Family Reunion

Brothers Francisco (11), Carlos (9), and Saul (6) have been with us at Rivers of Mercy since February 2012.   The three brothers have always talked about their little sisters, and their constant prayer request has been that they could be with their sisters again.  Well, recently they got to experience first-hand that the God in whom they’ve trusted is a God who hears and answers prayers!  Last Thursday, DIF (the Mexican social services) brought us their 4-year old sister Jenny!  The boys were delighted and have stayed close by her side since she arrived.  Jenny had been at a different orphanage but DIF is working to unite sibling groups.  Two days later, on Saturday, without any prior knowledge on our part, DIF brought Maya (5), the other little sister of the three boys to stay here at Rivers of Mercy!  It’s not likely that these five children will ever be returned to their family, but they are thankful to be together.   Thank you, God, for reuniting these little ones!

Carlos (8), Jenny (4), Saul (6), Maya (5), and Francisco (10)

Easter Community Outreach

On Monday we had an Easter outreach event for the children in our community.  Each staff member at ROM invited several different families with children to the event; specifically, needy or impoverished children from the neighborhood.  Martha and I told the Biblical story of Jesus’ death and resurrection using “Resurrection eggs”, a set of twelve colorful eggs with each one containing a different memory-grabbing object from the story (coins to represent Judas’ betrayal, a cross made of nails to represent his crucifixion, a rock to represent the stone that was placed at the entrance of the tomb, etc.)  Afterward, we adults performed a skit about Jesus’ resurrection that we had created for the kids.  We had practiced for several days, and Martha had made the soldiers some really neat, authentic costumes!  After singing praise songs and praying with the children who desired to receive Christ as their Savior, the kids made a craft to take home to remember the Bible story that they had heard, and made the “empty-tomb” snack as well.  We also had an Easter egg hunt for them!  The older children got to hunt eggs out front and the younger kids out back.  Most of these children never get the opportunity to do this anything like this; so it was great fun.  Glory to God for giving us this opportunity to share the message of hope of the gospel!

Pizza Time and Remembering Raul

Yesterday, our children were able to go on a special field trip to Peter Piper Pizza here in Juarez!  This was organized by the family of our late friend Raul.  Raul was a friend and supporter of Rivers of Mercy who lost his life tragically in 2010.  His family has continued in his steps by bringing donations of needed items and organizing special events for the children on a regular basis.  At Peter Piper Pizza, the kids were first given a tour of the kitchen part of the restaurant.  They got to see the walk-in refrigerator, the large ovens with revolving conveyor belts, the long stretches of pizza dough being cut into circles, and the station with all of the pizza toppings.  Then the kids had a blast playing all of the arcade games and turning in their tickets for small prizes.  After this, they got to make and eat their own personal pizzas!  They were each given a small circle of dough and individual cups of sauce, cheese, and pepperoni to create their pizzas.  Finally, after working up an appetite, the kids were able to enjoy eating their personal pizzas and guzzling down soda!  Some of the children were absolutely fascinated with the self-serve soft drink machines.  They must have never seen or used them before.  What a special occasion for our kids!

 

"True Love" Valentine's Day Outreach

Saturday, we held our third annual “True Love” Valentine’s Outreach here at Rivers of Mercy.  We had each of our workers invite children from several needy families that they knew, so we had about 65 children in attendance, 30 of ours and 35 from the surrounding neighborhoods.  We have held this outreach each year to share the message of what true love really is with the children of our community.  We began the event with songs and with an evangelistic story.  This is a story that many children here can identify with--in the story, a young boy named Thomas is desperate for his parents to be happy and together again after their separation.  He begins a quest to discover what true love is and where it comes from.  Thomas eventually learns that true love is that God first loved us and sent His Son Jesus to die for us so that our sins could be forgiven and we could live in heaven forever with Him.  We gave the invitation for the children to receive Christ, and many prayed to ask God to be their Savior. 

After this we divided the children into four groups and rotated the groups to each different game station.  Each game had a Valentines’ theme: "Hearts in Lava," a relay race to get across the room and back using large paper hearts to avoid falling in the "lava"; a "Minute To Win It" game in which the children try to move as many conversation heart candies as possible from the table into a cup using a straw; "Love Tower," in which they had to attempt to stack large conversation heart candies to build the highest tower they could in one minute; and “Steal my Heart,” in which they had to remove as many conversation hearts as possible from their bowl in 1 minute using chopsticks.  In each game, the children had the opportunity to win "tickets" which were cut-out paper hearts that they knew they needed to save in order to buy treats later on!  Finally, it was time for them to purchase delicious Valentines Day treats that Abuela Mary had prepared.  This year we had Valentines’ floats (Cherry 7-Up with vanilla ice cream and Red Vines for straws); cupcakes with Xs and Os; beautiful "window pane" heart-shaped cookies; and pink marshmallow pops!

The kids sure enjoyed getting to buy and eat the treats. To end the event, we gave a wrapped toy gift to each of our guests. At the end of the night, the guest children left very excited about the message they had heard and the wonderful time that they had, wondering when the next event was going to be held.  Praise the Lord for giving us this opportunity to share His gift of love—salvation through Jesus Christ--with the children of Juarez.

Welcome Ismael

Emmis and I (Kristin) are excited to announce the birth of their third child, baby boy Ismael Robles.  Ismael was born on Saturday, January 19th at 5:31 p.m.  He weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 ½ in. long and looks just like his older brother Joel!  Praise the Lord that this was a relatively quick labor and delivery and free of complications.  Myself and baby Ismael were released from the hospital on Sunday evening and are doing great.  When we arrived home at the orphanage on Sunday, the kids had hung strings of balloons and a “Welcome Ismael” banner that they had made in the living room.  I smiled as I read the comments that the kids had written on the banner—many of them wrote, “We hope you like living here!”  I’m sure he will—he won’t never be hard-pressed for a playmate! Thank you for your prayers!

Brothers! -- Joel and Ismael

Birthday Table

Yesterday was my late grandfather's birthday.  He was affectionately known to all of us as "Umpa".  Umpa passed away last May after a long battle with cancer.  Among other things, we remember him as great cook, cracking corny jokes, making sure we all had flashlights when traveling, running down the sidewalk waving good-bye whenever we left Las Cruces after a visit, and just an all around fun guy.  But Umpa was also a great inspiration to all of us as he spent his life serving Jesus.

Yesterday as we were eating breakfast, I told Joel (my son who recently celebrated his 5th birthday) that it was Umpa's birthday.  Joel asked: "The Umpa that is in heaven?"  I told him yes, that I was talking about our Umpa in heaven.  I was moved to tears when Joel immediately responded "Who is going to sit at Umpa's table?"  Let me explain.  Here at the orphanage, when a child has a birthday, we set up a special table for him with a birthday tablecloth.  That child is able to choose what other children he wants to sit with him at the birthday table.  Here they get to enjoy the meal, birthday cake, and get a great view while the birthday child opens his gift.  Getting to sit at the birthday table is a very special privilege for the children chosen to sit there.

I told Joel that Jesus was going to sit at Umpa's birthday table, along with other family members with him in heaven.  It was a happy thought, and a joyous picture that I had in my mind all day long.  I'm sure that Umpa had a wonderful birthday in heaven with Jesus and family members at his birthday table.

Happy Birthday Umpa!  

Yari, Mari, and Raul with Us Again

Most likely many of you remember Yarisdi (Yari), Maria (Mari), and Raul, siblings who have lived at Rivers of Mercy several times (for extended periods of time) during the last several years.  Yari was actually one of our original eight kids brought to us by DIF (the Mexican Social Services) in May of 2007.  They are children of a single father who has always struggled with caring for them and meeting their basic needs.  The most recent time that Yari, Mari, and Raul returned to the care of their father (and to what we thought was a stable situation) was in the summer of 2011.

Well, late in the evening a couple of days before Christmas (about two weeks ago), we received a phone call.  Without going into a lot of detail, let's just say these children were not in a good situation and Emmis picked them up and brought them back to the orphanage with the approval of DIF.  The condition of Yari, Mari, and Raul upon arrival here was alarming, as they showed obvious signs of neglect.

They are now extremely relieved and happy to be here at the orphanage again.  Yari has expressed to multiple people that she hopes she never leaves here again.  We are remorseful about the situation they were apparently living in but glad that God brought them back to us where they are safe and sound again.  Yari still loves playing with and helping out with Joel and Itzel—the day after Yari’s arrival, Joel was already referring to her as “mi hermana” (my sister) again.  She is as sweet and good-natured and helpful as she always has been.  Raul seems to have aged and matured quite a bit during the time that he was not with us.  Before he was quite disobedient and hyperactive—all around, a handful—but he seems much calmer and more obedient now.  Mari is the same old Mari, except that she doesn’t have a bad attitude about being here like she sometimes did before.  She, along with her siblings, is super content to be here again.  Please pray for these three children and for God to work in this situation according to His will.

Raul, Mari, and Yari

Raul's Legacy

Friends and family of Raul recently held a Christmas party for our kids here at Rivers of Mercy.  Raul was a very special young man.  A couple of years ago he took the initiative to help the ministry of Rivers of Mercy through hosting events for our children, bringing us groceries on a regular basis, and more.  He led his family and friends to become involved as well.  Raul was tragically killed last year (his nephew is holding a picture of him in the group photo), but his family and friends have continued his legacy of helping and loving the children at Rivers of Mercy.  Raul will always be in our hearts.

Read more about Raul kindness: A Young Man's Kindness Lives On

Adolfo - Home with Jesus!

Those of you who have been following our blog for the past several years know that in April of 2010 God led us to meet a little 5-year-old boy named Adolfo who was suffering greatly from leukemia.  The Lord used us to come alongside his family to support and encourage them as Adolfo endured many hospital stays, bouts of chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and more.  Most significantly, the Lord allowed us to go to Adolfo’s home and share the message of hope of the gospel with him.  On that special day, in Adolfo’s own home in the midst of all of our children from Rivers of Mercy, Adolfo prayed to accept Jesus as His Savior.  We knew that if God in His perfect will chose not to heal Adolfo, Adolfo had the wonderful hope and assurance of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

Our kids with Adolfo (April 2010)

Over the past couple of years, Adolfo has had many ups and downs in his battle with leukemia.  Recently we received news that Adolfo was in the hospital, gravely ill and fighting for his life.  It was during this time that I (Kristin) was just finishing up teaching our children a Bible lesson about heaven.  We had talked about how amazing heaven is—there are streets of gold, and there is no darkness because the light of God shines everywhere.  And in heaven there are no tears, no sadness, and no one is ever sick or hurt.  And how the most wonderful thing about heaven is getting to see Jesus and be with Him and live forever with Him!  We talked about how we can get to heaven by believing that Jesus died on the cross for us so that we can be him and His Father forever.

Adolfo (April 2010)

After the Bible story, as the kids were painting a beautiful picture of heaven with watercolors and gluing colored gems to the gates, I received a phone call letting me know that Adolfo had passed away—closed his eyes for the last time on earth to wake up in HEAVEN!  It was impossible to contain the emotion I felt.  I was told that during his last days Adolfo had repeatedly said that he just wanted to go be with Jesus and not suffer anymore.  I immediately shared with the kids about Adolfo and how at that moment we could rejoice knowing that Adolfo was in heaven with Jesus!!  I pray that all of you may know this same hope that sustained Adolfo and that sustains all of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior.  Heaven is wonderful, and it is for real!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him…." (1 Cor. 2:9)  “There are many rooms in my Father’s house.  I would not tell you this if it were not true.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back.  Then I will take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.”  (John 14:2-3)

Previous blog posts about Adolfo:
  A Very Special Birthday Wish (April 22, 2010)
  The Kids Visit Adolfo (April 29, 2010)
  Reaching Out to Adolfo (June 29, 2010)

Baptisms

Recently, when several of our older children expressed an interest in being baptized, I realized that some of them have been here for years (others over a year) and although they have accepted Christ and have been growing in their knowledge of and faith in Him, had not yet been baptized.  We decided to plan and teach them a series of Bible lessons about baptism so that they would understand the Biblical significance of this act, including the Bible stories about John the Baptist, John baptizes Jesus, Philip and the Ethiopian, and more.  These weeks of teaching would be essential in giving the children who desired to be baptized the Biblical foundation and understanding in order follow Christ in this act. 

Through the story of the thief on the cross, we clarified to them that baptism is not what saves them; rather, they were granted salvation and became a part of God’s family when they called on Jesus to forgive them and save them from the punishment for their sins.  The children understood that baptism is a picture of what Jesus did for us (his death & resurrection) and is a way to show others that they are serious about following God and doing things His way. 

At our church service on Wednesday night, seven of our children were baptized (ranging in ages 7-12; in photo left to right: Gael, Diana, Francisco, Marifer, Carlos, Alexa, and Mayte).  The following Sunday night, three more were baptized (Saul, Raul, & Jenny), and this time Emmis was able to perform the baptisms.  These children are excited about their decision to publicly show that they choose to follow and obey Christ.  In turn, all of us who work with them at the orphanage and invest so much in them were overjoyed to see this fruit of the Holy Spirit in them.  Glory to God for how He is working in the lives and hearts of these children!

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”   1 Peter 3:18

Left to right: Gael, Diana, Francisco, Marifer, Carlos, Alexa, and Mayte

Emmis baptizing Raul

Pastor Carlos baptizing Alexa

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Jesus in Disguise

Several months ago, the Lord guided an immigrant couple and their young daughters to Rivers of Mercy.  Due to certain circumstances, they fled from their home in Durango, Mexico and came to Juarez, Mexico, where they knew no one, had no place to stay, and had no resources whatsoever. The Lord not only led us to help them but also led our church congregation to help them.  During the past several months, the three young girls—Alexa (3), Brittany (2), and Aylin (1), have been living here at Rivers of Mercy, while their parents have been living up the street at our church as they have been persistently looking for jobs in order to stabilize their life situation.

After searching desperately for several months and many times almost losing hope, Enoch, the father, finally was hired as a security guard two weeks ago. He is so thankful to have finally found a job, and is working hard in order to get truly established there.  Lupita, the mother, continues to look for a job. Since they are still very needy, we all agreed that the best thing for the girls would be for them to continue to live here at Rivers of Mercy for the time being. The parents’ plan is for Lupita to work for only several months in order for them to save enough money to be able to move into a place of their own. Meanwhile, the girls are able to spend the weekends with their parents up at the church.

Brittany, Aylin, and Alexz

Not only have we seen drastic changes and progress in the three girls, but their parents have as well. Aylin arrived as a 10-month old baby who looked as if she were four or five months old because of malnourishment. She was very underweight and had little strength in her body—could not sit up on her own and wouldn’t try to support herself with her legs whatsoever. Needless to say, she is now a more healthy-looking, solid 1-year old who can sit up on her own, no longer cries when we give her “floor time,” is a great eater, and is generally happy. Britany was extremely shy and afraid when she first arrived. She never took her thumb out of her mouth—this was her security blanket--and cried almost constantly. It just dawned on me the other day that I haven’t seen her thumb in her mouth for a while now! Alexa and Britany are both learning and interacting in their preschool class taught alternately by Ashley (a permanent volunteer here) and Myrna (one of our employees).

Ashlee teaching her preschool (pre-K) class

Their parents are amazed by the positive changes and progress that they have seen in the girls. We are grateful once again to be able to be used as the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need, remembering that anyone we serve could actually be “Jesus in disguise”.

Matthew 25:35,36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me ...

Orphanage Campout - 2012

Every October, a wonderful group of people from Albuquerque, NM, takes a large group of orphans on a camp-out here in Mexico for a weekend.  It’s a special time to get away, enjoy God’s beautiful creation, do some adventurous activities, meet kids from another orphanage, eat like kings, and experience what it’s like to camp.  For most of these kids, it’s the first time and maybe the only time they’ll ever do so.  For the third year in a row, our kids were blessed with the opportunity to go, and they had an awesome time!  The campout took place in a beautiful location several hours south of Juarez.  The weather was warm and the setting green--lots of trees in comparison to our barren Anapra.  There was a lake with fish; a small, shallow, river; an outdoor pool with quite cold water for the kids to swim in; and a large hill on the other side of the river, which proved to be a key element in the kids’ competitions.

Campfire!

Emmis and several of our staff and volunteers accompanied about 18 of our older children on the campout, while I (Kristin), stayed home with the younger children.  The team from Albuquerque was waiting for them when they arrived, having already prepared the campsite for their guests.  Another orphanage from near where the campout was held also brought their children for the weekend campout.  There were about 20 children from the other orphanage ranging in ages 7-13, and our kids had a great time making friends with them during their short time together.  All of the kids had a lot of fun participating in the games and activities that our staff had planned for the weekend.  One of the highlights was a competition involving three different teams of children, a competition which included them having to navigate through an obstacle course in the shallow river (see picture) and culminated with them having to trek up the large hill to the finish at the peak.

Obstacle course through the river

Another highlight was the “exploration” of the surrounding area that our staff and kids embarked on--they definitely came across some interesting creatures!  Thank you so much to this wonderful team of people, Better Together Mexico, for making this experience possible for our kids.  It is always an unforgettable experience!

Food line!

Games on the hill