“Grandma” wants to come and live with me in Ottawa

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”

1 Timothy 5:3 (NIV)

In Mexico, there is very financial help for the elderly. Older people who have a birth certificate get about $20 a month. Unfortunately, many older people never were registered with the government. Therefore, they are considered non-existent and receive no help. In my years as a missionary, many are the times, I have encountered some of those neglected older people, especially women.  Sometimes, they show up at the feeding stations hungry and tired. The feeding program is for children, nevertheless it is absolutely not acceptable to turn these ladies away. We give them a plate of food and something to drink. They are always grateful especially when we collect their empty plate and place a few cookies in their hands.

Many of these women offer to help in the kitchen knowing that we will them give something to eat before they go back home. Their degree of cleanliness is not always conducive to let them near the food. But, we always need volunteers to wash dishes. We never had one of these ladies refuse to do just that. In Mariano Matamoros, we had one of those ladies. Her name was so difficult to pronounce, I simply called her “Grandma”. She refused to tell me her age, just that she was over 75 years old. She was about 5 ft tall and very skinny. Her bathing habits were non-existent. But, she had a smile that stole your heart and a hug that was strong and sincere.

In 2014, during our Vacation Bible Program, Grandma brought two of her grandchildren to the program. She volunteered to do dishes. Because she was too short to reach the bottom of the sink, we had to install a wood step in front of the sink. It was in August and very hot, but all week Grandma washed dishes for the duration of the program. She really was happy to be helpful.

After VBS ended, I bought some Chinese food just for the workers. I wanted them to know how much they were appreciated. I had a gift bag with shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrush and new socks for everyone. Each lady got an envelope with some monies sponsored by TLCCM. I had an envelope for Grandma. She arrived late for lunch. She was wearing a wrinkled blue dress. I went to meet her and as I hugged I realized that she was trying to look good without first taking the time to bathe.  I gave her a plate of Chinese food and we continued with our meal.

When I gave out the envelopes she looked at everyone and smiled. When I called out her name, she was not sure what to do. The other ladies told her to come up front to see me.  I gave her the bag of blessings and gave her an envelope which contained $20.00. I filled a take-out container of Chinese food and I gave it to her with a hug. Then she left. She stayed around for a while, but I guess she was wondering what was in the envelope. 

After that day, I became her best friend. She invited us to her shack. It was up the mountain where no cars could go. She had “cleaned” out the outside of her shack. An old dirty couch was the only place to sit.  Construction blocks and an old rusty wire rack was the “stove” where she cooked her food. Water came out of a hose that was hooked up to her daughter’s house in a row of shacks below her’s. Inside, she had one room with and old bed and old sofa. The rest of the room were items or better yet garbage she had picked up hoping to use them or sell them for a few pesos.

One of TLCCM sponsors bought a small two-cylinder propane stove for Grandma. We also made certain that she received some groceries. Meanwhile, I came back to Ottawa, but Grandma did not forget about me. She would ask the leaders if they knew when I was coming back. The next time I was at the church, she was there with her two grandchildren.  She asked to talk to me. I was busy with the kids, so I told her that I would talk to her once all the children had received their blessings. Wearing dirty clothes, her hair not having been washed in a while and without any kind of deodorant she looked very pitiful. But, she sat on a bench and patiently waited for me.  Once, I was finished with the kids, I went over to talk to her. She had made up a plan for her life and she wanted to share it with me. She said: Hermana Denise, you have been so good to me and I love you very much. Now, you know where I live and that I have nothing. I’m an old woman and I need someone to take care of me.  So, I was thinking that when you go back to Canada, you could take me with you and you could look after me. This way, I would not have to worry about what to eat or where to sleep.”  Her little 8 years old granddaughter was standing with her and she said: “Hermana, I also want to go live with you in Canada.”

I was completely astounded by these statements. Obviously both Grandma and the little girl had been making plans for their future. My heart was broken to see the desperation in their faces. They wanted a better life. I could very well understand why they wanted to end that life of hunger and poverty. I took a few long breaths and silently told the Lord He had to give me the right words to explain to them that I could not take them to Ottawa with me. Not counting that neither had any birth certificates to even obtain a passport, but I simply could not take them with me. I simply could not take on that responsibility.

I do not recall exactly what explanation I gave them. I know it was the Lord that took over the conversation because I was absolutely without words…….I am not one that usually is without words.

In the end, they said:“Thank you hermana, we understand. 

We know that if you could you would.”

I sat with them for a while inquiring about different little details as not to send them home without showing them love and compassion.

Afterwards, Grandma continued to come to church for almost one year. Then she stopped coming. I sent some workers up the hill to see if she was safe. But, they found the shack empty and boarded up. One neighbor said that one of her daughters had come for her and the little girl. They were now living with her in another part of Tijuana.

Nobody ever saw Grandma again. I often think of her. An older woman facing her future in a shack, wearing filthy clothing and many days having nothing to eat. Each time I think of Grandma, I thank God that I am facing such a different future. I have a beautiful home with a nice bathroom with hot water. I have nice clothes and a good car. I always have food in my fridge. I am so grateful for everything I do have. I will always remember never to abandon the poor and the needy. As long as I have my health and the calling of God on my life, I will look out for other grandmas who are in need.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, 

A hug from grandma

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Grandma's room

 Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Bananas in Prison!

Darlene Diebler Rose was a missionary in Indonesia. She was the first American woman to enter the Baliem Valley of New Guinea, working there with her first husband, Rev. Russell C. Deibler. During World II, she was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese. In her book: “Evidence not Seen” she describes a situation while she was a prisoner that gripped my heart, because of her level of faith and trust in the Lord.

One day from her prison cell that had a window overlooking the courtyard, she saw several women that had been allowed outside to take in some fresh air. 

Here is her own description of that situation: “I was intrigued by the actions of one woman in particular and it fascinated me. Every time the sentry on duty turned his back to her and marched to the other side of the courtyard, she inched over toward a fence covered with Honolulu Creeper. When the guard clicked his heels, turned about, and began to stroll in her direction, she stopped. I was intrigued. I thought this lady is going to make contact with someone who's hidden in those vines. With no books to read, I'll watch the drama taking place here before my very eyes! I empathized with her. I wanted this lady to succeed, and not to be caught. Finally, reaching the vine-covered fence, the woman stood very still. The guard clicked his heels and went off again. At that moment, I saw a hand shoot through the vine. It held a big bunch of bananas. Quickly she grabbed the bananas, slipped them into the folds of her sarong, and strolled nonchalantly back to join the other women. Nobody knew she had those bananas. But I did! I knew she had some bananas! ” said Darlene. 

“I dropped to the floor of my cell. Exhausted from my efforts, I shook all over. Worse still, I began to crave bananas. Everything in me wanted one. I could see them; I could smell them; I could taste them. I got down on my knees and said, "Lord, I'm not asking you for a whole bunch like that woman has. I just want one banana." I looked up and pleaded, "Lord, just one banana.” I bowed my head again and prayed, "Lord, there's no one here who could get a banana to me.  Please don't think I'm not thankful for the rice porridge. It's just that--well, those bananas looked so delicious!" What I needed to do was link my impotence to God's omnipotence, but I couldn't not see how God could get a banana to me through these prison walls.

One day the door of my cell opened, and I looked into the smiling face of Mr. Yamaji, the Kampili camp commander. This was early July, and it had been so long since I had seen a smiling or a familiar face. I clapped my hands and exclaimed, Tuan Yamaji, seperti lihat sobat jan lama, "Mr. Yamaji, it's just like seeing an old friend!" "You're very ill, aren't you?" Yes, sir, I am." Mr. Yamaji said: "I'm going back to the camp now. Have you any word for the women?" The Lord gave me confidence to answer, "Yes, sir, when you go back, please tell them for me that I'm all right. I'm still trusting the Lord. They'll understand what I mean.” "All right," he replied; then, turning on his heels, he left.

I heard the guard coming back and knew he was coming for me. Struggling to my feet, I stood ready to go. He opened the door, walked in, and with a sweeping gesture laid at my feet--bananas! "They're yours," he said, "and they're all from Mr. Yamaji." I sat down in stunned silence and counted them. There were ninety-two bananas! In all my spiritual experience, I've never known such shame before my Lord. I pushed the bananas into a corner and wept before Him. "Lord, forgive me; I'm so ashamed. I couldn't trust You enough to get even one banana for me.” In the quiet of the shadowed cell, He answered back within my heart: "That's what I delight to do, the exceeding abundant above anything you ask or think." I knew in those moments that nothing is impossible to my God. This was God's provision, and strength began to flow into my body. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (Psalm 23:5-NIV). 

Conclusion: This lady is an inspiration to me. Every time I read her testimony I ask the Lord for forgiveness for the times I do not have enough faith for “one banana”. I believe the Lord for the needs of my family at every level. I believe Him also for health, strength and provision for myself and for TLCCM. 

Friends, what are your needs today? I believe that if the Lord brought Darlene Diebler Rose 92 bananas, He can answer your prayers, if we stand believing that He can & will. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

If you are reading this article, I want to encourage you to believe God to answer your prayers and give each and everyone of you, your 92 bananas!

Denise

Darlene Diebler Rose died: February 24, 2004 (age 86 years), in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. 

A kind gesture makes for good memories

In 1997-1998 we made several trips to the Pai-Pai indigenous reservation in Santa Catarina, a three hours drive from Tijuana. Their Kumeyaay Paipai ancestors have been in this area, including Southern California, for thousands of years. These people live near the mountains and away from almost any other civilization. In 1997, Pastor Joel from the shantytown of Salva Tierra in Tijuana asked us to go and help this forgotten tribe. He came with us and introduced us to Armando the tribe’s chief and his wife Rogelia. They lived in a miserable shack with a dirt floor. The walls were made with old pieces of salvaged wood. They had no telephone line, electricity or running water. Except for a few items of food on the kitchen table we could not see any other food in that shack. They were delighted when I opened a cooler that had a picnic lunch inside. We shared our lunch with the family. Armando sent his son to tell his grandparents to come to their house so they could also eat. We also had cookies and that quickly won us the hearts of the chief’s children. Obviously, we returned home with an empty cooler! Since we had supplies for the other families on the reservation, Roger went with the chief to notify the people to come to the church. People soon gathered and we had an impromptu service. Pastor Joel introduced us and then he preached a short sermon. Afterwards we lined up the families and gave out everything we had in the van. We loved the people and for two years we went back to help them with food, supplies and clothing. Roger’s Spanish was better than mine, so he got to preach a few short messages. I always said a few words and I smiled a lot. In the beginning, we would go directly to the chief’s shack. I always brought lunch. Rogelia had shared with me that she loved turkey. On one of our visits, we brought a turkey dinner. I had never seen people so happy to eat a full course meal. It was very emotional for us because a regular meal was a daily occurrence in our home. After a few months, we decided to feed everyone that came to the church service. Roger had a green camping stove and a folding table. We used the room attached to the church to prepare and serve the food. Hot dogs were always a favorite. As soon as we arrived the chief would unlock the door of the church. Rogelia helped me get everything ready while Armando would go with Roger to invite the people to come. After a while, as soon as the people saw the red van, they would come to the church. Armando and Rogelia had two children. A boy named Gustavo and a girl named Raquel. The little boy was about 10 years old and he loved hanging around Roger. There was not much around their shack except sand and dirt. One day Roger was outside with Gustavo. They were kicking rocks to see who would kick them the farthest. These two became friends and when we would get to the reservation, this little boy would run to the van to give Roger a hug. I do not remember how Roger found out that this kid wanted a bike except one day on the road back home, Roger mentioned that he had to find a bicycle for Gustavo. My memory also fails me, so I cannot recall how he got a bike, I just remember that Roger kept his promise to Gustavo. At our next visit, the bicycle was the first item out of the van. The smile on Gustavo’s face was the only the “payment” Roger needed. He knew he had made a friend for life. I can still remember this little guy riding in circles in front of his shack and Roger standing by the van enjoying seeing the happiness on Gustavo's face. By the end of 1998, because of ministry responsibilities in Tijuana, we no longer had the time to go to Santa Catarina. But, we never forgot the people. In 2018, after 20 years, I had the privilege to go back to the reservation. Many of the older people were still there, but the kids that were there in 1997-1998 have all grown up and moved away, including Gustavo & Rachel. During that trip, as I brought a short teaching to the people, I also promised them that TLCCM would be there every month with the Gospel and supplies. I cannot be there myself, but my leaders Pastors Jorge & Rosa faithfully make the 3.5 hours trip (one way) every month for me. They are TLCCM’s ambassadors to the Pai-Pai indigenous people. Actually, I had completely forgotten about the bicycle story until April 2019. Again, I was visiting the reservation with Pastors Jorge & Rosa. While having lunch with Rogelia and the other people of the tribe, she mentioned the bicycle. She had seen her son the previous weekend and told him I was coming for a visit. He sent me a message through Rogelia. “Mom, tell hermana Denise that I never forgot hermano Roger and I never forgot about the bicycle he brought me.” As I write this, tears are flowing down my face as I remember the kind and precious man that made this little Indigenous boy feel so special. Sometimes an act of random kindness will touch a heart and that act of kindness will stay with a person for a lifetime. It has certainly stayed with Gustavo! “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

I'm done, I'm so done!

By: Christy Fitzwater, Author and pastor's wife.

See Denise's comments @ the end of this article.

At some point in our lives, we all feel or have felt like giving up on someone. I know I have.

We are worn out. We are weary with trying to understand, help or forgive someone who does not want any help, does not care for any help. Someone who holds a grudge and has no intentions of forgiving or moving on from a negative situation to a positive one. Or someone that hides under the words “I’m busy” in order to avoid spending time with you.

We have no hope. Nothing changed since last year. Actually, in some situations, it even got worse. Nothing has changed this year either. Why in the world should we expect anything to be better next year? It does not matter how many times you try it is like turning around in circles. You get no cooperation, invitations to get together go unanswered. No emails, no texts or telephone calls.

We feel like throwing up our hands in defeat we want to write someone off. But, deep in our heart, we know we can’t do that!

According to the Free Dictionary by Farlex, the idiom "to write someone off" means:

a) to give up on turning someone into something;

b) to give up on someone as a dead loss, waste of time or a hopeless case.

We have forgotten that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). We have forgotten that Christ pushed past his own weariness and pain and trudged on for the sake of love. We have forgotten that Christ held hope we could become whole and blameless.

This usually comes with the phrase: I'm done. I'm done with him. I'm done with her.

I see you today in that difficult relationship, so weary you can hardly take a breath. So much pain has been inflicted that you feel you will never be healed. You've been in the middle of the relationship challenge for so long that you can't lift your head up and imagine things could ever change. It seems impossible to you. It seems impossible to everyone else.

But there is the gospel.

As we pull up close to the gospel, we remember there is hope for every man to be transformed when the light of Christ shines into his darkness.

So, what should you do with a person's name?

If you determine not to write it off, then the alternative is to write their name on your heart. It's a vulnerable place, the heart. But either way, there will be wounds, right?

It's better to pull a person in close and suffer long than to shove him or her away! 

Denise’s comments: I am posting this article because when I read it, I felt I had written this article myself for myself. Every comment she made, I have made at least a few times.

The temptation to say: I’m done is only human. At times it would seem to be the logic thing to do. Walk away and give up! But, with the Holy Spirit living in us, we know that we can never say: I’m done.

Giving up would not give us peace. Giving up is not something the Lord would do to any of us, even if at times we deserve it.

Instead we need to look at scripture and see what the Lord would have us do:

Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV) says:“So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

Because the Lord was so patient, forgiving and loving towards me, I want to stand in the gap for the ones that otherwise I would be tempted to say: I’m done.

I also want to stand on His Word and declare and degree what He says in Ezekiel 36:26:“I will give you (*them) a new heart and put a new spirit within you (*them); I will take the heart of stone out of your (*their) flesh and give you (*them) a heart of flesh.” ( * is my own version)

In Jeremiah 32:38-40: “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; ³⁹ then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. ⁴⁰ And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.”

Once, I decide to stand in the gap and declare and degree these scriptures over my possible “I’m done” cases, I can do what the author of this article says to do: It's better to pull a person in close and suffer long than to shove him or her away. Because my friends, either way we might suffer long, and either way there will be wounds, but if we do not give up, we will not suffer in vain.

Denise 

Christy Fitzwater Website https://christyfitzwater.com/

God makes no mistakes !

One day, the king of an African tribe was attacked by a tiger. He was saved only by the intervention of one of his slaves. 

During the attack he lost a finger.

Very angry, he exclaimed: "If God were good, I would not have lost a finger".

His slave, a Christian, replied: "Majesty, God is good, and what He does is wise. 

He never makes a mistake.  

  At these words the sovereign was furious and he imprisoned the slave who had saved his life.

Sometime later, the king was taken prisoner by warriors who offered human sacrifices to their idols. He was going to suffer the same fate and be offered as a sacrifice to the idols.

But when his enemies noticed that he was missing a finger, they released him 

without delay. In their rituals, it was not allowed to sacrifice a victim with a physical defect.

When he returned home, the king ordered the imprisoned slave to be released, and kindly said to him: “God was really good to me. I would have been killed.  It was only because I missed a finger that they let me go.”

 “But I wonder why God allowed me to put you in jail?”

"Majesty," replied the slave,"If I had not been in prison, I would have 

been captured with you and sacrificed for you 

because I have all my fingers.

We often do not understand God's intentions in the situations we live in.

But let us always be assured that:"All things work together for the good of those who love God" (Romans 8:28).

Also Psalm 34:8 says:“Taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Blessed is the man who confides in Him.”

Friends, be encouraged today that whatever you are going through, 

all is well because God makes no mistakes!

Have a great day,

Denise

Please note: I do not claim to have written this text. It was published on April 24^th., in a French devotional entitled “The Good Seed 2019” (La Bonne Semence-Edition de France). The author is not indicated. My friend Lucette sent it to me. It so blessed my heart that I decided to translate it to English and pass on the blessing to the ones of you reading it.

Boys shoes in front of the chimney

April is always the time when the boys 10-14 from Templo Bethania in Tijuana go for a weekend camping trip. Tender Loving Care Children Ministries helps to sponsor this activity. It is an awesome opportunity for some of these boys to go somewhere, be safe, have fun and learn about the Word of God. They also learn discipline and how to help one another. We have an amazing team of leaders that give up their weekend to make this event possible.

The kids left at 1:30 p.m. from the church. In the morning, it had rained in Tecate. When the boys got there the grass was wet and there were puddles of water in many areas. Boys are boys! After putting down their pack-sack they headed outside to play. Wet grass and puddles of water were not going to dampen their fun time.

When they went back inside the cabin for supper, their shoes and some of their clothes were soaking wet. One leader made a fire in the huge fireplace. The kids then put their shoes in front of the fire, so they would dry overnight.

Later that evening the pastors went to the camping ground to check up on everyone. They sent me some pictures of the kids in their sleeping bags or bundled up in their blankets enjoying watching a video.

Among the pictures I received was the picture of the fireplace and the shoes. As I looked at the picture, I did not yet know about the rain, the boys playing outside and the wet shoes.

But immediately, in my spirit, this is what I saw: The beautiful fire in the natural, was not a just beautiful in the natural, but a beautiful fire on the spiritual level. It was the presence of the Holy Spirit coming down as a fire of love and compassion falling on the lives the boys whose shoes were on the fireplace.

Each pair of shoes represented one of these young boys. In the spirit I saw that the Holy Spirit was going to guide, protect, teach and anoint each one of these boys. The fire of the Holy Spirit is going to be their strength and power, so they that each one will be able to complete the race the Lord has for him.

After this camping weekend, these boys will never be the same.

At times we look at a picture and it is a beautiful picture, but other times, it is far more than just a beautiful picture. It is a word from the Holy Spirit to bring encouragement about something very precious to a precious person or in this situation to a group of precious boys such as this group during their annual camping trip.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 NIV

Denise

The faithfulness of God!

I love to share the about the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness for my life and ministry. I seriously think that when we share with others about His faithfulness it is a way to worship Him and give Him glory for all He does for us on a daily basis.

Also, when we speak about the Lord’s faithfulness it encourages people around us. The Lord is no respecter of person, so if He is faithful to me, He will be faithful to you. Amen!

I have been saved 38 years and serving the Lord in full time ministry for 29 years. Every day, even in the hardest and darkest hours of my life, I am always in awe of Him.  In awe on how He always takes care of me, my kids, my ministry, my situations, and my every need.

In Deuteronomy 7:9 of the New Living Translation the Word says: “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.”

The dictionary defines the word lavish as profuse, exuberant, lush and opulent.  So, when the Word of God says that the Lord lavishes his unfailing love on you, it’s not a little bit of love, it is not a second-hand kind of love, it is not a distant kind of love, NO, it’s a first quality love, an exuberant and unconditional love.

In the same manner, as He lavishes His love on us, He daily lavishes His faithfulness on our lives. I’m sure if you all took a piece of paper and a pen it would not take very long for each of you to fill a page of times and circumstances where His faithfulness brought you through a day, a season or a time of great need in each of your lives.

Here are a few examples of how faithful the Lord has been to me.

He was faithful when we could not understand or speak Spanish. In August 1990, after we arrived on the mission field, we worked with an American lady that had an adult ministry in Tijuana. One Sunday we accompanied her to a church service in a very poor shantytown called Canyon del Pato. After the service, our translator came to us holding a little girl by the hand.  She was about 10 years old. Her mom wanted us to pray for her.  Even though there were other people with us, the mother was very specific in asking us to pray for her little girl.

This little one was burning with fever, her face was red and it was easy to see this child was not well.  Neither of us knew any Spanish, nevertheless, we laid hands on her and closing our eyes, we started to pray in English. The translator seeing our determination to pray for this child and not wanting to break the flow of the Spirit did not even try to translate. As we prayed for this precious little one, we felt the fever leaving her. When we opened our eyes her face was back to her normal color and the fever was gone.  She started to hug us and talk to us, but unfortunately we could not understand a word she was saying. All I can say is that the Lord had seen our hearts and the need in this child’s life. Even if we did not speak her language, He had healed her right then and there.

It was a priority for us to learn Spanish. We enrolled in a Spanish Language school in San Diego. After working a full day in Tijuana, we attended school 3 nights a week over a period of 3 months.

Roger was learning much faster than me. In his enthusiasm he would sometimes refuse to talk to me in English or French forcing me to converse in Spanish. A few times it would so frustrate me that I would refuse to speak to him in Spanish. But, every day, I would pray for the Lord to help me learn so I could communicate with the Mexican people. One time, in the middle of the night, Roger woke up because I was talking out loud.  Many of you know that I love to talk, but seriously, in the middle of the night I do like to sleep. Anyhow, after listening to what I was saying, he woke me up to tell me that the Lord had answered my prayer.

In my sleep, I was quoting Jeremiah 33:3:  "Clama a mí y te responderé, y te daré a conocer cosas grandes y ocultas que tú no sabes." or “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  I sat in my bed and cried. I was so grateful for a faithful God. That night was a turning point for me to learn the language. Amen!

Psalm 36:5 describes the faithfulness of God in a very accurate manner. It says:“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

After Roger died, I often sat in my bedroom discouraged and lonely. But, deep in my heart I knew I could call on the Lord to help me and I did call on Him often. Each time, His peace came over me like a soft blanket that covers a child. He would comfort me until I could get up and do what had to be done. He was faithful then and He is still faithful now.

Do I still have times where I don’t know what to do? Absolutely.

Are there still times where I write letters or contact churches or individuals to get some financial help for our “TLCCM” families in Tijuana, and nobody responds to my letters? Absolutely.

Are there still more children in Tijuana that I would like to help? Absolutely.

Do I still have days where I am lonely and find it difficult to lead this ministry by myself? Absolutely.

But, I have learned to trust on the faithfulness of my God. My eyes are on the Lord and not on man.

After I have done all I can physically do, I pray and I know that my God will provide for the kids in Tijuana, for me personally and for my family, simply because He has always been faithful.

Maybe some of you need something from the Lord, but you are having a hard time trusting Him, you are having a hard time believing that He is faithful. Possibly in your mind your saying, He’s been faithful to Denise, but what about me? Let me tell you this: Everything He does for me, He will do for you.

You must understand, that He will do it, in His own time, on His own terms, but He will do it. Sometimes, His answer is not what you expect, want or understand.  When my husband died, that is not what I had prayed for, that is not what I wanted, that is not what I expected the Lord to do. But every time doubt, fear or even anger stirs my spirit, I remember Psalm 36:5:“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.”

May I encourage you to read and write down all the scriptures that talk about His faithfulness. In the next few days, study this subject. Read how faithful the Lord was to Abraham on Mount Moriah when He provided a lamb and spared Isaac's life. Also, about how faithful He was to Joseph’s during the years he was in prison in Egypt….and for so many others. He is faithful.

He, the Lord did it for others, He, the Lord, will do it for you. Amen!  And through it all, He has and He is always faithful.  Just trust Him.

My prayer is this: Let the Lord touch your heart and resolve yourselves right now that in your situations, you will see His amazing faithfulness for your life.  Amen.  
Denise

Compassion for the weak!

Compassion for the weak !

 “He feels pity for the weak 

and the needy, 

and He will rescue them.”

Psalm 72:13 NLT

As missionaries in Tijuana, Roger & I soon discovered that the children were hungry. 

We also quickly learned that if we fed their tummies, then we could talk to them about Jesus. Food was our way to show them love and compassion.

Now, after 29 years, food is still a way to get to their souls. 

But food is not their only need.  Other times, they need prayer.

Children for the most part are honest when asking for prayer. Some of their requests shook us to the core. We never had a Mexican child ask prayer for a new bike. But, we have had many kids ask for a job for their dad, for food for the household, for dad to stop beating mom, asked for healing for their body or healing for someone in their family.

We always took their requests very seriously. At times we had then line up, the boys with Roger and the girls with me. We would pray for each child before distributing the groceries. The other children and their moms would sit quietly and wait until we had prayed for every child that was in line. In some areas, mothers would also line up behind the children to receive prayer.

We lead many moms to the Lord through the children's program. Together, Roger and I would pray for the moms. I always found that the prayer line was precious but also emotionally exhausting.  We heard some ugly details about various situations happening in some families that left us drained out of our brains. Nevertheless, we prayed for as long or for as many children and moms were in the prayer line.

Then, there are times where they just need you to hug them. They come to the front to ask for prayer, but their little hearts are so broken they cannot verbalize their petition. 

One day, we were in a church in Colonia de la Mesa on the east side of Tijuana. Pastor Rodolfo was a sweet and dedicated man. For a few years, he also worked alongside Roger & I as our interpreter.

On one specific Saturday, we had a church service with the kids of his church. These kids loved to sing, so we would take advantage of this and sing longer than usual. Afterwards, we had a bible lesson.

Most of the time the three of us were ministering together. Pastor Rodolfo was quite funny, so sometimes he would add his own spin on the lesson and he had the kids in stitches. 

Sometimes he would get distracted and walk towards a child forgetting that Roger and I needed him up front to translate. There was never a dull moment ministering with this kind man.

But, when came time for prayer, Pastor Rodolfo would quickly adapt to the seriousness of prayer time. He would translate but he would also invite the kids to come to the altar. After a general prayer for all the children, then we would start praying for them on an individual basis.

One Saturday, David a little boy about 8 years old, came up front for prayer. I asked him what was his prayer request? He was a shy little boy, but he was also hurting. Just looking at him, I could see that his eyes spoke when his mouth could not utter.

I decided to give him a hug before I starting to pray for him. The instant I put my arms around him, an accumulation of tears started to flow out of the heart of this little boy. He was not crying, he was sobbing.

I took him by the hand, I sat on the altar step and then I took him in my arms. He sobbed and sobbed. I don’t remember how long I held him in my arms. I did not say a word, I just kept holding him, while I prayed silently.

I really felt I could not let him go until he released all the pain inside his little heart. The Lord was healing him through his tears. He never told me the reason for his pain was and I did not ask. David was a hurting little guy. We never had proof, but I strongly believed he had been molested.

By the time he stopped crying Roger and Pstor Rodolfo had prayed for all the other kids that had come forward. Then, both men took him to the back of the church and had him help out giving out groceries.

At times, all a child needs are some loving arms.

Regardless of the reason for his tears, all little David needed at that moment was someone to hold him and show him some love and compassion.

That Saturday, I had the awesome privilege to be that someone.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe

 yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  

Colossians 3:12.

Denise

Mercies forever more

Isaiah 42:3: ^“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;” ***

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ”

His mercies endure forever! When we are tired and discouraged, the Lord will never break our spirit. No, on the contrary, it is in those times that He shows us His great mercy. In the bible the mercy of the Lord is a theme that is frequently referred too. It is mentioned hundreds of times. Here are a few examples:

Psalms 118:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.”

Romans 5:8:“ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians 2:4-6: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”

The meaning of mercy is: to have compassion on someone, to help out someone out of love without expecting nothing in return.

Salvation is by grace! It is not who we are, how rich or powerful we are or anything else we could do that would give us salvation. Nothing we could ever do would be good enough to get us the gift us of salvation. The mercy, grace and love of God on a dying world gave us salvation through the blood of His only son, Jesus Christ.

What is mercy? One of the best example of mercy is found in Luke 10:30-37: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

We all have read the story of the good Samaritan. Probably we have read it hundreds of times. In verse 37, Jesus says “Go and do likewise.”  Jesus used this well-known parable to teach us about mercy.

We cannot read the story of the good Samaritan but ignore the words of Jesus: “Go and do likewise.”   As a christian if we do not obey to:”Go and do likewise,”  all we have done is just read a nice story.

If you are tired, discouraged or going through some difficult times, open your bible and write down the scriptures on the mercy of God. Then declare those verses over your life. He will lift you up, encourage you and give you the strength to keep going.

And today, if the Lord should put a hurting person on your path,“Go and do likewise.”  

God bless you!

Denise

Other verses on mercy: Psalms 25:10, 33:18, 32:10, 33:5, 36:7-10, 57:10, 63:3

All verses quoted are from the New International Version unless otherwise mentioned

***same scripture can be read in Matthew 12:20