Blessings, Healing and Restoration

When I was in Tucson last month, the Lord led me to this this dentist, who repaired my broken tooth in exchange for this painting that same day. He is an Iranian, and now he has a painting signed with the name Israel in it.. He also has a sign on the front window of his office that says, "God Bless America." God works in mysterious ways

This past month Pilar has been real blessing. I can't say enough about her. The day of the theft, April 2sd, she took me to the police station in Guaymas that morning to file a police report. Then she paid for a copy of the report in case I needed to show anyone that my identification had been stolen, and that I was waiting for more funds and time to replace the items. She also gave me money for food and gas that same day. Then four days later Pastor Rich gave me more money that was almost as much as was stolen.) God was faithful in meeting all my needs.

Pilar continued to bless me by fixing meals and buying me food almost every day. (Her staff and others also brought me food.) Plus, I still got showers and I was able to do my laundry there this month. She always talks with me and asks me how my day or night has gone, and still refuses to take any money even though I have tried. She has also driven me around town and to special events. Last month while I was in the US to replace the first laptop, her husband came to visit her. He knew about me, but when he saw the painting I had given her and my sword to keep while I was gone, he told her, "You do whatever this man tells you." I haven't had to tell her anything, other than to trust God with all her heart and spend time with Him, and He will meet her needs. I have also prayed for her several time when she was overwhelmed and in need of spiritual support. I have even read the Jesus Calling book to her and her staff each morning. Then one day I did give her some strong advice and scriptures about co-signing on a loan with her sister for a car. She took it and was glad she didn't sign.

One evening after work, Pilar took Rosie and I to a big Catholic event in Guamas, celebrating the restoration of an old historical church. There were thousands of people there, and hundreds of priest and bishops, along with the mayor and the Governor and his wife. I asked God why I was there and He told me that He wanted to expose me to more people. While I was there I gave a big hug to a little old grandmother, that was sitting next to me and told her God love her in Spanish. After the meeting she as Pilar if I was a priest, Pilar said, "No, he's a prophet." The little woman was surprised and amazed.

As we walked back to the car, Pilar said, "Here we are walking together, a Mormon, a Catholic and a prophet and we don't fight." Amazing isn't it, but I expect God to greatly bless her and see her family in heaven someday.

Everyday I walked the streets and shore of San Carlos. Then one afternoon when I was walking I saw a concrete foundation with the star of David carved on it. I felt God wanted me to sit there and wait, so I did.  A few minutes later a small Mexican man came by and stopped, but he didn't speak English so I just ignored him, because I was tired. Then I watched him go across the street to the hot dog stand and asked some questions and then he walked away.

The man was probably hungry and I just ignored him. I told God I didn't want to be that way with people who were in need of help. So I went after the man, and asked if he was hungry and he nodded yes. So I gave him some money and he thanked me. But then he wanted to show me something. As he moved his hands, I saw a large bulge in his pants, just below his belt next to his pocket. But then he unzipped his pants to reveal a large tumor growth the size of a grapefruit next to his privates area. Now I know why God brought him to me. I immediately put my hand on his shoulder and prayed for him and rebuked the growth and declared him restored. I told him God has healed him and then I gave him more money. I'm glad I changed my mind.and helped him. We never know how some people are hurting unless we make an effort.

Then a month ago, I met a young man in Guaymas. He could speak English and so we talked for a bit. Then he explained that he had been in prison for five years and that he has been on parole the past six months. But he had to report in every month in a town just north of there, but he didn't have enough money to buy a bus ticket. So I gave him some money to help out, and he thanked me and then I left him.

However, I came back a little later and saw him sitting on the side of the road with a can of beer next to him. I asked, "What happen, I thought you had to catch a bus." He said. "You know where it says in the Bible, "'I do the things I should not and the things I want to, I don't do." I told him that I understood that very well. And then he cry as he told me more of how he has had to fight the desires for alcohol. I prayed for him, breaking the power of addiction, and set him free. I gave him more money this time to pay for the whole bus fare, and then watched him catch a ride to the bus station in town.

A month later I was walking down the sidewalk in San Carlos and a man came up to me with a big smile. I recognized him, but I could remember from where. His name was Jose, and he told me how we met and what I had done for him. Then he told me that after he kept his appointment, he came home and told his wife what I had done. She asked if I was a tall, skinny white man, and he said "yes." She then told him that I was the same man who gave her an apple and some money one day when she was out picking up pull tabs. Wow! 

Jose went on to tell me that he was now working selling candy and cookies from his back pack, and he hasn't has a drink since that day. He carries Bible everywhere and witnesses to people about God and His love for them. Then he showed me his Bible and gave me one of his cookies. We talked a little more and then I offered him some money (70 pesos) but he refused to take it. He thanked me again and then I prayed a powerful prayer with him and asked God to fill him with the Holy Spirit and to make him a great Evangelist for the Kingdom of God.What an awesome privilege it was to be a part of this man's restoration.

Note: I'm in Tucson again, getting a battery for the laptop computer. This last month has been awesome and keeps getting better, and it all started with the theft of my wallet. More to tell later, plus howI got to lead my first soul to Christ in Mexico. More on that in my article "Freeing Willy"

Moving On

I'm sure many of you are wondering about what happened to me in Guaymas, and I could write a very long article about it. But I don't want to focus or dwell on the bad things that happen. I forgave them and I'm moving on to better things and the next step in my life with my Father. People will always have some advice to give and I know they mean well, and I understand their concern. However, I am wiser now, and although the lose of things is upsetting, it's not the end of the world. The important things I need will be replaced in a week or two when I return to the US, There was some inconvenience, and a sore body for a couple weeks, But I'm fine now, plus God is restoring things. We're moving on to fulfill all that He has planned. And good has already come out of  this bad experience. I saw God move on people's hearts to help me, that I would have never expected, And He has give more that I could have ever imagined. One of them was a pastor, I knew for a short time. I just happen to meet him again one evening when I was out walking by a gas station, just four days after the theft. We talked for a bit and I shared why I was in Mexico, and what had just happen to me. He was surprised  and said let me help you. Then open up his wallet to give me some money, but he paused for a moment and then he give me all the money he had in it..I believe he heard God's voice. Then ten days later I went to his church again to give him one of Sheldon's cards. I told him that I was giving it to him as a token of my appreciation, and that when we met in heaven I hope he will be very grateful for it. Then he offer me an extra laptop he had and invited me to have lunch with him and his wife. I said yes to both offers.

At the restaurant I shared some thing about God, my life, and about the Kingdom of God while we ate. Then I followed him to their house to get the computer. While at is house I wrote last week, "Surprise" article, because the computer needs a new battery. So it will only work on an AC.outlet. I need to get more money for a new battery. I showed him our blogs and said they would change a lot of his thoughts about the Kingdom of God. I also thanked him very much for his help. The other person who was very helpful was Pilar and I will say more about her in my next article.

I also made new friends that I will share later on also. But the worst thing out the theft experience or any bad experience a person might have, is the fear that satan tries to plant in our minds to keep us from moving forward in Christ. And that's just not going to happen with me, although there has been a number of battles I've had to fight. But the victory is found in the Peace that only Christ Jesus can give.

I would like to trust people, just as I want them to trust me. Some our only friendly just to try and take advantage of you, just like Judas did with a kiss. But that's the nature of things in a fallen world that we live in. Sure I could could have done things differently and maybe even avoided this trial. The apostle Paul also could have possibly avoided some of his beatings, whippings and stonings, if he had just left town a day or two earlier. But he chose not to run or let fear motivate him, in order to reach maybe one more soul for the Kingdom of God. And that's the choice I made. He probably also had his money stolen at the time too, but he never mentioned it. Probably, because it wasn't important..He knew that suffering was a part of the calling of everyone who follows Christ, and for those who blazes new trails for the Kingdom.
Final note: The day after my wallet was stolen the Lord started talking to me about money going from the rich to the poor, like the Bible says. I liked the idea, but didn't know how that would all happen. However, remember God showing me the wall coming down in Guaymas as a prophetic picture. Well this very kind pastor's first mane is RICH, and it is the name he prefers to be called by his church. He is also leaving the church the end of next month to be closer to their family in Minnesota ... 

Surprise

Less than 24 hours after I asked my wife to post that I would no longer be writing on my blog, because I had no computer. But, Praise the Lord, He gave me another laptop from the pastor at a church that I've gone to before. I also gave him one of Sheldon's cards. 

It will take time for me to get familiar with the computer, so be patient and I will try to keep you posted on what God is doing in my life in Mexico. Thank you for your prayers and support. God is sooooo good.

Farewell, for a time

James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds."

Dear Friends and Blog Followers,

My dear wife is posting this on my behalf and it will be my last blog for awhile.

In late March I had my MacBook stolen out of my vehicle so I returned to the states to take care of several things renewed visa, car problems and to replace my laptop before returning to Mexico. Upon my return my new laptop was stolen also from my vehicle within a week of buying it and two days later I was assaulted and my wallet with all my ID, visa, and all my funds for April was stolen. This was a low point for me; however, God is merciful and gracious and within two days the Lord restored more than what was stolen from me through my friends in Mexico. I am still waiting for certain pieces of ID and will need to return once again to the states to pick them up and renew my visa once more.
Lord willing, upon returning I will be heading further south to the poor in Mazatlan. I covet your prayers and appreciate them, they go before me and surround me and I thank you, till God provides a way to blog again.

James 1:12  "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."