Every day is a new adventure. At least that's what I promised Paula many years ago, and for the most part it has been. The first Carpenters crew is gone but there are a few stragglers that don't want to go back north, so they are always more than willing to help us get things done. This week, we built the trusses for the Carpenters Crew coming down in a few weeks to build the two houses they were supposed to build three weeks ago. But because of the muddy road, they couldn't build em. So Rick, Bob, Charles and I spent the last couple days building the trusses for a house 21 feet wide. Rick designed them to make room for a loft down the middle of the house. It will give the next team a good head start having them all made.
After we finished the trusses, we joined a bunch of people at the community Center to celebrate Calebs 8th birthday, WOW Caleb was just born when we first met them and built them a house. There was so much food (as usual) Turkey, Mole', papas, stuffing, cake, spaghetti, and so much more. I have gained 15 pounds since Thanksgiving #Igottalooseit. Afterward Carmelo and Ruth had filled two pinatas with candy and several of the kids from the colonia were there to help get it out. Another great day in the life of Martin and Paula. Two hours later we joined the Balmers and several other people at their place for yet another meal.
WARNING !!! SERVING CHRIST CAN BE HABIT FORMING
After dedicating the house last week, the entire " mature" Carpenters Crew took Paula and Me out to the Last Supper, before mast of them left for the frozen tundra in Il, and Iowa. We had a great week together and all but one new couple has been coming every year for several years. You just can't not come after you have done it. Those that come on a missions trip one time and never come again, well lets just say that they didn't experience all that God wanted them to. It's the giving of oneself, and spending oneself on behalf of others that really captures your heart. I have spent time talking to some of these people and they are passionate about coming every year. Charles and Bob just can't get enough. They are 75 and 76 years old and today they spent 4 hours helping me and Roy dismantle a shed, load it on a trailer and then unload it at Roys place. It wasn't easy by any means, but that's why they are here for 2 months. Not to just get away from the cold, but to SERVE GOD.
The large group of men is part of The Power Ministry. They have 3 weeks of intense ministry and building projects with three groups of 80 men flying in from all over the country. Doing ministry all along the border, mostly in Mexico. A different hotel most nights, a different building project every day, and a whole lota JESUS going on. I had supper with the whole team the last few nights, and yesterday afternoon, they brought me 26 thousand pounds of rice, and helped me move shelves and stuff into my tool shed. How great is that !!!! It's an honor to know these guys. Visit them at Power Ministry. org or on Facebook Power Ministry. I'm hoping to spend a day or two building with them next week. Lord willing.
So today after moving the shed, cutting the grass and trimming the palm trees, I called a supplier to order some windows for the next wave of building, I got voice mail and told him what I needed. Later this afternoon a friend calls and tells me her neighbor is building a new addition and has 17 old windows I can have. Oh no I thought, more junk to throw away. These windows are double hung with grids in the glass and screens too. One was broken a little so that's 16 good ones, guess how many I needed to order? 16. Guess who's calling and cancelling the order? And they are the exact same size we use 3 foot by 4 foot. Now who thinks God doesn't know every thing I need? I praised the Lord and literally cried on my way home. OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!!!
The large group of men is part of The Power Ministry. They have 3 weeks of intense ministry and building projects with three groups of 80 men flying in from all over the country. Doing ministry all along the border, mostly in Mexico. A different hotel most nights, a different building project every day, and a whole lota JESUS going on. I had supper with the whole team the last few nights, and yesterday afternoon, they brought me 26 thousand pounds of rice, and helped me move shelves and stuff into my tool shed. How great is that !!!! It's an honor to know these guys. Visit them at Power Ministry. org or on Facebook Power Ministry. I'm hoping to spend a day or two building with them next week. Lord willing.
So today after moving the shed, cutting the grass and trimming the palm trees, I called a supplier to order some windows for the next wave of building, I got voice mail and told him what I needed. Later this afternoon a friend calls and tells me her neighbor is building a new addition and has 17 old windows I can have. Oh no I thought, more junk to throw away. These windows are double hung with grids in the glass and screens too. One was broken a little so that's 16 good ones, guess how many I needed to order? 16. Guess who's calling and cancelling the order? And they are the exact same size we use 3 foot by 4 foot. Now who thinks God doesn't know every thing I need? I praised the Lord and literally cried on my way home. OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!!!
WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE ????? I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
What would it be like if your job took you away from your family for a week and when you returned, everything had changed? For Roman, this is exactly what will happen when he returns from working out of town while his old shack that he had called "home" was gone and a brand new home stands in its place. Not only did he have a new home, but his entire family was new as well! Yesterday as the Carpenters Crew finished up building their new home, the Holy Spirit was putting the finishing touches on the hearts of Guadelupe, Louis, Samuel, Perla, and Little Jose. They had all experienced the love that flowed from the hearts of those building the house and saw Jesus working through them. At dedication time yesterday they all prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and all things became new for them. Little Perla and Louis were overcome with emotion and they knew something special had just taken place. I want to be there when Roman comes home, but that probably won't happen and I can't wait to talk to him about Jesus and the miracle that had taken place while he was gone.
So after a week in Chicago with family and friends burying my brother Bill, our work in Mexico continues to bring forth fruit that leads to the salvation of souls. A very busy week culminated yesterday with a great celebration as many lives were changed. We had a feast of chicken after the dedication as the Crew fed everyone that came to the Community Center to see the nurses putting on a clinic, and to enjoy a hot meal and there were plenty of gifts for the kids that came as well.
A VERY HEART FELT THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PRAYED FOR US AND CAME TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO MY FAMILY AFTER MY BROTHERS SUDDEN PASSING. MY FAMILY WAS AMAZED AT THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE YOU EXPRESSED.
So after a week in Chicago with family and friends burying my brother Bill, our work in Mexico continues to bring forth fruit that leads to the salvation of souls. A very busy week culminated yesterday with a great celebration as many lives were changed. We had a feast of chicken after the dedication as the Crew fed everyone that came to the Community Center to see the nurses putting on a clinic, and to enjoy a hot meal and there were plenty of gifts for the kids that came as well.
A VERY HEART FELT THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PRAYED FOR US AND CAME TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO MY FAMILY AFTER MY BROTHERS SUDDEN PASSING. MY FAMILY WAS AMAZED AT THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE YOU EXPRESSED.
BROTHER, FATHER, GRANDFATHER,PATRIOT,SOLDIER,CHRISTIAN
Yesterday we buried a great man, my brother Bill aka "Burn" aka " Wah". William Andrew Hepburn, my only brother by birth and one of billions of brothers in Christ. The news of his death came suddenly and this week was an emotional roller coaster. I'm so glad he was a Christian, but so sad that he leaves his two kids Billy 33 and Meagan 31 and 5 grandkids behind to mourn the loss of the one they loved so much. We all loved him even though we didn't see him all that much.
Yesterday during the memorial service many people stood to call out the best of my brother. The Pastor called it naming and we heard from several people including myself. I called him brother , and generous, and caring about others. Others called him friend, Father, defender, servant, adventurer, traveler, and no one said it, but it could be said of all of us, sinner! Yea my brother was a filthy rotten sinner just like me and just like you. He had his sins, I have mine and no doubt you have yours, but thanks be to God that Jesus Christ washed us as white as snow. Burn is in heaven, with the Lord and that's awesome. I personally had the pleasure of kneeling down on the ground with my brother and prayed a prayer with him sealing his eternal destiny, as he placed his faith and trust in Christ and Christ alone for his salvation. So the last several days have been tough and great all at the same time and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and words of encouragement. We couldn't get through these tough times without the body of Christ ministering to us. How do lost people cope with tragedy and loss?
Yesterday during the memorial service many people stood to call out the best of my brother. The Pastor called it naming and we heard from several people including myself. I called him brother , and generous, and caring about others. Others called him friend, Father, defender, servant, adventurer, traveler, and no one said it, but it could be said of all of us, sinner! Yea my brother was a filthy rotten sinner just like me and just like you. He had his sins, I have mine and no doubt you have yours, but thanks be to God that Jesus Christ washed us as white as snow. Burn is in heaven, with the Lord and that's awesome. I personally had the pleasure of kneeling down on the ground with my brother and prayed a prayer with him sealing his eternal destiny, as he placed his faith and trust in Christ and Christ alone for his salvation. So the last several days have been tough and great all at the same time and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and words of encouragement. We couldn't get through these tough times without the body of Christ ministering to us. How do lost people cope with tragedy and loss?
COME CELEBRATE MY BROTHER BILLS LIFE WITH US
This Friday we will celebrate my brother Bills homegoing. Jesus took him home Sunday as he slept. Visitation will be at the Schmaedeke Funeral Home @ 10701 South Harlem Avenue Worth, IL from 3 pm until 8pm. Funeral Service Saturday at 9:30 @ the Palos United Methodist Church 12101 S. Harlem Ave. Palos Heights. Burial @ Town of Maine Cemetery 2101 W. Touhy Ave. Park Ridge Illinois. Memorial luncheon to follow.
ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD
Today my older Brother Bill died. Unexpectedly, without warning,Gone! My nephew called and let me know when he arrived at his house to take him out to lunch. So I would ask for prayer for my family this week as Paula and I make arraignments to fly to Chgo asap. Burn as we called him knew the Lord and loved studying His Word. His life was full of daily struggles, and trails to overcome some additions from pain medicine stemming from a back injury years ago. So He's healed now and I can't wait to see Him in his new body and clothed in his right mind. RIP BRO!
GOD SAYS " I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU "
We thought we had a great plan for the Junkin 4 Jesus team from Western Illinois that has been here all week. WE planned to build two houses on the East end of the colonia. WE planned on having two families receiving houses today. BUT GOD in His wisdom and Divine Providence, allowed it to rain all last week and we couldn't get any where near the tow sites until yesterday. So WE had to trust God to work it all out. After all, these people came 1400 miles to build two houses. I called my lumber supplier Monday morning on the way to Mexico and gave her another order for wood for a house scheduled to be built in three weeks. Javier, Perla and their daughter Kaylee were going to be blessed ahead of schedule. Why? we don't know. All I know is that God always has a plan and we just need to get out of the way.
So for two and a half days of hard work and harder play, we finished the house for Javier and Perla and part of the crew built our addition on the Community Center to store all the building materials that we end up moving around every time we have an event. So praise the Lord for proving the much needed addition. We celebrated yesterday with the family making a meal for everyone and I mean everyone! At least 50 kids came while the chicken was cooking and God multiplied the chicken to feed everyone. After we dedicated the house , Pastor Antonio invited us to the Kings Day Service at his church and we were blessed by them with cake and hot chocolate and we blessed the women with purses hand made by the people at Stronghurst Christian Church filled with goodies and the kids got dolls and balls as well. Nathan and I led the team in a few worship songs. We were able to pass by the two sites we were suppose to build on because the road dried up enough to get through. Many of the same people that were here this week are coming back again next month with more people, I love how Gods plans always work out better than ours, don't you? There is now way we could have built those two homes in two and a half days.
SO ONCE AGAIN, THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH OVERSHADOWS US AS WE SEEK TO DO HIS WILL IN THIS LIFE WHILE ON MISSION FOR HIM.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE END OF THE YEAR GIFTS THAT WE RECEIVED, WE CAN'T EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TOWARDS US AND GODS MISSION.
So for two and a half days of hard work and harder play, we finished the house for Javier and Perla and part of the crew built our addition on the Community Center to store all the building materials that we end up moving around every time we have an event. So praise the Lord for proving the much needed addition. We celebrated yesterday with the family making a meal for everyone and I mean everyone! At least 50 kids came while the chicken was cooking and God multiplied the chicken to feed everyone. After we dedicated the house , Pastor Antonio invited us to the Kings Day Service at his church and we were blessed by them with cake and hot chocolate and we blessed the women with purses hand made by the people at Stronghurst Christian Church filled with goodies and the kids got dolls and balls as well. Nathan and I led the team in a few worship songs. We were able to pass by the two sites we were suppose to build on because the road dried up enough to get through. Many of the same people that were here this week are coming back again next month with more people, I love how Gods plans always work out better than ours, don't you? There is now way we could have built those two homes in two and a half days.
SO ONCE AGAIN, THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH OVERSHADOWS US AS WE SEEK TO DO HIS WILL IN THIS LIFE WHILE ON MISSION FOR HIM.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE END OF THE YEAR GIFTS THAT WE RECEIVED, WE CAN'T EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TOWARDS US AND GODS MISSION.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BLESSINGS???
Yesterday and today people from Western Illinois have been arriving on planes, and autos desiring one thing and one thing only, to be used by Jesus to be a blessing to the poor in Mexico. Two families have been waiting for years to experience the joy of walking into a new home, free from their current living conditions, ie dirt floors, leaky roofs, walls with holes, and doors that do not close. That will manifest this week as twenty something willing hearts in ages from 15 to 70 will give of themselves to meet the needs of these two families.
As Isaiah 58 states, these people are ready to "spend themselves" on behalf of the poor. And what will take place this week will be nothing short of the miraculous.You see, when you spend yourself on behalf of the poor, God shows up big time and we are ready for the blessings to flow from Gods Throne into the lives of those we serve as well as those serving.
As Isaiah 58 states, these people are ready to "spend themselves" on behalf of the poor. And what will take place this week will be nothing short of the miraculous.You see, when you spend yourself on behalf of the poor, God shows up big time and we are ready for the blessings to flow from Gods Throne into the lives of those we serve as well as those serving.
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