Little Buddy

Every time I see a little kid run up to someone or see a kid with his dad, I tend to think, "Man, it would be so cool to have a little buddy," or, "Having a son would be the coolest thing ever." For example, I work with the preschoolers at church. Some of the kids run up to me when I get there and ask me to play chase or have dinosaurs eat my hair, but they're always so much more excited when their dad or mom comes to pick them up, which is definitely a good thing, though. I wouldn't want someone's kid to like me more than them. It just makes me feel a little upset to know that I can only be with them for that hour and a half. I seem to finally get the kids to do something with me or actually open up and talk to me, and then they leave. It really makes me wish that I had a son that I could love and care for all of the time. Of course, I can't have a kid right now, but                         that doesn't mean that I don't want to have a son. It's been crossing my mind a lot lately. Unfortunately, with the thing that God has told me to do with my life (if you don't know what that thing is, click this), I don't think I will be able to have a kid, which really makes me distressed. After thinking about it a little deeper, though, I realize that the kids I work with in Mexico are my little buddies and are like my own kids. I treat them exactly the way I would my own, anyway. Also, the kids that I'll be helping later on down the road will become like my kids as well. God has placed these specific kids in my life for me to lead them in the life they should live and to be that big buddy for them. Even though I don't get to be with them now, I often stop myself and think, "I'll be with them soon enough. No need to be upset over things here in the states. They're waiting for me."

It's true. They are waiting for me. I called Carlos a few days ago, and he asked me when I was coming back and how many days that was. He always asks me that. That definitely reassures me and lets me know that at least he still wants me to be there and is awaiting my return. I'm sure at least some of the other kids do, too. I just haven't been able to talk to them. I'm supposed to be returning soon (January 15), but I'm still waiting for the funds to come in. I know God is going to provide the right people who can donate to me and help me stay down there with the kids instead of having to leave them again. I couldn't bare to have to leave them again. If you feel like you're one of those people who can donate to me, whether it be one time or monthly, and can help me stay with my kids instead of having to leave them once again, please feel free to go right ahead. If you have any questions at all about what I'll be doing once I go back, please read this first. If you still need to, feel free to email me at daniel.ratz92@gmail.com, and I will gladly answer any questions you may have. Currently, I am no where near the financial goal that I am trying to reach, so if you are in the right position to give, and you feel that this is something you should do, know that any amount is greatly appreciated. Please prayerfully consider it, and help me be able to return to mis bebés again.

"But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Mark 10:14-15

"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.'" Mark 10:27

It's More Than Just Playing Games

Being back home in the United States, I've had people tell me that they're proud of what I'm doing in Mexico. A few others, though, don't agree completely with what I'm doing. I've been told, "Stop wasting your life and do something that's worth something," and, "Playing with kids all day isn't going to get you anywhere." When I hear these things, it hurts. A lot. Especially knowing the people that these things come from. No matter how many times I explain, they don't seem to get it. What I do has a lot of worth, and it's more than just playing games:

For the kids who don't have many friends, I'm there to be that friend. Whether it be because they are poorer than the other kids or aren't liked by the other kids for some reason, I'm there to show them that those things don't matter to me, that no matter what you've done or what your financial status is, I love you for you, and nothing can change that.

For the kids that have a very poor family life and don't have much structure, I'm there to be that good example for them. I'm there to show them what they should do and to pull them away from what they shouldn't do. I'm there to show them what Jesus would do in those situations and to lead them in the way that Jesus lived. I'm there to guide them along the right path, the path that they're intended to live.

For the kids who aren't loved, who are broken, who feel worthless, who think that there's nothing left to live for, who are alone, I'm there to be there for them, but, more importantly, to show them the One who is always there. I'm there to prove to them that there is more to life than what they're living and to show them the life that God intended them to live. I'm there to show them that they are worth it, that I've given up my whole life just to be with them, and, more importantly, to show them how much worth they have in Jesus as well. I'm there to show them the true peace and joy from God that can mend any broken heart. I'm there to show them the true love of God that sees past the faults, past the insecurities, past anything that may seem bad or dirty or wrong. I'm there to give that hug, to be that father-figure, and to lead them to the true Father, who gives relentlessly everything we need without finding fault. I'm there to show them that no matter what happens, no matter who rejects them, no matter who abandons them, that I am there, and that God is always there, and He will never leave them nor forsake them.

If it wasn't for God changing my heart and making me a such better person than I was in the past, I wouldn't be doing any of this. God changed me for the better, and I'm glad He did. If anyone disagrees with what I'm doing, then they can. Will that stop me from pursuing the calling that God has placed on my life? Not a chance. My life is more than just being a playmate. It's about bringing the true love, joy, and peace from God to these kids, whether it be by playing tag or by just giving them the attention they deserve. Nothing will ever stop me from living the new life God has given me.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Personal Profile: Older Carlos

Older Carlos, Gabi, and me

Name: Carlos (I refer to him as Older Carlos so that he's not confused with Carlos)

Age: 12

Grade: 5th(?)

Family: Señor Carlos (dad), Mom (name unknown), Claudia, Gabi (younger sisters), Tuco (younger brother), Ximena, and Valeria (baby sisters)

Moroni, me, Octavio, Ximena, and older Carlos

Favorite thing: Not sure, but he does enjoy soccer a lot.

I met Older Carlos when I returned to Mexico. He came over to the church with his other siblings when I first returned. I don't remember what exactly happened when I first met him. I probably just asked him what his name was, and then he began to play with me and the other kids.

Older Carlos can be all over the place with how he acts. One moment, he can be super helpful, then he's being disruptive. He can be caring, and the next moment he's throwing rocks at people. Overall, I love this kid. He's a good kid deep down. He is a great helper. He came to Walmart with me and Carlos one day and helped me carry my groceries home. He complained the whole way home and made me very frustrated, but still, he helped (check out this post for the full story). Older Carlos is caring, as well. Whenever I'm feeling upset (depending on if he was a contributing factor to my upset mood) he'll usually ask why and try to make things better.

Carlos tends to get angry and fight. A lot. I've caught him several times fighting with other kids, whether it be verbally or physically. It's verbally most of the time. I've broken up one of his physical fights before. At first, I wasn't sure if I should step in and do something, but after I saw Carlos get forcefully punched in the head, I decided that I needed to do something, so I stepped in and broke it up. I sent the other kid home, and I had a talk with Carlos about why he was fighting the kid. He told me that the kid was saying bad things about his sister or his family. I then told him that that wasn't the right way to go about it and that he needed to tell someone if that was happening. I'm not sure if that was the right way to solve the problem, but that's how you handle it in America (which probably means it was the wrong way to do it since Mexico and America are two VERY different places). There was more that was said, but that was basically it. I continued to help him with his anger problem after that. It lessened, but it still was a problem. He told me before I left that he noticed that before I came, he would fight a lot. For some reason, that's all he said, but I think he meant that he acted worse before I came. It was awesome to see that he noticed a good change in his life, and it involved me, but all of the glory and honor goes to God, not me. If it wasn't for God giving me the words (in Spanish) to say to him, I don't think anything would have gotten accomplished.

Please pray that Older Carlos receives the true peace and joy that he needs. Pray that he stops the fighting and replaces it with love. Pray that he understands how much he needs Jesus as his personal Savior, as he does not have Him in his life. Pray for his whole family to receive true salvation, as well. Pray that God uses me to continue reaching out to him and that God gives me the words to say to him whenever a situation may arise. He's an awesome kid, and I don't want him to live another day without Jesus in his life.

My Missions Video

I made this video sharing statistics/clips of the kids in Mexico. Take the time to check it out, and feel free to share it with your friends!

Missionary for Life

I'd thought I'd give everyone an update on what is happening right now and what is going to happen next in my life, so here it is:

I'm currently still looking for people to help financially support me in the calling God has placed on my life. The cost to help the kids in Mexico for one year is $13,000, which includes housing, food, communication, materials for the kids' program, etc. The date I'm looking at to leave is Tuesday, January 15, 2013. I know that God will supply everything before that time. My complete trust is in Him. He's brought me this far, so I know that He won't let me down. I know that He'll lead the right people my way who are able to support me in this amazing life He has called me to live. If you feel like you are one of those people, you can donate to the right of this post, either a one-time donation or a monthly donation. Please do not feel obligated to give. If you are in a position that you are able to donate, no matter what the amount may be, it is very greatly appreciated.

Once I am in Mexico,  I will continue helping Pastor Elvis at his church, Mision Familiar Bethlem. I will be helping with the worship team, drama team, and the Saturday kids' program. I'm also praying for fresh, new ideas that I can incorporate into the Saturday program to get even more kids to come. I'll also continue to help the kids in the area, whether it be with school, resolving problems, encouraging them to live like Jesus, or just simply being there for them. A lot of the kids don't receive the amount of attention or love that they deserve, and one of my goals is to give them God's perfect love and to give them all of the attention I can. Kids need love, and what better love to give than God's perfect love? If I didn't receive the love and attention that I so desperately needed when I was in middle school and high school, I possibly wouldn't be here, and I definitely wouldn't be doing what I am doing today. If I didn't truly experience God's amazing love and have someone show me that love, I would still be the hurt, depressed kid that I was. I do not want any of my kids going through what I went through, so I want to be able to show them God's amazing, real love now while they are still young. I want them to be able to grow up knowing how real God is and how worth it they are to Him. I want them to understand that He is there for them in every situation, that they can turn to Him for any problem they might have, and that He will never leave them nor forsake them. I will also continue being there for the rest of the people as well.

Every other weekend, I will visit Niños de la Promesa, the orphanage I was visiting before, so that they become completely comfortable with me being there. Once this is accomplished, I will then ask to do an internship with them, where I will learn how they do things at their orphanage and be involved with them on a daily basis. Once I learn everything I need to know about how to run an orphanage, I will then return to Mision Familiar Bethlem and help Pastor Elvis with his dream of running an orphanage.

Again, this isn't just another two-month missions trip. This is what God has called me to do with my life. I will be permanently living in Mexico and possibly visiting on occasion. If I do visit, I will probably bring one of my kids with me, haha. I can't leave them again. I'll make sure that everything is perfect and that everything will work out, so don't fret about that, haha. Also, how cool would it be for one of them to be able to experience America? I don't know if that will work out, but one can pray, can't he? Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please pray for me: for safety,  for God to use me in the most effective way to reach these kids, to tell them everything they need to know about God, and to be able to encourage them in the right way of living their lives. More importantly, please continue to pray for the kids: that their hearts will be open and willing to receive from God, for Him to mend any brokenness, and for Him to break any bondage on their lives. May God bless you abundantly!

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:14-19