Week 2:
Sorry this is late! Internet wasn't working for a while...this was written Sunday 8/14/17: God is good providing in his own way and his own time! This is the theme of week two. This week Brandon and I had some stressful moments discussing taxes with regard to the monthly donations. You see we haven't really planned for taxes when we made our budget. We were told that in the end we would most likely need to be paying 22% back to the government. As you can imagine this put a very big damper on our finances. But we know that God provides in mysterious ways. We didn't know what else to do but call on our pastor for guidance. At the same time that Brandon was calling, I happened to walk by the chess club for the kids, and took an interest, later to find out that the leader of that club is a tax consultant for the US and specifically California!!! A missionary like us, he insisted on helping and told us not to worry a bit, he would help us save money on taxes simply by knowing the laws! God is good. Another huge event that occurred was the following: Friday we found out that one of our really good friends here in Mexico experienced a head trauma about a year ago. Well he shared with us how his symptoms are similar to what Brandon's used to be, not exactly but similar. He also shared that he feels like he is getting worse every month. Well Brandon has shared with me (long before this) that "cranial-sacral osteopathy" is what he wants to specialize in. That is basically treating the bones of the skull to allow for the cerebrospinal fluid to flow properly and completely to bring healing that needs to be had. Well our friend has had MRIs and CAT scans that all came back normal. Brandon brought him into the office and assessed his skull and found that one side was way too low down as if it was shoved down and never went back. Our friend was so happy to find out he wasn't going crazy. And Brandon went to studying like crazy how he could best treat Al so that healing can take place and he can get his life back. Praise God!! Please be praying for this time, and this challenge, and that God will do the healing. Lastly I (Lisa) successfully test built an edible eye just a sneak peak of projects to come for my students, Brandon was able to help a woman who HAD knee pain, were able to FaceTime family, see new pictures of our new nephew, spend time with a boy from casa 7 through a puzzle, and clean the dirt we have blowing in our windows and landing on our floors every day 🙂 Theme: God provides through our giving! Prayer requests: 1. I am looking for a projector for my classroom if anyone has one they don't use, let me know and my mom can bring it down in September. 2. Healing for Al 3. God will give us the wisdom for teaching these kiddos 4. Our abilities to disciple the amazing children here 5. Grace on the jeep project that Brandon is doing to disciple the older boys which isn't going the way he planned due to different mindsets. 6. That all with the taxes will go well.
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Week 1:
Hello family and friends! Well, week one is down, many more to go… Brandon and I have just settled into our new home. We are still somewhat tired from the long journey, the unpacking, and getting back into the groove of the mission's schedule. It has been an exciting week, full of ministry and fellowship. We were so blessed to have kids that wanted to help us unpack the trailer. We were completely surprised and absolutely grateful for the fact that they gave us a newly built two bedroom apartment. Brandon was very excited to use the extra room as his study/osteopathic treatment office. He got right to work treating our mission pastor and his wife successfully. I (Lisa) got right to work decorating my classroom and getting all the furniture that I needed arranged right where I like it. I also spent some time lesson planning for the first couple of weeks of school which starts at the end of August. While I am not sure exactly how to best teach English to these beautiful children of God, I have been praying that God will give me guidance, wisdom, and all the words necessary to make it fun, exciting, and effective. I will admit that at times I worry about being able to teach the children well, but the Lord is speaking to me again and again to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. He also reminds me to worry about nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to the Lord and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding and will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. To finish off our first week here, we were summoned to be substitute house parents for the older boys house for 48 hours dun dun dun (dramatic music). While at first we were apprehensive, it ended up being an absolutely amazing time with the boys. Brandon was able to relate to them, and be a set of listening ears without judgment. He had a couple of very deep conversations discipling the young men. In the midst of the conversations about relationships, girls, and life choices, They would often ask Brandon not only for advice, but also about his personal life experiences. It was in these times that he was able to speak biblical truth, and what he was able to learn from his personal mistakes. Over all we felt very blessed to be able to take part in the boys lives in that way. We felt honored that the boys saw us in a position of respect, discipleship and mentorship. During the time that we were in Casa 7 (The older boys house) we received a visit from one of the former House seven house fathers. I am certain that God spoke through him to us, as he encouraged us to make disciples of the children there. He spoke over our lives declaring that God's calling on our life was to minister to the children in the orphanage. He specifically reminded us that just as God calls us friends, We should also be friends to the children there, Showing them the unconditional love of God. When I told him my fear of not being able to go deep because of the language barrier, he rebuked that lie and told me that God would give me the words when it was time. Brandon and I were very encouraged after that conversation. And last but definitely not least, we finished off the week by making a trip to Ensenada to see our daughter and our grandbaby. Angie (the beautiful girl we call our daughter) and her adorable son Brandon (whom we call our grandson, named after Brandon) are doing so well. Her boyfriend Erick and his family are not only taking great care of them, Erick is also on fire for God. He was recently baptized in the Holy Spirit for the first time, and has Heard God's call in his life, to be a minister of the gospel. He specifically has a passion to work with young adults in many different places. Brandonito (our "grandson") is growing up big strong and healthy. At almost 8 months of age, Brandon smiles almost all the time, loves kicking his feet, and giving huge cuddle hugs. Angie is adoring motherhood, knowing that that is her highest call in life. That is all for this week! Until next time, we will encourage you with the theme of the mission that we're staying at: "Let's go be disciples that make disciples!" Photos: church, our apartment, beach time (10 min away), Brandon giving basketball jerseys to a team that has been praying for Jerseys!(he is also helping as a coach), my classroom, our apartment, house seven boys, going to church with Angie and the family! |
AuthorBrandon and Lisa Winters
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