Rescue One More Run

Living Among Them [a ministry that supports orphans in Mexico and East Asia] puts on a run every year to raise money for orphans!.  They are calling the run this year Rescue One More Run [inspired by the blog that I started after visiting Casa Canaan].  They thought that it tells the deeper meaning behind the run!   Rescue is what this run is all about.  This year all the money raised from the run will go directly to Casa Canaan, and to precious orphans in East Asia that have extreme medical needs, as well as a ministry in Thailand that works to rescue and restore child survivors of exploitation and trafficking. [Due to security purposes no names or exact locations are used regarding East Asia]   

Our family is going to join the race and raise money for these kids!  It is a fantastic way to get the whole family involved.  I’m working on my extended family as well! [I will post our fundraiser for the run soon] BUT, I wanted to give each and everyone of you a chance to join the Rescue One More Run Team.   

Here’s the details:

Who:  Families, Runners, Individuals who want to take part with what God is doing in Mexico and East Asia and have a heart to advocate on behalf of these precious children.

What:  Rescue One More Run

When:  May 24, 2014

Where:  The event will take place in Dallas at Bachman Lake [by Love Field], BUT you can actually run anywhere you want and whatever length you would want. If you are in Austin, Town Lake is a perfect place to run! If you are in Atlanta, the Beltline would be a perfect trail for you.  No matter what city you live in, I know you can find a trail to run.  

Why:  Because these children have needs and a run is a fantastic fundraising event! 

How: To join the team send your photo [family, group, or individual] to contact@livingamongthem.com and they will send you more info and everything you need to set up your fundraising page.  

They are asking each team to raise $200, but you can raise however much you would like! Because there is no overhead for this race, ALL money raised will go to the ministries rescuing and restoring the children.

Y’all……I still don't know all God has in store for Rescue One More, but I do know this run is part of His plan.  He knows the needs of these children and he wants His people to take part.  Let’s don’t miss the opportunity to jump in the river of justice and bring mercy to these kids!  There will be many people running all over the world on May 24, 2014, but wouldn’t it be amazing to be one of those that are actually running on behalf of someone else.   

The Reeves Party of 6 is going to run!  Are you???   

More info about the Rescue One More Run can be found here:  http://www.livingamongthem.com/Rescue/index.html

If you build it, They will come

For years the boys of Casa Canaan have been sleeping wherever they could find a place to lay their head.  The little guys have been sleeping in the main house where they could be close to Carlos and Yara, but the older guys have been on their own in the back cabin that is really not fit for sleeping or safety.  Well that time is almost over and with fingers crossed these boys will have their very own space soon!  

Casa Canaan will not spend money that they don’t have so they have been waiting patiently for money to come in and for the right people to do the job….therefore it has been a slow process to get this dorm finished.  But I will tell you because I have seen it first hand that these boys are going to get great rooms that are built well because people have cared about the details and nothing has been done in desperation.  It has been built in faith believing that God was and is providing every single bit.  

Below are pictures of faith and as soon as the project is complete we will post a picture.  God is faithful to complete what He began!  [Thanks to Lance Keeling and Clint Hough for the updates and pictures!] 

As a parent we teach our kids that a home is not just a building but a place where we love, where we share, and where we have community!  But, one of our kids favorite things to do when we move in a new house is to establish “their room”.  They claim their space.  They put all their “treasures” where they want them, and they make it their own.  Their room tells their story.  These walls are ready for someone's story.  I pray that these rooms become a haven for the Casa Canaan boys [Those that live there now and those that are yet to come].  A place where they rest well.  A place where they can be alone with Jesus.  A place where their personality is expressed.  AND a place where their “past” is left at the door and that their room is full of Christ’s story of rescue. 

To donate to this project go to:

http://livingamongthem.com/Mexico/buildingprojectfund.html

Peace like a River

Here’s a fishing story that is true: 

Hugo spent his early years in the Lacantan Jungle on the Lacantan River in the southern point of Mexico.  His memories of the place were filled with abandonment and rejection.  You see his parents split up when he was 5 and his mom took him to his grandparents, who lived in the village Chahul because she didn't want to bother with him.  His grandfather died 2 years after that and then his grandmother didn't want to bother with him, so she put Hugo into the “system”  where he bounced from orphanage to orphanage.  He can’t even remember how many homes he was in.  Needless to say the memories from that place are not good.  

But then there is God who does immeasurably more than we can even imagine…….

Hugo finally made it home to Casa Canaan when he was 10…no more rejection…..no more abandoment.  Hugo is now 14 and takes his role as big brother very seriously around Casa Canaan.  Our dear friend Clint goes to CC every Sunday morning before church and makes pancakes for all the kids plus Carlos and Yara so that they can just prepare to shepherd their kids and their church. Precious Hugo is Clint’s right hand man!  He is faithful to cook and serve every Sunday.  He and Clint have obviously bonded during those Sunday morning pancake parties and Clint wanted to do something special for him and with him.  Clint is an a avid fisherman so of course he wanted to take Hugo to one of his favorite fishing places down in the Lacantun Jungle on the Lacantun River. But, as you know this was where Hugo was from and since Clint was aware of his story, his prayer was for God to replace the bad memories with some great ones.  The fishing trip took place a few weeks ago and below are pictures of immeasurably more:

[Also it might help to know that a Snook and a Macabill is a type of fish! Who knew?  I had to google it.]  

The village Hugo was born in and lived until he was 5.

 Country going down into the jungle area. Six hour drive from Casa Canaan.

Locals in Chahul taking baths in the Lacantun the evening we arrived on the river.

Hotel we stayed at on the Lacantun River about 40 minutes below Chahul. 

Mother howler monkey and baby outside in the trees above the cabins.  

Early dawn on the Lacantun. 

First snook of the day that Clint caught. Hugo was in his casting school for about an hour in the morning. Then he got it down and was on his own doing great the rest of the day.

 At 3 p.m. Hugo, all on his own, hooked this great snook ( rabalo ) and fought him for a good 10 minutes to the boat.

 This fish was in the 5 kilo range. A really really nice snook for the Lacantun! Much bigger than any snook I caught that day.

Later on Friday afternoon back at Casa Canaan, cleaning his catch with little brothers watching the process. [Take a good look at the kid in the yellow shirt, because his story is coming soon.] 

Mother Yara getting things ready to cook those fresh caught fish. 

 Soups on!

 Some soup eaters watching the process and ready to dig in.

 Dig in time. Meat never hits the freezer at Casa Canaan. 

Here is Hugo holding a Macabill he caught. 

I think prayers were answered! What do your think?

Who needs a floaty, We have Jesus!

This whole being a voice for something is a little new to me, so I have been sorting out the best way to do this.  And when I say sorting out, I mean down on my knees begging God to show me what this looks like, and seeking advice from others who may have wisdom to shed.  I can tell you that I still don’t know quite yet, so this may be trial and error for a while as we figure it out.  We have identical twin boys.  They look the same but are extremely different in so many ways.  When the boys were learning to swim, we had one just jump in and flail around until finally he started swimming….it was not pretty or text book but he took the risk and finally figured it out..and to be honest a pretty good swimmer to date. The other one jumped in one time and sunk to the bottom [and yes dad rescued him] and never jumped in again without a floaty until he figured out how to swim in his head.   Then one day he jumped in and swam and it was text book perfect!  He was not going to let anyone see him sweat.  Well, you can only guess which boy took after me…….yes, the first.  The one that makes mistakes where everyone can see and figures out everything trial and error…never internally.  So with that being said that is exactly how I’m going to figure THIS out!  It will not be text book or picture perfect and it will change and change and change until we figure out what works best and then it will change again! 

For now this is going to be the blog to follow for updates on Casa Canaan.  They do not have a website, so this blog is going to be the best place for updates!  I added a place on the side of the blog where you can put your email address and follow.    I will of course post through social media, but following it via email will be the best way to get the updates!  

Our friends Clint and Karen are on the front lines in Chiapas, Mexico every day!  And for the most part, they are sending me updates and pictures of what all God is doing there.  [Just a side note…..God opened Clint and Karen’s eyes to CC about a year ago and what a blessing they have been.  With their gifts of hospitality, administration, and many more, the people in Chiapas are truly blessed!  Lives are being changed through these 2 amazing people.]

We’ve been praying and believing for more children to come to CC and also more support in all kinds of ways…..and we will continue, because literally the day I sent out that first post, Carlos and Yara took in another child and his story is beautiful:

Juan Gabriel [13 years old] joined the Casa Canaan family a few short days ago.  His parents died when he was very young and because there was no relative to raise him he was put into the hands of the Mexican government.  In one of the many orphanages he was in, he encountered a christian that led him to Jesus. Shortly after he was saved that director was replaced by a corrupt man that got arrested and shut the orphanage down.  Juan Gabriel went from place to place hoping each place was his new home, but was never fully content.  Yara had actually met this little guy a few years back and they had a wonderful connection and she even told him about CC.  To make a long story short, this boy had been asking the Lord to send him to Casa Canaan for 2 years because he knew they offered education, which is rare, but more than that they offered Jesus!  By the grace of God, Juan Gabriel is at home at CC!    

What’s even more exciting is another child is in the process of coming to CC as I write to you today!  God is at work and I am so excited that he has allowed us to see and be apart.  

Juan Gabriel is on the far right!  Welcome home JG.  You are just beautiful and loved by God.   

To give financially to CC:
http://livingamongthem.com/Mexico/orphans/orphanprofiles.html
Click: DONATE
Then choose what payment option works best for you.  100% of the money that you give will go to Casa Hogar Canaan.  I PROMISE!