The Ministry of Love . . .

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails . . . and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
During my transition between ministries, all the Lord has called me to do is love Maribel with the love He has poured into me thru His Holy Spirit. Please pray for me and Maribel, the most amazing woman of God I have ever met, and all those years of waiting on the Lord for that special lady, now only seem like a few days . . . to God be the glory.

Original Heart Made Joy, Fit

This photo was taken over a year ago on a visit to Okinawa, Japan, while on a four-month sabbatical from the Casa de Esperanza shelter.
I had gone to visit my daughter in October, and I remember the day I took this photo - it was the day that I DIDN'T want to get out of bed and visit a nearby town known for its amazing street shopping opportunities, but I went anyway, doing some fasting and praying along the way in hopes of hearing clearly from the Lord what my next step was in ministry.
The Lord definitely spoke to me that day - I was to return to the shelter, and He would restore the original joy I had while serving there in the beginning, which He has done.
Really wasn't sure what the 'fit' part meant - I would have a healthy heart again? Not that I have any heart problems, but the 'fit' part kind of fell away and was forgotten, until last month.
Most of my friends know that I have been praying for that perfect 'helpmate' (over 15 years), and each time I tried to 'seek' one, the Lord would just say 'no, be patient and wait, and I will do it.'
After almost 16 years of waiting, my patience had worn thin, until just last month, something really amazing and exciting happened - the Lord blessed me with this amazing friendship, this amazing young lady, and to say that this feels like the perfect 'fit', would be an understatement.
Please pray for us, that God would work out every single detail, and as the Lord has said, "He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them."
Shalom and Love
Walt aka C.L.

Amazing Young Ladies . . .

These three kids (l-r), Fernanda, Gaby, and Yareli, have been at the Casa for almost two years now, and I kind of keep wondering where the time has gone.
A little over two weeks ago we went to the beach as usual, and I had been telling the oldest (Gaby) that she needed to set an example for the other younger girls when it came to helping around the Casa and on outings like to the beach, that way, I could be lazy and just relax!
So as I sat there in my beach chair enjoying the ocean breeze and watching 12 of my kids enjoy themselves, the Lord allowed me to see these three in a whole different light.
I saw each of these young gals come to the aid and side of some of the smaller kids and act like big sisters, especially with the newer kids.
I was so overwhelmed by what the Lord was doing thru these three young ladies, I began to weep and thank the Lord for His hand being upon them since they arrived at the Casa, and how HE had grown them into these amazing young girls in the Lord.
I remember texting my fellow missionary (big Gaby) back at the shelter, letting her know just how beautiful a work God had done in these three lives, and by just 'seeing' God's amazing handiwork, brought me to tears.
It made everything that I had to endure and suffer thru as a first-year director at the Casa, worth every moment of heartache, to see the fruit of the Lord.
God is so faithful. He is able.
Shalom
C.L.

My Water Tank

A few months back we went thru a lot of trouble moving our water tanks (2500 gallons each) to the back of our property, and one developed a tear of several inches in the worst place, the bottom. No worries though, because we had two other tanks that held plenty of water. We actually repaired the damaged tank, only to have it leak badly again.
Fast forward to about three weeks ago, and now another tank had developed a tiny, slow leak on the side . . . I drove into town hoping to find the right material to plug this tiny whole, and nothing worked.
The good news is, a gentleman who overheard my conversation with the counter person, told me he had repaired tanks like this before, and was more than gracious to come out and repair our tank. I remember praying before I went to look for the materials, but never imagined the Lord would hook me up with the right person at the right time.
Sometimes we can be so oblivious to how the Lord wants to be involved in our every day lives, regardless of how small or large of a matter it may be - in my case, the repairs on my tanks.
I remember driving back to the Casa with this guy in my car, thinking, "Lord, did you just hook me up the way I think you hooked me up!!??" I was completely overwhelmed by God's amazing handiwork on my pathetic, puny life.
God is so faithful . . . now, if I could just trust Him and be patient, I know He will bring me a wife too . . .
Shalom
C.L. - single for the Lord since 03/96'

"I Need Cover Fire . . . "

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer."
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Last year while crossing the border into Tijuana (see photo), I was harassed, pulled over, ridiculed, fined, held in custody for hours, threatened, sent back to the U.S. a number of times, and almost had my car impounded once. All this happened when I tried to do things legitimately so I WOULDN'T get hassled. All I was trying to do was bring blessings (supplies, clothes, food) to Casa Esperanza. The enemy is a liar, a thug, and a thief!
The truth is, I was ready to give up - I didn't want to bring anything across ever again and hassle with those border people.
When I got back from a four month sabbatical in January, I made it a point to have a U.S. cell phone with me at all times so I could text message everyone back home just minutes before hitting the border, asking everyone to pray for God's favor and traveling mercies as I attempted to bring more 'blessings' to Esperanza.
In the last six months, I have probably crossed that border into Tijuana as many times as I did the previous year, and only by the grace of God and your prayers, I have NEVER been stopped!!! Praise Him!!!
I will admit I get this sick feeling in my stomach just as I'm entering the border wondering, "Lord, is this the one time I'm gonna get stopped and detained?"
Then when I finally reach the other side of that entrance gate (Mexico in red letters) and get the 'green' light to pass on thru, I just start praising the Lord and rejoicing because I KNOW that my homies back home have prayed for me, and I get to drive on thru to Ensenada with a huge smile on my face!
I have sent that text to pray so many times, it has become automatic for me -- ALWAYS send the text before reaching the border, "I need cover fire!" aka, please pray for me.
And for whatever reason, the Lord has seen fit to honor your prayers every single time!
Today for the first time just after crossing, it occurred to me that the Lord could 'allow' me to get hassled, harassed, and test my faith and patience like it was tested to the maximum last year.
But I praise the Lord that not once have I had do deal with any border agents, and that truly has been a huge blessing for me. I can't even begin to explain to all who receive my text via my cell phone, just how much I appreciate your prayers as I cross that border one more time. I am indebted to you.
Truly the prayers of my righteous friends availeth much!
Much love, from south of that border crossing I use to hate.
Shalom.
C.L.

When The Lord Rebukes You . . .

Proverbs 3:11,12
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in."
Today was my day off from the Casa, but as usual, someone talked me into running errands for the shelter.
On the way into town with one of our moms, I took one of my kids with me, Gaby (photo), who had asked me to be her godfather for her graduation (a Mexican tradition) from 6th grade last year.
Over the last few months, and especially during my sabbatical away from the Casa, I had COMPLETELY forgotten that she was even my goddaughter.
So as usual, the Lord started dealing with me on this issue. In fact, just as we passed Domino's pizza in town, the Lord reminded me not only of what I had forgotten, but how I had treated the other adolescent girls when they had made similar requests. How I had spoiled them (in a good way, a dad's way), but had not really taken that extra step for Gaby.
I felt so bad, that I immediately started to share with Gaby what the Lord had just spoken to me, and apologized to her over and over. How could I have forgotten that she was my goddaughter, and had not given her the same 'dad' treatment I had done for others in the past! I was sick to my stomach.
So after running our errands, I decided to bless Gaby with some dinner.
As we all sat there waiting for our food, I looked over at Gaby who was watching the tv at this taco stand, and again the Lord drilled it into my spirit, how I had missed the mark with this kid - how important it was for Gaby to know that she is loved like a daughter, especially since she grew up her entire life without a dad.
Now I was crying and repenting. This is what the Lord had called me to do since I had arrived at the Casa - just be a dad.
Thank God she didn't see me crying!
I apologized again to her during our meal, and on the drive home I explained to her how the Lord had dealt with me - she just smiled.
Two weekends prior to today, I had sat there watching tv with some of the kids, including Gaby. Just the smallest gesture of hugging my kid that evening and holding her hand had impacted her. The next day one of the kids shared with me that the whole time I had sat next to Gaby, she had been crying - all she wants is to be loved by a dad.
Please pray for Gaby, and all my kids at the Casa - that God bring healing to their precious hearts. That God would continue to use me in that respect.
Which reminded me of what the Lord had spoken to me years before I left for Mexico . . . "you will bring healing to your people."
God is so faithful.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
Shalom
C.L.

A Word From The Lord . . .

I'm always praying, asking, seeking, knocking, petitioning, wrestling, listening . . . "Lord, am I in the right spot? Am I suppose to go home yet?"
This is the Word the Lord gave me this morning, with some very clear direction where I'm suppose to be, after everything I've experienced since I first arrived in Mexico way back in 2007.
Psalms 37:3-11

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgement as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.
But the humble will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity."

The above photo was taken from the hills just behind Casa Esperanza, overlooking the inlet from Punta Banda, with Ensenada hidden in the fog in the distance.
The Lord is faithful.
C.L.

The Divine Appointment Maker . . .

Last thursday I was rushing around all morning trying to get things done so I could head out to San Diego early afternoon and enjoy some 'me' time - but God had a different plan.
After getting everything taken care of at the Casa, I headed back to my house for a quick shower and was already done packing when I recalled I had left something in my car. As I opened and closed the front door, out of habit I automatically locked the bottom doorknob. Crap! Not only were my car keys still inside the house, but so were my house keys, and my front gate was now locked, and my cell phone in my car, also locked.
"No worries," I told myself - "God has a plan."
So I walked back to the Casa, jumped in the Casa van, and headed to my local locksmith (15 minutes away) who is dirt cheap and would have my door opened in no time - except, he wasn't there!
"God has a plan," I kept repeating. So I drove over to the local convenience store to call the locksmith except, there phones didn't work. So I walked over to the local payphone except, that phone didn't work!
So now I'm complaining, "Lord, I just wanna get outta here and get to San Diego for some 'me-time' - is that so wrong!?"
So finally I get to another phone and get thru to my locksmith, who promises to be back in 15 minutes.
So I drive back to his business, and wait outside for him.
What seemed like an eternity to me, I began to pray. When I pray sometimes I just have a straight conversation with the Lord, and it went something like this.
"Lord, for whatever reason you've allowed me to lock myself out. So now I'm here . . . waiting. You obviously have some divine appointment for me. Am I suppose to meet my future wife here? Is there someone I need to pray for? Who am I looking for? Whatever you have for me Lord would you please bring them right now, because I know there's a reason I'm here."
Some kid walked by and I asked him if he knew the locksmith - "no" he replied.
Then some guy walked by and I asked him the same thing - same answer.
Then minutes later the same guy starts walking to his car parked out in front with a decal on the side of his door that says (in spanish), "The Potter's House."
It finally dawned on me who he was, and we began talking about Casa Esperanza - we had talked months before, and I began to share with him my frustration of trying to get out of Ensenada to get to San Diego, but God had brought me here instead to meet somebody, and that somebody was him.
He shared with me how the ministry (rehab for drugs and alcohol) he oversees needed rice and beans, and I explained to him how the Casa had an 'overabundance' of rice and beans. God is so good!
I also mentioned the need for some guys to come over to the Casa to do some work twice a week, and his reply was he was hoping to have some of his guys go out and help other ministries. God is too good!
Then today on the way back from the beach I ran into Steve Crews (Reality in the house!) who was headed to, you guessed it, the Potter's House.
That was God's reminder that today I was to take over the rice and beans, which I did, and I saw Steve and his wife.
We serve an amazing God who is always looking out for us, always wanting to use us to bless His family in Christ.
That thursday I finally left for San Diego three hours later than expected, but I arrived just at the perfect time to get across the border in less than an hour, when normal 'wait' times are 90 minutes or more.
By no coincidence just the day before, the Lord had taken me 'out of my way' to another ministry (women's rehab for drugs and alchohol) who were also in dire need of rice and beans, which I get to deliver tomorrow.
God is faithful - it feels so good being used by the Lord like this. Vessels of honor.
All glory to Him.
C.L.