Hello everyone! It is a brand new year, full of new challenges and adventures in serving Christ here in San Vicente.  We know that His hand moves all things, and we are thankful to be here on the front lines of service, in His fields ripe for harvest.  Greetings from your family at Casa del Pastor.

A huge thank you to Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, for once again blessing our family with a Christmas party at the church, complete with individual gifts for every child and mom that make up Casa del Pastor, the graduated moms, and the church body.  It is incredible the effort they go to so that each child, many of whom have never received gifts like this before, feel special and loved.   It was a beautiful time of fellowship as well, with our brothers and sisters from Moreno Valley, as well as Calvary Chapel Nuevo, who provided food, and CC Oasis who served and assisted with the event.  Thank you and God bless you all!

The entire team, along with Pastor Mark and Katrina, was able to attend the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in Murrieta this year, taking an all-too short week apart from ministry for fellowship with other missionaries and friends from all over the world.  The theme was "The Gospel and the Nations", with an emphasis on the current refugee crises all over the world.  We were glad to see many brothers and sisters in the faith, to hear what the Lord has been doing in their lives and ministries.  Every year this trip is a blessing, a chance to rest in Him and be refilled in the Word for the year ahead.

This month we would like to introduce Alberta, who is currently expecting twins in the next week or so.  She has had a difficult road to Casa del Pastor, and has many challenges ahead.  But the Lord has been working greatly in her life to protect and provide for her and her children.

When she was a child growing up in Baja California, there was great strife between her parents.  Her mother was a harsh and controlling woman, to the point where her father left the home.  He later fought to gain custody of the children, but because he had technically left them, the child protective services (DIF) gave custody to the mom.  She soon got together with another man, who began molesting Alberta at age 11. Her mother approved and encouraged this, wanting to have another child by her daughter.

Alberta was essentially kept as a slave by these two, kept inside at all times with no shoes so she couldn't run away.  At age 14 she had her first child by this man.  A year and a half later, one of Alberta's brothers managed to convince a neighbor, who had known her since childhood, to help her escape. She fled the home with his help, yet was unable to take her son with her.

Alberta began to live on her own, still hoping to recover her child from her domineering mother.   She met a man, and lived with him for three years, having two more children by him.   Yet drugs and abuse on his part began to plague their relationship.  She was directed to Casa del Pastor by a ministering couple, and was accepted into the program.

                                                                                                                                                               After receiving the Lord, and four months living at CDP, she again felt the desire to remain a part of her lost son's life, and decided to move in with a friend in that area so she could continue to see her firstborn.  Yet her proximity was not appreciated by her mother, who accused her of trying to steal her son.  She worked in the fields in the meantime, where she met another man that she formed a relationship with.  Yet this man abandoned her very quickly, leaving her pregnant with twins.

She then returned to CDP, she had her twins on Feb 3 , they arrived  c-section so she is in alot of pain. they were born at 2.5 kilos each and are very healthy   However  she  still is  seeking a way to regain custody of her first child.  She deeply loves her son, and her main goal at this point is to regain custody of him.  In that aim she seeks to establish a life for herself, get a home, and get her son back.  We are doing all we can to assist her in this, yet we know it will take the Lord's hand to open this door. Please pray for her and her children, that her twin boys would be born healthy, and that DIF would grant her rightful custody of her firstborn. 

We reported earlier this year that the work camp in Las Brisas would be closing down.  Since then we have learned that this is not the case, and the camp will remain open for the foreseeable future.   For now, it remains an open avenue for ministry to the families and children that call it home.  Last month they were blessed by gifts provided by Calvary Chapel San Bernardino, who have been giving presents at Las Brisas for the past 24 years now!  Though they are an hours drive from us, we love any opportunity to reach out to our extended family there, to help meet their needs and to preach the gospel. 

Two months ago we welcomed the newest member of our family, Itzayana Yoali.  She was born November 15th to Andres and Maggy Rios, and the first time parents have had their hands full ever since.  They are also in the last stages of finishing up their house adjacent to Lisa's home, and looking forward to moving in soon.  Prayers for wisdom as they raise their daughter, it is a brand new experience for them but they are excited for what lies ahead in their lives and ministry.

 

 Thank you for the cloud of prayer you lift up behind this ministry, for all that God makes possible through His love.  It is a hard fight, but more than worth it, and we give thanks that you are alongside us.  We pray that you in turn are blessed in the same ways that God has blessed us through you.  May He continue to guide and direct Casa del Pastor, and make us more fruitful to His purposes.  Dios les bendiga!