MY FRIENDS,
TALK ABOUT GOD IN ACTION, CHECK THIS OUT!!
JULY BLESSING:
LOS QUIZAROS, (Where we feed the children)….
We had a mission team from Florida, which included a V.B.S. program, and a construction team to help build a perimeter block wall at the new center, ( building a block wall around the property for security.) My friend Malcolm led the team which consisted of 12 brothers and sisters from Oasis Church in Deland Florida (for most it was a new adventure in there Christian walk to be on mission with God in another country) to help Cecelia and all the children and families in Los Quizaros.
We didn’t have a block layer, (my ankle and back prevented me working), but God did. I called another center, and asked them if they had any block layers? They had a new man, whom they didn’t have room for, and they asked if I had a bed open in my center. I did. He turned out to be a construction worker in all fields. His name is Henry, (God had already prepared him for this day) and is a master block layer. In the next four days with the help of two other men from my center, (another one could also lay block), they integrated in to the Florida team, and as one they accomplished what couldn’t have been done alone, and to the man we experienced “God In Action”, as we not only laid the foundation plus 4 layers of the block wall, (60ft long), but also came up with enough funds to build a wooden / tin siding fence around whole back of the property (over 80 ft) in two days.
The team worked in rain and mud, as it would rain almost every afternoon, starting around 1pm, with mostly drizzles all day.
The VBS ministry was a huge hit with the children and the community in general. I think the team members received as many blessings as the children as they experiences God In Action in every way possible, everyday they were here.
Another missionary’s and friend also working in Costa Rica, (Rick and his wife) have been helping with support to complete the floor and Electrical and other needs at the new center, with out there help it would be tough..
God keeps sending locals and other missionaries to help teach the children’s Bible Study’s every Sat, as I am not able to get there every week now due to my growing responsibilities at the rehab center. (Up to 12 men now)… and speaking of………
The School program in Los Guido,(last year) was a great success. We started out with around 50 children in need and ended up helping 76 with all their school needs plus uniforms and shoes. Please check out the school web page. Marci, whom built the web page, which raised a lot of funds, plus came here in Feb to help with buying and delivering supplies to the children was just a blessings, and I know was blessed just as much. We are looking forward to this coming year’s school supplies mission. P.S. We have started the school program fund drive as we speak. So please think about sponsoring children this year so they can continue learning for a better future, God welling.
P.S. the earlier you send in donations, the better we can estimate how many children we can help. We are looking for at least 75 children ($8,000.00) minimal
THIS YEAR IN SHORT STORIES:
REHAB CENTER, Ministerio Dios en Acción.
This is a great story of "God in action"… If you remember back in Dec 08, Francisco (Bob) graduated from the program after 6 months. I helped him get a job so he could start supporting his wife and two children. He had been on crack or in prison for the past 12 years. Then after 3 months he left work one Sunday and never got home. He started smoking Crack again that day. I went to try and get him back in the center, but he refused and blamed God for letting him go back to his addiction.
Now, fast forward to June 15th 2009, He called me and asked if he could come back to the center. I accepted him, but after 7 days he couldn’t take the guilt he felt, because he blamed God for failing him when he started using again and he left the center. I had a premonition that he would die if he went back to the streets&crack, so I started praying for him as he walked away, but to avail! I Thought!! I kept praying!! One hour later the police called me, as they had Bob in jail for a crime he had committed 5 years ago. (They had stopped him as he was walking back to the black hole of crack.) By chance they asked him for his ID, he didn’t have one so they checked his back ground… yahoo, Amen, praise God. They put him in jail!!! He called from the jail, (at the time he was handcuffed in the back of a police pickup) asking me to help him. I said only if he promises to come back to the center after his jail time…. He agreed. Three months later, at court, I was there as a character witness, they dismissed all charges, and he walked out clean, He also fulfilled his promise and returned to the center.
Cisco / Bob has been clean of drugs for over 9 MONTHS; He returned home 6 months ago to his two children and wife. He works as a taxi driver and he and his family walks faithfully with God.
I call that” GOD IN ACTION”…. Ya think?? Praise God
Four men have graduated or left this year as changed men and are doing great. All were addicted to Crack and Porno, plus stealing, lying and so forth. Time is a test for all of us, and for them time will tell if they have truly grown in character, and with enough Faith in the Armor of God to withstand the on-slot of temptations Satan throws at all Saints, every moment we live!! I believe they have. Please pray for them daily. Jonan, Regal, Francisco, Kenny and FoFo and others in the past, Bob, Mario, Aaron, Mauricio, another Mauricio, and pray for those who didn’t make it and are living on the streets, addicted to sorrow.
Another man, OMAR, came to my center about 7 months ago; he’s black, short in stature and had a big chip on his shoulders with good reason. He had grown up being abused, sexually, physically and spiritually. He had a hard time fitting in with the other men and was always challenging my authority and Gods purpose for him. (He was one of the hardest men I had received at my center) He left in a huff one day when I had to be tough with him, but a month later he showed up at my door asking for another chance!! I wasn’t going to let him back as I didn’t need his attitude around the other men. We had a long talk, and I realized that he had really hit bottom and was really ready to get out of the way, and let God in. Today (5 months later) he’s a good example of what God’s spirit can do when we really submit to Him. (Omar is a leader at the center and assists me daily)
There are too many stories of God’s mercy and grace working at my center to put in this report. I have 13 men as of August 27th, mostly crack addicts and drinking.
A DAY AT THE CENTER > 5:30--get up (they clean and put in order there living area)
Breakfast at 6:30—
Devotional starts at 7: am –
Start work details at 8:30 – work till 11:30 break for lunch.
1: pm, back to work-
Stop work at 3: pm-
Clean up for coffee and bread/cookies at 3:30 ---
Free time till 6:30 dinner-
At 7: pm either a Bible Study, 5 nights per week, with 2 movies (DVD) per week—Lights out at 9: pm
The men play soccer when not raining or board games or play miniature pool, or read the bible and listen to Christian music.
I take the men to church every Sunday, "Fraternity of Christ" church. Pastor Fernando is my Pastor here in Costa Rica, and the centers. He teaches a Bible Study at the center every Thurs.
Visiting time is Sat & Sun. 1pm to 5:30pm
no work on Sundays.
Los Guido, where I have worked for 7 years in an area called the hole with around 30 families, has been closed by the government..Praise God!!
They built new housing for most all the families that lived there, which is a stones throw away from the hole, but higher up. They are still poor, just have better housing. This is the area we help with the school program
People from all around still use the stairway and bridge we built for the community 5 years ago.
Mission Needs;
<1> A missionary assistant to live and work here at the center full time. Needs to speak Spanish or, is willing and able to go to Spanish school while helping here. Needs to be mature in nature with an understanding of addiction, counseling would be helpful, not religious, but is Christ centered. (Self funded)
<2> A new or used 12 or 14 passenger, 4 x4 diesel van, approx cost, used>$15,000.00..,. new> $25,000.00, as my 95 GALLOPER, as tough as it is, is starting to get old. It can only carry 8 men, which means 2 trips every time I take the men to church or else where.
<3> to buy the property where my rehab center is. $126,000.000.---------- I rent it.
<4> Funds to continue to build on to the new center in Los Quizaros, (where we feed the children)
<5> Funds for dental work. I need 4 or 5 implants to keep my teeth. I lost most before Christ, when using drugs was more important. In Costa Rica they're $1,000.00 per. And no, they don't do dental insurance here.... I wish:>)
<6> Due to raise of cost of everything, I could use $300. to $500.00 more per month for mission needs.
<7> Spanish copy of the book "The Shack"----
P.S. Here is where most of your support goes per month
$600.00- for basic food needs for the rehab center and Los Quizaros (children s feeding program)
$210.00 for rent, for the rehab center and where I live
$60.00 Electric for rehab center
$ 50.00 to use internet Cafe, (there is no internet in the area of my center)
$ $50.00 for cell phone
$400.00- for gas for car
$50.00 for car repair
$40.00- for car insurance
$100.00 Health insurance
$200.00 to $500.00 for construction material... depending, (this does not include major construction projects)
$100.00 farming supplies and chicken and turkey feed for the rehab center
$100.00 The mission helps a family of 4 with it's monthly rent and food, other wise they would have to move back to the drug barrio where the father was addicted to crack and the family was threatened when he quit the gang, so to speak. While he was at my center, thieves broke in, threatening his children with a gun, and cleaned the house out, food clothes all electronics and stove... so I help..
$100.00 for food and medical help for families in Los Guido when needed (usually)
Their is more, but this will give you a basic idea about my monthly costs to run this mission.
Yes, I pray for help daily.
Please join me as God is at work here through "GOD IN ACTION MINISTRY"
Blessings to all of you, in His name, AMEN
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