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?