What's going on in Aguascalientes
There is a lot going on down here in Aguascalientes, Mexico. I want to keep you all informed with the highlights each month. Thank you to all who pray for and support these ministries. We are able to bless so many people and we couldn't do it without you. To God be all the glory. Gracias amigos!
August was bittersweet but change always comes with sacrifice. I finished all the work God had for me down in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and made the transition to move back home. I will miss living there but as I move forward, I am excited to see what God will do.
One of my girls, Elvira, started college. We went out and got all of her school supplies and made sure she was ready for her 1st day. There was a big ceremony where they gave all of the new medical students their white coats. I'm very proud of her and am excited for this new chapter in her life.
Chevon had an eventful month. We got her out of her house for the first time in a long while for something other than a doctor's appointment. Her church, Calvary Chapel, rented out an entire theatre so they could show the "Jesus Revolution" movie. She was able to be out for many hours and sit through the movie pain free. Praise God! Also she got a visit from our pastors from Horizon Christian Fellowship, in San Diego. Pastor Phillip and pastor Cesar came down to encourage her and to talk to her about options for her future. It was a blessing to have them come down and it meant a lot to Chevon that they would go all that way to see her.
Before
After
I finished all of the jobs that I had on my list:
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I installed the doors on the cupboards of my friends Kyleigh & Junior.
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I installed an overhang at the girls house to protect their washing machines from the sun and the rain.
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I welded and painted a guard rail for Chevon's bed so she can use it to lift herself up
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I helped my friend/Chevon's physical therapist, Karina, fix up her office. I got to smash some walls and take out the drywall to help make space in her office. She has helped out Chevon so much that I wanted to bless her.
And that was the last of it. Praise God I got everything on my list done and was able to relax my last couple of days.
I said goodbye to the kids and to Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge), the orphanage where the majority of my time in Mexico was spent. I have lived approximately 10 years in Aguascalientes and 7 of those years I was full time at Dulce Refugio. I have learned and grown so much in my time at the orphanage and it has been one of the biggest blessings of my life serving in this ministry. From 2007-2010 I was a volunteer and helped build the girl's dormitory. When I returned to Mexico in 2016 I was put in charge of construction and was there for 4 years completing the school and many other projects. I have grown to love the kids very much and will miss reading them Bible stories and tucking them into bed. I thank God for the opportunity to have known this orphanage and it will always have a special place in my heart.
I went to the church that I was in charge of building and took some time to reflect on all that God has done. From 2020-2021, my helper Jesús Campos and I, along with the help of many other volunteers, built a church auditorium in Cañada Honda, a small town outside of Aguascalientes. This was a very special project for me because I was in charge from the very beginning. I saw a dirt lot get transformed into a beautiful house of worship! And I was so grateful that God has given me the experience to be able to work with my hands and build things for His glory. When I returned to Mexico in 2016 I really didn't know much about construction. Now I am able to take on a big project like this one and successfully complete it. It was a blessing and an honor to be able to do the work. I spent some time praying for the church, that it will be a blessing to the town of Cañada Honda and also praising God for providing everything throughout the whole process. God is good!
For the last year and a half I have been helping out with my friend/fellow missionary Chevon Clarke. We have gone through many transitions in her life and many ups & downs, but thank God He has gotten us through all of them. I am leaving Aguascalientes knowing that Chevon is in a financially stable situation and she has all of the care that she needs. She will be left in good hands and that brings me peace. I will continue to be in contact with Chevon and checking in on her to see how she is doing and if she needs anything. Please join me in praying that God will continue healing Chevon, providing for her needs and giving us wisdom to plan for her future.
For over 3 years now I have been taking care of my two girls, Ariana & Elvira. I met them both many years ago at the orphanage and have grown to love them very much. In June 2020, I found a house for them and we started with our girls' home. It has been a blessing to be part of their lives and see them grow and mature. They both recently finished high school and are entering college. They have bright futures ahead of them and I plan on being there for them every step of the way. I consider them to be like my daughters and I have accepted the role of a father figure in their lives. I want to show them God's love and be there to guide them down the right path. I will miss not being able to see them as often as I want, but just because I'm not there physically does not mean that I won't be there for them when they need it. I am looking forward to watching them grow up into strong, beautiful women of God.
I flew home on August 25th and am excited to see what God has for me in San Diego. I brought my dog, Canela, with me and am looking forward to spending time with family. I plan on taking a few days off to rest and get adjusted to American life again. After a small break, I'll get back to the work that God has for me.
Although my time of living in Aguascalientes has come to an end, there will always be a special place in my heart for this city and the people that live there. I have spent over 10 years of my life living in Mexico and plan on staying involved with what is going on down there. There are always projects to do and people to help. I wanna say thank you so much to everybody that has supported the ministries over the years! I couldn't have done it without your help. You have allowed me to be a blessing to so many people and I will continue to look for opportunities to bless others and glorify God...that is my life's mission. Since I will still be involved in different areas down in Aguascalientes, if God has put it on your heart to continue supporting these ministries, then that would be greatly appreciated! My girls are both in college and the local church that I was attending is expanding and plans on doing major construction within the coming months. I would love to bring teams down to help out and be able to bless the church with materials and labor. But for now, the majority of my time will be in the United States and I am looking forward to starting this new chapter in my life. Please pray for my new beginning and that God will guide me down His path because I want to do His will. Take care and God bless. Muchas gracias por todo amigos!
"The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."