A defender to the fatherless

A few years back when I was with a beautiful group of women in Uganda serving Watoto [a beautiful church that ministers to orphans and vulnerable women] I heard what I thought was the Holy Spirit talking to me.  I was in the middle of leading our team in discussion regarding the things that we had seen in those days.......really getting down to some heart matters and asking God what He wanted the repercussions of this trip to be.  I am pretty sure I said out loud “Hold on” or something to that affect and kept on leading.  The girls looked at me like I was crazy and asked “who in the world are you talking to” and I said “I think it was the Holy Spirit”  but I wasn’t quite sure and maybe even a little confused on what He was telling me.   We all sorta laughed that I told the Holy Spirit to hold on!  I wasn't irreverent but I was really not ready for what He was telling me to do or did I truly understand any of it.  BUT, that moment has never left me and I have been asking God to give me clarity.  

Through His word and some counsel from a dear friend, it has become very clear to me what He was telling me.  He was giving me a BIGGER picture of His heart for orphans.  And while Watoto is not the only orphanage in the world, it did show us how well orphans can be loved and taken care of.  It was an experience that I was to take with me so that when He took my family to another orphanage in Chiapas, Mexico I could ask the questions:  Why can’t the precious children that I met in Mexico receive the same attention and care that the ones in Uganda have?  AND Why can’t they do it so well that they change the orphan network in Mexico and Guatemala?  He was also asking me to get actively involved……”defend the cause of the orphan” and “take care of the orphan”…….

This clarity did not come to fruition until last week when I was asked to be a voice for Casa Hogar Canaan.  I accepted the opportunity with great HONOR, HUMILITY and EXCITEMENT knowing God had been preparing me for this very thing.  I’m going to start with this blog post and see where the Lord leads.  I have no idea what will come out of it, or who will read it, but I’m believing that “The One who calls you is faithful and He will DO it.”  God has called the Reeves Party of 6 to defend the fatherless by coming along side ministries that are raising kids to be the change in their own country and Casa Canaan is where we are starting.  Those children stole our hearts and we believe with everything in us that God wants more children in Mexico rescued.  But it will take some changes to Casa Canaan for that to happen.  Carlos and Yara [Mama and Papa of CC] have spent many nights crying, knowing there are so many more orphans out there.  They get calls from the government [DIF] begging to take in more children.  They are ready and willing, BUT they are going to need the help of others......spiritually, financially, and physically.  I will be updating you on specific needs that need filling and future goals for CC! Pray that the right people READ, HEAR, and DO!   

The best way to give money is here: http://www.livingamongthem.com/Mexico/orphans/orphanprofiles.html (Click on any or all of the orphans' names to learn more about them)Click: DONATE
Then you choose which payment choice works best for you. 100% of the money that you give will go to Casa Hogar Canaan.  I PROMISE! 

As of today they are using the funds in their account to finish up the boys dormitory and complete the classrooms for a better learning environment.
GOALS/NEEDS:

• hot water units at each building [no hot water on site for dishwashing or bathing]
• a budget for propane
• meal planning and budgets for food
• a chain link fence around the entire land [they have to keep the goats chained up at all times, and their chickens just roam free or leave] and they have small children that need to be contained for their safety.  They also have theft problems because anyone and everyone can come and go on the property.  It is very hard to keep secure w/o a fence.  
• an onsite cook
• bunk beds for the dorms

Boys Dormitory on top and Classrooms on bottom

The only building that is complete.  The kitchen is here and the one bathroom plus everyone except a few older boys sleep here.  

The laundry room

How Great is our God

When I married Jesse 16 1/2 years ago never in my wildest dreams would I have known the ride we were about to take. 

At the time we met, Jesse was playing bass in a band known as Judah [aka Between Thieves].  He had been playing in Judah for 8 years.  He felt called to step away from it after we married and literally sold every piece of music equipment he had and went searching to find himself.  About 2 months after that a guy from Grand Saline, Tx was putting together a band and asked Jesse to play bass with him.  Jesse told him no several times but this guy named Chris Tomlin did not take no for an answer and after being persistent for a few weeks Jesse agreed to meet him on the road for a conversation.  And like Jesse has said many times….”Chris bought his lunch that day and he has been buying his lunch ever since”! 

In 1997 God joined 2 hearts together that would change the way we worship in church today!  Jesse and Chris have traveled together, made music together, started churches together, lived together, shared hotel rooms, buses, dorms, and blood, sweat and tears, but above all they have made much of Jesus together! Neither one of them had any idea what God had in store for them that day at California Pizza Kitchen in Ft. Worth ,Tx and I believe with all my heart that we will be singing a few of their songs for eternity.

About a little over a year ago, Jesse and I felt in our spirit a restlessness.  We had no idea if the restlessness was the Holy Spirit or the flesh…and most likely it was a little of both.  We got down on our knees, opened up his word and prayed fervently for direction.  We felt release from our time in Atlanta, Georgia but still did not feel release from Chris.  We moved back to Austin, Texas in July and Jesse continued to play with Chris until the end of the Burning Lights Tour.  When he played the last show in Atlanta neither him nor Chris were ready to say goodbye so he flew back to Austin believing with all his heart that he would see all the guys on the road again in late spring.  BUT GOD, had other plans, and through MUCH council on Chris and Jesse’s part, through MUCH prayer, and through MUCH scripture, Jesse and Chris feel like now is the time to part ways!  It was a beautiful, hard, and much needed decision that had to be made and though there is mourning there is MUCH peace.  My text to Chris yesterday said “Peace reigns over our lives and in our home today”.  And that is truly how we all feel.  

God has all of our next steps already laid out and Jesse and I can’t tell you how ready we are to take a HUGE step of faith into that season.  Travel may be in his next season, we have no idea…but right now he is going to enjoy being present in our every day lives, watch his kids in plays and sports, and just be HOME for the first time in almost 17 years!  Praise the Lord!  Our God is soooo GREAT! 

Living Among Them

Lance and Sarah Keeling = Living Among Them.

Jesse and I have known Lance for about 10 years…and I use the word “know” loosely because we really had only met him and heard a little bit of his story once.  It is my brothers and their families that really know him and have been supporting his ministry for almost 6 years.  As we were planning this trip I found out that Lance and Sarah serve in the same community that we would be visiting.  They have served alongside Casa Canaan [the orphanage that I wrote about earlier]  for many years and were a vital heartbeat to help lift that place off the ground. But, 2 years ago God called them to start a church to the indigenous people in Teopisca, Mexico.  They love, serve, and teach a people group that would fit the definition “the least of these”.  Their church meets at 4 o’clock every Sunday in their home and they have about 30 kids and about a dozen or so adults…and of course, all that is subject to change according to weather, time change, or if they have to chase a pig [no lie….that was an excuse one sunday].  Jesse and I sat down and watched Sarah welcome all these people……dirt, lice, spit and all into her house with arms wide open and we watched Lance teach these people the word of God with such heart.  He is taking them step by step through the Word of God so these people have an understanding of Jesus Christ.  The environment he has created is a place for questions to be asked, discussions to take place, and truth to be taught.  So much progress has taken place in these 2 years but they have a long way to go!  Jesse and I were inspired by them both!  God is completing His story in and through them and we were honored to see first hand.  AND they took us to the best taco joint in Chipapas!  Jesus is first and foremost on our hearts but tacos and tex mex come in at a close second.  So needless to say when we layed our heads down that night we were FULL! 

 [Lance introduced the boys and used them as a teaching tool asking the church if they remember who were the twins from the Old Testament whose dad was named Isaac?  A few of them blurted out Jacob and Esau. He was pleased that they even remembered. Well, I am assuming he was pleased because his response to them was "Perfecto".] 

The youth are the heartbeat of this church.  We pray that they will continue to come, continue to learn, and salvation would come to them.  We also pray for God to ignite a fire in the youth and that the results would be mighty……...   Lets pray with them and for them…..asking God for strength and begging God to bring a harvest.  

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

To learn more about Lance and Sarah and their ministry or if you would love to bless them with support please go to www.livingamongthem.com  

Gloria a Díos

Yesterday, our friends Clint and Karen took us on an adventure.  Our family along with the family that runs Casa Canaan [Carla, Yara, and their 4 children] and a precious couple Lance and Sarah [who you will meet soon] went south for a few hours and ended up at the bottom of Mexico at some cabins on a beautiful lake that borders Guatemala.  We unpacked our cars, set up our cabins and everyone said “Vámonos”  and we all started walking.  It was about 5 o’clock and the sun was going down.  We walked down a muddy road and over a muddy “bridge” and even a muddier dark road.  The smell of fire was thick and the sun was going down fast.  When we got to the top of the hill there was a huge sign that said Guatemala.  We had entered Guatemala through a no check point spot.  

One foot in Mexico, One foot in Guatemala

We met a man at the border with a cowboy hat and he lead the way.  He lead us to his house.  We met him, Fransisco and his wife Berta along with one of his daughters and we all sat around his one room house that has a battery powered light to light the house.  As the evening went on we found out that Carlos and Yara have been friends with these people for years.  They have been serving that community for 20 plus years and have about 50 people that attend their church.  They said many times that they are suffering in the name of the Lord.  Honestly, I don't think our American minds can even relate.  These amazing people minister to not only their community but also workers that are passing through... and not just workers from Latin American countries. Just a few weeks ago they housed and served food to groups of migrant workers from China and India. Without money, no electricity, and in different languages, their little house with a concrete stove is a gateway to spread the gospel all over the world!  We prayed together, worshiped together, and gave thanks together! Through tears, Berta kept repeating over and over again, "Gloria a Díos." (Glory to God.)  We had church in that place!  Jesse and I pray that that moment never leaves our family’s hearts and minds. 

 I love their hot pink walls.  

The next morning we walked back over to say hi and do a little shopping and Fransisco who has no money to his name brought us tortillas that Berta had just made and escorted us all through his town.  He also took a few of us to a water fall that runs to the side of the village.  He and I were starting to bond even though he could not understand a word I was saying and I made him take a selfie with me.  I can tell you that I have never taken a “selfie” before and I probably judge those that do way to much… but I found it great joy to take a selfie with my new friend Fransisco! 

A Rescue for One More

Yesterday we went to Casa Canaan!  Casa Canaan is an “orphanage” that Carlos and Yara Ruiz began a few years ago.  The Mexican child protective services otherwise known as DIF in Mexico came to them with 6 kids that needed a home and they said Yes. And so their journey began.  God has provided them land, money for a few buildings, and more children.  They have taken in 22 kids so far and would love to be able to take in more, but right now money and space is maxed.

One of the reasons Jesse and I came down here was to see if and how we could help.  We have many connections with this place including my brothers and their families who have been supporting Casa Canaan since the beginning!  They helped build the first building!  There are many more needs and our family is praying about how to come along side and help AND even involve you,  but for now we will just give you a little bit of our time with them and some of the beautiful faces and stories of rescue!  

We made 3 huge casseroles of one of our favorites, King Ranch Chicken.  The kids said it was “un poco picante, pero muy bueno” and I will take that as a great Mexican compliment if the word spicy was even in it!  

This is the entire group of children that have been rescued with a few others that came to the party.  We had ended 2013 with a party…..food, presents, piñatas, fireworks, worship, and a clown! Feliz Año Nuevo!

Meet Jaime

Jaime was literally thrown to the ground by his crazy mom and broke his back when he was a baby.  Jesus and child protective services [DIF] got him in the arms of Carlos and Yara and Casa Canaan was able to get the surgery he needed and even though he may wear a diaper the rest of his life he is walking which doctors said he would never do.  Well, actually he is running and Kate spent her firework time making sure Jaime did not catch on fire!   

Meet Estefan

Estefan loved our family well!  He served the boys their food...Got me a chair to sit in... Danced and hugged Rachel the entire time... And told Kate that he loves her with his whole heart.  But, Esefan spent his first 8 years on the streets drunk.  His parents didn't want to deal with him because he was special needs.  Not kidding.  When he was rescued he spent a few weeks in the hospital detoxing.  He has a loving heart with some habits that we pray that the Lord will deliver him from.  

Meet Arracelli

Arracelli [the little girl in the black dress with the turquoise shirt] told us her story and honestly it was probably not the best idea for them to have made her tell her story because it was very emotional for her.  I felt so sorry for her that I just held her on my lap and cried with her.  She was also an alcoholic along with her sister when they were rescued.  Her sister had a liver condition and she was not able to get well and she died.  It is very fresh on Arrecelli’s mind and she remembers everything…from the alcohol, to her abusive parents, to her sister’s death.  But let me tell you…..she is a beauty and God is going to use her story in a mighty way! [The other 2 girls are Eunice in purple and Sara next to me.]

Meet Carlitos 

Carlitos [looking at the picture he is the one on the right of Jesse] is not an orphan.  He is the son of Carlos and Yara, He has joined his mom, dad, and sisters in adding child after child into their family!  He is a big brother to all and a leader to all these guys in the picture with Jesse.  Carlitos is also a worship leader and leads at his church.  He taught himself to play guitar and leads these people all week long through song to the thrown of Jesus.  I’ll close with this video  http://t.co/FgWtSdFX7v.