THE WARDS ARE RE-WARDED WITH A NEW HOME
When we heard that our partners in Ministry were going to be building a home for a mentally challenged couple in Oquaka, Il during the week we would be in the Chicago area, I just knew that we had to join them, at least for a day and help. Yesterday I drove the 3 and half hours to Oquaka Il to watch a miracle unfold. The Wards lost their home to a fire several months ago and have been living in tent where their house used to be. This couple is what most people would call," the undesirables" in society. They are mentally challenged and really don't much care about anything except their chickens, dogs and cats that live with them.They are dirty, smelly, and even a little crude. My kind of people!!
Pat Peterson and his brothers Quinten and Kenny organized the whole thing and 40 people showed up yesterday to BE THE MIRACLE to a couple that the county just wanted to discard and get rid of. They are a constant thorn in the flesh of the community they live in and no one even lifted a finger to help them after they lost their home several months ago. But God had some children that are equipped with the heart of compassion and actually got out of the pew in church and did something. They presented a plan to the county to build a small home for the couple and the powers that be said the house had to have a minimum square footage and no mobile homes. I drove through town yesterday and there are mobile homes everywhere, but they said no to this couple thinking these "Good Samaritans" would give up on the project. But God provided everything they needed to build the 24 X 32 foot 1 bedroom home and all these people showed up and showed off their gifts and talents and when I left yesterday, the house was 80 percent complete. They have several thousand dollars over the cost of the build and are donating it to the local food bank and community outreach center.
Pray for the couple as they see Jesus in action through theses gifted servants. They need Jesus to change their lives and give them hope in the midst of their circumstances. Pray also for the people that have been watching all of this unfold before their eyes and realize that Jesus is alive and is compassionate towards those who have needs and need Him.
TIME TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT # I HATE PACKING ( I always forget something)
First I want to thank the Lord for the Favor He bestows upon us all the time. Our good friend Theresa came down from San Antonio with Carin and brought many gifts for the people in the colonia as well as some great food from her sons catering business. Several people have come the last few days for food for their ministries and we are so blessed to be able to provide them with all the beans and rice they need. The gift we received to cover the cost of the two truck loads of beans just blows me away. They have arrived in Harlingen and we will pick them up when we return home. Just think, One Million meals worth of beans!!!
Parting is always such sweet sorrow as we said so long to our good friends in the colonia. Paula made a cake for Carmelos birthday next week. The grass is all cut, thanks to Sergio that came and changed the oil in all the vehicles and then cut the half of the yard that I didn't while we were in Mexico yesterday. Fellow servants coming along side of us to bless us.
I think I jammed enough clothes into my suitcase to last the trip. It is so much easier to take the R.V. on a road trip, then we can bring everything, including our cat Shadow. But we're flying and looking forward to spending some time with Kristin and Kelly also when she fly's in from Colorado on Thursday, to celebrate Kristins birthday and attend Eric and Katies wedding. The 25 of Sept is also the first day of the Shemitah Year, followed by the Year of Jubilee in 2016. Prophetic? I think it is very significant. Give me a call and I'll share with you about it.
We made an invite to join us for lunch after church Sunday on Facebook and only had a couple responses, so we are going to attend the donors luncheon at church for the High School Group that came down in August instead. That will great to see everyone and meet their parents and supporters and hear their personal stories from the trip. We look forward to seeing our friends and supporters in church this Sunday and possibly the next as well.
Parting is always such sweet sorrow as we said so long to our good friends in the colonia. Paula made a cake for Carmelos birthday next week. The grass is all cut, thanks to Sergio that came and changed the oil in all the vehicles and then cut the half of the yard that I didn't while we were in Mexico yesterday. Fellow servants coming along side of us to bless us.
I think I jammed enough clothes into my suitcase to last the trip. It is so much easier to take the R.V. on a road trip, then we can bring everything, including our cat Shadow. But we're flying and looking forward to spending some time with Kristin and Kelly also when she fly's in from Colorado on Thursday, to celebrate Kristins birthday and attend Eric and Katies wedding. The 25 of Sept is also the first day of the Shemitah Year, followed by the Year of Jubilee in 2016. Prophetic? I think it is very significant. Give me a call and I'll share with you about it.
We made an invite to join us for lunch after church Sunday on Facebook and only had a couple responses, so we are going to attend the donors luncheon at church for the High School Group that came down in August instead. That will great to see everyone and meet their parents and supporters and hear their personal stories from the trip. We look forward to seeing our friends and supporters in church this Sunday and possibly the next as well.
WORK DAY AT THE HOME FRONT AND DATE NIGHT
Yesterday Paula and I worked out butts off in the yard, on the roof, and then enjoyed a huge Mexican style hamburger at Big Daddys in Pharr. I had to cut the acre of grass with a push mower, because the tractor is broken. All of the rain last weekend sprung a few leaks in the metal roof flashing, so I got that fixed as well. Sergio came over and changed the oil in all of our vehicles, what a blessing he is. We supply their ministry in Mexico with beans and rice, and he keeps all our vehicles in working order.
It is always so busy right before we leave town for anything, and this week is no exception. We are in the process of pouring the foundation for Carlos and his family, and today Carmelo and the boys got it poured and were finishing up when we arrived. The wood will be delivered tomorrow and the boys will build their first house without us being there. I really believe, that as God continues to provide the funds for building homes when we don't have a team to build it, that these guys can handle it on their own.
We are looking forward to our trip to Chgo, but it will be to short I'm sure. We changed our flight and are coming in a few days early and are planning on driving to western Illinois and help out with a building project for a very needy family in Oquaka, Illinois. The couple has been living in a tent on their property since their home burnt down several months ago. No insurance, no money and they are both handicapped as well, sounds like the perfect family to watch God provide for. And He is !!! God is always putting opportunities in front of His children to be a blessing. So often we pray, " O Lord bless me, bless my finances, bless my family, bless my children, bless my car, bless my house, bless my vacation, and give me travel mercies as I waste your money on stupid stuff. Well I say bless my ass!!! BE THE BLESSING!!! Don't ask for a blessing, ask to be used to bless others. Just as these servants are doing. You see a need , MEET IT, DON'T THINK, JUST DO IT. well maybe they deserve whats happening you say, or why don't they help themselves. No that's why God created you and me. If anyone wants to go with us and help, were going to leave early Tuesday morning and return that night. Remember who your dealing with, every thing is subject to change without notice! Give me a call- 708-528-4622.
It is always so busy right before we leave town for anything, and this week is no exception. We are in the process of pouring the foundation for Carlos and his family, and today Carmelo and the boys got it poured and were finishing up when we arrived. The wood will be delivered tomorrow and the boys will build their first house without us being there. I really believe, that as God continues to provide the funds for building homes when we don't have a team to build it, that these guys can handle it on their own.
We are looking forward to our trip to Chgo, but it will be to short I'm sure. We changed our flight and are coming in a few days early and are planning on driving to western Illinois and help out with a building project for a very needy family in Oquaka, Illinois. The couple has been living in a tent on their property since their home burnt down several months ago. No insurance, no money and they are both handicapped as well, sounds like the perfect family to watch God provide for. And He is !!! God is always putting opportunities in front of His children to be a blessing. So often we pray, " O Lord bless me, bless my finances, bless my family, bless my children, bless my car, bless my house, bless my vacation, and give me travel mercies as I waste your money on stupid stuff. Well I say bless my ass!!! BE THE BLESSING!!! Don't ask for a blessing, ask to be used to bless others. Just as these servants are doing. You see a need , MEET IT, DON'T THINK, JUST DO IT. well maybe they deserve whats happening you say, or why don't they help themselves. No that's why God created you and me. If anyone wants to go with us and help, were going to leave early Tuesday morning and return that night. Remember who your dealing with, every thing is subject to change without notice! Give me a call- 708-528-4622.
THE BLESSING AND THE BEANS
We finally started Carlos and Virginia's' house after they had torn down the old one. Unfortunately for them, the rain started yesterday and hasn't let up much since. I'm sure the guys got some of the foundation done, but Carlos and his family are going to be staying at the neighbors for a while. It will be several days before we can get the ready mix truck in there, and they are calling for rain every day next week. Oh well the fact remains that the family is getting a house, just as soon as we can get it built, and that's the blessing. Carlos accepted Christ as his Savior back in January when the Carpenters Crew (mature team) built a house for their neighbor. He had helped us all week and on dedication day, he bowed his head, and his knee and got saved!!! If it keeps raining, Carmelo, Zacharias, and Tommy will have to build the house alone because Paula and I are leaving for Chicago in a week or so. If the rain keeps up, we might change our flight and leave earlier.
Our two truck loads of beans were picked up by two Wal-Mart trucks this week in North Dakota and should be here pretty soon. Well not here meaning our house, but delivered to The Way of the Cross Ministry in Harlingen because I didn't know when they were coming and besides, we gave one whole truck load to them anyhow, so it made more sense to have them both delivered there. You don't want to make it hard for the trucking company that just donated 7 thousand dollars worth of transportation services. Yep that's right, Wal Mart donated the transportation. So lets see if I can blow your mind concerning Luke 6 vs 38, AGAIN!! "GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN BACK TO YOU". I got a call from Ken in Chicago from Hope Development, a like minded ministry, feeding the poor and spreading the gospel all over the world. He asked if I had any money to buy some very cheap beans in N.D. He said it would be $ 6600.00 dollars per load. I said it would take quite a while to raise fourteen thousand dollars, plus transportation. He said if I could raise the money for one load, he would donate the other. Well Praise the Lord, I can do that. I already had about 5 thousand dollars saved for beans, and surly God can provide the rest!! I called Ben at The Way of the Cross Ministry and asked if he needed any beans? He said he didn't have any and they are planning a Celebrate Jesus Fest in Nov and would need beans for the 30 thousand people that will come. I told him that I would like to donate a whole truck load to his ministry, Silence!! Then I told him about the buy one get one free offer, and he would be blessed with the free load of beans and I would pay for mine. I asked if he had any money for the transport and he said he did not, but he would call our mutual friend Bob and see what he could do and wouldn't you know, Bob called his contact at Wal- Mart and walla more of Gods Favor!
I called Ken the other day to tell him that the beans were picked up and on their way here. I also inquired about our paying for the one load. I asked if he would wait and I'll see him in Chgo in a few weeks and give him a check. He asked if I had all the money. I said that between the donations we saved for beans and rice and money from our personal support that we had enough to pay for the beans. Ken said, " I'll tell you what brother, why don't I just send you a donation to cover the cost of the beans and then you can pay for them with my donation and use the money you have to build houses and spread the gospel!!!!! YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD MAN, I'M TELLIN YOU!!!! I'M TRYING AND I CAN'T DO IT!!! So I sowed a whole truck load of beans into another ministry and God gave me mine for free as well!!!
Our two truck loads of beans were picked up by two Wal-Mart trucks this week in North Dakota and should be here pretty soon. Well not here meaning our house, but delivered to The Way of the Cross Ministry in Harlingen because I didn't know when they were coming and besides, we gave one whole truck load to them anyhow, so it made more sense to have them both delivered there. You don't want to make it hard for the trucking company that just donated 7 thousand dollars worth of transportation services. Yep that's right, Wal Mart donated the transportation. So lets see if I can blow your mind concerning Luke 6 vs 38, AGAIN!! "GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN BACK TO YOU". I got a call from Ken in Chicago from Hope Development, a like minded ministry, feeding the poor and spreading the gospel all over the world. He asked if I had any money to buy some very cheap beans in N.D. He said it would be $ 6600.00 dollars per load. I said it would take quite a while to raise fourteen thousand dollars, plus transportation. He said if I could raise the money for one load, he would donate the other. Well Praise the Lord, I can do that. I already had about 5 thousand dollars saved for beans, and surly God can provide the rest!! I called Ben at The Way of the Cross Ministry and asked if he needed any beans? He said he didn't have any and they are planning a Celebrate Jesus Fest in Nov and would need beans for the 30 thousand people that will come. I told him that I would like to donate a whole truck load to his ministry, Silence!! Then I told him about the buy one get one free offer, and he would be blessed with the free load of beans and I would pay for mine. I asked if he had any money for the transport and he said he did not, but he would call our mutual friend Bob and see what he could do and wouldn't you know, Bob called his contact at Wal- Mart and walla more of Gods Favor!
I called Ken the other day to tell him that the beans were picked up and on their way here. I also inquired about our paying for the one load. I asked if he would wait and I'll see him in Chgo in a few weeks and give him a check. He asked if I had all the money. I said that between the donations we saved for beans and rice and money from our personal support that we had enough to pay for the beans. Ken said, " I'll tell you what brother, why don't I just send you a donation to cover the cost of the beans and then you can pay for them with my donation and use the money you have to build houses and spread the gospel!!!!! YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD MAN, I'M TELLIN YOU!!!! I'M TRYING AND I CAN'T DO IT!!! So I sowed a whole truck load of beans into another ministry and God gave me mine for free as well!!!
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