Thoughts from under the rain...

There are those weeks, you know the kind...when it seems like emotionally, spiritually and mentally it's just one storm after another. I'm quite sure that's where the phrase, "when it rains it pours" comes from. Well it's been one of those months it feels like! And today I'm actually writing from under the rain...literally! It's been raining non-stop for a while now but over the past few days the rain has been long and hard. It's come down so hard infact that it burst right through my roof and joined me on my bed! We're talking buckets! And there was really nothing I could do about it! Except cry! So many leaks in my roof that there was no escaping it! No place to move the furniture...no way out! Thankfully today God sent a solution and for the moment our roof is holding under the pressure of the rain. But the whole experience has got me thinking....stay tuned for a future blog on this subject.

Stefan and I have started the 4th grade and let me just say, it's a whole new ball game! This year we felt so ready and we are just stunned at the difficulty of the material. Between video instruction and homework, school is at least a 10 hour day! Stefan and I are learning alot about eachother, our weaknesses and our need! In all of this I've been thinking about what it means to be a parent, the ups, the downs, the unexpected failures and the unmerited successes! I've relied more on the Spirit of God in the past three weeks in relation to parenting than I have in a long time and it's been so amazing to watch Him move among us...granting me patience and eyes to see....giving Stefan steadfastness and a willingness to learn. When we lived at Texan Hall we felt so blessed materially! We lived in this amazing 3 bedroom cottage and just enjoyed life. Our kitchen had a table...thanks Phyllis Salamy! Our porch had a table and those tables provided the awesome opportunity to fellowship together as a family! But in our one little room here we've struggled to implement our normal family traditions! And I had no idea how this was affecting Stefan. This past week we've begun to put our closet together which has provided extra space, we bought another chair and now are enjoying meals around a table....and what a difference that has made! We've laughed so much and that has truly brought healing and rest to our busy, busy lives!

Beautiful...

7 years ago I was sitting at my desk at Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, while my sweet boy was "signing the sidewalk"....making history at Casa Bernabe. Our hearts hung in the balance as we waited for God to move mountains to make our family a reality and now...GLORY!!!!!!! HE IS FAITHFUL! Each time I walk over Stefan's sweet little hand prints I am reminded....GOD DID THIS! AND He continues to be FOR these children...each one of our 162 beautiful pearls!

An update of sorts....

Our lives are crazy! I think that so often and then I wonder what I expected when I signed up to play an active role in raising 160 kiddos! There is truly never a dull moment around this place!

The month of August was so busy! So many exciting things happened....

Darkness 2 Light:

Part of the vision that the Lord laid on my heart for 2009-2010 was to be able to impart, Darkness 2 Light: 7 Steps to Preventing Sexual Abuse, training to our staff here at Casa Bernabe as well as like-minded ministries in our area.  After months of preparing and a very generous donation from Darkness 2 Light we were able to have our first two seminars. In two days there were 47 participants from 5 different organizations in our area. So exciting!!! This is a photo from the first day of training! I am so grateful for the time and resources to be able to impart this MUCH needed information. Since the training I have been contacted by several organizations hoping to host simular training sessions within the month of September. Please continue to pray for open doors to share the HOPE of Christ through these Sexual Abuse Prevention Seminars.

Baby M.:

Several months ago I sent out a petition in my weekly newsletter asking for prayer for a precious young lady in our ministry. Baby M. was born on August 11th to this sweet young lady and we have just marveled at the way that God has poured out provision through His people and covered both mom and baby in His love, mercy and healing. Both are home and we are looking forward to growing with them on this journey!

A visit to the National Palace:

On Monday morning the director of CB walked into my office and asked me to drive her to the National Palace on Tuesday to meet the Vice President of Guatemala....AMAZING! Tuesday we loaded a van full of 18 kids and 3 adults and began our journey! There was traffic galore, land slides blocking two lanes of traffic which had to be cleared before we could continue and there were car sick kiddos....but somehow we made it to the Palace on time! I'm not really sure what we expected, what I expected but I was blown away! The palace courtyard was full of children.....ALL of whom have experienced more hurt, abuse and neglect then words can express. I watched as one of CB's own took the podium. She stood as a voice for thousands of children who until now have no doubt felt that their voice was unheard. A.  challenged Ambassadors from around the world as well as the Vice-President of Guatemala to take an active role in preventing child abuse in Guatemala. She shared part of her story and led these powerful law makers in an oath to Guatemala's children. It was to say the least a powerful moment! There were 18 children in all who participated in the ceremony and in the end the Vice President pinned each one as Ambassadors of Peace. I watched as the this powerful man took time to listen to these children.....

As he went to exit the room one of our youngest little girls dunked under the Secret Security line and stood in front of the Vice President. As a member of security went to pull her out of the circle the VP put his arms around her and she asked:

Mr. Vice President....Do you believe in God?

YES. he replied....

Then I would like to pray over you....she responded.

With that the VP bowed his head and this young one prayed a powerful prayer over him.

I am challenged daily by our children, their boldness and their will to overcome intense struggles brought on by rejection, abuse and abandonment. As I watched this little girl I thought of Esther. With boldness she entered the circle and she proclaimed the name of the LIVING GOD to one of the most powerful men in Guatemala. BEAUTIFUL. Just beautiful!