Update on our neighbor, Rafael

For those of you who read our monthly prayer letter about Rafael and want to know how he's doing...
Rafael has now shown up 3 weeks straight to our neighborhood Bible study. Each week he has showed up sober and with a friend! It absolutely amazes and encourages us every week to see him seek God.
We praise God for this miracle and ask for your prayers for Rafael! We know his journey is not going to be easy, but we know God is bigger than all that.
By the way, his thumb looks good too.

Winds, Fire, Smoke, & Dust

Earlier this week, the greater San Diego area was swept by fires. Many suffered losses.

Here in Mexico we were swept by extreme winds. While in a well built home, this isn't too much of an issue, it meant great loss here, as people lost their roofs, homes and belongings. As we braced ourselves through the torment, we saw people all around suffer loss.

At GCH our chain link fences were blown down, part of a hill side fell out, and the roof of our Education Center took a beating as shingles & the sky light were lifted and thrown about.

The amazing part was that neither us or our neighbors were injured! We sensed God's hand of protection around this place once again, and we thanked Him for His care of our children.

GCH & our local churches are already mobilized in assisting those around us who have suffered loss. Please pray for the families here, that God will restore their homes and lives.

This picture doesn't really capture the severity of the wind, but if you look at it closely enough, you might get a glimpse of it and the smoke from the fires...

Up in flames!

For several months, we had to put up with a few neighbors that were not desireable, to say the least. Frequenting this squatter home directly across the street from our girls' home, were addicts, dealers, and thieves. They attempted to rob from us several times, haggled our neighbors who came to our Bible studies, and made us all feel unsafe. We prayed for God's protection, and He did indeed protect us from any serious harm.

In a crazy turn of events, one day as we were playing in the yard with some kids and a visiting team, one of our kids noticed a fire. The home of the thieves and drug dealers was up in flames! We called the fire department, but help was slow. The illegal home was quickly burned to the ground, and our undesireable neighbors were soon off our street.

Sometimes it's strange to think about how things unfold in life. For us, we're just grateful that our street and the girls' home don't feel quite so vulnerable anymore.

Our monthly prayer letter

We will now be posting our personal prayer letter on this blog, for those of you who want to read it on line. Thanks for your prayers!

November 2007

Dear Friends & Family,

This month, I want to write you about my husband, George. I’ve been blessed to be married to George for 16+ years and have known him for 2 decades. For those of you who know him well, you’d agree when I say he’s a humble & passionate man of God who wants to give all he has for HIM.

Hence, the theme of my letter this month…

Earlier this week, George was completing an extensive time of fasting and prayer. He wanted God to do drastic measures in his life, and he wanted to be focused on hearing from God. And God was answering his prayers on MANY levels.

But let me tell you what I saw…

Monday morning, a man in his 40’s or 50’s (Rafael) showed up at our door mid-morning. He was drunk-as-a-skunk and hurting! Rafael’s thumb was seriously injured and infected, and he was desperate. He knew we were here, so he came for help.

Seeing the man’s need, George did what he always does! George grabbed Lionel (fellow missionary serving here at GCH), and they drove 25 minutes to the local public health clinic. After being seen by a doctor and getting a prescription, they took Rafael to breakfast (at a restaurant run by local Christian friends). They got him medicines and drove him safely home.

The next day we saw Rafael walking on the street. Again he was half-drunk and holding what appeared to be alcohol. I couldn’t help but wonder if George’s generosity was in vain.

Thursday night I was set straight! Rafael showed up to our weekly neighborhood Bible study… SOBER! Not only was this the first time he ever showed up here, but he knew to show up clean & sober... and he brought a friend. Rafael made sure to thank George for caring for his thumb (as you’ll see in the photo), and he heard the word of hope, the word of God!

I’ve learned a lot from my husband and his generosity. Just when I think “We need this for...” or “be careful because you don’t know what this person…” I’m shown who really needs something… just like Rafael.

Next time you feel compelled to be generous, I hope you’ll learn faster than I did…. that you can’t out-give God. I’ve learned that just when you think you’re actually sacrificing something, He is going to show you the blessing… just like with Rafael!

Thank you for giving me this time to share about George. Mostly, thank you for your prayers and care for us! I know that we ride on your love and support through Christ.

Gratefully,

Stacey Palau

Thurs. night Bible study

Every Thursday night GCH hosts a Bible study with our neighbors and their children. The group is growing and people are faithfully showing up each week.

In our kids' program last night, our kids had a special treat. A brother in Christ here taught them movement/ mimes coordinated to worship music. It was fun for the kids and great to watch.

They had a great time worshipping God in a new and creative way! Check them out in the photo...

Meet Yahaira

This is Yahaira. She is the youngest of 5 siblings that came to live at GCH over a year and a half ago. Yahaira started pre-school this year, at a local bilingual school. It is a special educational opportunity, and we know she's going to do well there.

But not long ago, we couldn't have made such a claim. Two very important things happened in Yahaira's life.

First, Dr. Lisa, our good friend and pediatrician from northern San Diego, detected a health issue (anemia) for Yahaira. We quickly got her into treatment and her health has turned around. Prior to this, Yahaira would barely eat, sleep often and have no energy. Now she is energetic, gaining weight and alert.

The second blessing is that Oaks Christian Middle school committed to sponsor Yahaira so she can attend this school.

It is with such wonderful partners as Dr. Lisa and Oaks Middle School that our kids have opportunities to thrive today! We thank God for them and all who pray for & give to our kids.

Thurs night Bible study

Every Thursday night GCH hosts a Bible study for our neighbors and their children. The study started last November, after GCH held it's first evangelistic outreach, through a Billy Graham program televised in Mexico.
Since that time, many neighbors and their kids have shown up every week to learn the word of God. The amazing part is that with the exception of one couple, none of them attended church or would even call themselves Christians. Now, many are new believers and seekers, wanting to know more about this Jesus that loves them.
Last night was a HIGHLIGHT for us all, as it was one of the highest attended study since we started. Many people who hadn't come before (or since the beginning) showed up, as well as a family who recently suffered a tragic loss.
What an encouragement it was for us to see our neighbors file through our doors! Our staff and Pastor Martin put so much effort into this study each week, it was a blessing to see our group grow.
Please keep our neighbors and this outreach in your prayers. Our dream is that this group will form the beginning of the church we are planting at GCH.

Our first GCH dog!

Her name is Vani, short for vanidad (vanity in English). She's the pet of the house mom of the girls' house... kinda a 2-for-1 package.

Prayer for Francis

Francis is a sweet, young girl that came to live at GCH a few months ago. She and her 2 brothers were brought to us by the Mexican social services department, as are all the children at GCH.

While her brothers are intergrating into GCH, Francis is having a harder time. Please pray for Francis! Her wounds are deep and affect so much of what she does here, at school, in church and in all she does.

Our staff has been praying for and working extra with her lately, and gratefully she's had 3 good days in a row now... perhaps the first sign of a turn around for her.

God is the great healer, so we know He will heal her. Please keep this precious child in your prayers! And please pray for all the people that are working with her through this time as well.