NEWSLETTER: JUNE, 2003

Each month I struggle with the challenge of sharing the value of our ministry to you who make our work possible. I feel it's only right to justify our work, but the challenge comes in reducing a month of ministry by fifteen people into one or two short pages. The fact is, it's impossible! There are so many little areas in which each of us affect lives during the month. That's why we are in Tijuana.

I like focus–on-people stories; broad statistics become boring and sterile. To me it's the picture that counts, not the frame. Often I write of my own experiences simply because I know the full story and it's very real to me. Others on our team are also creating their own stories each day.

Often I visit the orphanages and find opportunities to minister. It's fun teaching the boys at the Emmanuel Orphanage; there is always something new.

Jonathan was walking out of the shower room in his clean PJ's when he suddenly made a U-turn and came back to me. "Brother von," he said, " I have a bad heart." I started thinking, he is sure young for a heart problem. I asked him if his arm was paining him and he said "No." Then I asked the best I could if his heart was beating too fast or irregularly. "No," he replied, " I just have a bad heart." I thought for a moment then asked if his problem was physical or spiritual. "Spiritual," he replied. Now I got the drift. This little eleven-year-old boy was dealing with a big inside struggle.

Later that night, after pizza and our Bible lesson, I pulled Jonathan aside and shooed the other boys off to bed. Now we had time to talk. "You know, von, I get mad at the other kids and then I blow up and call them names. I have a bad temper. When I go to bed at night I pray and ask God to forgive me but I don't think He hears me." This provided an opportunity to assure him of God's love and forgiveness as well as encourage him to control his tongue. At that he ran happily to bed. A big problem for one young boy in an orphanage of forty-two who just needed someone with whom to talk.

As I write this Aaron, and Ernesto are taking a load of teenagers to camp for the week-end. Efren and Rafa are working with a large team of U.S teens serving in a variety of needy locations. Juan, Julicia and Robin are keeping things running in Casa de Emmanuel, our smaller Tijuana orphanage. There, thirteen boys ranging in age from six to thirteen are getting a chance to make it in life.

Thanks to God's provision and your faithfulness we continue week by week. We appreciate more than you will ever know, your part on our team. Please keep praying for us. Again, thank you!