God's call to Mexico: "Who opened the door?"

As I sit here reflecting over the last month, I wonder if these letters I write every other month benefit me most of all? Years ago, before I started writing these letters, I wonder how often I sat and forced myself to think back over my recent history, examining the Lord’s miraculous work in our lives and glorying in His perfect provision? I think I did that once a year; Thanksgiving maybe?? So, as an encouragement to you, a friend, partner in ministry (or both); I would encourage you to make time often to look back at your life. I have been encouraging my children in the same way over the last couple months in school as they have faced challenges like never before since our move here. We have been praying together, and I have been asking them to really look for the Lord’s blessing and work in their lives day to day. How is God providing? How is God moving? Recently, we were really able to see God opening doors for us just to get the kids enrolled in school down here. It was amazing. The story begins with one of the school principals actually accompanying us to the office of Education in Tijuana! There were at least five follow up trips, as the kids took placement tests and I juggled paperwork and hunted down documents. We simply walked through the process, as I watched the Lord provide the right person in the right place at the right time every step of the way. I could literally see the Lord making this happen. All I did was watch.

In contrast, it seems as though most of the ministry we do down here would probably be better categorized as a fight. It seems like very little comes easy. And as I think about that, it seems like that is how it should be doesn’t it? It should be hard. Satan is our enemy “roaming around as a hungry lion seeking someone to devour”. He is not here on earth playing games; he is playing for keeps. Satan leverages our bad or ignorant choices and constructs evil strongholds in our lives that hold us captive. Until one day, by God’s grace and conviction, He reveals to us what we’ve done. If we repent, God rushes in and destroys the stronghold with divine weapons. I often imagine being a warrior for God. I can imagine myself as a soldier with a wrecking hammer running into battle for the soul of another by prayer and love. I want to be that kind of guy. Will you consider that with me? Would you be open to caring enough for another to exercise discernment and begin to pray for them? I mean REALLY pray for them; calling for the Lord to breakdown strongholds and walls of discouragement releasing them into the life of freedom and grace that God has for them. What more could we do on Earth than that? What else were we put on this earth for? Could you imagine the impact that one decision would have on your marriage, your family or your friends? What about your enemy’s?

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10:3-5

If you are anything like me (and we are friends so I know you are :))

I think you would want to fight like the person described in the text above like I do. I want to make a difference in the lives of others. I want my work in this life to impact eternity. This last week, I helped coordinate the work as the Lord provided a home for a dear friend of the ministry down here. Our friends from Westgate Church in San Jose CA, financed and sent a team of 16 guys down who worked from 8am to 7:30pm for four days to nearly complete a house for Lamberto Escobedo and his family. That family was so blessed by that gesture, they were hardly able to speak. They saw the Lord provide miraculously, first hand.

The Lord has provided for me as well, as I now partner with 3 more people for the work here at Grace Children’s Home. When the Palau’s left on furlough, I was the only missionary on site with the paid staff. Now with Juan Strutton being named director of Orphan Care, his wife Alicia Strutton handling all things donor related (among other things); and my wife Melissa working as house Mom in the GCH Nursery (formerly known as Grace Babies’ Home); it’s a whole new world for all of us. It is such a contrast, it almost feels like a vacation. It is such a blessing now, living on site, working daily with my wife, working with the Strutton family, and now having the kids in school (rather than home school), it is like a whole new ministry for us down here. “Mexico 2.0” for the Hanson Family. God really is good isn’t He?