Building a New Life...

Brad and I have been dealing with the after-effects of our trip to go rescue our little goat-herder, which have manifested themselves in a nice case of the dreaded Mexican Goat Cold. I guess if you hug on sick kids, you're going to share in their colds... :) This is a rather tenacious cold, but it's got to get better eventually, right?

We've posted a new video and a photo gallery from our adventure with Mariquita on our homepage. It's amazing to me to watch this video and see how God led us each step of the way...

I just wanted to give a quick update on life at Una Esperanza. Mariquita, Maria, Dulce and Jessica all seem to be settling into a nice daily routine while living with Juan and Chelo's family. These girls have been so used to roaming the streets on their own, without any accountability, we had worried that it might be a tough transition to be "tied down" with rules, but they actually seem to welcome the security of having to live within parameters.


Here's the room where the girls will live until Casa de Una Esperanza is built. Juan had the four walls up by the time we brought Mariquita back, and he's expected to be pretty much done with the room by the time we return to Una Esperanza next week. While we were in Juarez, we purchased a new refrigerator for Juan and Chelo's home (I'm pretty sure the model they had was from the 1970's...) as well as mattresses, bedding, towels, clothes, a dresser, and Barbies for the girls.

It's interesting to note how closely the Tarahumara in our community are watching us right now. They all know Mariquita's story, and they are watching to see how we deal with the kids, and if we will be true to our word to provide a better life for her and watch out for her. We know this is a crucial time in our ministry to the Tarahumara, and we ask for your prayers as we live out our daily lives in plain view. They live such a separated lifestyle, and want nothing to do with "outsiders."

I was so reminded of Romans 10:14-15 the other day:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
And again in verse 20:
"...'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."

There is such unrest in the Tarahumara population in Kilmeter 33. The women are out fist-fighting in the streets. They attempt to stone one another in their anger. The men are drunk or absent much of the time. There is jealousy, envy and malice toward each other. There is a definite spiritual battle going on, and they don't seem to know their lives could be different. I'm not talking about poverty. I don't believe that to be the underlying problem. They are given free food, but it doesn't solve the root problem, which is a lack of Hope. However, the concept of Hope sounds rather academic until they see life change in people they know. We are praying that God will bring about that life change in the Tarahumara that have accepted Christ as their Savior. All our words mean nothing until they see love in what we do.

P.S. I learned about half-way through this story with Mariquita that I had been mis-spelling her name, so I've attempted to correct it in all the prior posts...

Rescued!!!

Wow. Where do I even begin? The last two days have been such a testimony to God's guiding hand and protection. As you can tell from the picture to the left, the bottom line is that Mariquita is back with us, and as I speak, she is out splashing in the pool at the Holiday Inn Express.

Let me backtrack a bit. We left Juarez Thursday morning and drove about ten hours into the mountains, still trying to pinpoint exactly where she was in these mountains. Patsy had gotten the names of some larger towns around the place she was supposed to be, but we also had to take into account the fact that (1) sometimes Tarahumara simply refer to the region in which they live, (2) many of these towns are not actually on any map, and (3) every town seems to end in "-chi" and they all sound remarkably alike.

After finding a name that looked like what the Tarahumara were saying on the map, we headed for Creel, which is kind of like a gateway to Barranca del Cobre, and has a very large Tarahumara population. There were ominous storm clouds overhead and it was raining as we drove through the twisty mountain roads, and as we rounded a corner about 30 kilometers from Creel, we saw a car coming from the opposite direction go off the road and dive down a 20-foot cliff at full speed. Knowing full well these roads weren't very populated for long stretches, we pulled over to try to help. As I sat in the minivan with the kids, Brad and Patsy walked back to where the car had gone over, and their first view was very gruesome. Besides several people with obvious head injuries and others throwing beer bottles out of the car, they were met by a very drunk man bringing a little girl about three years old up the embankment. He asked us to take the girl and go get help in a town about 15 kilometers away. Miraculously, this little girl was without a scratch, even though several others in the car probably died. She was in a state of shock, but we got her to the police station and notified them of the accident, and then got back on our way, a bit shaken and even more grateful for God's protection.

We spent the night at a Best Western motel in Creel, and talked to more people in the area, and discovered that the region Mariquita was in was about 100 kilometers away, only accessed by a dirt road. Keep in mind, dirt roads are not well-marked, and we had to stop many times during our four hours driving over this dirt road and even had to turn around a few times. The things we saw along these dirt roads were priceless, I must say. We saw the Tarahumara in their native setting, without any of the tourist sites. It is truly gorgeous, and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful area to go searching for a lost little girl.

After these four hours on the bumpy dirt road, we got to the region we were more certain of, and we knew the name of the town (more like a village, really) she was supposed to be in (which was a different place than when we set out Thursday). Once again, this village wasn't on any map, and we were starting to wonder if the Tarahumara had a different name for it than anyone else did. As we were nearing the town we knew was close, we happened upon a family sitting under a tree at a fork in the road, and stopped to ask if they were familiar with San Jose Baqueachi, and they were. They told it was 40 kilometers down the road to the left of the fork in the road. I honestly wonder if they were angels God placed there to give us direction.

So, we headed down this new dirt road, and that 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) took us three hours to travel. I would never have believed a minivan could get over these mountain roads with huge rocks and standing water from recent thunderstorms we had to pass through. Respect the van, indeed! Many times, we bottomed out and thought we would get stuck, but somehow God got us through!

When we finally got to this village that wasn't on the map, we asked some women sitting by the side of the road if they were familiar with this lady whom Mariquita was supposed to be with, but no one had heard of her. They told us to drive around the village to the clinic, and ask about her there. We couldn't find the unmarked clinic, but we did find a little store, and went in to ask if anyone there had seen them or knew them.

Brad and I were so discouraged at this point. We had driven ten hours one day and seven hours a second day, and this was the only place we knew to look. If we didn't find her here, we would have to return to Juarez and re-group and think of another way to find her. I can't even describe the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. We had been praying every step of the way, and felt like we were at a dead end.

After Patsy and the Tarahumara girls talked to the store owner and described the woman, her name, and where she was from, they offered to drive us up to a ranch that might be the right one. They said it was "just up the hill." "Just up the hill" turned into another 20 minute drive OFF the dirt road and through the rocks. We would never have found this place had it not been for these women leading us there. I am convinced of that. The hurdles getting up to this ranch were even more treacherous, if that was possible.

As we arrived at the ranch, Maria recognized it by the steer's skull hanging on the gate, and we praised God that we had finally found the ranch. We found the woman, but Mariquita wasn't there at the ranch, they had her out herding goats. At first, the woman was very resistant to us taking Mariquita back with us, but through a combination of things - our having her birth certificate with us, the peer pressure of the local women with us, and her speaking with the Tarahumara girls with us, she hesitantly agreed to lead us to where Mariquita was watching the goats. Brad and I did a lot of praying while Patsy was negotiating with this woman and even as we followed the lady to the pasture. We prayed that God would change this woman's heart and grant us favor in her eyes. She had said initially that she didn't want Mariquita to see us, because she would want to go home with us.

We drove back about 10 minutes from the ranch, and then from the top of one of the ridges, we saw this little girl among many goats in the distance. She looked so tiny out on that field. I've never been so happy to see a dirty little girl! When we stopped and got out of the van, she ran to Brad and held on to him with tears in her eyes. I couldn't help crying when I hugged her, and somehow seeing Mariquita's reaction to us softened that woman's heart, and she agreed to let us take her.

Not waiting for her to change her mind, we thanked her profusely and gave her a monetary gift for her trouble, and took Mariquita and headed for the hills. As we drove out the dirt road again for the next three hours, we gave Mariquita food and water (she was pretty ravenous), put her in clean, new clothes, and she slept peacefully in Brad's lap as he drove (this is Mexico...).

As we drove back out through mountains, we came to a little stream, and we felt led to build a little altar out of some rocks and thank God for all He had done. We explained this to the girls and had a prayer of thanksgiving with Mariquita, then got back on our way, praying that God would hold off the thunderstorm until we got back on paved road.

After about nine hours total driving time yesterday, we got back to Chihuahua and found a Holiday Inn Express and got rooms. Mariquita took her first bath in a real bath tub with hot water, and she actually cleans up pretty nice!

It's so nice to hear her giggle again and see a huge smile on her face. I think it's beginning to sink in that she has been rescued, and she slept peacefully last night. Juan has begun construction on a room that will be used for she and Maria as well as two other girls who were left by their family at the ministry center, and when we get back to Juarez, we'll go shopping for beds and dressers and clothes for these little ones. We still desparately need the new facility, but we cannot wait until it is built to start providing a home for these girls. Good intentions won't keep these girls safe. They need security and protection and love now.

During this whole trip, I was reminded of several things by the Lord, but the most prevalent picture that came to my mind was that of the Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep and searching for the one sheep that had been lost. I guess that applies to goats, too, huh? There was a lot of cost involved in this trip to rescue her, but it was worth every cent. She is so precious and loved, and God has given her value that many people have failed to recognize. We love our little goatherder, and are so glad to have her back with us.

Thank you to all of you who prayed unceasingly for us in this expedition. Your prayers were truly felt, and God honored them all. I'm so emotional as I realize that hundreds of people all over the United States were raising up this little girl in prayer. God is good, and He does perform miracles. We witnessed one yesterday.

Mariquita update #2

We made it to El Paso tonight, so after strategizing and debriefing with Patsy, we head across the border early in the morning. We finally have the name of the town she's in, Basaseachic, and even found it on a map, which is quite a feat in Mexico. It will probably take most of the day to get there, but we're hopeful.

Please pray for safety for Mariquita, for us, and that God would work in the circumstances to make it possible for us to take Mariquita with us. We're not exactly sure what we could be walking into, but we do know that God goes before us. It's possible that we may be unable to get internet access for a few days as we go into the canyons, but please continue to pray for God to lead us every step of the way.

Mariquita Update

I just wanted to give a quick update on the situation with Mariquita. We've received permission from her mother for she and her sister Maria to live at our ministry center, under our care. That's a big praise God!

The next part of this adventure is that we have to go get her and bring her back. She is somewhere in the Copper Canyon region, which covers roughly 50,000 square miles, with many little villages in the mountains and canyons. About 50,000 Tarahumara Indians live in this canyon system, and they are largely cut off from modern society. There is no phone number we can call and locate her. Mariquita's sister thinks she knows where they are, and we're trying to pin down what town she is in and finding the fastest way there.

At this point, our plan is to fly out on this rescue mission Wednesday afternoon to Juarez, pick up Maria and Patsy, our on-site missionary from El Paso, and head down to the Copper Canyon region. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will just lead us like a tracking device to that little girl to bring her home. Locating her could be like finding a needle in a haystack, but we've seen God move so mightily in this situation already, we have to take the leap of faith and just go. He is mighty to save, even little five-year-old Indians.


We will put the girls on cots in the ministry center for right now, but Juan (the pastor of our church down there) will begin constructing a stand-alone room in the only remaining open space on the existing ministry center lot. The chicken coop is getting booted to make room for girls! He thinks he can build this room for about $2000, so in faith we're having him begin the construction in the next day or so.

We've received so many encouraging e-mails and comments on the blog, and I can't express adequately how that has encouraged us in the last 24 hours. When God's people truly pray, He works! We're not out of the woods yet (and neither is Mariquita), but at least we're seeing some daylight. We would ask you to continue to lift this situation up to God in prayer - specifically for Mariquita's continued safety, for guidance and protection as we head down to find her, that the Lord would cause us to have favor with the woman who has her (that she would let her go without a struggle), that we would recognize and obey the Holy Spirit's leading as we proceed in this adventure, and wisdom to deal with all involved in a Christ-like manner.

Many of you have indicated that you would like to help out financially, and that is always welcomed. Please feel free to donate through PayPal on the Kingdom Flight website, or you can mail a check to the address on our contact page. Thank you for helping save this little girl, one of the Least of These mentioned in Matthew 25.

Mariquita

My heart is so absolutely heavy as I type this post this morning. This is not an attempt at manipulating anyone. This is a cry for help and for prayer. The picture you see here is Mariquita. She was one of the girls highlighted in our last newsletter, presenting the need for a girls home that we need to build. Mariquita is five years old.

This morning, we learned that Mariquita's mother gave her away to another woman (whose son is a known molester) and Mariquita has been taken by this woman to the Sierras (Copper Canyon). The reason her mom gave her away is that she simply didn't want her anymore. She has previously done this with an older daughter. Right now I am so angry that this little girl is being cast off like some old clothes and being placed into the hands of a molester. I'm angry because I want this girls home to be built so that we could have taken Mariaquita in, to save her from certain harm.


Mariquita and her sister Maria and brother Benito have been part of Una Esperanza from the very beginning and have been a crucial part in helping bridge the gap between the Tarahumara and Una Esperanza. This morning I am praying that this woman would be compelled to bring Mariquita back to Juarez, that she would have no rest until she is back with her brother and sister. I am praying that God will put a hedge of protection around Mariquita and that she would not be touched by this molester. If she is returned to Una Esperanza, we will try our best to "buy" her from her mother so we can protect her. I am begging God to raise up someone who cares about this girls home and will enable us to get it built.


This need is so far beyond what Brad or I can accomplish, but I am even more convinced that this is in the heart of God to protect these children and give them a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 is no less true for this little girl in Mexico than it is for the suburbanite in the United States. He has plans for Mariquita for good and not for harm, for a future and a hope. God, please let her live to see that future and that hope. She loves you as much as she knows how to right now.

I'm also including a link to the recent drawings that we received for the girls home. This needs to be built now, not in three years when we have enough money. We are crying out to God to provide for this need and protect these girls NOW, not when it's too late for Mariquita.


Please, please, please pray for Mariquita right now, that God would protect her and return her to us. Please pray that God would provide for this need. His hand is moving so mightily amongst these people, but Satan is working overtime to sustain his grasp on them.


I would ask you to take the time to watch the Casa de Una Esperanza video included in the links to the right of this post and pray for Mariquita as you are led by the Holy Spirit.