Home is where you park it!

Home is where you park it! The sale of our house in Wichita closed on Nov. 13 and after a trip to Arkansas for Jo's son, Bobby's wedding and a visit with Brian, Rochelle, Jesse and Levi Ray in Tennesse we left for Mexico on Dec. 7th. A little bit of bad weather along the way and we finally arrived here at the ranch on Dec. 14th. As you can see we have settled in with a great place to park our fifth wheel. It always takes us a week or two to get settled especially since this time I got the flu for a few days.

It's been great to get to know Paul and Pam Cooper who are serving here at the ranch from South Carolina. Paul has been busy building some small housing for the needy and doing much needed cleaning and repairs on the ranch. Pam also has been helping out with whatever ministry needs assistance. We have been using Skype (talking live with video via the internet) a little. It kept us from getting so homesick Christmas by being able to visit with some family and friends. Hopefully more will get it so we can stay connected. (It's FREE).

We were suprised Christmas Eve by most of Ana's family as they came to our door carolling. We joined them and surprised the Coopers.

Dan performed three wedding this month. The last was Rogelio and Carla's. It was this last Wed. night and was beautiful. Many of you have been on short term mission trips with us here and know what wonderful Godly people they both are. We continue to pray for them as they search out how God would have them serve Him.

The Cooper's are off the ranch for about a week and Dan and Ana are gone to the missions conference in California. They will be gone for about 2 weeks while they visit family and I think Dan has been asked to share at a few churches. Roshon is here as well as Marilu and Lolis.

This morning after the Bible study in Rosales I stopped and picked up Carolina for a overnight visit here at the ranch and was supprised that Anahi was staying with her, so she is here for the night also. Last week Josie was here for a visit with her cousin. She is growing into such a beautiful young lady.

We also saw Laura and her brother Mario last week. I had pictures but lost them when the computer crashed. They are living at another children's home just north of Navajoa. Both looked great and appeared to be doing well.

Jo and I continue for God to use us for His glory. Sometimes (most times) I feel unusable. What can a old 60's something guy with a worn out body do for Him. Everyday I get out of bed. Give it to Him. Then step out the door and try to be the best servant (with His help) I can in whatever comes along. Tomorrow is His to figure out. Today it's just one step in front of the next.

Today we heard that Flo (Florencia's granddaughter) who is 15 years old with a one year old baby got into a fight with her boyfriend. Jo and the girls are going into town tomorrow to check on them. This is a very poor family. Paul built a out-house for them and a covered kitchen. He started a foundation for a 20 x 20 block house for them last week before he left. There present house is mostly scrap wood, scrap metal, and cardboard. Please pray for them as they have been attending church and appreciate all the help they get.
A few words from Jo: Jerry isn't as old as he thinks. He persevers daily & God is using him. As for me I am doing my favorite thing (cooking desserts) for Ana's family that are here for the holidays & my husband. He lost some weight when he was sick so I have to fatten him back up (just kidding about the fattening him up). It is such a privilege to be here doing what our Lord has called us to. We haven't been doing anything earth-shaking, just being at His will. I have been helping Nikki, Josh's girlfriend, with her English. She is taking a class during her semester break & is having some trouble with it. I also will be teaching English to a friend of Roshon's after Dan & Ana return. Ana has asked me to lead a weekly bible study with the ladies here on the ranch starting after they return from California. I have prayed about it since this is a new area for me. But I know with His help I can do it.

Thanks to eveyone for your support and prayers. God Bless. Jerry and Jo

Waiting Impatiently!

Well, we're well into the month of Oct. and we're still in Kansas. We were hoping (and praying) that our house would be sold by now and we would be on our way back to Mexico by now. We've had quite a few showings and the agents have said it's a nice house and the price is OK, but so far no offers. So now I start to question, did I hear God right? Not about moving to Mexico, but about selling the house. That is the best (in my mind) and easiest way for us to make the move, but is it's God's way? I always want to do it God's way and in HIS timing. Maybe it's a big lesson in patience He's trying to teach me, again.

We've started on a plan "B". If the house has not sold by then we are going to try to go Mexico the first of Dec. I'm not sure how this will work out financially, but maybe HE wants us to rely more on HIM than our own resources. We are still undecided about leaving the house vacant, renting it, or a house sitter as before. Good and bad to all the options. As always please continue to pray for us and HIS guidance in our lives. God Bless you all. Jerry

Waiting and Louisville Flooding

Things have been busy but not in the ways we would have thought or expected. We thought we would be busy packing out of the house and into the fifth wheel by now, but for now we are on hold. The house hasn't sold yet so we are waiting for the Lord to direct our steps. We still feel He is calling us to Mexico, but when? We said earlier Oct. That seemed like the most logical date and time to go. But again I'm reminded that God doesn't work in the logical. Or in my time frame for that matter. In His time He will move us forward or direct us onto another path. Such as our life in Christ. It doesn't often go as we expect, but it always turns out better. It's the waiting and turning it over to Him that seems so hard. When will I learn?

We have not been totally idle. Todd with Samaritan's Purse asked Jo and I to join him in Louisville Kentucky to aid homeowners with flood relief. They had received several inches of rain in a short period of time which caused the storm drains to back up into the basements. Timing is always key with flooding. You have to wait (in this case only a few hours) to start work, but if you work to slow the mold starts growing. Jo and I were there for two weeks with Jo helping Todd in the office and I was working with Havard doing damage assessments. During the second week we started helping finish what homeowners couldn't do for themselves. Removing the couch, tv, or washer dryer from the basement. Then out of the blue we would encounter a homeowner that had completely ignored the whole situation. Nothing had been removed and in some cases, people were living in the basement with the mold. Most of the time they had chosen to ignore the situation because they were overwhelmed. They had no idea where to start or what needed to be done. I realized this is our life without Christ! We are overwhelmed! We know it's not right, but we don't know what to do about it. We're either to proud or to stubborn to ask for help. We are helpless and hopeless. But Jesus Christ is our rescuer. He is right there with His hand out the whole time. All we have to do is take Him into our heart, give Him our poor excuse of a life, and He will lead us from that day on. He won't always prevent us from falling, but He will always be there to pick us up.....

Long Overdue Update!

Sorry for the delay in this long overdue post. Since Jo and I returned from Mexico we have been busy serving with Samaritan's Purse and getting ready to go back to Rancho Maranatha this fall.

In April the town of Mena Arkansas was hit with a EF 3 tornado and Jo and I were asked to help with the Samaritan's Purse disaster response. We were in Mena for about 2 weeks where Jo answered the phone and took requests from home owners and I contacted home owners to make assessments of damage for tree removal and temporary tarping of roofs. This was a wonderful time for both of us. We got to work with the SP staff and a great bunch of volunteers. In this town of 5,000, 1,000 of the home were damaged and of that 1,000, 300 of those were completely destroyed. We both pray that God continues to allow us to serve with Samaritan's Purse and share the good news.

When we returned to Wichita we went to Illinois to pick up our 2003 Jayco Designer fifth wheel that will soon become our full time home.

We spent several weeks painting and doing all those little repairs that I had been putting off in order to put our home on the market. That was done 3-4 weeks ago and although it has been "shown" several time we have not yet received an offer. Jo (mostly) has been trying real hard to down size and get rid of lots of stuff we have accumulated over the years and won't have room for in the RV.

A few weeks ago we had a major hail storm here in Wichita and at the church every car in the parking lot (Wed. night service) was damaged, but the RV only suffered a few broken vent covers. Thank you Lord!

I will be retiring and off staff at the church the first of August. We have started to visit some of our sister churches in the area to renew friendships and share about what has been happening at Rancho Maranatha in Mexico. Our plans are to return to Mexico this October and stay until May of next year with maybe a short visit back to Kansas around Christmas. The girls have not been returned to the ranch and Daniel is still in prison in Obregon. There is a great brother and sister in the Lord, Paul and Pam Cooper, serving at the ranch but our hearts long to join them there.

We really need for the house to sell for this to happen so please continue to pray that God brings us that one buyer we need.

If you would like any more information about Samaritan's Purse, Rancho Maranatha or what is happening with Daniel and the girls at the ranch, please let us know.

God Bless all of you.

Jerry and Jo

Heading Back to Kansas

Well, this is our last week here at the Ranch and we will be heading back to Kansas on Saturday. I have mixed emotions about leaving. While we will be happy to see our family & friends in Kansas we have come to think of the Ranch as our second "home". The people here have become very much our family, not just in the sense of being our brothers & sisters in the Lord but as people we love very much.

I have been going for daily walks with LaLa, Ana's mother, every morning. Since she doesn't speak any English it has been a great opportunity to practice my Spanish. She recites different verses from Psalms and I repeat them back to her. One of her favorites I have memorized in Spanish. "Ensenanos de tal modo a contar nuestros dias, que traigamos al corazon sabiduria" Salmos 90:12 I pray this for all of my brothers & sisters!!!
The weather has been really great, unlike the weather in Kansas, around 70-75 in the daytime and about 50 at night. Although today has been rather cool its still better than Kansas. It has also been quite a challenge, although fun, teaching the younger girls English since Lupita & Trini speak only a few words of English. The girls are all such sweethearts although they can be trying sometimes as all children can. It is a joy to see the lovely young women Josie & Carolina are growing into. They are great to help with the younger girls & Roshon's 2 little ones. Roshon's children are both precious but especially Obed. He is 9 months old & such a happy baby, always smiling and although I'm sure he has his moments I've never seen him cross.

Dan, Ana & Marilu left for Monterrey on Monday to finish the adoption proceedings of Marilu. They have to get her new birth certificate & should be back on Thursday. We haven't been able to spend to much time with them so will be glad to see them get back before we leave.

Carla, all the girls & I went into Navajoa on Thursday to the house of the grandmother of Elias (the little boy the Conners adopted). We took some fruit, cookies for the kids and shampoo & soap to bathe the kids. There are six children living at her house, all under the age of 7. The youngest one is about 17 months old. Their living conditions are less than desirable so we cleaned, washed their dishes, bathed all the children & just tried to show His love for them. What a blessing to be able to do this. The grandmother said they were going to start attending the Sunday morning service. lease keep them in your prayers that this will happen.

I have just finished reading "What the World is Coming To" by Pastor Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for those of you not familiar with him). The book is a commentary on the Book of Revelation. While I was reading his comments on the "Great White Throne Judgement" Rev 20:11-13 it made me think of our conversations with many of our family members who asked us why we don't just send a check to the Ranch. Since we feel called by God to serve in Mexico we would not be in His will if we "sent a check". I recall Jesus' words from the Book of Matthew "Then the King will say to those on His right hand. 'Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in..... I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'Mt 25:34-40 I heartily recommend this book to believers as well as non-believers. We need to be sure we understand the consequences of not accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord & Saviour.
We miss & thank all of you for your prayers of support and pray God's Blessings to you.
In Him, Jerry & Jo

Fellowship with GOD

Just like back in the states, some Sunday's at church, attendance is up. People you haven't seen in a while, some maybe sick, some maybe had to work, some traveling. Usually there is an "ebb and flow" (like the tides), but every once in a while it seems like everyone is there on the same day. Maybe even some who have moved away, back for a visit. It's so great to see old friends and family again. Something just "clicks".

Well it was that way this last Sunday morning in Tesia and even more so Sunday night in Osobampo. People that Jo and I had not seen since we have been here in Mexico this last three weeks. We've wondered about them, and even asked about some of them from time to time. There's such a gladness in our hearts when we see them and we know that everything is OK. The buses and vans were there from Jusibampo, Mocuzarit, and Las Minitas as well as the local people from Osobampo. And the vans and buses were packed. When I mentioned this to Dan he said that there were still some missing that he noticed.

I got to thinking about how this is like when we're not fellow shipping with GOD. HE created us for that purpose. HE desires to fellowship with us, loves us, cares for us. HE has concern for us when we've gotten to busy to spend time with HIM. In devotions, in HIS Word, in prayer, and in church. I know HIS heart is gladdened when we return to HIM, just as mine did. The only difference is that HE doesn't wonder where we are or what we're up to, HE knows. Whatever it is that has taken us out of fellowship with HIM is not good! It's so easy to be distracted. The world has so many "things" to call us and tempt us. Occupy our time little by little. May we all cling tighter to HIM.

Dan and Ana got back this last Saturday night. It was great to have them back and everything was back on schedule Sunday. They have been running the ranch here for so long that they make everything look easy. Decisions, moment by moment!

It's hard to believe but Jo and I have only about a week and a half left here at the ranch. It seems like we just got here. We plan to leave on Saturday the first of February making a few stops along the way which should take about 10 days to get home. We love you all and miss you. Please continue to pray for us.

Jerry and Jo

BACK TO SCHOOL & OTHER THINGS

Three weeks from home & two weeks here at the ranch & we are so blessed by all we come in contact with. The Slushers were here for a few days on their way back to the states & we enjoyed visiting with them. They had been in Culiacan, a town south of here, working with a group out of southern CA providing the gospel to indignant workers from the Mexico City area. We went into Alamos with them Friday night to have dinner at a restaurant run by Ana's sister-in-law. It was an enjoyable time seeing old friends & sharing what God was doing in their lives.

We have settled into a routine here, more or less, in the last week. Jerry has been working on things around the ranch including the diesel bus used to transport people to bible studies in Tesia & Rosales. Since the Conners(the teachers from the states) have gone back to their home in Florida, the responsibilities for teaching the girls on the ranch are being shouldered by Ana, Roshon, Marilu & Carla. I am planning to teach English classes while we are here & when we return in the fall I hope to add a Science class to the schedule. So I will be looking for primary grade reading books & science books for intermediate grades. The girls are very eager to learn English, especially the new younger ones as their English language skills are very meager. Vanessa & Maura do very well with English but Trini & Lupita know only a few words. Teaching them will certainly try my Spanish language skills but will definitely be good for me.

Trini & Lupita both come from homes where they were abused & beaten by their fathers. They are cousins & both of them are 12 years old. In Lupita's situation her mother had died and her father remarried. Her step-mother would tell her dad stories regarding things she had supposedly done (although they were not always true) and he would beat her for them. Trini had a mother but she had psychological problems & beat Lupita quite regularly. Both girls seem to be adjusting to life here at the ranch & are very much in need of the loving & caring christian environment they have here.
It has been such a pleasure to be here helping out while Dan & Ana are gone to the states. God has truly blessed us with this opportunity to serve Him. I continue to be amazed at the dedication of the believers here. Most of them have to depend on others for transportation, either the vans from the ranch, walking, riding their bicycles or trying to catch a ride with a neighbor who is going by where ever the teaching is being held. Those who have cars can't always afford the price of gas yet they somehow find a way to get to the teaching. We feel truly blessed to be of service to them as well as humbled by how easy we have it in the states and yet so many of us find excuses not to go to church. I do lunch for the girls on Monday & Friday and dinner on Thursday so I will close for now since it is almost 12 noon & I need to start lunch.
May God bless you all & thank you so much for your prayers & support.
In Him,
Jerry & Jo