God's Gift to Flor

Have you ever been in charge of something and things outside of your control seem to not go as you expect and you think all is lost then God shows up in a way better than you could have asked or imagined? Well, that happened a week or so ago at Flor's quincenera (her 15th birthday celebration). Here in Mexico this celebration is a special day that many girls dream about. Its really their day to be a princess. They get to dress in a princess dress, dance with handsome boys and all the attention is on them.
I have known Flor for about 5 years now. In those five years God has changed and molded her a lot. She used to be shy and socially backwards. She comes from a broken family and still today, you can see she is not close to her Mom. She is one of four children and was seen as the wallflower of them all.
At her party her caregiver said he would share or preach. Well, he shared so little and I was disappointed thinking she needed so much more. What I didn't know is that God was working it out. Cheque, who is on staff with Back2Back, was emceeing and doing the music part of the party. After the short talk Edgar gave, he asked everyone to come up and share a word of encouragement to her, pray a blessing over her and shower her with love. As the first person came forward she broke into tears. You could see her heart fill with joy as kids, caregivers, family, friends, and group members that attended came forward to love on her. Even her Mom seemed to change in demeanor as she approached Flor and embraced her. I am sure Flor had many times when she imagined what her dress would be like or what kind of cake everyone would eat. But I can't help but thinking that she ever imagined the love that God poured out on her that day.
" Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3:20

Luke's Birthday Party

We spent the afternoon at a local park, went to eat ice cream and then spent fun time playing video games just hanging out. We were quiet the crew with 11 boys. Check out the photos

Hearing Him when He speaks.......

I often think that I hear from God most when I am out in nature. When I see the beauty in the mountains or a gorgeous sunset. S lot like these pictures my son, Ben took. About a week ago, God showed me a new beauty and spoke to me through it. It happened as we were in extended worship. Every Wednesday night we have taken to having a time of worship and prayer that has lasted anywhere from an hour to three. It has been a time of reflection, of prayer and just listening to the Lord. One extended worship night, I was praying and asking the Lord to take me where He wanted. To help me pray for others. He directed me to a girl that walked past me and stated go after her.
I didn't know her and responded in my head with something like."really? talk with her? I don't know her (like he didn't already know this, ha).
He responded in my head. "Tell her "I've got this.'"
I remember thinking "What? Really? No scripture or something? This isn't sounding too spiritual." More mental discussion went on in my head until I finally went to tell her.
" Uhh, this is going to sound weird, but I think God wants me to tell you that "I've got this". Does that make sense to you??"
I felt my face squinting like I was preparing for ridicule.
Instead she says to me. " Actually that is the second sign that God has givien me and it was said in the language that I would speak."
Again in my head I'm asking now what do I do. I felt the Lord telling me "that's all"
As I returned again, He tells me to turn to the staff member that I was with and tell her how happy I am with what I've called her to do. As I share with her, she says. The timing of this message is perfect. I feeling down about what He has asked me to do. Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel encouraged too as He chose to speak to me in away I have never experienced before. Because I was listening and I obeyed I experienced a joy I can not express. I don't know if He will ever use me like that but I stand amazed. Amazed because I know that He could speak directly to both people but he used me to teach me to listen, trust and obey. I have tasted and I want more.

Matacanes

Sometimes God blesses me beyond my understanding. The risk is doing something I'm wasn't sure I could do. The pay off was a gorgeous view, dependency on the Lord and constant conversation with Him, feeling of accomplishment and just plain astonishment of who God is and what he has made. Here are just a few photos of our great day of repelling, hiking, jumping, swimming and enjoying one another. My great husband encouraged me to do this and I am forever grateful.

Huffer Family Photo

Here's an updated shot of all of us. We feel that our boys are growing so much, so I'm guessing that those of you who know them and haven't seen them for a while will think the same.
Ben is graduating 8th grade and we are looking for a bilingual school for him for next year. He is looking forward to meeting new friends and learning more spanish along with maybe playing some basketball.
Luke will enter 6th grade next year and is our active one. He choses to be outside whenever possible, playing just about anything under the sun.
Mark will be in 5th grade. He tends to roll with the punches and is both creative and a bit athletic too. He is crazy once you get to know him.
Greg continues to be busy wearing many hats here with the ministry. He especially loves when he is able to preach.
Me, as I have written before I'm adjusting to less individual ministry and more supporting my family with helping Greg and being with the boys. God has been good to us. We are so grateful for the many that support us prayerfully and financially. Thank you.

Lessons at VdJ

I know what you are thinking. You looking at these pictures and thinking, awww. Cathy's teaching lessons at Villa de Juarez. Well, actually I want to share how the boys there taught me a lesson. Its true I have been going there the last few weeks and teaching the kids Bible stories. Right in the middle of my David and Goliath story last week, two kids broke out in a fist fight. I'd be lying if I said this surprised me. But hang with me cause something soon after did. I and an older boy from the home helped to break the boys up. I usually go to the underdog and this day was no different. I went to Mateo and held him as he cried. I had seen Israel punch him several times in the face but didn't know what exactly happen. Having learned with my own boys that things aren't always what they seem, I brought Mateo to Israel with the idea that I would try to talk things out with them. I was expecting reluctancy and truly thought if they just can move on from this I'll be happy. As I leaned down to talk to Israel, I began with saying something like "you know you boys are going to need to talk this out?" I could never had predicted what happened next. The two boys took each others hand and walked into the room where there caregiver was and shared what happened. Each boy took responsibility for their own part. Each sat time out for a bit and returned back to my class, forgiven and ready to learn. I sat amazed and puzzled. I thought about how as an adult I don't admit to my failures and mistakes like that. Sometimes I sit in my own pride or hurt. I think, "that's not fair." or " I didn't start it." Because of the quickness of their actions, Mateo and Israel were able to take part in the acting out of the play, the coloring and fun. I think of how often I miss so much because I refuse to forgive and ask for forgiveness. I've grateful to what the boys taught me at Villa de Juarez this week.
Above are pictures of us learning about Samuel this week. One picture of Greg with the kids reading Easter cards from a church in Iowa and a couple of the boys with the cards.

Overcoming inconviences

Sometimes I can get a wild hair idea in my head that Satan loves to shoot down. At times I sadly listen to him as he tells me "it can't be done" or "You don't have what it takes to pull it off." This weekend the Lord helped me fight those lies and our weekend was full of joy and excitement. We had the privilege to invite some boys to our house that didn't have a place to go for vacation. We were blessed to start Thursday night with 6 boys that ranged in ages from 4 to 15. Friday morning three of the boys were picked up to spend time with their family. We were excited for them as it was unexpected. Then four more boys spent some time with us and at one time we had 13 boys in our house. By the second night we had just three more than our three. We so enjoyed getting to know them. We swam, played video games, table games, movies, etc. I never would have guessed that WWE could bind boys of two cultures. Our boys spoke a lot of Spanish as did Greg and I. I loved hearing laughter come from all over the house. Sometimes what God calls us to do (like bring 6 boys home for the weekend) doesn't make sense. But what He calls us to do He equips us to complete. This Easter weekend was far from convenient but it was great and we are blessed because of spending time with these boys.