Words don't cut it

 

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

NLT

This building appeared to be barn stalls. In actuality they are homes.

DIF delivered three boys to Maggie's ministry. They were with her about a week then returned to their parents who live here in one of these.

This is another type of hut made of sticks and tarp. Keep in mind how hot it gets down here. It is very common to be in the 40's. Their is no relief from the heat of summer. I was inside one of the huts and the flies were almost unbearable.

Someone's home

This is a bathroom. I gathered it to be public

Aside from the heat, this day it was quite windy. Their was allot of dust in the air.

This is the mother of the children that were dropped off at Maggies.

This is a little girl eating a cookie delivered by DIF.

A mother and child listen as the President of DIF gives a short presentation.

I wonder what is going through his mind. How is his life going to turn out?

A little girl watches as her mother goes through some donated clothing for their family.

With the temperatures starting to climb, we decided that it would be best to make our visit to the community of Marquez in the morning to avoid the heat of the afternoon. Maggie and I packed up my truck with a load of donated clothing and headed off to visit the family of three children that stayed with Maggie at her ministry for approximately a week. Prior to leaving for Marquez, Maggie mentioned to me several times that this would be an experience I would never forget. She said, "This will be like nothing you have ever seen before." I've seen some pretty ugly places and honestly, thought I had pretty much seen it all. I'm not sure anything can prepare you for walking through a community like this, without question, this was another community that ranked right up there with the worst ones I have visited.

 

In the community of Marquez the men work hard. They are out in the heat working the fields. I am not sure which crops are grown here but the soil looks really good. The men and young boys work long hours to provide income for their families. Families can rent these barn style homes for 400 peso's per month which is a little more that $30.00. I had the opportunity to walk inside one of the homes. It was pretty much empty, a small table and some old dirty 5 gallon pails to sit on. Their was no bed, only some blankets and some old foam for the family of 6. On the small table was a watermelon that had been cut open, half was gone and the remaining half was left, crawling with flies. I am sure that was their lunch. Their are no coolers or refrigerators to keep their food out of the heat or protect it from critters.

 

When we arrived in Marquez we happened to run into DIF. (Social Services) They were doing a clothing distribution in the community that day as well. Ironic! We partnered with them as they we headed for the exact same place we were going. God has blessed us with an amazing relationship with DIF. It is so essential in order to work with them in the future. The President of DIF was there as well and her and I connected, I had the chance to share with her for the first time our plans to construct the orphanage. She was very excited and offered assistance to us. It was a divine appointment, I still can't believe how we crossed paths. Even she said to me, "I feel God arranged for us to meet today." WOW!

 

I look back on this experience. I don't know what to say, I don't have words. If I think of the comforts of life that I have, even living in Mexico, it simply blows my mind how good we have  it. I can't believe that there are still people living like this? I think of North American and all the things that we take for granted. This sure could be me in one of those photos, it could be my children, but for whatever reason God chose to put us in North America. A nation that is blessed beyond belief! Wow, can you imagine what it would be like living in a barn stall? I can't imagine and don't even want too.

 

 

Wow, what a challenge. It sure makes me ask myself allot of very hard questions?

 

Be Blessed everyone,

Con Mucho Amor

 

Brian





Dream Big

Hey Folks, how are you all doing? I trust you are well and enjoying the warmer temps.  Well, an update is long overdue and I hardly know where to start, but here we go!

 

Over the past two years Clarissa and I have been exposed to the many needs here in our region, particularly the needs of the children, and so we believe that God has laid it on our hearts to construct and develop an orphanage.  God has already started to open numerous doors affirming that this is God's calling for us and we believe this with all our hearts.

 

In September of 2011 we were heavily involved with the food program in Fatima and it was there that God really spoke to my heart about the possibility of opening an orphanage. I didn't experience any dramatic visions nor was there any climactic experience; it was a simple nudging in my heart, a silent prompting. I shared this with Clarissa and she affirmed the great need for an orphanage, but I think we both had the same thought. What is God up too?

 

We spent a lot of time praying about it and I knew that if God wanted us to be a part of that journey He would open the doors and lead us into it, and that is exactly what He’s been doing.

 

After our decision to follow God’s gentle nudging for an orphanage we knew there were some significant steps that needed to be taken.

 

The first was for me to become a Mexican citizen. I found out that through my Dad’s Mexican Nationality that I was entitled to become a dual citizen of Canada and Mexico. Again, this opens many doors for us personally as well as for the orphanage. I was a bit overwhelmed at the process of applying for my Mexican citizenship but wouldn't you know God had that worked out too! Through a friend I was introduced to a lady who knew the right contacts in Canada and I literally had to do nothing other than mail the documents and I found out a week ago that I am now officially a dual citizen!

 

A second, fairly critical step in this adventure was to partner with a group or organization that has experience with orphanages.  I was introduced to an organization called "Children of Hope" based out of BC Canada who are very interested in working with us on this project. They bring years of wisdom and advice to the table. Right now I am still in the application process with them, so please pray that this process will go smoothly.

 

Once I receive the formal documentation for my citizenship I can begin the process of setting up my Mexican charitable status. We are applying for a highly credited status that is greatly respected and with this higher status comes more accountability, such as monthly minutes and yearly audits. We want to run the Orphanage with the highest integrity and transparency, we want our supporters to feel confident in us that their donations are being used as intended and that God is being honoured through it.

 

Even as I write this letter to you God is moving and opening doors for us in ways I could never even have imagined.

 

The first tangible order of business is for us is to look at the possibility of purchasing some land for us to build on and through an amazing series of events I will be looking at multiple land options for the orphanage.  When God moves, He really moves!  I can hardly wait to share the stories of how God has begun to make this all possible! 

 

We believe that God is asking us to trust Him and to dream big!  So we are!  We don’t want this to be just an orphanage, but a safe place where children can learn life skills, like farming, sewing, cooking, taking care of animals, the options seem endless.  We dream of eventually having a school on the property that would offer these children proper schooling in a Christ centered atmosphere.  With God all things are possible!

 

Please consider how you would like to be a part of this!  This is far bigger than anything we can accomplish alone so we need your help!  We need prayer partners, people who are committed to praying for us continuously!  If you’d like to join our prayer support group please let me know!  We need financial support, whether a one-time gift or ongoing support, it’s all important to God’s kingdom! If you are interested in becoming a financial supporter please contact me and I can walk you through the process!

 

Our passion is that through this orphanage we will be able to give children that come from hopeless and dark situations into a home where they will feel love and security.  A place where we can equip them with life skills that they will take with them for a brighter future.  A future that offers security, hope and a promise of God’s unfailing love for them.

 

I f you would like more information about Children of Hope please feel free to look up there website at www.childrenofhope.info.com