I remember how I posted a few weeks ago about how I felt that Jesus was really calling me to step out of my comfort zone and have Karlo come live with us so that we could do some discipleship with him! It was pretty amazing watching him COME TO CHRIST and it’s been evening more amazing watching my best friend GROW IN CHRIST.
Also, Justin and I took another large step of faith this month out of our comfort zones. In our partnership with the casa hogar (orphanage), we have gotten to know an amazing family, and I’d like to introduce you to them (check out the photos!!!). Their names are Elsa (the mom), Juan (the dad), Blanca (their 18 year old daughter), and Cesar (their 22 year old son).
The casa hogar we’re partnering with + training with specializes in taking in children whose parents are in prison here in Guadalajara. So through them, we met the two parents who just finished serving a 7 year prison sentence. They are wonderful people and we prayed about it and decided to rent the house below ours for them + pay their bills + food in order to help them get back on their feet for a while.
This family had no place to stay and really needed a lot of help. It was Hilario’s idea, the director of the casa hogar, who has known this family for 7 years. He really challenged us to help get them back on their feet… having their daughter + son finish up school and get jobs and as well helping the dad to get work so that he will be able to provide for his family!
They’ve been living with us for about 3 weeks now and things have been going very well! Here’s the plan we worked out with the family to help get them back on their feet:
Juan. He actually just walked out the door this morning, dressed up in slacks + a dress shirt, to get his paperwork with the government in order. A friend of his said he can help him get some work. Juan is an incredible “Mr. Fix-it” guy… he painted our entire house + theirs below + fixed everything that was broken in the house!
Elsa. Elsa will be in-charge of “keeping the house in order”!!! She’s cooking breakfast and lunch for all 7 of us every day! She’s also in charge of all the grocery shopping + laundry + cleaning around the house. And it’s been a huge blessing for Justin and me, and it’s really helped to free up my schedule a lot! And it’s been great too b/c I’ve had a lot of my nonChristian friends over for lunch instead of going out! The Mexican food she makes is unbelievable… we’re talking salads, soups, chiles rellenos, eggs… the works!!!
Blanca. Blanca actually just walked out the door too this morning to get her paperwork in order so that she can enter high school again. She will also be getting a job after school (it was even her idea!)
Cesar. Cesar has become like my little brother and is a guy who really needs a good Christian friend. He actually served some time in the very juvenile hall that we go to each week. He’s been through a lot not seeing his parents for 7 years, trying to make it on his own, but Christ seems to really be blessing his time here. Cesar will as well be finishing up high school and continuing to work (he already had a job before).
Reunited again.
It was so interesting b/c about two weeks ago, we were all downstairs around 10pm just talking and getting to know each other better. It was really touching b/c the mom was making us all pancakes and everybody was smiling and laughing. I just stood there astonished b/c I realized that this was the first night in 7 years that they family had all been together!
Please keep them in your prayers and as well that the plan will “unfold” smoothly for them getting work and finishing school.
Also, I forgot to mention, the MOST IMPORTANT PART of the plan is that all four of them + karlo are going to church with us every Saturday night! Please pray for hearts to be moved and transformed as God’s Word is taught. Also Blanca, Juan, and Elsa go to the church we help lead at the casa hogar every Sunday morning. Please keep everybody in your prayers!!!
Until the nets are full,
darren
