A Merry Christmas To All?

The Christmas Carol says, "Joy to the world," yet most of the poor children of the rest world, as in Mexico, will not be very joyful this Christmas. There are just so many families in my area that are just too desperately poor and constantly struggling to make ends meet. So much so, that they could never dream of buying presents for their children at Christmas Time. What with this looking like another very cold winter, warmer clothing, shoes and blankets along with other bills add up to make holiday spending a huge extravagance for disadvantaged families.
While I cannot solve all the problems these poor families face, together, we can help make the season more meaningful and more of a celebration for many needy boys and girls.
Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission is hoping that this season’s visiting groups will bring Christmas cheer to the children in need. You do not have to donate a new toy, just make sure the plaything is in good condition. Your gifts will be freely given to deserving youngsters who might otherwise not receive a single gift this Christmas.

Thank You and God Bless You as you consider the poor.

“Blessed is he who considers the poor,” Psalm 41:1.

God Is Always Right

United For All Eternity

They were born united and they lived united for nine years. They were Siamese twins, united at the stomach. Each had their own internal organs, except for the sad fact that they shared a single heart. When they were born, the doctors predicted, "They will have at most one week of life." But miraculously they lived for nine years.

These special little girls were Ruthie and Veronica Collins, of Johannesburg, South Africa, who always knew for sure that they were going to die. Although their parents never talked about death with them, the girls spontaneously said, "We will die soon, but we know that we will go to be with the Lord." Indeed, they died at nine years of age with a difference of about a half hour. Their deaths were peaceful, and their calm acceptance brought calm to all those that surrounded them.

They were born united, they lived united, and united they passed on to eternity. How were they able to have the knowledge that they would soon be going to be with the Lord? From where does such an immoveable faith come from? How could they have such an intense security?

Their parents, Peter and Marlene Collins, had an intimate relationship with Christ. They had peacefully accepted the abnormal birth of the girls. They never rebelled against God. On the contrary, they taught their daughters the Word of God and they talked about Jesus with them ever since they had the capacity to understand.

Hebrews 11:1…”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Romans 2:11… “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Ruthie and Veronica never manifested pain or shame for being Siamese twins. "God permitted it," they said, "and He knows what is best." Their parents never spoke to their daughters about death, or misfortune or fatality; neither had they introduced them to a single drop of bitterness. The truth is that both parents remained surprised when Ruthie and Veronica said, almost in unison, "Soon we are going to die and we going to go with Jesus."

For-the-which, they constantly cultivated a living faith in Jesus Christ, the pains and trials of life were always played down. Everybody suffers in this life, but the over-comers know that Jesus Christ is with them. The struggles of this life hit everyone, the good and the bad, but those that have their faith in Christ always triumph over all of them.

Job 13:15…”Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

It's not that one or another is the favorite of God or is more privileged than another, but the genuine Christian knows how to develop a living faith, a solid character, and an unshakable and unyielding hope in Christ. Any human being can have this same calm amid life's pains when Christ is their Master and Lord.

Romans 2:11… “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Open you heart and your mind to God. Give your will over to Him. Yield your whole life to Him, and you’ll begin to experience and to live this living faith that conquers the world and the pains and problems it brings. Christ wants to be our Savior, today and forever.

Romans 8:24…”For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?”

2 Corinthinas 4:18…”So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Cornthinans 5:7…”We live by faith, not by sight.”

Do we really live our faith?

Winter Storms Wash Out Bridge

In January 2010, wild winds, extremely heavy rains, raging waters and poor construction teamed up together tearing away a segment of the bridge we must cross to enter or leave San Vicente. We were cut off from all travel for a good while until the rains subsided and the waters calmed enough allowing for some precarious crossings over the usually dry riverbed.

I thank God that only one section came crashing down, it could have been so much worse. The same thing happened in Vicente Querrero, an hour or so down from us, leaving them stranded as well. We became an island as no one could come to or go from San Vicente as there were no roads in or out that were passable.

Daily the crowds would gather waiting for help to come, which it finally did. It took many long days for the workers to fill in the gap left by the collapse. But, in the meantime as the water became less violent and dropped a bit more, people found other ways to get over the river.

As the days passed by and the town ran out of supplies, the people came up with a very good idea. Tractors would sell rides to those wishing to leave. The prices varied, the first time I crossed riding on a tractor it was thirty dollars both ways.

As the water fell even more and became less dangerous tractors began pulling vehicles and people over the riverbed. Of course, this offered more hope and freedom but also charges for those that needed to get to the other side.

Once you crossed, were unchained and could start your engine, you were free.

Eventually the water became so low that tractors were not needed, cars could make their own way across and then in a few more days the breech had been filled in and stabilized. So much so that even semis and trailers were driving over it.

Now, it looks like state officials are actually going to repair the bridge this time. When this happened about 30 years ago, they only left their provinvial fix in place. But these rains finally did that job in. It lasted a good while, but now it's time for a real repair job to take place.

(Click on the pictures to make them bigger)

Carnival Ministry May 2010

Team: Casa De Dios, is a very faithful and consistent ministry group that comes, shares and works hard while they are here and they always leave the face of Jesus in the hearts of those they see while they are in Mexico. Lord knows the personal sacrifices they make to keep this long-term ministry active. May God bless them as much as they blessed the children (and adults) of Iglesia Familiar Nueva Jerusalen (New Jerusalem Family Church).


Face Painting Station At The Ready

Waiting Patiently to Jump

The Children Listen To God's Word In Spanish

A Bible Message Was Given Before The Play Began

A Little Winner

Roulette Wheel & Prizes

A Castle-Shaped Jumper Provided A Lot Of Fun

Hot Popcorn My Favorite Food

Bags Of Prizes

About 200 Children Came To Play

Lined Up To Play

Dangerous Entrance/Exit To Carnival