Update February 14, 2008

Well, Hi! – to borrow a phrase from friend

Hope all is well with you and yours today.

I realized that we hadn’t sent out an update recently to fill you in on some of the “goings-on” here in Mexico.

To start off, the family – single mom and her children – that we had asked you to pray for disappeared on us. No one is sure where they went but the best guess is that the mom had a sister with whom she could stay. Unfortunately, too often women involved in abusive relationships end up going back with the abuser. We continue to pray for her.

Next, we have electricity at Hope House! Praise God! We just need to do some rewiring – grounding the entire system, adding breakers, running the correct gauge wires.

Also, I finished my first full week working for the new Wal-Mart in San Luis, AZ. It was an eight day week, setting up the displays and beginning to stock merchandise. Some of you may be aware that this winter the electric company in our town, which is a federal agency, quadrupled the rates for electricity, where we were paying $40-$60/month in the winter, our bills have been between $250 and $280 and we don’t even have central heat! Needless to say, that severely taxed our budget. With the new Wal-Mart opening in San Luis, AZ, just across the border, I saw an opportunity to provide for the family without overtaxing the ministry. I knocked on the door and it opened, so I walked through it. We are grateful for all of you who have been faithfully supporting us and ask that, as the Lord leads, you continue to do so in order to allow the work of the Father’s heart to be established here in Mexico.

And speaking of the work being established, we have confirmed a Short Term Missions Team from northern California for Easter week. The leaders whom we’ve met have great enthusiasm and a heart to see the work of Hope House established for the sake of the Kingdom.

We appreciate your prayers and would love to hear from you. BTW – Erica’s having great fun on the family blog – The Sojourner. Check it out if you haven’t already!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.

On This Night so long ago

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Luke 2:8-18 The Message

Requested List of Needs for HHI

Greetings to one and all and warm greetings to most of you with your first taste of winter!! Brrrrrr!

Recently, we had been asked to put together a list of needs, those items which we good use to get Hope House up and running now that we have a building.

Please find below just such a list. We are grateful to all who have been able to help and to everyone who has been praying for us and the work here in Mexico.

Hope House needs list:

1. Activate electricity at building:

a. $100 to pay off existing electric bill

b. Move electric pole after IFC (Mexican electric company) cuts wires

c. $100 reconnect fee

d. New meter box and breakers

2. Rewire existing breaker boxes and circuits

3. Sewing Machines

4. Sewing Machine and sewing accessories

a. thread, bobbins, machine needles, sewing needles, scissors, pins

5. Fabric

a. especially child print but all kinds

6. Tables and chairs for sewing, eating, etc.

7. Living room furniture

a. Sofas, end tables, lamps, coffee tables, area rugs, etc.

8. Refrigerator - only one at the house works

9. Freezer – chest or upright

10. Propane stove - the one at the house, aside from being electric, doesn't work

11. Microwave

12. Cooking utensils

a. Pots, pans, baking & casserole dishes, crock pots, spoons spatulas, etc.

13. Kitchen cabinets- There are only a couple of shelves on the walls in the kitchen. We need upper cabinets for storage.

14. Shelving for dry goods, clothing, etc.

15. Inside door for room

16. New green board for showers (2)

17. Install hot water tank (instant-on tank preferred) and inside connections

18. Tile showers and bathroom floors (2)

19. Window replacement

20.Perimeter walls built around property

With the acquisition of the building, our monthly expenses have increased and will continue as we seek to bring on additional staff and provide for the families in our care. We would ask you to prayfully consider investing in this work as the Lord might lead. Checks can be made out directly to Hope House International and mailed to our address.

We very much appreciate those of you who have been supporting us financially.

Hope House International has a tax-exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax deductible under section 170 of that Code.

Thank you all for your prayers and your kindness.