The Fight is ON!!!

There is a fierce battle raging for the souls of mankind. Down here in Mexico the battle is ferocious. In fact, I have never experienced anything quite like it. Until this morning I didn't understand why, but I believe the Lord is revealing the truth. Satan is fighting everywhere, but the battle is the hardest where the stakes are higher. Down here in Mexico, Satan has a cloud of darkness that is thick. The Catholic faith is intertwined with Satanic practices and the people down here live in this darkness. When you share the light of Jesus Christ with them, they are very interested to listen and talk openly with you about this new life. Once the darkness is exposed, people are excited to surrender their life to Christ. But, in the states it is so different (except in the hispanic culture). It seems that most people back home call themselves a 'christian' and they will lie to you or just walk away. They are not as open to listen to the gospel. I believe that is why Satan does not put up such a fight in the states as he does down here. He knows he has a good grip on the American people with their self-centered lives. They don't need a God. They are their own god. But, down here...and in the hispanic communities in the states, there is a fierce battle for the souls of these people. They desire the true God and they long to worship the true God. Our God is greater and higher than any other god. Please help me pray for the people of Mexico that the harvest will be great.

It is a pleasure to live among spiritual giants down here. I feel like a grasshopper in comparison. Listening to people cry out to God for their daily needs is so refreshing. We are all totally dependent on God...it's just that we tend to think just the opposite. Somehow we are fooled to think that we can take care of ourselves. Just think of the blessings we miss out on! We need God for every breath. Shame on us!!! (I shouldn't be saying 'us'. Why would I presume you have made the same error as I have?) God...help me to practice your presence in my life minute by minute...hour by hour. It is YOU and me. Not ME.

School began this morning after a 2 week Easter vacation. All the children are back and accounted for. It's good to see all the children and staff. Of course some of the kids are gone for good and it has been sad, but new children are always arriving. Just yesterday a family sent a girl here with us from church. Apparently she is rebellious and the parents are ready to give here away. They met with Ed and Rosa after church and sent here home with us. She boarded the bus to come home with us carrying a plastic grocery bag filled with her possessions. It's always hard on all the kids when that happens. Whenever they see a new kid arrive, they are reminded of the time they were given up or abandoned. Many sad memories. One boy impaticular broke my heart with his story yesterday. His family was from another state and they were starving. So, they gathered the last money they had and bought a train ticket. This boy remembers waking up on the train and his family was gone. They abandoned him there and the police brought him to Lily. A few days ago I met with the teen girls to discuss any questions they might have. They were anonomously written questions and there were no 'rules' to the questions they could ask and Rosa translated for me. At first the questions were 'easy'...about boys, dating, sex, etc. But the question that dropped me to my knees was the question one girl wrote, "Why did my parents abandon me?" The crazy thing is that I have also wrestled with that question in my own life. Tears began to flow and my answer was "sin". Of course I told them how sin entered the world and they are paying the price of sin and it's curse. But my heart bled for these girls. I cried with them as I told them that the big hole in their heart can only be filled with Jesus. He will never leave them or abandon them (Heb. 13:5). Well, I only answered half of the questions last week but tonight I finish answering the rest of the questions. I want to close our time with a clear invitation for them to surrender their lives to Christ. Will you help me pray about this. I believe it will take place around 8:30 Michigan time.

Another thing I want to mention is Father School,Family Builders. Papa was wearing a shirt on our waterpark day and I asked about it. This event began in Korea and it is traveling like wildfire. It is in Mexico now and if it is in the states, Papa urges you men to attend. He said your life will never be the same. If I can find more information about it, I'll be glad to share it with you.

You will notice 2 pics of horse tracks. Quite different from the states. They tether the front legs together so they won't jump fences and escape. It seems so cruel.

The pic of the hands are Ed's. I wanted to take that pic because of the many hours he spends in prayer interceeding. Today when he prayed during the morning devotions I noticed that the knees of his jeans were worn out. I don't have to wonder why.

The pics of the baby and visitors is a sad story. This widow who is holding the boy about 7 years of age lost her husband 3 months ago...just when her daughter was born. You'll see the pics of the baby girl with a full head of hair. I believe the older lady with her was the grandma. Anyway, her husband ran a Christian rehab for men with drug addictions. He was 42 when he died of a heart attack. She came to Lily on Sunday afternoon to visit Mama. She needed a shoulder to cry on and some encouraging words. I was able to give her $100 to help her with immediate needs. Please keep her in your prayers. She is struggling.

This past week Mama and Papa have had contact with 4 different prodigals. Two of them would like permission to return to Lily. Nico rededicated his life to Christ and it was so exciting to see. God is working!!!!

On Saturday the boys from El Mimbre helped me make cookies. They LOVED it. We had a great time in the kitchen. They were so thankful and helpful. Later I sat down and talked with them and Casey joined us. I used Alex to interpret for us since he spent 4 years in the USA and speaks perfect English and Spanish. These boys have heard all about God through Mama and Papa's teaching. This was just an opportunity to challenge them to surrender their life to Christ and make a difference in their world. 4 teen boys gave their lives to Jesus Christ and it was an amazing experience. The battle was fierce...and it has been difficult...but God wins!!!


There are a lot more things to share but I need to share pics with you as well so I won't be slandered back home! By the way, I will be flying home tomorrow. The visit was too short (as usual) but I will do my best to wrap up everything and post videos within the next week. Stay tuned. =)