Just a short little update:
Little Gary (4 years old) is now at home with his family! He still can’t walk as easily or fast as before and his arm still needs some more movement BUT after the grim prognosis given by the doctors, this is certainly an answer to our prayers!!! After Gary got out of ICU into a regular room, doctors would come and see him and ask “This is Gary???”
Miriam (Gary´s mom) believes God allowed this to happen to push her to change “for good”…. She has told her family that she doesn’t want to drink any more, a promise she has upheld so far. Gary´s dad has been drinking less and spending more time with the family. Noelia, Gary´s older sister has also been reflecting on her “wild” lifestyle and expressed a desire to change…. For our Easter celebration, Gary was still in the hospital but Miriam came with Milton (his very first time to set foot in El Jordán!)
So please continue to pray for Gary´s complete recovery… and for God´s continued work in their hearts!
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Ana Karen continues to work hard on her recovery… with a bit more movement and strength every day…. Little Leyla was supposed to be operated on already…. but her bloodwork showed that she has anemia… that needs to improve before the operation can be scheduled ...
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For our Easter celebration this year, we watched a movie – the story behind the song “I can only Imagine”… It is a beautiful story of redemption… of God´s merciful forgiveness and His power to change even the hardest heart… We had a record number of people come out (about 220!!)… Men like Milton (Miriam´s husband) and Aurelio (Beatris´ husband) came for the first time to El Jordan… Also, people like Rosita who haven’t been around for a long time, were there...
Everyone, 7 and over, watched the almost 2 hour movie… Our meeting room was hot and stuffy… but everyone paid attention so well (doesn´t usually happen with our group of people!!!!) In the middle of the movie, I was told that a cell phone had gone missing… We decided to not say anything, that we would figure out how to reimburse the person for the lost phone, so that nothing could detract from the message of the evening…. (at the end of the evening the cell phone had been put back in the spot where it had been charging!! Thank you GOD!!!) When a challenge was given at the end, you could have heard a pin drop… Please pray for the hearts that were softened and challenged that evening… that the seeds planted would grow… and give fruit.
Thank God for the GIFT OF HIS SON who PAID THE PRICE for our sins, so we can be found RIGHTEOUS… so we can live a new life with HOPE and a FUTURE!!!
One of our “base verses” for El Jordan is “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Ephesians 4:28 Our girls study the Bible – but they also learn PRACTICAL WAYS to DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH THEIR HANDS….
In April and October every year we host an “open house” where we invite neighbours, friends and churches to come and buy food, desserts, crafts etc from our ladies (and workshops)….
We had our “expo” this past weekend… selling over 500 plates of food/soup at lunch time!!! Other girls sold everything from Frappuccinos…. Granola… Cards… Cakes and Popsicles…
Thank the Lord for a good day! …and pray that our moms would learn to administer their money well… and be encouraged to KEEP working diligently with their hands!!!!! Pray for people to order what they make… and for new ideas of what we could teach (and people to teach them!!!!)
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Please pray for WISDOM and DISCERNMENT… we work with children, teens and women with so many emotional scars and problems… On a daily basis we see evidences of the enemy, seeking to destroy, rob and kill… We also know that God is Able to do even more than what we can imagine in their lives… We thank the Lord for the great team of workers we have, as we face these challenges together and on our knees. Pray for protection over our team and ministry… and thank you for being a part of our extended team!!!!!
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Again, if you want to receive more pictures and short little snippets of news from El Jordán, download Whatsapp (free!) on your phone and send your number to: 591-776-90452 and we will add your number to our “El Jordan News Group”…
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One last thing: Keiden, Marlee and I will be travelling to Canada (and Montana) from June 4th until July 13th… to visit as many churches and supporters as we can… This is our schedule:
Toronto: June 5th to June 10th
Vancouver area: June 10th to June 17th
Montana: until June 20th?
Calgary area: until July 4th?
Winnipeg area: until July 12th
Let me know if you want more information about meetings that have already been set up!! (In October I am tentatively planning a short trip, alone, to the New Jersey area…)
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THANKS TO EACH ONE OF YOU for being a part of El Jordán – through your prayers… care… and support!!!
May God bless you richly!!!!
Because HE is faithful,
Corina (for Marco, Keiden and Marlee)