October 2021 Newsletter
LUKE 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Greetings Friends,
I cannot count how many times I have said to someone, ”I hope I live long enough to see the fruit of the education ministry”. Thania, our first sponsored student, is now helping us weekly by keeping the books, and making budgets for us. She makes sure the students get discounts for their tuition, and makes sure the bills are paid in a timely manner.
Yosadara is working full time as a nurse in a local clinic. America is working full time as a nurse in a local hospital and is hoping to enter university soon to study to become a doctor. Jorge has graduated and is waiting for an opportunity to put the law he studied into practice. Until then, he has been helping us get ready for this year's home builds. Yahir will graduate this year with a degree in law. He has just accepted an internship with the local judges in San Luis. He is currently working side by side, learning from the judges, the career he is pursuing. Lucero will be graduating this year with a law degree. Adrianna will graduate with a degree in psychology. That is some amazing fruit, thanks to all of you who have sponsored them over the years. Well, how do you top this? Keep reading...
At our last student meeting we discussed what it is to honor someone. We moved into a discussion led by Adrianna’s presentation. She shared with the group the importance of being thankful, and making the most of the opportunity that has been given to them... an education.
We then discussed what shall we do this year for Christmas? One of the ladies raised her hand and said, "I want to be challenged this year and do something we have never done." “And what might that be?” I asked.
“Since we are all on break in December from school, I want us all to get together, build a home for a family, and give it to them as a Christmas present.”
My response was “Do what?"
“We can all get together and compose a letter telling people who we are and what our plans are. We can pick a family and introduce them to the people we hand letters to.”
The room went quiet. After several seconds went by, it all began to sink in what she had just presented. And then the whole room burst into ideas and plans. They paused and asked how much do we need to raise to get this done? I told them it would cost right around $7000.00. “Oh” they said, "that's a lot!” At that time in the conversation, one of the ladies laid a 20 dollar bill on the table and said, “ Here is the seed to get this going.” A girlfriend of one of our students was there as a visitor. She came forward and laid 500 pesos on the table.
I then shared with them how this whole ministry began. I told them I made a trip back to South Dakota and left with a 20 dollar a month commitment. I remember getting on the plane and asking God, what are we going to get done with 20 dollars a month? He said trust Me. So I held up the 20 and said without the 20 that was committed 12 years ago, we would never have the opportunity to know each one of you sitting here. So let's take the 20 dollars just given to us, and trust God to do His work.
They have since picked a family and are working on a donation letter they will be presenting to the local businesses in San Luis.
This just might be one of the greatest things we have seen happen with these young adults. They are going to see first hand what it is to entrust 20 dollars into our God's hands. The lesson they will learn about God's faithfulness will be amazing!
Since the idea was first laid on the table, the letters have been designed and printed. The family has been chosen and have been visited by several in the group. The ball is now rolling and they are doing some amazing things. We are excited to watch this grow.
Please keep us all in your prayers as we move forward.
The following is the Facebook post created by our students promoting their project.
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Casa de la Esperanza is an organization that is dedicated to helping the community in different ways, more than 50 houses have already been built, but it also sponsors young students who are passionate about helping and serving our city.
During this year, the students long to make a house among themselves, since many of them had the opportunity to have a better home and they would like a family to live the same as them.
After a long tour of our city, the students were moved by the situation of the Samaniego Family, who lives in a trailer that is too small for a family of 6, the space is so small that they have to go outside to cook, eat and go to the bathroom. The Samaniego family has all the desire to get ahead and improve, but their circumstances have not allowed them.
But we trust that this project will be a great boost for them. That is why we need your support to contribute to this noble cause. The list of materials is in the attached images, you can support with one of them or with cash.
Rest assured that all proceeds will be used for the construction of this house and in support of the Samaniego Family.
God bless you
