Sunday, March 29, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
CASA de LUZ Brent's Story
More than we can imagine…..
What do 43 year-old savings bonds, an old grey trunk, a coral reef and the Ministry of Agriculture have in common? Sounds like a riddle, it’s not, really.
On a trip to the Dominican Republic, God revealed what all of these things had in common. Just like stories of God’s wonderful works from before, He uses the most unlikely places and unworthy servants to accomplish His purposes and does much more than we can imagine.
In the Dominican there is a children’s home for the severely disabled called Casa de Luz which means "House of Light". If it were not for this place, the children would be left to survive on their own and would most likely die. In this place, God takes care of His children and blesses a group of their caretakers. Believe me, there are so many more ways during this trip we saw God’s plan and how He provides for those who serve Him. However, I will only share a few of those stories.
This part of the story started 43 years ago. January 19th is my birthday and has always been one of my favorite days. Don’t know why, just like the cake I guess, but this one was very different. First, the savings-bonds. Every year on my birthday, my grandma would by me a savings bond which were
misplaced for many years. On January 19th, our plane tickets were booked, at a cost of $673.70. On
the 20th of January, keep in mind the post office was closed on Monday due to a holiday, I received a
package. In the package were those saving bonds that had been misplaced. The total value of the
bonds when cashed in, $645.51. Now believe me, that was a huge blessing, but the story doesn’t end
there. As I thought back on my life, and thought how God had a plan for me even before I knew Him,
it really overwhelmed me. Now I am not a big numbers guy, but I really thought I needed to see why
the amount was not exact, because I know God is perfect. So the difference is $28.19. Of course, I
went to Proverbs for wisdom, and looked at 28:19. This is what I found, "He who works his land will
have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty". What a verse for
someone to reflect on and that is going to a place to provide a means for people to grow their own
food. Can you say overwhelmed? I KNEW God had huge plans for this trip, but through a 43 year old
birthday present, that was AMAZING!
Second, Joe brings this the old gray trunk. Keep in mind, it has most of the parts for the shade house
and some of the tools to complete the job. We were sitting in the Miami airport, in a small restaurant,
watching our plane as it was being fueled and loaded. We watched as our bags were going up the belt
for loading, one with green tape, one with pink tape and so on. Then, the gray trunk was going up the
belt. Then all of a sudden, it was pulled off to the side. We stared out the window, wondering what
was going on. Then before we knew, it was driven away, the plane was closed up, and they started
calling for the plane to be boarded. We needed that trunk. What was God’s plan in this? We had to
come up with a different plan on how to accomplish this. We were flooded with so many thoughts.
However, one thought came to mind, stop and pray. So we did. I have to be honest here. We prayed,
but in the back of our minds, we saw it drive off, they closed the plane, it is one grey trunk, we need
to figure out a plan B. We traveled to the Dominican, all praying, but thinking of a plan. Once through all of our checkpoints in the Dominican, we went to pick up the bags and of course, there is the old grey trunk waiting for us and a tag has been added, PLEASE EXPEDITE. Through this whole situation, God wanted us to depend on Him. Not come up with plan B.
Third, the coral reef. We arrived at the children’s home to find it is built on a coral reef. Not just a
small reef, but miles of it. We had heard there was a little rock, but this was a ROCK. What was the
plan here? We walked around, and really thought this cannot be happening, there has to be another
location, but there wasn’t. I remember hearing the word despair. Here we were, only being there for
5 minutes and we felt hopeless. Again, one thing came to mind. Stop and pray. So we did.
Afterwards, we found a spot with close to the exact dimensions of the shade house and it was placed
perfectly north and south, to the degree. As we worked that week, we prayed, we broke, we raked
and we threw out rocks. As the week went on, more dirt seem to appear and we had dirt brought in.
The transformation was taking place, from a rock reef to ground for a garden. Still, God accomplished His purpose.
Finally, the trip to the Ministry of Agriculture. When we had completed the shade house built on the
rock. We felt we could do more to help, so we spoke with Lucas, the Director of the Casa de Luz, and
he had great place for us to go to buy seeds and plants. Wow, how exciting! We could go shopping,
buy some seeds and help plant. We all loaded in the truck, and started on our journey. I was pretty
excited about seeing a farmers market or some type of nursery for plants. When we arrived at the
Ministry of Agriculture, there were little stands outside, and I thought this would be a great place, but
no, we were going INTO the Ministry of Agriculture, past the gate guard, through security, up the
steps, to the main building. Lucas went in to the building for about 30 minutes and came out excited.
They were going to give him free seeds and plants. All he needed was a letter from his Director of
Missions. Still, God was not done. While standing there and enjoying what God was doing, another
man came up and wanted to know what we were doing there. Ron, one of our team members, had a
picture of the shade house on his phone and the man got really excited. He said it was perfect, and he
could set up a technician to go to the children’s home to help getting them set up and assist in
planting the free seeds. But of course, God was not done there. Another man came up and joined in
the excitement. They started pointing to the sky praising God in Spanish. God had set an appointment
on the steps of the Ministry of Agriculture, we did not even know it, but there we were. I really
believe He has huge plans there, not only for the shade house, the seeds, teaching to grow food, but
for the children’s home and the children. As we drove back, how could we not be humbled. God had
let us see a little glimpse of His plan and we were overwhelmed by it. He is a God that cares for the
least, and it was so clear that the Lucas and his team care for the children, but God is providing so
much more than can be imagined.
So back to the question, what do 43 year old savings bonds, an old grey trunk, a coral reef and the
ministry of Agriculture have in common? God has a plan, He wants us to depend on Him, He will
accomplish His purpose, and He can do much more than we can imagine.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to
the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
What do 43 year-old savings bonds, an old grey trunk, a coral reef and the Ministry of Agriculture have in common? Sounds like a riddle, it’s not, really.
On a trip to the Dominican Republic, God revealed what all of these things had in common. Just like stories of God’s wonderful works from before, He uses the most unlikely places and unworthy servants to accomplish His purposes and does much more than we can imagine.
In the Dominican there is a children’s home for the severely disabled called Casa de Luz which means "House of Light". If it were not for this place, the children would be left to survive on their own and would most likely die. In this place, God takes care of His children and blesses a group of their caretakers. Believe me, there are so many more ways during this trip we saw God’s plan and how He provides for those who serve Him. However, I will only share a few of those stories.
This part of the story started 43 years ago. January 19th is my birthday and has always been one of my favorite days. Don’t know why, just like the cake I guess, but this one was very different. First, the savings-bonds. Every year on my birthday, my grandma would by me a savings bond which were
misplaced for many years. On January 19th, our plane tickets were booked, at a cost of $673.70. On
the 20th of January, keep in mind the post office was closed on Monday due to a holiday, I received a
package. In the package were those saving bonds that had been misplaced. The total value of the
bonds when cashed in, $645.51. Now believe me, that was a huge blessing, but the story doesn’t end
there. As I thought back on my life, and thought how God had a plan for me even before I knew Him,
it really overwhelmed me. Now I am not a big numbers guy, but I really thought I needed to see why
the amount was not exact, because I know God is perfect. So the difference is $28.19. Of course, I
went to Proverbs for wisdom, and looked at 28:19. This is what I found, "He who works his land will
have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty". What a verse for
someone to reflect on and that is going to a place to provide a means for people to grow their own
food. Can you say overwhelmed? I KNEW God had huge plans for this trip, but through a 43 year old
birthday present, that was AMAZING!
Second, Joe brings this the old gray trunk. Keep in mind, it has most of the parts for the shade house
and some of the tools to complete the job. We were sitting in the Miami airport, in a small restaurant,
watching our plane as it was being fueled and loaded. We watched as our bags were going up the belt
for loading, one with green tape, one with pink tape and so on. Then, the gray trunk was going up the
belt. Then all of a sudden, it was pulled off to the side. We stared out the window, wondering what
was going on. Then before we knew, it was driven away, the plane was closed up, and they started
calling for the plane to be boarded. We needed that trunk. What was God’s plan in this? We had to
come up with a different plan on how to accomplish this. We were flooded with so many thoughts.
However, one thought came to mind, stop and pray. So we did. I have to be honest here. We prayed,
but in the back of our minds, we saw it drive off, they closed the plane, it is one grey trunk, we need
to figure out a plan B. We traveled to the Dominican, all praying, but thinking of a plan. Once through all of our checkpoints in the Dominican, we went to pick up the bags and of course, there is the old grey trunk waiting for us and a tag has been added, PLEASE EXPEDITE. Through this whole situation, God wanted us to depend on Him. Not come up with plan B.
Third, the coral reef. We arrived at the children’s home to find it is built on a coral reef. Not just a
small reef, but miles of it. We had heard there was a little rock, but this was a ROCK. What was the
plan here? We walked around, and really thought this cannot be happening, there has to be another
location, but there wasn’t. I remember hearing the word despair. Here we were, only being there for
5 minutes and we felt hopeless. Again, one thing came to mind. Stop and pray. So we did.
Afterwards, we found a spot with close to the exact dimensions of the shade house and it was placed
perfectly north and south, to the degree. As we worked that week, we prayed, we broke, we raked
and we threw out rocks. As the week went on, more dirt seem to appear and we had dirt brought in.
The transformation was taking place, from a rock reef to ground for a garden. Still, God accomplished His purpose.
Finally, the trip to the Ministry of Agriculture. When we had completed the shade house built on the
rock. We felt we could do more to help, so we spoke with Lucas, the Director of the Casa de Luz, and
he had great place for us to go to buy seeds and plants. Wow, how exciting! We could go shopping,
buy some seeds and help plant. We all loaded in the truck, and started on our journey. I was pretty
excited about seeing a farmers market or some type of nursery for plants. When we arrived at the
Ministry of Agriculture, there were little stands outside, and I thought this would be a great place, but
no, we were going INTO the Ministry of Agriculture, past the gate guard, through security, up the
steps, to the main building. Lucas went in to the building for about 30 minutes and came out excited.
They were going to give him free seeds and plants. All he needed was a letter from his Director of
Missions. Still, God was not done. While standing there and enjoying what God was doing, another
man came up and wanted to know what we were doing there. Ron, one of our team members, had a
picture of the shade house on his phone and the man got really excited. He said it was perfect, and he
could set up a technician to go to the children’s home to help getting them set up and assist in
planting the free seeds. But of course, God was not done there. Another man came up and joined in
the excitement. They started pointing to the sky praising God in Spanish. God had set an appointment
on the steps of the Ministry of Agriculture, we did not even know it, but there we were. I really
believe He has huge plans there, not only for the shade house, the seeds, teaching to grow food, but
for the children’s home and the children. As we drove back, how could we not be humbled. God had
let us see a little glimpse of His plan and we were overwhelmed by it. He is a God that cares for the
least, and it was so clear that the Lucas and his team care for the children, but God is providing so
much more than can be imagined.
So back to the question, what do 43 year old savings bonds, an old grey trunk, a coral reef and the
ministry of Agriculture have in common? God has a plan, He wants us to depend on Him, He will
accomplish His purpose, and He can do much more than we can imagine.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to
the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
CASA de LUZ Ron's Summary
Children’s Home Shade House Dominican Republic March 2015
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Our efforts at the children’s home were mixed with many events certainly Paul notes very much as in Romans 12:12. We certainly rejoiced in seeing how the Lord took us through a few days of struggle to see His hand upon us. Yes there was tribulation and as typical at the time these events can weigh heavily on your spirit. But being constant in prayer brings the light of our Savior who said; I will never leave you.
This trip had many ups and downs from checking in at the airport, watching a trunk start up the ramp to the plane only be pulled off and then taken away, staring at the ground to only see coral everywhere to hearing PVC snap as we drill. God’s promises are those whispers we eventually listen to in the troughs of trials. It was these times I was not listening for God’s presences, but only filling my thoughts with my own words. However, moments later we begin directing our words towards God for His comfort and leading. Very much like on the steps of the Ministry of Agriculture. Whereas we hear how an official was not available a gentleman comes by and asks what’s going on as heard us Praise the Lord. In short as he sees photos of the shade house and hears from Pastor Lucas what his plan is; the official points skyward and says Praise God for what He has done for you. Then another official stops as we all rejoice over what is happening he too praises God and offers even more assistance. He will have a technician come out to assist Pastor Lucas in setting up a planting program to help the children's home.
Praise God for the Spirit’s willingness to continue us despite our weakness to stand and be still to see the Lord’s greatness. The work at the home was certainly trying. But to see how the unit quickly came together, how it was filled with over ten yards of rich soil and what God had in store for provisioning the house. It’s often these efforts we need to stop and be still, to think back and ponder what the Lord was showing us and what I need to see myself to Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Our efforts at the children’s home were mixed with many events certainly Paul notes very much as in Romans 12:12. We certainly rejoiced in seeing how the Lord took us through a few days of struggle to see His hand upon us. Yes there was tribulation and as typical at the time these events can weigh heavily on your spirit. But being constant in prayer brings the light of our Savior who said; I will never leave you.
This trip had many ups and downs from checking in at the airport, watching a trunk start up the ramp to the plane only be pulled off and then taken away, staring at the ground to only see coral everywhere to hearing PVC snap as we drill. God’s promises are those whispers we eventually listen to in the troughs of trials. It was these times I was not listening for God’s presences, but only filling my thoughts with my own words. However, moments later we begin directing our words towards God for His comfort and leading. Very much like on the steps of the Ministry of Agriculture. Whereas we hear how an official was not available a gentleman comes by and asks what’s going on as heard us Praise the Lord. In short as he sees photos of the shade house and hears from Pastor Lucas what his plan is; the official points skyward and says Praise God for what He has done for you. Then another official stops as we all rejoice over what is happening he too praises God and offers even more assistance. He will have a technician come out to assist Pastor Lucas in setting up a planting program to help the children's home.
Praise God for the Spirit’s willingness to continue us despite our weakness to stand and be still to see the Lord’s greatness. The work at the home was certainly trying. But to see how the unit quickly came together, how it was filled with over ten yards of rich soil and what God had in store for provisioning the house. It’s often these efforts we need to stop and be still, to think back and ponder what the Lord was showing us and what I need to see myself to Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer.
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