"I have chosen you."

I love how God uses scripture to encourage us right when we need it the most. Recently I was reading a passage in Isaiah and the words were exactly what I needed to hear:  Isaiah 41:9b...from the farthest corners I called you.  I said you are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

These words reminded me of my call to serve the orphan and the widow here in Cancun. I "happened" to read them the day before our ground breaking ceremony for the new community center in Tres Reyes. So we were buried in the details for the ground breaking, plus we got some discouraging news regarding one of the kids we serve. But in those verses God reminded me that He is the one who called us here. He also called the employees of Certa Pro Painters of Indiana, Tom & Karen Woelk, and John Guckenberger all to come and serve on that day.....I wasn't alone. God reminded me He is our helper. His call may not be easy, but He will strengthen us.

With this foundational truth and reminder, we did want to share with you some pictures from the ground breaking ceremony. We also want to assure you that not only has God called us but He has called you, whether to pray, give, go, or serve right where you are. We know that without your prayers and financial support, we couldn't be fulfilling God's call on our lives.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping us serve the orphans and marginlized families in and around Cancun.

Weeds or Seeds

When we lived in Michigan we loved to plant a vegetable garden every Spring.

We worked hard at putting good things into the soil to help the plants get the nutrients they needed to grow, to be strong and healthy.  We were strategic in where we placed the garden to get the maximum sun.  Over time, we realized that different plants had different needs.  Some plants needed more sun, some needed more water, some needed extra attention to grow. 

I would start off every growing season with this beautifully tilled garden without any weeds.  However, despite all of my planning and efforts, weeds still grew. And if I wasn't diligent at removing them by the root they would take over the garden.

God reminded me that many of the same principles I learned about gardening also applied with people. Because the children and widows we serve have different needs, we use our 5 Point Child Development Plan to assess and then address their Spiritual, Physical, Educational, Emotional, Social needs.  It's also helpful for me to remember that people, just like plants, grow at different rates. So much depends on the soil, and conditions surrounding the plants (people). 

We were at Rossy's in Bonfil on Saturday, and she was singing this song in Spanish with the children.                                                                                                                                                      

Through You, I can do anything

I can do all things

For it's You who gives me strength

Nothing is impossible....

I believe, I believe in You!

She let the song play over and over and by the end of the day the kids were singing it without any  music.

  

I love to see them singing, and even though they might not fully understand the words...the truth that we believe....the seed that was planted...tells them that nothing is impossible for God!

Nada es imposible!

Earlier this week I took Jeny to hear Nick Vijuicic speak.  Nick Vijuicic is a man that was born without arms and legs. He shared his story about how his faith in God gives him purpose. While Nick was speaking - planting seeds in Jeny - I was praying that her faith in God would grow.  That she would learn to trust Him, and love Him with all of her heart, soul, and mind.  I don't know all of Jeny's emotional needs, but God does, and I can trust that He will use the words spoken that night to grow the seeds of perseverance, courage,  and gratefulness in her heart.

I have to be faithful in prayer....praying that the weeds won't choke out the seeds God is planting in the hearts and minds of the widows and children we serve.  I have a page in my journal with the word "Weeds" and on the other side "Seeds."  I'm a visual person and it helps having the actual weed words written out.....anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy, insecurity, pride, selfishness, critical spirit, lack of trust, lying, cheating, etc. So that I can be intentional in praying against those weeds in my life and the lives of those we serve.  

Christmas with the Families

It's 80 degrees outside, the sun is shining and I'm wearing shorts. BUT....Christmas is here, even in warm Mexico. And although I'd rather have snow for Christmas than an 80 degree day, we have been celebrating with music, decorations and Christmas parties.

Mummy-Me game

Joseph

We invited Oti's family: Ricardo, Jeny, Marisol, Paty, Yasmin, Leti, Adela, and Rodrigo; Gloria's family: Carlos, Ansoni, Paola, Vanessa, and Baby Ruth; Dalila's family: Leydi, Jose Luis, and Zuri.; to our group house for a Christmas party. As I drove down the street toward Oti's house to pick them up, some of her kids were waiting at the end of the street. And when they saw me coming, they ran home to tell the others. They were excited. Oti was dressed in a new skirt and blouse that we bought her. She had taken more time than usual getting ready and looked very pretty. It was nice to see her "glowing." At the party, we served the families dinner, played games with them, decorated gi-normous gingerbread cookies, shared the True story of Christmas, and opened gifts. 

At the end of the night, we took Oti's family upstairs and celebrated Christmas with them. 
They each opened 1-2 gifts that we bought them (thank you sponsors). It was so fun to see the joy on their faces. This will probably be the only Christmas they celebrate, so it was special. I drove them home and got many hugs and kisses, all of which I eagerly accepted.

Thanks for the gifts!

Appreciation Dinner

Two days later, we hosted another party at the group home for our volunteers, four of whom received certificates for completing the volunteer training: Jorge, Dara, Andrea, and Samantha; our tutors: Fabiola and Sandy, and our foster family, the Lopez'. We had dinner for them, played more games, and gave them gifts of appreciation for all the time and energy they patiently devote to those we serve. We are so grateful for, what we call, our "extended staff."

Our "certified volunteers"

On a Mowery family note, this past Saturday we picked our daughter Eliza up at the airport. She will be with us for two weeks, while she's taking break from school. It's so nice to have all of us under one roof. We look forward to some good family time together. 

We hope your family has an incredible Christmas and is reminded often during this busy and over-commercialized season, just how blessed we are to have a Savior who chose to crash into our world as a baby....to save us. An "unspeakable gift," and yet we are to shout it from the mountain-tops. Felilz Navidad!

12 days in.......

So we arrived in MX on Sept 8 after a week of travelling. Julie said it felt a little strange having one-way tickets to MX. But this is our new home. And it's great to be here. We have our apt and have bought most of our appliances, but since the container with all of our "stuff" in it has not arrived, we're still living with our generous friends and co-laborers, the Matt and Julie Cooper. We've already had a full 12 days. Much of our time has been spent either taking care of visa/residency stuff, getting our apt, and most importantly, serving with two teams, at Casa Hogar San Jose, Cass Hogar Esperanza, the DIF (an emergency shelter for kids) and a small rural community called Tres Reyes.

When we talked about a story for this blog post, we struggled to keep it to just one. We have been so blessed, but also so challenged by the work to be done, as our hearts break for these kids and families. But we landed on one story told by the picture below of Edgar.

Edgar is 20 years old. He is one of seven teens plus five others who are visiting us from our Monterrey campus. Edgar came to Cancun on his first mission trip to serve the orphans at San Jose and Esperanza. But the BEAUTY here is that he himself is an orphan. He lived in Casa Hogar Galena, outside Monterrey and then moved onto the Back2Back campus in Monterrey so he could finish high school and then go on to college where he's now studying sports science. He is here this week serving the orphans and impoverished because he too has a heart for and clearly understands what these kids are up against. So with Mari (5 yrs old) on his back he is giving back by loving and serving those in need, in much the same way that he was and is being loved so well by the Back2Back staff in Monterrey. Edgar's redemption story is the fruit of many investments made by so many others before us. That's what we're about! And I believe this is exactly what God has called our family to here in Cancun, Quintana Roo, MX. We're feel so privileged to be serving with Back2Back. Thanks to all who are helping make this possible, by partnering with us and supporting us.



These are three of the kids who live in the rural community called Tres Reyes. Back2Back has been able help a couple families in Tres Reyes; working on one home and building another. Gloria has six kids. Lucy, her oldest, is 16 and has a 11 month old baby named Ruth.

 
This is Gloria in her home. We delivered food, diapers, and other supplies that she desparately needed. And then we prayed over her and her family.





Nick was the life of the party as the kids at San Jose got horseback rides from him. It's sooo cool to see him laughing and playing with them and the joy on their faces as this big Americano gets down on the ground to give them a ride. Nick is doing awesome and has had a lot of fun both working and playing with the kids we serve. I'm so glad God is using him. The nuns at San Jose wanted to thank us so they served us an amazing meal of empanadas and tostadas.

Pastor Victor (the one in the white shirt) allowed us to serve him and his family and friends a meal. And then he told us his story of how God miraculously rescued him from a life of crime. After spending several years in prison for drugs and stealing, God invaded his life and made it clear that He had another plan for Victor. We are in awe of where he came from and how God is now using him. Victor has planted four other churches, and now pastors this church in Tres Reyes. B2B partnered with him to complete the roof on his church and provide a feeding program for the people in this community once per week this summer.