Searching For More [Than Just Toys]

I know I just posted a post yesterday, but, after what happened today, I had to share this:

I was outside chilling with Carlos and Jesús today, and, once again, I noticed a kid in the barranco (valley or ravine. It's where the people in this area throw their trash). This kid, however, seemed to be throwing bottles at someone. I thought he was trying to hit someone with them. Once he went down the ravine a bit, I walked over to it to see who else was down there.

He was with two other girls, whom I presumed were his sisters. Turns out, he was throwing the bottles to his older sister, who would inspect them, then toss them or keep them. It didn't look like she kept any of them, though. At one point, she smelled one of them. I really had no idea what they were doing. My mind went back to the day I met the one kid, Miguel (again, don't be confused with this Miguel). I thought that these kids were doing the same thing as him. After confirming with Carlos and Jesús about what the kids were doing, I felt the strongest pull to talk to them. I noticed that the oldest girl saw me looking at them, so I had to wait for the right moment to talk to them. Part of me didn't want to bother them, but I just kept saying to myself, "I have to talk to them, I have to talk to them..." Once I saw that they stopped and were talking to someone, I decided that I needed to go then. While I was walking to where the kids were, I asked for God to move me where He wanted me to go. Part of me expected God to stop me, only because I thought it was me wanting to talk to them. I have to keep reminding myself that it's not because of me that I'm here. It's because God gave me the heart, compassion, and the calling to help these kids.

As I got closer to them, I noticed that they had received a bag of rolls from the guy they talked to (I learned later that the guy they talked to worked at a rehab center. That's where he got the rolls from). As I got closer, I asked, "Wait, wait!" The three turned around and looked at me. "Why were looking in the trash over there?"
The oldest girl answered for the three of them, "We were looking for toys for her (referring to her little sister)." I thought to myself, That can't be true. They had to have been looking for something to sell or something like that. Even if that it was true, that's definitely not a good place to be looking for toys.
"Oh. What's your name?"
I can't remember the girls's names, but the boy's name is José. I can't remember the girl's names because they were names I hadn't heard before. I wanted to know their names, but, now thinking about it, I felt that might have been too forward. I don't know. I just wanted to help them.
"Oh, ok. Well, in the future, if you ever need help with anything, no matter what (I said this to show them that they wouldn't be a bother to me), I can help you. I live in the church over there, and, whenever you need to, come to the church, and we can help you."
"Ok, thank you."
She actually said something different, but then changed it to thank you. I'm not sure what it was, but I really hope it wasn't something like, "Yeah, right." For some reason, I feel that it was, but I really don't know.

As I walked away, I heard them say, "Hey, boy!" I turned around and went back to them. The older girl asked me if I could give her a dollar. She thought about what the word was in English, and then asked me. I guess she thought that I only had dollars since I was American. Oh, stereotypes. I'm not really sure why she said dollar in English when the word is the same in Spanish. She used the English pronunciation, too. Hmmm. I told her that I only had pesos and asked her what she needed them for. She said to buy two kilos of tortillas. I only had fifteen pesos on me that I could give to them, and  I told her about one of the stores that sells two kilos for eighteen pesos, which is pretty cheap (I accidentally said sixteen, though. I really hope everything went ok, still). She said that was fine, said thanks, and walked away.

I couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. The older girl looked about 13 or 14, the boy was between 8 and 10, and the younger girl looked about 5. They all had ratted, dirty clothes. I knew that they had to be in the same situation as Miguel. About halfway back to the church, I froze. I just stood there as my eyes watered up. I couldn't get the thought out of my head that the only things they were possibly going to eat today were those rolls and some tortillas. I have no idea where they live or even if they have a place to live. I have no idea who their parents might be or if their parents even care about them. All I wanted to do in that moment was cry for them. I couldn't imagine living like that. Now, thinking about all of the times that I complained when I was younger about a certain food I don't like or a toy I didn't like, and my mom saying to me, "You better appreciate what you have. There's kids out there who don't have any of these things." Here they were. Right in front of me. And I talked to them. I just want to find them and bring them here to the church and help them with whatever they need. I want to be able to show them God's love and tell them how much God loves them and cares for them, truly. I want to let them know that there's more to live than what they're living.

Unfortunately, I can't hunt them down. I mean, I could walk up to every house and look for them, but then I'd probably get the cops called on me. Not about to let that happen. That's why there's such a great need for an orphanage in this area. There isn't one. The closest one that I know of is by the beach, and that's 40 minutes in a car, 1 1/2 hours by taxi, and I don't even know how long it would take to walk there. Pastor Elvis and I have been discussing it, and we are already making plans for an orphanage. Of course, it's just plans right now. We're looking to buy this one building two houses over from the church, plus adding two buildings like it to make the orphanage. Unfortunately, it costs a lot. We need your help:

1. Pray for us. A lot. Pray for God to bless us or send someone our way to bless us with what we need to start the orphanage. Pray that God continues to show us what we need to do to get it started. Pray that God opens the doors for us to get started.
2. If you can, donate. Anything is appreciated. Truly. We are starting a separate fund for just the orphanage. Anything that is donated for the orphanage will only go towards the orphanage.

Also, please, please pray for those kids. I truly cannot stop thinking about them. Pray that they actually come  to the church. I forgot to tell them about the program this Saturday (figures), but please pray that they somehow come to it. Pray that they come around here again so that I can tell them about it and help them more. More importantly, pray that they see that it's not me who's doing this. It's God who led me to do it. It's God who loves and cares so deeply for them. I do, too, but only because God has changed my heart, not me. Also pray that Miguel comes back around here, too. I've been saving bottles for him, and I have too many to fit in the bag. I need to give them to him. Also, I need to help him, too. All of these kids need God's amazing, indescribable love, and I won't stop until they all have it.

February 2013 Newsletter

Here's the newsletter for the church that I made! Unfortunately, it took me five hours to do. Hopefully, it won't take me that long to do the next one. EDIT: If you saw this already, I changed it so that it would fit on the blog page, plus, I fixed a couple typos.

Searching For More

About two days ago, I was chillin' with Carlos outside waiting for lunch to be ready. I think we might have been playing canicas or something. Anyway, once we finished a round of canicas, I looked up and saw a boy looking through the trash. He had a big bag with him, too. I remember seeing him the week before, but I think he might have been with someone, like a sister or something, so I didn't approach him before. Someone had told me that they were looking for bottles to sell. I thought maybe they were doing it for themselves to earn a quick buck, so that's the other reason I didn't approach him.

This time felt different.

I felt before that I should have approached him, but I thought that might have been my oh-look-a-kid-I-don't-know senses tingling, and that it was me that wanted to talk to him. I mean, of course I want to help all of the kids and get to know them all, but I didn't want to bother him and whoever was with him if it was just that. This time, I felt a strong pull to talk to him. God was telling me to. Estefani, Carlos's sister, was telling me that lunch was ready, but I didn't care. I was not about to put this off. I walked over to him and said, "Hey!"
He responded with a timid, "Hi."
"What are you doing?" I asked him, even though I was sure of what he was doing.
"Looking for bottles."
"Oh. Well, I don't think I have any to give you." I wanted to ask him why, but I didn't want to be too forward. "What's your name?"
"Miguel." (Don't be confused with the other Miguel. Many people here are named Miguel.)
"Nice to meet you. My name is Daniel. And, if you need something, I live in the church here, so, if you want, come to the church if you need something or help with something, ok?"
I'm not sure if he answered to me, but I think he might have just said ok. I then went to Carlos's house to eat lunch. Of course, I totally forgot to mention to Miguel about the kids' program the next day. Figures. Anyway, I told Carlos's dad about what happened, and he said that Miguel was just looking for bottles to sell. I knew that, but I told him that I felt something different, like there was more to the story.

Today, after discussing some things with Pastor Elvis, I mentioned this incident to him. He told me that whenever a kid does that, it's because his dad or mom told him to. Once the kid finds all the bottles he can carry, he brings them to his parent, the parent sells them, and then the parent uses that money for drugs or alcohol. I was a little set back when he said that. I had never really approached a kid who had been in that type of situation. If I had, I wasn't aware. Now, to know that this kid was probably lived this scenario gave me a deep compassion for him. Recalling the incident, I remember his pants and his shirt being dirty, and his face was dirty, too. No, it wasn't because kids just get dirty here. Yes, people are poor here, and kids do get dirty, but they normally stay clean and have clean clothes. He was neither clean nor had clean clothes. Plus, it was about 11 in the morning, so it was a bit early for a kid to have all of his clothes, plus his face, dirty. The point is, him being dirty didn't seem normal. I explained this to Pastor Elvis, and he told me that is why it would be great to have an orphanage here. Apparently, there's a lot more kids who live in that situation just around here. I have no idea how many more live that way in other areas. Thousands, possibly millions. Seriously. Last time I checked, there are 10 million orphans living in Mexico, and those are just the ones accounted for. A child is considered an orphan when one of their parents is dead, not both, so there are probably a lot more. Orphanages aren't only for orphans, though. They're also for abandoned or neglected children, which I feel Miguel is. Therefore, an orphanage here would be a great thing. The closest one in this area, that I know of, is about 40 minutes away in a car, an hour and a half/two hours by taxi, and I have no idea how long it would be to walk there. When we have one, it'll be close to the church here, which is great. Pastor Elvis and I are praying and planning this currently, but it's going to take a lot of praying and planning.

Please pray:

1) For a plan for the orphanage to come together at the right time.
2) For a building/land for the orphanage. We have one in mind, so pray that God will reveal to us if it's the right one. If not, then for God to show us another one.
3) For Miguel to come by here again. I feel dumb for not remembering to tell him about the program here, and I want to have the chance to invite him. Also, I know that he, in life, is searching for more than just bottles. He's searching for answers: Why he lives the way he lives. Why his parent(s) do what they do. If anyone really cares about him. If there's more to the life he's living.

Everyone thinks these things at one time or another. For that, they need to know that there is a loving, caring, merciful Heavenly Father who truly cares about their innermost being and only wants what's best for them. They need to know, as well, that God isn't doing this to them: it's Satan who's causing these things. They need to experience His amazing love and faithfulness and grace. Without Him, their lives are a complete mess, like a disassembled 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. But, with God, all the pieces come together. It takes time, but, once they learn how to put the pieces together, the mess is no more, but it's now a beautiful illustration of what God has done for them. Please join us in prayer, as we seek out the best plan to help kids like Miguel. Also, if you feel led to, donate to help start the orphanage. Unfortunately, these things cost money, as everything does, so we need all the financial help we can get. Make sure to clarify that it's meant to go towards the orphanage and not me, and I will make sure that it goes to the correct person for that. With all of your help, I know things will come together.

God's Got Bigger Plans

I've been back in Mexico for two weeks, and, man, has it been awesome. So much has happened in just these two weeks that if I were to type it all, no one would read it all, so I'm going to spare all the fine details.

None of the kids knew when I was coming back, so when I showed up, they were ecstatic. Well, most of them. Carlos, of course, was the most happy of them all. I got his reaction on video, which I'll be posting on my Facebook soon, and possibly on YouTube.

Me and Carlos wearing our Mexico soccer jerseys.
Trust me, he's happier than he looks.

The second day being back, I went over with pastor Elvis about everything I'll be doing, and I was really surprised at what he told me. I thought that I would just be helping out a lot more with the kids programs and stuff like that. Nope. I'm the kids' pastor. PASTOR. Never thought I'd be called that. Also, he wants me to be involved a lot more with the worship team. Before, I was just playing my acoustic and singing whenever they wanted me to. Now, Pastor Elvis wants me to start leading things with the worship team. Leading. Being the front man. Again, something else I've never considered myself. Although I haven't considered myself these things, I know I can do them. I have the ability to. I just need the courage, haha.

Ever since I've talked to Pastor Elvis, so many things have been running through my head: more ideas for the kids' program, another kids' service, starting a soccer team with the kids. I know that I need to take things one step at a time, but, now, I'm really excited to be pretty much in charge of the kids' program. I've been renovating things in the Saturday kids' program, such as adding Juegos Locos, which is pretty much like the games I did when I was at the Dallas Metro Dream Center, and adding the quiet seat prize, which will hopefully help keep the kids quiet during the lesson time. Hopefully. For example, if one of the teachers sees one of the kids being really quiet and paying really good attention, they'll get a ticket, and once they have enough tickets, they can get a prize. I think that's how it's going to work. I'm going to introduce it to them tomorrow, so, hopefully, it'll go over well. Also, Two days out of the week opened up, so, once I'm able to in the future, I'll do another kids' program in the evening on Wednesday and have soccer practice on Mondays. That'll give the kids things to do during the week so that they'll stay out of trouble and get more of Jesus, and more of Jesus is always a good thing.

We've also had two kids' programs so far. There were twenty-five kids at the first one and twenty-six at the second one. I was told that once I left, there were only ten kids that would come to the program. Now, it's doubled. Gloria a Dios. And I'm not going to stop there, either, haha. With the new things I've added to the program, I'm sure more kids will come, and that means more kids will receive Jesus. The best.

Anyway, that's enough for now. I'll be posting a lot of videos and possibly pictures on my Facebook, so look for those! Hopefully, I'll be getting better internet soon to do just that, haha.

¡Es Oficial! (Otra Vez)

Tomorrow, I'll be heading into Mexico and starting the HUGE, amazing calling that God has placed on my life. For now, I'm in San Diego, but it's all good. I'm leaving to Mexico in the morning. I think I can wait another 16 hours or so. I've waited three months, haha.

Here's a quick recap on what I'll be doing for those of you who haven't seen this post, or if you'd like to have a shortened version of what I'm doing:

I'll be going back to Mision Familiar Bethlem, the church I did work at before, and will continue to help the kids and people in the area. I'll be teaching English, helping run the Saturday Kids Program, be a part of the worship and drama team, visiting Niños de la Promesa, the orphanage I visited before, and be spreading God's amazing and true love, peace, and joy, along with everything else about Him. And, of course, I'll be doing my very best to tell everyone about how His love is available to us: through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, and believing in what He did for us on the cross. I'll also be discussing with Pastor Elvis his plans of starting the orphanage he is dreaming of starting. Once the time is right, I'll intern at Niños de la Promesa, learn everything about how everything works and runs, and then return to Mision Familiar Bethlem and help Pastor Elvis accomplish his dream of having an orphanage.

That's it in a coco de mer shell, haha. Something else I want to address:

Doing what I'm doing is not about being comfortable.
It's not about making money.
It's not about making a name for myself.

It's about bringing God's kingdom to earth: His love, His joy, His peace, His care, His forgiveness, His divine healing power, His guidance, His everything. Nothing will ever change that.

Please continue to pray for God to open the hearts and eyes of all the people, young and old, to the only truth that can save them from the ways of this world. Pray that God uses me to touch them in ways that only He can. Pray that God sends me fresh, awesome ideas to bring to the kids program so that the kids will understand things easier and will bring more kids to it. Pray that God continues to provide not only for me, but for the kids, adults, and families in the area. Pray that His will be done.

I'll hopefully get internet soon in Mexico, but, until then, I won't have any communication to the states. I'll also be in Mexico for a year at least, so it'll be a while before I venture back to the Estados Unidos any time soon. Thank you all for supporting me, whether by reading this, praying for me, or supporting me financially. Everything is greatly appreciated. Truly. ¡Dios te bendiga para siempre!

Everything

So, for those of you who don't know, I had to come back to the states to raise more funds to be able to live in Mexico for what God has called me to do. So far, I have been in the states for three months, and, boy, has it been challenging. It seems like everything that could cause me stress has, and, unfortunately, more than usual. The devil has really been trying to bring me down. Through all of this, though, God has been testing me to see if I trust Him in every area of my life: spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially.

Spiritually, I've grown so much in the past two years. I've been living for Him and spending more time with Him more and more every single day, no matter what hardships come my way. I know that if I'm seeking His will and living full-heartedly for Him, nothing can come against me. "...for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:5b-6

Emotionally, I've been all over the place: With myself, my parents, my family, my friends, everything. My dad has really tried me through all of this, telling me that I'm making a huge mistake, that this isn't worth anything. Through all of that, plus more that I won't go into due to length, I've turned to God for peace and joy, and He's provided it every time. Whether it be a little pick-me-up joy or absolute peace to stop me from sobbing uncontrollably, He's been there. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

Physically, I've been restored. Not 100%, but it's getting there. When I came back from Mexico, I had injured my arm from picking up the kids and spinning them around, which I tend to do a lot, haha. Being back, the pain has left me, and I will continue to praise God and rebuke that pain en el nombre de Jesus! Also, I've had this hemorrhage on my eye for several years, and I was recently told that, worst case scenario, that it could also lead to eye cancer. It hasn't bothered me (pain, irritation), but I was told to get it checked, so I did. Not only was I told that I didn't have to pay for my co-pay, but I didn't have to pay for the $100 eye drops either. Within a week, the infection that was causing the hemorrhage to grow and be inflamed went completely away and is continuing to go away! "That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” " - Matthew 8:16-17

Mentally, I've been struggling with many thoughts coming to my head. So many inner battles from my past, plus what is going on now, has really tried to take a toll on me. Not only from my past, but what I've had numerous people tell me, such as what they think is best for my life and what I should do according to them. Those thoughts, plus my past, have been trying to sneak in on me, but as soon as the devil was about to have his way, God reminded me every time that I need to trust in Him always and that He'll guide my steps and that His way is best. I've been able to focus on what He has for me, rather than what others have thrown at me, and really have had true peace. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Financially, which seemed to be the most difficult one (next to physically), He's provided all. He has so many times in the past, but, every single time, the amount has gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. The amount that I need now to live in Mexico is more money than I've ever had in my whole life combined. It seemed impossible. Seemed. God reminded me, "Daniel, I've provided for you every single time you've needed Me to. What would make this time any different? What is one measly number compared to Me?" As big as that number seemed, I knew that God was bigger. He created EVERYTHING. What was one number to Him? I still don't have everything I would like, but I have completely everything I need, as of today, which is all I truly want anyway. I know that if I somehow need more, then God will provide it. "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

I know this was a little lengthy, but I felt that I needed to share this with all of you. I know that with being a missionary, I need to trust God in EVERY area of my life and give EVERYTHING to Him. I can't hold on to anything. So, I want to encourage all of you with two things: 
1) No matter what area you may be struggling with in life, God hears you. He cares for you deeply, more than anything else (also see Matt. 6:25-34). He hears your cries. He listens to every single one of your prayers. Just keep looking to Him through it all, and, I promise, He WILL come through.
2) You HAVE to give everything to Him. Humans, by nature, want to have control. We want to have at least a little say in what goes on. It's hard for us to give a part of our lives completely away. Trust me. But, once you do, you won't regret it. When God is in control, He ONLY provides the best for you and what you can handle. Nothing more, but nothing less. What's better than God's best? And what's better than having the God of the universe take care of everything for you? All we have to do is look to Him in everything, live completely for Him, and He's got the rest.

Again, sorry for the length, but I just wanted to remind you all that God is alive and real, and He cares for you in EVERY aspect of your life!¡ I'm a living testimony!¡ Seek Him, and you won't regret it.

Also, not sure why everything is highlighted, but maybe it helps make it easier to read? Hopefully.

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