THE MOST WONDERFUL EQUATION!

Have you ever read Mathew 24:12? “And because lawlessness (Love-lessness) is increased, most people´s love will grow cold” and then find encouragement in the following verse: “but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved (consoled, encouraged, given peace, blessed?) And then, led by the Holy One gone to Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:9-21; Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8?

When you analyze all these statements about love, you cannot but end in the wonderful equation of generous hearts linked by such a love does not have any other result than gratitude to one another because of gratitude for the grace and mercy of the Lord!

When you go down into the valleys of despair the Lord sends you messages through your friends and those you lovingly serve. What I will describe below, starting with the 2 pictures of our first high school graduates Juan-José Martínez and Juana-Aurora Espinoza Gutiérrez, already enrolled in college, is the most beautiful gratitude message I and we as a ministry have received in a very long time. It will be Juanita´s words as boys are shyer when having to state their inner feelings, but I am sure his heart is also full of gratitude for all of us, us and you their sponsors and friends.

2007

As I translate Juanita´s words dedicated to us, I visualize all those of you, generous hearts, that behind us, with your prayers, care and support, enabled us to see this wonderful girl arise from her past of dire circumstances to flourish into the first fruit, along with Juan, her male counterpart in this ministry success. Let´s enjoy her words and the glimpses of their developing stages while among us. Here are her words!

Dear grandma and grandpa. Dear girls, tutors and sponsors. I want to dedicate these words in this so significant a day for me. There have been already many years in my life and most of them I have shared them with you all, years where many unforgettable things happened and moments that taught me a lot about life.

2003

Grandma and grandpa! I am grateful for all that love, patience and support you have given me!

I am grateful because you were always there with me during all my arduous growing up and walking in the midst of successes and failures because we all fail sometimes, but you taught me that the losers are those who quit and the conquerors are the ones who persevere and endure, raising up again after every failure, with greater desires to fight and go on, learning the lesson and convinced that nothing nor no one will be able to stop them.

I am grateful for all your time, so valuable and unrecoverable that you lavished on me. You gave all of yourselves so I could become who I am.

Thanks for all that I have been able to accomplish until now because you never gave up, you did not desist and tenaciously fought so I would be able to overcome.

Thanks for your advice, for your correcting me, sometimes with a smile, other times in a loving stern way, but maybe these last ones were the ones who shook me out of immaturity and complacency.

Thanks, grandpa and grandma because at your side I learnt the meaning of the most beautiful word: LOVE!

Thanks for every candle you and me blew out in every one of my birthday celebrations!

Thanks for every whole night you spent praying and stayed awake when I was confused or sick. Thanks for those nights you spent at my hospital bedside because of my painful migraines.

Thanks for the happy times you shared with me and the times you helped me to overcome my recurrent sadness
Thanks because you tried everything and did not allow that loneliness feelings were my only friends and companions.
2004

Thanks for the times you did not go to bed until you were sure I was healthy or out of danger

Thanks for the time that you should have spent together and sacrificed the things you liked to do so you could invest on me

Thanks for the times you looked at me with joyful pride when good things were told to you about me

Thanks because you encouraged me always so I could fulfill my greatest desire, that of graduating from high school so I could enter college which is the greatest dream in my life.

Thanks!

· Because only your love kept me upright when everybody had abandoned me!
· Because only your love trusted me when no one else believed me!
· Because only your love forgave me when anyone else misunderstood me!
2005

But alongside gratefulness there must be the willingness to ask to be forgiven. Please forgive me for all the disagreeable times I made you go through for the sadness you felt because of my selfish at times behavior, for the times you thought that probably was not worthy anymore to keep on sacrificing because I did not appreciated what you kept on doing for my benefit.
2006

Dear grandma and grandpa. Dear girls, psychologist and tutor mothers.

Maybe I did suffer innumerable disappointments in the arduous walking of my life but I finally understood they were not so important when compared with the loving actions that I saw you doing for us

Maybe I was not strong enough to make all my ideas a reality but because of your untiring support I never felt defeated

Maybe I knocked down myself but you encouraged me so I would not stay too long crying helpless on the floor of auto compassion

Maybe some times I was unjustly treated but you taught me that I should never accept the role of a victim

Maybe I was deceived many times but I will never stop believing that here was a place with people who deserved my trust. Maybe I am not the greatest expectation of yours but I will always try to be up to your desires for me

As time passed I recognized I made many mistakes and I ask you forgiveness for them, because I will not desist from keep on walking ahead.
As time passed I lost many friends but I learnt that the true friends I will never lose them, because today you are here, at my side.
2007

Maybe there will come my way times when I will feel weak and tired but every morning I will wake to start again doing what I have to do even if in a different way than the day before

Maybe I never learnt all the necessary lessons you tried me to but I am conscious that the real and important teachings are indelibly printed in my mind, my heart and my spirit

Maybe the temptation to quit and leave everything behind became my nagging and always present companion but instead of running away I ran and chased all the goals I wanted to accomplish

Maybe I did not have reasons for great remembrances but I never stopped enjoying all my accomplished little successes.

Maybe I am not still the girl I would like to be but I have peace in being the person I have become

But at the end I know that even in the midst of my unending doubts I was able to set down the foundations of a better and positive life

And if I still not convinced is because I believe that have not yet reached the end of the road.

Now there is a new life phase that I am starting. It is a new and very joyful start but at the same time plagued by doubts, fears and constant personal struggles, but I know that at the end of this road I will always be grateful to all of you because we reach our successful goals along with the loved ones. You are the ones who will give me the triumphal applause and this is what really counts!

My dear friends probably this is one of the most emotive testimonies I have ever had the blessed opportunity to listen, read and translate.

I could not move myself to edit it just to fill the everything in one minute challenging limits of today communication fashions.

Please rejoice and pray for Juan next Sunday the 25th. when he and my wife walk together to receive his high school diploma, and the next December 1st. when I will walk the aisles proudly taking Juana to the stage to receive hers. And keep on rejoicing because both of them are already enrolled in college.

BLESSINGS AND DREAMS!

Our country political and social upheavals have developed into a confrontational way of thinking where there are always threats of “going to the ultimate consequences” that in simpler terms only mean rejection to parental authorities and unending discussions about rights but carefully avoiding the corresponding responsibilities.
Our ministry has developed into a sort of specialized in siblings and hard cases ones because of our emphasis in individual quality care and Christian guidance and example.
Nicaraguan problem solving and authority enforcing usually takes the way of rebellion of the subjects and hard stances of the people in charge of the systems, from the family level to the highest societal one
We are not free from it.

Our ministerial actions relate not only to the children but also to the adults as well. Frictions and challenges are the order of the day, but patience and understanding that we have to keep on walking without despairing is not usually understood by the bystanders or the short time people involved in this spiritual struggle.
Here it is where it is so necessary to count your blessings in order to be able to keep on dreaming that with God´s help, guidance and support you will finally make a difference in the lives of all those around you, the local ones, your people, and the bystanders and the temporary ones, especially if they come from different cultures with different perspectives and different problem solving ways.
We have received the blessings of seeing our own family grow and become independent in action but closely knit in spirit and understanding.

We humanly feel proud of them, and they are the reason that we keep on dreaming to see the same in our children and staff.

Outpoured blessings so they can dream and face the challenges that are waiting to pop up in their way!
Here is our family!

They are the outpoured blessings of the Lord in our lives!

But the Lord has told us… I have more children for you to care for, walking and obeying by serving them!

And our own children understand!
They miss us, but they understand!

That´s our greatest, real and most important blessing!
More than human recognition, rewards or applause!

Here are our dreams
We have dreams in all sizes, adults and children´s as well!
Prettier and frolicking ones, too!
Will you let us dream that someday we will see this sensitive girl become a mature Christian, a lady, a housewife, a leader, and who knows, the future National Director for Arms of Love Nicaragua or elsewhere!

Click and keep on taking pictures with your spiritual camera of wisdom and discernment, visualizing the future and not the present struggles, and help them by supporting us and the AOL ministry in this daily walking with the Lord!

And believe me, sometimes is hard to take them along!
Many times we have to drag them on, and more than else we have to keep the sorely needed balance between dreams and realities of life!

A HOME TO CARE FOR!

HOME SWEET HOME! We read this statement very often, but we tend to forget that homes start with a house but homes are built out of that by the living in ones! And the basic premise is Love in action by example!

When the loving guiding hands are missing we end up with what is usually labeled in so many social analyses as “broken or dysfunctional homes”. We should be more honest and clearly state “destroyed or non existing homes”.

A loving ministry and the reason for us to serve God through AOL in Nicaragua is to restore, and many times create for the first time this home environment for our given children by God and Government.

That´s what my wife Gladys ministry has been. First our own one for our own children! Now the home for the abused, mistreated and abandoned children the Lord has entrusted to our, but mostly to her care!

She divides her time between both Arms of Love Nicaragua homes. Since yesterday she is in Jinotepe taking care of staff leading, counseling and Christian team spirit building as well as clothing, food supplies, loving discipline and guidance for the 22 children in there.

Meanwhile, in Managua, at the 19 girls’ home at Las Palmas, her physical absence is replaced by her spiritual presence and her example and teachings on how to be a lady and a housewife.

Weekdays are school and home study days! Friday afternoons and night leisure, playing, going to the park times! Friday night’s movie nights, candies and popcorn! Saturdays, cleaning and tidying up days! Clean homes show the cleanliness and shining of your heart! And you learn by doing as our girls do under the guidance from Gladys and our staff! See them at work!

But today, Saturday the 17th. November 2007 we had a pleasant surprise. Our littlest girl when seeing the rest busily at work around the house, without anyone telling them what to do, she did the same. She looked around, found a broom and went to a patio corner and started to sweep the leaves to get his favorite spot clean.

IT IS GOOD TO BE GRATEFUL!

It is good to be grateful to God, to our donors and friends!

Isaiah 32:20a. tells us “How blessed will you be, you who sow beside all waters” the waters of unselfish love, the waters of steadfast friendship, the waters of service, the waters of caring for each other and the children of God!

As Thanksgiving Day and Christmas are approaching we want to express our gratefulness to our ministry leaders for the trust deposited!

To our donors for their confidence in our transparence and stewardship!

To our friends for their sharing time, joy and laughter with us and our children!

Ron Burnett, his wife and friends

The Parkcrest church group

Our Guatemalean church leaders and the Giving University Group

The United Methodist Church friends

Our gifted artist from Galen Yoder´s group

and Galen, his daughter and friends

2007 has been a year of blessings, of trials which are a blessing itself because the Lord wants us to reach higher levels of submission and trust, of transitions, of expanding pruned vision and commitments! Blessed be the Lord!

TURN YOUR RADIO ON!

Turn your radio on! The spiritual one, so we can listen to the messages from the Lord!

This is addressed to all those involved or being called by the Lord to get involved in this wonderful ministry of real love giving to the children of God!

I have been touched down to the marrow of my bones by the latest child the Lord has given us in these moments of cloudiness and financial worries and concerns!

Yesterday, November the 5th. Meyling Zamora Guido, with her scared eyes and quiet desperation and uncertainty for what is happening to her, crossed the threshold of our home in Las Palmas carried by the MIFAMILIA delegate in the north of the country mining area of Siuna, being flown in to be given to us as a ministry and the best considered option for her well being and protection.

She is only 6 years old but does look only about a malnourished child of two. Her Calvary and her little brother of only 4 years started 2 years ago. She is afraid of males probably as her relatives only gave her mistreatment and abuse allowed by a very irresponsible and illiterate farming woman of 26.

Last October the 2nd. The Government decided to take them away from all the ones who were abusing them, but this came just 24 hours too late for her little brother Arnoldo who died of malnutrition the same day October the 2nd. At 8 a.m.

She was finally recovered by the government last October 3rd. and has been receiving emergency medical care that has made her gain 10 pounds to look as she presently looks, which is not at all a pretty and acceptable sight.

She came to us yesterday at 5 pm. November 5th. 2007. Just a few hours of love started to make changes in her! These three photos of her, less than one day after she has been given some affection and care show her now smiling and laughing. Children are so resilient if given a chance in life!

Being ourselves also children of God, He will prove to be our loving father and faithful provider, in all our needs and during all our crises! He bless us so we can, in turn, bless, love, care and protect those children like this one that He sent our way.

As I have done many times before in my missionary days when recurring crisis tried to disturb our peace and trust in our Lord being in control of all situations, in light of the unendurable pain and rampant abuse all around, I went to my dorm and took out again the 2 videos that have been my faithful companions for more than 20 years.

They hugely minister to me when listening to my favorite Christian singers and praisers! You all probably know them too as they have been outstanding Christian singers for a long time as well as their dearest Christian singer friends.

They are, in one video Don Moen praising and singing “God is good” and “He will make a way! and Ron Kenoly singing at the top of his voice “Righteousness, Peace, Joy and the Holy Spirit is the Kingdom of God”, and in the other, Bill and Gloria Gaither and their older Christian singer friends in their video: Turn your radio on!

My dear friends: In the understanding that the Lord washes our eyes with tears, the tears of the testing of His refiner´s fire, let’s praise and sing! Let´s sing and praise! God is good! He is the healer and provider! Nothing is too difficult for Him! Let´s His Glory fall upon us!

And be aware that… God is the strength of our hearts and our fortress forever! But that we need to put our eyes upon Jesus! In the certainty that… I and you all know who holds tomorrow! Let´s sing with all our heart:

I don´t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don´t borrow from its sunshine
For the sky may turn to gray

I don´t worry for the future
For I know what he might say
And today I walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead!

I don´t know about tomorrow.
I don´t seek to understand
For I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand!

For I know who feeds the sparrows
And I know who holds my hand!

Bill Gaither “singer friends” are telling us. “Cheer up, cheer up, all our brothers, we don´t need to understand the “by and by”! If we trust we will soon see the unclouded days!

I hope that this unclouded day is already shining upon this little girl who will be with us for at least the next 12 years of her life!

We as a family and ministry servants want to finish with what my favorite Christian songs singers sing at the top of their voices… THIS IS JUST WHAT HEAVEN MEANS TO ME!