Starfish

Now that we have been home a week, the amazing week in Mexico seems a lifetime ago and yet the spark it ignited in me has not waned. Everything that has happened in this past week was infused with thoughts of what we saw in Mexico. We are so richly blessed in every way possible but seem to take it for granted. I have found myself thanking God throughout the day for the simple, basic things like indoor plumbing, money for groceries, a solid roof over my head, easy transportation, a warm house, winter coats & boots....I could go on forever.

One of the things that touched me the most about the Mexican people we met and served was their joy and passion for Christ Jesus and their desire to serve their people. Even those who have very little are willing and eager to give to others in more need than themselves. One such person touched me deeply, more deeply than I ever thought possible.

Her name is Iridian Sanchez. She is a child of Christ, an 11-year old who was helping prepare and serve our food, working during her school holiday to help the children of her country. She is one example of the children Pastor Steve has dedicated his life to helping. Her past is not a pleasant one and not uncommon among the children of Mexico. The details are not the important part of her story. What is important is how she is growing beyond that and the dream she has for her life.
Iridian's dream is to become a doctor so she can help her people, the children who are or will suffer just like she did in her early years. She is fortunate enough to be able to attend schools in Texas as a US citizen but the money required for college is well beyond her reach.

Iridian's nickname is Starfish.....it comes from the story of a man who was on the beach picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. When another man stopped and asked him 'why, you cannot make a difference, look at them all, there are thousands of them' The first man responded ' but it makes a difference to this one'. And he picked up another starfish and threw it back into the ocean. Her story touched me deeply and I want to help make a difference for this one. While on the mission trip, God laid it upon my heart to start a college fund for one 'Starfish' and make a difference in her life that will provide her with the opportunity to help many more. Imagine how many children can be saved and helped by just one more doctor dedicated to their care.

I am not sure how this will happen, I do not have the funds to pay for this myself. But I know with Gods help and guidance, the funds will be there for Iridian's education when the time comes.

Please pray for this and ask for God's guidance.....ask Him to touch and move the hearts of those He wants involved in this venture. Maybe it is you, He is trying to reach! Open your hearts to Him and listen to His call. If you do, you will be deeply blessed in more ways than I can describe.

In Deuteronomy 28:1-11 talks about the blessings we will receive if we obey the commands the Lord has given us....."The Lord will grant you ABUNDANT prosperity". He wants to shower us with His blessings if we just trust & obey. I choose to obey, how about you?

God Bless,

Carol Wells

1409 Pictures!

You will see over to the right under followers that two links have been added to pictures from our trip. The first link contains 1000 pictures that are a conglomeration of everyone's memory cards that we gave to Lisa. The second link is the leftover pics from Lisa, mine, and Genny's. Originally after we compiled pictures from all 36 people there were ~3000 pictures. There are still some duplicates, but I got rid of most of the duplicates and any blurry ones. What a joy to sort thru them and relive wonderful memories of how God worked and new faces and friends. Blessings and Enjoy!!

Stan

Do Not Let Fear Be An Excuse!

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Fear. Fear of traveling to Mexico after hearing all the news reports about the drug cartels. Fear of going on a missions trip by myself, without Jerry. Fear of the unknown. Fear of blogging and telling my story to people I’ve never met!

Fear almost kept me from experiencing the most amazing trip of my life. It’s easy to come up with reasons for why we can’t do something. It’s harder to say yes, I’ll go. I’ll be honest and tell you I’m still processing all that I experienced, but I know that I’ll never be the same. I don’t want to be the same again.

As soon as I stepped in the van on Saturday to leave for Chicago, I felt the “peace of God, which transcends all understanding” come over me. There were times when I should have felt fear, but amazingly I felt protected--that our entire team was protected.

If I would have said, “No, it’s not safe.” I would have missed the opportunity to help make a home for children who have no home. I would have missed witnessing God’s miracle of providing food for close to 500 families, when we only had enough food for 350. I would have missed the chance to get to know the incredible people who served with me on the trip.

Since returning, I’ve had the opportunity to share my story with family and friends. I’m already beginning to see fruit from those who’ve said, “I’d like to go on a missions trip and serve too.” Or, “I have so much, I wonder how I can help those around me.”

I won’t tell you I’m completely cured of fear, but I’m working toward not letting it control my decisions. If God is calling you to serve Him, but you’re too afraid to say “Yes Lord!” I hope you’ll take the chance and jump. You won’t regret it.

Blessings,

Kathy Shull

An Update Since We Have Been Home

I felt led last Thursday to start praying about how I could help support Tapestries ministry further after we left. I began to pray and think about what kind of resources we have that could help them. German and Lisa were on my heart. They both lead worship every morning when they have a work team present. I knew that we should provide something that they needed musically. I continued to pray for what God wanted me to provide, or to give me an opportunity to ask. The opportunity never came about for me to ask them directly. I prayed as we returned to Fort Wayne. Yesterday, as I was getting breakfast for the kids, I was impressed upon that they needed guitar strings. Weird, right? Well, I quickly sent off an e-mail to Lisa asking what kind of guitar strings they like. She sent an e-mail back to me saying that she and German were just talking that morning about how they needed new strings for their guitars! Not only that, but God keeps making connections that only He can make. Lizett, the young lady that I handed bread out with on Mercy Day, had asked Lisa that morning if she could start playing with the worship team. She had a guitar, but her guitar did not have strings! How amazing is our God!

Thank you for your continued prayers for Tapestries of Life Ministries.

Genny