June 2009

June 2009

Dear Friends,
My grandmother will be ninety-five years old this June. She has always been a big part of my life and I love her dearly! The children love her too and call her Great-Grandma.

It has always been very important to me and Enrique that the children love and respect older people. So each time we would see her, we would talk to them and encourage them to listen and learn from all of her experiences. They love to give her hugs and kisses and hear her childhood stories!

Being teachable and learning from others is so important! Even after ninety-five years on this earth, Grandma would be the first to tell you she has not stopped learning. I remember a few years back she said, “You never arrive, there is always something new that the Lord wants to teach you!”

It is hard to believe that we have been working with children for almost ten years now. During this time God has taught us so much and continues to teach us every day.

When we first got married we had nine foster children living with us. One of the children came into our home mad at the world. He was getting in fights at school and fights with all the children. Enrique sat down with him many times to talk with him, and told him fighting was not the answer.

During that same time, we had some neighbors who were making life very difficult for us. They insulted us and this had gone on for a while. Enrique couldn’t sleep and he felt his blood was boiling! He called my Dad hoping to get some answers and Dad sent him the verse in the Bible that said love your enemies. Enrique was very frustrated and asked me, “Why would Dad send me this?” He wanted the Bible verse that said, “Go and punch your neighbor’s lights out!”

The day came when our neighbor and Enrique got into an argument and I knew Enrique had enough of their insults. Just as the watches came off and before the punches came out, God spoke to Enrique and reminded him all he had said to our little boy. Enrique put his watch back on and quietly came in the house.

Sometimes it is easier to teach others than to live it ourselves. Enrique always says, “If we teach it, we must live it!” Many years later all was forgiven with our neighbor and now we can laugh at this story. Enrique now understands why Dad sent him that Bible verse. Our little boy was Nelson, our oldest son now. He too learned a valuable lesson and is a loving wonderful son!

God is so faithful to mold and make us into what He wants, if we will just allow Him to come in! Please pray for the families we are working with. Enrique goes out several times during the week to meet in people’s homes. Please pray they will open their hearts to change. It is a very hard neighborhood and Enrique faces many challenges there.

Also, one of our children who is living with us, Nini, may need to have surgery. He is facing some health problems and we would ask for your prayers and support for him. The doctor will be running some important test on him soon. He has no insurance. We are facing many challenges and we would ask that you please remember us in your budget. We have had many problems with our van and we will have to get it fixed. Getting new parts can be very expensive. It is very important to our work that we have transportation.

We know God is faithful and we appreciate so much your love and support!! We could not do all that is before us if it wasn’t for you.

Much Love,

Enrique and Charlyn Mejia