Palau Perspective of Grace Children's Home

This blog is updated by George and Stacey Palau and is comprised of highlights as seen through our eyes while living at Grace Children's Home.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Our June prayer letter


June 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

Remember when I wrote to you about Rafael, the drunken neighbor who George took to the hospital, who later turned up at our weekly neighborhood Bible study? If you recall, after that he brought some friends (also clearly struggling with addictions). Well, you have to hear what has happened since then…

One day last month, Rafael was inebriated again and he took a pretty bad fall. He ended up partly unconscious on the street and severely bleeding from a head wound. A neighbor took him in and attempted to clean up the wound. A few days later, Rafael shows up at our door, once again needing help.

So, George took him to the hospital. This time we began to encourage him to go into a rehabilitation center (U-Turn for Christ, south of Ensenada). With the help of a brother from our local church family (Jaime), Rafael went to get help. Jaime later shared with our neighbors in the Bible study that if they also wanted help, he could take them to the rehab center as well.

Unfortunately, Rafael decided to leave the rehab center, and within 2 weeks we saw him stumbling down our street again. What a disappointment!

However, the words Jaime shared with our neighbors weren’t in vain. Within the last 3 days, 2 male neighbors have come to us to be taken to the rehab center! These men are friends of Rafael who have decided they want to get out of their addictions. Yesterday, Jose Manuel gratefully and humbly entered the center. Today Leonardo did the same.

As I shared these events with my mother-in-law, she pointed out how it makes sense for Grace Children’s Home (GCH) to be involved in this ministry. The children in homes like ours are the innocent victims of people who abuse and use. By offering these adults salvation and a better way of life, we break the cycle of abuse, reducing the number of innocent victims and abused children. What a revelation!

God never ceases to amaze me with His creative ways of using us and GCH. Every time we begin to think we understand all He has for us, He shows us something new. It’s really exciting being a part of all these opportunities. We thank God for your prayers and support that allow us to be here.

Please remember to pray for our neighbors – Rafael, Jose Manuel, Leonardo and all the others God brings to our doorstep. Please also pray with us for God’s financial provision for GCH, as our funding has been low lately.

Gratefully,

Stacey Palau


IN THE PHOTO ABOVE – Some of the men from our study and the saints that are reaching them. Far left, Pastor Martin Castro; next to him, Rafael; right of photo in white shirt, brother Jaime.

GCH youth group begins


Last Thursday, GCH hosted it's first meeting for the youth that attend our weekly neighborhood Bible study. Two gals from GCH are part of the group, plus a few from our neighborhood. Leading the group is Hector Abraham (at the end of the table), a godly young man and good friend from our local church.
After this first meeting, I took one of our neighborhood gals aside and asked her what she thought. She responded that she liked it because they were able to study the Word at a deeper level to understand how it applies to them as youth.
Please pray for this new group and Hector. It is a blessing to see the outreach to the community grow to the glory of God! Thanks Hector, for taking up the call.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Valeria


This is Valeria, one of our sweet girls of Grace Children's Home... she just celebrated her 10th birthday with a pinata as big as her. Valeria and her 3 little sisters are such a blessing and joy to have in our homes. Next school year Valeria will be entering the local bilingual school. This will be a wonderful academic opportunity for her, that she as worked hard to earn. Please remember Valeria in your prayers, as she continues to grow and thrive & God continue to heal her heart.