Putting in Action James 1:27 

            We felt it in our hearts that God wanted us to assist the orphanage in Mexico.  We sent an e-mail to Jim Jones (our Bethel Casa-Hogar orphanage contact in Harlingen, Tx) to see what the orphanage needed.  They requested under clothes for the children, socks, sugar, and cooking oil. We started to talk and send e-mails out to our friends and fellow workers.  We were planning on going to the orphanage on the 12th of Oct.  The 12th came and we had very little items to take, but we still felt we had to do more.  We decided to ask our church, First Baptist Church Pflugerville, to see if they would pay the gas for the trip. 

This would give us a little more money to buy needed items.  I explained to Mike Northen what our plans were and asked if he would approve the church funds for the gas.  He readily agreed and willing volunteered to assist by sending an e-mail out to his contacts and making a church announcement during our MOB (Men of the Bible) meeting and on Wednesday night service. 

            The Holy Spirit stirred the people’s hearts and donations started coming in.  By Thursday morning, God had provided enough funds and donations that we had to regroup.  Due to the miracle God had manifested, we had to ask if we could use one of the church vans for the trip.  It was readily made available to us.  We also asked Jim what other items the orphanage needed.  He answered by adding toilet paper and cool aid.

            That evening, using the money donated to purchase items for the orphanage, Sally and Mike Northern, and Maria and I went shopping at Sam’s and Wal-Mart.  We purchased enough items to fill the 18 passenger church van up to window level and had money left over.  When God provides, He provides in abundance.

            On Saturday morning, 05:00 am, Maria and I left for Mexico.  It was raining and our prayer was for a safe trip.  We arrived in Harlingen and picked up Eliseo Garcia.  We then went and met Jim Jones at Home Depot in Harlingen.  He had some more items for the orphanage which we gladly put in the van.  We headed

to the border crossing.  Just before we reached the border crossing we stopped to pray that we would be able to cross the items with out any problems. 

When you cross the border into Mexico, they have a light at the border check point.  If it is green, you get to pass with out being inspected.  If it is red, you have to stop and the border guards will check your vehicle.  If we were to get a red light, we would have to explain to the border guards what all the supplies were for.  Sometimes, if you get an understanding border guard, they will let you through, but most of the time they will turn you back to the United States.  In extreme cases, there have been situations were the vehicle has been impounded and the occupants been put in jail.

            As we were getting ready to pass the border point, a car decided to go in front of us.  He got a red light, meant for us, and was pulled over for inspection.  As we went behind him, we got the green light and were able to pass through the border point with all the needed items for the orphanage without any difficult.  This was a great blessing for us and for the orphanage.

            We arrived at the orphanage around 1:00 pm.  The children were happy to see us.  As we walked into the orphanage compound, we were surrounded by children.  We asked to talk to the pastor in charge. 

  Walking into the orphanage compound  

Brother Carlos Abad Libreros Avendano notified us that the pastor and his wife had just left with some of the children to town.  Brother Carlos was in charge while they were gone.  We informed him of our mission and he was very appreciative.  God was continuing to provide for them. 

  Unloading the supplies 

            As we started to unload the supplies, the children quickly and enthusiastically started to help.  It did not take long to get the van unloaded.  This was a major blessing to them.  In Brother Carlos’ words, “You don’t know how much this helps us!”

Showing off your strength 

  Enthusiasm in helping 

  Glad to help

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  Asking for a balloon   

Blowing up more balloons 

Using a water balloon as a tie

Showing off a water balloon with your friends 

Inventing a go-cart 

Posing with a friend   

Teenagers enjoying the balloons

Praying before heading back to the United States and Pflugerville

  Saying our last good byes

  God did many miracles on this trip including the following:

1. Supplying a van load of supplies
2. A safe seventeen-and-a-half hour round trip to Mexico and back in the rain in one day.
3. Getting the van full of supplies thru the Mexican border without incident.
4. Providing enough money left over to pay for the Orphanage’s water bill.

  A special thanks to all who contributed for letting God move their hearts to help.

Bethel Casa-Hogar A.C.
Institucion De Benefiiencia Social
Perm. De Rel Exteriores 128000554  RFC BCH 000627656
C. Profr. Lic. Ismael Sifuentes Rodriquez, Director
Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas