YOU REALLY CAN BREAK THE BACK OF POVERTY

For over 9 years now, our ministry bank account has never been to zero. God has always supplied. I can trace God's provision back to two distinct instructions. We had two thousand dollars and God told me to give 1 thousand to a missionary that desperately needed to see God move on their behalf. Back then, we also had health insurance that cost 700 dollars a month and God told us to cancel the policy and buy food for the poor, which we did, and the Heavens were opened and haven't closed . That was the beginning of many, many clear instructions from the Holy Spirit regarding how to prosper in ministry.
I say all that because last week, the heaven's opened because I followed another crazy instruction. Travis dropped off 28000 pounds of pinto beans. His dad refuses to allow to defer some of the cost of hauling the beans. I gave Travis a check for 2K and told him that they have to accept the gift that comes from an instruction from God. His dad called me thanking us for the check. He said, you don't know how much he needed that to keep his truck on the road delivering food to feed the poor. JUST TRUST HIM! Within 7 days, we received three totally unexpected donations totalling over 12 thousand dollars. Atithe off of a sale of a house, and a huge one time gift from another family. WHO TITHES OFF THE SALE OF A HOUSE ANYWAY? People that believe that it's all God's to begin with!
We received a 1000 dollar donation from one of our daughters the other day because we told her how God moved so mightily on our finances when we have our first 1000 dollar gift away. I expect God to do the same hanging our faith on Luke 6 vs 38. It's with the measure you give that it will be given back to you! That's the key!
So I got a call the day before this financial blessing came about a pregnant mom that lost their house in a fire. We start building tomorrow with the help of Sende De Vida Ministries. Hector houses people that get deported and he has several men that are going to help.
ROHI Foundation held a medical and dental clinic at the Community Center the last two days. I think they saw close to two hundred patients. I need to post more frequently to limit the lengthy posts. ASK GODVTO MAKE YOU CRAZY GENEROUS TOWARDS SOMEONE AND WATCH WHAT HE DOES.

A FRUITFUL TRIP OF FAITH

Last Monday afternoon we boarded a plane to Mexico City to meet with the National Human rights director of Mexico of Human rights. We arrived at our hotel at 5pm. Paula invited her niece and nephew to join us for dinner, Shawn and Carla Estes invited a couple they met in language school who planted a church in Mexico City, Jaime also invited two friends to join us as well. We all day around a huge table in the rooftop restaurant at the hotel. Paula's niece and nephew have been grieving the loss of their mother, Paula's half sister. The conversation turned to spiritual things and we were able to minister to their hurting hearts. It was truly a divine appointment.
Our meeting went very well with Trinidad and his son. We talked for several hours and look forward to working with them, to further help the people of Mexico. We enjoyed a meal on the streets of the city at a taco stand and parted company. We then boarded a tour bus to see the sites of the city. A double decker bus tour of 3 hours was awesome. Many beautiful sites to see.
Upon returning on Wednesday, Pat, Mark, and Kaylen we're waiting at our house. Kaylen is interning with Big Heart Orphanage for a month and they drove her down. We were expecting a load of beans to come, but that was delayed a day. We enjoyed a meal at Saltgrass Steak house before they headed to the orphanage.
The beans arrived Thursday afternoon courtesy of Rick Caywood Ministries. 28,000 pounds more of food for the poor. I had been sick all day and still continue with some stomach bug. A few others that went to Mexico City are also suffering a bit. Bad street tacos, or something else? Pray for all of us, as we recover.
Bethany Church came last night to get 6 thousand pounds of beans. They feed 5000 families a month and we are honored to provide them with all the beans and rice they need. We can't feed everyone, but we can try!!! l8tr

THE HEAT IS ON, BUT THE WORK CONTINUES

Every day, the temps are hovering around 100 degrees and the humidity is oppressive. None the less, we started digging hole for the posts to build a fence around the lot next door, to put a small playground for the ministry. I had some great helpers, and they finished most of it the day I had another eye doctor appointment Friday. We still need a few loads of dirt to fill in the back of the lot.
Paula's sewing class continues to crank out the quilts. We sold several last night as a team from Alabama working at New Life with Wayne and Dianne. They took us out to supper to introduce us to them, to give them some options for future missions trips.
We spent yesterday afternoon in the colonia visiting several families to get direction on who will receive houses with this summer's groups in June, July and August. There are several new families building make shift houses in the colonia. There is a new colonia of squatters just outside of Nopalera. There's probably 200 pallet houses that have been built in the last month. We don't plan on building there for a year or two to allow them to get water and electricity first.
Tomorrow, 7 of us fly to Mexico City to meet with the National Human rights director of Mexico. We trust that God has opened this huge door, to obtain favor in our ministry needs. Favor with God and man is what we declare. Jaime Mayorga and Macedonio are going representing Melodys Orphanage, Shawn and Carla Estes are the directors of Project Fortify meeting the needs of Kids with cancer, supporting an orphanage, and various outreaches at the local garbage dump. Sergio who helps us everyday, as well as Paula and I. We hope to raise awareness of our different ministries as well as many others that we partner with.
We can't thank all of you enough, that support us and other ministries around the world. Sewing seeds into God's kingdom is the best investment choice we can make. Every time I tried to invest in the stock market before we became missionaries, I always lost. But since we started investing in The Kingdom of God, we have enough for all God has inspired us to do!!!

TWO HOUSES DEDICATED YESTERDAY

Yesterday morning we had a meeting with the Human rights director in Reynosa. We had a great meeting, sharing about the various ministries we partner with, and the frustration at the border trying to bring food and supplies across to help those in need. Jaime, Macedonio, Shawn and Carla Estes, Paula and myself will be flying to Mexico City next Monday to meet the National Human rights director. We pray for God's Favor to get the necessary permit to cross stuff unhindered.
Yesterday afternoon we dedicated two houses with great joy and the presence of God. The guys built both houses while we were in Florida upon hearing that the group that was coming, cancelled. 6 people accepted Christ as Paula and Jaime shared the Good news of the Gospel. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters all hot saved. It was awesome. The two families got together and made tamales, carnita and green spaghetti. A beautiful time, indeed.
Our monthly food outreach was held Saturday and 185 families came for food, the Word, and Worship. Counting kids, there was probably 300 people. Many came forward for prayer for various reasons. Another great day.

A CALL TO PRAYER

I should have posted this yesterday, but today, would you join us in a time of prayer for peace to overtake Reynosa. The evil one is really messing up missions work again. When violence escalates people get afraid to come and serve. Personally, I believe that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, peace and a sound mind. So if you feel let, skip lunch and pray during that time.
The warehouse was empty until a huge donation of 40,000 lbs of beans and rice we're delivered Monday by Rick Caywood Ministries.Our faithful servants built two house and poured another foundation while we were gone. With groups cancelling their trips here, I have to pay the guys to build the houses, so your continues support allows the building to continue.
Many of you know Raul, the faithful servant that lived with us for 9 years. He is in the presence of Jesus after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday. He will be missed.

BLESSINGS COME AFTER BLESSINGS OTHERS

We have been so refreshed and relaxed this past week in Florida, that our hearts are full of Thanksgiving. Our kids and Lea joined us for the last week, and it was such a joy to spend actual quality time with them all.
We had the opportunity to speak and share about the ministry Sunday at Naples Christian Church. Four friends from Chicago we're in Florida and joined us at the service, including the couple that arraigned our donated condo. They bless many missionaries with a retreat condo every year. They bless OTHERS and themselves are indeed blessed. We were able to get together with them a couple nights this week.
We connected with several people at the church after the service, and look forward to an ongoing relationship with them.Hopefully we answered any questions they had, or calmed any fear of traveling to Mexico. One of their members is treating Paula and I to a round of golf at one of the most exclusive clubs in the area.
The kids lest yesterday and we head home tomorrow. We could stay for another week, because the recent violence in Reynosa made the group cancel their trip. We still need to build the house for Victors family as we committed to do, so we must go home and leave this time of blessing to go and bless others. It has been a great time here and a great 60th birthday celebration, Mothers Day and Family celebration. Thanks to those that kept the ministry going while we've been gone.