JANUARY 2015

Winter is winding down here in San Vicente, and we are very thankful this season for much-needed rain that has turned this part of Baja green again.  Life and ministry continue at Casa del Pastor, and we are happy to share all that the Lord is doing here in San Vicente.

As many of you know, a girls fifteenth birthday is a very important affair in Mexico, as it marks their transition from childhood into young adulthood.  Normally we have one or two per year, but this year seven of our girls will have quinceaneras!  This past month Esmerelda and Maria Macrina had their ceremonies at Calvary Chapel San Vicente, and both occasions were full of family and friends gathered together to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.   And there are many more still coming, as Jessica, Martina, Mimi, Belen, and Michelle await their turn throughout the year. 

We have watched these girls grow throughout the past years, some since they were tiny, and we give thanks to God that we have been able to be a part of their lives, that in each case He rescued them and raised them through Casa del Pastor.  We pray that each one of them grows daily in love for the Lord and in devotion to Him, never forgetting all that He has done. 

This month we would like to spotlight Nati Cantu, a mom who has been with us at CDP for almost three years now.  She was born in Acapulco in the southern state of Guerrero, the youngest of five siblings.  Her childhood was difficult, as her mother was frequently abusive to her and would single her out as the target of her anger.   She ran away from home on several occasions to try and get away from her, but could never escape for long.  When she turned 14, her mother sent her away to Ensenada to stay with an older sister there.

At 16, she met a man ten years older than her and they began a relationship by which she had her three children, Carlos, Erik Manuel, and Patricia.  He was a drug addict, in and out of rehab, and lived off the means of his mother rather than working to provide for his family.  At 22, she had enough and took her children to move back in with her sister, with nothing but the clothes on her back.  She did not have the means to provide for her children though, and was desperate for options. 

It was the hand of God that brought her to San Vicente, as she found herself stuck at a gas station with her kids and no resources whatsoever.  She had tried calling her sister but her phone did not have any money left on it.  She had gotten the number for Jeanie Sue from a friend, and dialed it.  The call went through, even though she had no money left!  She hung up and tried calling her sister but the same message played as before, that she was out of money.  She tried calling Jeanie once more and it went through, and she could hear it ringing even though she had no money on the phone. 

She reached Jeanie, explaining her situation and her need, and Jeanie accepted her, telling her that she happened to be in Ensenada at that moment. Nati told her that she and her kids were at the gas station in Chapultapec, exactly where Jeanie was!  They met up and piled into her car, arriving at CDP almost three years ago.  She received Christ within two weeks, and while things have not always been easy she has been learning and growing in her knowledge and love for Him.

It is amazing how quickly her three kids have grown in their time at CDP, two energetic boys and a lovely daughter who have been a close part of our family for these past years.  She has begun payments on a lot in town next to Ceci's house, and looks forward to having a home of her own in the future.  She is also our head daycare worker, watching over our children week by week here at Casa del Pastor.

We were able to meet the expenses for Jesus Armando's bloodwork testing for chromosome abnormalities, and the tests were negative.  His muscles are underdeveloped and he is double jointed, but with careful exercise he should become as healthy as the rest of the kids his age--if a little skinny.  Thank you to all who have kept this in prayer and have loved on Jesus all these years.

This March we will be visited by teams from California, Washington, and Alaska, groups that the Lord has worked through to provide for the needs of our shelter and our moms over the years.  We are constantly amazed by the love He has given them for this ministry, and their faithfulness year after year.  Some of the upcoming projects include walls and a roof for Lily's house, a roof for Andres and Maggy, painting the exterior of CDP, and more! All these teams will be hosted by Jeanie, which means a very busy month ahead for her--she would appreciate prayer for strength and energy to meet the needs of these teams.

  

Thank you and God bless you all for your love for this home.  You are a part of our family no matter how far away you are.  :)  It is a blessing and an honor to be a part of this ministry, to know and love these children every day. 

Prayer requests:

            -Health and wisdom for team

            -Provision of the needs of our home

            -For the moms to grow daily in Him

            -Thanksgiving for all God makes possible