08T09:46:00.001-06:002019-11-08T09:46:31.227-06:00Casa De Esperanza, San Carlos, Mexico<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Casa
De Esperanza, San Carlos, Mexico</b></span></div>
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-By Dr. Luke-</div>
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My dad called me earlier this year and
said, “Son, I've been learning Spanish, and I want to use it and go
build something!” So I began calling some friends in Mexico and
seeing what they needed help on. Several of them had jobs that would
be better for a large group of people, but I ended up speaking with
Brenda and Art in San Carlos. They run a missionary support center
there in Mexico, and that was were I stayed on my very first mission
trip. Neither Dad nor I had any idea what kind of work we would be
doing...we were just eager to help.
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We met at the airport in Phoenix and
flew down to Hermosillo in Mexico where a great friend, Juan Carlos,
picked us up and drove us the last hour and a half to the Casa.
After speaking with him, we decided to go to an English speaking
church and then to a Mexican Community Outreach Center that works
with foster children, feeds the neighborhood children, and also has
church services during the week.
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Luke 8:40-56 was the subject of the
sermon at the English speaking church, and the Pastor did such an
amazing job. He illustrated the parallels between Jairus' problem
and our problems today; how we doubt, we despair, and we get
depressed, but Jesus continues doing His work to His glory.
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The Outreach Center, Cuidad de Refugio,
had a guest speaker that morning, and she did an amazing job also.
She spoke of Daniel and how we are to be men and women of intentional
integrety. What a great Sunday it was! After this service, Dad and
I changed clothes and hopped on the roof of the Center to paint it
with a special paint called impermebilizante.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad painting the roof while Juan Carlos 'supervises' </td></tr>
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The rest of the work that we did was
back at the Casa. During the quick 5 day trip, we ended up doing many
of the jobs that these amazing people just don't have the time to do.
Almost every week they have large groups there and they have to cook
and feed, clean, entertain, and host, which takes all they have to
give with precious little 'down time' between groups.
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Dad and I ended up fixing a toilet, a
water heater, a swing set, a dishwasher, painting a freezer, emptying
trailers full of supplies into the bodega, moving RV's around, and we
painted and repaired the fountain in the courtyard. The staff was so
hospitable and my favorite thing to do there was to sit and speak
with them and Dad to hear stories and share testimonies. It is
always so wonderful to spend time with these brothers and sisters in
Christ. My father and I also went to celebrate our birthdays
together. We ate some amazing food (Mexican food is our favorite!)
and even found a Dairy Queen down there to get a blizzard for
dessert. In the evenings, Dad and I got to sit out on the balcony of
our room and talk about whatever came to mind...those were neat
moments.
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It was a great trip and I'm looking
forward to returning for the Optometry mission later this year. It
touched my heart to receive this text from Brenda a few days after we
returned to our homes: “Luke, thanks again for all your help, but
thanks more for your visit, your friendship and your spurring us on
to righteousness and good deeds. Love you brother.” It was my
pleasure. I love you all too!</div>
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Psalm 133:1 -Behold, how
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-26339941196840134172019-09-01T10:06:00.000-05:002019-09-01T10:06:00.179-05:00Serving the Lord in Peru<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A
late start to Pucallpa, Peru</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>-By Dr. Luke-</b></span></div>
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Nine friends from Calvary Chapel and I
had planned a trip to Peru. We woke up early Sunday morning and
headed up to the Albuquerque Airport for our flight, and when we got
there, they notified us that our flight from Peru to Dallas had
broken down. The soonest they could get us on another flight would
be Thursday! “Alright Father,” I thought, “I prayed that Your
will would be done, and that means I can't complain when it is done!”
We gathered together in the Airport and Pastor Ray prayed with the
team and for our travels. We all went to our own homes and waited to
hear from the Lord. Late that night, as I was getting ready for bed,
my phone rang...it was Ray. The Airlines had gotten us all on a
plane the next morning (Monday) at 11:00 a.m. to LAX and then from
LAX to Peru at 9:00 p.m. “God is good!,” I said and went to bed
after enjoying a bonus night with my wife and kids.
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Everything was so smooth at the ABQ
airport and we arrived at LAX without any trouble. We were able to
eat at In and Out Burger there in L.A. and made it back to the
airport with hours of time to spare. We were told that the plane had
just had the tires changed and we boarded around 9:00 pm. We sat on
the plane for over an hour and the captain came on the speaker and
informed us that we all weighed too much to allow the workers to
remove the jack from the airplane landing gear. We all had to leave
the plane and let them try and remove the jack. They could not!
Hours passed, many employees came and left, many 'engineers' came
and kicked the tire and left. Eventually, at 4:00 am, they canceled
the flight. They arranged for a hotel stay and rescheduled everyone
(almost 400 passengers) for 8:00 pm the following day (Tuesday now).
We were starting to think that perhaps God wanted us to stay home!
It was frustrating at this point, but we went to the hotel and
checked in at 5:30 am. The hotel informed us that the airline had
paid for the night, but no meals would be covered and our checkout
time was 12:00...uggg. The team checked into our rooms and 'enjoyed'
a few hours of sleep. Ray had negotiated a checkout time of 1:00 pm
on Tuesday and we all met in the lobby then and headed back up to the
airport.
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We gathered together at one of the
hotel restaurants, prayed, ate and had wonderful fellowship together.
As frustrating as the trip had been so far, we were still in high
spirits and ready to serve! We boarded the plane and left on time to
Lima. At Lima, 8 hours later, we boarded another plane to Pucallpa.
An hour and a half flight and 2 days late but we had arrived!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-2FUi-pIsPKSw0NW-DnwcUufLt8seHoZpsOQikmQB1KoGn4nXTtVeT8cO6EHb_ZHzJmIFs_ingYLIMWQWCJUlOLFGIUXyG1LHurSlNLzMBTUMxRCSAUiZm7gOPbw9r45pN0ZY9qSAJNR/s1600/2019-06-19+13.10.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-2FUi-pIsPKSw0NW-DnwcUufLt8seHoZpsOQikmQB1KoGn4nXTtVeT8cO6EHb_ZHzJmIFs_ingYLIMWQWCJUlOLFGIUXyG1LHurSlNLzMBTUMxRCSAUiZm7gOPbw9r45pN0ZY9qSAJNR/s200/2019-06-19+13.10.35.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praise the Lord...we finally made it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pucallpa is a beautiful city of almost
half a million inhabitants in the middle of the Amazon rain forest.
Up until a few years ago, the only way to reach the town was by plane
or by river. The climate is extremely humid and pretty much hot year
round. Even though June is their winter, it was 90 degrees and 90%
humidity there. Being two days late, we had no idea how we would be
able to do everything that we had planned to do. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLGaqT9cyEe1efFlfYF8j1lNLFxFFbFN4R4EdWu8IxCRTJldYXwbaP-ROuxw0T4eLE-DHGqaI-1kQ0jeE8x9jqSpjcmiCp5IAsi2boo-fFQbCulMMqA0Fves6Y5toP1iH68ze-tCDKN4D/s1600/2019-06-19+17.56.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLGaqT9cyEe1efFlfYF8j1lNLFxFFbFN4R4EdWu8IxCRTJldYXwbaP-ROuxw0T4eLE-DHGqaI-1kQ0jeE8x9jqSpjcmiCp5IAsi2boo-fFQbCulMMqA0Fves6Y5toP1iH68ze-tCDKN4D/s200/2019-06-19+17.56.45.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of new sanctuary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwMkw31os5apqx_WAxl62L59MdulZwzMSUfWxJ0PLITnya9Tbvwtz7ThRNi-qqu-mQFJV5epRpZNo6if_hGiIXSkFjU2lpIc7ZWrolKFrYt4BsJvLgc8i2e3vhyphenhyphen8-RXPifDk6W9tMCOPt/s1600/2019-06-19+17.58.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwMkw31os5apqx_WAxl62L59MdulZwzMSUfWxJ0PLITnya9Tbvwtz7ThRNi-qqu-mQFJV5epRpZNo6if_hGiIXSkFjU2lpIc7ZWrolKFrYt4BsJvLgc8i2e3vhyphenhyphen8-RXPifDk6W9tMCOPt/s200/2019-06-19+17.58.59.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside new sanctuary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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God had put it on
our hearts to have a marriage conference, a children's vacation bible
school, a women's tea meeting, to pour a concrete floor and get
electricity hooked up for a new meeting place that is much larger
than the one that had, and to encourage the church there by showing
them that we love them and have been praying for them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92RpZ4t9hMRJzXsZx9bzOvOmVlKRFrWNbhRWaJHwYmNxXnz-ovejWfE7YIT5LtULOOCMA2VpvDZ2euY2k_u_7Dicj315FrjdMsqboN4NYRkHKWPU0VzrfUaOlZpra25GR_g3FdzBf39wh/s1600/2019-06-20+20.20.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92RpZ4t9hMRJzXsZx9bzOvOmVlKRFrWNbhRWaJHwYmNxXnz-ovejWfE7YIT5LtULOOCMA2VpvDZ2euY2k_u_7Dicj315FrjdMsqboN4NYRkHKWPU0VzrfUaOlZpra25GR_g3FdzBf39wh/s200/2019-06-20+20.20.13.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">marriage conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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The Lord moved in a mighty way there
and we began work on pouring the concrete floor. That was some hard
work! We had to load sand and rocks into the mixer and the
professionals added bags of cement and water. The floor was poured
and colored blue at the request of the church's pastor, Caesar. I
still don't know how it happened so quickly, but I did have several
scrapes, bruises, burns and felt the aches the next morning! We
watched the children the next night while Pastors Ray, Caesar, and
Mike spoke at a marriage conference. There were around 20 couples
that made it and walked away feeling blessed. The next few days, we
finished up wiring 12 lights on 2 switches, 8 outlets for fans and 3
other outlets for sound and video. The women's tea was a blessing
for 80 ladies that were in the church's community.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWOlbfR51forKjN61QWvcZ3cGAwnEw5PdjqXEpV4f_WJa55_VRgaSyC2f9ig4g-w4CkODi5Q6_Jr_w1DP2lhV0gVFck4O0QFaefjCipD8b6-bu20h3ujVHDjEG-mhm_o7u3tVLpFoT-AY/s1600/2019-06-21+14.44.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWOlbfR51forKjN61QWvcZ3cGAwnEw5PdjqXEpV4f_WJa55_VRgaSyC2f9ig4g-w4CkODi5Q6_Jr_w1DP2lhV0gVFck4O0QFaefjCipD8b6-bu20h3ujVHDjEG-mhm_o7u3tVLpFoT-AY/s200/2019-06-21+14.44.23.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring the floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2aD6dZ8fJSEXsbspmcrVRnKmDMZRbVQh0AjaGQMBr-dgZm7YHGAPX4UpuVt-ORwXQ60OtOEjvPeOvouH9t7oI_Y-uQcwjQ5UwZYTGqbsiDIzJI2o52TYT9RtONIqvKTaUqsb17CYFdm_/s1600/2019-06-21+14.02.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2aD6dZ8fJSEXsbspmcrVRnKmDMZRbVQh0AjaGQMBr-dgZm7YHGAPX4UpuVt-ORwXQ60OtOEjvPeOvouH9t7oI_Y-uQcwjQ5UwZYTGqbsiDIzJI2o52TYT9RtONIqvKTaUqsb17CYFdm_/s200/2019-06-21+14.02.53.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had to shovel dirt and rocks into the mixer<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89ivYrIgYcHhvvvrQnXNvJkG6XHK2og8iIAPGvS277H8bapfNOoZiFZf7hyphenhyphenp1mcTPAYlfhF2C2IOYSPl1taJiyUuVlWOyAet7eIw_O3OBIRKobYxOL7Q-zwAkzhmKOLFOAa-o6tlJVTsT/s1600/2019-06-21+08.35.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89ivYrIgYcHhvvvrQnXNvJkG6XHK2og8iIAPGvS277H8bapfNOoZiFZf7hyphenhyphenp1mcTPAYlfhF2C2IOYSPl1taJiyUuVlWOyAet7eIw_O3OBIRKobYxOL7Q-zwAkzhmKOLFOAa-o6tlJVTsT/s200/2019-06-21+08.35.04.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pros did the mixing and poured it into wheelbarrows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Towards the end of the trip, I had the
opportunity to speak to Pastor Caesar's wife, Brigitte. I wanted to
know from her perspective how our presence impacted her personally.
As I approached her, I said, “Brigitte, I hope you know that we are
not doing this on behalf of America, New Mexico, Belen, Calvary
Chapel, or our families. We are doing this because God has called us
to be here. He has chosen us from the hundreds that were invited,
and we have answered that call. We answered that call because we
love Jesus, we love His church, and we want to show that love and to
obey His command of the Great Commission.” As she began to cry,
she told me that we were an answer to almost 18 years of prayers.
They have prayed for someone to help them, someone to see and know
that they were there, and someone to reach out and help to do God's
work. They have been praying specifically over the past several
years for God to help them with a bigger place to meet. They had
outgrown their small concrete patio and had begun to work on a much
larger space that had cement columns and a sheet metal roof. We were
an answer to their cries. She explained that, from her perspective,
we were workers that the Lord had personally sent as a demonstration
of His love for the church there. We ended the conversation in tears
and with a hug she went on her way to serve the women at there new
sanctuary.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi291eaeK_AjID8NcVG_P4UWpZ7N19TUtPtvwT8xOsMqclWYhf3gZuqfCJQhF2x4GbTMUpUMNJ9UbiDzGqRYY-yp9Ff1fRQVIldfuDBrv72o-CfE8poVUn5GQCYBVMJTmhfcFWIWzpgphTh/s1600/2019-06-23+10.23.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi291eaeK_AjID8NcVG_P4UWpZ7N19TUtPtvwT8xOsMqclWYhf3gZuqfCJQhF2x4GbTMUpUMNJ9UbiDzGqRYY-yp9Ff1fRQVIldfuDBrv72o-CfE8poVUn5GQCYBVMJTmhfcFWIWzpgphTh/s200/2019-06-23+10.23.44.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday service in the new sanctuary </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawAWbw9WgtLENt_eAatItNepNPvm32adj8MmnuizYJm0SveiwnQ0yW2iUe6SGywgx127pZ-tUIyrZiyDE3MyWsuYdyXgf_7PboMfH77GteoW17X5zZaaQ7isze9qefQIodeRgTCGazb0Z/s1600/2019-06-20+17.06.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawAWbw9WgtLENt_eAatItNepNPvm32adj8MmnuizYJm0SveiwnQ0yW2iUe6SGywgx127pZ-tUIyrZiyDE3MyWsuYdyXgf_7PboMfH77GteoW17X5zZaaQ7isze9qefQIodeRgTCGazb0Z/s200/2019-06-20+17.06.39.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil and I with our switches, outlets, and light fixtures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PNkIK_0hCT7OPWiD5kLjDOZ440PP8Pm1H78ZMMNF1y_bIbsI_QUkC3RHk9tS8GK5OO6GUN2EGsCIkyrWtVsjOFLQSAOwsm4heY-htByhKd_B467UsBojid-FPW-wvIWC6EglNubz4OG6/s1600/2019-06-24+12.26.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PNkIK_0hCT7OPWiD5kLjDOZ440PP8Pm1H78ZMMNF1y_bIbsI_QUkC3RHk9tS8GK5OO6GUN2EGsCIkyrWtVsjOFLQSAOwsm4heY-htByhKd_B467UsBojid-FPW-wvIWC6EglNubz4OG6/s200/2019-06-24+12.26.57.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brightest building on the block!</td></tr>
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Danielle and I had to leave early
after church on Sunday to work and, thanks be to God, the trip back
was smooth and easy! I learned so much about the wonderful people of
Peru and enjoyed the atmosphere, the culture, the food and the
fellowship. My prayer is that the Lord will open doors and allow me
to return to serve Him there soon. I am so thankful for the
experiences that He has allowed me to live through and it still
brings me such joy to serve Jesus Christ, my Master and my Savior.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjP3mf759JXj024iaFmNDCzSjzTPIAI2qN9edeS7envkj6R9xS_shqHI5Oa6BvWReG6lk00NK3dBNb4RqrpNWwd92tZxqQb5xoK8r5Cyvm73kwf8mFZ6jebWphXsZ74AuO7u1pBuF-I7n/s1600/2019-06-19+17.55.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjP3mf759JXj024iaFmNDCzSjzTPIAI2qN9edeS7envkj6R9xS_shqHI5Oa6BvWReG6lk00NK3dBNb4RqrpNWwd92tZxqQb5xoK8r5Cyvm73kwf8mFZ6jebWphXsZ74AuO7u1pBuF-I7n/s200/2019-06-19+17.55.15.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGO90IAm2eeizDVQC0Zyq3vEZOi72RJGhdmBD_zmVcYfjqGAYEPz8UfN2CF0pBxvllx7Xg8VoaIa7GpMfewpufi09t184A8zU_0a3DNXJ-6M7MuV8op17DfKJ_3Hd3ZXuootBJ_2h4rHn/s1600/2019-06-20+11.57.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGO90IAm2eeizDVQC0Zyq3vEZOi72RJGhdmBD_zmVcYfjqGAYEPz8UfN2CF0pBxvllx7Xg8VoaIa7GpMfewpufi09t184A8zU_0a3DNXJ-6M7MuV8op17DfKJ_3Hd3ZXuootBJ_2h4rHn/s320/2019-06-20+11.57.02.jpg" width="320" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-67215670806968401712019-05-26T15:41:00.000-05:002019-05-26T15:41:31.790-05:002019 Ukraine Mission Trip<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2019 Visit to Ukraine</span></div>
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I've had a complaint/request or two about too many pictures and not enough stories so I'll change it up and be more descriptive this time!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF0UaQd43n9ija_veR5_19VBnfqy0tk1dCK6xa5r29WiDfHwzI7r6Hzozw_oP6c1sDS0CldJ9vAGcnQQEYqvFzCtyBlx-V3rxe0dH-TzC2-4GLrhSAb-1pft6_dcTpLj7W7IPeihIZPD0/s1600/2019-05-11+01.42.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF0UaQd43n9ija_veR5_19VBnfqy0tk1dCK6xa5r29WiDfHwzI7r6Hzozw_oP6c1sDS0CldJ9vAGcnQQEYqvFzCtyBlx-V3rxe0dH-TzC2-4GLrhSAb-1pft6_dcTpLj7W7IPeihIZPD0/s320/2019-05-11+01.42.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Luke and Dr. Dave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Ukraine with a group of short-term missionaries from Indiana. We went to setup an Eye Care Clinic there and serve the local population in a city called Korosten. The city itself has a population of around 60,000 people. It had a delightful small-town feel with well kept local parks and the city was rich in history. We arrived Saturday afternoon, offloaded our equipment and tried to adjust to the +9 hour time difference. Sunday morning, we attended church then went to the House of Culture (Civic Center) to set up clinic. We saw around 65 patients that day and worked out some of the kinks of the clinic. Monday through Friday were very busy days and the clinic ran from around 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. We averaged around 160 patients per day! On Wednesday, a few from the group went to a remote village and saw around 50 patients as well. All in all, we ended up seeing around 1,000 patients in 5.5 days!. The best part, to me, was that each patient was sent to get glasses, then the Gospel of salvation was presented to each and every one of these dear people! We worked closely with two different local churches that will be in contact will all who were seen. I love doing the work of 'seed planting' and knowing that there is a great team staying to 'water' the seeds and the Lord will make them grow (Matthew 28:19).</div>
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The church I went with is Village Evangelical Free Church and they support mission work in various locations. They support Mission Eurasia which was the group that so wonderfully hosted us. I've rarely seen such hospitality in my life! Nadia, Sergii, Valentina and the staff at the Seminary of Practical Theology made our stay so comfortable. I enjoyed the food, loved the culture, and the fact that you could find espresso machines everywhere! We also worked with a local ophthalmologist, Dr. Elena, who was so very nice, so helpful, and grateful that we were there. She helped Dr. Dave with translation and will be helping us with getting the glasses filled locally that we did not have from the Lion's club donations. I enjoyed getting to meet every patient they sent me, but I will share a few of the 'highlights' from the patients that stuck out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGdDhOXPCzEQPhEgMaFEjvtNg845hxzQ9y2fkGsbutsl8bXGYKMeGqkoIJAcSaa36gBkhn4A3zQfKKbr1nmQrkETFmlg409nRV8124lIyxcqCYnei1JrrVlhxlLV85pmoZ5e7CwzOB-KI/s1600/2019-05-15+11.01.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGdDhOXPCzEQPhEgMaFEjvtNg845hxzQ9y2fkGsbutsl8bXGYKMeGqkoIJAcSaa36gBkhn4A3zQfKKbr1nmQrkETFmlg409nRV8124lIyxcqCYnei1JrrVlhxlLV85pmoZ5e7CwzOB-KI/s200/2019-05-15+11.01.08.jpg" width="200" /></a>The clinic was wonderfully organized by Lance Davids and Valentina. They had a structure in place and would only let in about 20 patients per hour. There was a woman that apparently didn't know the rules...or at least she knew that they didn't apply to her! She stormed into the clinic waving her cane around and demanding to be seen, but she wasn't on the list. The poor folks at the check-in station managed to calm her down enough to explain to her that she wasn't on the list, we might could possibly see her, but she may have to wait for a long time to get in. She seemed fine with that....for about 5 minutes then she was up and hassling the crew once more. Finally, Lance gave in to her request. He said she could get in, but would have no more than 5 minutes with the doctors...that still makes me smile. She reluctantly agreed and in she came. Lance came back to the doctors station and gave us the 'heads up' about this patient. By the time she came back to see me, she had her vision checked at distance and near, her medical history taken, her blood pressure and blood sugar taken, and had sat at a machine that gives me a 'guess' of what her glasses rx will be. She was elated! I could see her smile from ear to ear as she sat in front of me. I said a prayer and took a look into her eyes...Praise the Lord! Her blood sugar was 385, but her eyes looked wonderful. I had to let her know how bad her diabetes was, and how she should visit her primary care doc and get it under control, but I thanked the Lord that all she needed from my station was some reading glasses. Nadia and I sent her out of the clinic and on to get her reading glasses and then into the auditorium to hear the Good News. She was tearful and thankful that we could get her in and received the Gospel with all readiness of mind and heart (Acts 17:11)!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nadia, Dr. Luke and Sergii<br />(My wonderful translators)</td></tr>
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The second story I'd like to share is about a sweet young mother that I'm still praying for. Nataliya is a 33 year old mother with a 9 year old girl. She was born deaf, and came in with a deaf family member and an appointed nurse from the county. The nurse would translate spoken Ukrainian to sign language, then her family member would sign into Nataliya's palm of her hand so she could communicate. She had won my heart instantly and I began praying. I put on my ophthalmoscope to exam the inside of her eyes and, to my suprise I could not see past her lens. She had two of the thickest cataracts I've ever seen. I sat back and explained to her that I could not see her retina or behind the lens in her eye to tell if her eyes were healthy. I mentioned that we have a test we could do that would 'see' past the cataract and let us know something about the health of her retinas. She was beaming at the slightest glimmer of hope. I asked her if I could pray for her, she said yes. I asked her if she believed in Jesus, she said yes. I asked her if she believed her faith could heal her, she said yes. I held her small head in my hands, placed my thumbs over her eyelids and I prayed my heart out! I prayed to the Great Physician and the Healer of all healers. I believed, she believed and as the prayer ended, I sat back and looked at her. God did not choose at that moment to give her back her sight. He did not restore her vision to completeness as I had prayed, but He did move. He moved my heart, the hearts of all involved were affected. I looked at my translator and she was crying, the nurse, the family member and Nataliya were all as teary eyed as this weary doctor was, and we were moved. We could not speak the same language, we could not hear or see one another, but our hearts were full of compassion, mercy, and the gratefulness that God's grace could bring. I was a bit sad that God did not perform a physical miracle that day, but I did tell her that we could have the test on her eyes done soon. That evening, I spoke with Dr. Dave about the case, and he said, “What are we waiting for?! Let's get this done while we are here!”. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vWaU6bpA44ZIFYhBui1frE1NOrfdlMvdjzEBdR3Uuo2dzVpMCYMPexvUiEAHE5-ykH1p05tNsOIGhdvTEOGjB8UrB7jMuNxxHyaFqRuSFWZhpT8RSh3zVhsThXwGp_X7jK-2XlobBJtY/s1600/2019-05-16+19.54.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vWaU6bpA44ZIFYhBui1frE1NOrfdlMvdjzEBdR3Uuo2dzVpMCYMPexvUiEAHE5-ykH1p05tNsOIGhdvTEOGjB8UrB7jMuNxxHyaFqRuSFWZhpT8RSh3zVhsThXwGp_X7jK-2XlobBJtY/s200/2019-05-16+19.54.56.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nataliya's B-Scan and the<br />diagnosis <br />"Total Retinal Detachment"</td></tr>
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He spoke with Dr. Elena and Nataliya was scheduled for the B-scan at 10:00 am the following morning. I'm still impressed! Nadia, my interpreter on this case, brought me the scan the next morning and stated that the doctor that did the scan was impressed that we would even take on her case. He stated that it would be amazing if anything could be done. I took a look at the scans...*gulp* I had the writing translated from Ukranian and read the line “total retinal detachments in both eyes”. With a retinal detachment, the surgeons will typically say that you have anywhere from 24-48 hours to get the retina reattached or the tissue begins to die. Nataliya's retinas had probably begun detaching 9 years ago. I prayed again then went in to speak with Dr. Elena. I told her that I had physically done all I am allowed to do, that I was turning the case over to her, and I would continue lifting Nataliya up in prayer. After sharing her story with Dr. Elena, she felt convicted to perform cataract surgery on Nataliya. I spoke with her friend today, and she stated that Dr. Elena is working on scheduling with a retinal surgeon to have them work together. I will continue to pray for Dr. Elena and Nataliya and I know that God can work all things and does work all things for good in those who love Him! (Romans 8:28)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ciO-qgONp_85k29YLIUdDsUkedJUnMKHqE_7s1c7TQLQ648F2xC5aTBrJ67TSo7miesix0H-rylZxdoA6qE_PLhxfHMKTouKm8QlTL5fBea-EKaGmhyphenhyphenYIMQ2GaFQREaX_uBHMe22Aa90/s1600/2019-05-16+18.25.34-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ciO-qgONp_85k29YLIUdDsUkedJUnMKHqE_7s1c7TQLQ648F2xC5aTBrJ67TSo7miesix0H-rylZxdoA6qE_PLhxfHMKTouKm8QlTL5fBea-EKaGmhyphenhyphenYIMQ2GaFQREaX_uBHMe22Aa90/s200/2019-05-16+18.25.34-1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Cataract Drops <br />(either one "works" great)</td></tr>
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The last story I'll share now is about a small older man in his early 70's. His name was Ivan, and he came to the clinic on Friday afternoon...we were almost done. Ivan had worked for the government of Ukraine in helping with clean up after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. He had such a positive attitude despite all his poor eyes had seen. He told me that he had been diagnosed with floaters in his eyes and a doctor gave him a prescription for iodine eye drops...yes...iodine eye drops. They burnt his eyes terribly and turned them yellow but he thought that maybe they were helping a little bit. I asked him if he still had the floaters and he said yes. I asked him if he had fewer floaters, and he said no. Goodness gracious. He was also using drops in both eyes to get rid of cataracts. Uggg. I do honestly wish there was a magical drop like this. It was almost humorous at this point as he was about the 500<sup>th</sup>patient that was on the magic drops (someone is making money on these!). Call me unprofessional, but I guess Ivan could see the look on my face and he just started laughing. I started laughing with him and we both simply enjoyed a small stress relieving moment during an otherwise heavy day. After I had checked his floaters and his cataracts and explained to him what was going on he got very quiet. He leaned into the interpreter and I and whispered, “May I ask you a question? I mean, it may seem very strange, but I am serious.” At this point, I was pretty much ready for whatever Ivan could throw at me so I said, “sure...go ahead”. He spoke for about a minute to my interpreter then she turned to me and asked, “are you sure you're ready for this?!” “I am,” I said and kind of chuckled a bit. She told me that this sweet man had been told that you can grab a fresh worm from the ground...pinch it by the head and slide your fingers down its body squeezing out the juices. Then you take the juices and....(wait for it)...put them in your eye. He wanted to know if that would really help get rid of his cataracts. We sat in silence for about 30 seconds, and I am sorry to say, but I lost it again. I lay my head back and laughed. He joined me laughing and we both joked about all the silly superstitions that our countries believed in. I thanked him for his service to the country during the clean up and for the compassion that he showed to his people and smiled as I watched him waddle off to get some glasses and a bible.</div>
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There is still much work to do, and we left a stack of papers with the local doctors there in Ukraine to follow up with surgeries. The Village church raises the money to pay for the glasses and surgeries in this town as well as the town we will go to in Mexico at the end of this year. I look forward to serving the Lord and seeing Dr. Dave down there too.</div>
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“Thank you Lord for such a great trip. </div>
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Thank you for opening my eyes to your people and the work you are doing there. </div>
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Thank you for letting me be a small part of your plan. </div>
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May your kingdom come soon, Lord. </div>
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I love you.”</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaB3Tn9txK55NB3RWSjASxHQ3MT-lkB5Gn17xBBDxkt8Kq7cRQE3Jbmd7JCePVcXTyMFdUHxKVf7-ufL3M6RW6e9oEQp4bhkmGXmMgU34IomyqVgUKaeFjw4OmLE2ZVV0Cg0xx8mBa7G0/s1600/2019-05-18+15.19.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaB3Tn9txK55NB3RWSjASxHQ3MT-lkB5Gn17xBBDxkt8Kq7cRQE3Jbmd7JCePVcXTyMFdUHxKVf7-ufL3M6RW6e9oEQp4bhkmGXmMgU34IomyqVgUKaeFjw4OmLE2ZVV0Cg0xx8mBa7G0/s320/2019-05-18+15.19.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Village Eye Mission Team<br /></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-58691925233356784622019-03-18T13:18:00.003-06:002019-03-18T13:18:45.820-06:002018 Amish in Mazatlan -by Dr. Luke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygkf4pikvd3k3g5vLU4O6JakvjHboYf54T125hp0HhGb4d8o3brf9_vFRY8-tv27Yn7lfuk8aW1Gkzukn5Yalix6DcUSXpH74Wr-xdcGoNIKKQuwOZFL5aVTj8JxbE4uZEXFY3z-K0nwU/s1600/2018-02-20+18.05.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygkf4pikvd3k3g5vLU4O6JakvjHboYf54T125hp0HhGb4d8o3brf9_vFRY8-tv27Yn7lfuk8aW1Gkzukn5Yalix6DcUSXpH74Wr-xdcGoNIKKQuwOZFL5aVTj8JxbE4uZEXFY3z-K0nwU/s200/2018-02-20+18.05.39.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoOg-AY2Zq46wkKrypaqmBLVOuOhux-KV7DhAbbNe9Epx4S6wHDZa9opd462ot94sxcmbLyxLlIlmxnDAovSlFJGNg6Z_h91RJA1FfWTFPyn02SRrVc8XX92bb5btGFOXCxzT7dB7vhHg/s1600/2018-02-11+15.17.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoOg-AY2Zq46wkKrypaqmBLVOuOhux-KV7DhAbbNe9Epx4S6wHDZa9opd462ot94sxcmbLyxLlIlmxnDAovSlFJGNg6Z_h91RJA1FfWTFPyn02SRrVc8XX92bb5btGFOXCxzT7dB7vhHg/s200/2018-02-11+15.17.23.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdUlc7E36NPHQDEyNq1lVeZ3yVJav6K0JVdljKLvHUq7tdyeOnCWXL0I7f-BbYHBWpTSXvC10Q7ZMfMeafQn-as1dO1P0Xi6U6_MJyzkiQC5QaOW386MX4TWc3JDDPCNrZTlZSG7Eq1zc/s1600/2018-02-21+13.36.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdUlc7E36NPHQDEyNq1lVeZ3yVJav6K0JVdljKLvHUq7tdyeOnCWXL0I7f-BbYHBWpTSXvC10Q7ZMfMeafQn-as1dO1P0Xi6U6_MJyzkiQC5QaOW386MX4TWc3JDDPCNrZTlZSG7Eq1zc/s200/2018-02-21+13.36.37.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that I would be helping managing a home-building project in Mexico with a team of Amish from Lancaster County! It truly is amazing what God has taken us through as we try to get ourselves out of His way and line our will up with His. <br />
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Phil Sauer (philsauer.com) contacted me at the end of last year and asked if I'd like to follow him around and help out in learning his trade. He is (at least) an electrical engineer and has such an amazing heart for teaching and a humility that shows Christ is in charge of his life. Phil and I have become good friends and I love to sit at his feet and attempt to 'soak in' all he has to share with me. When he asked if I'd like to join...I was so happy to say YES! I was able to fly down to Mazatlan a day before the Amish arrived and go over a few things with Phil. Here was our plan:<br />
1: help the YWAM base in Mazatlan with the Worship Center that was yet unfinished.<br />
2: help the base to increase the dorm space that they have to allow the training of 500 missionaries this coming year<br />
3: to build a home of hope for a new Christian family that was in need.<br />
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We had 37 Amish folks, Phil and I, and 10 days! No problem!<br />
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These guys are amazing! They work so hard, they work as a team, they don't complain, they love each other and they love the Lord.<br />
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The staff at YWAM Mazatlan found a family through a Christian Feeding Center in one of the Colonias outside the 'tourist' area of Mazatlan. These people live on very inexpensive land and are mostly crammed together in dramatically different living conditions. They have running water most nights for a few hours at sundown and have to take advantage of this time to fill their various 55 gallon drums. The water is undrinkable, but they use it to wash laundry, bathe, and to pour into the toilets when they need to 'flush'. They have drinkable water delivery once per day when a small pickup truck drives up to change out their 5-gallon plastic jugs. There is no sewer system set up and each house has a cistern to maintain. The homes do have a small amount of electricity to their homes (half of what a USA home would have) and one breaker controls the entire home.<br />
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The family that was chosen is a sweet one! The mother and father have two children, a 15 year old daughter and 10 year old boy. The father is a Mechanic's Assistant and makes 900 pesos per week (roughly $45). He was working most of the time we were on the build, and the children were in school. The mother was so kind to the team. She made us all ceviche the first day from fish and carrots, and iced muffins the second day! She told me that she spends 800 of the pesos on food each week and has to pay for water, electric, and clothes/shoes with the leftovers. They lived in a home built from various wood scraps which she told me were full of scorpions and spiders normally! Their roof is a hodgepodge of scrap metal, wood, and the plastic canvas that we use for bill boards in the States. They live in poverty, but you can tell they are good stewards of the little they have. It humbles me to see how they live, and shows me once again that 'poverty' is a mindset. You can live happily with little or with much. It all depends on how big your problems are compared to how big your God is. A sermon I heard recently mentioned that we should stop telling God how big our mountains of problems are, and tell our 'mountains' how big our God is!<br />
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The team took 2 days to build the home (normally it takes teams 3-4 days, but the Amish are amazing!) and dedicate it to the Lord. We had a ceremony and gave the keys and a bible to the husband and wife, then everyone went inside this tiny home and prayed for and encouraged this young family. What an amazing thing to be a part of!<br />
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I love being involved in God's work. Big or small, local or far away, long-term or short-term, it is so good to give and do in His name. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity and ability to help. He has given us all gifts and we should use those gifts to bring Him glory, for He alone is worthy. We have a good good Father and that is who He is!<br />
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I'll post some pictures of the progress with the Worship Center, and the building of the home of hope (http://www.ywamhomesofhope.org).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVnY4qvXiZhEns_Fme0CIS9M1gviZEVRf6RKMkSr37nP-Iif9R1Z4W19YRIdUoPsxVCzdoj-gkqVNJtz_SXSTFAcIO_jhg2MPPLkxG0Q0JDJSUQna6ggqhFHuExMSeDFKNTKM9LLrOPpw/s1600/2018-02-13+12.42.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVnY4qvXiZhEns_Fme0CIS9M1gviZEVRf6RKMkSr37nP-Iif9R1Z4W19YRIdUoPsxVCzdoj-gkqVNJtz_SXSTFAcIO_jhg2MPPLkxG0Q0JDJSUQna6ggqhFHuExMSeDFKNTKM9LLrOPpw/s320/2018-02-13+12.42.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 in the Worship Center</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_zYQuAdYozk4LoKI6pHjIQX810QIJfo_QuALAz5uCAdu_NhX1CXJMFolr_S6PZoCYr40NNbNKb1KEasqNkRP40GTnqHfQNCp4trqhvoC0jlN9V0Y6LsdoC_h0c7qnQaRxEJiYpO4oT0j/s1600/2018-02-14+09.20.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_zYQuAdYozk4LoKI6pHjIQX810QIJfo_QuALAz5uCAdu_NhX1CXJMFolr_S6PZoCYr40NNbNKb1KEasqNkRP40GTnqHfQNCp4trqhvoC0jlN9V0Y6LsdoC_h0c7qnQaRxEJiYpO4oT0j/s320/2018-02-14+09.20.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef3ZRVSzongmccXFwD7TyeBv446-sOn7DI-ZbeG1lC-2q7nF3kfn_t4OEXES-yGaEOt4aa2Gw5yL6z320S0XFiGLO8MpQ-FISTfDpStLLZSY9SEA9r-3QNwY0SDUK0Lzklh5WLO0B8ndw/s1600/2018-02-14+15.44.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef3ZRVSzongmccXFwD7TyeBv446-sOn7DI-ZbeG1lC-2q7nF3kfn_t4OEXES-yGaEOt4aa2Gw5yL6z320S0XFiGLO8MpQ-FISTfDpStLLZSY9SEA9r-3QNwY0SDUK0Lzklh5WLO0B8ndw/s320/2018-02-14+15.44.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Day 2 in the Worship Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZX-nhSoj0zVNzRNVTHMZY8VfsIoHhFw-3CGdLC5jiw07D58gV3LdwZnkcFeoe8rIwKnGUiGcmuD5vHHSrs7dPNFqhrohTDH2gFIRspo2arJfufYCqvsQ3kV7UN025HDxVxXqN0nKlcHy/s1600/2018-02-16+08.06.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZX-nhSoj0zVNzRNVTHMZY8VfsIoHhFw-3CGdLC5jiw07D58gV3LdwZnkcFeoe8rIwKnGUiGcmuD5vHHSrs7dPNFqhrohTDH2gFIRspo2arJfufYCqvsQ3kV7UN025HDxVxXqN0nKlcHy/s320/2018-02-16+08.06.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Day 3 in the Worship Center </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9Pl6By7p92dmMIGmmU4S0VxbTkqHaWycDSk9K3wjg1p-lOCL4MO5VHEi0lXQPaCY6e_k4l4ZX-Fp-FMqTbWm7cQBuI13gUO9adBbOEHQdFVjcABTNu2PjYVYZbAOCPROVelG9DMHHXSF/s1600/2018-02-17+10.31.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9Pl6By7p92dmMIGmmU4S0VxbTkqHaWycDSk9K3wjg1p-lOCL4MO5VHEi0lXQPaCY6e_k4l4ZX-Fp-FMqTbWm7cQBuI13gUO9adBbOEHQdFVjcABTNu2PjYVYZbAOCPROVelG9DMHHXSF/s320/2018-02-17+10.31.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3 in the Worship Center</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GCjPnrhVQbECV5DCnRNGeqMiUAB0xsfta9X1D1SAN2sP0OKtaS52734plEgrAwTdI_RHBzHjWpWJc7RU7vp9AmnmOBJNctIY6jf27tu6RAWybHETId3cNdcBcofCdajrLKoU4-Og7l52/s1600/2018-02-17+10.33.51-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GCjPnrhVQbECV5DCnRNGeqMiUAB0xsfta9X1D1SAN2sP0OKtaS52734plEgrAwTdI_RHBzHjWpWJc7RU7vp9AmnmOBJNctIY6jf27tu6RAWybHETId3cNdcBcofCdajrLKoU4-Og7l52/s320/2018-02-17+10.33.51-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3 in the Worship Center</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4KAE4MOLp-WgZ9F7krcTfwq-c1ZmSMvFGXH2F_X9hnb1xBzCc6hq_lf5QoozP1o5wqU9y54kxLRXYu6Pkf8vEtkxSbNelSooNIbE76QFuaACOWzgPQWBJIIK24LqU9skJ727gWUfXhIw/s1600/2018-02-23+08.23.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4KAE4MOLp-WgZ9F7krcTfwq-c1ZmSMvFGXH2F_X9hnb1xBzCc6hq_lf5QoozP1o5wqU9y54kxLRXYu6Pkf8vEtkxSbNelSooNIbE76QFuaACOWzgPQWBJIIK24LqU9skJ727gWUfXhIw/s320/2018-02-23+08.23.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final view of Worship Center...what a difference!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8ZpHROjPOmEFy7p2ebQJqgw4X8DgoJJTgE5PqdavCyhXigX7msdB-k__dj-PcJADb8Sj3RPg0yQecS8eDy1UmEnADkHt1wVg0kZIXexKW6TncVKPbJy0pJs66RNbYds2Rw839i8aGUPy/s1600/2018-02-19+08.29.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8ZpHROjPOmEFy7p2ebQJqgw4X8DgoJJTgE5PqdavCyhXigX7msdB-k__dj-PcJADb8Sj3RPg0yQecS8eDy1UmEnADkHt1wVg0kZIXexKW6TncVKPbJy0pJs66RNbYds2Rw839i8aGUPy/s320/2018-02-19+08.29.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 praying at the Home of Hope site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p1pTawmvHPy1PRX5bgTcAN2PoeD6DQdW1v0Qm1xbsmxyIHGm2NoW1eSt5s9c4QRt_XJUtCkdd-a98tthX-dWm2dSYVYITBuVf_WBgiZ8ZEwg8p2q6AmgjgL6AjrLgYivV_XDvKJUaQYc/s1600/2018-02-19+09.05.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p1pTawmvHPy1PRX5bgTcAN2PoeD6DQdW1v0Qm1xbsmxyIHGm2NoW1eSt5s9c4QRt_XJUtCkdd-a98tthX-dWm2dSYVYITBuVf_WBgiZ8ZEwg8p2q6AmgjgL6AjrLgYivV_XDvKJUaQYc/s320/2018-02-19+09.05.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying down the walls at the Home of Hope</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVJGk1LxAEEO2jsR6EHPZcW_HsLtnQofNyDDrf7Zy_hp-Pe5dgCp3sBKtkXnlfqYo_4DtJr762WeHeFBDdQJSLFra67tPPZ8Kfza8-nxyyDHjI6SNETNo1t0WioLhXNvwUa7oau7bWRZ1/s1600/2018-02-19+09.33.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVJGk1LxAEEO2jsR6EHPZcW_HsLtnQofNyDDrf7Zy_hp-Pe5dgCp3sBKtkXnlfqYo_4DtJr762WeHeFBDdQJSLFra67tPPZ8Kfza8-nxyyDHjI6SNETNo1t0WioLhXNvwUa7oau7bWRZ1/s320/2018-02-19+09.33.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the roof trusses and the siding at the Home of Hope</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2PZL92MQ7GTxnAn-8l8GPHsQMpG8_85oOb0jM2OskCM5Pj1z0EjX5R5XtJ9Jiy2JbjDo5OrKMry0IbFTupB_ocXr2UNSIAo8pIBW385wTJ1w-8E6-JS29JGyuva5q70ZK-xxebPDOB8f/s1600/2018-02-19+09.43.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2PZL92MQ7GTxnAn-8l8GPHsQMpG8_85oOb0jM2OskCM5Pj1z0EjX5R5XtJ9Jiy2JbjDo5OrKMry0IbFTupB_ocXr2UNSIAo8pIBW385wTJ1w-8E6-JS29JGyuva5q70ZK-xxebPDOB8f/s320/2018-02-19+09.43.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the tarantula in the breaker box? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbINRjJfP-JzZMUWe_0IDlbtqDlPzhCkOgJD3R2YwIJNZLxqLYllZIu3NGhLCLVPRJZ6Jg7nZXyNebjwjyV8cFhomHSGgxXAaaWK9hXMIXaF32TwF9x4SISp7sESbwl9PcLZEZavYRu7D/s1600/2018-02-19+11.00.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbINRjJfP-JzZMUWe_0IDlbtqDlPzhCkOgJD3R2YwIJNZLxqLYllZIu3NGhLCLVPRJZ6Jg7nZXyNebjwjyV8cFhomHSGgxXAaaWK9hXMIXaF32TwF9x4SISp7sESbwl9PcLZEZavYRu7D/s320/2018-02-19+11.00.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the old home built of spare wood and canvas roof</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3Q8zEvJwj1y-K5xJ1wZCkfa4BrDMgYk68eYbvsCseY5fj4o5mglTJ020gjMzsB7ojaHsBNECx3w_a74fdRT0vAwMW9UZUlhT4zeKw6hktrkbAPOkDSR3Fpmdfvybu2pd87PlxRrO8GvR/s1600/2018-02-19+13.38.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3Q8zEvJwj1y-K5xJ1wZCkfa4BrDMgYk68eYbvsCseY5fj4o5mglTJ020gjMzsB7ojaHsBNECx3w_a74fdRT0vAwMW9UZUlhT4zeKw6hktrkbAPOkDSR3Fpmdfvybu2pd87PlxRrO8GvR/s320/2018-02-19+13.38.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walls are put up</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJbxi833OxBuauJhs80jLhrbjc-tYrzGThIafWzu5257BuL8ksswQXM2Inf3ZhyphenhyphenECUEnbPs4IOJ4xEIijJO1gA404IaIcUwBGi75FriS3DYxtsegq-GCvrGvkLHqKFMfyBS58BkBFt6aT/s1600/2018-02-19+16.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJbxi833OxBuauJhs80jLhrbjc-tYrzGThIafWzu5257BuL8ksswQXM2Inf3ZhyphenhyphenECUEnbPs4IOJ4xEIijJO1gA404IaIcUwBGi75FriS3DYxtsegq-GCvrGvkLHqKFMfyBS58BkBFt6aT/s320/2018-02-19+16.21.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On with the siding, painted to the children's specification</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z6Sba03i-lntgseXUF1XWpO6pOEA0kuyxTxmJzsshnpMVHxGMWWeBNUvrZ5EpL_cTXq6p0mlGDI3KLFKzdKdta__Nf1Iu9Zg98OMeGdwB2ctufxtmiWzXlv7G1Nkrw3n5hvr1ffLAvPL/s1600/2018-02-20+11.09.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z6Sba03i-lntgseXUF1XWpO6pOEA0kuyxTxmJzsshnpMVHxGMWWeBNUvrZ5EpL_cTXq6p0mlGDI3KLFKzdKdta__Nf1Iu9Zg98OMeGdwB2ctufxtmiWzXlv7G1Nkrw3n5hvr1ffLAvPL/s320/2018-02-20+11.09.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On with the roof!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4wf37rduygYiItUbalkaqHyoxP4PBEGdVV-YfMqXUMDkVuWiJjKuu7Kr-6tW5yG4Yu2Gksf3e1KoIrQiDJF5kFcE05R_8wGs9h19nc7q5JeeT5k6mg3hpOO_pn-SKll0TJQVwtGkU1I/s1600/2018-02-20+15.29.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4wf37rduygYiItUbalkaqHyoxP4PBEGdVV-YfMqXUMDkVuWiJjKuu7Kr-6tW5yG4Yu2Gksf3e1KoIrQiDJF5kFcE05R_8wGs9h19nc7q5JeeT5k6mg3hpOO_pn-SKll0TJQVwtGkU1I/s320/2018-02-20+15.29.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finishing the inside details</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YJfY8bOIg2eMBto0EW4VxanUPDo29nidD0ZJ7lwUlGob9I7Fi2iPXwr4kK7mJGvgZTNhYBVe9RZ9Ebf5iIcATWs5G7NB_5J6yEqJNX9WvShU1pw-xy1trxnhQ7aUDOt1wW4Iq89y09yT/s1600/2018-02-20+16.52.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YJfY8bOIg2eMBto0EW4VxanUPDo29nidD0ZJ7lwUlGob9I7Fi2iPXwr4kK7mJGvgZTNhYBVe9RZ9Ebf5iIcATWs5G7NB_5J6yEqJNX9WvShU1pw-xy1trxnhQ7aUDOt1wW4Iq89y09yT/s320/2018-02-20+16.52.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of Hope dedication</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dDEfvNHt2SKMT-bhyphenhyphen-I_FRD4UeWMi4Es_LYcU8hIK-Qi9IzZFcLxdFX8m1fJa_tEPlnInEnvNHwl62RCpmNMt3BByBsgpi5OhArnygthCRYvZOkxnl43ox2tZhXGxJD6CYVVBgxLd37F/s1600/2018-02-20+16.55.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dDEfvNHt2SKMT-bhyphenhyphen-I_FRD4UeWMi4Es_LYcU8hIK-Qi9IzZFcLxdFX8m1fJa_tEPlnInEnvNHwl62RCpmNMt3BByBsgpi5OhArnygthCRYvZOkxnl43ox2tZhXGxJD6CYVVBgxLd37F/s320/2018-02-20+16.55.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Home of Hope dedication</td></tr>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTprCFjijnkT7WZQOcSHR_a5iR0JMJcG9OlJqahVTCHWNpxU0KJ0B1bCWGsfNglNLIjfcpvjzB4aDbsfaK2wkLJuPNT2SjZ50_8numo1vdPuQi5R4M6xCev3_odLiH5gZ6hFwdUwZ5sXw/s1600/2018-02-20+17.09.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTprCFjijnkT7WZQOcSHR_a5iR0JMJcG9OlJqahVTCHWNpxU0KJ0B1bCWGsfNglNLIjfcpvjzB4aDbsfaK2wkLJuPNT2SjZ50_8numo1vdPuQi5R4M6xCev3_odLiH5gZ6hFwdUwZ5sXw/s320/2018-02-20+17.09.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Home of Hope dedication</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhNm6MbjE-7JAmxlqNUMC6eoqqKFgq3rKSYyPWlSXWDEcZAyKC5559XlGpqD8ZIAicaNLh-FZ-e9t4GhastAbuVOoCwBv3ZFdOB1uy-pxDJYhI5j2qCRSOW0IMH1J6GswavsbDOpTFKoM/s1600/2018-02-20+18.20.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhNm6MbjE-7JAmxlqNUMC6eoqqKFgq3rKSYyPWlSXWDEcZAyKC5559XlGpqD8ZIAicaNLh-FZ-e9t4GhastAbuVOoCwBv3ZFdOB1uy-pxDJYhI5j2qCRSOW0IMH1J6GswavsbDOpTFKoM/s320/2018-02-20+18.20.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo from the lighthouse in Mazatlan</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-7839995505290879142019-03-18T13:15:00.003-06:002019-03-18T13:19:04.345-06:002019 Trip to Mazatlan by Dr. Luke<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Trip to Mazatlan</b></div>
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by Dr. Luke</div>
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For Matthew's birthday this year, I
surprised him with a plane ticket to Mazatlan. I brought him with me
on a construction mission. We went down to help my dear friend,
Phil, manage several projects on the YWAM campus there. We met with
23 Amish guys and girls that traveled down on a bus for 3 days to
join us. These guys are such good and hard workers, and it always
amazes me how much they get done in such little time. When we got to
the campus, you could just feel the presence of the Lord there. The
Spirit moves through these staff and students as they move through
the city sharing life, truth, hope, and the joy that they have been
given from above. They have a huge worship session upstairs in the
worship center that we helped to construct with the Amish last year.
What a blessing that was to be a part of! I felt bad at times for
Matthew...perhaps he thought we were taking a vacation to the beach! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMzQ_RGtGcUZ-F9stdaHv4OP7tPbIqy4wUwJZS5LdxQ9htG_EupBwG2MFc0153aNvzp-gcJ5scKmkyOVmSidEY3LQkmDiPvpHxVfuJjjrayqzjNTkxE6JP-TXkGkaTrVsa2hnsGjrFN5b/s1600/2019-02-11+17.57.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMzQ_RGtGcUZ-F9stdaHv4OP7tPbIqy4wUwJZS5LdxQ9htG_EupBwG2MFc0153aNvzp-gcJ5scKmkyOVmSidEY3LQkmDiPvpHxVfuJjjrayqzjNTkxE6JP-TXkGkaTrVsa2hnsGjrFN5b/s200/2019-02-11+17.57.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew 'catching some waves'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGuDTB-vAoAl6Z0nzUUuI-SDADCr7il00Hl9WldtBJVJ9xuNSkSakqHR93ACABL-yBs79ue84uXxs6SEsye4KYP6DgBl2PiidDM_CYqcmInnGDXV96lgXPEc8uHU35jxEevM_rheQYwQ2/s1600/2019-02-11+12.05.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGuDTB-vAoAl6Z0nzUUuI-SDADCr7il00Hl9WldtBJVJ9xuNSkSakqHR93ACABL-yBs79ue84uXxs6SEsye4KYP6DgBl2PiidDM_CYqcmInnGDXV96lgXPEc8uHU35jxEevM_rheQYwQ2/s200/2019-02-11+12.05.43.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting his hands dirty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA1gEKcc_eOVXvKW71ixGrJGp1M466NvZFokJelsJ0pT5YsirZ8tTLpAPcnVwrBq9LPEce8CtL_XHdlpt467cvtkH1VSPoSPZ4cGAYv3scbcIgAyalugYK8hexEEPMmosHFR766GMu7gt/s1600/2019-02-12+12.24.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA1gEKcc_eOVXvKW71ixGrJGp1M466NvZFokJelsJ0pT5YsirZ8tTLpAPcnVwrBq9LPEce8CtL_XHdlpt467cvtkH1VSPoSPZ4cGAYv3scbcIgAyalugYK8hexEEPMmosHFR766GMu7gt/s200/2019-02-12+12.24.39.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work busting up bricks</td></tr>
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We were there to work, and work we did! The group helped to finish
out two bunk rooms, making space for almost 100 more missionary
students per year. We built an extension outdoors for the dining
area, painted almost every hallway there was, upgraded the
firewall/network system, built a Home of Hope for an amazing mom of
11 children, opened up and finished a garage for parking 3 more vans,
we also completed numerous other projects within several other dorm
rooms (cabinets, plumbing, electric, etc). Much of my work was
behind the scenes electrical and plumbing work to let the other guys
put up drywall and paint. Matthew learned so much and was able to
work hard and play hard with the guys and girls there. Every time I
looked at him, he had a smile on his face. The Lord blessed the
experience that he had and I am so thankful for it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWnSr2jLOFMAhNDMZxzWGw2Wk9I47iS7L4d0t6pnRIkkAzoB_ltybnptmHKGBnhH07u9nMUXp1un5Odu3zSi_Y5NO5TTlpMV3Xp8rkNvMB9SgJ0uN76VAyf-iJ637WycbHOGB1hYhobD0/s1600/2019-02-11+14.13.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWnSr2jLOFMAhNDMZxzWGw2Wk9I47iS7L4d0t6pnRIkkAzoB_ltybnptmHKGBnhH07u9nMUXp1un5Odu3zSi_Y5NO5TTlpMV3Xp8rkNvMB9SgJ0uN76VAyf-iJ637WycbHOGB1hYhobD0/s200/2019-02-11+14.13.33.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the outdoor dining extension Day 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvSUtEPAvS-SVgzBgliwU0DJ8myEvnoYm2b9EKjoyaI05S7ZyRaLPbQHXsBbwoTMM5U0HG9FJwrgiErCGuqrwrTgUA0DNfi3FE9uEaVYfMiRsMylIOkwPJ3nhp1dlq1sZEc00inIXD8c1/s1600/2019-02-18+12.32.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvSUtEPAvS-SVgzBgliwU0DJ8myEvnoYm2b9EKjoyaI05S7ZyRaLPbQHXsBbwoTMM5U0HG9FJwrgiErCGuqrwrTgUA0DNfi3FE9uEaVYfMiRsMylIOkwPJ3nhp1dlq1sZEc00inIXD8c1/s200/2019-02-18+12.32.15.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Building the outdoor dining extension Day 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR8RvFjYo2BKn3f3S_TS8s-y5heSeGY_i27DdgzRr7p1SqpuuphKNHAiClXkJfxft7kbH9yJw1N5AMXef8_UpER9W2GhW59ZIEUAH-Uk1k7ihOnhelNOg-swu-AInlYnlo9ppgKmBNSjG/s1600/2019-02-19+17.32.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR8RvFjYo2BKn3f3S_TS8s-y5heSeGY_i27DdgzRr7p1SqpuuphKNHAiClXkJfxft7kbH9yJw1N5AMXef8_UpER9W2GhW59ZIEUAH-Uk1k7ihOnhelNOg-swu-AInlYnlo9ppgKmBNSjG/s200/2019-02-19+17.32.32.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Building the outdoor dining extension Day 3</td></tr>
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At the end of the trip, we all got the
opportunity to hike up to the lighthouse. The view up there was
amazing! It was so refreshing to once again be out of my 'comfort
zone' and serving the Lord with all I have. Matthew and I were
sitting with one of the Amish men that was learning the guitar. We
were talking about how to learn and he wanted me to play a little for
him. He had a book of worship and praise songs that he was learning
from and we just started playing and singing. After the first few
songs, I looked back and we had over 30 kids that had gathered around
for the 'spontaneous' worship time. I love it so much when the
Spirit shows up. God can do so very much with so very little, and it
is always an honor to be His 'boots on the ground.'<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksaKVDzoo4xSP0boep922YLtnuGECw-SL1ACnsoYsz6OtAZ1xd-QCtbZgGbdbyBRMyC2qyohsy7yle7hkTaEl7ep-Yfgced8OwfWfq5s5P2AnVOe9-srzTxOmXNwv2fMXDeFSHiOtFKfQ/s1600/2019-02-21+11.18.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksaKVDzoo4xSP0boep922YLtnuGECw-SL1ACnsoYsz6OtAZ1xd-QCtbZgGbdbyBRMyC2qyohsy7yle7hkTaEl7ep-Yfgced8OwfWfq5s5P2AnVOe9-srzTxOmXNwv2fMXDeFSHiOtFKfQ/s200/2019-02-21+11.18.40.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After electrical work, sheetrock, and paint</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw10-jZNhI2uV6VT7ZUsOd4vhcO-77N2JJ4YmdjRGwJ_RC8hmbhHYJUDoy-afZhIBrjYa4WgXSEorvIoYP0lDKT6hNp1Jk_nX3gBKieYNOYQvOlFa5_rzS2dwQAR0AuYukrQ0QoHOAZUEm/s1600/2019-02-15+14.36.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw10-jZNhI2uV6VT7ZUsOd4vhcO-77N2JJ4YmdjRGwJ_RC8hmbhHYJUDoy-afZhIBrjYa4WgXSEorvIoYP0lDKT6hNp1Jk_nX3gBKieYNOYQvOlFa5_rzS2dwQAR0AuYukrQ0QoHOAZUEm/s200/2019-02-15+14.36.09.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our big plumbing 'puzzle'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf3VFlJ9MJLkyxnH_RLxLKtdPaJ1G-OMmNg15SM0_4a5VZ3MeVzAvW8vSRplR-Qb4e4LcXOrm1cFFCwBUAf1CexuHHo5PEZTNcEayntPPSom4mw1dT-daVSVkaCWrY4e8J5F0cXWcBfCV/s1600/2019-02-21+11.19.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf3VFlJ9MJLkyxnH_RLxLKtdPaJ1G-OMmNg15SM0_4a5VZ3MeVzAvW8vSRplR-Qb4e4LcXOrm1cFFCwBUAf1CexuHHo5PEZTNcEayntPPSom4mw1dT-daVSVkaCWrY4e8J5F0cXWcBfCV/s200/2019-02-21+11.19.00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After tiling the bathroom</td></tr>
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“Thank You Lord for the opportunity
to serve You with my family. Thank You for the safe travel, and for
the wonderful fellowship. I love getting to take part in all You are
doing there. We had such a blessed time there and we are honored to
be Your people and that You are our God.”</div>
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-As for me and my house,
we will serve the Lord.-</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vDdUqWtxPhGAoS4pPyS5HwfUtB0goXTMcvzBdgDukCSLu4lSTfmamDDsiVHsSRbjiVHmosbVkI5ixL796Flft49eQE-1Z7z3UjeHBuqgJXGC74KQgy3-tEQmV0B0U7Z0MmlfBo6UvO0e/s1600/2019-02-20+17.37.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vDdUqWtxPhGAoS4pPyS5HwfUtB0goXTMcvzBdgDukCSLu4lSTfmamDDsiVHsSRbjiVHmosbVkI5ixL796Flft49eQE-1Z7z3UjeHBuqgJXGC74KQgy3-tEQmV0B0U7Z0MmlfBo6UvO0e/s320/2019-02-20+17.37.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from the Lighthouse</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-25287640069069880452018-10-01T10:00:00.004-05:002018-10-01T10:00:55.594-05:00Luke's Mission Trip to GuayanaA good friend of mine, Dr. Dave, asked me to get in touch with a group of eye docs that had been going to Guayana for the past 20 years. Dr. Julie has been going since the beginning and was the woman in charge of making arrangements. She, her husband, and their two kids were planning a trip down with about 5 more people...and, after I had a brief conversation with her and prayed about the decision, I wanted in on it too! What a neat trip it ended up being! The Guyanese people are a mix of native tribal people, African (from the Dutch occupation) and Indian (from British occupation). They speak a type of English with a thick Caribbean accent that can, at times, be difficult to understand.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCc3pwpNiw5pkesWz46ijRovzLGDiy1GbH_9BtoxU4TvLxZXLPGMulg-LuO0N_c4VYMqzcn-cvZSaz-TmVTE5h5ethMi0Xs9a35d9POA6nUeJE5YgOHDLl3QWIXa2tSaI-qtoLxJfcNy/s1600/2018-08-11+23.39.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRCc3pwpNiw5pkesWz46ijRovzLGDiy1GbH_9BtoxU4TvLxZXLPGMulg-LuO0N_c4VYMqzcn-cvZSaz-TmVTE5h5ethMi0Xs9a35d9POA6nUeJE5YgOHDLl3QWIXa2tSaI-qtoLxJfcNy/s200/2018-08-11+23.39.25.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chedi Jagan Internation Airport, Georgetown, Guayana</td></tr>
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We arrived at the airport after a huge (18 hour) day of travel from New Mexico to Dallas, Miami, Trinidad and Tobago, then finally, Georgetown, Guayana. While standing in line to go through Customs, I noticed that we were the only 10 'white folks' in the cue line. We were sped through the lines by a great guy that worked with the Ministry of Medicine there and we piled into a church van for the 3.5 hour drive to our host house. That was a long day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjX0ppwn7bu64dhzuKYeQXqyaVftw_BbSLBk8c-iiyzSxWyVbBilLTYt1KKPNBejSwesFULi62YA2zT_bPeK6ZN4igiJ-iiEsKxGazpMDExv_3hapMeBNhXhKZZ7eQ71zJwKLh8-XzG3X/s200/2018-08-12+10.21.16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Local Christian Church</td></tr>
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The next morning was church, then we set up clinic and began seeing patients. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjX0ppwn7bu64dhzuKYeQXqyaVftw_BbSLBk8c-iiyzSxWyVbBilLTYt1KKPNBejSwesFULi62YA2zT_bPeK6ZN4igiJ-iiEsKxGazpMDExv_3hapMeBNhXhKZZ7eQ71zJwKLh8-XzG3X/s1600/2018-08-12+10.21.16.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMOiPV6ZjtZI6wBxwppwjFE7prZU9yYMw3ruQ7dMzqChYoSqWxH2QMFv11p6Opng2D7mQ711JeIPLBEpd1yDQRr0NeQwZ-NdlTsenaEF6rSylPAKmGhShPHJ-1kgatgOF6NKHmPeWGIZY/s1600/2018-08-12+14.53.49-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMOiPV6ZjtZI6wBxwppwjFE7prZU9yYMw3ruQ7dMzqChYoSqWxH2QMFv11p6Opng2D7mQ711JeIPLBEpd1yDQRr0NeQwZ-NdlTsenaEF6rSylPAKmGhShPHJ-1kgatgOF6NKHmPeWGIZY/s200/2018-08-12+14.53.49-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out this sign...I love it!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgIDi34JL1-9auzdAKd6BXvJUzD7U_GAOjeSWS3qNHghLRqtcFr3a-1qyXiOtQCFHhh28H2wnF8sYDhk2ZlsFNL26msEZdSwA6ThuPtPdGS8GodBvgJmWzeAIyRpfRkM04y5JoJ_P_T91/s1600/2018-08-12+14.53.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgIDi34JL1-9auzdAKd6BXvJUzD7U_GAOjeSWS3qNHghLRqtcFr3a-1qyXiOtQCFHhh28H2wnF8sYDhk2ZlsFNL26msEZdSwA6ThuPtPdGS8GodBvgJmWzeAIyRpfRkM04y5JoJ_P_T91/s200/2018-08-12+14.53.49.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church that hosted our Clinic</td></tr>
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Here are some pictures of the clinic:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEP7BhUVoQuI9ywmlAKolHPG_JxoyMo6oqEYoVk_iS2OL9du74VS8xs8ZFj97ZN3ErZxVuP1rIpaqX-iAqqvligJHNR5jxVeiMrekeN2PujibtT8nepbjc0_gtiETc-OAd_OYW41EYSUS/s1600/2018-08-12+14.51.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEP7BhUVoQuI9ywmlAKolHPG_JxoyMo6oqEYoVk_iS2OL9du74VS8xs8ZFj97ZN3ErZxVuP1rIpaqX-iAqqvligJHNR5jxVeiMrekeN2PujibtT8nepbjc0_gtiETc-OAd_OYW41EYSUS/s200/2018-08-12+14.51.30.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowujOknzr-cNPl999diSNeeZ4OBkiX5cn_Dbfm5nEdbtZlshxWc-kmBx_TogHbNqcBEjZAxt4u02AtgazPY34Sk4QOGppnyWDlDAwBp2D7sRxdyG83muqbaG30FEI9S7u2_vV9r8SSxab/s1600/2018-08-13+13.05.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowujOknzr-cNPl999diSNeeZ4OBkiX5cn_Dbfm5nEdbtZlshxWc-kmBx_TogHbNqcBEjZAxt4u02AtgazPY34Sk4QOGppnyWDlDAwBp2D7sRxdyG83muqbaG30FEI9S7u2_vV9r8SSxab/s200/2018-08-13+13.05.27.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5j85n9xH72sZOU8hgG8V7zvNpW_iJLx_ZnF0MA5olBqqD7iNDGl-AUklk1E0PD_IYVqLFjz46ZCeRSiHpKvc6RM8-it6zDTdek7O7t1rXce2HtbgrhNNy2opkOGs5mvKJtgqxXzj_MMp/s1600/2018-08-13+13.09.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5j85n9xH72sZOU8hgG8V7zvNpW_iJLx_ZnF0MA5olBqqD7iNDGl-AUklk1E0PD_IYVqLFjz46ZCeRSiHpKvc6RM8-it6zDTdek7O7t1rXce2HtbgrhNNy2opkOGs5mvKJtgqxXzj_MMp/s200/2018-08-13+13.09.40.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUfd1q0VyiIN_4njY3742wNRhwVXYtHCXevbqFkggeumbm0gs0nUxqgcOdijg4JQcrTPBaqldEVtg5rrUAQEJxh1GLv3D0MIzkW_ZIIusxdDdmih7Petnt7ZFxra6bsxi_IZ9ivu0eR8b/s1600/2018-08-13+15.06.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUfd1q0VyiIN_4njY3742wNRhwVXYtHCXevbqFkggeumbm0gs0nUxqgcOdijg4JQcrTPBaqldEVtg5rrUAQEJxh1GLv3D0MIzkW_ZIIusxdDdmih7Petnt7ZFxra6bsxi_IZ9ivu0eR8b/s200/2018-08-13+15.06.24.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3CQOGHmhBx_WmxYvI6lGXcVEKJkgbqFac_iDAMoMss7Y-ZW879aWE3sVFYHLozBKJFB3YPN2S5oMtq-QbA1uN9cP3txxAXBJ-tqGeGnpxNrxJUrp0HFRUH0ftJyUk0papLF90SQGhUge/s1600/2018-08-13+13.52.43.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3CQOGHmhBx_WmxYvI6lGXcVEKJkgbqFac_iDAMoMss7Y-ZW879aWE3sVFYHLozBKJFB3YPN2S5oMtq-QbA1uN9cP3txxAXBJ-tqGeGnpxNrxJUrp0HFRUH0ftJyUk0papLF90SQGhUge/s200/2018-08-13+13.52.43.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABdT4sM_xumsnlpyNb2gXAbuljrF9RwH6dak_ESjrryo6wT7mGiqxWTcw67MYUjsn3rbZIWbSzdHBxQ4odFu037uWap5Cw72IYHipSbEIP2bXJTMssxUyno5NIdC7NTQFKAhbbNXB73e6/s1600/2018-08-13+13.05.08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABdT4sM_xumsnlpyNb2gXAbuljrF9RwH6dak_ESjrryo6wT7mGiqxWTcw67MYUjsn3rbZIWbSzdHBxQ4odFu037uWap5Cw72IYHipSbEIP2bXJTMssxUyno5NIdC7NTQFKAhbbNXB73e6/s200/2018-08-13+13.05.08.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We ended up seeing a bit over 1,000 patients before I had to head home. I came home early to make it to Amarillo for my brother-in-laws wedding...Congrats again Jonathan!!!!</div>
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These were some great, hard-working, strong and proud people. Most of the country is divided into the Hindu and Muslim religion. In face, right across the street from our Christian church was the little town's largest Hindu church. We were working with a network of churches that began with 2 missionaries and a vision. They came down ~20 years before with the goal of planting a church every year. There are 17 churches so far and 11 of them are financially independent and able to serve the small community in which they are growing. It was an honor to share the gospel of Hope with these wonderful people and to hear their stories, their struggles, and spend time loving on them! I met a young boy named Lucas who was a great hugger too!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouCFYiP4T4XM66lIq62BDRsbyZss7zHG-jisz2-RxM9LXbUeaL_f9yRjXG7kLdxGdBO-tcVVC42q2nYaSYZNkNpJe-9ZzlE5QpWSzYgSgw91F_hBBLOa7FHS_1FZtAlTEcq24dFndfp4I/s1600/2018-08-16+09.13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouCFYiP4T4XM66lIq62BDRsbyZss7zHG-jisz2-RxM9LXbUeaL_f9yRjXG7kLdxGdBO-tcVVC42q2nYaSYZNkNpJe-9ZzlE5QpWSzYgSgw91F_hBBLOa7FHS_1FZtAlTEcq24dFndfp4I/s200/2018-08-16+09.13.25.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Luke with Lucas</td></tr>
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Thank you to all of those of you that continue to support us in our journeys to share the Good News! I constantly feel strengthened by your prayers and the love that you have shared with us. </div>
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We love and pray for you too.</div>
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Grace and Peace be with you all!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-19368504825905438892018-04-21T10:40:00.001-05:002018-04-21T10:40:30.874-05:00Down and Derby!Our kids participated in a pine block derby race in March.<br />
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Here are their cars:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND4VNHtjC7L356Pd-6W5VoyQetSpfbfmy0AU47pmYfEJ7IYYsvqBSPe-TjRNsPtorVq_bfv5ByEJYgquIkHNIUYSWAvPUiJ7rm-gUtEMOx_D4XghibfjmhsY61p2w5c2K0zpqP7kNbJg/s1600/2018-03-17+09.07.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND4VNHtjC7L356Pd-6W5VoyQetSpfbfmy0AU47pmYfEJ7IYYsvqBSPe-TjRNsPtorVq_bfv5ByEJYgquIkHNIUYSWAvPUiJ7rm-gUtEMOx_D4XghibfjmhsY61p2w5c2K0zpqP7kNbJg/s320/2018-03-17+09.07.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd80wyCIoLk4phjM_2P4WVkUwEvqNxVDLMfkxAoaPPh5rjy3aev_rvuS56V7sJaunL-PdZIn4pN9ZUw-7ELpU4z1Lodz-UDd0cMFbK_3FDwLicaTEYe0GOM13X7QGA7w4bDrUBLArpho4/s1600/2018-03-17+09.08.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd80wyCIoLk4phjM_2P4WVkUwEvqNxVDLMfkxAoaPPh5rjy3aev_rvuS56V7sJaunL-PdZIn4pN9ZUw-7ELpU4z1Lodz-UDd0cMFbK_3FDwLicaTEYe0GOM13X7QGA7w4bDrUBLArpho4/s320/2018-03-17+09.08.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4XaqK2cBa4HC69kUREu5qpqRmdAmUCGgrYbFzg2fu1L4394Yqh-1binVEUkqkFtSzL54EohlL2Vb71TmkeW42zPk1pruy3GJhffL24MWy5Znzasero6HeMc5ovenCpc2cHm4kLR-OFs/s1600/2018-03-17+09.07.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4XaqK2cBa4HC69kUREu5qpqRmdAmUCGgrYbFzg2fu1L4394Yqh-1binVEUkqkFtSzL54EohlL2Vb71TmkeW42zPk1pruy3GJhffL24MWy5Znzasero6HeMc5ovenCpc2cHm4kLR-OFs/s320/2018-03-17+09.07.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mandie won 4th place overall and "Most Artistic"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1Iw5nXtoNKVUCe6FwJbV_n_Qq6dUZ_0N80inoZ_3w6BOYzwOoefyfDKTo0dkaHfq-aMHtUbIOArdstiWpxxuw5jTBxhu0-LX_VuUXwoQyO2Lp_1cT_-G-QBGstMzqleWtzkxPJ66ztg/s1600/2018-03-17+09.07.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1Iw5nXtoNKVUCe6FwJbV_n_Qq6dUZ_0N80inoZ_3w6BOYzwOoefyfDKTo0dkaHfq-aMHtUbIOArdstiWpxxuw5jTBxhu0-LX_VuUXwoQyO2Lp_1cT_-G-QBGstMzqleWtzkxPJ66ztg/s320/2018-03-17+09.07.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Michael won "Best Reptile" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqm905j_gHbz0ReB0AR7lwvD5u4eN35f4LqMzNg_xsPJme0w5frkrsFREH1Uk4k_j0MK4lgk64sV2RmNu-z0Sa9LoyJtOdiuZ-lkLz7LUftB-Ar3q_u26ucvl6q6El0FAoQFe9IqvEQY/s1600/2018-03-17+09.07.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqm905j_gHbz0ReB0AR7lwvD5u4eN35f4LqMzNg_xsPJme0w5frkrsFREH1Uk4k_j0MK4lgk64sV2RmNu-z0Sa9LoyJtOdiuZ-lkLz7LUftB-Ar3q_u26ucvl6q6El0FAoQFe9IqvEQY/s320/2018-03-17+09.07.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marcus won 3rd place in his age division</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83AjnN2VCGHLGv1LEQIkNU_aoXruAieu47PKplNirH1enZ5hZB8WHzphRSv7yI7lDieEcChvvfPMnbHGqNuWyLhlIWanHaJbbwny4CSbfXLsewXpLEjJtD_FNuGRYfetHqt7oJN1IS0Q/s1600/2018-03-02+18.31.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83AjnN2VCGHLGv1LEQIkNU_aoXruAieu47PKplNirH1enZ5hZB8WHzphRSv7yI7lDieEcChvvfPMnbHGqNuWyLhlIWanHaJbbwny4CSbfXLsewXpLEjJtD_FNuGRYfetHqt7oJN1IS0Q/s1600/2018-03-02+18.31.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"> </a><br />
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Matthew's Truck won "Best Truck"</div>
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Miles made the cutest whale car I've ever seen!</div>
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And I thought I'd throw these up as well: </div>
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<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-91217374273092364532018-04-21T10:25:00.001-05:002018-04-21T10:25:50.454-05:00Easter Week
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<span class="s1">Saturday, April 7, 2018</span></div>
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<span class="s1">When my oldest three children were very young I kept a blog documenting the in’s and out’s of our days. After blogging for a few years I took that blog and turned it into a book that I titled </span><span class="s2">Haney Heritage</span><span class="s1">. Today, my children found the book on the shelf and all three of them had a wonderful time mulling through the pages of our family’s history. So tonight I decided to bring </span><span class="s2">Haney Heritage</span><span class="s1"> back to life. There are many undocumented years, and countless untold stories that I will not be able to remember. If I’m able to come up with memories of these events, I will try to pen them here. I’m sure this space will also house my ramblings, theology, and rants.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">This week has been so much fun! Sunday, April 1 was Easter and April Fools’ Day. If you read my last blog, you know this Easter was a very significant day for my husband and I this year. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I wanted to come up with a great prank to play on my kids, but I guess I just didn’t get my act together in time. Also, I didn’t want to hurt any of their feelings, so that probably worked out for the best. Saturday night our family made our first attempt at having a Passover Feast. We cooked lamb, a boiled egg, bitter herbs, and that dish with the apples, nuts, and raisins. Luke did a wonderful job of leading the ceremony. He would explain the way the Jews did the passover, and then he would explain how these things are significant to Christians today. I really enjoyed the whole thing. Easter Sunday was the 5 year anniversary of the day Lucas fell in love with Jesus. What a wonderful wonderful day! Luke and Mandie worked all three services at church, and Matthew tagged along with them. They left the house around 6:30 AM that morning and finished at 1:30 in the afternoon. After church we had an Easter meal with our dear friends. I brought my grandmother’s famous Coke Salad and it was a hit! They have three bunnies, and the female had a litter of kittens two weeks ago. Michael especially enjoyed those bunnies. In fact, that morning he had been telling me that Rosie had bunnies and we really, really needed to go to their house to see those bunnies. He was ecstatic and surprised when I told him we were going that day! They also have chickens, and yesterday they added two little piglets to the farm. They encouraged us that we can handle some animals out at our place as well. Easter was a joy!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The next two days of this week were just regular school days. We woke up, did our morning routines and our chores, then we completed full school days. On Tuesday we did all the Easter stuff that we didn’t have time to do on Sunday. We did the Easter baskets. All the the kids got a zippered pencil bag,they loved those things, and they also received some candy and other little tokens of our affection. We hunted Easter Eggs. This was so fun, because Mandie and Matthew got to stuff and hide the eggs. Everyone was assigned an egg color, and the older kids’ eggs were hidden hardest, the youngest kids’ eggs were just right on the open ground. It worked out great! Marcus and Michael were so excited every time they found an egg! Melodie did not hunt eggs, but she did enjoy shaking them and watching her siblings as they hunted! On Tuesday night at dinner I asked the kids if they felt the Lord was trying to say anything to them or to our family as a whole. Mandie said something very profound. She basically said that she was glad we didn’t do any of the regular ‘Easter stuff’ on Easter Sunday, because God used that to show her that Easter is really not about that stuff at all, even thought that stuff is fun. Easter is about God’s Love for us, and it’s about spending time celebrating that with friends and family. Thank you, Lord, for speaking to that girl’s heart! Silly Rabbit, Easter’s for Jesus!!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Wednesday was Miles’ FOURTH birthday! His birthday is 4-4-14, and he turned 4 years old that day. I can’t believe my little Miles is so big! Oh I love him so! He wanted hot dogs, orange plates, orange balloons, and lots of dragon stuff for his party. And that’s what he got! Mimi and G-Dude got him a remote control dragon toy. Luke and I got him a dragon costume. Aunt LaJean got him the Dragon’s Love Tacos books and toy. Nana and Poppy got him a play set for outside. Everyone will enjoy that! The kids spent the rest of the day playing the Wii and playing outside. Much celebrating was done by all. Thank you, God, for Miles.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thursday we had a play date with some new friend’s in town. These people are AMAZING! They have four kids of their own and they foster special needs kids who are put into the foster system. One of these sweeties they have adopted, she is now 4. We thoroughly enjoy our time with them! Last week we went to the Albuquerque zoo with them and I am so grateful for this friendship! Matthew and their son spent the entire time playing basketball. Much fun was had by all! Later that day we had our monthly homeschool group up at church. I feel so grateful for my homeschool community, what a blessing!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Yesterday that same homeschool group had a field trip to the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanical Garden. They call that area the Bio Park. We were there for about four hours, a good field trip. After the field trip, I dropped Mandie at church to decorate for the Father Daughter Tea they enjoyed this morning. Luke picked her up on his way home from work. Last night we had Family Fun Night. Dinner was tasty, thank you InstaPot! Our movie was Ferdinand, it was a bucket of laughs I tell you!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Today we worked. Hard! There is this amazing spot on our property that looks like sand, but just under the sand is like 8 inches of gorgeous topsoil! I shoveled about 12 wheelbarrows of that stuff into my new veggie bed, it won’t be long before it’s time to plant! Thank you, Lord, for helping find that great dirt! Also, there is this neat woman who lives down the road who took Mandie horse back riding with her the other day. She has a friend looking for a place to house her old horse, Cholla (pronounced Choi-ya). Cholla is well trained and loves to be ridden, but the owner does not have the time to ride her now, and she wants her to be with someone who will ride her and give her the attention she needs. Our friend thought Mandie would be the perfect person for Choya, and Cholla would be the perfect ‘learning horse’ for Mandie. So we spent some time cleaning out the horse barn and the area around it in preparation for this horse. We probably are about a third of the way done in there, LOTS of work! Luke, Matthew, Michael, and Marcus got out the BB guns, bows, and arrows and did some shooting. MelBel was here, there, and everywhere. All in all, a wonderful day!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i>Oh Lord, when I take the time to write it all down, I can see how blessed we are. Thank you Father. Life is so good when we live and play by your rules! Help us to be who you want us to be. We love you, Father. Amen.</i></span></div>
<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-25268414668981579132018-03-27T06:46:00.001-06:002018-04-21T12:11:07.861-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">April Fool’s! </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">- by Cassie - </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am married to a man who loves someone else more than me. . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">and it’s a <i>dude</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yup, you heard it here first, folks. My husband loves Jesus more than he loves me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Did I get ya?!?</i></span></div>
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<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4230523497765328110" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4230523497765328110" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4230523497765328110" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I guess all’s fair in love and war, because I love Jesus more than I love my husband, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>I am the wife of a missionary. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you are new to this blog, you might not know my family’s story of undeniable salvation, so here’s the gist: </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We were drowning in the slimy pit of addiction, co-dependence, self-pity, hate, anger, and mostly fear. (Although no one knew it, because we were excellent at looking “normal” during those horrid years. I’m still amazed by that.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We cried out to God, knowing that left to ourselves self-destruction was imminent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He reached His mighty hand into our slimy pit, tenderly scooped up a sorry lot of lost and scared little humans, and relocated us into the shining light of his understanding, love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Psalms 40:2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today, April Fool’s Day 2018, is the 5 year anniversary of the day that my husband fell hard and fast for Jesus. The day that all that ‘church stuff’ melted away, and the actual Son of the Almighty God whispered in his ear, and I lost my husband to Jesus for real! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Not long after that, my husband sold out completely. When I say sold out, that’s exactly what I mean. Sold the car. Sold the business. Sold the stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/b86057ae-99ba-4cea-9d1a-e7779dc7d48d" /></a>That’s when we packed up the ‘necessities’ that were left, and not unlike the Clampetts, drove down to Mexico to learn and live the missionary life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was a wonderful adventure, and I’m so grateful for that time. I’m going to save those stories for another day, because I could go on and on. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Despite the joy and the fun of serving as full time missionaries in Mexico, there was a really hard side for this homeschooling mama. I had four students, a toddler, and a new baby. We lived on a community missionary base that didn’t leave a lot of room for autonomy. I was limited in my ability to provide our family’s schedule and meals. My Spanish was lacking, and although I could go to the grocery store and do some things with confidence, I relied heavily on my husband who is fluent in Spanish. It was tough. So when the time came to deci</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">de whether or not to stay in Mexico or return to the states, I asked my husband to come back stateside and carry out his mission via multiple short term trips throughout the year, instead of living there full time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So even more like the Clampetts, we packed up our stuff again with the addition of our brand new baby, and our little Mexican puppy and headed back. This time, we landed in New Mexico. The Lord provided a place for us to live, and work to sustain us. Praise Him for these things!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>What is Part Time Missionary Life Like?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our situation today is a testimony to God’s provision and faithfulness. We have a home, some land, and a wonderful homeschool community. I am so grateful for all three. My hubs has been to Mexico twice this year, and has several more trips planned. The post before this one describes some of those adventures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have been reinstated as the manager of my home. I plan our schedule, our meals, and I’m not dependent on my husband’s vocabulary to leave the house. Meal planning may not be important to some of you, but I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I require a special diet, so this was big for me. Another HUGE benefit to the situation we have now, is that all of our school supplies are at our house all of the time. In Mexico, I had books and supplies in three different houses, and two different countries. I was often without what I needed in my endeavor to homeschool. Also, being stateside, my husband can work. We are able to support ourselves, thank you, Lord! Some of the other joys of being here: a public library, our church home, the roads are nice, the internet is more dependable, and the grocery stores are truly a dream come true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But hands down, without a doubt, no question about it, the BEST thing about being here . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">is that God is just as much here as He was down there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He’s still with us. He still loves us. We still love Him. We remember who He is and what He’s done. The flame still burns between us and Jesus, wherever we go. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Knowing this brings me so much comfort and reassurance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The one thing I really had to get used to, and I am still getting used to was my husband leaving for 10-14 days at a time to do his mission work. But even that has it’s blessings, although I sure do miss him at night! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Playing the Fool</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Because of the path God has walked us through, I have a lot of reflecting to do about April Fool’s Day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I think about how the Lord uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, and the poor to shame the rich. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I think about the fun, the joy, and the adventure there is when we humble ourselves and choose to be fools for Christ. It’s such a different life than the proud life we lived before, a life in which we were fooling ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I think about the irony of ‘April Fool’s Day’ to be on Easter Sunday. The Lord sent a King to the earth that no one would recognize or understand. They killed him, and he yet he overcame! He saved and forgave the very ones who killed and accused. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I think of how worthy Jesus is. He deserves all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’d be a fool not to give it to Him.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-17283574779690512332018-01-09T20:43:00.000-06:002018-01-09T20:43:05.932-06:00Optometry Mission to Mexico 2017-2018In December of 2015, I was invited on a mission trip to San Carlos, Sonora with a group of fellow Christians from Indiana. That trip was life-changing for me and awoke in me a desire to do more for God in my life. That trip prompted my family and I to sell off all we owned and head down to Mexico. Wanting to be 'tent-makers' like the apostle Paul, we happily accepted any help anyone offered, but wanted to also work for ourselves too.<br />
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The Lord carried our family faithfully through the 2 years of full-time ministry and we had much help from our parents, friends and family. Knowing we would have to return to the States for our 'home base' was a bit bittersweet for me, but it has worked out wonderfully for the past few months. In October, I was able to travel to the YWAM base in Mazatlan, Sinaloa to help work on the construction of new dorms and classrooms. Brent, the base director, has a vision to train 1,000 missionaries in 2018...now that's a mission I can get behind!<br />
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When the opportunity rose again to rejoin my friends back in San Carlos, I jumped at the opportunity. The plan was to continue our main eye clinic in the nearby town of Guaymas, and to get a few docs together to reach out to a small indian village nearby, Potam. Having experienced the clinic Guaymas 2 years earlier, I was asked to set up a matching clinic in Potam. I went with Brittany, an optometrist currently in residency and we took a crew to Potam.<br />
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What a joy it was to be a part of a team bringing the Good News to those that need it! We saw so many people in need, and were able to help most of them. Those that needed eye surgery or special order lenses were placed on a list, and the Village Church of Dyer, Indiana (http://www.villagechurchdyer.com/) have pledged to raise the money to provide ongoing care for them. It was also such an honor to work alongside such men and women of Christ.<br />
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We had the wonderful opportunity to stay at Art and Brenda Koenes' place: Casa De Esperanza again. http://www.koenesministries.com/<br />
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We would leave each morning about 7:30 a.m. and drive about an hour and a half to Potam, and would see around 60 patients per day. The Guaymas clinic would see around 100 per day, making a total of 160 people per day that were hearing the Good News of hope in our Savior Jesus Christ!<br />
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Lord willing, I'll be headed back with a group of Amish builders to Mazatlan in mid-February. Until then, I have found plenty of fill-in work here in the States. God is so very faithful.<br />
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"Father, thank you for the richness and the blessings that you offer to your children. Thank you for the opportunity and the ability to serve in places where the people need to hear your Word. Thank you for your faithfulness, your grace, your mercy, and your forgiveness. May we continue to fight the Good Fight, and win as many as possible."<br />
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-Luke<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Informing a man that he needed surgery to see again, and that we would be honored to show him the love of Jesus by paying his bill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0qFlNg0uqA2QqfHUjORUheDXELlAcY_esd0v0msFLfe5k1RYn22704AzWqaE8cJT10fKq3cVzsdJIV9EAtj6LX1agnYXsR3ra9K6g44DvwnpkAUm_qA8mHQhc8UuoFsau2abqzth7QsX/s1600/26047119_1327036760734961_1384757760687342184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0qFlNg0uqA2QqfHUjORUheDXELlAcY_esd0v0msFLfe5k1RYn22704AzWqaE8cJT10fKq3cVzsdJIV9EAtj6LX1agnYXsR3ra9K6g44DvwnpkAUm_qA8mHQhc8UuoFsau2abqzth7QsX/s320/26047119_1327036760734961_1384757760687342184_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People waiting in school desks to see the doctors...some for 6 hours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBTbKz2cKiuvRY3ZjY-IGG1vIMSaPcPNcIAisHMaLiGwZhyphenhyphenY0MePeG4YuXhK_HA9gnd9wnQyg-XltgHbkeTSdRM6JK3886Z67xgVpYV00oamHQSRJ19Fpzf8yhTXj9-SyPBcBzu5ToCdL/s1600/26116328_1327359327369371_4436328387543358390_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBTbKz2cKiuvRY3ZjY-IGG1vIMSaPcPNcIAisHMaLiGwZhyphenhyphenY0MePeG4YuXhK_HA9gnd9wnQyg-XltgHbkeTSdRM6JK3886Z67xgVpYV00oamHQSRJ19Fpzf8yhTXj9-SyPBcBzu5ToCdL/s320/26116328_1327359327369371_4436328387543358390_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the pupils on a patient. I'd ask them to look at my 'big beautiful nose'!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCL3Xx0byUDUcEseOKyFpON7GYF_XCqv8EsaudaqQuRoo6HVeTv4tE_DikPtoYXpp7fIpXu6dCM-QvdXXDF0HhBL5k7EZEmoYntpl28bSUGFwXDy97bLTCmCiLYaIVrqdKCPckfwyIs_q/s1600/2018-01-05+15.24.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCL3Xx0byUDUcEseOKyFpON7GYF_XCqv8EsaudaqQuRoo6HVeTv4tE_DikPtoYXpp7fIpXu6dCM-QvdXXDF0HhBL5k7EZEmoYntpl28bSUGFwXDy97bLTCmCiLYaIVrqdKCPckfwyIs_q/s320/2018-01-05+15.24.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Doctors! We had such a wonderful time, and so much help. There were around 45 others from the USA church and 60 from the local church. What a blessing to be part of the Body at Work!</td></tr>
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</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjTFe6RKGe2RPoj5RPVAk2nBUe84bhfHOtVLy0H76-iKFpvDkaM_Xa2lNWLP-oRVD8njbmtgyGQ7Kh7WLqZ-Ji2eUKXCKx8r1QL2iFL87yKDY8VVWkB-nSSnD-FDuQ0g6juMbYI6i3s05/s1600/27791688269_ce1fa3ac75_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjTFe6RKGe2RPoj5RPVAk2nBUe84bhfHOtVLy0H76-iKFpvDkaM_Xa2lNWLP-oRVD8njbmtgyGQ7Kh7WLqZ-Ji2eUKXCKx8r1QL2iFL87yKDY8VVWkB-nSSnD-FDuQ0g6juMbYI6i3s05/s320/27791688269_ce1fa3ac75_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patients waiting to be seen at the church. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv9ROZk9TpZRNksi7-9-AEYJJSrP_shjSS-5usFzsRPsi0SKPsKEkvCtnP1AcB-NUzcP5szZGOsp5pW8HpfkjzTP3VDzFdOcQ4NfcHtP4-5Z23oZA9asaOu2oxuWM4A6b1YS8d3mYTma5/s1600/26230000_1327355517369752_500398337765748471_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv9ROZk9TpZRNksi7-9-AEYJJSrP_shjSS-5usFzsRPsi0SKPsKEkvCtnP1AcB-NUzcP5szZGOsp5pW8HpfkjzTP3VDzFdOcQ4NfcHtP4-5Z23oZA9asaOu2oxuWM4A6b1YS8d3mYTma5/s320/26230000_1327355517369752_500398337765748471_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were lines up outside the church as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNL-5rzBypIr9UekpVFZkxJGETbcHTbb_nVfPT-rXUpQd2VE8cfAr8m5BKUbf60Hr2dvoAV_9XH3BLArj7FDAS7JNHzg20N0dt9EcCRPQg0WSHey2wYdt0p-zBdxjBsvumg_X0YmRXeF7/s1600/39569193441_34b6b4bc34_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNL-5rzBypIr9UekpVFZkxJGETbcHTbb_nVfPT-rXUpQd2VE8cfAr8m5BKUbf60Hr2dvoAV_9XH3BLArj7FDAS7JNHzg20N0dt9EcCRPQg0WSHey2wYdt0p-zBdxjBsvumg_X0YmRXeF7/s320/39569193441_34b6b4bc34_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Tetakawi outside San Carlos.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-64623129111666401192017-10-08T09:09:00.000-05:002017-10-08T09:09:19.397-05:00<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's Next!?</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">-By Dr. Luke-</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eDMH8REIq8tX17AhemZkQ26jU4yliGQyxAcEbqFtjUiTg4HAEKd3IUsCzFTLDtkxizBhiKf77eoMPIgGSDIEDrvUm46n2CYjRZD8ia54MZYW2zFhvnbAME2xDMBfqdEgz1ewQgjMbOFL/s1600/2017-09-16+13.10.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eDMH8REIq8tX17AhemZkQ26jU4yliGQyxAcEbqFtjUiTg4HAEKd3IUsCzFTLDtkxizBhiKf77eoMPIgGSDIEDrvUm46n2CYjRZD8ia54MZYW2zFhvnbAME2xDMBfqdEgz1ewQgjMbOFL/s320/2017-09-16+13.10.46.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What have we been up to? Well, let's
see!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since August, we've had King's Kids
camp with about 60 kids from all over the Guadalajara area. They
come to learn, to form friendships, and to become the godly leaders
of tomorrow. Our good friend, Dennis Mixer, migrated to the YWAM
base in Mazatlan and has started his Bible School for the Nations
class. You can read more about his journey on his Facebook site.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mandie was super excited to start
wearing braces...that is...until the painful first few days hit!
She's doing well with her 'expanser' now, and will be tightening it
up every 2 weeks for the first year. The rest of the kids are doing
well too and happy to be 'state-side' for now.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStDzb4RT4aoSFhR6ZhcU8840B1yIpISE4OA2YP7RRjWCRcRxi4H387AlChZiE9HFilQ7qXYZ36KddrAc7uAT9lEZ4q7BB6WCQRRuqKWfksGxdib7emOUS3VKBnG0lJQcD92TXSNeJMLdk/s1600/2017-08-23+14.42.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStDzb4RT4aoSFhR6ZhcU8840B1yIpISE4OA2YP7RRjWCRcRxi4H387AlChZiE9HFilQ7qXYZ36KddrAc7uAT9lEZ4q7BB6WCQRRuqKWfksGxdib7emOUS3VKBnG0lJQcD92TXSNeJMLdk/s320/2017-08-23+14.42.43.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We left YWAM Guadalajara at the end of
August. We left for a few different reasons, but mainly for work. I
was able to work in Hobbs and Las Cruces, New Mexico through the end
of September. During that time, Cassie and I have found a place
south of Albuquerque to 'homebase' our future ministry and mission
work from. We found a country home with lots of room for the kids to
run. We'll be, hopefully, closing on the home very soon so we can
move the family in.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lC0cjed3vmKQT2kdLWvbuNokiiN9pG3Brs7M8Wm4i5-sv8zy8Ie6JjI0Io_34WFPSE74QoivUHTf6vl93CkA2VMAV62YfLaR9xhnZ_ASYF1itRI-PbV4vRqSX_ybLC3cy6pET_z_Qa3V/s1600/2017-09-09+12.35.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lC0cjed3vmKQT2kdLWvbuNokiiN9pG3Brs7M8Wm4i5-sv8zy8Ie6JjI0Io_34WFPSE74QoivUHTf6vl93CkA2VMAV62YfLaR9xhnZ_ASYF1itRI-PbV4vRqSX_ybLC3cy6pET_z_Qa3V/s320/2017-09-09+12.35.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The mission work continues:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a week, Lord willing, I'm headed
back to Mexico! I have to finish the process of getting my Residente
Permanante (Mexican green card) as this will make it much easier to
travel back and forth from the U.S. to Mexico. Then I'm off to
Mazatlan to work with the YWAM base located there. The base
director, Brent, has a massive new building plan for their base and
I'm happy to help. We will be serving the community there through
many ministry opportunities and doing tons of construction on the
base as well. The base there is an old hotel, and he's gotten it
approved to add 3 more floors. When I last spoke with Brent, he
shared his vision of having 1,000 missionary students trained at that
school next year! Wow...what a goal! I'm happy to help.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQvyYB6xXSoT_rx235LMdz89wTvuXIUa7m8TT6ujruG4LwXXrJWKCh2_Tznklk13VieZYtYR_4PdTeek6qhQZG1PLiZs6bvbB8Ln6v0fc5ACT6Ee0hVw4kxAfmfffht4-O4k__ZtZ4v6i/s1600/2017-09-14+12.13.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQvyYB6xXSoT_rx235LMdz89wTvuXIUa7m8TT6ujruG4LwXXrJWKCh2_Tznklk13VieZYtYR_4PdTeek6qhQZG1PLiZs6bvbB8Ln6v0fc5ACT6Ee0hVw4kxAfmfffht4-O4k__ZtZ4v6i/s320/2017-09-14+12.13.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In November, we will head back to the
States to work a bit more and spend the holidays with our families.
December brings another mission...an Optometry mission! In December
I'll head down to San Carlos, Mexico to see patients and share the
good news. The bulk of the help will be coming from Village
Evangelical Free Church in Indiana. We should have 3-4 eye docs and
over 30 other folks to help with a youth program and sharing the Good
News with the people of San Carlos and Guymas, Mexico.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjYr5FuPJEJAp-bkkUJpM7SJqmhBlCLq_3VxEXebmnB9VGX2BxdgB7iUJ-paHJeydkwJJoxQwGBCiIcNZZ65Z_lOBnxnrqnNbUkfyj-3BMwsNYne3H68mPeTAEo-mN7yM6S2Aab9O0qfP/s1600/2017-09-16+12.19.52-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjYr5FuPJEJAp-bkkUJpM7SJqmhBlCLq_3VxEXebmnB9VGX2BxdgB7iUJ-paHJeydkwJJoxQwGBCiIcNZZ65Z_lOBnxnrqnNbUkfyj-3BMwsNYne3H68mPeTAEo-mN7yM6S2Aab9O0qfP/s320/2017-09-16+12.19.52-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty more plans after the
first of the year that we are prayerfully considering and I'll let
you know about in the next entry!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God Bless and let's get to sharing the
Good News!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStDzb4RT4aoSFhR6ZhcU8840B1yIpISE4OA2YP7RRjWCRcRxi4H387AlChZiE9HFilQ7qXYZ36KddrAc7uAT9lEZ4q7BB6WCQRRuqKWfksGxdib7emOUS3VKBnG0lJQcD92TXSNeJMLdk/s1600/2017-08-23+14.42.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQvyYB6xXSoT_rx235LMdz89wTvuXIUa7m8TT6ujruG4LwXXrJWKCh2_Tznklk13VieZYtYR_4PdTeek6qhQZG1PLiZs6bvbB8Ln6v0fc5ACT6Ee0hVw4kxAfmfffht4-O4k__ZtZ4v6i/s1600/2017-09-14+12.13.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lC0cjed3vmKQT2kdLWvbuNokiiN9pG3Brs7M8Wm4i5-sv8zy8Ie6JjI0Io_34WFPSE74QoivUHTf6vl93CkA2VMAV62YfLaR9xhnZ_ASYF1itRI-PbV4vRqSX_ybLC3cy6pET_z_Qa3V/s1600/2017-09-09+12.35.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-Luke</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-90493334449127776322017-07-05T10:38:00.002-05:002017-07-05T10:38:50.172-05:00Daddy loves his work!<br />
It's true! I love to do good hard work...especially when it can help to further the Kingdom. I want to take a bit of time and let you know what all kinds of work we are involved with down here in Mexico. <br />
<br />
We have been here for 15 months now and have had the extreme pleasure of getting to know some of the other workers around us. Part of my desire down here is to work within the body of Christ and network with those that are doing Kingdom work too. <br />
<br />
Some of our very good friends from the States are working with a local preacher in a small pueblo called Mescala. They are building a church, doing outreach in the surrounding pueblos, and have also started a feeding program for the impoverished children that live in the church's neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wmu6GgzADEpx3T7ErKbmb64m-E8RYTQlySnOCoksV_lRorm6TdA443pFG6JgUm6xskxn8FkxAj6vNsGR8iAyUfkagFCXCk0JNy0BXVQp-uqL9TUt6gxLK080Hj_liYmnKOxkxG2nEV7H/s1600/2017-03-03+14.52.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wmu6GgzADEpx3T7ErKbmb64m-E8RYTQlySnOCoksV_lRorm6TdA443pFG6JgUm6xskxn8FkxAj6vNsGR8iAyUfkagFCXCk0JNy0BXVQp-uqL9TUt6gxLK080Hj_liYmnKOxkxG2nEV7H/s200/2017-03-03+14.52.16.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mixing concrete to build the church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9szNWZTk2Kd_x07wO2yvt9dPnQQnUlRwFaSNb9eNxuOlUWVEs29IMyVk52T8c_e1NgE2CEi1nXcjw7ZWv0kLgiUZZUruTCQm_m4KQvZkgFa8YVC85UeC0iQDeTS18vh-bSHlxQkQDOD1z/s1600/2017-03-03+16.17.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9szNWZTk2Kd_x07wO2yvt9dPnQQnUlRwFaSNb9eNxuOlUWVEs29IMyVk52T8c_e1NgE2CEi1nXcjw7ZWv0kLgiUZZUruTCQm_m4KQvZkgFa8YVC85UeC0iQDeTS18vh-bSHlxQkQDOD1z/s200/2017-03-03+16.17.16.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sealing the roof from rain leaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboyoWim6k7aDP6yHeMOerdF5nDTiLP817acFdaFJyFLg3IUzfy803MgqyTigv6gXJwyCJgEM6zRR1nkHzB2AUVmFHCSWCK7wFjB2DjIyEh51eLP1q608WExYdWrd71Ii-fTyCGkuSmOvj/s1600/2017-03-03+15.29.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboyoWim6k7aDP6yHeMOerdF5nDTiLP817acFdaFJyFLg3IUzfy803MgqyTigv6gXJwyCJgEM6zRR1nkHzB2AUVmFHCSWCK7wFjB2DjIyEh51eLP1q608WExYdWrd71Ii-fTyCGkuSmOvj/s200/2017-03-03+15.29.44.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adding a floor for the Pastor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-sCKlUaqvqXuhvupNUq9AFqzLhaSO4yZde_1IoZczqPXwg99KYKF3RYTFh47a6RKkrm3AfSdjBJgJRS7dxAgx09ImjspDkD90hDFOEotYkQtmSTy-P8ZMLQ7oQ9AAhAThG2f8WfhjKN/s1600/2017-03-03+16.11.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-sCKlUaqvqXuhvupNUq9AFqzLhaSO4yZde_1IoZczqPXwg99KYKF3RYTFh47a6RKkrm3AfSdjBJgJRS7dxAgx09ImjspDkD90hDFOEotYkQtmSTy-P8ZMLQ7oQ9AAhAThG2f8WfhjKN/s200/2017-03-03+16.11.47.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good ol' fashioned manual labor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here's a link to their page: <a href="http://give.buildhopeinternational.org/en/hartup" target="_blank">The Hartup Family</a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O36aBgdabKixe6bIoQbhGIOUK_1ulhFPtTWHqRdyPdUOB8IhEOs1-8nzRQMoyAOFhzVpSHcovbpI8DRMdXTOSj3-h30tl3AyuA00-Pa_xC-I3TKtK0-HYrV4drZ_HqnWTSpvHJpboviA/s1600/2017-05-02+19.22.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O36aBgdabKixe6bIoQbhGIOUK_1ulhFPtTWHqRdyPdUOB8IhEOs1-8nzRQMoyAOFhzVpSHcovbpI8DRMdXTOSj3-h30tl3AyuA00-Pa_xC-I3TKtK0-HYrV4drZ_HqnWTSpvHJpboviA/s200/2017-05-02+19.22.18.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street evangelising </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy5NvFU0zwr0ut_7bPowxABSrejGXZrkm1lH-1Kili40y72OGtJj0r_pp478KNCxHG9EMbmuAvMK_Xs-TUN_Dq8X2bJT-yxNSXWkxtzeM3xbu_55DFgUkixgR8oNjPqW7E8ZZ_ahcwPuj/s1600/DSCN0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy5NvFU0zwr0ut_7bPowxABSrejGXZrkm1lH-1Kili40y72OGtJj0r_pp478KNCxHG9EMbmuAvMK_Xs-TUN_Dq8X2bJT-yxNSXWkxtzeM3xbu_55DFgUkixgR8oNjPqW7E8ZZ_ahcwPuj/s200/DSCN0275.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Leonel sharing the Word with kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb07Ijg-2M0GAe6gQ_ICT8Vz5od9egBcFyJ_BtoyUuU8enC7hi6K8-hIjZ8zPIbdw9dV6iSGchgQSB_QpDpZabmhzQJ3xOz5NS3QKrtPHEpHL7y2ITfTyNDilwHqyEra6AETCegxdsu0a/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb07Ijg-2M0GAe6gQ_ICT8Vz5od9egBcFyJ_BtoyUuU8enC7hi6K8-hIjZ8zPIbdw9dV6iSGchgQSB_QpDpZabmhzQJ3xOz5NS3QKrtPHEpHL7y2ITfTyNDilwHqyEra6AETCegxdsu0a/s200/DSCN0278.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading worship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5OLEPa_39-sMFIjeCaqlmG3Q4gukTCNH_gbVgFN7jgihLuGBfc69_zt5nly10iWGvjSZ8cqDmoWmN2AyizHsJOywyP6TT954J8fc0bELquywcyN60UcOmyCKcYSghidJPUjDPZ9cpD1L/s1600/DSCN0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5OLEPa_39-sMFIjeCaqlmG3Q4gukTCNH_gbVgFN7jgihLuGBfc69_zt5nly10iWGvjSZ8cqDmoWmN2AyizHsJOywyP6TT954J8fc0bELquywcyN60UcOmyCKcYSghidJPUjDPZ9cpD1L/s200/DSCN0282.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bearded gringo on guitar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'm also working in a community center in the middle of the 'roughest' part of Chapala. It's a barrio called Tepehua. They have a medical clinic there on Friday's and they let me jump in where I can. What a blessing it's been to work with these folks! <a href="http://www.tepehua.org/" target="_blank">http://www.tepehua.org</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHQCoUqZQjVsBQdBdzc0lY9lVPJ-_z3XSf71A04bpyEK_fDW3JFe1kKHRPTzx4saNLeVVhLxVjKhZcvpYA1pzs6bIEsRL-VLBospA3HUb9sJisEfDnIp8wPfzg6VCHAQfo57LUaMbt1Rx/s1600/2017-03-17+09.51.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHQCoUqZQjVsBQdBdzc0lY9lVPJ-_z3XSf71A04bpyEK_fDW3JFe1kKHRPTzx4saNLeVVhLxVjKhZcvpYA1pzs6bIEsRL-VLBospA3HUb9sJisEfDnIp8wPfzg6VCHAQfo57LUaMbt1Rx/s200/2017-03-17+09.51.24.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tepehua Community Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiVBReA3g96WfSdWJjwEZIf5wFfxH9CR64JEXOeDpUOriG3Wx4u9zIQzfRS0JsSL8GE9zhk49jHGT0tr129rBKj2xdj-HKy9CinhxJunixJXEDCmhrxOUssdZhzE1iFgMII2M-s42zPOV/s1600/2017-06-16+09.32.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiVBReA3g96WfSdWJjwEZIf5wFfxH9CR64JEXOeDpUOriG3Wx4u9zIQzfRS0JsSL8GE9zhk49jHGT0tr129rBKj2xdj-HKy9CinhxJunixJXEDCmhrxOUssdZhzE1iFgMII2M-s42zPOV/s200/2017-06-16+09.32.29.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the clean water system</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_TKjfVcWGarspKEwHcvUhyphenhyphendzoqGlzKmKoY9cfGlegaZYSb73pVGWuYHg9jywNjrik0yVk6esDxX8mw_CGybg4z8mZiwD_vQGTw0mnkL7XBGnZT_dNQdGIuljXCk5DvfvO2iWJfs-UpkH/s1600/2017-05-26+11.38.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_TKjfVcWGarspKEwHcvUhyphenhyphendzoqGlzKmKoY9cfGlegaZYSb73pVGWuYHg9jywNjrik0yVk6esDxX8mw_CGybg4z8mZiwD_vQGTw0mnkL7XBGnZT_dNQdGIuljXCk5DvfvO2iWJfs-UpkH/s200/2017-05-26+11.38.28.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is in need of repair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq9FCdsxUKgzbHxVSLIrDqCw7eCPy5N-rKnSTcwQbZcGw7LJjT_XhRoXQKxkJmgszsMK-CnW-aCjrNyCANvdocZyDgHhm1PJWXnSj3eRSUjhQlBLt0Yibq2A3_WmlN5MPIkbyC_5o4WMB/s1600/2017-03-17+10.04.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq9FCdsxUKgzbHxVSLIrDqCw7eCPy5N-rKnSTcwQbZcGw7LJjT_XhRoXQKxkJmgszsMK-CnW-aCjrNyCANvdocZyDgHhm1PJWXnSj3eRSUjhQlBLt0Yibq2A3_WmlN5MPIkbyC_5o4WMB/s200/2017-03-17+10.04.48.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys enjoying the sand</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfayZhuAVKeeT89I3EXVpJY3bC6MNggB3I-_2SqlBNPRLPdBdvTGyDvnzOzxCTw-63wkiJOQQi5E4JVDnNgh00z63SjYzzON8DE-8Y0EzTM7kDmYMV37p1ct0DeJxvEvKv4dyHnZCAwlLv/s1600/2017-03-17+10.19.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfayZhuAVKeeT89I3EXVpJY3bC6MNggB3I-_2SqlBNPRLPdBdvTGyDvnzOzxCTw-63wkiJOQQi5E4JVDnNgh00z63SjYzzON8DE-8Y0EzTM7kDmYMV37p1ct0DeJxvEvKv4dyHnZCAwlLv/s200/2017-03-17+10.19.59.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassie and friends attending a Doula class</td></tr>
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We are busy building a transition home at an orphanage north of the campus that is called Hope House. Here's some pics of the work we are doing. The Deutro's bring in teams from all over to help with the work there. <a href="http://www.casahogarmexico.org/home" target="_blank">Hope House website</a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebzGaBzlXOkrP3W5Jr5Xzey6hhEYEwgJyCjbncBrWnO14LdBx5oMgZJESiimaYTMglSUo4Cevf7bVN9I_aDi66JVJ65zuPOXxJFL89e-uPr8pk8dFvTo4fq43whJ6jJLL9Nfm2KJpec4d/s1600/2017-07-03+11.13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebzGaBzlXOkrP3W5Jr5Xzey6hhEYEwgJyCjbncBrWnO14LdBx5oMgZJESiimaYTMglSUo4Cevf7bVN9I_aDi66JVJ65zuPOXxJFL89e-uPr8pk8dFvTo4fq43whJ6jJLL9Nfm2KJpec4d/s200/2017-07-03+11.13.25.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I repaired a 'broken hammer' by welding a pipe onto it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCRhZF-EefOLQdyJWs5J0AwJIpfQm_MHv0akLaaOrwjZPfV15hJIsAdjmFwLbQlZRgZ_Tt9sK4URka_g1KbS9ezbVyusltz3ruxzeFFSFivKnnj-QY4UaeWX4U9f9Bu1pHud-W1eRqhmS/s1600/2017-07-03+11.13.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCRhZF-EefOLQdyJWs5J0AwJIpfQm_MHv0akLaaOrwjZPfV15hJIsAdjmFwLbQlZRgZ_Tt9sK4URka_g1KbS9ezbVyusltz3ruxzeFFSFivKnnj-QY4UaeWX4U9f9Bu1pHud-W1eRqhmS/s200/2017-07-03+11.13.29.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're making room for electrical conduit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym0FCdfHF9Ty20OHgE-Q5JV3fypcRUQC2AHd2YV1-L2CXR9lzPNS4uSbWEWjjvaZ5HrFLhPDYVSz8h2l3KAClmhEtmi4Q-8StkvdmW8515RNTqudPw1Sskw-jlmypCoUceL_a1BYsCIvH/s1600/2017-06-27+11.26.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym0FCdfHF9Ty20OHgE-Q5JV3fypcRUQC2AHd2YV1-L2CXR9lzPNS4uSbWEWjjvaZ5HrFLhPDYVSz8h2l3KAClmhEtmi4Q-8StkvdmW8515RNTqudPw1Sskw-jlmypCoUceL_a1BYsCIvH/s200/2017-06-27+11.26.50.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working at the Hope House</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o12dMJ0hGid-eaPuM03Y8klCba9HNvYyMothMvN1nHEjltjH8tpraxcojB2fONAx4w432rkWp4m3sc0w6RoZSoHSce_-Ddp3F6TO-gtyhX74RshEExor3KqKYe_d2zumS2FCXB7oZZwq/s1600/2017-06-26+14.18.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_o12dMJ0hGid-eaPuM03Y8klCba9HNvYyMothMvN1nHEjltjH8tpraxcojB2fONAx4w432rkWp4m3sc0w6RoZSoHSce_-Ddp3F6TO-gtyhX74RshEExor3KqKYe_d2zumS2FCXB7oZZwq/s200/2017-06-26+14.18.48.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They've got an amazing aquaponics system...just needs a bit of work!<br /></td></tr>
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Somehow or another...the local church has talked me into playing piano for them on occasion.<br />
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There is also plenty of work here around campus:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC52AnUcUx1DQposSwQDPIEnGDg2Jw2dh2xbxOkp0iNwuiTYH-nwIVx97F3Yc9d4hnHUPQcXTW_KiK4uM5cy2IiWaWEQsAoqWIfRnq6j4ScrlIRCfKeTH-kj2OFaL_JaioGDfYzDRO0EZ/s1600/2017-07-03+17.15.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC52AnUcUx1DQposSwQDPIEnGDg2Jw2dh2xbxOkp0iNwuiTYH-nwIVx97F3Yc9d4hnHUPQcXTW_KiK4uM5cy2IiWaWEQsAoqWIfRnq6j4ScrlIRCfKeTH-kj2OFaL_JaioGDfYzDRO0EZ/s200/2017-07-03+17.15.14.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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We've also had plenty of fun as a family. AND....We welcome precious baby Melodie to our tribe!</div>
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We are looking forward to an extended visit to the States to get the chance to do some fill-in Optometry work too. The plan is to find a place for our family to stay in New Mexico too. We are hoping that during our visit in August and September we can find a home and base our ministry from there. I'm so very thankful to the Lord for all he's brought us through, and that we can work for Him wherever we are! Please keep us in your prayers...we ask for God's strength, guidance, and that His will be done in our family as it is in heaven!<br />
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-AmenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-35803964445241144702017-03-17T12:52:00.001-06:002017-03-17T12:52:20.014-06:00What would Paul do here?!That's my question!<br />
- by Lucas<br />
<br />
What would Paul, Peter, James, John, and the others that called themselves apostles do here where I am and in this day?<br />
<br />
I've no doubt they would be frustrated. There is so much deception, so many lies and half-truths here. It is, most the time, two steps forward, then three steps back. Ugg. Some of the folks we deal with are, beyond the shadow of a doubt, a 'stiff-necked' people. It makes things very frustrating. Even within the walls of this Youth With A Mission campus, there is oppression, there is staunch opposition, there is pride, anger, deceit, bitterness...why?!?!...because we still have skin on!<br />
<br />
Everywhere you find humans living and breathing, there is sin. Even in a christian community?! Yup. Even in church?! Yup. Even in the midst of my 'quiet time' with God, I find my mind wondering off. If I can't stay focused on the truth, how could I expect others to stay focused on the truth. Paul had that struggle. I've also no doubt that the rest of the followers, even the one that Jesus loved, had that problem.<br />
<br />
What is our solution then? <br />
What can we do as humans to pursue and carry out our Lord's Great Commission? <br />
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I can almost hear Paul in the background saying, "Press on towards that goal! That's what I've been writing to you! Keep it up, no matter what." And, he's right. That's all we can do. While I have breath in my lungs, I'm going to keep fighting the good fight and pressing on to the goal.<br />
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What's the goal? ....ZERO<br />
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The goal is Zero. Zero people that live around me without a bible. Zero people who have yet to hear the good news. Zero tribes, peoples, tongues, and nations that lack the gospel. Zero is the goal.<br />
<br />
I'm not in charge of the frustrations. I'm not in control of the lies. I'm not called to deal with the half-truths, opposition, pride, anger, deceit, bitterness, etc... <br />
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I'm called to go and do what Jesus has told us all as christians to go and do. <br />
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Here's the reference, because I know you want to look it up:<br />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Matt-28-16" id="en-NIV-24212" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Great Commission</span></h3>
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<span class="text Matt-28-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24212A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24212A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-28-17" id="en-NIV-24213" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.</span><span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NIV-24214" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24214B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24214B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span> <span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">19 </span>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24215C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24215D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NIV-24216" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">20 </span>and teaching<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24216E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24216F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> always, to the very end of the age.”</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-28-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>
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That's it. Go! It sounds so amazing coming from the Master's mouth doesn't it?! He makes it seam so clear and so simple. In most aspects it is. It just takes an attitude of humility, a servants heart, and time. The time is what gets me most (I've clearly never had any trouble at all being the best, most amazingly and super awesome at being humble!!!)</div>
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So, I think back on my life. I reflect on what God, in His awesomeness, has brought me through. I must keep Him first. I must remember always that He has called me, though I am incredibly unworthy, to be doing work for Him here. That calling must remain supreme in the life of the one who receives it. God's calling in your life, for example, must reign. It must be more important that your wants. It must be more important than your emotions. It must be more important than your needs, or anything else that is important in your life. God's call wins. Period. That is how we, as sold-out followers of Christ, must live. Look at Paul, Peter, Andrew, and the rest. That's how they did it. They were done with living for themselves. They were done living life their own way. They were done living life on 'life's terms'. After Jesus saved them and send the Spirit into them, they were on FIRE! They died to themselves, they died to 'life's terms', and they began to really live. This is life on God's Terms. He Wins... Period.</div>
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And I want what they have! I want a life that can be worthy of the call I have received. Frustrations in my life be damned! I want more! I want to play, eat, drink, breath, and live on the winning team. When I live like that, I can see through the current drama. I can see through the current obstacles, barriers, and road bumps that lay in front of me. I can see through all these things, because I keep my eye on the Prize. </div>
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"God, may I live the rest of my life in Your truth. May I never lose focus. I'm so prone to wonder and loose focus. I'm so stinkin' human! Save me from my self, my selfishness. Keep me in the hollow of your hand. The hands that formed the sea and the mountain peaks. I want that. I want more of You. I want more of the Spirit in me, and I want to show you I love you with the way I live, and the way I think. Take me over. Make me new, today, and always. Shelter my family, my friends, and those that have hearts for you in the shadow of your wings. Thank you for sending Jesus so that I may live. I want to be effective for Your Kingdom. May it come soon! Amen."</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-20500877774289432642017-01-27T22:30:00.005-06:002017-01-27T22:30:48.959-06:00WHY DON'T THEY KNOW?<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Hosea 4:6</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">New American Standard Bible (NASB)</span></h1>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" id="en-NASB-22140" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-22140A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-22140A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.</span></div>
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Because you have <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-22140B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-22140B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>rejected knowledge,</div>
</span><span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I also will <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-22140C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-22140C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>reject you from being My priest.</div>
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Since you have <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-22140D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-22140D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>forgotten the <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-22140E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-22140E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>law of your God,</div>
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I also will forget your children.</div>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Ouch! Wow. That one has always been a tough one for me. How can we know what we don't know? </span></div>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I was working with pastor Gary at a rehab center and a gentleman raised his hand at the first of the lecture. </span></div>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Before I go further...a side note. These folks are there because their family or a judge has let them know that it is either this program, prison...or death. The recovering alcoholics and drug addicts normally sit quietly and listen to pastor Gary's lesson...or just get up and leave, but they rarely are in a mood to ask questions. </span></div>
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This guy asked Gary, in Spanish of course, "Who is God?" Gary, not one to stray too terribly far from course, gave a nice quick response adding that he will go into detail on that later, but this lesson would be about, What Is Hell?. So he continued with his lesson and after around 5 minutes, another hand went up. This time it was a gentleman on the front row. </div>
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His question was, "Si hay un Dios, puede ser un niño, o adulto, o una silla, verdad?"</div>
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in english: "If there is a God, He could be a any boy, or any adult or a chair, right?"</div>
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Gary tried not to lose composure and calmly replied, "No...He is the All Powerful, Almighty, Ever-present creator of Everything." I leaned forward, interested in what would happen next. The pastor looked over at me and said, "unless you have a different opinion, Luke?" I told him that I didn't have a different opinion, but, in my best Texas accent I responded, "Gary, if I may, I'm chompin' at the bit to add my two cents!" Gary could tell that I had something that was ready to burst out, and he 'gave me the reigns'.</div>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Hos-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I still don't know how it happens, but when I get passionate about speaking to someone on the topics of who we are and who God is, it is almost like the Spirit comes upon me and allows me to speak much more passionately and fluently that I normally can. So I stood up and put my arm on the front-row-guy's shoulder and began to speak to the group of around 20 people.</span></div>
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"I like this guy," I started, "you can just tell that he is intelligent! It is so very good to be intelligent isn't it? I lived my life on pure intelligent head-knowledge for years and years! Here's my question for you though, "What did your intelligence get you, sir?"</div>
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-"Who me?" He said.</div>
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-"Yes...you!" I answered.</div>
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-"Well...I don't really know?!"</div>
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-"I'll tell you then", and I continued, "Your intelligence got you a one-way ticket to this beautiful metal chair you are now so proudly seated in!"</div>
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He laughed, and so did most of the other guys. They know most of my background and that I'm a ragamuffin, a man who has learned that I have no worth outside of what my Father sees in me.</div>
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"God wants us to be intelligent, He gave us amazing brains, and wants us to turn them on and use them every day, more and more. "He also gave us this," I said, holding up a Spanish Bible. "This is more. This is what you tried to get with alcohol, drugs, women, theft, anger, fights, and whatever else you were using. This is more than all that. This is more than intelligence. This is how we know the answer to, 'Who is God?'" I pointed to the guy that asked the first question before Gary began his lesson. "You...who do you think God is?"</div>
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-"I think He is Lord" He quickly replied.</div>
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-"I think He is Almighty" another one said.</div>
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-"You tell us" said one in the back.</div>
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I opened the Bible to 1st John and read one of my favorite sentences in the whole Bible, "<i>God is Love</i>. Period. That's it. No 'and', no 'but', no 'unless' or 'except'...just a simple period. When I came into our program about 4 years ago, I had made myself like God. I had lived a life by my own rules, my own force, my own decisions, my own strength. I didn't need Him! And my bottom hit the same seats in the same rooms 1,000 miles north of here. So, 'Mr. Intelligent' sitting here in the front row...I can see what you're saying. When you begin to live your life on God's terms, your god can be a child, an adult, a chair. At first, the most important thing is that...it's not YOU! The hope, your hope, my hope, God's hope, is that this will grow. You should be reaching out to this Power that is bigger than you and learning more about it. My hope is that you learn that this Power is more than a chair, more than a boy, more than an adult, more than anything your eyes can see. He is the Almighty. He is the one that listens and answers prayers, the one that we pass time meditating about, and He is the one that this Book (holding up the Bible) is about. Your job is to allow Him to grow in you more and more and more and more every single day through prayer, meditation, and getting to know the Author of this Bible! You can, you should, and you must...if you ever want anything better than this chair in this room...you must!"</div>
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I looked over at Gary. "I'm sorry, but I'm passionate about this!" I said. "It's Great!" he replied.</div>
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"Look guys," I continued, "knowing about 'What is Hell' is important too, but you can't get into heaven just on fear of hell. I spent most of my life worshiping and praising the God of my father and mother. It looked good most of the time, and no-one would ever question it. But I was missing something. Something that has proven to be the key to every peaceful and truly enjoyable moment of my life; personal relationship with Him. That's what it's about. That's what He wants. That's what He longs for. That's why we are here!"</div>
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I thanked Gary for sharing so much time with me and he continued his lesson...which was a great one about why we should choose now, while we still have this chance to and before it's too late.</div>
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After the class, Gary pulled me aside and said he could see the Spirit move in that room, and he enjoyed 'getting out of the way'. I love that man dearly! He has spent the better part of 15 years pouring his heart out in those rooms too. If it only saves one soul, then it's worth it all.</div>
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All the intelligence in the world can't get you a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe. This is <i>our</i> job. Our work is to know Him, to love Him, and to keep His commands. We are to <i>be</i> love, to love, as He loves and <i>is</i> love. And this Book of Love teaches us how.</div>
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"God, all of my 'wisdom' is foolishness before you. You are the all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present God. I want my life to honor you. I want to be a child that brings my Father joy. I want to be a better witness. Let me never forget your love, your Son, and your desire for obedient believers. Father, I lift up the other ragamuffins out there that love you and want to win others to you. Guard us, watch over us, protect us, and God, if it's your will, kick in a few more sparks between these rusty ol' brain cells!"</div>
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For the Kingdom,</div>
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-Dr. Luke</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-70316032003120741032016-12-18T17:55:00.001-06:002016-12-18T17:55:23.710-06:00Since SeptemberWow! So much has happened since my last update:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicae-TERSubU5c7w-_BDsXlyoTNA87w-YsaLwQQaP4vvTOs3IaNkzVm3wJk2P7ek-6be9VdtdPUpdTx7Q3RfRBTj4ijQTUtBcHcM9JGAb69C-Jw03zNQ3ATLfmuBWW3pMVxbbKu0VlQcvI/s1600/2016-10-08+11.36.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicae-TERSubU5c7w-_BDsXlyoTNA87w-YsaLwQQaP4vvTOs3IaNkzVm3wJk2P7ek-6be9VdtdPUpdTx7Q3RfRBTj4ijQTUtBcHcM9JGAb69C-Jw03zNQ3ATLfmuBWW3pMVxbbKu0VlQcvI/s200/2016-10-08+11.36.41.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaLxQ3zrIrUNFbBEF2KOhkG0-3QHfVHW3tm4Igsi8bgKAmjvVidsxv9UprUI7uGAWoCqE2JRp7uTFg0Ob_Nw1PeQ5lHvmnt1zmfb4iCPaJnJGF8Issvb2jFaZ-tjf_f-F-ob9a6L5j2d2/s1600/2016-08-30+15.52.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaLxQ3zrIrUNFbBEF2KOhkG0-3QHfVHW3tm4Igsi8bgKAmjvVidsxv9UprUI7uGAWoCqE2JRp7uTFg0Ob_Nw1PeQ5lHvmnt1zmfb4iCPaJnJGF8Issvb2jFaZ-tjf_f-F-ob9a6L5j2d2/s200/2016-08-30+15.52.17.jpg" width="200" /></a>A few weeks before that last post in September, I was mowing the lawn here at the campus and heard a blood-curdling scream from Miles. It was loud enough to hear over the mower. I stopped, picked him up and saw a little yellowish-brown scorpion in his shirt. I brushed it off and smashed it with my boot. He was screaming and crying so loud I thought he'd been shot! I handed him to Cassie, who was now nearby, and she said she would get him into the bath and put something on the bite to help him with the pain. I fell terrible now...but I figured all was well and finished the last 15 minutes of mowing. After putting the things away, I returned to our house and heard Miles still screaming! I spoke with Cassie and she said, "I don't know exactly where he was bit. I think it was his hand, but he won't let me touch him to see! I gave him a bath, but he's not really any better." She was beginning to get sad and worried, then something strange happened...Miles stopped crying for a bit, and started coughing up a thick mucus. Cassie and I looked at each other, and knew it was time to get him to a doctor. We threw the other kids in the car without shoes. That caused a massive panic among them and they thought Miles was going to die! Cassie had him in her lap as we sped to the nearby Red Cross. During the ~2 mile drive, Miles started to have trouble breathing, his eyes started to roll into the back of his head, and he began to vomit. We ran into the Red Cross Emergency Room and, in my best attempt at medical spanish, proceeded to tell them what had happened. The doctor immediately began with an injection of scorpion antivenin. We waited breathlessly for 10 minutes...no improvement. The doctor gave a second vial in Miles' arm. Another 10 minutes...Cassie is sobbing, Miles is maybe doing better...at least he's breathing between the screams. Things were awfully tense that first 30 minutes. Lots of prayer and then it seemed like he was going to be ok. Thank you God! We waited another hour after the 4th vial of antivenin, and he fell into a deep exhausted sleep. The doctor said he would have a rough 2-3 days after that, "It's like being hit by a train!" He said before we left. There was a part of me that was dreading paying the bill for the saving of my son's life, but Cassie took all the kids to the car, and I went to pay. The total bill was $135 pesos ($7.50 USD). Wow. Thank you God. I still can't believe it. He is mighty to save!<br />
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The week after our 'scorpion-man's' recovery, we had to cross the border to renew our visas. We had a YWAM Together meeting in Kansas City, MO and the kids got to stay the week with the grandparents. That was such a blessing. We learned so much about the national direction of YWAM and the importance of getting the gospel spread to every people, tribe, tongue, and nation. After the YWAM meeting we returned to Amarillo. What a wonderful visit with Cassie's folks and my parents as well. I had to finish my continuing education for the optometry license, and there was a meeting in Ruidoso, NM. Dad has a wonderful boss that shared his cabin with us and we took full advantage of it!<br />
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When we returned at the end of September, it was 'back to work' time. We've had plenty to do outside the campus with the local villagers around us, and even more to do to get this place back up and running. We've repaired a beautiful fountain that has not functioned for 5 years, a well that had been dried up, a septic system (yuck), numerous leaks, hot water issues, carbon monoxide venting, hvac repair on our walk-in freezer, chopping down trees, and Michael has been finding lizards everywhere!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzn_8uFNQt_dqkl1SlxdCMjyFFNU6VvWpRXX-n8c9A7OhHqkBKnC2fOlr7jQ5kYduP1-s6TjhIQIZPNSLfpGBfLCsdRikb3IkxNoY-XlfgdVvn96kLPJ1pzCtTRFfABBQvVMnUItt8k_P/s1600/2016-11-10+14.26.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzn_8uFNQt_dqkl1SlxdCMjyFFNU6VvWpRXX-n8c9A7OhHqkBKnC2fOlr7jQ5kYduP1-s6TjhIQIZPNSLfpGBfLCsdRikb3IkxNoY-XlfgdVvn96kLPJ1pzCtTRFfABBQvVMnUItt8k_P/s200/2016-11-10+14.26.56.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_lKwxRN_dEbCsejoCp2zw9t4icSpdBN2pDh3TeYh_xBQGkx-ote2a3iN1Bc9rXguSWO2pMnHTz0neBIBpnpCh7vm-v5NB_v22T8qoxQKth6CKj_29ijz8o5tl6qz7i-oOStm6NpUuXOK/s1600/2016-10-08+18.11.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_lKwxRN_dEbCsejoCp2zw9t4icSpdBN2pDh3TeYh_xBQGkx-ote2a3iN1Bc9rXguSWO2pMnHTz0neBIBpnpCh7vm-v5NB_v22T8qoxQKth6CKj_29ijz8o5tl6qz7i-oOStm6NpUuXOK/s200/2016-10-08+18.11.54.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpOY7hJCkmb2ilvgClwvJT3qE7tH978vonEYLn-fJm3AbPQCLwnjUBCFmDXntEJTVQH9XYRzjfRbIqOyGCpOHiFHWu_Ma2qj_Cwb7i2EZYhHgfFcwet7aWl3G2YoQMJM1D2tZcvVVjgYc/s1600/2016-11-10+14.27.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpOY7hJCkmb2ilvgClwvJT3qE7tH978vonEYLn-fJm3AbPQCLwnjUBCFmDXntEJTVQH9XYRzjfRbIqOyGCpOHiFHWu_Ma2qj_Cwb7i2EZYhHgfFcwet7aWl3G2YoQMJM1D2tZcvVVjgYc/s200/2016-11-10+14.27.00.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLcArdmH-0c8H85ljnm-4kps-JwalRbNVJSGyY1FM-RYUgPSGT53UlM8sH5_0MleGBIp0A_kx8KI8lOt5UtG8EY6DbX95bYlPCbS8I527rYzbeX6emZlsFWDwwpauA4aidFfTrFOBIrcw/s1600/2016-10-12+13.35.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLcArdmH-0c8H85ljnm-4kps-JwalRbNVJSGyY1FM-RYUgPSGT53UlM8sH5_0MleGBIp0A_kx8KI8lOt5UtG8EY6DbX95bYlPCbS8I527rYzbeX6emZlsFWDwwpauA4aidFfTrFOBIrcw/s200/2016-10-12+13.35.49.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LYPsMjK29cgDNe9wtOBh6143dEt09_tU6S3FOQOYlgOJEqEEgarhTT-kFb7Gm-CzY7YG3x3nScAg1ph5O6bORxznex-ZpNQlEDbv3uQfhn1JK9Iu4DXuriKKGr5YyL1UhqobBKtkLYEp/s1600/2016-12-02+13.36.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LYPsMjK29cgDNe9wtOBh6143dEt09_tU6S3FOQOYlgOJEqEEgarhTT-kFb7Gm-CzY7YG3x3nScAg1ph5O6bORxznex-ZpNQlEDbv3uQfhn1JK9Iu4DXuriKKGr5YyL1UhqobBKtkLYEp/s320/2016-12-02+13.36.48.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have been having breakfast (one-on-one) on Monday's with one child at a time, and we have cherished these moments. It has given us the opportunity to share the Gospel with our favorite waiter, Nacho, too! He has asked us for prayers for his belief and that of his family as well. We also began blessing our children each Saturday night around the dinner table. Marcus calls this "Family Fun Night", and we basically go around to each child telling them the wonderful truth about them and making sure we have apologize for any wrongs we have done to them. This, humbling, experience has been a blessing to me as well as them. Lord, may I never forget that my family is the primary mission that you have given Cassie and I. <br />
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We must train them up the way they should go, and they will know You by our love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-1203730997675684212016-12-09T00:35:00.000-06:002016-12-09T00:44:58.109-06:00Dear Mr. Elf on the Shelf<br />
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Dear Mr. Elf on the Shelf,<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for your diligent observance my children's' behavior. Thank you for showing up in funny, and sometimes inappropriate, places and bringing a smile to the faces of many, young and old, this time of year.<br />
<br />
But, I have some bad news for you, my friend.<br />
<br />
Christmas isn't about how good or bad my kids are. The gifts of Christmas don't depend on what they do, or what they say. Those precious gifts have nothing to do with whether they are right or wrong, good or bad, naughty or nice.<br />
<br />
In fact, the worst of children are able to freely receive the gifts of Christmas.<br />
<br />
Even the ones that scratch their hiney hole INSIDE of their underwear, and blow their stank morning breath in your face before breakfast, just to see the shudder on your face.<br />
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The ones that raise their eyebrows in distain at the mere existence their little brother.<br />
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Children who sneak candy after they've brushed their teeth, and then lie about it in the morning.<br />
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The ones who scream out mean names to their sister and threaten to never talk to her again because she is "SO STINKING RUDE!"<br />
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The ones who have hate in their heart.<br />
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The ones who are bitter . . . and angry.<br />
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The children who are self-absorbed and unrelenting.<br />
<br />
The truth you need to know, you little red minion of Mr. Clause, is this:<br />
<br />
<b>Christmas is about the goodness of God, not about the goodness of children. </b><br />
<br />
So, I'm sorry to tell you, you are completely unnecessary. In fact, you totally turn Christmas upside down and inside out (kind of like my son's underwear).<br />
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If you would like to be useful, please use your time to tell children about the goodness of God, instead of telling Santa about the goodness of children.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
Cassie Haney<br />
<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-47621261859835047752016-12-09T00:13:00.000-06:002016-12-09T00:13:14.046-06:00The Struggle is Real: Legalism & Christian LivingWhere do I even begin with this topic?<br />
<br />
First, let me say this: living on a Christian Missionary Campus is THE PERFECT SETUP for legalistic Christianity. Many who come here are looking to the people here to see if they are 'holy' enough to be a missionary. Are they 'good' enough? Do their kids act 'right' enough? The men don't have long hair do they? Tattoos? Piercings? They don't listen to secular music, of course! Pokemon?? No way, those are little devils you know! The women aren't gossips, are they? Lazy? They don't get frustrated with their children, who are perfect and only watch G rated movies of course!<br />
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Although it's not hard to see how we get to this terrible, paralyzing place of slavery to 'right living'. I know I've been there, it's a slippery slope! It's the place where in my heart I truly want to serve and honor God, so I give up some stuff in my life. I might change the station I listen to, or start wearing more modest clothes. I might take up reading my Bible a little more often, or do any number of things to try to show my God that I am His, that I love Him, and that I want to live for Him.<br />
<br />
Uh oh! Now I have something to be proud of don't I?? "<i>I</i> turned my life around because <i>I</i> love God so much. What did <i>you</i> do? <i>I</i> don't say that word or do that thing, but <i>you</i> do . . . maybe <i>I</i> love God more than <i>you</i>?"<br />
<br />
GAG ME WITH A SPOON!<br />
<br />
<b>Here is the truth:</b> I didn't turn my life around at all! Jesus turned my life around because He is so nice and good. He took pity on me because I was in dire straights, headed for destruction and He had mercy on me!<br />
<br />
<i>Lord, may I never forget where you brought me from . . . or think that I could have done it on my own! Forgive me for passing judgement on others!</i><br />
<br />
Dare I say that the Pharisee leader's legalistic way of 'running' the church was Jesus' biggest pet peeve? Did anything else anger him so? Did anyone else (except maybe Peter "Get behind me Satan") cause him to speak so strongly?<br />
<br />
The great burden the Pharisee leaders put on the Jews was so heavy, so burdensome, and so NOT in sync with the God that they 'served'. The Bible gives us many examples: "come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest", "cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you", and "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free".<br />
<br />
I truly believe the Lord does not want us to live burdened lives! We should be the most free, lightest, non-burdened creatures on the globe. All of our sins are forgiven and paid for. They are far away from us, and they can't find us out. How do we make God feel when we hand our burden over to him just to pick up a new one?<br />
<br />
Please hear my heart here, I understand how tricky this is . . . the line is very, very thin.<br />
<br />
When we become freed by Jesus, there SHOULD be a change in our lives! We SHOULD become 'better'. We SHOULD be compelled to start doing some things and stop doing others . . . out of a place of gratitude and affection for our Savior. We must, however, be so careful not to delude ourselves into the lie that we are better than someone else because of what we do or don't do. We are no better or worse than any other. Often our 'goodness' feels diminishing and demeaning to those around us . . . and that's not 'good' at all.<br />
<br />
Legalism: Demeaning, demolishing, and diminishing by being a 'good' person.<br />
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My friend Jennifer wrote an awesome blog about the "Lure of Legalisme" <a href="http://www.jenniferllane.com/jenniferllaneblog/2016/10/11/day-11-lure-of-legalism">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-21490536651904504492016-10-21T00:10:00.000-05:002016-10-21T00:10:05.281-05:00Mission Life UpdateLife here at JUCUM Guadalajara is settling in to a nice pace. The kids and I have found a school routine that accommodates all our needs. They have resumed their gymnastics classes twice a week. We have started a weekly playdate on Saturday mornings which helps fill in some much needed time with friends, and we have implemented 'Family Fun Night' on Friday nights. Last week Marcus accidentally called Friday night 'Happy Kids Night' which made us feel great about the whole thing! We have found a church home that has a small group of young kids (mostly boys), and a women's Bible study I have been able to attend. I even found an organic market on Tuesdays (clearly the Lord loves me!!) Luke is officially on staff here at the campus. Generally, he can be found doing something plumbing related (the fountain, the well, or the leaks), or computer related (the website, the printers, or the troubleshooting). Most of my time is spent tending to the needs of the kids and the house. Last week I was able to make about 40 beanbags for the kids in Chapicolte (and some for my little hijos as well). I feel blessed to be able to take part in the kids ministry in Chapicolte, but lately I have really been convicted that my mission field right now is in my own home, with my own children. The more I lean into what God wants from me during this season of our lives, the more I feel called to my 'domestic duties' as a wife and mother. It's amazing to me how the Lord uses the simplicity of being a wife and mother to draw out conversations that lead to Him.<br />
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On Tuesday I had all the children with me to take Mandie to her gymnastics class, and a woman approached me to ask the same four questions I seem to be asked everywhere I go: "Are all of these little blondies yours?", "Are you going to have any more?", "Do you live here?", "What brought you here?" At which point I was able to say how blessed I am by God to have all of these kiddos, and that I don't know if I'll be blessed with more or not. Then I get to tell them that we are living here at the mission because the Lord called my husband and I out here for the purpose of "knowing God better, and making Him known" (as they YWAMers say). It turned out that the woman I was speaking with was a Christian, and I believe that God was glorified in our interaction.<br />
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I hope the Lord will allow me and the kids more opportunities to give Him glory and to shine a light to Him as we school, work, and play here in Chapala. I hope I will be brave to point to Him every chance I get.<br />
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Luke's life as a missionary is probably much more 'missionary-like' than mine. He regularly leads worship here on campus, and he has even led worship at the rehabilitation center down the road. He attends / leads Bible meetings, gives his testimony, attends prayer meetings, and helps make future plans for this campus. He also works very hard to maintain the campus in the form of yard work, carpentry, mechanics, cooking, cleaning, etc. He is a hard working man, and I know there is nothing he wouldn't do. He is God's 'man on the ground' and I'm so proud to be his wife.<br />
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Right now our campus is sort of at a crossroads. The staff is new, the ideas are fresh, the calendar is flexible, and we are looking up to see what the Lord has for us and this place. We are wanting to fulfill the plans he has here, and we hope we hear a clear direction that we are all in agreement on as far as what our time, resources, energy should be spent on. Please pray that the Lord would use us to do His work, and that we would all be in agreement on what the future holds for this place. Also please pray that we would have the strength and courage to carry out the plans He has.<br />
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I am so grateful to be living this life that I have. I believe in my heart this is what the Lord wants from me, and I am relieved that my life is not contradicting my beliefs about God's will. I have lived with the contradiction before, and it was torture! He has freed me to live for Him, what a good God we have! Blessings to you all back home!!Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-5064701361529513862016-10-04T18:32:00.000-05:002016-10-04T18:32:05.105-05:00Paper Tigers VS Lion of Judah<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">My friend <a href="http://www.jenniferllane.com/">Jennifer Lane</a> at Citychurch is writing every day for the month of October about how we as Christians often fall before "paper tigers", as they are referred to in Galations 4 (the Message), instead of trusting and serving the one true God. This is my contribution to her <a href="http://www.jenniferllane.com/jenniferllaneblog/write31days2016">blog</a>.</span></div>
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<i><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8-11 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Earlier, before you knew God personally, you were enslaved to so-called gods that had nothing of the divine about them. But now that you know the real God—or rather since God knows you—how can you possibly subject yourselves again to those paper tigers? For that is exactly what you do when you are intimidated into scrupulously observing all the traditions, taboos, and superstitions associated with special days and seasons and years. I am afraid that all my hard work among you has gone up in a puff of smoke! ~The Message</span></i><br />
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<b>Paper Tigers vs. Lion of Judah</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.jobjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/paper-tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jobjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/paper-tiger.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a><span class="s1">As much as I wish it wasn’t true, many years of my life in childhood and as an adult have been spent fearing paper tigers. I was a huge people pleaser, parent pleaser, teacher pleaser, youth minister pleaser, coach pleaser, friend pleaser, put on a happy face, “everything’s perfect here I don’t need any help from you but I can help you if you need me” type of girl. This attitude served me well in my youth, I did well in school, had lots of friends, and my parents were generally happy with my behavior. However, these traits began to feel more like chains as I progressed into adulthood. I became a secret keeper (a.k.a. liar at times), because I was scared to bring to light the darkness that was in my house. I was a pretender, going on for many years as if I didn’t have any skeletons in my closet. I was an enforcer, requiring my children to uphold this pretend world I had created. The truth was that I was always afraid. I felt incredibly guilty about who I was, and how I was behaving. I knew I was far from God. The scariest part of it all, was the reality that I didn’t know my way back to Him, and if it depended on me, I was toast. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">At that time, with <b>nothing</b> to offer, <b>no</b> good deeds in my pocket, my family life was a <b>mess</b>, my heart was <b>hard</b>, my parenting was <b>ugly</b> . . . I had literally <b>nothing going for me</b> spiritually . . . that was when I cried out to God. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Jesus saved me. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Jesus saved my marriage.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Jesus saved my family.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>He is no paper tiger, He is the LION OF JUDAH!</b> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">When He moves, it is undeniable. When He creates, it is undestroyable. When He saves, there is no vulnerability. When He loves, there is no pride left in me. There is power even in the mention of His name. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">My God pulled me up out of the slimy pit, I was rescued from myself . . . not because of my redeeming character qualities, or my good deeds, or my positive attitude. All glory to Him. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Because of the way He rescued me, I understand that it simply doesn’t matter very much who I am or what I do . . . as long as I’m with Him. I don’t need to be “happy”, or “good”, or “cheerful” as if He <i>needs</i> me to be that way. He doesn’t <i>need</i> me. I hope that I would never bow my knee and serve a “god” who <i>needed</i> something from me. If He needed me, then I would be the god. NO! I need Him, He is worthy, He is Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior! If I am happy, good, or cheerful it is because He loved me first, not because I’m doing Him a favor.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Jonah wasn’t “good”. He didn’t cheerfully fulfil is Christian duty by happily going about with the “joy of the Lord” on him in service to God. He was no people pleaser. God used angry, spiteful, bitter Jonah . . . because God <i>chose</i> Jonah. <i>God gave Jonah </i>what he needed because God had what Jonah needed. Jonah didn’t have it . . . but God could use Jonah because God is more than able to account for our shortcomings. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">So why are we prone to make God so little and paper tigers so big in our hearts? Why do we let fear of men override fear of God. Why do we believe that the physical world is more real than the spiritual? Why do we allow ourselves to be slaves?? We are free, under the care and grace of our loving Father and Savior, the LION of Judah, the worthy one, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to bow your knee, look up, and find salvation!</span></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-80041796851601766492016-09-16T10:37:00.002-05:002016-09-16T11:42:32.515-05:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What Are We Doing Here?</h2>
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-by Luke</div>
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Perhaps that's a question on your mind?...mine too! I'm going to try and answer it for myself and possibly for some of you too.<br />
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I was just sitting in front of my computer filing insurance claims for patients one day last Summer. I still don't know how or what happened, but it was as if God had smacked me on the back of the head with His velvet 2X4 and laid some pretty thick stuff on my heart. He asked me to do 3 things...very distinct, and very specific. 1: get out of debt ($68,000 at the time!) 2: get licensed to practice optometry in New Mexico??? 3: go on a mission trip. Wow! Ok?! I might could do one of those things with what little was left of 2015, but where to even start?<br />
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Like all the massively important decisions that King David made in his battles, I decided to draw straws. The first thing to tackle fell to #2: getting a N.M. license. I had no idea why I was led down that path, but here we go! New Mexico is one of the most difficult states to get licensed in, 100 question jurisprudence exam, 18 case studies presented by doctors that can ask any and every question they want, and a clinical skills eval that would throw a 4th year for a loop! I studied everything I could get my hands on for an exam in August, and my sweet wife volunteered to be my patient for the clinical part. August came and we went to Albuquerque for the exam. It was even harder and more horrible than I could have imagined...but...purely by God's grace and the grace of the N.M. Board of Optometry, I passed! Wow God! I thought for a month or so that He was just trying to humble me more by making me take tests and fail...but I passed! Great!...now what? Why did He want me to do that? Was it just a test of faith? Was He checking His almighty microphone to see if I was listening? So...I started to look at the other two tasks He set me on.<br />
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I started to look online for New Mexico missions, or charity work, or something that would be along the lines of His call, and stumbled upon a group called the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. They were not doing mission work in New Mexico, but they did have a trip pending for 'Old' Mexico. I thought, "Ok God, I can send this guy an email and pray about it...what's to lose?" I was right, there was nothing to lose, but I had no idea what was to gain! God used a N.M. license exam to draw me into His hands to receive the calling that He had for our family from the start! More about this trip in a bit...<br />
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The Optometry Mission was set for the end of December, but we still had the debt to deal with. I'm sitting here a year later, and I still have no idea how we did it. The first week in December 2015, we paid off every single penny of debt. God had to have His hand in it and the orchestra of things that lead us down that road had His signature on every page! He had brought about so many things in my life that I could not have done myself. What a great Master we serve. Amen!!?<br />
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Debt free, armed with a Texas and N.M. optometry license, and called to do a mission, I headed to Mexico for 10 days. I was the only Texan, there was one other doctor, 3 optometry students and about 15 members of a church from up north that I'd never met. We ended up seeing around 800 patients in 9 days and even saved a few lives! I had never felt more in tune or in-step with the Creator of the Universe then I did on that trip. On the last day of the clinic, a 70 year old man stood up on our bus and asked, "By a show of hands: Who here wants to die as a lazy bum sitting on your couch watching T.V.?" No one on the bus raised their hands. "That's what I thought," He continued, "Who here wants to die with boots on, doing God's work here on the ground?!" Every hand went up with much 'hootin' and hollerin''. Those words struck a chord in me, and, changed our life.<br />
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When I returned home to my exhausted family and shared the story, Cassie's eyes started to tear up. "What's wrong?" I said.<br />
"I...hmmm...I don't know what to say." She replied.<br />
We sat in silence for a while.<br />
"I have wanted to be a missionary my whole life, but I thought that God wanted me to give up that dream when we got married." As those quiet words fell from her mouth, I was amazed!<br />
I said, "We've been married for 12 years now, and I've never known that...you could have at least mentioned it over dinner some time!" - We laughed, cried, prayed, and both decided to seek more of what He wanted us to do.<br />
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I sent out over 20 emails. Emails to every christian mission organization that Google found that night until I was tired. We prayed, and we waited. By the end of January 2016 we had received a whopping 1 reply. It was from a gentleman that worked with something called Youth With A Mission (Y.W.A.M.) in Guadalajara, Mexico. I had wanted to do a week, possibly 2-week mission trip every now and then, but my God had much bigger plans for our entire family. With Y.W.A.M. I would need to take a 5 month Discipleship Training School program to join their staff. This was the 'game changer.' Were we going to follow God's call to Mexico? <br />
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Cassie and I fervently prayed and prayed and prayed over this, and we both knew that this was the call of God. He wanted us to meet Him there in Mexico for 'who knows' how long, which meant we would have to leave everything we had ever known! We had to leave our home, sell our stuff, my tools!, our extra clothing, my new business!...everything. That was quite the undertaking (I gained 20 pounds in three months from the stress!) but He brought us through it. Doors opened, and the first week of April 2016 we took off with all we could stuff in a Suburban around our 5 kids.<br />
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The Discipleship Training School (D.T.S.) was intense! It was a very difficult 5 months on our family, (I lost the 20 pounds!) but full of fellowship with one another, and times of amazing intimacy with Jesus. During that time we were able to focus on getting Christ back in the center of our family, finances, relationships, works, everything. We had gotten so off-course just living our lives in Texas. It was easy in my job, church, and hobbies to 'get busy' and not pay attention to the needs of our family. There in Mexico, with no connections, job, and in each others face all day, God revealed so much. We were a broken family, and were in desperate need of that time to heal and God has healed us so much. Don't get me wrong....there's much left to do! I'm just glad He's not done with us yet!<br />
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I graduated from the D.T.S. on September 1st 2016 and we are spending a few weeks 'state-side' before heading back to the ministry full time.<br />
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Finally, here's what we will be doing: (tl;dr)<br />
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Our main focus at the Y.W.A.M. base down in Guadalajara is to teach people how to know God. That is, how to have a relationship with the author of the Bible, instead of just reading the book! We are working with several local villages near the campus, sharing weekly bible study and fellowship with them. We work with a group of children from the area through a program called Kings Kids (Hijos Del Rey). They come to the campus every month (anywhere from 60-100 kids) to learn more about the importance of an intimate relationship with Christ. We host groups from all around the world on short term missions (2 weeks to 2 months), family conference weekends, worship conventions, and the Amish come down from Pennsylvania once a year to help us build homes for families! The part I'm most happy with there, is that the whole family can be involved. This isn't about Luke doing his thing with God...it's about our whole family helping spread the Good News and using what God has given us to bring Him glory. It's all about you, Jesus!<br />
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This is my prayer, "Father, I'm done living my life. I tried it, and it didn't work without You. I need you. Every day, every hour, every minute, I need you. Take my life, form it to yours. Everyday is a gift from you, and I want to use all I have to bring You glory. You, only You, are worth my praise, my time, and my effort. I pray that You would always stay the focus of my mind, heart, soul, strength, and family. Keep me humble, keep me real, keep me in the shadow of your wings. Thank you that we may become righteous through the gift of Your Son, and the strength of the Spirit that you've made available for everyone, everywhere. I want to be a better witness of Your love, Your crazy, relentless, never-failing love. To You be the glory. Amen"<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-90375320951504290482016-08-21T09:02:00.002-05:002016-08-21T09:02:17.715-05:00The Definition of a Missionary According to MandieReaching people who have never been reached. . .<br />
Telling people who have never heard. . .<br />
Touching lives who have never been touched. . .<br />
Talking to people who have never been talked to. . .<br />
About God.<br />
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Thanks Mandie!<br />
<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-9488192242006490532016-07-23T00:31:00.000-05:002016-10-27T00:29:50.745-05:00Struck Down, But Not Destroyed (2nd Corinthians 4:8)Life here in Mexico has been passing peacefully. Luke has finished the classroom portion of his school, and we have begun the "outreach" phase of his training. The outreach portion has been broken up into three segments. Segment one is hosting "Hijos Del Rey" camp which means "Kids of the King". It is a camp for local kids in the area who are Christians. My oldest 2 kids have been blessed to take part in this camp and I have been amazed by all that the Lord has done in their hearts during this time. Campers receive teachings, time for 'adoracion' (praise and worship), workshops (either music, dance, or drama), small groups, and more. We have been blessed to spend time with the kids and teenagers who are here. My little guys attract a lot of attention from the local teenage girls because of their blonde hair and light eyes. Often times I look into the crowd to find one of my littlest three posing for pictures. They call my kids "guerito", I think it means "little blondie". Seems like I hear that word everywhere I go, especially from the sweet little Mexican grandmothers that we happen across.<br />
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The next segment of our outreach will last almost three weeks. We will be travelling to Puebla and Mexico City to do evangelism. The kids and I will join in for this portion. I am really looking forward to it. The kids and I are going to try to learn a few new christian kids songs in Spanish to sing with/for the kids on this leg of our journey. I will post more about this phase in the next few weeks.<br />
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The final leg of outreach will be in a city a few hours south of where we are here in Chapala. Luke will take part in this journey, but the kids and I are going to stay home. At that point, Luke will have completed his schooling. We plan to attend a meeting in Kansas after his graduation in September with another couple from the base, and then we will be in Amarillo (Lord willing) to visit our family and friends.<br />
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So what does all of this good news have to do with the title of this post? Well, I'm glad you asked.<br />
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To answer that question, you need to know a little bit of my back story. During my first pregnancy with my daughter, about 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It completely rocked my world. I went from being a very active and energetic person, to a person whose fingers were to weak to pull up the bedsheets at night, and who couldn't stand up straight when I got out of bed. Over the past 10 years I have had my fair share of physical suffering. In the worst times, I couldn't walk or function. I was utterly miserable. The Dr. I went to at that time advised me to start taking a biologic drug that would prohibit me from safely having any more children, and that would certainly have negative long term side effects on my health. I was left asking myself some really hard questions. Why me, God? Am I still important to you? Do you want me to suffer and struggle? Do you love me? Did you ever really love me? I had moments when I felt like I had been robbed of the healthy active life I had been planning on living. In many ways, I thought my life was over. To put it simply, I had been <b>struck down</b>, way down . . .<br />
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As the years passed, the Lord showed me how to care for myself in a way (mostly through diet) that all but eliminated my pain, without taking any toxic prescriptions. Not only that, He blessed my husband and I with 4 sons. I have been able to care for my home, my husband, and my children all with fingers that may not look exactly like yours but can get the job done just as well. He has used my arthritis to teach me humility, compassion, empathy, and more. He has allowed this disease to reveal to me that which is important in life, and that which is not. He has used it to make me thankful, and to reveal to me beauty that would have been overlooked before. Today, I am living a very active life in Mexico doing exactly what the Lord and I want me to be doing. Ten years ago I never would have imagined the life I have now was a possibility. My life was <b>not destroyed</b> by rheumatoid arthritis, in fact I am thriving.<br />
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A lack of pain and suffering in life does not equate to being loved by God. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Pain and suffering in life are to be considered "all joy" to the <i>believer</i> who <i>believes</i> that the struggle being faced is evidence of sonship to almighty God. Suffering is required to produce the character traits the Lord is trying to develop in His children to "make them perfect". Suffering makes us more like Christ. Suffering gets the attention of the world. Hard times have come, and more are brewing on the horizon. This is not a lack of love from our Father. When we find ourselves in the midst of agony, and the inevitable question comes to mind, "Do you even love me, Lord?" The answer is to be found on the cross, not on our personal comfort scale. At the cross He proved His love. At the cross He gave us new life that is being renewed by Him day by day, although outwardly we shrivel and waste away.<br />
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On the day I die, when I trade my temporary body in for an eternal one, I hope that God and I have a good laugh over the condition of my body. Some parts will be shrivelled from arthritis, others will be stretched from pregnancy and nursing, my brain will be full of our conversations, my hands will have been used to bring nourishment, comfort, and sometimes even to usher a new life into the world. My skin will have wrinkles and sunspots. My toes will not all point in the same direction. But I hope and I pray that every part of my body will have been made accessible to the Lord, no corner kept for myself, and God and I can look on my body and see that it was His more than mine. And on that day, all the pain and suffering will have been well worth it.<br />
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"Fallow Ground" by A.W. Tozer: http://www.theprayerlife.com/tozerfallow.html <br />
Sermon on suffering by Matt Chandler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlGdmKYqfMI<br />
<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-37377960867907581612016-06-23T16:35:00.000-05:002016-06-23T16:35:49.889-05:00Motivation from MontanaA group of mostly retired men and women from Montana arrived at our base a few days ago. Most are in their 60's, and most have sold their belongings to give God their retirement years working through YWAM. They are here helping out our base because we are understaffed. They have been pulling weeds, mowing, trimming plants, washing dishes, etc . . . you know, just serving.<br />
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How different they are than most of the retirees I have met. The ones who have always told me, "Work now so you can rest later"or "Save now, so you can spend later". I remember in my high school economics class doing the math: if you save $20 a month every month starting when your 18 then by the age of whatever you'll be a millionaire.<br />
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Well these guys aren't millionaires. Technically, many are homeless. They have given God it all, and their retirement is no exception. They want to serve God till the last day. They know that the only thing they possess is today, and today they have turned over to their master.<br />
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I want to live like them. I want to give God my thirties, my forties, my fifties, my sixties, my seventies, my eighties, my nineties. Lord knows I may be a crippled old lady for most of that time, but I'll be a crippled old lady in love with Him.<br />
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Why do they do it?<br />
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Because they know He saved them.<br />
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Deep down in their hearts they know who they are and what they have been saved from. They are happy to be doing what they are doing, they would be miserable doing anything else, they are humble servants doing their duty . . . because they know Him . . . and He's worth it.<br />
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He's so extremely worth it. Nothing could have ever been more deserved by any person at any time for any reason. Jesus Christ is worth every penny I have and every day I live. Life in Him is more lifelike than any other life I have ever lived. He's the author of life, and He knows how to make it good. If you don't love Him, you probably just don't know Him.<br />
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<i>Thank you Father, for the motivation you sent here from Montana. What a blessing. Amen.</i>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230523497765328110.post-86882694228150639162016-06-17T23:20:00.002-05:002016-06-17T23:20:48.101-05:00The Rain In MexicoThe Rainy Season has finally arrived here in Mexico!! I have never experienced the type of torrential flooding I have witnessed here! It comes on pretty quickly. The skies will be blue with soft, white, fluffy clouds all around, and then suddenly, in a matter of minutes, the black and grey clouds, heavy with water, will roll in. Large and loud drops will begin to plop on the arms and cheeks. Thunderous booms scatter over the sky. Finally, the heavens will open and the floods will commence. I planted seeds last week, and I'm pretty sure they are all washed away. I don't think it's even worth reseeding, because the water is so overwhelming. I don't see how they could stay under the ground. How these people farm from seed here is beyond me! Usually, it happens in the late evening or during the night. I believe it has rained probably 9 of the last 10 nights. The rain chases away the heat, cools the air and the earth; it revives the body. However, by late afternoon the heat is back, the sweat has settled under my arms and on my forehead, and I am grateful that this season has come! It's not always torrential. It's not always overwhelming. Sometimes it's quite peaceful, and very relaxing. Rain brings security to the land, and peace to my mind.<br />
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For weeks before the Rainy Season finally came upon us, it teased us relentlessly. There would be moments in the late afternoon when the winds would begin to stir. The clouds would start to cluster together over the sun, and even the air would be thick with the delicious smell of moisture. Those of us working outside during times like this would look at each other with excitement in our eyes, anticipating the release of the tension in the air, waiting for the storm that seemed so near. Often, staff members would dart out of buildings and sprint towards the laundry line in an effort to rescue their clothes. At times, a few drops would even grace the earth, but they would evaporate from the sidewalk almost instantly. Even though the ground was thirsty and desperate for a drink, the clouds would dissipate and the hope of rain would quickly relent to the reality that is the Dry Season. Only two seasons exist in this part of Mexico. The Rainy Season lasts from sometime in May or June to sometime in October, and the rest of the year is painfully dry.<br />
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In my mind, as I observed the coming of the rainy season this year, I was reminded of the church.<br />
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When I saw the clouds begin to gather, and I smelled the moisture in the air, it made me think of the people of the church beginning to gather themselves on a Sunday morning. . . the promise of worshipers arising to rain glory down on their King. I imagined what the Lord experiences as the people of the earth, who claim Him, wake up and begin to prepare themselves to gather together. He patiently watches as they eat their breakfast and dress themselves and their family. He feels the stir in the air as the car doors slam and the people are moving together, like droplets of rain beginning to stick to each other in a cloud. Does He smell the prayers that float up. Is He anticipating the outpouring of love from their hearts to His throne room? Is He awaiting the relief, the breaking of the tension, as his bride worships Him in Spirit and in truth.<br />
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Does the rain ever come? Do we depend on the few droplets of those who truly praise and worship to carry us through? Do we release to our God what He is due? Is it the Dry Season in the chapel?<br />
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FINALLY, the beautiful day will come forth . . . like the coming of the Rainy Season . . . when the true worshippers gather together and they pour out their love and admiration for their redeemer. They forget about their own lives, and plug into Him. They pour out their prayers, their songs, and their love to their Lord like a torrential flood that has been a long time coming. They confess their sins, they accept each other as sinners saved, and they truly give Him all they have. They make full use of their time together to bring glory to their King, to stand as a witness of who He is and what He has done.<br />
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When they do, the world is effected. Flowers pop up . . . the promise of fruit. Things that used to look dead begin to bud and show signs of life. Little trenches have formed in the dirt, and the gravel in the road has shifted. Everyone who wakes up the morning after a big rain can easily perceive the precipitation that occurred the night before.<br />
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And the King is pleased.<br />
<br />Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934773404578011282noreply@blogger.com0