Where You Go I Go

Catch Me If You Can

2012-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever played "Cat and Mouse" with a little kid? You know...it's like the classic Tom and Jerry, where the little kid hides....then pops out to get your attention, but then runs away again. But have you ever seen a teenager play the game? You see, the other night, while visiting the Casa Hogar Esperanza with a visiting missions team, 14-year-old Enrique (pictured above) insisted that I chase him around...for nearly an hour! He kept popping out of hiding places, and darting upstairs, and running down the back hallway, and then running into the street...all with the goal of having me chase after him.

I know that Enrique could not have likely put words to what he was doing, but it was as if God allowed me to see on the spiritual or psychological level what was going on. Him engaging me in this "game" was all about wanting my attention. He wanted me to pursue him. He wanted someone to realize that as much as he might be trying to run away, he actually, deep down, wants to be caught. He wants to be saved. I am convinced that in his heart of hearts he longs for it. At first it struck me a bit odd. A fourteen year old playing this silly game with an adult man? Really? Was this really the only way he could think of to reach out for help?

I could have guessed that there was something deeper going on all by myself - but it was later confirmed through my conversation with the director of the children's home, Ester. She shared with me that Enrique has reached the "end", he is on his last "life" at the children's home. They are running out of ideas of how to help him. Perhaps his behavior wouldn't sound that abnormal to you. He is a teenager dabbling in things he shouldn't on the streets, he has a terrible mouth, and a worse attitude, and they are not sure how much longer they can handle him. But he's not the only one...in addition to Enrique there is also Santiago, and there is also Denys...each with their own unique stories, with their own unique problems...but each with plenty of things stacked up against them. My heart breaks for them. My heart longs to see God do something that only God can do. I desire to see miracles in each of these boys lives.

Will you join us in praying for these young men? Will you pray for Enrique, for Santiago and for Denys? Will you believe for miracles along with us? We are trusting God to do what He does best...to go after the ONE. We are stepping out in obedience and are willing to be the tool that God uses to help reach these young men...but we very much realize that on the spiritual level, there is much that God needs to do in His realm.

We know, without a shadow of a doubt that our God is the shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. Let's not forget it! We have just recently watched Him do it for David! We know that He did it for you and for me, and we know He'll do it again!

An Empty Calendar

2011-12-31T14:12:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve I love to look back over the past year. I love to think of New Year's as a year-end celebration of all that God has done over the past year. We are absolutely overwhelmed as we look back over 2011, and think of all that God has down in the past 12 months. He has been faithful. He has loved, He has blessed, H redeemed, He has surprised us time and time again. He has provided financially. He has touched hearts and souls. He has healed lives, relationships, and bodies. He has rescued....and He has transformed lives.

A new year begins tomorrow. I love the prospect of a brand new year, and all that it represents. I love the feel and the smell of a brand new, empty calendar. It's a new beginning. It's a new chance. It's a fresh, new piece of paper, and a new chapter in God's story that He is writing. And although we have plans already in motion, and many things have been on the agenda for some time now, I love even more that God is a God who already has 2012 all intricately thought out, planned out, and He's got next the New Year's Eve party all set up! Even with a list of the exact things we'll be praising Him for this time next year!

God, we are excited for 2012! May it be a year where we see more of You. May it be a year where we come to know you more. May it be a year where you make yourself even more famous! God, bring more of Your Kingdom. God, bring the full gospel to those you've put in our paths. God, allow us to be a part of people having encounters with You. Awaken our hearts to you, and to what part we play in all that you will do in 2012. We are already excited for next year's celebration!

David Makes A Big Decision

2011-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

In the morning I remember waking up and thinking. Yep, it's true, it's not a dream. David showed up at our house last night, and he's sleeping on the couch. Why now God? We have 20-some women here for the rest of the week, don't I have enough going on right now? How will I have the time necessary to devote to him today. Silly me, I should have known that God already had that all figured out.

As God's schedule would have it, that morning had been carved out for the women to have their quiet times with the Lord, and their small groups at a local beach before we headed out to serve for the day.

So, arriving at the beach, David and I plopped down in the sand next to each other, and I began to talk. We talked more about where he'd just come from, and what he wanted to happen, and then I told him very clearly: "You already told me that you know you need God. It is time to decided where you stand with this. It is time to confront any doubts and any questions. Today is the day of salvation. It is time to make a decision. This is not about dipping your toes in the water, and dabbling into a little bit of who God is, and who Jesus is for you - this is about throwing your whole self into the ocean of God, David. Today is the day, are you ready?"

And David said, "Yes. Yes I'm ready."

Right there, and right then David and I prayed together, and he gave his life over to Jesus. It was one of those surreal moments, witnessing God do what He does, and yet being right there in the midst of the whole thing - what a gift. Our Cancun staff team, as well as the other visiting staff from Ohio and Monterrey then gathered around David, and spent the next moments bathing him in prayer, praying for his protection, praying for what is to follow - and entrusting the days that are to come into the hands of God.

God Brings a Midnight Visitor

2011-12-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

As the months went we knew little of David. But thanks to the modern wonder that facebook is to all of us, from time to time I was able to shoot him a message, and let him know we were praying...but that was about it. But rarely would I hear anything back. And then, all of a sudden, in mid to late November David initiated chatting with me via facebook one evening.

"I want out," he said.

"Out of what," I asked?

"Out of my life. I don't want to live like this anymore, I want out," he said.

"Let's figure out when we can get together," I replied. I suggested he meet us Sunday morning, come to church with us, and we can spend the afternoon together, but Sunday came and went. We didn't hear anything from him, and then, well then we got busy with a visiting group of 20-some women here from Ohio bringing Christmas cheer to Cancun.

So, Wednesday, November 30th rolls around. It had been a long day. It was about 11:30 p.m. We had just begun to drift off to sleep when the security from our neighborhood called to say there was a teenage boy at the gate looking for me.

"It's David," I exclaimed to Julie.

"Well, have him come in and sleep on the couch and we can talk more tomorrow," says my compassionate wife, Julie.

And so I walked to the gate, and escorted him to our house. I got the feeling he was already planning on staying as he immediately took off his shoes and socks.

"What do you need - what can I do for you," I asked him?

"I want to change. I want to be different. I want to go back to school. I don't want my life to go on the way it is," he replied.

"We can help you find a place to live, and we can help you get back in school, and we can help you get pointed in the right direction, but you have to understand that what you need more than anything right now is God. Do you understand that? Can you see that," I asked?

"Yes, I know. And I'm ready," replied David.

The Continuing Story of a Boy Named David

2011-12-17T20:38:00.001-08:00

Last December I wrote about a boy named David. Fifteen, no desire to work, or study, or follow rules...and you can guess where that got him. David had a lot of things going on - both inside and out. He has lived at the children's home since before he could walk. The only family he has ever known is his older brother, and the directors of that home. For lots of reasons, it is no wonder that his life might look a little messy, yet even in the midst of all that, God was giving me just a glimpse of the potential that was inside this boy. I knew that God had a lot more up his sleeve for this young man.

What I didn't know, but could have guessed is that life would get worse for David before it got better. I did have a few chances to hang out with David in the winter and spring. We invited him to join in with us a couple different days when we had visiting missions teams, and he came along as a volunteer for the day. He was pleasant, helpful, fairly quiet. One morning I grabbed him and sat down beside him while the visiting team was having their quiet time and I read Psalm 139 to him. I told him it was one of my favorite places to re-visit in the scriptures, and how I loved how full it was of truths about God...how He knit us together in our mothers wombs, how He knows us, how He is always with us...and the list goes on.

David was pretty quiet that morning. He grinned at me. Sort of chuckled to himself and said, "I don't really believe all of that". "You know what," I told him, "It's O.K. - God loves that you can even be honest and say that aloud. He (God) really is all of those things...all of those things are true of him, and He will show you. I know He will."

About a month later David left the children's home He lived the next six or seven months on his own, in a tiny cave-of-a-room with a mattress in it. He hit some real lows. And somewhere in the lowest of low places I think David started to believe that there just might be something to "this God" and what this God had for his life. And so the story continues...

We're Growing!

2011-10-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Year one we were blessed to be a team of four, and now as we enter year two we are feeling doubly blessed to be adding two more! We are extremely excited to introduce to you the newest members of our Back2Back Cancun Staff Team, Erick and Julie Mowery. Erick and Julie are from Michigan, and they arrived here in September along with their teenage son, Nick. Their daughter, Eliza, remained in the states as she has just begun college.

Please join us in prayer for the Mowery's for their transition to living in a new city and new country; as they get to know a brand new culture; as they adjust to home-schooling; as they learn Spanish; and as the acclimate to being a part of our Back2Back family. We are confident that God hand-picked them to be a part of our team, and look forward to the ways they will plug in, and complement all that God has called us to do here in Cancun. Welcome to the family Erick, Julie and Nick!

Nick, Erick, Julie, and Eliza Mowery

Healed!

2011-10-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

In mid to late July we were visiting with a woman named Gloria with a visiting missions team from Apex in Ohio. During the visit Gloria shared how she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer, and she was waiting to go back to the doctor in four to six weeks to see what the doctors wanted to do. We gathered around, laid hands on Gloria, and together trusted that God, our healer, would heal Gloria and would take care of her family.

Almost two months later, to the day, we were visiting with Gloria again (pictured above). Once again she had just come back from the doctor for further testing. This time, however, she shared with us the incredible news that the doctors told her she does not have cancer - the cancer is gone - God healed Gloria!

We praise You, God - for healing Gloira, for watching over her family, for doing the miraculous, the impossible, for being YOU, for being God Almighty! We love you, and are so grateful...so, so grateful!
Gloria, standing with some of her children, as she shared about her cancer being gone!

Meeting Felt Needs

2011-10-15T06:34:00.001-07:00

I love watching God provide for needs. As a ministry, we are constantly trying to understand what the needs are of those we serve - and then we look for ways to meet those needs through the people who partner with us. Seeing those needs met, and watching the faces of people as they understand how God himself has just provided for their needs is very cool thing.

We recently had a visit from a team from Cincinnati who loves to come and help meet those felt needs. Below is Paul Stanken. Paul has likely been on nearly a dozen trips with Back2Back in Monterrey, but this was his first trip to Cancun. We spent three days together as we introduced him to the children's homes, the programs, the pastors, and the families we are working with around town. And then the fun part...we provided meals, and we went shopping!

We purchased groceries for Gloria and Lucy, and for Oti's families. We took Oti's children shopping for school supplies because they were greatly lacking. We went shopping with the Madre Polita from Casa Hogar San Jose, and helped pick out a portable stove for them be able to put on fundraisers for their home. We bought fabric for San Jose to be able to make school uniforms. We ordered guitars so that we can begin a music class at the children's shelter in the DIF here in town. We picked up towels and small kitchen appliances for Casa Hogar Esperanza...and this list goes on. Thank you Lord for the ways you provide for those who have need, and in such fun, creative ways - what a joy to be a part of it all!

Madre Polita picking out a stove

Groceries for Gloria and Lucy's family

Something New!

2011-10-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Maybe it seems silly, but don't we ALL enjoy getting something new? I mean, for anyone who ever lived with hand-me-downs, of course they were o.k., but there is just nothing like getting something new, that is yours, and has never been worn by anyone else!

So imagine living in a children's home. Don't get me wrong, it's a blessing to watch God provide through old or gently used clothing, but after awhile your whole life, and your whole wardrobe is hand-me-downs. As was very much the case for the kids at Casa Hogar San Jose and in particular their swimsuits.

A few times this summer we had the kids over to swim, or took them to the beach - but they were always sporting things that didn't quite fit, that were threadbare, that weren't really made to be swimsuits...and you know what? They got by, they made due, and in fact I never heard one of them complain.

But God in His goodness moved in the heart of a family we know to send a brand new swimsuit to each kid at San Jose. New, their very own, actually made for swimming in water, and ones that really fit! You might imagine that our daughters were super excited to be a part of the visit where we got to go and hand them out. The kids at San Jose were ecstatic, and could not stop talking about the day they were going to get to wear them for the first time!

For the Love of Betty

2011-10-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

This beautiful little girl is Betty. She is nine years old, and is one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. She is the oldest of three sister who came to live at Casa Hogar San Jose almost a year ago now.

In December of last year, shortly after her arrival, we met a family from Michigan who happened to be in Cancun on vacation - and it just so happened that this family wanted to get to know Back2Back, and see what we were up to in this corner of the world. We picked them up from their hotel and spent a few hours together. Together we spent some time at Casa Hogar San Jose, and they met Betty. That morning God made a special connection between Betty and the family's young daughter.

Their family decided to sponsor Betty through Back2Back's Shelter Program by commiting to help meet the overhead needs of the children's home on a monthly basis. And then in return we help facilitate on-going communication through letters between Betty and the family. During our trip to the midwest in August we were able to get together with this family in Michigan who have not only become advocates for the ministry, but friends of our family as well. At the end of our visit their young daughter gave us a little tiny purse with a note attached and asked if we could take it to Betty when we got back to Cancun.

Below is Betty displaying what was inside the purse: a locket with a picture of her and her long-distance friend from Michigan. What a special gift for a very special girl.

We love seeing Betty smile. We love the way God connects His people, the ways He cares for the orphan, and for the ways He lavishes His love upon children like Betty.

Our Awakening in Chicago

2011-10-13T14:15:00.001-07:00

While we were in the midwest in August we had the unbelievable privilege of being a part of what I really believe was history in the making. The two of us traveled to Chicago with great long-time friends of ours, the Morehouse's, where we gathered with nearly 18,000 other people for a three day event called Jesus Culture Awakening 2011.

Let me sum it up. Think about the music of Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, Jake Hamilton & more...accompanied by the teachings of Bill Johnson, Reinhard Bonnke, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs, Sean Smith & Banning Liebscher. It was an intense three days of soaking up words of wisdom and teaching from giants in the faith, and it was a day of all out worshiping the Lord, and with thousands and thousands of others.... I either thought the roof was going to pop off the place, or that Jesus himself was coming back - incredible! We were blessed time and again, we were encouraged to pursue intimacy with Jesus all the more, we were challenged to expect God to do the impossible, ad we were filled to over-flowing.

Obviously an experience like this is difficult to sum up in a blog entry, but yet I felt it was important enough to mention that they were days that greatly marked us both, days that the Lord used to further light a fire for what He wants to do through us and our family, and days that we will never, ever forget.

Kim Walker Smith, Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture

Bill Johnson

Hillsong United

Happy First Birthday, Back2Back Canucn!

2011-10-13T07:55:00.001-07:00

So...it came and went, and no blogging happened (for quite some time we realize)...but of course you KNOW that our staff team took time to pause and celebrate ONE YEAR OF MINISTRY HERE IN CANCUN!

August 19th marked one year that our family, along with Mau, Lizy and their boys arrived in a new state, a new city, and a new corner of Mexico - just awaiting what God would have in store for us in this "new land".

We have much to praise God for as we look back. He has opened many doors for us here. He has "connected many dots" as He leads us from person to person, and need to need. He has introduced us to so incredibly great people here. He has allowed us to love on some really great kids here. He has been MORE than faithful, in continually showing us that it was He who was first on the scene.

We cannot wait to see the ways He will continue to lead in this second year of ministry here. Where You Go WE Go, God!

What are you doin' Thursday?

2011-07-26T23:53:00.000-07:00

For those who haven't heard...our family will be in the Cincinnati area for a few days later this week! If you'd like a chance to see us, and help support the ministry, please plan to stop by City Barbeque in West Chester this Thursday. When you dine in or carry out your order this Thursday, 25% will be donated to Back2Back to help support our family here in Cancun! If you plan to go to City Barbeque you MUST TAKE THE ABOVE FLYER WITH YOU! Please plan to print one out, and don't forget to invite a friend! Once again the fundraiser will be going on ALL DAY, but if you are wanting a chance to see our family we will be there from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please plan to stop by! See you Thursday!

City Barbeque
7706 Voice of America Centre Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069
(513) 755-0518

Pool Party with San Jose

2011-07-25T12:54:00.001-07:00

During our last week of our Cancun Summer we were visited by a group from Apex in Ohio, along with a few special guests who joined in. Together we had an awesome week! One of the festivities included a pool party at our Back2Back facilities to celebrate some more summer birthdays for the children of Casa Hogar San Jose.

This time we celebrated the birthdays of sisters Perla and Ami, who turned 9 and 8, along with Betty who turned 9 as well. All three girls were given the royal treatment with their own head table, and we extremely excited about the cake, and of course their presents. The pool was quite the site, filled with lots of one-on-one caretaking going on as we watched over all of those sweet kids trying to escape the summer heat. We ended the day with a water balloon toss, and of course a good ole fashioned war!

Our Picture of the Summer

2011-07-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

When we debrief each evening with our visiting missions teams almost without fail we ask them what their "picture of the day" has been. By that we mean, what God-moment, what interaction with a child, with a team member, or what insight did you gain today that you are fairly certain will remain "burned" into the slideshow of your mind for a long time to come.

Even for us it's good to ask ourselves this question on a daily basis. It keeps you aware of what God is doing around you, and it keeps you asking God questions like, "What do you want me to be learning about You, about me, and others".

As we look back over the summer there are several of those "pictures of the day" that stick out to us - but one day that will remain burned into our minds for the rest of our lifetimes is June 16th, 2011. On that day, our four oldest children, and our nephew Mike, visiting from Florida were all baptized in our pool here in Cancun.

For years, a couple of our girls have been asking about being baptized, but we always found ourselves wanting to make sure they were really old enough to understand the decision they were making to publicly declare their faith, and to claim Jesus as their King, and to declare their loyalty to Him, to follow Him, to love Him, to serve Him.

So before we headed out to the pool that evening, we sat down with our children and Ryan Massey (who would baptize them) to be sure that they understood exactly what baptism meant. To be honest, it was a surreal evening. As a Christian parent you begin to raise your children to know who the Lord is, but to watch them knowingly and publicly make the decision on their own to follow Him is a whole different story. It was amazing to recall their stories, and to share with the witnessed gathered around that evening how we have watched our children grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Lord. It was a celebration of praise as we remembered the days they had each prayed to receive Jesus as their savior as young children, and now as we waded in the water with them this night to take "their next step" - it was awesome.

We are so very proud of our children - and were so excited to celebrate this very day with them! Corinna, Chloe, Jacob & Cameron (and Mike, our nephew): We continue to declare each of your lives as SET APART for the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray you'll always remember WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, that you are co-heirs with Him, and that ALL the spiritual gifts and blessings available to Jesus are available to you too! May you learn to walk in that truth, and function in that power as you grow to be warriors for the Kingdom! We love you all so very much!

A Week with Southbrook

2011-07-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Another incredible gift this summer was the chance to spend an entire week with long-time friends, Ryan and Jody Massey. The Massey's were previously on staff with us in Monterrey, but now serve as youth pastors in Ohio at Southbrook. They joined us doing week 2 this summer with a group 0f 22 senior highers.

There is nothing quite like serving, working, playing, laughing and worshiping together with people who feel more like family than friends. We greatly enjoyed all of our time with Ryan and Jody - and the way their youth group gave their all no matter what they were doing!

Jimena, Jorge & Jirome

2011-07-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

During our third week of missions teams we were visited again by our friend, Amy Rudge, and this time she was accompanied by a group of 22 senior high schoolers. One of the many things we were able to do together that week was to celebrate a special birthday at Casa Hogar San Jose. Not one, not two, but three kids out of the 14 who call San Jose their home celebrated birthdays in June. And it just so happens that all three are siblings!

During the month of June, Jimena turned 11, Jorge turned 9, and their youngest sister Jirome turned 7. It was a blast to be able to take them cake, and gifts, and celebrate along with our staff, interns, and visitors from Horizon in Cincinnati.

Great Support from an Amazing Friend

2011-07-25T09:07:00.001-07:00

We were beyond blessed this summer to have extra summer staff support through the two-week visit of Hope Maglich from our Monterrey team. Not only was it amazing to have an extra staff person around to assist with all of the details of working with visiting missions teams, but it was especially great because of the good friend that Hope is to Julie, myself and our family.

We have known Hope since she finished her senior year in high school and came to serve with Back2Back for a three month stint as an 18 year old. Ever since we've known her we have loved her, loved her love for the Lord, and hoped we might be blessed enough to have daughters to grow up to be like her!

We've seen Hope in action as an intern with Back2Back, as a teacher for two years to some of our children when they attended the Sierra Madre Christian Academy, and now as full-time staff for a couple of years. We are always blessed by time with her, by her love of Jesus, and by the way she "leaks" the Holy Spirit on all around her. It was a great pleasure and a gift to have her here with us for those two weeks. Thanks Hope, we love you!

Rodrigo's Birthday

2011-07-25T08:57:00.001-07:00

In our continuing relationship building and support of Oti and her eight children we were excited to be able to assist her in pulling off a First Birthday Party for her youngest son, Rodrigo. It was a very special day to see her and her family all dressed up in their best - and to see how much they all love the youngest member of their very special family. Rodrigo was very much the center of attention, and he enjoyed himself, the presents, the people, the pinata, and the cake! Happy Birthday Rodrigo! Praying God guides, protects and provides for you as a Father, a friend, and a Savior!

Working with "The Beautiful"

2011-07-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

With each visiting missions team over the summer we had the privledge of partnered with Pastor Victor in his ministry out in Tres Reyes. The name of Vicotor's church is "La Hermosa", which means Beautiful - and for us it has been the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the pastor, with his church, and with the neighborhood.

Over the course of the summer we were able to tear out the hold floor, to back-fill the necessary areas, to pour a new concrete floor, to assist with resources for a temporary roof, and to help begin a new bathroom at the church. Each week we were there we also had a chance to visit with neighbors and invite kids back for the church's children's program. When we invited kids back we had a chance to do songs, games, some skits, and provide them with an afternoon meal.

What I think I loved most about the summer was getting to see more of pastor Victor's heart and passion for the Lord, and for the lost of Tres Reyes. I loved seeing that God encouraged him through the support, and through the relationship. And I love that God is smiling upon this little place called Beautiful!

Work continues on Noehmi's house

2011-07-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

During week one we were visited by a team of four friends from South Dakota, who joined in with our friend, Amy Rudge, and a group of college students from Horizon in Cincinnati. One of our very first days we went out to Tres Reyes, a pour neighborhood, where we were able to pour the floor to Noehmi's house. The team got a kick out of having to pump the water for our projects from an old-fashioned "Little House on the Prairie" pump!

On a sad note, we stopped to visit with Noehmi and her family on our way out to work - only to find out that her grandfather passed away suddenly. He had traveled by himself to his far-away home town to collect his pension. Many days went by and when word finally reached Noehmi's grandmother that her husband had died he had actually already been buried. This was a hard hit for this already struggling family. When we visited with the grandmother she cried and cried when I hugged her and shared our condolences.

Not much more work would need to be done for the family to be able to move in to their new home, but we do still need partners to step up who would be willing to pay for doors, windows, and to give money to allow us to have a water well drilled. Please continue to join us in prayer for this family, and for God's provisions for all of their needs.

Boys and their Toys

2011-07-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

As the summer began, and we made purchases in preparation for missions teams and projects, Mau and I were extremely stoked to have some new toys! Thanks to God's goodness and provision, we were able to outfit the trailer, buy a van, buy a cement mixer, and bring home a whole slew of new tools from Home Depot. Let's just say that we're definitely getting to be on a first-name basis with the personnel who work in commercial accounts...and we were definitely feeling ready for summer projects!

First-Ever Cancun Summer Begins...

2011-07-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Well, obviously we are way behind on blogging! Sorry for those of you who have been checking in periodically. We've not been meaning to keep the followers in suspense...we've just been super busy.

It literally feels like it just started - and it's over already. The picture above was a Friday night dinner out at our favorite quesadilla place, called Las Quekas. Before we jumped into summer we had a few days to get things prepped with our summer interns. This summer we were blessed by the summer staff that God put together. Rory Deken joined us from Columbus, Ohio. Rory is going to be a senior in college, he studies Spanish and International Studies, and was previously an intern in Monterrey. We also had "Back2Back's first-ever national intern to travel to another sight", as Antonio joined us from Monterrey. Antonio is a fourth year Criminology student, and is one of our Hope Program students. It was particularly fun for Julie and I to have Antonio here - as we have known him since he was about 12 years old, and we where there with Antonio the night he gave his life to Christ about a year and a half ago. It has been such a joy to watch his transformation. Also here from Back2Back's Hope Program in Monterrey was Olga. Olga is studying Social Work, and was here serving as a nanny to Mau and Lizy's family for the summer.

Chicken for a day, and then some!

2011-05-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

During a recent visit to Casa Hogar San Jose I told them that I had some money someone had designated for the children's home asked them if there was anything they needed that particular day..."Chicken," responded the worker, "we need chicken!"

So the Mother Superior from the home got ready, and together we headed to a nearby butcher shop. I was picturing Wal-Mart, the deli, where it's all nice and packaged, and wrapped with cellophane...but I was in for an altogether different experience.

The Chicken was freshly butchered, plucked, and laying on the counter. The man weighed it, and then began to cut off some of the not-so-useful parts....like the toenails, and beak.... It was quite the experience for me. And it made me appreciate my local grocery store all the more!

The great thing was just how much buying $12 dollars with of chicken blessed the home. They told me that this chicken would feed the children's home (14 kids, and 4 workers) for two meals today, and that they'd likely put the breast away for a meal some other day. Unbelievable!

Thank you to those of you who give to Cancun Ministry Partners, allowing us the opportunity to bless homes like San Jose in such a simple, yet profound way.

The privilege of going to school

2011-05-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

Chave (Isabel), Mari and Sofia - sitting in their classroom at school

The privilege of going to school seems like a given. Especially to attend kindergarten. But what if you can't afford to send your child to kindergarten? For the kindergarten aged children who live at Casa Hogar San Jose they have to pay $10 USD a week to attend school. It doesn't sound like much, but when you multiply it by four children, and all of the weeks they attend school, it starts to add up!

Mari, Chave, Sofia and Alexa are four little girls from Casa Hogar San Jose who are all in kindergarten. Thanks to some individuals who gave money at Christmastime through the Back2Back Christmas Catalog, and through families who are sponsoring children through Back2Back's Shelter Program we were able to cover the majority of this bill for these four girls this year.

Last week I accompanied the director of the home to the school to make a payment because they had gotten behind a few weeks. When I suggested we just go ahead and pay what they would owe for the rest of this school year the director was speechless. She was both overjoyed, and overwhelmed. Thank you to those of you who have given! Thank you for making it possible to bless this children's home in this way, and thank you for blessing four little girls who's education is one of the most important things we can give them.

Happy Birthday Jake!

2011-05-16T08:37:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure if it's visitors, or work, or family....it must be some combination of all it...but I'm a bit behind on blogging...I'm gonna do my best to catch up over the next couple of days.

On May 8th, our son Jake celebrated a birthday. I can hardly get over the fact that he is 10 years old. Wow! We celebrated with our family, and with Andre (his friend and our neighbor). We had a great time creating games for the kids to play, spending time in the pool together, eating lunch out together at Jake's favorite place, SUBWAY, having cake and ice cream, and then watching a movie together as a family. It was a great day, and a great way to celebrate our son!

Jake has held his own pretty well in a house full of mostly girls. In fact one of his favorite past times seems to still be reeking havoc in the lives of his four sisters! Jake is extremely content when playing outside, watching a movie, and playing video games. Much to our surprise, his latest joy has become reading - which we are extremely excited about. He literally can't stand putting a book down once he has started it. Jake has an extremely sweet side, that mom and dad love to see. He loves to create art and leg creations, and he is always wanting to make mom or dad a fruit smoothie or bring us breakfast in bed.

If you ask Jake about the future he still has little to no idea about what he'd like to do when he grows up - but at 10 years old I don't think he needs to worry about it too much. We have watched this little guy grow into what he is today. We know that God has surely watched over him, and surely has great plans for his life!

Standing Back2Back with the poor

2011-05-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

Through a series of God-events, we have met a pastor by the name of Victor. Pastor Victor has a small church in a neighborhood named Tres Reyes. Tres Reyes is the same neighborhood where we have been helping Noehmi's family build a house.

Victor has a desire to reach the people Tres Reyes for Christ. He has a desire to see the Kingdome of God grow. He has a desire to begin to feed children in the neighborhood but he needs someone to stand in the gap with him.

We believe that God has led us to Pastor Victor for this season. God has opened a door - and once again we're walking through it.

With the visiting missions teams we will have over the next couple of months we are going to be helping Pastor Victor with some projects on his church, and assisting him in outreach to the children and families that live in this extremely poor neighborhood. We look forward to working together as we feed the hungry, love the needy, and bring hope to the hopeless!

Pastor Victor

Eleven Years Ago Today...

2011-04-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

Eleven years ago today our first daughter Chloe was born. It is one of those days that seems like it will remain forever burned onto the hard drive of my mind. I think it was most surreal day of our entire lives. We witnessed the miracle of life, she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and she was all ours! Our daughter, a mixture of all that is Julie and all that is me - all Cooper!

She is still ALL Cooper. She loves to eat ice cream, smoothies, and iced coffee drinks - that's what she gets from me (haha). And in more ways than I can count she is more and more like her mommy every day! We love watching the young woman that God is forming out of Chloe. Chloe has an incredible heart for people, and she also has an amazing sensitivity to the things of the Spirit. Chloe is a peacemaker and a shepherd. She is a caretaker, she is sensitive, she is adventurous, and she is very smart. Chloe has a great sense of humor. She loves to have fun, to explore, to be on-the-go, and to ask "what are we going TO DO today?" (that she definitely gets from her mom!) She loves to design, and to dream up new ways to organize and re-decorate her room. Unfortunately for her she has to share her space with three other sisters.

What will Chloe do with her life? She sometimes likes the idea of being a mother, but is resolved that she doesn't really want to get married - but would rather live with mom and dad forever. And at eleven, Dad is perfectly happy with that answer. I'll remind her in about 4 or 5 years!

Chloe likes the idea of being an interior decorator. She thinks she wants to do something that doesn't require use of math, science, history or English...haha. Even though she says she doesn't really like school, God has given Chloe some natural abilities to present herself, to speak of what she has learned, and to do so in a way that draws other people in. What does God want to do with that? Only time will tell! What I do know is that God has given Chloe an incredible heart, and that He no doubt has plans to use her to care for and to influence others in a way that will leave them changed for the Kingdom of God. We can't wait to watch it all unfold before our very eyes. Thank you God, for the gift of Chloe - and for the gift it is to be her parents.

Limping for the Lord

2011-04-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

So last week I mentioned my wrist being injured, and said that I'd get back to writing something about it. To be honest I don't even know what I did to it. I had been working one day, and the next day I noticed it was super tender. Day after day it got worse instead of better. All I could really think about was the concrete pour coming up, and realizing that I was going to be little to no help with my wrist the way it was.

Well, the concrete pour came and went. The truth is, I was not as much help to the overall project as I would have hoped to be. But the deeper truth is that I think God wanted to teach me something in it.

In Genesis 32 there is a famous story of Jacob wrestling with God (or an angel). It says that he (the angel) touched Jacob's hip leaving it wrenched (v. 25), and later it says that Jacob was left with a limp (v. 31).

It says that Jacob saw God face to face, yet his life was spared (v. 30). Jacob left the interaction with God with a blessing, with a new name. He was still walking - but now with a limp.

I'm not debating the theology of any of this. It says that Jacob saw God face to face, yet his life was spared (v. 30). He left the situation still walking - but now with a limp. God touched Jacob with a sword, and it forever impacted his life. Jacob left the situation blessed. Jacob left with a new name. And the Israelites stopped eating the tendon attached to the socket of the hip because of where Jacob was touched by the sword of God (v. 32). Random? No, not really. For GENERATIONS the people would remember Jacob's interaction with God. It not only impacted His life, but the lives of many, many Israelites to come.

I'm no Jacob. I don't have a great story about wrestling with an angel, or him touching me with his sword - none of that. What I do have is the impression that sometimes God wants to leave us with "a limp", in order that we would stop walking in our own strength, or in our own flesh. Sometimes He wants to bring a blessing, but He needs us limping in order to do so.

My wrist only hurt for a week or so, and now it appears to be back to normal. I wasn't left with a limp. And generations will not adjust their diet habbits because of what happened to me. But God used it, nonetheless. He used it to get my attention. He used it to turn my eyes, and my trust from myself to Him. I needed the reminder that it wasn't about my own strength, or what I could do - but about what God wanted to do when I trust Him, when I walk in His Spirit. And guess what? I left the interaction more blessed because of my weak wrist - because of my limp.

How about you? Limped recently?

A Victory!

2011-04-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

So...to be honest I was too busy to take pictures...but thanks to Julie Mowery, future Back2Back Cancun staff along with her husband, Erick and son, Nick....I am able to give you a few visuals from the day.

We were few workers, but we came ready to give it our all. I honestly have to testify to that fact that God made everything run so smoothly! What sticks out to me the most? Well, first let's just mention that I was already injured. I don't know what I had done, but I had to wrap my wrist in a bandage, and had little to no use of my left arm/wrist/hand for the most of an entire week (more to come on that in a future blog).

God showed up in all of His glory. Even though we were in the midst of "jungle", God kept the temperature down, the breezes coming, and the cloud cover protecting us nearly 95% of the time we were working.

God impressed upon the neighbors to help in different ways. One neighbor lent us their water pump, another some barrels and buckets to move our water in, and yet another a Jacuzzi. Yes, you read right, an empty Jacuzzi shell where we pumped water into from a well in the ground to have a constant supply.

God sent in reinforcements, and I think whenever we needed them most. The neighbor who lent us the Jacuzzi, also jumped in and helped, even though he had just gotten home from working where he works the whole night through. Then in a later moment, a car comes tearing around the corner, and quickly veers over the the side of the road in front of where we were working. For a moment I thought it was just curious neighbors coming to watch the gringos working...but it was more reinforcements - this time the pastor of Enrique the mason, and his son. As it turns out they have been doing outreach in the neighborhood where we are working on this house - and there may be some opportunities for us to stand back to back with them in their ministry as well. I just love watching God connect the dots.

So, as with any concrete pour, the most glorious moment is when you actually shut off the mixer. It's just this amazing silence signifying that the work is done. To me it is the sound of victory. Like a battle is over. And this concrete pour, this project, the partnership with this family, this day....was a victory indeed!

The glorious bucket brigade!

Nick and Erick Mowery - future staff, already in training, haha!

The mixer, the bags of cement, and the famous Jaccuzi!

Kasey, Sandy & Ken Calwell - bravely joined us for the pour

Audra and Patrick, new friends, and joyful volunteers

The finished roof - hopefully with a good enough slope for grandma!

A Place To Die

2011-04-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

The day arrived, it was time for the roof pour on Noehmi and family's new house. We would be mixing in a rented mixer, and pouring with two visiting families, our friends Patrick and Audra, and our new master mason friend, Enrique. It would not be an easy day, but I had faith that God would show up in the ways He always does.

Our our way out to where we'd be working we stopped by to introduce the visiting mission team to Noehmi and her family, to drop off some groceries, and to pray with the family before we served them for the day.

Noehmi was home with her sister, her grandmother, and with her baby. They were making tamales to sell to help provide for themselves. We shared with them where we were headed for the day, and I even had a chance to share with grandma a few digital pictures of their house on my camera. They had not yet seen any of the progress, and the grandmother's face says it all. She looked like a child on Christmas day.

"Be sure you do a good job," grandma told us. "I want to be sure the roof has a good slope on it, so it doesn't leak," she said with a grin,"I'm going to die in that house."

Wow, what pressure. As I translated what she had just said we were all speechless, realizing that grandma already had the perspective that THIS would be her last house, the last place she'd ever live. This house will be the house she lives in when she dies. What an assignment we had ahead of us today.

Carrying a Spirit of Joy

2011-04-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

In the book of Acts God was bringing about revival in Jerusalem. There were healings and conversions taking place, and it was a place of great joy! Then all of a sudden an angel of the Lord instructed Philip to go to the desert. In the desert Philip came across an Ethiopian eunuch. As it appears God led Philip there for the sole purpose of meeting this one man. He shared with him the good news of Jesus, and before you know it says they come upon some water and the eunuch is already asking about being baptized. They went down to the water together, the enuch is baptized, and then whoosh, Philip is taken away. It says the eunuch did not see him again, but that he “went on his way rejoicing”!

Wherever God takes us, for a season, or for a day...would we be open to the encounters he has for us, would we be obedient to share the good news of Jesus with others, and would we be about carrying with us this spirit of joy. The same spirit that Philip brought with him from Jerusalem, and that now was posessed by the eunuch! Let us be challenged to take it with us wherever we go!

Friends & Volunteers

2011-04-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

There are moments when it can feel like we just aren't quite enough hands around here at Back2Back Cancun. That's why we're thankful that God is allowing us to meet some incredible people along the way. A few weeks ago we met a couple by the name of Patrick and Audra, from Mississipi. They are waiting to begin grad school in the fall, and just followed a prompting from God to come to Cancun for a few months to serve in whatever capacity they can, and we are so glad to have meet them!

As we anticipated the arrival of a couple of families that we hoped to pour Noehmi's roof with, we knew that we needed to do a couple of intense hours of work to lift pre-poured beams, and block to the top of the house in order to have it prepped for the pour. Patrick and Audra very willingly agreed to help, and I also recruited our teenage buddy, David, from the Casa Hogar Esperanza. So the three of them, myself, Mau, and Enrique the mason headed out to Tres Reyes to sweat for a few hours. It was hot, and there was plenty of heavy lifting involved, but praise God for the perfect team of laborers to get the job done!

Audra and Patrick, ready and willing to lend a hand!

David, hmmmmm...maybe supervising at this particular moment?

Marrying Friends

2011-04-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Another huge highlight, and really THE reason our family traveled back to Monterrey last month was to marry two very dear friends of ours, Becca and Rodolfo. We first met Rololfo when he was graduating from secundaria (middle school) about 1o years ago, and Becca has basically been a daughter to us since 2004 when she began to nanny for our family during the summers. It was a surreal for me to officiate their ceremony, since Julie and I have watched them going from being friends, to seeing the sparks fly, to know watching them begin their married life together. We could not be more excited for two people. We know they both love Jesus, they both love each other, and that God has great, great plans for the two of them as they continue to seek His will for their lives.

Corinna, Caleb and Chloe excited to be a part of Becca's Big Day!

Congratulations Sr. y Sra. Arguello, we love you both very much!

Family Reunion

2011-04-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like a family reunion. Getting together with those who haven't seen for a long time, sharing food, talking about the good 'ole times...it does that heart good doesn't it?

A few weeks ago (well, it's been almost 6 now, guess I'm behind on the blogging!) our whole family returned to Monterrey for the wedding of Becca and Rodolfo. Being back in Monterrey for nearly a week was quite the whirlwind of emotions. Seeing our friends, spending time in our community, getting to worship with our church - there were plenty of highlights to say the least. But one of our favorite moments was spent right in our old house, right around our huge table, with our boys.

We sent the alert out, and invited even those who have moved out to come back and join us for a dinner. It just so happened that it was Saul's birthday, and it was the perfect way to be able to celebrate - everyone together. It was a good dose of medicine to greet each one with a huge hug, to catch up, to laugh together, to hear them make fun of one another. To me, the entire night was nothing short of gift, and it wasn't even my birthday! Thank you God, for the gift of spiritual sons, and thanks for the gift it was to spend time with them. Thanks for the gift of family - you are the giver all things good!

Just miles from the ocean

2011-04-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

So a couple of weeks ago we finally took our first-ever field trip to the beach with children who we work with. Six children from Casa Hogar San Jose, along with 7 of Oti's children came to the beach with a visiting family missions team from Ohio. We packed a big picnic lunch, we buddied up to be sure that everyone had a life guard, and we loaded up in vans to enjoy a day in the sand and the sea.

I've got to be honest...for our first ever field trip to the beach I think it was pretty successful! No one got burned, no one got lost...and in the end I think everyone had a great time.

I loved watching each person from the team connect with the child they were spending the afternoon with - some burying each other in the sand, some building castles, and other playing in the water.

One thing that really hit me was that 5 of Oti's children had never been to the beach. They were born and raised right here in Cancun. They literally live just miles from some of the most beautiful waters in the world - and they had never even seen the ocean. Their faces were priceless as they arrived, as they walked in the sand...and as they set their eyes on the Caribbean Sea. I can't say they were not filled with a healthy fear of the ocean, and it's gargantuan waves - but I know it was a day they will never forget.

Oti's 7 oldest children during our trip to the beach

Let the work begin!

2011-04-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

So, when we began to investigate further the situation of the land that Noehmi's father was buying much to our surprise we discovered that he had actually already constructed the foundation for a house. Having that knowledge we looked at our options and decided to continue on top of that foundation so that the family could have a block structure rather than just something out of sticks and thatch.

We hired a mason that someone from the government had met, and he began to lay the block that would be the walls of the house. As it turns out, that week we had some families here visiting over their Spring break, and we were able to have them join us in our first official work day on Noehmi's house!

The house is located in a part of town called Tres Reyes, or Three Kings. Families can buy plots of land that are 10 meters across, by about 30 meters deep. It is on the far west outskirts of what is still Cancun. It has no running water, no electricity, no sewage, nothing. Nonetheless, families who are buying land there are excited because it is a fresh start for them, it's something they can actually own and can take complete ownership of.

When we arrived to begin working the mason was already there. As soon as we got out of the van we could hear Christian music. None other than Ray Botlz classics in Spanish. Thank you, for giving to the Lord, in Spanish. Enrique, our mason we had hired without really knowing him, is a believer. He came to know the Lord just about a year ago now. We marveled once again how God continues to connect the dots.

So as Enrique continued with his mission to lay block, and our team also joined in. Our mission: To find rocks from around the area to fill in center of the house, and to move an entire truckload of yellow dirt into the house, under what will one day be the floor of the house.

I have to admit, that the faces of the team wanted to say, "This looks impossible!" and "We'll never finish!" But by the grace of God, one rock at a time, and one shovel full at a time, we did it! I encouraged a few members of the team to write down prayers and scriptures during their water breaks, and to take time to place those pieces of paper within the block walls of the home as we worked - an in a sense to be dedicating the home to the Lord throughout our day.

What a great day to come together in service to the Lord, in service to this family during their time of great need, and to see God accomplish something that perhaps seemed impossible for our little time of 9. We look forward to where this relationship with Noehmi's family will lead - and we look forward to watching the progress on this new home for them. Our prayer is that it will truly be a blessing to them!

Poorest of the Poor

2011-04-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

So a few weeks ago we were introduced to a family. The social worker from the DIF (child and family services) here in Cancun said she wanted us to meet a family, and wondered if there was anything we could do for them, as they were in a very rough situation.

15 year-old Noehmi, is lower functioning, perhaps mildly mentally challenged. A few months back Noehmi had a baby, and has been receiving some services through the teenage mom program that we've been serving back to back with here. Noehmi lives with her younger sister, who is in sixth grade, and her 17 year old brother who is no longer in school. These three teenagers live with their elderly grandparents.

The grandfather is not in good health. Their mother has passed away. And their father, who had always supported the entire family has recently been sentenced to prison. The father's old employer leant a room to the family to stay in.

When the social worker took us out to see the family we met them in this tiny back room of a house with a tin roof that was caving in over their heads. "Every time it rains all of our things get drenched," they explained.

They family had been making payments on a plot of land - but the income from Grandma selling tamales, and the 17 year old washing car windows at intersections had been barely enough to feed the family, let alone have anything left to make payments on their land, or to build a home.

"So do you think there is something Back2Back can do for this family," the question was posed by the social worker?

For one moment we sat in silence, and I felt overwhelmed, helpless, wondering what I could do to really make any difference. It all seemed so urgent. Yet for a moment I felt like I had no resources at my fingertips, no solutions to offer. And then God brought something to my mind.

Several weeks back a friend of ours on Back2Back staff in Monterrey shared that someone had given her some money and asked her to use it when she came across a situation of the "Poorest of the Poor". Our friend had shared with us that she praying about where to use the money in Monterrey, but felt that God might equally want to use the money in Cancun, and that we to should be praying and should let her know if we came up with a need.

This was it, this money was given for Noehmi's family - I was convinced! I contacted our friend, the money was still available. The social worker contacted the land owner of a plot of land the family had making payments on, and permission was given to begin working on construction of a new home for the family - somewhere they could call their own.

I could not have been more excited for the way God put the pieces together, and for the way were are going to have a chance to bless this family in a very, very real way.

Noehmi with her daughter, Miriam

Noehmi's sister, Blanca, making tamales with their grandmother

Great Opportunity for those in the Indianapolis area

2011-04-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Cancun!

2011-03-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

We're shaking things up a bit! We are redefining what Spring Break in Cancun is all about, and I love it! For many, I know that their first thoughts when they hear "Spring Break in Cancun" are...party, beach, party, drinking, wild, beach, did I mention party, wild or beach yet? Praise God there is a generation that God is calling to spend their time here in Cancun a little bit differently, and praise God that we get to be a part of it all.

Last week we were joined by what we'll just call our Spring Break College Team - it was a blast! We got to love on kids and serve the Lord, and I'm the first to admit that we were able to have a great time while we did it!

We were able to spend a day doing work projects in a pregnancy program we've been partnering with. We were able to serve dinner and hang out with kids at Casa Hogar Esperanza. We served breakfast and hung out with kids from Casa Hogar San Jose. We helped serve lunch at VidaLife Cancun's after school program in Rancho Viejo - where we also sang songs, played games...and I even got to dress up like a pirate for a skit and the lesson we did with the kids! We spent time hanging out with kids from the D.I.F.'s emergency shelter for abused and neglected children. We played with them, did a steak taco cookout with them, got to take about 30 of them to the movies, and even had a water balloon fight on our last afternoon! And we even got to spend one afternoon having quiet times at, in my opinion, one of the world's best and most beautiful beaches ever - what a great week!

These are the days that I remember just how much I love my job. I love when I get to shower kids with the love Jesus, and help them to realize just how much He loves them. I love that God has called us to redefine not only what people think about Cancun, but that we get to continue to invite people to come right into the trenches with us, and to join us in what God is doing here. I loved getting to rub elbows with such a great missions team. I loved watching God encounter us along the way, in the special ways that He always does. What an unforgettable Spring Break in Cancun!

Connecting the Dots

2011-02-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have to laugh to myself when my kindergartner, Caroline, has a connect the dot sheet to do for school. Usually it's something super elementary like a house, or a simple car - but as the adult it's totally obvious what the finished picture is going to be. But at six years old, she cannot always see it. She simply follows the instructions, picks up her pencil, and begins to connect the dots...and then, to my surprise, she actually acts surprised at the finished product.

Does your life ever seem like a big "dot-to-dot" puzzle? I know mine does. Of course the "dot-to-dot" I'm currently working on is not quite a simple as the ones Caroline gets to do for school, but regardless I realize that I have something to learn from her. With the dot-to-dots in my life I can waste so much time wondering what the finished picture is going to look like. If I'm extremely honest with myself, and with you, I am often tempted to want to throw the pencil down, stomp off, and not even look for the next dot. The good news is that as hard as the puzzles in our lives may seem, God is the one who is ultimately helping us to complete them, if we allow Him to.

The reality is I need to spend a little more time just trusting. I need to spend a little less time consumed with wanting to see finished picture. I need to spend a little more time stepping back, and zeroing in on the fact that God is the one that gave us the pencil to begin with; remembering that God is the one that helps us to hold the pencil; remembering that God is the one who showed us where dot #1 was, and then pointed out dot #2, and we just faithfully, being led by Him, began to move the pencil from dot #1 to dot #2, and so forth.

Here in Cancun we are watching God reveal the dots to us one at a time - and I am choosing to trust that He will continue to do so in His perfect timing. And that certainly doesn't mean I don't wish I could have a sneak-peak at the finished picture...it just means that I'm not gonna let it keep me from enjoying the process of doing this puzzle, one dot at a time!

The Best

2011-02-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

I love how God always, always, always has the BEST for His children. Of course I am reminded often just how true this is - but this Monday I was reminded anew as my wife, Julie, celebrated a birthday.

It's not always easy to do, but this year I was able to pull off a surprise for her! Thanks to the fact that her mother is here visiting, I was able to wisk her away from the homeschool classroom for a few hours and we were able to go on a little boat tour, and snorkeling together. It was the most relaxing, amazing date-time that we have had together for a long time. It was just what we needed.

God is a God who ALWAYS gives us just what we need, when we need it. This year, on my wife's birthday I am reminded that she was, and continues to be JUST what I need. I give thanks to God for sending me the wife, friend and partner in life that He knew would be the BEST for me. I love you Julie, and praise God for the joy it is to be on this continued adventure with you! God knew I would need you, and I'm so thankful that you're here with me every step of the way.

Missions For A Day: Take 4 and 5

2011-02-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

In the past week we've had two opportunities to visit local children's homes with people who were vacationing here in Cancun. These two Day Trips were a unique blessing because both were with acquaintances and friends of the ministry who have previously visited our Monterrey Campus. It was great to get to show them this "extension" of what God is doing, but now in a different corner of Mexico!

During one visit we went to Casa Hogar Esperanza, took a snack to the children, and had a chance to play and interact with the kids.

During the most recent Day Trip we took McDonald's breakfast food to the children of Casa Hogar San Jose, and had a great moment of visiting with and playing with what I honestly believe are some of the sweetest kids in the state of Quintana Roo.

What a blessing to get to once again have the chance to involve people visiting Cancun in what God is doing here in our midst!

Four Under Twenty-Five Months

2011-02-20T05:18:00.000-08:00

I spent Thursday morning, the 17th, reminiscing. It was our daughter Cameron's birthday. I was remembering back nine years to the day she was born. When she woke up I gave her a big hug and had her sit down on my lap. We cuddled for a few minutes while I recounted to her the details of her birth. How mommy and I were so happy the day she was born. What a precious moment we shared.

We praise God for the life of Cameron. For her sweet spirit. For her sense of humor. For her laugh, her smile, her dimples. She is our artist. She is our pack rat. She is our free-spirited child - sometimes we even call her our hippy. She's not afraid to get dirty. She is everyone's friend. She is the child who always has a hug for everyone. She is creative, she is intelligent, she is talented. She is brave and adventurous. And most importantly she's growing up to learn to love Jesus. We cannot wait to see what plans the Lord has for her as she grows!

Cameron is our fourth child. Sometimes I think to myself, the poor thing...this sweet baby that was born into our crazy family - haha. When she was born Corinna, our oldest, was 25 months. Chloe was 22 months, and Jake was just 9 months old. We had four in diapers, four in car seats, and two double strollers wherever we went. Let's just say we caught a lot of people's attention everywhere we went - we were quite the sight!

On the outside it looked crazy, we looked crazy. Yet God had had it all planned out. He knew that we would have two children join our family through adoption - and He knew that we'd have four children under 25 months - and He knew that He'd equip us to be able to handle it. And He did. He has been so faithful.

As that story bounces around in my head these days it brings me great comfort. It brings me great comfort that the same God continues to equip us for everything He brings our way. Even though, once again, we find ourselves in a new season of life that sometimes feels overwhelming, and might even look a little crazy from the outside, we can rest in the Lord, and in the fact that He's got great things in store. He continues to be so faithful. Always.

I'm so glad He's the one that has it all figured out. I'm so glad that He chooses to invite us along for the adventure. Lord help us to keep our eyes on You, the faithful one, the one who equips us. It is in these craziest seasons of life that we realize more than ever just how very much we need You!

Sing My Love

2011-02-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

Over the past year to year and a half the Lord has done MUCH in the way of teaching us about seeking Him, and learning to worship Him in new ways - in a way that has brought us true freedom to worship.

One of the things He has used to inspire us is the music of Jesus Culture. If you're not familiar with their music, or have not yet taken much time to check them out we highly urge you to delve in, at least just a little - we dare you! We realize that the style is not for everyone - but for us it has been revolutionary.

Today I just wanted to share one of those songs, and one of those videos that has been a favorite of ours over the past year. This is just one of many that inspires me to want to sing with all that is within me - one that leaves me finding it impossible to stand still!

Take a few minutes to check it out - Hope you'll enjoy it. But even more importantly I hope you'll feel inspired to sing, to praise, to dance...to let ALL your worship out!

Right in front of Me

2011-02-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday we visit with a group of kids here in Cancun who live in an Emergency Shelter at what is called the DIF. A couple of weeks ago while we were there doing games and activities with the kids this picture was taken of me and two children.

As you look at it you're not even sure what emotion to feel are you? You want to be happy for the little boy who I'm hugging, and tickling, and paying attention to, but somehow the emotions of joy quickly become overshadowed by the poor little girl crying her eyes out right next to us.

When I first saw this picture I almost felt convicted, or ashamed, because to be honest, I don't even remember the girl crying, or why she was crying, or anything - and she was less than a foot away from me! Even my 10 year old daughter saw the picture and asked me, "Dad, why was she crying?", "I don't know, I didn't even notice," I said. "Dad! What do you mean you didn't notice," she exclaimed!

I know, it sounds terrible at first doesn't it? I mean who could be standing right there loving on one child, but completely ignoring the other? But then God reminded me that in that very moment of the lesson He had for me in the picture. God wanted me to see that He had me there that day for a very specific reason: to love on that little boy, to love on the one right in front of me.

How many times do we find ourselves overwhelmed by "life", and all that is going on around us? It's easy to feel that way, isn't it? I mean, we get overwhelmed with what's going on in our family, with what's going on at work, or sometimes just by the length of our "to do list". And then if we can even begin to look outside of our own situation...forget it, huh?

I wonder how many times we get caught up in all the things pulling for our attention, and miss the God-moment that is right in front of us. How many times do we miss the moment that God has literally put right in our lap? How many times do we miss the moment to love on the little boy who needed a hug because we are too distracted by the little girl crying?

For years people have posed the question to us, "How do you not just find yourself overwhelmed with all the need, and with case after case of the types of children you deal with?" For years my response has been basically the same. I try to live "in the moment, and seek what God has for me". I realize that I cannot meet every single child's need - but I can meet the need of the one that God brings to my attention. That is, if I'm paying attention!

Throughout our years of working with children and teens here in Mexico we have come to love the description of God in the scripture as a "Father to the Fatherless". We believe it is part of the very call He has for us, to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to love on the fatherless that God places in our lives.

Sometimes that is as simple as giving a hug, or playing a game. Sometimes that means listening, having a meaningful conversation, or simply being there. It doesn't really matter what it ends up looking like, the point is really just about our obedience. It really all boils down to listening to God, living in the moment, and being Jesus to the one He places right in front of me.

Saving Children from Sex Slavery

2011-01-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

I decided to start this blog with a picture of me and 2 very special girls, Evelyn and Jazmin who live in the Esther House in Back2Back's hope program. It is girls like them who are often targeted specifically by traffickers.

This week I "attended" a webinar titled "Saving Orphans from Sex Slavery". It was difficult to listen to, in fact at one point I just broke out crying. I want to pass on to you some statistics that were presented.

Every year 1.2 million women and children are sold into sex slavery, that means it is happening every 2 minutes.
These women and children are forced to have sex as many as 40 times a day.
Revenues are $32 billion dollars a year, the 2nd largest in global crime. The largest right now is drugs, however illegal sex trafficking is expected to take over this year as number one. Why? Because a body can be sold over and over and over...
25% of the women and children enslaved are from Europe, mostly the extremely poor countries. For example the country of Moldova right now has the highest number of trafficked victims.
Only 1 in 100,000 Europeans involved are convicted. Why? Police Corruption.
Only 1-2% of these girls are ever rescued.
300,000 women and children have been trafficked into the United States, this doesn't just happen in 3rd world countries.

Girls who have lived in orphanages, or children's homes as we call them here, are at extremely high risk for being preyed upon. Without strong family support she is a target for traffickers who try to trick girls with promises of good jobs as nannies, models, executive secretaries.... A young girl may go willingly with a man thinking he is getting her a good job, but then she is forced into a brothel or other prostitution ring. Other young girls are simply kidnapped off the streets, again without strong family support no one may even be looking for her. Another issue is family members selling their daughters, nieces, cousins into slavery.

It's overwhelming I'll admit, but that doesn't mean that the body of Christ shouldn't act. I am proud to work with a ministry that has started a program to house kids leaving the children's homes so that they can get an education. Not only are we offering schooling, but also protection while these girls grow up and learn how to take care of themselves.

What will we do here in Cancun specifically? We are in constant prayer about what part we will play. We live in a city where sex tourism targeted at children is lucrative. Starting a Hope Program to shelter children leaving the homes after Jr. High until they can finish high school seems like a huge step in the right direction toward prevention. Join with me as we continue to pray as a staff team about making this happen!

I hate to end this blog on a sad note, but just to underscore the severity of this problem I wanted to state that over 15 girls have been taken into sex slavery in the time it took me to write this blog.

If' you'd like to listen to the webinar I am referring to please do so. It's free and you can find it at www.christianalliancefororphans.org

The Saddle

2011-01-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

So we are back to work, and in the full the swing of things here in Cancun after being gone in the states for about three weeks. We've been working at the Pregnancy Center and visiting the children we serve at the Children's Homes. It always feels good to get back into that comfortable saddle, doesn't it?

So that's what we're doing - getting back in the saddle. But as we head into this 2011, I want to be constantly sure that I'm not just getting back into the same old saddle because it's the comfortable one. Of course we are going to keep working with children's homes, and with families in the community, and with the pregnancy center, and the emergency shelter - but I want to be sure that I'm saddling up for the ride that God has intended for us this 2011.

We're making efforts to continue to seek God in this new year, as we desire nothing more but to be about His business, and what He desires for us to be a part of. As we set our agenda for the day, for the week, for the month, and even for the whole year - our desire is that it be His agenda, and not ours. It would be so easy to go forth with plans here in Cancun that make sense to me. It is tempting at times to plan projects based solely upon what would be good for our visiting missions teams. Shamefully, too many times we can tend to "do ministry" based only upon what we can do on our own strength, with our own resources...and we basically leave God to one side. That is NOT the kind of ministry that I believe has called me to do. Why would I want to fill 2011 with things that I can do with my strength? Why would I want 2011 to be about situations that I can always reason with my own mind? I don't. It's why I am seeking God with all of my heart for what He wants for 2011, and what he wants to do here in our midst in Cancun, and how He would allow me to be a part of it.

So am I ready to be back in the saddle? Yes, but only if it's the saddle that God wants me to be in. I want to see 2011 filled with projects that are significant for God's Kingdom. I want 2011 to be filled with building into relationships with an eternal focus. That is the saddle that I want to be in. God help me to saddle up for the adventure that YOU have for us this year. We can't wait to see where You want to take us!

Take a moment to ask yourself: What saddle are you sitting in as we enter 2011? Is it where the Lord desires for you to be? Ask God what great adventure He has for you this year. Expect great things - it's what our God is all about.

Matt working on the DIF Pregnancy Center along with Lizy's sister, Ana

Mau and Andrew (his brother-in-law) working at the Pregnancy Center

Turning Eleven

2011-01-15T20:25:00.001-08:00

How is it exactly that the years slip by as quickly as they do? I know this is a phenomenon that becomes more and more real the older you get, but this year literally seemed to be over in a blink. As we began to celebrate Christmas 2010 it literally felt like we had JUST celebrated Christmas 2009 - uh oh, guess I'm getting old!

Today, our oldest child Corinna turned eleven. It literally seems impossible. I'd be lying to say it seems like yesterday, but it honestly feels like just a few years ago that God brought her to live with our family - she was 7 months old at the time. We had no idea what the future held. We had no idea that about a year and a half later she would join our family permanently through adoption. I love that God knew. I love that He had His eye on her since she was being knit together in her mother's womb - and He knew exactly the plans that He had for her. To us it just feels like she has always been a part of our family.

God continues to know the exact plans He has for her. She is growing into quite the young lady. She is extremely smart. She loves to read, no let me explain, she reads circles around her dad....like she can finish a 400-500 page novel in ONE DAY, who does that? She loves to write. She loves to create. She loves to always have a project going. Whether she's working on invitations to her birthday party, or writing a screen play, or plotting out ideas for books she is going to write - I love it. We cannot know for sure, nor can she...but God has GREAT plans for this young lady. We love her, and we're proud to call her our daughter. Happy 11th Birthday Corinna! God has a GREAT and WONDERFUL future in store for you!

Panic, Stress and Cold Sweats! Nah, not us!

2011-01-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

It can make many shutter. Many would question why we'd willingly put ourselves through it? Family Pictures - (the shrieks and screams!) Yes, while we were visiting the States over Christmas we decided to have new family pictures taken. I know, if you're anything like us...the very words "family picture" can cause immediate panic, waves of stress, and instant sweating...or maybe that's just us with our six kids! So since it had been three years since our last professional pictures, we decided it was time to do it again - plus it always makes such a great gift for grandparents, right? I have to admit that this time wasn't too bad! And...well, we were pleased with the outcome. For your enjoyment we've created a short slide show for you to be able to catch a glimpse of a few of our favorites. You can see the pictures better if you view them on Matt's facebook page. Enjoy!

Christmas Vacation

2011-01-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

We were super blessed to spend about three weeks over Christmas break with family and friends in northern Indiana. It is always so special to spend the holidays with our loved ones. Of course every time we are able to make the trip it is special, but this time seemed especially sweet since it had been since last Christmas that we were able to visit Indiana as a family.

We enjoyed many great times with grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. We were sure to eat a few of our favorite local restaurants, and shopping for things we can't easily find here in Mexico. We enjoyed playing in the snow, and baking, and sledding, and bowling, and having sleep overs. It's difficult to sum up our time in just a few words, or even just a few pictures...so we put together a slide show to highlight a handful of our favorite days and activities over our Christmas break.

Missions For A Day: Take 2

2010-12-17T18:09:00.001-08:00

The Friday before we left for Christmas vacation we had a second go at our new idea of missions "day trips". Once again we made plans with a family who had found us via the internet. We arranged to pick them up at their hotel in the morning, and we spent the next nearly four hours together.

We had a chance to share with them about Back2Back Ministries, about the heart behind what we do and what we do on a global scale, and then what we are doing locally in Cancun. We then spent the majority of the morning visiting with children at the Casa Hogar Espranza and the Casa Hogar San Jose.

I believe it was an incredible morning for all involved. For us it was a joy to get to share our hearts, and then to show this family first hand what some of the needs are right in Cancun. For the children in the children homes it is always great to have a chance to interact with people who love the Lord and desire to make deposits into their lives. It was so great to be able to engage this family with the children we love and serve here, and to watch as God himself captured their hearts.

On a personal level it was a blessing to connect with people who not only have a heart for the Lord, but who so quickly gained a passion for what God's doing here and who eagerly want to be a part of it. We were blessed to be a part of such an incredible morning - and to have made friends in the process. We can't wait to see the ways the Lord continues to cross our path with this family - and we can't wait to see who else He brings our way!

Meeting the girls from San Jose

Mari, Jenny, Ana, Betty, Ami & Jiromi from San Jose

Our visitors with the children of Esperanza

Visiting and coloring with the kids from Esperanza

Three New Faces

2010-12-17T14:36:00.001-08:00

We want to introduce three new friends, and three new faces to the Casa Hogar San Jose. Shortly before we left for Christmas break three sisters ended up at San Jose, after their mother was unable to take care of them adequately.

As soon as we heard about their arrival Julie was anxious to go and meet them. Instantly we wondered about their situation and about their arrival to the children's home. We wondered how they were adjusting, and where they were sleeping. We wondered how they were fitting in, and if they needed anything.

When we arrived at San Jose to meet them we couldn't have been more surprised. Jenny, Betty and Mari are three beautiful sisters who already seem to have found a special place at San Jose. The three sisters are currently sharing one twin-sized bed, but they appear extremely content in their new surroundings. We have no doubt that on the inside it has been a time of great adjustment and turmoil, and that there little heads are without a doubt filled with endless questions - but for the time being the seem to be adjusting extremely well. Probably what brought us the most amount of joy was how extraordinarily well the other children were treating them. It was obvious that the others were going out of their way to make these girls feel welcome, feel comfortable, feel...at home. I know it won't be long until these little girls find a very special place in our hearts - in a way they already have.

Jenny

Betty

Mari

That Same Old Nervous Stomach

2010-12-16T21:03:00.001-08:00

We constantly have reasons to feel proud of our children. They just recently had their Christmas program at school. To me it doesn't matter what they are doing, in my eyes they always stand out. They stand out as the tallest, as the most gorgeous, as the best dancer, as the best singer, as the best smile, as the smartest, you name it - we're just proud. Of course I know, every other parent feels exactly the same about their own children.

It's funny to me that as our children go through life we re-live so much of our own past experiences. Like this Christmas program for example. As the kids were having their rehearsals, and as we got their costumes around, and the night of the show approached - it felt all too familiar. It was taking me back to Christmas 1984, and to my 5th grade Christmas show at Mary L. Daly elementary school. I could remember the music, and what the lighting felt like, and what I wore. I could remember worrying I was going to forget my lines, I could picture the crowd, and I could even almost remember the nervous stomach I felt before I took the stage.

But now I'm on the other side of the stage. Now I'm the one with two 5th graders, two 3rd graders, one in Kindergarten, and one in pre-school. Now it's me taking the pictures of my kids up singing an dancing in front of everyone. Now it's my wife and I who have to stress out over the costumes. Now it's us who have to help our kids feel confident about themselves before they take the stage. Funny how 25 years later, on the other side of the stage, even though it's not me getting up in front of everyone...I still feel equally as nervous until every single one of my kids is done performing and off the stage. Once again, we were so, so proud. They did an awesome job, and they really were the best ones up there, haha!

Caleb, dressed as a gift, with his Kinder 1 class

Caleb

Caroline with her "Kinder 3" class

Caroline, the best tree on stage!

Cami, playing the part of a devil

In case you're wondering what devils have to do with Christmas, because, well...I was. As the story is typically portrayed in Mexico - the devils were trying to keep the wisemen from arriving at the birth of Christ, and the angels had to fight them off. I'm just amazed that they are allowed to even talk about the birth of Christ in school, huh?

Jake, well, didn't have to try as hard!

Corinna, by far one of the best dancers!

Chloe, another amazing dancer, and great presence!

Cami & Jake with friend and neighbor, Andre - playing

the part of an angel - haha!

All six Cooper Kids after the show - BRAVO Coopers!

A Source of Light

2010-12-16T20:54:00.001-08:00

This last week, before we left for vacation, we had a chance to see the teens from the DIF shelter one last time. It was a bittersweet visit. Many of the teens who had been there just one or two weeks before were now gone. We of course want to believe that it's a good thing for them, to move on, to go with family. One boy we had begun to build into went to live with his father in the U.S. He had shared with us that it had been what he hoped would happen. The two teens who we mentioned had made decisions for Christ just a couple of weeks before have been discharged, and have moved on to a new placement. One went to live with a brother in another part of Mexico, and another I'm unsure where she has gone. It's sad because we realize we may never see them again. It's hard because we want to be able to ensure that they are doing o.k. and that they can begin to take steps in their new-born faith. For us it's an act of faith to trust that the same God who opened the door for us to begin spending time there will continue to watch over them, and that He still knows what is best - for each one of them.

During this last visit before vacation we spent time together giving thanks for the new friendship that we've been able to form with them - and looking forward to the new year, and the dreams we can begin to realize together. The staff of the shelter asked the teens if they had anything they wanted to share with us. Much to our surprise a handful of them had some incredibly sweet things to say. They shared how they appreciated us, they shared thankfulness for the time we've invested in them, and they shared their sadness that they didn't know if they'd see us again. I couldn't believe my ears to be honest, to think that in this very short amount of time that God has really blessed the relationship, and the level of love and trust between us and these children.

Then something happened that surprised me most of all. One of the staff from the shelter began to share. He shared about the darkness that is encountered all around us every day. He shared that if you pick up a newspaper you see all kinds of darkness in the stories of lawlessness, of death, of corruption, and of evil. And then, even though this man is not a Christian he identified us, Back2Back, as a "light" to the DIF, and to these young people. He didn't even realize it but this man was testifying about the Lord, and about what it is that the Lord is doing by allowing us to be a presence in this place! I literally couldn't believe my ears.

I am beyond thankfulness to the Lord. Thank you Lord for the door that you opened in the DIF. Thank you Lord for allowing us to find continued favor among not only the children and teens there, but with the staff (Christians and non-Christians) as well. Thank you Jesus, that you are the true light, and anything the people identify in us as light is really only a reflection of you in us. Thank you for allowing others to see it - may you continue to help us shine brightly for you Lord.

Thank You God For All You've Done In 2010

2010-12-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

As a staff team the four of us went out for brunch to celebrate Christmas together last week. While we were together we took time to give thanks to the Lord by remembering and making a list of some of the incredible things He's done this past year. We want to share a list of some of those very things give thanks to the Lord for in 2010.

God beginning a very special friendship between the four of us (a little over a year ago)
Matt's dream about "the one boy"
God's word about wanting to do something new, and it not being "about strategy, but about His Spirit's leading"
God revealing that He wanted to bring "life to Cancun" through us
God speaking through a speaker at a conference telling us that where "He has given vision, there will be provision"
God providing incredible donors and partners to help us begin Back2Back Cancun
God providing complete funding for our children's schooling for the first year
God reminding us that He was the first one on the scene!
God opening doors within the local government (DIF, CAT)
God allowing relationships to grow with the places we serve
A great first-ever missions team: The Men's Group
An incredible first-ever Christmas Trip: The Women's Group
Salvation of 2 teens at the DIF
Salvation of 75 people at a community outreach we played the worship music at
Word from Revelation 3 to Julie

The truth is, the list could go on and on - these are just to name some of the major ways we have seen the Lord working in our midst. We are so continuously thankful that He "goes before us" and that He was the "first on the scene". We are so thankful that this is HIS STORY, and we are looking forward to amazing things happening in 2011!

My Heart For A Boy Named David

2010-12-16T20:42:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure what it is, but God always seems to give me a heart for the teenage boy. And many times it's the difficult teenage boy at that! There is a boy by the name David at the Casa Hogar Esperanza. Let's not call him difficult, and let's not even say that he's a problem-child, but let's just say that David is in a rut. He's having a hard time being motivated. He's having a hard time having much vision and passion about life right now. He doesn't want to go to school, and so he dropped out. He doesn't want to work, and so he hasn't. He doesn't want to follow rules, and so, you guessed it, he hasn't done much of that either.

The other day when we came to visit the Casa Hogar we found David sitting on the street. He was on the curb outside the children's home. He was sitting with the hood of his red sweatshirt pulled all up around his face, hiding from the world, yet wearing his emotions on the outside for all to see.

I sat down with David, and gave him an infamous side hug. He barely responded. He obviously wasn't in much mood to talk. After I insisted that he tell me what was going on he just mumbled that he was in trouble with the directors of the children's home.

Upon further investigation, and talking with the house mother of the children's home I discovered that David has been showing up late several nights in a row, and that last night he didn't come home before they locked the gate, so he had to sleep outside.

I went back with David and talked to him again. I told David that he needed to talk to the director, and that he needed to make a new deal with him if he expected them to even consider letting him back in. I urged him to consider his future, and to consider how he wants this to all turn out. He agreed that he would. I made him promise me. He promised that as soon as the director returned from his errands that he'd speak with him. I admit that I wasn't sure he'd follow through, but in my heart of hearts I was hoping so.

The next day I returned to the children's home. I was so glad to see David there. This time he wasn't pathetically slumped up on the curb, but rather he was holding a paintbrush, and giving a fresh coat of green paint to the outside gate.

"I take it you talked to the director. Congratulations," I commented.

"Yes," he replied.

"And I'm assuming you have yourself quite a list of work to do around here?"

"Yes," he replied.

"How's your attitude been?," I asked him.

"What attitude?," he replied.

"THAT attitude," I said. "Rate yourself, 0-10, how's your attitude been?"

"About an 8 I suppose," he said with a little grin.

"Now THAT'S what I like to hear. I like you David," I told him. "I know we don't know each other very well but I want to help you. I see all this potential that God has placed in you - and I want to do all that I can to help you. Would you be up for hanging out with me?"

"Yes," he replied, with a great big tooth-bearing grin.

I cannot wait to hang out with David. I cannot wait to see what God wants to do with his life.

Missions For A Day: Take 1

2010-12-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Cancun is the number one foreign city visited by American's every year? And did you know that on any given day there are at least 20,000 tourists in Cancun? And did you know, that despite any sort of financial crisis in the U.S. or around the world, that tourism is still up about 20% in Mexico this year?

So what does all this mean for us? It means that we, as a ministry, have a unique opportunity to reach out to people ALREADY coming to Cancun. We have the opportunity to expose them to the "other side" of Cancun. We have the opportunity to expose them to Back2Back Ministries. And we have the opportunity to involve them in what God is doing here in our midst. On Friday, December 10th we had our first-ever opportunity to do just that.

A married couple who was going to be visiting Cancun from Ohio contacted us after finding out about what we did via the internet. We made arrangements, picked them up at their hotel, and took them to a local children's home in the area where we serve.

We had made arrangements ahead of time with the Casa Hogar Esperanza to tour the home, and then to take the four youngest children for an outing. We toured the children's home, and gave the couple a chance to drop off some donations they had brought from the U.S. We then piled the youngsters in our suburban, and headed out for a morning at McDonald's. It felt like a win-win-win to us for many reasons. The visiting couple had a chance to see the needs of the children's home, to interact with the kids, and to understand more of the heart of Back2Back. The children had a chance to get out of the home for a little bit, to interact with people in a social setting, and enjoy breakfast at McDonald's! Likewise it was a blessing for the children's home workers because they had a break from their normal routine of non-stop taking care of children.

We greatly look forward to seeing who all God will bring across our path as we continue to receive these "guests for a day" - and we even more so look forward to the ways He wants to bless not only the children and children's homes, but the very lives of the visitors as well!

Loaded up for the outing!

Playing in the playland

Eating a little McDonald's Breakfast

Before and After

2010-12-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

During one of our first visits to the Casa Hogar San Jose when we moved here in the fall the head mother of this catholic home identified a project that she said was the most urgent in her mind. They wanted a new roof for the area where they wash their clothes and hang them out to dry.

With the visiting men's group that was here the weekend before Thanksgiving we were able to see that project come to fruition. As we prepared for the project before the men arrived in Cancun, we realized that nearly all of the wood structure underneath needed to be replaced as well. So one day with the men we did the demolition and preparation, and the next day we built the new structure and put on the new roof.

The Mothers were extremely pleased with the finished project, and in general continue to express just how blessed they have been our presence and support. They have started referring to us as their superheroes. We won't put on our capes just quite yet! Praise the Lord that He is using us to be a blessing in this home.

The Laundry Area - BEFORE

The Laundry Area - AFTER

A Gift For Oti's Family

2010-12-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

When the Women's Group was here God did many, many things. One of things that He did, and always does, is touches the heart of those who are here to serve. During our visit to Oti's family there were a number of women who were very moved by her situation and wanted to know what they could do about it. They began to look around at the little that this mother of 8 had in the space they call their home, and they immediately saw a needs they wanted to meet. A few woman left behind money with us to be able to buy meat or groceries for Oti if she finds herself in a pinch, and another handful of ladies approached us and wanted to know if they could leave money with us to purchase tables and chairs for Oti and her family. Their desire was for Oti to have a place to eat with her family, and place for her children to sit and study, or play.

A couple days ago, we were able to purchase two 6 foot tables, and 12 chairs - and we delivered them to Oti's house. She was so extremely grateful. She immediately said, "Oh, how marvelous, we never have anywhere to sit down, and now I'll have somewhere for people to sit when the come to visit."

Thank you, ladies! Thanks for your hearts, and thanks for desiring to bless this mother who desires to give it her all to keep her family together. Thank you so much for seeing a need and meeting it! What a blessing!

A Word From Revelation 3

2010-12-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

The above is a picture of Mau, Lizy and us, and three key women in local government who God has led us to in our short time here in Cancun. Through our relationship with these contacts God has allowed us a level of influence in the teen pregnancy program for the county, as well as with the emergency shelter for children. One of these women is actually the coordinator of all programs related to working with teens and unwed mothers. The second women, her boss, is who they refer to as the President of Child and Social Services for our county here, and the third woman is the second women's boss. For whatever reason, God has opened a door, and allowed us a place of favor in the eyes of not only these women, but many whom they work with. It feels like a really big door...and at times we continue to wonder exactly why it has opened, and for how long it will be open to us.

In the Message version of the Bible, Revelation 3:8 says this: "I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough."

As we've been working together with the government Child Services here we've always been cognizant of the fact that at any point they may no longer welcome our involvement, especially after April when a new Mayor is elected. God however spoke to us clearly through this verse last week. He has opened this door and no one can shut it but Him. Therefore we will continue to go forward and if there comes a time when we will no longer be able to be involved in the government programs, then it will be because God has shut that door, not man. And of course the bit about us not having much strength, well, that's for another post...but entirely true as well!

A Fresh Coat Of Paint

2010-12-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

Now, you might think that after a week like the one we'd just had that the women might have been ready to colapse...or maybe that was just us...but upon their request, we decided to get a couple hours of old-fashioned labor out of them! So, after leaving the party at San Jose we went back to the pregnancy center for the afternoon, and the ladies helped us to get some much needed work done. They spent the next few hours putting on a fresh coat of paint while Mau and I advanced a little further with the dry wall. Together we made some great strides - and we're super pleased about how the project is coming along.

Extreme Dorm Makeovers

2010-12-16T14:07:00.000-08:00

We spent the whole morning at Casa Hogar San Jose that day with the women. We arrived in time to serve them a pancake breakfast, and stayed until after we had served them lunch. In between we did a whole slew of things as we celebrated Christmas. We played games, performed the skit, we decorated the house and a Christmas tree, frosted cookies, did crafts, and handed out presents to each one of the kids. However, my favorite moment of all was surprising the kids by redecorating their dorms.

While all of the kids were busy playing, decorating and making crafts - a handful of women were busy in the dorms stripping sheets, and putting on new matching bedding, and even a personalized pillow for each one. Before we let them in to see I gathered them around and explained that we had one more surprise in their rooms. They could barely hold the excitement in, they could hardly wait to see what had been going on in their dorms. Just when they were about ready to burst, we had them close their eyes, and then led them into their dorms. The looks on their faces, and their response was priceless. They were jumping up and down, and squealing, it was nothing short of awesome!

As the girls were going crazy jumping all over their beds, and discovering their new personalized space, Mau and I led Jorge over to his dorm to see his surprise as well. I was starting to get a little nervous, just wondering if as a boy he would be as excited as the girls - and after all we had worked this up to be something pretty special. Well, much to my surprise, he was equally as excited. It was precious actually. He laid down, and sprawled out on the his new soft blanket, and let out a big, "Ahhhhhh, I wish it were time to go to bed already!" Mau and I both jumped on his bed with him, and in total guy style we took turns piling up on the other. It was a great moment.

Thank you ladies for all you put into making this "makeover" happen, know that you truly blessed the lives of these children, not just that day, but every night at bedtime, for many, many nights to come.

The Girl's Dorm: BEFORE

The Girl's Dorm: AFTER

Ready for their surprise!

Discovering their new space!

The twins with their new pillows

Jorge's Bed: BEFORE

Jorge

Jorge's Bed: AFTER

Cancun's Most Beautiful

2010-12-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

The next day we brought the women to Casa Hogar San Jose. I've if you've noticed in most posts I've been trying to put about five pictures. I'm not sure what it is about these children, but they are so beautiful, I cannot for the life of my narrow it down to just five pictures...could be that we have come to love so much more than just their faces, but their little hearts as well. Regardless...I've decided apart from talking about their party I needed to post something separate, just to show off some of Cancun's Most Beautiful Children!

The Boys of Esperanza

2010-12-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

Following the CAT Christmas party, we headed over the Casa Hogar Esperanza. We were planning to do much of our same routine - some crafts, some decorating, some pictures, share a meal together...but this visit, I have to admit, made me more nervous. You see, this home has just 15 kids, and about half of them are teenage boys. And believe me we know, after having a house full of them for over three years, that...well, they can just be difficult when they want to be.

One of the ways in which they can be difficult is when you try to make them hang out and interact with people they don't know, and/or who don't speak their language. So needless to say, we knew we had a challenge laid out in front of us - and I think that this evening helped to conquer the hearts of those boys, or at the very least it was a great start! Upon arriving we set up a table, drug some of the teenage boys over, and began to teach them two simple games that did not require much verbal language - so that they could play with the visiting women more easily. Before you know it those boys and those women gathered around that table were laughing, and interacting, and having a great time together. It was amazing. It was a victory.

Something is happening there at the Casa Hogar Esperanza, and I believe that our time there with the women's group served as even one more catalyst to help get things moving in the right direction.

I'm noticing that each time we come two things are happening: 1) We are growing in our love towards them; and 2) they are feeling slightly more endeared to us. And by "slightly", I mean to imply that I am encouraged, because with teenage boys "slightly" is a BIG step!

Each time we come these boys are seeming more excited to see us. They seem to engage us more, without us having to always be the ones doing all of the talking. Some of them look for ways to actually serve us, or serve alongside us - for instance one young man helped me grill the entire dinner. One boy, repeatedly kept asking when we were leaving. I was starting to almost feel offended, thinking that he just wanted us to leave so that he could "get on" with his evening. I finally asked him why it was he wanted to know, and he simply replied, "It's just that I want you to stay as late as possible, I don't want you to leave."

I thank God for the advances in the relationships with these boys. We really are starting to develop a love for them. We whole heartedly are seeing the need for us to continue to step into their lives, and walk beside them. We believe that God wants us to have a major impact on their lives, and we look forward to seeing in what ways He will bring that to fruition.

Manuel with Matt

Matt, Santiago, David & Mau

The Gift Of Music

2010-12-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

The night before we went to CAT we were prepping the gifts when we began to see that we had just one problem. We had suggested to the ladies that they bring wrist watches for the teenage boys in the shelter, but with the recent arrival of 17 year old Jorge, we were realizing that a wrist watch just wouldn't be appropriate, because Jorge is blind.

The day before, during a visit, we had learned from Jorge that he was fascinated by music, and that in his recent days of feeling anxious he was dying to have a way to calm himself down. What more could we need to know. Jorge loves music. Jorge needs a Christmas gift. God did the prompting, and someone decided to give Jorge their MP3 player, and someone else donated their cell phone charger with an adapter so that he could charge it directly from a wall outlet, and not need a computer.

We filled the MP3 with all of the only Spanish music options that we had at our finger tips. That just so happened to be all Christian praise and worship...but what better way to minister to this young man who point blank told us that music soothes him.

For me, being with Jorge as he received that gift was one of my highlights of the week. I sat with him as he opened it, and be began to take a moment to discover the MP3 player with his fighers. He face kept lighting up with joy. I then began to slowly explain what each button was, how to use it, how to connect the headphones, how to charge it, and the works. He was literally like a little child at Christmas...it was exactly what he had asked for, and he couldn't have been more content.

God Goes After The "Two"

2010-12-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday morning, we brought the women back to the government facilities - this time to have a Christmas party at a temporary shelter in Cancun, known as C.A.T. The C.A.T. Shelter is where children are placed when they are removed from their family for situations of abuse or neglect, or where there is an open investigation going on and the child needs a safe place to stay in the meantime.

We arrived for the Christmas party in our full festive mode - bringing the 30+ children there a skit, crafts, cookie decorating, lunch, and a personal gift for each one of them. To my knowledge it's the first time Back2Back has done a Christmas party in a government facility. We are talking about a BIG door that the Lord has opened. Not only are we talking about a government setting, and a door that we were able to walk through, but we had a chance to do a drama, and present the gospel, and something miraculous happened. As we performed the skit about evil and the lies it tries to tell you, and how there is a prince who wants to rescue you from that evil...God had divine appointments with two of the teenagers temporarily staying in this shelter.

One teenage boy, and one teenage girl were able to talk with our staff, and they both explained that they "knew" this evil. The girl has been in a whole slew of danger, including some involvement with gangs and drugs, and her very life being in danger. Literally, just one day before, this young girl had tried to commit suicide. The boy, had another story altogether. He shared about a life of great pain. Much of his life he had been physically abused by his family of origin, and that just recently, after the death of his birth mother, his step mother had put him on a bus, sending him away, wanting nothing more to do with him. He was feeling absolute and utter rejection.

But God, in his infinite wisdom, and perfect timing, showed up on the scene, and brought this Christmas party with a message of hope, with the message of Christ. And both this young woman, and this young man gave their lives to Jesus the day we were there. Incredible? Yes, absolutely unbelievalbe, and 100% the work of the Almighty God. We are still in awe as we think about the open door, His perfect timing, and His amazing love that always goes after the "one" sheep, or well, in this case....the "two"!

Watching God Bless Oti

2010-12-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

After our prayer time and dedication of the pregnancy center we took the Women's Group to meet Oti and her eight children. We had a chance to hear a bit of her testimony, to pray with their family, to visit with them, and to bless them with Christmas gifts that the women had prepared for each of one of them.

One of my favorite moments of our visit was the excitement on the face of Oti's oldest son, 14-year-old, Ricky. Oti shared that in a house full of 6 sisters, and one baby brother, it is easy for him to feel left out, jealous, and like no one remembers him - like he's not special. So, when he realized that we had brought a gift for him, his face lit up, and more so as he pulled each item out of the gift bag - it was priceless!

I was also extremely excited to meet three college students who were there to visit as well that day. The three of them are looking for a place to complete their social service hours, and they are considering using their hours to tutor Oti's children, get them evaluated, and get them enrolled in school. I love how quickly God goes to work and answers prayers!

A Glimpse of Back2Back Cancun

2010-12-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

Back 2 Back Trip - Sneak Peak Preview from Kirby on Vimeo.

Please take a moment to check out this video made by Kirby Wycoff, a new friend, who was just here serving alongside us with the Women's Christmas Group - she's done a great job!

Between The Walls

2010-12-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

The Men's group that was hanging dry wall in the pregnancy center a couple of weeks ago began a discussion about construction sites. They commented that at your typical construction site you find all kinds of junk between the walls - from cigarette butts, to beer cans, you name it. The question was thrown out, "What will people one day find here between these walls?"

In the moment, I just chuckled to myself, but the truth is that the question rang on in my mind for days. For days it was like would not let me let go of the tought until I felt He very clearly gave me one of His creative ideas. He impressed upon me that we were to fill the walls of this place with His word, with songs, and with prayers - prayers for the teenage moms who will enter these place in need of help, prayers for their children, and prayers for the workers who will be here to serve them. Then I felt God further impress upon me that by doing so we would be dedicating this place to Him, and to the work that He will continue to do here for years and years to come.

You see, this building, and these facilities belong to the government. When the renovations are complete, and the offices are inhabited I'm sure that they will hold some sort of ceremony to commemorate the event. But I am certain that it won't involve prayer, and I'm certain that it won't involve asking the Holy Spirit to inhabit this place. Just as God has opened the door for us as a ministry to work and serve here for the time being, it is His perfect timing that allows us to be part of filling the walls with prayers, that allows us to evoke His presence and His spirit upon this place. It is His timing that allows us to be able to dedicate this place to the Lord, the way it ought to be. So, while the ladies group was here we did just that.

When we arrived at the facilities I explained the history of how God opened this door for us to serve here, and I shared my heart behind wanting to claim the place for Him. And then we we began to worship in a brand new way. We broke out our sharpee markers and began writing, as the Lord led each one to participate in their own special ways. Some walked around praying for various rooms, laying hands on the walls, occasionally singing songs of praise. The majority spent the time writing prayers, and psalms, and songs, and scriptures, and promises from God's word all over the place. We wrote all over on the inside of partitions we have been building for the offices, we wrote on metal studs and on the back of the drywall that was still exposed in many places, and on drywall sheets that have yet to be hung.

Towards the end of the time we began to pray more corporately in groups, and then closed together in prayer and song. It was an amazing experience - I'm so glad that God, in His creativeness shared the idea with me! I know that we as a group were blessed to be a part of the dedication, and I cannot wait to see and hear the testimonies of the ways the Lord will touch peoples lives for years and years.

Our Part of a Pre-Emptive Strike

2010-12-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

When the World Health Organization spits out a number like 148,000,000 orphans world-wide, it's difficult to even know how to respond. That number is staggering. We as a ministry have been realizing for the past year or two that we need God's creativity on this one, because it's time to start thinking outside of the box. We cannot house, feed, and educate 148 million children and teens, at least not in the traditional ways that we have done it in the past. In our attempts to reach out to orphans, there is a part of our heart as an organization that keeps challenging us to think about how we can do our part to "solve the orphan problem". Behind this idea is the thought that if you can reach the mother, or the family, and help them stay together, then we are in essence "solving the orphan problem". And of course it is easier to help take care of 30 mothers, than it is to take care of their 90 offspring, once they hypothetically end up in a children's home. So, here in Cancun, God has opened a door where we believe that we can do a little bit more of just that.

We have begun to partner with a program through the local government that provides services to teenage mothers, ages 12 to 17. Last week, with our visiting women's group, we were able to spend a couple of hours with these young ladies and their babies. We decided to throw them a Christmas Party. The women brought plastic boxes, complete with pink or blue lids, and then together we filled them with baby clothes, blankets, diaper cream, baby soap, lotion, diapers, and formula (according to the need of the particular babies, for those already born). We brought crafts, and we brought cameras and printers to take pictures of moms with their babies.

We set up a nursery area, where many of our visitors and our staff helped to take care of the babies so that the mothers could relax and get the most out of our time that we had prepared for them. We began with a skit. The skit was about a princess who had forgotten about her beauty because evil in the world had stollen it away. The prince, however, representing Jesus - rescued the princess from evil, and helped her to remember who she was created to be. Following the skit we gave them their gifts - and by a miracle of God there were enough boxes, right down to enough blue lids for those with boys, and pink lids for those with girls! The next chunk of time we allowed the girls to decorate their new boxes with their child's name, or however they wanted to. What struck me as I watched them was that for one small chunk of time we were allowing them to be "little girls" again. Their lives' experiences have stollen away their ability to be girls anymore, but I watched in awe as God gifted them the chance to be a girl, even if only for a short period of time. Following the decorating we set up a lunch to share together with them, while two women from the group shared their testimonies of Christ working in their lives. Both of the testimonies were quite powerful, and I found myself wondering how in the world we had gained this entrance into this government program, as well as wondering what on earth the workers must be thinking of us.

The young girls had a great time. They were blessed in many ways, and were extremely thankful for all we were able to do for them. The women who came to serve with us were blessed to serve, blessed to help hold babies, and blessed to be a part of giving to such brave young ladies. We as a staff were blessed with the timeliness of this group of ladies as we've only just begin building a relationship with them, as well as with this program.

We look forward to where God will continue to lead us with this program, and how He might allow us to be a part of this pre-emptive strike in the lives of this young women and their babies.

Christmas Comes to Cancun

2010-12-05T21:59:00.000-08:00

For the past week we've had 25 guests staying with us - they were here with the sole purpose of spreading Christmas cheer to the children, teens, and families that God has put in our path over the past few months.

17 women and one man (dear friend, and recording artist Craig Aven), along with 7 of our fellow staff women from Monterrey came together to join us in a schedule that only God himself could have put together. And what we experienced together was nothing short of miraculous.

Traditionally this Women's Christmas Trip descends upon Monterrey each year, but this year they made the decision to join in on what God was doing here - and we have no doubt that their visit was timely.

Before the women came we explained that many of our ministry relationships here in Cancun are new, and still being formed. We explained that the experience would be very different from what they might be used to in Monterrey. But that nonetheless we were excited to have them, and we knew that God would bless our time together. And He did JUST THAT. Together we saw lives blessed, and hearts won over to the Lord. When you experience the Lord in such real ways, you yourself cannot help but be impacted. Our prayer for ourselves, for the women who partnered with us this week, and for the many lives we were able to touch this week is that we would ALL be forever changed. Changed by what we've seen, changed because of what we've touched, and changed by the miracle that is God's grace and His love for each of us. What a great, great way to enter the Christmas season - reminded that God is a God who still does miracles, who still changes lives.

The Changed Life of a Van Driver

2010-12-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

I love how God crosses our paths with people - especially when it's not at all what we were expecting. Take for instance, an unsuspecting van driver.

During our first ever missions team here in Cancun, God brought an incredible man across our path. His name is Mauro. He works for the van rental company that we "happened" to use that week. His boss was the friend of a man we met, who sold us some insurance...but the long story made short is that God intended for our paths to cross - I'm sure of it.

Mauro has a great heart. When we met him he did not profess to know the Lord, but yet there was just something special about him. He was already being moved by God. God had already begun to give him a heart for the hurting, for the needy, for the hopeless. God had already given him a desire to reach out to others - to be a helping hand. And now, God crosses his path with Back2Back Cancun - and although I'm not entirely sure where the story is headed, I just have a strong feeling that it's got a great ending.

You see, during the first couple of hours that I had met Mauro I had this funny feeling that he might one day work with us, but I didn't even know him. Mauro had a lot of questions about us. What were we about? Who did we serve? Why do we serve? But soon the loudest, and most repeated question became, "How can I be involved?" Somehow, I believe the Lord has allowed himself to be seen in the things that we are about, and the things we are doing here in Cancun. And whatever it is that God has allowed Mauro to see, well...it's attractive to him...he wants to be a part of it...he wants more.

Mauro and his family ended up joining our group for church on Sunday, he joined in with us on his day off, and he even offered to help with an early morning airport run that was not during his normal work hours. The final day that the men were here we invited Mauro to join us for a time of prayer. It was a precious moment as he spoke up during the prayer to ask, "Can I say something?"...and then he went on to give thanks to God in his own simple, child-like faith. It was incredible. I love watching someone who is "getting it" for the very first time. It's inspiring, it's miraculous...watching a heart understand who the Lord is for the very first time.

I cannot wait to watch what God wants to continue to do in and through the life of Mauro. I truly hope that he continues to allow our paths to cross.

When God Breaks Our Hearts

2010-12-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

After visiting Lucy and her family I asked our contact from DIF, Claudia, if she could think of another young mother that we might be able to visit the next day. She immediately shared with me that she thought God was laying it on her heart to introduce us to a mother by the name of Oti. She explained that Oti lived just a few minutes from the DIF offices, and that her husband had recently passed away, leaving her alone with a number of children.

Now, I don't like to think of myself as being numb, or hardened at all, none of us do, right? But I have to confess that my mind already began to make judgements about the situation. I thought to myself..."They only live five minutes from the DIF (social services) offices, how needy can they be?" I was wondering why on earth we were going to see this women, who certainly couldn't be all that needy, and it wasn't even the type of situation that I had requested to see. I should have known all along that God has a special appointment in mind.

The next day we pulled up in front of Oti's house. We approached the house and Claudia stopped us to explain a little more about the situation. She explained that Oti's husband had just died of AIDS, leaving her with absolutely nothing - leaving her alone, sick, in need of a hernia operation, and fending for herself and her eight children, ranging in age for 14 to 6 months.

We entered her home, and I was immediately struck by the horrendous conditions in which they lived in. A family of 9 - living in what I can best describe as a space that might be used by an auto mechanic - it was a space with one bedroom, one full-size mattress, two hammocks, a make-shift kitchen, and a bunch of things that I personally was thinking needed hauled off to a dump. Nonetheless, this was the HOME to this family of 9.

They literally had almost nothing. They had little to know food. Her children had no shoes. Not one of the 8 children are enrolled in school. The 14 year old dropped out of school after first grade, but not one of the others have ever been in school.

The mother explained to us her recent feelings of desperation. How she barely has enough to feed her children, let alone buy them shoes, or pay for the things they would need to attend school. She shared that on many occasions she has considered giving her six month old son away.

In that moment God broke my heart. He broke my heart for this woman. He broke my heart for her children. He broke my heart for their situation. He broke my heart for the things that break His heart.

I was moved by this woman who desperately desires to fight to keep her family together. I was moved by the fact that we as a family, and as a ministry, need to help this women to do just that. It's just one case, but it's one more reason why I believe God has brought us to Cancun. He has intersected our lives with one mother, and her 8 children. God has allowed us to step in, and play a part in helping to keep a family together as we seek his wisdom and creativity to solve the orphan problem, one child at a time.

Some of Oti's children

Mau and Mauro (a new friend) talking with Oti

In The Middle Of Nowhere

2010-11-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

So, after working most of the day in the future site of the teen pregnancy center, we really wanted the team to meet a couple of the young moms so that they would even better understand the who, and the why behind the work we were doing.

We met up with the director of the pregnancy program, and headed off to two "scheduled" visits. First of all you have to know that these houses are seemingly in the middle of nowhere, and the road conditions are, well...less than desirable.

We arrived at the first home only to find out that the young girl had taken her baby to see a doctor because she had been ill. Yet somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the reason that we were out here in the middle of no where. One of my co-workers asked if we could buy some groceries from a local store, and then we asked WHO in the neighborhood was in need. Immediately we were directed to a house, where we went and introduced ourselves. We soon learned that it was the home of a mom, dad, and their twelve-year-old son. They were one of the happiest families you could meet. They invited us in to see their home, and introduced us to their son. The mother then picked him up, revealing that he was paralyzed, and unable to control neither his legs, nor his arms. He had been left paralyzed after a fall when he was about one year old. We encouraged the family, and took time to pray with them. Praying for them and for their son. Again, not knowing exactly why God took us there, in the middle of nowhere, to not meet who we were expecting to meet, but yet I have no doubt that God had us arrive at the "right" house.

From there we went on to visit one more brave young lady - by the name of Lucy. Lucy is sixteen years old, and has a two-month old baby named Ruth. Lucy is deaf in one ear, and unable to afford the hearing apparatus she needs. Her baby requires special formula, and she often cannot afford to buy it. She is the oldest of five children, and in addition to taking care of her own child, she is left with the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings from 4:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. while her mom works as a maid, making about $50 US dollars a week.

Lucy's house literally feels like it is in the middle of nowhere, but it's her home. It took us about 45 minutes to get there, but at least half of that time was right in their neighborhood on bumpy, mudpuddle-filled, streets of dirt. It felt like we'd never arrive.

Her house, like most of them in their neighborhood, was made of part cinder-block, and part whatever else they could find laying around. The floor is dirt. There is no electricity, there is no running water, there is no sewage. It is a difficult situation. Lucy has made the brave choice to keep her baby. She desires to be a good mom to Ruth, but she has an up-hill battle to fight.

Lucy is just one of the hundreds of teenagers in the Cancun area in this situation. We realize that if we can help Lucy, we will not only help her, but we will help to assure that her baby is cared for. If we help Lucy, we will be helping to eliminate the orphan problem in the world. It's daunting, the fact that there are hundreds and thousands of Lucy's in Cancun. We certainly do not know what it looks like yet, but we believe that God has some future for Back2Back in this area of ministry, and we long to understand more of what it will look like, and how God himself will continue to lead us in this area.

Our first "scheduled" visit

The house of the 12 year old paralyzed boy

Lucy and her baby, Ruth

In front of Lucy's house

Three of Lucy's younger siblings

Walking Through The Doors

2010-11-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

In our short time here in Cancun, we have seen God open a number of doors. We, as his children, in our attempt to remain obedient just continue to walk through those doors every time they are opened up for us.

One such door opened up for us part way through this fall when God gave us the chance to partner with some local government programs. We met with some individuals involved in local government, and social services in our area. In what was a very surreal, God-moment, in the midst of us explaining who we were and what we do the women were overcome with emotion at the fact that we are a Christian organization. In fact, they shared with us that God had told them we were coming, but they just didn't know when!

We cannot know for sure where this open door will lead - but for the time being, God has made it clear to us that there are two local programs where we are to partner. One is with the area children's shelter care. This is a government facility where children stay temporarily when they have been removed from their homes for abuse/neglect/investigations, etc. The second is with a program for teenage mothers. One current need was for people to partner with this program in helping to ready some facilities where the young mom's can receive services. As a ministry we were thrilled to see a need, and know how to meet it.

One day last week, with our visiting missions team, we were able to do some dry wall work, and some painting to help advance on the project just a bit. Again, we realize more and more that we cannot see exactly where God might lead us with this relationship, but for today, while the need exists, and the door is open - we're walking through it!

The Not-So-Shabby Accomodations

2010-11-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

So...on our way home from the airport with our first ever mission team, they began to ask about the accommodations where they'd be staying. They teasingly asked if it'd be a 5 star hotel. I quickly told them, "Well, it's not exactly 5 stars, maybe 3 or 4, but the catch is that you have to put together your own bed." It was true, by the way - that first afternoon we spent the hours with our first 7 guests assembling and setting up the guests rooms, and making the very beds where they would stay. Following our afternoon of work we enjoyed a great hamburger cookout together with our family - a great way to begin our days together.

Now, as far as how it is that God led us to this house we're renting....it is a long story, one likely better told in person, but the truth is that God provided us with excellent, comfortable, and very safe accommodations for this first year of ministry here in Cancun.

As we began to look around at our rental options most of what we saw were medium to small size three-bedroom houses. We were quickly realizing that we would be hard-pressed to find a place where visiting missions teams could actually stay with our family. One option became apparent that we might be able to rent houses on the same street, or in the same neighborhood, but it still didn't seem quite right. The first of about 7 realtors we met that week (way back in June during a scout trip) tried to pressure us into making a quick decision and suggested we rent multiple three bedroom houses on the same street - and very rudely explained that we'd "never find what we were looking for".

Well, if there is something we know about our God, it's that there is nothing impossible for Him. So, as God would have it, He led us to a realtor who showed us a six bedroom house - with both space for our family of 8, as well as visiting missions teams - and as an extra bonus the same owner had a second house for rent next door for Mau, Lizy and their boys (our co-laborers with Back2Back). We weren't convinced it would work out, but left from that trip prayerful about God providing for us the perfect place, and the funds to make it happen.

As it turns out, about 4 days later, God orchestrated a conversation between me and a man who God would prompt to cover one years rent for the ministry house in Cancun - unbelievable! I love what my God can do! And all the time I love to remember the realtor who said we would "never find" what we were looking for.

Our First Missions Team

2010-11-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

As we continue to be in one of those seasons of "firsts", we've just experienced a BIG one. This week we had our first ever mission team come and partner with us at Back2Back Cancun. After years of ministering with BAck2Back in Monterrey of course we are acustomed to working with missions teams - but there was something different, something monumental about this one.

Really we have been preparing for this team ever since we arrived three months ago. Or rather, I should say that God has been doing the prep work. Never the less, as the days drew closer for the team's arrival our minds were filled with questions: Would we be "ready"? Would they have a good experience? Would things go smoothly with our still-new relationships we have been building here among children's homes, and in the community? Would the visits, the projects, the meals, the ministry come off the way we were expecting? How and where would we see God show up, and show Himself on "the scene" here in our midst in Cancun?

On Wednesday the 17th, our first seven guests arrived from Cincinnati, and then on Friday the 19th, six more men joined in from Indianapolis. What a GREAT GROUP God put together! Of course He always puts together amazing teams, but being our first one here, there was something special in seeing who He brought along. We greatly enjoyed serving together, the memories made, and watching for those "God moments" all around us.

Now as I write this our first mission team has already come and gone. It's been a good six days, no...it's been a great six days. All day we've been debriefing in our minds, in our hearts, and aloud...exactly what has happened in our midst - and the countless ways that we have watched God at work. We have a handful of stories that we can't wait to share, and pictures to highlight each day. So...be sure to stay tuned to the blog as we begin to collect our thoughts, crop our pictures, and do our part to continue to make God famous.

3 Strikes doesn't necessarily mean that I'm out!

2010-11-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

Oh man, I had a bad ministry morning. This picture here isn't from this visit, but I wanted you to see the girl that I am writing about, her name is Teresa.

Matt and Mau left to pick up our first group on Wed. which is the day we normally go to the government shelter. So, Lizy and I went alone and had a plan of a few games and an activity.

After arriving Lizy explained the game to the kids and as they began to play this game it was clear that everyone understood the rules but me. I tried to involve myself but kept getting run over and I wanted to help Lizy referee the game but again didn't know what was going on. And so, I stood, feeling a bit like a loser, on the wall and just watched everyone. Strike 1.

When the game ended a group of girls who had apparently been the winners ran over to me for their prize, something we always do, a piece of candy. Except I forgot to bring any candy with me. This 8 yr. old girl Teresa was especially disappointed and it showed. I felt bad and so dug throughout my backpack for anything, a piece of gum - maybe a cough drop, but nope, I had nothing. Strike 2.

Finally it was time for the craft activity, something I am usually good at.. My staff friend Lizy pulled out some paper and limes and explained that we were going to draw on the paper with lime juice. And though we wouldn't be able to see anything at first, we would hold a flame under the paper and a secret message would appear. Well, how cool is that right? The kids were excited and so I waited with the lighter to perform my magic trick and light up their little faces. However, as the kids came one by one, nothing showed up on the paper no matter how close I held the flame. Most of the kids laughed and thought is was even amusing that our little idea didn't work. One that was not amused was Teresa. I tried her paper and nothing of course happened. I went on to try others but she kept getting back in line with her precious piece of paper that she had taken the time to draw something special on. We promised her a secret message and she wanted to see it. Again and again, with an ever saddening face she came back to shove her paper under my nose insisting that I keep trying. By this time my lighter was heating up and that little wheel part was kinda burning my thumb, so after several attempts I told her, "I'm so sorry this didn't work, we'll try something different next week." Stike 3.

Lizy sat down to talk with the kids a bit before we left but Teresa didn't join us. With tears running down her eyes she sat against the wall smoothing out her paper and tracing invisible lines with her finger. I felt horrible. I sat next to her against the wall and of course she handed me her paper since I still had the lighter. I tried again and again, my thumb completely burning now on the iron hot lighter. Suddenly, in my eagerness to make it work I had the flame too close to the paper and it caught of fire. I blew it out and apologized -in response she ripped off the burnt part and threw it on the ground, turning her back to me.

I didn't play with her. I didn't have any candy for her. I hyped up this great craft that actually didn't work. Definitely a strike out. She felt terrible. I felt terrible.

As I headed to the gate to leave I noticed a child running up to me. It was Teresa. She threw her arms around me and gave me a huge long hug. I was shocked! I was sure she hated me. I hugged her back and promised a better visit next time. She hugged me a second time and walked back to her dorm. I thought she needed me to play, to give, to do. She just needed me to care. It made me think about some of our short term trip participants who feel like they stike out - they don't speak Spanish, they don't know how to play soccer, they feel like they didn't bring the right kind of donations.... I know now, more than ever that the children we work with really just need to know that we care, and because of that every minute spent with a child is really a homerun!

One of my favoites

2010-10-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

As a mom you're not supposed to have a favorite child, I try not to with the kids we work with either. But as I've spent time at Casa Hogar Esperanza it's just happened. This is Yamir. He's only 1 yr. and some months old but he is tall and super chubby, I just want to squeeze him constantly! He has only one word that I can distinguish and it is "Mom". Isn't this a child's most important word? He calls the woman who lives with him full time "Mom" and she (along with her husband) is doing all she can to take care of him. She, however is advancing in age, she has cancer and also diabetes. (Along with 14 other children living in the home) When she asks for us to pray for her she always asks that we pray for her sleep. Because Yamir is so young, he wakes up at night and wakes her up often. One part of me realizes that this is because she has shown him so much love, it means he sees her as available to him, even at night. Many kids who live in children's' homes train themselves well to sleep through the night because there is no one for them to go to anyways. My heart goes out to Ester, the house Mom who is doing her best with her bad health and also to Yamir who needs so badly to have a Mom that can give her all to him. Pray with me that God would bless Ester's health and sleep and also that Yamir would continue to grow up knowing that he is loved and cared for, not only by his house parents, but even more so by Jesus.

Cure For The Blues

2010-10-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

During a recent visit to Casa Hogar Esperanza we arrived to find six year old Paola home sick for the day with the Chicken Pox. No sickness is fun of course, but there is something extra miserable about Chicken Pox. You don't feel good, you're itchy, you'r not allowed to scratch the million places that are itchy, and you have to remain in lock-down so that you don't spread your lovely breakout to others. So, needless to say, poor Paola was not in the best of spirits. When we left and pulled away from the children's home, I knew that we needed to do something special for this poor girl to let her know just how much she was loved.

Upon arriving home I had a chance to talk with my daughters about this "poor little girl", and discussed what we might be able to do for her to cheer her up. We decided that the best prescription for Paola was a new teddy bear. So I enlisted the help of my girls, and we were off to go shopping. My girls were a great help. They had a lot of insight and little girl wisdom into what would be the perfect one. It had to be just the right size, easy to hug, the perfect softness, and of course the perfect color too. It was quite the endeavor, but we finally found just the right one!

The next morning Matt and I were able to go back to Esperanza and deliver the bear to Paola. It instantly brought a smile to her face as she embraced her new bear. We hope that the bear can be a reminder to sweet Paola not just that our family cares about her, but much more - that she has a heavenly Father who loves her, and who will never leave her side.

Our First Cenote

2010-10-13T06:06:00.001-07:00

So, what even is a "cenote" you might be asking yourself, and rightly so. It's basically a natural sink whole, or underground caverns filled with water. It just so happens that they are ALL over the place around here. So with our first-ever-visitors, Ruby and Jessica, we decided to check one out!

Friends of ours pointed us in a good direction to find a good place to go, but because there are so many cenotes, we just randomly chose one of the first ones we came across. It was called Cenote Siete Bocas (Seven Mouths). Upon arrival we began talking with the caretaker, negotiated a price for our entrance, and began to "suit up" with life vests. Then we walked over to the first "mouth" where we were to enter the ground/water, and let's just say it looked a little bit scary! Not to mention names, but one of visitors was about to back out, haha! So, I had to put on my brave face, so the kids, and maybe the other adults wouldn't panic. After submerging ourselves, and beginning to swim, all was well. There was one "mouth" where you could get out, and jump back in, and the kids had a blast!

Overall thoughts: Once you're in the cave, and in the water, it's not as scary as it looks. The water levels were high, so we could not swim to two of the mouths, and the clearance between two (where we had to swim) was like 8-12 inches of air space - a little freaky, but an adventure to say the least. Not likely that we'll re-visit this particular cenote, but I'm looking forward to trying out another one sometime soon!

Corinna, overcoming her fear!

Jake, down in one of the "mouths" after jumping!

This DARK hole is where we entered the cenote!

Jessica, Ruby and Julie

Open Doors

2010-10-13T05:23:00.000-07:00

There are times in life when you want so badly to know exactly what God would have you to do. There are times when it feels more unclear, and there are times when a door seems to literally open up before you. We are in a season of doors opening up. Sometimes wide open, and sometimes just a crack...but nonetheless, they are opening. We continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give discernment and wisdom - but for now, unless we feel otherwise directed, we're beginning to walk through those doors.

An unexpected door recently opened up for us. One that we don't know exactly where it's going, or for how long it will be open, or even exactly what we are supposed to do while we're inside.

After weeks of trying to make a contact with the DIF (basically the Mexican version of Family and Social Services) we were finally contacted by them. We visited, and although I feel I cannot share many details at this point in time, it was one of those moments when you very clearly see that God showed up way before you did. In other words, it was almost as if they had been waiting on us to show up!

They invited us to come on a weekly basis, and facilitate some activities for the children and teens who are living in the CAT (Casa de Asistencia Temporal) - which is a temporary shelter for kids who have been placed in protective custody by the authorities - sometimes for abuse, for neglect, or for an investigation that may be in process involving their family. There is roughly a population of 40-45 kids at any given time.

We have only had the chance to go once, but it was a great start. It was a chance to begin forming relationships. It was a chance to walk in obedience, and to walk in faith - a chance to walk through an open door. We do not know where the relationship will take us, or for how long we will have the opportunity - but we want to make the most of what God has so clearly given.

Here are a few pictures from our first opportunity to interact with the children at the DIF.

Caleb Turns Three

2010-10-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Our "baby" turned 3 this year. I can say that, because at 36 my mom still refers to me as her baby. It's hard to believe he is already 3! He likes to remind us nearly daily that he's not a baby, he's a "big boy". It's been a fall of tons of transition for all of our kids, but Caleb has certainly taken it all in stride. Even though he's in a new city, a new house, a new school, he continues to amaze me just how well he does with it all. Every once in awhile he asks when we're going to "our house" (referring to our home in Monterrey) - and for some reason it strikes me as funny that only when we pull into our neighborhood does he clarify, "This is Cancun, Daddy?"

We love our little guy so very much. We've been through so much with him this past year. He is a testimony of God's faithfulness, and healing to us everyday. His teachers are quite impressed with his Spanish skills, he's beginning to learn French this year as well, and he's in a soccer club three days a week after school. He is all boy. He was excited when we picked him up from soccer practice a few days ago because he had fallen and hurt his elbow...but he was quite proud of the "boo boo"! His spare moments are filled with begging to go swimming, or playing/pretending Shrek, Toy Story, or Avatar (Air Benders). He likes to go around asking us all, "Who are you?"...which at any given moment means, "What character are you playing in my imaginary world right now?" He likes to assign us, and for some reason Julie and I are usually Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head from Toy Story...go figure!

Caleb, Mommy and Daddy love you so very much. We already see so many strengths in you as someone who God wants to use to be a leader. We continue to declare blessings over you in Jesus name - and trust Him to guide you in His ways as you grow into the boy he created you to be.

Caleb on his 3rd Birthday

A Few Graduation Shots

2010-09-28T21:26:00.001-07:00

Saul, Marcos, Matt and Omar

Marcos

Omar

Saul

The graduates with Leo and Edgar

Felicidades hijos! Estamos super orgullosos de los tres!

Los amamos, Matt & Julie

Comfy Jeans

2010-09-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Do you ever despise putting your jeans on when they're freshly cleaned? Or of course, even worse fresh out of the dryer? You know how when you first get them out of the dryer, and you try to put them on you're almost certain someone ran them back to the store and switched them for jeans 2 sizes smaller. Or for one second you think they might be your wife's or your son's jeans. They just don't feel right. You just can't breath the way you think you ought to be able to breath. You're not quite sure you're even going to be able to sit down. And suddenly you wish you had NOT eaten dessert the night before.

You know, however, we all know - that once you've had them on a few hours they'll feel better. And you know know how they'll feel if you can keep them relatively clean and where them again tomorrow. And triple bonus if you can wear them three days! Those are some comfy jeans - and I love wearing them!

I got to wear my comfy jeans this weekend. Three of "our boys" as I still refer to them graduated a few days ago. Saul and Omar finished their college degrees, and Marcos finished high school - and their ceremony was Friday night. It was painful to not all be able to be there, but Julie and I decided that it was important that I go, and so I made a very last-minute, surprise visit to to Monterrey to see them graduate. It was a really great weekend.

I loved surprising them. I loved being there for their graduation. I loved being on the Monterrey campus. I loved driving around in a city that feels like home. But mostly I loved, loved, loved spending time with my boys. Sharing a special occasion with them. Listening to them. Encouraging them. Reading scripture with them. Laughing together. Making even more special memories. As much as I intended for my surprise to bless them, and be a gift to them - it was ultimately a gift to me from the Lord. Someone else on staff asked me, "What's it like to be back in Monterrey?," and I answered, "It's like wearing my comfy jeans." It feels right. It feels like..."home". It's exactly where I want to be.

I think being in Monterrey over the weekend was an important part of my personal transition. I had some good times with the Lord, some good times of meditation, and a great time in worship at church on Sunday. All weekend long it continued to dawn on me...As much as I love being in Monterrey, it's not what God has for me right now. I felt very much at home being there, but I no longer have a full-time place there. I no longer have a home. That city, and that campus, and those friends, and perhaps most of all "my boys" will be in my heart forever. I long for them, and to be with them, and to know that all is well with them. But God has something new for me right now.

For now, I continue to see and understand that God wants me in Cancun. For now, it's time to put my old, stretched-out, favorite jeans aside. As uncomfortable as it might feel for a season it's time to grab the jeans fresh out of the dryer, and it's time to put them on. They are the exact pair my Father in heaven has picked out for me - so I know they are exactly the ones I need to wear.

Matt out to dinner with the boys in Monterrey

Where You Go I Go

2010-09-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Some might find themselves asking why we've changed the title and address of our blog...or what was the inspiration. Since around Christmastime God has used the the music of Kim Walker and Jesus Culture to greatly encourage us in our pursuit of Jesus. Time and time again God uses the music and the lyrics to draw us into intense times of worship, to challenge us, and to help us to have a mindset of God's Kingdom and desire to see revival, both in us personally and in the world around us.

Back in March we visited Cancun for the first time to begin exploring ministry possibilities. We had some leads, and some people we planned to contact, but for the most part we were desperately waiting on the Lord, and trusting Him to lead us, and to show us what He had for us in this new place. Each morning we would listen to worship music as we focused on the Lord and sought his guidance for the day. Day after day, I found myself drawn to this song, "Where You Go I Go". In my mind, it became my "Cancun song". The truth is, it doesn't matter where we live, where we work, or in what capacity we are serving the Lord - we ALL need the Lord desperately. As a couple, and as a family want to be led by God, and God alone. Jesus continues to be our perfect example of what that looked like. What Jesus said, and what he did was in surrender to his Father, he always followed God's lead. There's a part of this song that says, "How can I expect to walk without you, when every move that Jesus made was in surrender, I would not begin to live without you, for You alone are worthy, and You are always good, you are always good!" This is our inspiration. Jesus is our inspiration - to follow God, to pray as He prays, to be about our Father's business, to go where He goes - wherever He may lead!

Don't Just Stand There!

2010-09-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

There is often something exciting about "new thing", a "new ministry", a "new opportunity". All of the endless possibilities of what "could be". A trail to be blazed, a new land to be conquered! We've tried to keep that excitement about us as we've set off on this new adventure to Cancun. However, in recent days I was finding myself a little bit down. Thinking about what we've left behind. Getting myself overly-focused on the challenges, and seeing them as things I didn't want to confront. Feeling not good enough, not strong enough, not ready. Feeling like this isn't looking like I thought it would. Thinking that the doors that are opening are opening too slow. Wondering why some people have to be convinced before they let you serve them. And wondering why in the world I followed God to this place when I was perfectly happy where I was in Monterrey. Or did He call me at all? Is this just something ridiculous we made up? My focus was shifting to the obstacles, toward all the negative, to myself, and the enemy was bringing discouragement, doubt and lies. For a short period of time, it might have appeared to him that he was winning, but praise God for stepping in.

Sunday morning we decided to visit yet another new church, our third one in three weeks. We visited a church called VidaLife Cancun. It's a bilingual fellowship where they do everything in Spanish and English. It was extremely refreshing. For the first time since we moved here we felt at home during worship - and God knew we needed it. He also knew that I needed to hear the sermon. In many ways it was quite simple, but yet isn't that the way it usually goes? What we most need to hear from the Lord is something we already know. In fact, it's typically something we've heard hundreds of times, but we just needed to hear it anew.

The pastor, Alfonso, spoke about how God who is perpetually moving forward. God's will and purposes always get done. His work goes forward. God invites us to join Him, and we always have the choice. Join in with God's perpetual forward movement, or stand still where we are. We can always chose to just stand still, but He and His work will get done, and will keep moving forward - many times that means God finds someone else to get the work done. When we decide to be obedient and follow along, and play in the part He has for us there is a blessing. When we stand still we often miss out on that blessing. What began to strike me the most was the reminder that when God invites us to join Him, and to move at his pace with Him, we never have all the answers or know all the details, but none-the-less we are called to follow in obedience. I knew this, but the enemy wanted be to be distracted from what I already knew. I'm so grateful for God's reminder to me, and always for his timing.

Before hearing the message I was doubting why we were here in Cancun, why I had said YES to God, and wondering what on earth He is wanting to do with us here. For me, Sunday's sermon was the reminder I needed that all those details don't matter right now. The important thing is that I'm not standing still. The important thing is that we chose to be obedient in saying YES to what God had for us next - and we need to just keep walking in faith. I'm so thankful that He invited us to join Him, and I'm so excited that we get to be part of bringing His Kingdom to Cancun.

A Little Extra Time & Attention

2010-09-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Julie with Perla from Casa Hogar San Jose

During our visit to Casa Hogar San Jose this past week we just so happened to arrive during homework hour. I know that in our own home that homework hour can be...well, lets just say stressful. One of the workers was sitting at a table with about four grade school aged children, and was overseeing the task. When we asked if we could help you could almost see the stress melt away from her face, almost as if to say, "Where have you been all my life?". She pretty much jumped up from the table, and moved on to other tasks, equally as important I'm sure.

Julie and I spent the next 45 minutes or so sitting with Jorgito and Perla. Both in the third grade, and both struggling to do their homework. It didn't take long to realize why. When I asked Jorge to read the next sentence he grimaced, and shyly admitted, I can't really read. Julie, on the other side of the table with Perla, was having a similar conversation.

Letter by letter, syllable by syllable, they struggled through their homework assignments - but before you know it, we had accomplished what they needed to do for the day. We noticed something. They are both really bright kids. And they both were really loving the extra attention. Jorge and Perla are just two kids who have ended up living in a children's home for one reason or another. And they just need a little extra help.

We know, from helping our own kids with their homework, that it is always more productive when you're able to give them the one-on-one attention and time that they need - especially when they are struggling in a particular area. For Jorge, perhaps it's because his teacher, and the workers at the casa hogar don't have the extra time to invest in him that he needs. For Perla, perhaps it's because she was not enrolled in school when she lived with her birth family and has been trying to catch up ever since.

What we know for sure is that God led us to two kids who need a little extra help, and He's allowed us to have a little extra time on our hands to do so. We can already see God growing our hearts for this place, and for these kids, and it's all such a great reminder of why He's brought us here. We're already looking forward to going to help with homework again this week.

Laundry: From a different perspective

2010-09-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what it's like in your house, but in our house one job that seems to go on forever is laundry. With eight of us in the house there are constantly dirty clothes to be turned inside out, stains to be scrubbed on, loads and loads of clothes to be washed, to be dried, towels to be folded, socks to be sorted, and then for me the dreaded putting it all away! It seems to pretty much never end. Of course as our kids grow we involve them more and more in the process, but somehow the brunt of the job always happens to fall on mom and dad, and well, I have to admit that sometimes I can start to hate the task.

On a recent visit to Casa Hogar San Jose I realized how ridiculous it is that I would ever complain about the amount of laundry that we have in our house, and even more so that I would complain about the process.

During our visit we began to talk with the director about her future projects, and about the most urgent needs as she sees them. She immediately talked about wanting more "wash boards" so that they could continue to teach the children to wash their own clothes. At first I wasn't even sure I had heard right. They wanted WASH BOARDS? I thought to myself, does she realize how quickly we could raise money to buy them a new washing machine? Then I realized, they actually have a washing machine. However, as they think about the long-term needs of the children, they realize that because of their financial situations most of them will likely never own a washing machine, and so it's actually more valuable that they understand how to wash their clothes by hand. I have to admit, it was a momentary shock and a lesson for my very western, very non-third world mind.

The director then went on to show us where they currently dry their clothes. It was a shabby little lean-to of a shack where they hang their clothes to dry. She explained that the roof of the lean-to is made of heavy-duty cardboard material, and that it's giving out, and starting to leak on the clothes when it rains. And since it rains almost daily in this area that is a considerable problem. Again, in our minds, we would be quick to wonder why they couldn't benefit from a gas dryer. However, the expense of the gas is not worth it to them as they prioritize and budget for the needs of the children in their care.

A dozen kids. A dozen kids' dirty laundry. And they don't even use a conventional washer and dryer. I quickly made an agreement with my mind to try not to complain about our own situation the next time it seems I'm 'wasting time' on the laundry. I have so much to learn. Both from God, and from those we have come to serve. Maybe in the long-term they'll decide they do want a dryer, or perhaps one day they'll desire to wash their clothes in a washing machine. In the meantime, however, I want to see as they see. Right now the most urgent need is more wash boards, and a new roof for their lean-to where they dry their clothes.

What a great reminder for me. What a great reminder of the importance of taking time to truly understand the need from the perspective of the one with the need. God help me to always keep that perspective.

Mau, Julie & Lizy talking with the director at Casa Hogar San Jose

Waiting For Our Return

2010-09-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Matt with Jorgito from Casa Hogar San Jose

Months ago - I'd have to say it was in late January, or February, but for sure before we came for our first exploration trip - I dreamed of meeting a young boy in Cancun. I'm not sure that I could describe much detail from the dream, other than the fact that I remember entering a children's home and being greeted by ONE boy. A boy that was very happy to see me, and a boy that was very hungry for my attention.

During our first scouting trip here in March we visited a home just outside of Cancun called, Casa Hogar San Jose. It is a very humble children's home run by catholic nuns. The home has 11 children in their care - ten of which are girls, and just one boy - Jorgito.

During our visit in March we spent the afternoon visiting with the caretakers, sharing some donations with them, and interacting with the children. I spent a good chunk of time coloring and playing frisbee with Jorgito. He was extremely hungry for attention - especially what appeared to be for the attention of a man. He stuck to me like glue that afternoon. As we left, and I thought back to my dream it began to click that perhaps Jorgito was the boy from my dream. It wasn't as if they had the same face or anything, but rather, it was what the boy in my dream represented. He represented the obvious need, and he represented that we would be well received.

So now we fast forward almost six months - and it's late August. Julie and I, along with Mau and Lizy went back to visit the Casa Hogar San Jose. We pulled in, and one of the first people to come running to see who we were was Jorgito of course. Keep in mind it's been almost six months - but immediately he says to me, "You're Mateo! I remember you," he said as a greeted me with a big smile.

I couldn't get over it. I had spent all but a couple of hours with the boy, SIX months ago, and it was as if he had been waiting for me to come back. When we walked further onto their property I ran into one of the nuns working at the children's home, the same one who had received us in March. She too immediately remembered us. She said, "You're Matt, from Back2Back. We've been waiting and wondering, but I just figured you weren't coming back at this point."

Excitedly I was able to explain that now we will be living in Cancun full-time, and that we want to serve them in anyway that we can. I really could barely get over the fact that not only the caretaker, but also this small boy very clearly remembered us - and in fact had been waiting for our return. In a prophetic sense this spoke volumes to me. Their very expectancy told me that we are needed here. It was a great moment of confirmation from the Lord that we are exactly where He wants us, that His timing is perfect, and that He indeed plans to use us for his glory in this place - especially in lives like that of Jorgito, and many more just like him.

First On The Scene

2010-08-31T21:27:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how with just a slight shift of my focus I can lose sight of what God's done, how He's led, or what He's promised to do. I mean, even as I let my mind wander and I start to focus on "all that I need to do" I can start to feel overwhelmed, and even alone - almost like I've gotta get the ball rolling - like I need to prepare the way for God.

I've been having plenty of those overwhelmed feelings lately. Overwhelmed that we all have to get up at 5:30 in the morning to get the kids to school on time; overwhelmed that it's so stinkin' hot here, overwhelmed by the ants in the kitchen, and lizards everywhere; overwhelmed that I still get lost, or take a wrong turn at least 50% of the time, overwhelmed with my kids homework in Spanish...and that's just the personal stuff. Then when I start to think about ministry, it's a whole new list. In those moments when fear and panic want to set in I can find myself wondering all the classic questions: why me?, why now?, why here?, and where do we start?

A few days back I needed God to meet me. I needed Him to personally answer some of those questions for me. I mean let's face it, I know I'm not alone - but sometimes I can start to feel that way. It was early morning, the kids were all at school, there was still no internet in the house, so we found ourselves at a famous little coffee place with free Wi-Fi. It was there that the Lord prompted me to read Isaiah chapters 41 and 42.

I have no doubt that I've read those chapters dozens of time in my life - but God had some really special things He wanted to say, and remind me of. Throughout these scriptures the Lord was speaking to me like crazy, but I want to list out just a few of the verses that I found especially encouraging. Starting in verse 10: "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you". Then in verse 13: "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid...do not fear, for I myself will help you." Then in chapter 42:6 it began again, " I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light...to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."

The truth is, the entire reading was overflowing with things God wanted to say to me. Reminders of who God is, how He will come to us, how He will be like water to the thirsty, and will make rivers flow on barren lands, and how He will set people free. I could have not have been more encouraged. I was excited to be able to share it with the rest of our staff team (Julie, Mau and Lizy - haha - yes, all three of them), excited about the direct encouragement from the Lord, and excited about what I believe He wants us all to be a part of here in Cancun. I loved the reminder that He has called me in righteousness, that He is holding my hand, and that He wants to use us in the process of opening the eyes of the blind and setting people free! What could be more encouraging?

A little later in the day I decided to read through the same scriptures in the Message version of the Bible...and one more time, God had something to say to me. Again in chapter 41, this time I read, "Who got things rolling here...Who did this? Who made it happen? Who ALWAYS GETS THINGS STARTED? I did. GOD. I'm the FIRST ON THE SCENE. I'm also the last to leave." It was just what I needed to see in that moment. OF COURSE He is the one who gets it started, He is always the first one on the scene. He led the way, and He's already been here opening up doors, opportunities, and hearts for all that He has in store.

Here we are God, ready and willing to be a part of all that you have in store for the people of Cancun. Lead us, empower us, use us - we are yours. I'll close with one more passage from Isaiah (the Message), this time from chapter 42, "But I'll take the hands of those who don't know the way...I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take...These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

Faith like a Child

2010-08-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Caleb, Caroline, Cami, Jake, Chloe & Corinna

We are so proud of our kids. We actually think they are some of the bravest people we know. As adults we know that it was tough to move from Monterrey to Cancun after seven and a half years of calling it home. For our children, the oldest of whom was 3 when we moved to Mexico, that is even more the case. They literally know nothing else than living on Back2Back's campus in Monterrey. They know nothing else than a life of receiving groups who come to stay in the dorms of LDM. They do not know what it is like to play outside in a neighborhood where you don't completely know and trust everyone you see. And they know nothing else than their sweet little God-send of a school, the Sierra Madre Christian Academy.

So on Monday the 23rd, just four days after pulling into a brand new town, and moving into a brand new house all six of our children began classes at a brand new school. For the 2010-2011 school year they will all be attending a bi-lingual school called St. John's. Chloe and Corinna are in 5th grade, Jake and Cami are in 3rd grade, Caroline is in Kindergarten, and Caleb is in what they call Kinder 1, for three-year-olds. Watching them grow in anticipation for the first day of classes made us as parents far more nervous then most of them were. When we went to drop them off the first day I think Julie and I were both ready to puke - but the did great! They all marched right in...and even had great things to report about meeting new friends at the end of the first day - Praise God!

During a previous visit to the school Chloe was a bit apprehensive about going into another room to take the admission exam without us. In the midst of what was almost a panic attack she literally started praying aloud, and before our very eyes the Lord brought a peace over her, she pulled herself together, and she said, "Ok, I can do this, I'm going to be fine." And she was!

Months ago, when we began talking to our kids about this move, Corinna actually said to us, "You know, I believe God is telling me right now that if this move is what is best for my Mommy and Daddy, then this move is what He has for our whole family - and we're all going to be o.k."

In the moment Corinna spoke those words she had no idea how much her sweet little 10-year-old faith was used to speak to our hearts. She had no idea that the God of the universe spoke to her Mommy and Daddy through her. She was simply listening to God, and speaking in complete faith and obedience, and trusting completely that what God has for us is always the best.

I love watching God develop this kind of faith in Chloe and Corinna. For me as a dad I stand completely amazed at these young ladies that God is shaping before my very eyes. I think we all have a lot to learn from that kind of faith.

Welcome to Cancun

2010-08-29T19:52:00.001-07:00

After a three and half day drive with our six children, pulling our trailer, having covered 1670 miles, and crossing through 14 Mexican states, we finally arrived in Cancun. Once we saw that sign I'm not sure if we were more relieved that we were about to get out of the car, our panicked realizing that there was pretty much no turning back at this point. I seem to remember that Julie just might have let our a scream - and I remember thinking the same thing that I thought when we pulled into Monterrey in March of 2003, "What on earth have we done?"

We have no doubt whatsoever that God has very clearly called us to this new city, and to this new venture, and to this next chapter of our life. However, in this moment, when all that you once knew was gone, and you are surrounded by everything new - it's, well, it's extremely overwhelming.

We very much look forward to all that God has to reveal in the coming days, weeks, months, and years...but for now we simply have to close eyes and walk in complete blind faith. It feels in this moment that we've bitten off more than we can chew, that God must have chosen the wrong people, that we just want to go back to everything we know and love. However, we know that what lies ahead is the greatest adventure of our lifetime, because we know that God is a God who never ceases to surprise us. He has promised that He has great things in store for this season, for this place, and for the people of Cancun. Now we just have to begin to listen, and watch for where He wants to begin to lead. Let the adventure begin!