Thank you for all your prayers!!!!! The meeting with the Ministerio Publico went very well. Dad did not go to jail!! The MP is all for what we are doing so they assured us that there won’t be any more people that will press charges against us. At least not in this case. The lawyers were all appalled by the pictures that both dad and DIF had brought. Those were the pics of where they used to live and the condition the kids were in when they first came. We now get to keep the kids!!!! Hopefully for a long time! It all depends on DIF. They still need prayer though. Especially Luis, the 5 year old. He is the one who is taking all of this very hard. He was finally almost adjusted, then his mom showed up and he is very confused right now. He says he does not want to go back though. The other kids are o.k. though. The baby saw her mom and didn’t react at all. The 2 year old was first excited, and then he was scared. The older 2 were just very scared. Thanks again for all your prayers!! This was again obviously all God because we were pretty sure that the chances of them having to go to an orphanage were like 9 out of 10.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Important Prayer Request
Today the Ministerio Publico (the people that people go to to take other people to court.) showed up at our house with the mom of the children. The mom is not allowed in our house or even near it by the order of DIF. And today she showed up with these people… all the way to the front door. They came because she had put a demanda (pressed charges) against Chuy. She did it with the help of Chuy’s own brother. His blood related brother. Chuy is in much need of prayer right now because this has been very difficult having his own family turn their backs on him in this already difficult situation. Please pray that the mom can calm down because at this point she is just preparing her way right into jail. This means that all her kids will be put into state orphanages and probably be separated for the rest of their lives. The lawyer for DIF (our side) says we have nothing to worry about but PLEASE pray.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Birthdays
Today we got all the kids birthdays! Next week is Javiers birthday. He is turning 3. He is also talking a lot lately, well trying to talk, but he is definetly not shy around us anymore. So cute!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
We all fit!!!!!
God has sent us a 15 passenger van!!! Now we can go everywhere altogether, without being crammed like sardines. This whole thing was all God. As some of you know we were looking for a 15 passenger van in the summer. We looked and looked and the only thing we found was a remodeled cargo van that looked like a submarine. We gave up searching for a while. Then a couple weeks ago we started looking for one again and found one. The description of the van was exactly what we were looking for. We prayed about it. God sent all the money needed to buy the van all within a week. It is perfect because we all fit. There is also extra space for more children.
Quick Update
We appreciate all your prayers! God has and is definitely doing a huge work in these kids! They are so different. It is so amazing to see these kids changing both physically, spiritually and mentally. They have all changed colors because of bathing. We have discovered an unknown birthmark on the baby’s face. When they came they didn’t want to pray before eating now they won’t eat without praying. All the baby (Pati) used to do was cry. Now she barely cries at all, most of the time she is laughing. She has the cutest laugh. Javier (the 2 year old) used to be so scared of sleeping, now he skips off to bed. The only thing he said when he got here was no. Now he says many words in English and Spanish. He has definitely warmed up very well. Luis (the 5 year old) walked around very angry. He would bite people and said he was going to eat whatever animals were in sight. He would also say he would eat you, too. (Right Elizabeth?) He was very angry and tried to get attention in bad ways. He doesn’t have that angry look in his eyes anymore. He doesn’t pretend to eat things anymore. He is a very sweet child. Laura has learned to read!!!! What a great achievement! She is very excited and so are we. After months of trying and teaching she has finally learned.
We need lots of prayers. The children are so afraid of seeing their mom. They have nightmares that she is coming to beat them. She still lives nearby. Also, the town has gone a bit crazy. We are not disclosing the details about the children as it is our job to protect them. So, the people are saying ‘poor mom’. They are angry with us and it is a bit tense. Please, please pray for the ministry. We have lost one family but gained another in adult study and we shall see Wednesday if we have any Youth left and Friday how Kids Club goes.
The children have to undergo some VERY invasive testing this next week. Please pray that they are not even more traumatized by the process. It is necessary.
We need lots of prayers. The children are so afraid of seeing their mom. They have nightmares that she is coming to beat them. She still lives nearby. Also, the town has gone a bit crazy. We are not disclosing the details about the children as it is our job to protect them. So, the people are saying ‘poor mom’. They are angry with us and it is a bit tense. Please, please pray for the ministry. We have lost one family but gained another in adult study and we shall see Wednesday if we have any Youth left and Friday how Kids Club goes.
The children have to undergo some VERY invasive testing this next week. Please pray that they are not even more traumatized by the process. It is necessary.
Thank you for all your prayers!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year,
We really need your prayers. Laura's 3 siblings have come to live at the Acosta house. This is a huge change for us as now we have eight childdren, Arlene, 14, TJ 13, Rebeca,11, Grace 10, Laura, 7, Luis 5, Javier 2, and Pati 1. The children came on December 31. Seems our hand-me-downs do not fit the new ones :). One of the biggest needs right now is lots of prayer. (We are also going to need basic items like diapers and formula, food, water....)
The children are here through DIF (child and family services on Mexico) and we do not know how long they will stay. The mom was given the choice of leaving them here or going to jail and having them put into a formal state orphanage. After much stress, they ended up here. Please pray for their health and safety and please pray for my children as this is a huge change for them and it came very suddenly. Please pray for strength and wisdom for Chuy and I. The kids were very dirty when they got here but are now clean and sleeping. It will be a tough change for them. The baby was still breast feeding at 1 and 1/2.
Thank you for your prayers.
Love in Christ, Chuy, Amy, and all
We really need your prayers. Laura's 3 siblings have come to live at the Acosta house. This is a huge change for us as now we have eight childdren, Arlene, 14, TJ 13, Rebeca,11, Grace 10, Laura, 7, Luis 5, Javier 2, and Pati 1. The children came on December 31. Seems our hand-me-downs do not fit the new ones :). One of the biggest needs right now is lots of prayer. (We are also going to need basic items like diapers and formula, food, water....)
The children are here through DIF (child and family services on Mexico) and we do not know how long they will stay. The mom was given the choice of leaving them here or going to jail and having them put into a formal state orphanage. After much stress, they ended up here. Please pray for their health and safety and please pray for my children as this is a huge change for them and it came very suddenly. Please pray for strength and wisdom for Chuy and I. The kids were very dirty when they got here but are now clean and sleeping. It will be a tough change for them. The baby was still breast feeding at 1 and 1/2.
Thank you for your prayers.
Love in Christ, Chuy, Amy, and all
Monday, December 22, 2008
Warmest Wishes to All of you this Blessed Season
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given,
And the government will be on His shoulders and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Warmest Wishes to all of you this Blessed Season!
As we are in the midst of the holidays we love to stop often to remember who is the reason for the season. It is so easy to get so busy that we just get tired and cranky and lose the joy that is meant to be felt this time of year. This year has been fabulous and we are so grateful to God for His love and grace. It was busy but so very good.
In January, Amy’s sister Sue was able to come and visit for the first time. We were VERY excited and it was a very special time for us all. She made curtains for the house and it really is so much more a home that way - especially since they were made with so much love. We laughed a lot that week.
After she left, Brian came to live with us for 6 months. He was sent here for mentoring and we got to watch God change him. He is now home with his mom and sisters.
In May/June we traveled north. It was amazing to see how big our family in Christ is! We have brothers and sisters all over the world! We really enjoyed spending time with all of you. It was quite a whirlwind tour as we traveled through 17 states in the US and 5 in Mexico and stayed in 6 of them during 6 weeks. Whew!
When we returned it was time for the summer rush. We welcomed Jennifer and Jordan Burch (from Indiana) who stayed with us this summer to help with the reading and math classes. They really did a great job as we hosted 30 children for private tutoring. God allowed us to begin a youth group this summer for ages 12 and up which they led till September. They also helped with the team that came and started building a bathroom for Juan and Ofelia which is now usable! Thank you!
Our summer team came from Olivet Gospel Church, The Bronx, New York. They were a terrific group and worked very hard. They hosted Vacation Bible School and a medical clinic and also helped with some construction. Many children came to VBS and the people that came to the clinic were treated medically as well as spiritually as the nurses took time to pray with them all. Thank you!
In September we welcomed Elizabeth Bayly (from Ohio). She stayed 10 weeks and helped with Kids Club, prepared the study for the youth group and helped watch the children who came with their parents to adult study twice a week. She was also a great help to Amy around the house, with home schooling and with Laura. She made quite an impact on the girls from youth group. Thank you!
In September Laura came. She initially came to the house to learn to read and write as she had never been to school. She started staying over for the night sometimes and then her mother dropped her off one day and did not come to pick her up or visit her. One month later, on December 1st, DIF (Child and family services) came and said that she has to stay here until further notice. She also has 3 other siblings who are still living at home with their mom and her boyfriend. Please pray that they are safe. Chuy has the job of checking on them and seeing that they are being fed and bathed, and not sleeping on the dirt floor. We pray the adults will want to change. If not, due to the fact that we work with Eirene, a not for profit with legal papers to care for children, they may come to our house to live too.
In October, The Hennessy family came to live here for a while. They have started English classes for people in town on Monday and Thursday. Rob is helping Chuy with whatever he can and Kelly is taking care of their 2 children, Janie (2) and Bobby (1). She is helping with the youth group and helps with Laura, too. Thank you!
In October Amy was blessed to go north for ten days to attend two conferences and visit with her family and friends. Seeing them twice in one year was a real treat. In December we made a very quick trip to the border to pick up some boxes we had there. Thanks to those of you who sent them! It was great to be able to attend Services while there.
Arlene (14) is a freshman this year and home schooling. Her favorite subjects are History, Reading and Creative Writing. She loves to make jewelry and do crafts. She is such a big help with the ministry. She got braces this year and is so grown up.
TJ (12…almost 13) is in eighth grade. He loves Biology and History. He plays the guitar and is doing very well. He would spend all his time playing if he could and has a real ear for music. He leads the singing in Kids Club and adult study. He still likes video games when we have time (not very often).
Rebeca (11) has grown about a foot this past month. She is in 6th grade and likes science and reading. She likes to make jewelry, baking and playing with Grace. She is very good at drawing and loves art. We hope to find someone to teach her a bit more as Amy is not talented that way.
Grace (10) is in 5th grade this year. Her favorite subjects are spelling, science and English. She started ballet in the city this year and is getting very coordinated (also not her mother’s talent ) She loves to play with Becky and Laura, dance, play outdoors and cook.
Laura (7) should be in second grade but we have her in first. She has just learned to read and count to fifteen. Her handwriting is really coming along. She is happy and now unafraid. We are so glad to have her here. She did not know how to play but is learning quickly!
Chuy is doing very well. Soooooooo busy. It is great that he has a couple of men to help him out now. He is trying to spend more time studying so he can be prepared for teaching. Please pray that he can have this time.
Amy is good. She loves to be with her children and husband and watch them grow in the Lord. They are such a joy. She also enjoys time reading and listening to music.
The ministry schedule is: Tuesday night Adult Bible study, Wednesday, Youth group, Thursday donation pick up and distribution and Friday Kids Club and Adult Study. It seems we are about ready to start a Sunday worship service as our adults are very excited about learning about the Lord and want more. We are still in the process of getting all the papers in order for an official orphanage. The lawyers were ok with some kids staying in our home for now but we need to get this finished! Pray that it will go smoothly.
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you this year and always. May you have the Peace that surpasses all understanding and joy beyond compare!
Love,
Chuy, Amy, Arlene, TJ, Rebeca, Grace and Laura
And the government will be on His shoulders and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Warmest Wishes to all of you this Blessed Season!
As we are in the midst of the holidays we love to stop often to remember who is the reason for the season. It is so easy to get so busy that we just get tired and cranky and lose the joy that is meant to be felt this time of year. This year has been fabulous and we are so grateful to God for His love and grace. It was busy but so very good.
In January, Amy’s sister Sue was able to come and visit for the first time. We were VERY excited and it was a very special time for us all. She made curtains for the house and it really is so much more a home that way - especially since they were made with so much love. We laughed a lot that week.
After she left, Brian came to live with us for 6 months. He was sent here for mentoring and we got to watch God change him. He is now home with his mom and sisters.
In May/June we traveled north. It was amazing to see how big our family in Christ is! We have brothers and sisters all over the world! We really enjoyed spending time with all of you. It was quite a whirlwind tour as we traveled through 17 states in the US and 5 in Mexico and stayed in 6 of them during 6 weeks. Whew!
When we returned it was time for the summer rush. We welcomed Jennifer and Jordan Burch (from Indiana) who stayed with us this summer to help with the reading and math classes. They really did a great job as we hosted 30 children for private tutoring. God allowed us to begin a youth group this summer for ages 12 and up which they led till September. They also helped with the team that came and started building a bathroom for Juan and Ofelia which is now usable! Thank you!
Our summer team came from Olivet Gospel Church, The Bronx, New York. They were a terrific group and worked very hard. They hosted Vacation Bible School and a medical clinic and also helped with some construction. Many children came to VBS and the people that came to the clinic were treated medically as well as spiritually as the nurses took time to pray with them all. Thank you!
In September we welcomed Elizabeth Bayly (from Ohio). She stayed 10 weeks and helped with Kids Club, prepared the study for the youth group and helped watch the children who came with their parents to adult study twice a week. She was also a great help to Amy around the house, with home schooling and with Laura. She made quite an impact on the girls from youth group. Thank you!
In September Laura came. She initially came to the house to learn to read and write as she had never been to school. She started staying over for the night sometimes and then her mother dropped her off one day and did not come to pick her up or visit her. One month later, on December 1st, DIF (Child and family services) came and said that she has to stay here until further notice. She also has 3 other siblings who are still living at home with their mom and her boyfriend. Please pray that they are safe. Chuy has the job of checking on them and seeing that they are being fed and bathed, and not sleeping on the dirt floor. We pray the adults will want to change. If not, due to the fact that we work with Eirene, a not for profit with legal papers to care for children, they may come to our house to live too.
In October, The Hennessy family came to live here for a while. They have started English classes for people in town on Monday and Thursday. Rob is helping Chuy with whatever he can and Kelly is taking care of their 2 children, Janie (2) and Bobby (1). She is helping with the youth group and helps with Laura, too. Thank you!
In October Amy was blessed to go north for ten days to attend two conferences and visit with her family and friends. Seeing them twice in one year was a real treat. In December we made a very quick trip to the border to pick up some boxes we had there. Thanks to those of you who sent them! It was great to be able to attend Services while there.
Arlene (14) is a freshman this year and home schooling. Her favorite subjects are History, Reading and Creative Writing. She loves to make jewelry and do crafts. She is such a big help with the ministry. She got braces this year and is so grown up.
TJ (12…almost 13) is in eighth grade. He loves Biology and History. He plays the guitar and is doing very well. He would spend all his time playing if he could and has a real ear for music. He leads the singing in Kids Club and adult study. He still likes video games when we have time (not very often).
Rebeca (11) has grown about a foot this past month. She is in 6th grade and likes science and reading. She likes to make jewelry, baking and playing with Grace. She is very good at drawing and loves art. We hope to find someone to teach her a bit more as Amy is not talented that way.
Grace (10) is in 5th grade this year. Her favorite subjects are spelling, science and English. She started ballet in the city this year and is getting very coordinated (also not her mother’s talent ) She loves to play with Becky and Laura, dance, play outdoors and cook.
Laura (7) should be in second grade but we have her in first. She has just learned to read and count to fifteen. Her handwriting is really coming along. She is happy and now unafraid. We are so glad to have her here. She did not know how to play but is learning quickly!
Chuy is doing very well. Soooooooo busy. It is great that he has a couple of men to help him out now. He is trying to spend more time studying so he can be prepared for teaching. Please pray that he can have this time.
Amy is good. She loves to be with her children and husband and watch them grow in the Lord. They are such a joy. She also enjoys time reading and listening to music.
The ministry schedule is: Tuesday night Adult Bible study, Wednesday, Youth group, Thursday donation pick up and distribution and Friday Kids Club and Adult Study. It seems we are about ready to start a Sunday worship service as our adults are very excited about learning about the Lord and want more. We are still in the process of getting all the papers in order for an official orphanage. The lawyers were ok with some kids staying in our home for now but we need to get this finished! Pray that it will go smoothly.
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you this year and always. May you have the Peace that surpasses all understanding and joy beyond compare!
Love,
Chuy, Amy, Arlene, TJ, Rebeca, Grace and Laura
Friday, December 5, 2008
Youth Outreach Project Funnies
On Sunday when we took the youth to do the outreach project they saw a few things they had never seen before. Things that we take for granted or have lived with for a very long time. The first one was when we stopped at Burger King to get an ice cream cone. They all washed their hands. You know those automatic hand dryers? One of the boys didn’t know what it was. He only saw a picture of a pair of hands and some arrows pointing up. So, he stuck his hands up the hand dryer and was shocked, electrically. The second thing was a soda fountain. They were amazed that it had so many different varieties of pop and all you had to do was push a button and whatever kind of pop you wanted would come out. These are only a few of the things that were new to them.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Youth Outreach Project
This past Sunday we took the youth group from Camichines on their first outreach project. We went to a very lost area of the city of Guadalajara. They helped pass out food and clothing to the people who came. We were very impressed and are very proud of these kids. Before the outreach they collected bags and bags of clothes and coats to pass out there. While we were there, they did a very good job at passing out clothes, talking to the people and playing with the kids who came. The purpose of this project was to teach them to serve and to show them the consequences of drugs and alcohol. The kids were very affected by this project.
Laura Update
Laura is well right now. She is growing like a weed, finally. Her teeth are starting to improve. This week she lost a tooth and was super excited. On December 1st the government office of child welfare came to our house. They talked with us for a little bit then went to see Laura’s family’s house. They were appalled at what they found. The children were sleeping on the dirt floor with filthy blankets and had no food. The children were also filthy. The people of Mexico keep their children very clean even if they have little money. So, this is not normal. Laura now has to stay with us because we are working with Eirene A.C. and they have all the papers to help the needy of Mexico. Praise God! It was evident in the way all this happened that He was in control. Lots of tense moments but it all turned out way better than we could have imagined. The government also dropped off food (dry goods) so we can provide meals for the other 3 children 3 times a day. We are looking for a neutral place to do this as for the moment, they make Laura nervous and we do not want all of the family here. They gave us strict orders that the food is only for the children and that nobody can take Laura away for now. The government gave the mom a list with which she needs to comply or she will lose the children. This list includes bathing the children, a house with floors (not dirt) finding them a bed and sending them to be fed every day, for now. Please pray for these children and that the mom has a change of heart and wants to work and keep the children as we know from the comments overheard that she really thinks this is a joke. She is very manipulative and thinks there will not be a problem. Well, the DIF office made Chuy their eyes and ears here due to our association with Eirene. She has no idea….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)