Monday, January 31, 2011

Newsito: Freedom!!!



At Rancho Oasis we are definitely living the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10 - life is very full!

So much has happened since our last post that I've decided to write "newsitos". It's Spanglish: "news" and "-itos". "-itos" is a Spanish suffix thrown on to the end of words that translates "little". For example, Juan is to Jon, as Juanito is to little-Jon. The suffix can also be a term of affection. For example, abuelo is to grandpa, as abuelito is to beloved grandpa.

So on to my first newsito:

Freedom Crew
Our first short term mission team for 2011 arrived December 28th. The group from Freedom Fellowship in Wisconsin, was lead by Pastor Landon Churchill, long-time friend and fellow youth pastor from Jon’s youth pastor days and current board member of Ranch Oasis for Youth.
Pastor Landon & Tabi

The group was physically small in size, consisting of 3 adults, a teen and two young kids (6 and 5), but hugely impacting for the ministry. They equally split their time between painting the renovated “Casita” and bathhouse, as well as offering much needed fellowship to the Beard family.

Morning Devotionals around the fire-pit   


La Casita (short/long term housing) Renovations

 
                                           Working around the Ranch



I know while watching the group that they were stretched and blessed beyond their expectations. Life is very challenging in Honduras, but serving the Lord here is equally as impacting and rewarding.

                                     Fellowship with the Body of Christ


                  Jianna & Sara                      The Ranch's latest rage, "UNO"

An unexpected life change happened in little 5 year-old Samara. Read her mother’s testimony below:
 

Samara & friends
Samara today looked at me and said, "Mom, you guys have too much stuff." And she proceeded to go to the cupboard and get out three paper-bags and began filling them with stuff she thought was unnecessary. She said she was going to take it to our neighbor to see if they needed any of it. Then she was going to take it to the nursing home. Then she said, and this is what caught my attention, "mom I want to help people, not spend the rest of my life going to school. I want to serve, not go to school." She continued to brainstorm ways that she could help people and serve.

Celebrating Mare's B-day

So I came back at her with a suggestion of, "well, what if you did homeschooling one day and served the next, then did school one day and served the next.."
She paused for a second and looked up at me and said, "that's a great idea!"

Bonfire & the boys
I know that the Lord used RO4Y, to speak to my child's heart and teach her what this life is for and what is really important as we spend our days waiting for the arrival of our King!

Praise the Lord! And thank you Freedom Fellowship!

We are excited for their continued help and the arrival of more short-term missions teams in 2011. These teams are an integral part of RO4Y. Please contact us if you are interested in visiting / serving with us at the Ranch.

Landon, Sam, Jianna, Rebecca, Samara & Kurt
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!
1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NLT)

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT)