Tenemos AGUA!!!

Yesterday, GCH celebrated the official turning on of our water. Up to this point, we have not had city water piped in, which meant we had to have it trucked in. It cost us at least $23 daily... sometimes double.

After 3 years of praying and knocking on doors, it finally happened. A few weeks ago while walking to school, we saw the tractors and workers digging trenches and putting in the pipes to bring us water. The work was completed a few days ago. (The white building in the background of the photo is actually the city water tanks).

We decided to celebrate this important event, so we invited officials from the government, social services (DIF) and water company. Assisted by 2 of our GCH kids, the head guy in the water company "officially" opened the water valve... then started splashing the kids with it. We rounded off the event with cake and refreshments.

Sometimes we take things for granted, like having water, garbage service, mail service or electricity. Living at Grace Children's Home has really given us a new perspective on these things and reminds us of God's provision in our lives. He truly has given us this day our daily bread (& water!).

Saturday fun

Check out what our good friends and fellow servants, Juan & Alicia Strutton, had to say about our day last Saturday...

"Saturday was a beautiful day here in Mexico. The rain has turned the brown landscapes that surround us to vibrant green and yellow. The warm sun gave us glimpses of spring while the crisp ocean breezes occasionally brought a slight chill. With no teams scheduled at GCH, we decided to spend the beautiful day outside.

Late morning the GCH vans pulled into the YUGO Ranch where we planned to enjoy the day together. Soon after, we formed a group of kids and adults who wanted to go for a hike. We set out walking on the dirt roads. When the ocean came into view we decided to make it our destination. After playing a while at the beach we called the Tíos who had stayed behind and arranged to have them pick us up.

After the long hike to the beach, peanut butter sandwiches never tasted so good. The rest of the day was filled with the kind of adventure that comes with lots of land, playful kids, and Tíos who are truly wild at heart.

As much as I try, words and pictures do not capture the wonder of that day. God is so close to orphans. There is a profound depth to God’s peace and love that I have only experienced when I am near the fatherless. Any one of the least of these children knows God more intimately than a lifetime of theological study could accomplish. As much as I ache for that kind of fellowship with God, I don’t know that I’m willing to suffer the intense pain that comes with that desperate need for God. For now, I’m content to bask in the after-glow that surrounds these children. "

Another reminder of how blessed we are!

He gives and takes away... & sometimes gives back

Before the holidays, we had a very interesting experience at church one Sunday. It was the end of the message and George was translating for our Pastor Mike. Mike was giving the invitation for those who would want to ask Jesus into their lives. All of a sudden there was yelling from outside, a loud explosion, and then a car alarm. As George translated Mike's words, "I hope that was not your car", George knew it was our car.

The service ended and we went out to see our mini-van smashed like an accordian. Apparently a person had gotten out of his car up the hill & didn't put on the brakes or curb his tires. The car barreled down 1 1/2 blocks before it finally met our bumper.

Our church family ralied around us to sort out the mess, but knowing the man barely had a peso to his name, we knew there wasn't much we could do. In our hearts, we were just grateful no one got hurt. We realized that 5 minutes later, someone probably would've been seriously injured or even killed (once church had let out). And if the car hadn't crashed into ours, it would've gone another block into the open air market, where families and vendors were walking around.

So, we basically wrote off the car as a loss (it really was totalled), and realized it was a temporary gift from God that we got to enjoy for a while.

But recently, a local mechanic offered to repair it at a very reasonable price. We expect to get the car back in a few days, God willing. We don't expect it to be quite the same, but we hope it'll be safe and reliable. And when we counted the costs, we realized that what we're paying for the repair is probably less than if we had used comprehensive insurance with a deductible.

What we were reminded of through this whole situation is that the things God gives us are just loans. And how we respond in times like this can either bring glory to God or damage our testimony. It doesn't matter how tight we try to hold onto material things... eventually they'll all break down or get destroyed. This reminded us of the importance of storing up treasures in heaven, not in our material things.

Above is a photo of the car, AFTER it had been worked on quite a bit... (you should've seen it when it was first hit)...

Prayer requests and needs

We have some prayer requests and needs that we'd like to share with you. Please feel free to pass on the word...

1. We are praying for a tutor to come work with 7 missionary kids this summer, focusing specifically on reading and writing in English (3 of those kids are our own). The tutor would spend approximately 3 1/2 hours a day (5 days a week) working with them 2 at a time. The other part of the day the tutor would focus on other GCH kids who need help with English or Spanish learning and preparing lessons for the next day.

2. Please pray for one of our GCH boys who is exhibiting some serious behavior issues lately. He is acting out in school, and is at risk of being expelled. His behavior is clearly the result of the hurt he feels from his past and it is being manifested in his being angry and agressive.

3. We need some items for our group homes and the Education Center. If you or someone you know can help supply some of these items, that would be wonderful.
They are:

2 xx large spaghetti pots
2 xx large skillets
Correll dishes (30 dinner plates, 30 small plates, 30 cups, & 30bowls)
silverware for 20
2 large pitchers with lids
1 hand mixer
large gas grill (can be used, good connections)
1 durable sectional couch
19 new twin size mattresses (check out our Wal-mart registry through our website... http://www.gchmexico.org )

Thanks in advance for your prayers and any help you can offer!

a slice of heaven...

Sometimes, in the most normal times, I can't help but think I'm seeing a glimpse of heaven.

Yesterday (VALENTINES DAY), Saturday morning, we took 14 of the GCH kids on an exploration of the coast of Baja. It was so much fun!!!! We came back with loads of shells that you'd all pay lots for at a store... they were in abundance. We saw the local fishermen pull in with their octupi, sand sharks, rock cod, crabs, lobsters and more.... we really saw them as they pulled in and the fish were still flapping in the boats. Wow, was it fun.

Tonight I'm enjoying shifts of kids coming up to play video games in our new home. I LOVE having their company and just can't stand being without at least a few of my little angels close by my side.

Today at church I was reminded of an important truth... that is, for those of us that our believers, life is an adventure. We enjoy those adventures so much. Are you experiencing them?

I'll always remember something my dad said to me a few days before he went to be with our Savior. He was hurting and hadn't had the chance to "study" all the promises God has for us... so, the after-life was still unclear to him. My dad knew where he was going, but didn't know what was in store for him. I'm going to share with you something I've rarely shared,...

As he laid on his hospital bed, he got a sad look on his face. I asked him why. He said, "I thought we'd have so many more adventures, I thought there was so much more we'd do...".

I smiled at my father as I said "Dad, God created you and me to LOVE adventure and to want to explore and do wonderful things.... do you think the God that created us in His imagine would have anything less for us in heaven? Dad, this is not the end, this is just the beginning... and heaven is going to be one GREAT adventure, you and I are going to do so many exciting things... and we're going to have a wonderful time there".
My dad smiled at this thought...

Less than a week later my dad went to that great adventure with our Lord... exactly 2 years from this month. I know he and He are awaiting me....

Do you know who you are awaiting? Or who is awaiting you??? Or where you are going? What adventures are you experiencing in this life?... like our pastor said, life here is an adventure for those who follow Jesus... What adventures do you expect after this glimpse of a life?... I can't wait to explore them with my dad, my Savior and all my loved ones!!!

From my heart, Stacey

Photos of the Fundraiser

If you want to enjoy some photos of the fundraiser we recently hosted for Grace Babies Home, go to: http://www.seaviewphoto.com/ - go to Grace Children's Home, then GBH auction.

Our February Prayer Letter

February 1, 2009

Dear family and friends,

WOW... what an evening! Two nights ago Grace Children’s Home (GCH) hosted its first fund raiser event. The purpose of the event was to raise funds to further the construction of Grace Babies Home (the next phase of GCH) that will someday host up to 20 orphaned babies. It was an absolute joy to be surrounded by people who have prayed for, served at and supported us and GCH. Words cannot express how wonderful the evening was for us and to see God provide the funds to build a home for babies.

One of the highlights of the evening was when George and our good friend (& Yugo board member), Victor Mena, joined the guest musician to sing “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”. Not only did they sound great, but the joy of the Lord was evident in them and throughout the crowd.

Speaking of the baby home, two weeks ago the foundation was COMPLETED! The foundation had to be made to specs, as a San Diego-based company is donating pre-fabricated exterior walls that require precise measurements. In the photo you can see the perfect pad, ready for walls!

And speaking of miracles, after four years of waiting and asking, the government FINALLY began the work to bring us water! This has been a prayer request for a long time. With our current situation of having water trucked in, it costs us at least $23 daily. Earlier this week, we found the great surprise of a backhoe and workers, busy digging the trenches and laying the water pipes. You can see the pile of dirt from the trench in the foreground in the photo of the baby home foundation.

As you can tell, the blessings are incredible. We are so grateful to see God’s hand moving all around us. Thank you for praying with us and supporting us so that we can continue to be a part of what He is doing here. It’s amazing to see such generosity in the face of economic hardship; it’s evidence of God’s presence. We are eternally grateful for your partnership and love!

Rejoicing with you,


George and Stacey Palau
http://www.gchmexico.org

THREE new boys!

Earlier this week, GCH welcomed the newest additions to our family... 3 darling little boys. The oldest, Angel, is 3, Jesus is 2, and Gilberto is 1. We heard 2 of them are brothers, but we're not sure which ones.

It's always a humbling and amazing experience to receive new kids. We watch as they come in broken and frightened, then little by little we see God heal them. Already the 3 are adapting well, but please keep them in your prayers!

Here's a photo of them, with some adoring caretakers...