SEPTEMBER 2014

Hello everyone! It has been a busy summer, but now school is back in swing, and we have a great deal to report on the ministry here at Casa del Pastor. Thank you for those who have kept us in prayer as hurricanes have battered the Baja Peninsula, but gracias a Dios we are well out of the line of fire and have been safe.
We are very happy to report that Reyna and Carlos had their wedding last Saturday, in a beautiful ceremony at Arturo's ranch outside of town. Reyna has been cared for by Jeanie since she was seven years old--now fourteen years later, she is happily married, having waited until God provided the man that she will share the rest of her life with, after sharing their first kiss at the altar. They will be heading out to Bachiniva, Chihuahua, Carlos's hometown, where they will serve at an orphanage in much the same way that Reyna has served here at Casa del Pastor. It is a bittersweet for us that she will be so far away, but above all we are happy and blessed for this godly marriage, and pray that other youths will take it to heart and follow their example.
We do have some tragic news to report--Alma chica, the oldest daughter of Alma, had her baby several weeks ago, and the baby was premature. The lungs were not fully developed, and the baby went to be with the Lord less than a day after birth. It has been an immensely difficult time for their family, and we do ask for prayers that God would continue working through this. The father of the child has been well-received and consoled by the men of the church, and the both of them have been seeking the Lord in a way they had not before. Jeanie and Steve will be accompanying Pilar to her graduation ceremony in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco Before arriving at CDP, Pilar had only completed up to 4th grade of elementary school--now after many years of hard work, prayer, and determination, she will be walking up the steps for her Certificado (degree) in Education! We are happy to accompany her and support her in this celebration of God's provision in her life, and Steve is excited to see mainland Mexico for the first time.
School is back on in San Vicente, and we are gearing up for a long school year that will last until July 14th for all schools in Mexico. We have had a surprising change of proportions between the different schools, mainly that more of the in-house CDP families are sending their kids to the Christian-run school at Santa Marta than the public school in town! We are happy that these moms are taking the education and well-being of their children to heart, and have chosen a God-focused environment for them to learn in. We do ask for prayers for continued financial provision, as Shelley and others cover the cost of tuition for many of these children, as well as the elementary school supplies provided by Steve and junior/senior high supplies provided by Jeanie. It is an expensive undertaking, but the kids are more than worth this investment in their future. Thank you and God bless you to all who have supported us in this capacity. :)
Shelley is currently with her son Juan Luis in Rosarito, taking care of him as he recuperates slowly from an operation on his ear. Early in childhood he suffered a burst eardrum and it did not heal properly, leading to hearing impairment and constant infections for the better part of his life. Needless to say, we are excited and thankful that he will be able to hear normally very soon, but it is a long recovery process as the eardrum heals. We ask for prayers that there will be no complications.
Last month we celebrated a quinceanera for Celia, Jeanie´s youngest daughter, at Calvary Chapel San Vicente. Jeanie has seen many kids come through her home, but Celia has always had a special place in her heart, having taken care of her since she was a baby. It was an amazing time, as we celebrated her coming of age and welcomed her into adulthood with friends and family all around. This coming year, there will be six more quinceaneras for CDP girls -- Esmeralda, Jessica, Martina, Macrina, Mimi, and Belen. It will be a hectic year to say the least! We ask for prayer for all these girls, as they transition into the next chapter of their lives, that they would choose the Lord over the world and stay strong in the faith they´ve been raised in.
Thank you all for your love for these families and this home, for the care and concern God has given you for this ministry. :) Thank you for the cloud of prayer you lift up behind this team, that we remain strong and full of the love that only He can provide. May God bless all that you do to serve His name!