Greetings to our dear friends and family in the Lord!
We have some awesome testimonies in this newsletter, so I will not waste any time!
Aldo is a 12 year old boy in our orphanage who has been with us for 7 years.
He has been praying for his mother Laura, who has been in a very violent relationship with a man who does not want to take responsibility.
Laura, his mother, would attend church occasionally but one Sunday, when she was there, my wife Rossy sat down with her and counsel her about her situation!
Rossy confronted her by asking what she was doing.
“You have your son with us because this man does not want him! He is abusive and mistreats you and does not want to marry you! What are you doing to yourself and your son?”
These hard, straight forward words made Aldo’s mom come to her senses! She had nowhere to go, so she asked if she could help at the orphanage!
Rossy said: “Of course, when can you start?”
She was there the following day and has been with us now 5 months!
An excited Aldo tells us: “God has answered my prayers! Not only did my mother leave that man, but now she is with me!”
He has learned much about Jesus Christ our Savior!
And has grown in his faith seeing Jesus answer his prayers!
Wow, stories like this want to make you cry!
Stories like Aldo and his mom fuel our commitment to our Lord’s work!
People tell me, “Carlos you have to slow down, you can’t help everybody!”
My answer always is: “I’ll die trying! I would not have it any other way!”
There is so much need and opportunity all around us!
Just a week ago a family of six came to our church doors looking for help.
A Father name Rolando came with his wife, Mirian. They had with them three children, one was only 3 months old. Mirian’s sister Patricia was also with them.
I was able to meet with them but I told them we did not have space for the whole family but we could figure something out.
The father looked discouraged, and who can blame him! He began calling on the phone looking for another place!
I told him we could take them to a local place receiving families needing help so he could see for himself what was available.
We got in the car and drove about a half a mile to a local rescue facility! I shared with a young lady about the desperate need of Rolando and his family.
She said they had no more available space. They were completely full! We took a look inside the facility area, all the families were living in tents.
As we drove away, looking at me he said, “Looks like I don’t have much choice! I’m totally frustrated because I had a job and a place for my family. I never should have come. All I was told! Was nothing but empty promises?”
His story was very moving, he was speaking from a deep, sincere heart.
I look at him and said, “I don’t know you and you don’t know me. But I know you are speaking in truth but I have to be very careful who comes into our orphanage!
But I’ll offer you an option. Your wife and children can stay at our orphanage and you can stay with our teenage boys and staff in separate quarters! You will be on the same property, but not under the same roof!”
We all went together to see the orphanage and his kids jumped right in playing with the other children!
The father looked at me and said, “We have a deal, we will stay. This is so much better than the other place!”
I said, “Great, you will do well here and you have nothing to worry about!”
Again, Wow! Stories like this moves our hearts to continue working hard, helping people in desperate situations!
We are the body of Christ, and we are called to act with compassion!
Can I make a plea? We have a Godly team willing to work hard helping our neighbors, teaching the good news, and making disciples!
We need another location for families. Parents in the above story are all around us!
In most cases we have to separate them, and many go back out into the streets looking for another place which is almost never there. They are full!
We are looking for additional space to accommodate the need for families with children in our local area. If you have an interest in working with us to meet this need, we would be glad to meet with you and discuss our options.
Donors have come forward to participate in this ministry but this is a major commitment and we need additional people step up! Pray with us!
We would like to remind you also about our Quilt Project to furnish water and solar power on the ranch. We just received a quote to “find” water on the ranch for $1800.00. This does not include putting a well in or the plumbing and pump!
We would like to talk to any solar experts who might be able to help us with plans and specs for new construction on the ranch. Let us know if you know someone?
Also, below are pictures of Santiago and Elvia wedding! Enjoy! They both are committed to serving together at the house of grace! They make an awesome couple!
May we together not grow tired of doing good!
In His Love, La Roca team!
