It sounds like the courts will let Ana and her sibling group stay at Lily. Thank you, Jesus! Nothing is definite, but this is how things are leaning. Please keep praying about this.

Mama and Papa announced today that they will be renewing their wedding vows on Tuesday evening! Everyone here is SO excited! Rosa asked Gary to walk her down the aisle and he is honored to do this. Sounds like a very special evening to me! I'll be sure to take many pics!!!

I have not heard anything about my poor computer. I don't think 'no news is good news' works in Mexico. No bueno...

This morning in devotions Papa reminded us of the importance to depend on God for everything. He said it is easy for them to totally depend on God because there is no way he could make things happen. The unfortunate thing is that in the states, we have a way of taking care of things. We are so self-sufficient and not God-dependent. Shame on us. My prayer life has been challenged here...and it is good.

I hope it is an encouragement to you that I am still taking tons of pics. They will just be posted at another time. I have no idea why things have happened as they have...but I trust my God and His sovereignity!

There are some very major decisions being made down here regarding adoptions and I ask for your prayers. We need wisdom regarding some issues.

Today the children enjoyed a day of rest and relaxation...after their chores. I love the weekends because there is more laughter and time for talks. Some of the children are almost fighting for my time and I am fearing that they are thinking that if they 'win me over', they will be able to get adopted. I sense that another explanation needs to be made to all the children that God is directing this and I am just His servant.

Gary and I had a good time listening to Ed and Rosa's dreams for Lily and help them do some long range planning. God is blessing and they are praying for more workers. Right now there is need for more housing for the staff. They would like to put up several 2 bedroom houses in the back where the orchard is now. Another bus will soon be needed to replace the main bus and they are also hoping to set up a medical 'clinic' for Dr.'s and Dentists to visit and help the children at Lily and other orphanages. These are a few of the things we discussed. Please help us pray about these needs. We serve a BIG God and I am excited to see what He has in store!

Urgent Prayer Request and Praise

Please pray for Ana. Her step-dad is fighting for her custody again...along with her siblings. This is the same man who has raped her in the past. The hearing is today. We need a miracle for these kids. DIF is listening to the dad and ignoring her testimony. I'll keep you posted.

A huge praise! Last spring we found out about very young girls who are prostituted at an agricultural trucking spot several hours away. Lily has taken this matter to prayer since last spring. Ed and Rosa has been desperate to make a connection in this town. Well, last week we heard from an 18 yr. old young man who wants to work at Lily for a few months. Ed and Rosa were excited to find out that he was from this town that they had been praying for. The best part is that his pastor called to give references for him...and this pastor said that the Lord has recently laid it upon his heart to begin an orphanage for these young girls to rescue them from the prostitution. He never knew that this was exactly what we have been praying about. So, Ed and Rosa are doing all they can to assist him to begin this orphanage. His biggest hurdle right now is renting a place for the children to stay at. So, this is a praise as well as a request. I will keep you posted on this latest miracle!

Alex has been working on my computer and I should know if it is salvagable by tomorrow. If it can be fixed...then I can post pics again! In the meanwhile I can at least convey verbally what is happening.

A simple conversation...

Thanks to Belem, I have a computer to continue to blog for another day. The trick will be trying to upload pics. Help me, Jesus!
Francis Chan has been my 'newest favorite' author. Both his books, Crazy Love, and Forgotten God have challenged my heart to the core. I especially love the chapter in Crazy Love on 'Profile of the Obsessed'. Here are some quotes: "People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's Kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress." "People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world." In Chan's Forgotten God book there is a short biographical sketch of Esther Ahn Kim. My daughter mentioned this particular portion of Chan's book to me yesterday and it has been on my mind. Esther refused to bow to idols during WWII with the Japanese occupation of Korea and she spent 6 years in a prison. She asked God to use her while she was in prison and one particular story has penetrated my heart. A lady was put in prison for killing her husband. God called Esther to love and reach out to this woman whose hands were tied behind her back for beating the doors and causing trouble in the cell. What did Esther do? She held the feet of this woman at night to keep them warm, even though the woman was covered in her own excrement. Esther also gave up her small food rations to this lady for 3 days. Soon after that, Esther was able to lead this lady to Christ. Amazing love. Jesus, I want to be more and more 'obsessed' for YOUR Kingdom. Don't you?!!!

Last evening during our Wednesday service, Arturo sat next to me. I love this boy. He is about 12 years old and to be honest, he has been such a stinker at times. Anyway, towards the beginning of the service, the speaker asked those who were "a child of the King" to raise their hands. I am embarassed to admit this, but after the speaker began talking, I sorta zoned out. My mind was on overload with Spanish and I shut it down to rest for a few minutes. Suddenly a bunch of people raised their hands and Arturo grabbed my hand to raise it. I looked puzzled and he told me what the speaker said. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders with my usual confused look and he smiled back. Then the Lord prompted me to ask him if he was a child of God. Luckily we were in the back row so we weren't disturbing others. He said he wasn't because he was too young. I then told him I was about 4 or 5 when I gave my life to God. He looked surprised and our conversation ended. Throughout the service, I felt like God was speaking to him. After it ended, it was time to eat. I asked permission to have Belem intrepret for me while I took Arturo to an empty table to talk to him about God. As I began sharing with him, I could tell that God was dealing with him very strongly. He heart was beating heavily and he was taking heavy deep breaths. I told him that this was a very big decision when you surrender your life to God and told him that it would be ok to wait and think about it but Arturo said, "NOW!" So, he prayed and his whole body was shaking. I have not seen such a physical release of sin for quite a while. When he finished praying his eyes lit up and he was a whole new Arturo. A huge weight was lifted and his face beamed. This boy is very bold...and I believe God has big plans for him. He was a very tough kid, but the God of this universe melted his heart and he is now a child of the King. I asked him to tell somebody about his decision. He went to Nohema and tried to tell her. Then, a flood of tears overtook him and he sobbed in her arms. Finally he was able to tell her of his decision and it was amazing. We all celebrated last night. All we need to do is to listen to the Lord's promptings and start with a simple conversation. God does the rest. AMEN!!!

I spent the day at DIF yesterday and it was not fruitful like I had anticipated. Nothing had been done since a key caseworker had been out most of the week. So, we have scheduled another appointment for next Tuesday at 2:00. Please help me pray about this. It will be my last opportunity until the end of April when I return.

Mama and Papa returned this afternoon and they look great! They were welcomed by a mob of children giving hugs and kisses. You can tell they are refreshed and excited to be here. God is so good. Thanks, Martha and Adrian. You were the angels that ministered to their spirits this week. May God richly bless you for this!!!

My computer could use prayer. Alex is trying to repair it. If he can revive it, the pics will be flowing again! I have so many to share!

Tonight I saw one of our teen girls outside crying while everyone else was eating supper. She has tried to contact her mother for the past few weeks, and no one knows where she is. This poor girl is afraid she'll never see her again. My heart broke as I held her and wept with her. Please pray for these kids. They carry such heavy burdens for their families. I am asking the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to minister to her broken heart tonight. Will you help me pray for her as well?

I will rejoice in the God of my Salvation!

Abulardo and Tonito double teaming their tio.




Victor and a not-so-excited baby Alan. Everyone wants their pic with a baby!




Daniella catching up on some homework.




Movie time on a Sunday afternoon




Alan and Angel with his new 'doo'!




Javier fell asleep while leaning over the back of a car...and then fell off. OUCH!!!




Wrestling matches! Pete...I think they're in honor of you!!!




Hesea Edwardo's cute chunky legs. Why oh why do these kind of legs only look cute on babies???




Lupita and her tio!




Felipe




Ramon and Gustavo playing...




Lupita chillin'




Me and Eliosea




Gustavo...what a handsome guy!




Jazmine




Juan Diego, "Cookie" the puppy, and Oscar enjoying some down time.





Alondra, Abulardo and their mom. A happy reunion!




The softest seat on the bus! As time went on...they were out cold!








A multi-talented Israel!





A Sunday afternoon game. Tossing bottle caps into an empty hair gel container. Ramon, tio Willy and Gary had a great time!




Andrea enjoying a sucker!




Me and Luis!!! A happy reunion! On Sunday Luis was at church and he came up to me and said, "Tia Linda, do you remember me?" It took a second, but one look in those beautiful eyes and I said, "LUIS!!!" Thank you, Jesus, for protecting him after he left Lily. He has grown about a foot! It was great to see his smile again!




Our awesome church!




Mundo and tio Gary. We love this young man! He has a very tender, gentle spirit and a hard work ethic! What a joy it is to get to know him!




Say ahhhhh!




Card sharks!






Our girls who qualified to participate in the special soccer 'camp'. Silvia, Daniella, Fabiola, Vicki and Adriana!




Questions....about practicing in this special soccer training camp.




This is a pic of all the girls waiting to hear the results after the professionals were 'scouting' the game the girls played.




Go Silvia!!!




A dust storm make the game difficult to play and watch!




Jim and Beatrice




Fun at Lily



Lorena needs her tongue like Karen Isley needs hers!






A busy kitchen preparing Sunday supper!



Brenda taking requests on the way to church! Don't you love the Jergans lotion bottle mic?




One of last evenings devo songs


Where oh where have I been? I've been here...but my computer gave up the ghost 48 hours ago. No adoption correspondance via e-mail, no blog, no chatting with family via FB. This has been stressful...especially since I have so much to get done...but God knows.

The only reason I can finish this blog that I started over 2 days ago is because a very selfless girl, Belem, heard of my computer problem and she insisted that I borrow hers for now. Luckily I already had the pics uploaded and just needed to write captions and the update. Sooooo, as far as future blog updates, only our Lord knows. I am taking my computer into Chihuahua for my DIF appointment at 2:00 so Alex (my adoption partner) can take a look at it. If he can't fix it, he might know of a place who can. We don't want to spend too much money to try to revive it since it has survived 3 years here at Lily...and it has seen better days. It would be nice to be able to retrieve much needed files, but I leave it in God's hands. I know that Belem wants me to use her laptop as long as I am here, but I am not sure about posting my pics with this set-up. We'll see.

Wellllll, it's COLD again. BRRRR! We woke up to freezing cold temps, frost everywhere...I think even on the tips of our noses! Our little ceramic space heater also died so it has been a chilly morning. No water when it's this cold since everything is frozen. The good news? JESUS SAVES! (I've been rehearsing Habakkuk 3:17-19 in my mind this morning since it's been a tough start!) Last night I went to bed with wet hair...never thinking we would have no water the next day to tame my wild hair-do. Well, a hoodie worked this morning for breakfast, but it will not be suitable for my appointment at DIF. Baseball caps are not acceptable either. I have 2 options. Try a ponytail thing (haven't done it in years and don't even have an elastic band) or swallow my pride and do the George Washington look. I have 4 bobbie pins and lots of prayer. (Sorta feel like David and his small stones.)

Yesterday my patient husband took me fruit and vegetable shopping at the market (thanks again to those who donated for this) and then he took me to Walmart and S-Mart to grocery shop for a special meal for the staff. They have worked so hard this week with Mama and Papa being gone, that we made them a lasagna dinner after the kids were in bed. Let me tell you...they loved it. It was not my best lasagna, but they gobbled it up along with homemade garlic bread, salad and cake. Wish you could have seen their smiles! The ovens still do not work, it it had to bake for a couple of hours...but eventually it bubbled and melted the cheese!

Looks like the Riley adoption is ready to move to the Supreme Court, thanks to many hours of Alex's hard work! It will be a happy day when this case is finalized!!! Today I should find more updates about other termination of rights. I am hoping that the Lord will honor this appointment.

The girls played a great game on Monday evening and won their soccer game. Gary and I were so proud of them. We yelled until we couldn't hardly talk. You should have been there!!!

Hey, Gary just revived our little ceramic heater. I am so thankful for his talent. He also installed my air-card on Belem's computer and got it set up for this posting. Rog...you'll have to give him a kiss!

A couple other requests:
My camera has also absorbed a lot of dust and the 'eye' is hardly opening up. Please pray it will work as long as we are here. I have been faithfully taking tons of pics to post eventually.
My computer would be working again.
Ed and Rosa fly back tomorrow.
Brenda's dad is having surgery on his arm today. He was in a car accident yesterday.
Warmer weather.
Salvation to those who need Jesus!

Thanks for your encouragement. Gary and I sense your prayers. We are hugging the children for you and sending your love. Mark, I do have a pic of your girls, but it might be a while until I can post it. Doing my best.

This morning we drove a truck-load of teen girls to the main campus. Some were able to ride inside the cab and others froze as they rode in the bed of the truck. NEVER ONE COMPLAINT! In fact, they all thanked us over and over for the ride...just like any other morning. Mama and Papa have taught these kids how to be thankful for everything. I was humbled.

Here are the pics! Thank you, Jesus!

Brisa




Elvida sharing her testimony




Friends!!!




LIFT ZERO blessings! I love this stuff...and we received a lot in donations.




Alan sure looks like his mama!




Awwwwe...Alan!




Angel




Alan and his tio Gary




One tough Chica!




Spanish lessons!




Micah...can you read the note that Ana wrote? Micah is _ _ _ _. I didn't say it!




Roger...another pic. Another direct deposit por favor!




Jorge




The girls wanted hot showers...so they found tio Gary to help them out! We had a lot of wind...which pretty much blew out all the pilot lights in the propane water heaters. Ours too!




Que????




Someone took the time to straighten Jackie's hair and give her earrings! What a chica!!!




A way too cute Irwing!




Chewy and me...and our not too good photo skills!




Javier waited many hours for this bible...and he is thrilled to get it at last! I don't think he can read it...but it is precious to him.




Checking the Ameriano trash for treasures.




Rog...ching...ching!!!




Tia Christi was sharing some lines from the book she is reading. Captivated!




Jim, Neal, Pete and Dawn...our Michiana Team!



Pedro....




One dirty van!




Pastor Saulo and a group of ladies from his church came to clean at Lily for the afternoon on Saturday. One of the ladies received a food donation from the October group that visited Lily. She said she still has some food left for her children! Praise the Lord!




Pastor Saulo and Julian




Ramon and Mireya




Goodbyes!








Enjoying a game...Marta and Chewy




Two hitch hikers! They followed our truck up to the girls dorm. They were exhausted so we gave them a ride back to the main campus!




Hotcakes! Yum!




One last prayer time together!




Dawn-o and her kids!




Sergio, Hosea Angel and Jovan




Marcela and Sergio




Irwing, Felipe and Hosea Angel




Ezekiel, Juan and Israel




A happy Julian...chow time!!!!




The 'boys' table




Leslie, & Tias Lidia and Christi




Dawn and Adriana enjoying a hug






Hosea Angel and Oscar




Fabiola and Alan




2 new brothers. Their grandparents and little sister came by today to visit.




Supper




Alondra




Beatrice and 'Jaime'




Adriana and 'Nico'




Just for Jim!




Hosea Edwardo




Marta is reading Crazy Love! I am thrilled to see everyone reading such great books!




Pete and his fans!




Jackie and her tio!






Sergio has a real interest in auto mechanics...and Gary said he has great potential. Sherards...take note!!!




A happy Sergio with his new baseball glove! Thanks, 'Nico'!!!




Luis, Dawn and Arturo




Mechanic apprentices...






Mireya and Cacho!




Special Education classroom at Lily.




Cactus for supper! It's great!




A special boy...Sergio




Sombrero burgers for lunch. Life doesn't get much better than this! Micah and Vito...take note! You gotta try them!



OK...why didn't I pray about this in the first place? I couldn't upload the pics on my own internet and then I went to the internet cafe today...and it was closed. I was feeling very frustrated and I was afraid of being stoned to death when I arrived home. (Fred and Roger show no mercy when it comes to pics!) God helped me figure out the reason... I was beginning the post with pics that were from another camera and the settings were wrong to upload. Anyway, God just made it clear...and here are MY pics which are uploading easily. ENJOY! Thank you, Jesus, for making this clear to me. I am technically challenged to say the least...in more ways than one!

Last night we had a great time with the older girls. We had Belem as our interpreter and she did an excellent job. We told the girls they could ask us any question about us that they wanted. At first the questions were silly...and then the Holy Spirit began to work and the questions were about our lives as Christians and what a Christian marriage looked like. The more pointed the questions were towards Christ, the more Satan fought with blatant interruptions. I have never really experienced such an obvious war taking place. In fact, I have goose bumps (the kids down here call it 'chicken skin') just remembering the evening. By the time we were done, Belem had to leave quickly and one girl wanted to surrender her life to Christ. I told her that we'd get together and talk in the morning when I had someone to interpret. As Gary and I walked up to our room, I felt so heavy and my heart was racing. Something was wrong and I had to ask the Holy Spirit to direct me to the problem. Shortly after that I realized I was being prompted to talk to this girl NOW...not later. I tried to argue with the Lord's leading and tell Him that my Spanish wasn't good enough (I realize how dumb it was...now...to tell God I can't do something since He loves weakness) and I just said, "OK!" I brought this girl to our parlor and began to speak. She began to share with me her need and tears flowed heavily. I was crying out to God because I only caught a portion of what she was telling me and I felt totally helpless. It was then that the Lord began to give me various scriptures. We had a Spanish Bible and I began to show her many verses in the Bible and God's Word penetrated her heart and ministered to her. To tell you the truth, some of those scriptures I haven't really thought of in months. It was totally a God thing. Then I asked her if she was ready to pray and ask God to come into her life. She agreed. I prayed first in English...and she began to weep again. Then I asked her to talk to God and tell Him what she needs. It was precious. She asked God to forgive her sins and that she wanted a new life in Him. In fact, she prayed for quite a while until the peace of God came. It was so awesome to witness. When we were finished, that heaviness lifted from my shoulders and I knew God accomplished what He wanted to at that moment. It is a night I won't forget for quite awhile.

Today we went to church! Praise the Lord...we had a bus to take us AND a very handsome driver; I might add. Brenda and Nohema did a great job to get everyone up and ready for the trip. The Lord gave us safety and we are thankful. Today I finally figured out why everyone wants on my lap for the bus ride. I've got the most comfortable lap on the entire bus! It's like the Cadillac seat. Plenty of cushion and padding. I had two beside me and two on my lap...and I soaked in every minute. How precious it is to hold these angels as they fall asleep. Little Israel sat by me and sang sweet little songs to himself on the way home and it was the most precious time. God, You are so awesome. Thank you for blessing me so!

Yesterday we had blizzard conditions. The only difference from a Michigan blizzard and a Chihuahua blizzard is in Michigan it's snow and cold. Here it is dust and warmth. But, you can hardly see with both of them. The bad thing is that the warmer temperature is waking up the bugs...and probably other creepy creatures. At least the children are warm! (Gotta keep on reminding myself!)

We watched the older girls as they 'auditioned' for the pro soccer training program yesterday. 5 of our girls were accepted into the program and we will wait to see if arrangements can be made to get them to Chihuahua each Saturday for practice. It is a real honor to make it to this program. I am so proud of them. GO LILY!!!

Today I can't get over the fact that God is blessing us so richly by allowing us to spend time at Lily. Gary and I have enjoyed the sound of giggles and laughter while playing with the children. The Lily version of UNO is a whole other story. I'll try to include a video of one of their games in the future. Roger...that Lorena is quite the card shark! Oh my goodness!!!

I've been trying to get the pics taken of all the children to update my records and post in our new wallboards. I also have many other 'projects' that I am hoping to accomplish...as Dawn knows. But, I've been asking the Lord what He would want me to do each day and there is much contentment and joy by leaving my 'To Do List' in my room and following His lead. Sorta sounds like I'm becoming a bit Mexican. Rosa has told me several times that I'm a Mexican trapped in a white lady's body. =) I think it is meant as a compliment. Maybe I should ask...

Hotdogs...or 'weenies' as some call them down here, are a popular item this week at Lily. Apparently we received many in donations. We've had them in tomato sauce, on 'pizza', in our eggs, in our beans and this evening in our potatoes. Tonight my Maalox Plus is trying to keep them from swimming upstream. I've reached my weenie limit for today.

Today was visitation day. Three sibling groups were elated by visits. Two groups had moms and the third group had grandparents visit. The rest of the children just watched. I know that I sound like a broken record, but it amazes me how the children still seem to watch for their parents to come...even the ones who haven't seen their family in years. I know it's their dream to be wanted and loved and they keep holding on to that dream. Sundays are hard...but they hold out hope. Jesus, please make their dreams come true by giving them parents who want them...either their biological parents or through adoption. Every kid deserves a mommy and a daddy.