"Normal" mode.

Since our last update we are now in more of a “normal” mode for the children’s home. The construction on the “buildings” have been completed with the exception of one small project; Partitions for the school bathrooms still need to be purchased and installed. For both bathrooms the cost will be about $800 - $1000. We might be able to get some plywood and have Formica put on it. Haven’t decided on that route yet. The price above is what I was quoted by a Mexican shop that does that sort of work. I am amazed at the cost of everything in Mexico, about the same as the U.S.; everything except labor. 

At the present we are “home schooling” all of our kids except our newer girl Ximena (pronounced HE-MAN-U), she goes to the secondary school in the village. As of yet we do not have a qualified teacher for her grade. Currently we are teaching the Mexican curriculum adding spiritual teachings as we go.  All children must be in uniform to go to school regardless of where they attend school. These are our kids in their school uniforms. A special thanks to Jolene McCord and Heart of Forgiveness Ministries for providing the monies to get the uniforms made and Richard & Linda White with Step of Faith ministries for the backpacks.
 
Pictures show Juan Armando, Brandon & Mirta all dressed up in traditional Mexican attire for Mexican Indepdence Day September 15th, 2015.
  Ximena, she is 11 and our newest at the children’s home. She has been shuffled around and has a bad self-image, like I’m a throw away. Well she certainly is not and I believe; no I know that God has a great destiny for Ximena. He told me so in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (NIV) Pray that her heart will be softened by the Gospel and she will allow God to make the changes He wants in her so that she reaches her destiny!
 
11/20/15 Hot off the press!!!!!! Ximena told Lucy and Luis that she wanted to become a Christian, They lead her in the sinner’s prayer right then. And this last Sunday at Palabra de Vida she went forward again. God just loves these kids to pieces!  Thank you so much for supporting them, all of them. 
 
 Kevin, he was en-route from a children’s home in Reynosa where the baker was abusing him.
 He was being transferred to a home in Tampico. He is 14; we had him only for a few weeks.
 I believe God sent him to us so that some seeds could be planted in his life. 
 Allen, he was another inter-children’s home transfer and came from Reynosa going to Veracruz. Lucy is leading him in the sinner prayer in this picture. I believe it was a divine appointment.
 
Outside we still have the playground to build and construction of a fence around the property, I expect to begin those in the early spring or sooner as God supplies.
                                      
I want to repeat the last paragraph of my last two updates and personally thank each person that has given a penny to the children’s home. Only eternity will reveal the lives it will effect for Christ. This is our purpose, our drive and our passion!  Not by just preaching but by “doing”.   In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget.  Prov 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor”. And in Prov 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (NIV) This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants to do for us as his obedient children. 
 
Thanksgiving and Christmas is the world’s seasons to celebrate and be grateful, but your days and mine to celebrate should be “everyday”!  Thanksgiving Day is set aside as a day to give thanks. Those who founded our great country gave thanks to God for the provisions they had. CHRISTMAS is VERY SPECIAL, as Christians, it represents the day God offered us salvation through His son Jesus Christ. Let’s show the world what the seasons are truly about, let’s live each day with an “attitude of gratitude”!
 
Thank you for praying for the children’s home, LaVerne and me thank God for you and your compassion for the children and wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas Season and may 2016 be your best year ever.