You never know…

We are in a new foreign world and the natural tendency is to compare it to, size it up and weigh it against the world we know.  For some things that is very easy, you learn how many liters of gas can go in your car, kilos of meat will feed a family, and that 30 degrees Celsius is not as cold as it sounds.  Sizing up the inner workings of the human heart through the filters of our own limited experience has proved to be both difficult and humbling.

As you’ve seen from the pictures we have posted that the orphanages we work with are filled with the most adorable, loving kids, you could ever imagine.  It is easy to judge and think, “How could someone ever leave them?”  We have learned that it is a complicated and diverse path that would lead a mother to make the decision to leave her child or children at a Christian Orphanage.  This option verses a state run facility allows them the opportunity to bring the child back home in the future and maintain visitation without sacrificing their parental rights.

This week while working at a children’s home we witnessed a mother that was there to visit her son. As they sat in a tree covered courtyard with the sound of traffic in the background and workers buzzing about she held what would otherwise be a four year old wiggle worm during every minute of her three hour visit.  As time went by in the heat of the afternoon the boy fell asleep in his mothers arms.  It was during this time that God showed us how wrong our judgments had been and how complex this situation truly is.  While the boy slept the mother held him closer than ever, sobbing and rocking her son. This was not the scene of a parent that did not care but one of a single mother in dire poverty. A mother making one of the hardest decisions imaginable and trusting God to do something that she can’t at this time, providing care and shelter for her child.

We may never know the final outcome of this situation. We do not know if the mother will be able to take the boy back home or if he will become the next doctor or attorney that graduates from the Back2Back HOPE program for teens.  All we do know is God is good and he has already taught us more lessons than we ever expected.  Day by day the calluses on our hands are getting harder and our hearts are getting softer.

Averee carried this little girl around until she fell asleep in her arms.

Colton and Averee have been tutoring the little kids everyday after school. The kids love them!

Haircut Day.... the boys were so excited that Stacy used scissors. Typically it is "buzz cuts."

The guys are working on a classroom for the ninos to study in after school.

We just can't get enough of them!

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18 Responses to You never know…

  1. We love sharing life with your family here! You are all a blessing!

  2. Candi & Randy says:

    WOW! I love reading your notes and seeing your pictures. You are learning more than you will ever realize. What an experience! Keep up the work.
    (and Averee looks EXACTLY like her beautiful mother!!) Love you guys! ~Candi

  3. Dana Rose says:

    I love the pictures! thank you so much for updating! :) May God continue to bless you and your family and use each of you to bless those in Mexico. Love you all!

  4. RJ Cook says:

    Love the photo’s! Let us know how you are doing. It is a great thing that you are doing, it will be a blessing to you and your family! God is Good!

  5. sarah moore says:

    Your post made me cry. Thank you for sharing

  6. John tolbert says:

    Your family is truly doing what life should really be about..may the good lord always bless your family

  7. Chris Blasko says:

    Wow.. thanks for sharing.

  8. Joanne Arnott says:

    Praising God for all He is doing in and through your family! Love, love how He works!
    Blessings,
    Joanne

  9. Debi Haggard says:

    Hey!
    I loved the pictures–and the story of the mom holding her little boy! I know God will bless you more than you are blessing the lives of those kiddos over there!
    Blessings to you all,
    Debi

  10. The "Haskins" says:

    Thank you sooo much for sharing! You guys are truly amazing.

  11. Charmaine says:

    What an adventure!!

  12. Reading all of your posts and the book you gave me at convention. We will be praying for you and everyone down there. Keep well.

    God Bless,
    M & K Danielson

  13. Kahleen Heiss says:

    What a amazing journey God has given to your family! Bless all of you, who are helping hands here on earth…

  14. Chris Cunningham says:

    We miss you guys, but are so happy to see God’s hand working in your lives! What He is doing in your lives is truly shining forth on your faces! Jeff, the boys and I continue to pray for you!

  15. Holly Whaley says:

    I absolutely LOVE your story. Keep’em comin’!!

  16. Kathy Jones says:

    WOW! We sure would LOVE to join you! Maybe someday!

  17. Melanie nelson says:

    Incredible! thank you for sharing, your post made me cry!

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