Two more boys left Timothy House this month. Carlos, who had gone home to visit his mother during summer vacation, is not coming back after all. Also, Victor ran away with a new boy that arrived and was only at Timothy House a short time. We are sad to see these children go. A part of our hearts go with them. We wish them well. We know they will never forget what they learned here.

Two new children have also arrived. Fernando (age 11) or “Nando” as we call him, is playful and always smiling. We are excited have him join our family. We couldn’t help but notice that he looks like another Nando that we served for a time at CVE in Magdalena. That Nando was only 4 years old, but was also from Nacozari.

Nando playing futbolito

Jose (age 11) is from Guaymas. He has suffered a troubled childhood and has been to several other orphanages but they would not keep him because of his problems. He has survived on the street and was sleeping in gas stations and on top of roofs. Please pray that God will work a miracle change in his heart so that he can have a home.

Edgar, Victor, Jose and Mike

“My life was very ugly and very sad, but I thank the Lord that He helped me,” Adela said. She smiled and said in her quiet way, “I’m thankful that I did not become a bitter or bad woman.”

We were standing at the kitchen sink pealing rotten carrots that someone had given to Timothy House. I had asked her how she knew what produce we could “rescue” and what was too far gone. She said she learned to eat what others threw away as a young child. She continued to tell her story which is so tragic, it is hard for me to tell. But it also is a true story of such faith and endurance that it deserves to be told.

Adela is the houseparent for Timothy House in Imuris, Mexico. Hearing her history helps one understand how she patiently endures a house full of orphan boys who also have suffered and have special emotional needs. Adela grew up in poverty and faced unbelievable hardship. But even though her life seemed hopeless, she trusted in a God she hardly knew and survived by His grace. Today, she loves the Lord and is hoping to be baptized soon. Her calling and experience are an important part of our small ministry.

We hope that Adela’s story encourages others and is a glory to God.

Growing up in Morelia, Mexico

Adela was born in 1964 in Morelia, Michoacan, which is near the center of Mexico. She was the youngest of 4 children. She had 2 older sisters and an older brother. Her father died of influenza when she was 1 year old. He left them virtually nothing. They lived in a small, one room house with a dirt floor. They lived next door to her fathers parents house, but after her father died, her fathers family did not help them at all. Adela’s mother had to work all day just to earn enough money to buy food.

When Adela was 6 years old, her mother became deathly ill. Her leg swelled up and she had a high fever. They had no money to go to the doctor or buy medicine and no one would help them. She was bed-ridden and could not work for 8 months. The children did their best to care for their mother and find food. Adela went to the local market and asked to help clean. In exchange for her work, they gave her vegetables that were too rotten to sell. Although near death several times, her mother eventually recovered enough to work again without ever getting treatment.

Then in the middle of the night, a man pushed the door open and entered their home. Their mother was able to hit him with a stick and he fled, but the small family was left traumatized. They had nothing of value to steal, but still worried about their own safety. Adela stopped going to school. She only completed first grade and had not yet learned to read.

Afraid to leave the children home alone while she worked, Adela’s mom told Adela to go to her grandparents house next door. The grandparents let her come a few times, but then tried to turn Adela against her mother in hopes of taking her for themselves. But Adela was too smart to let that happen and didn’t believe the terrible things they told her about her mother. She saw how her mother worked hard all day and came home tired at night. She saw how her mother prayed. She dearly loved her mother.

Moving to Sonora, Mexico

When Adela was 11 years old, they moved to northern Mexico where Adela’s older brother had found work. They moved to a town called “La Doce ” near Hermosillo, Sonora. One of Adela’s older sisters had become a prostitute and left them her first child. We’ll call the child Amalia (not her real name) to protect her privacy. Adela’s other older sister had married and stayed in Michoacan. So Adela, her mother and her niece moved in with Adela’s brother who, unknown to them, had become addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Adela applied to work in the vegetable fields, but they would not let her start working until she was at least 12. So she worked washing clothes by hand until she was old enough to work in the fields. Her mother was now too old and weak to work in the fields, so Adela was the only one who worked. Her older brother was always waiting for her to get home from work on pay day to take her money. He would give them a small part to buy food and then take the rest to buy drugs and alcohol. He would beat Adela if the bus was just 5 minutes late, even though it was no fault of hers.

Adela’s older brother also beat and abused his mother almost continually. His addictions possessed him like demons. They lived in terror of him, and yet his mother never stood up to him. She was quiet, submissive and too weak from her illness. Her brother would demand that she make him food, even though he had spent their money. He would beat his mother if the food wasn’t ready when he wanted it. One time, in a rage, he burned her hands in the fire.

Another time, he tried to kill them all by opening the valve to their gas cylinder and throwing it on the floor in the middle of the house. Then he forced Amalia, who was just 6 years old at the time, to strike a match near the tank while he kept Adela and her mother from escaping. Adela watched in terror as Amalia tried repeatedly to start an explosion. Adela remembers her mother praying out loud. She was Catholic and didn’t know much about religion, but she prayed the best she knew how. Miraculously the gas jetting from the cylinder put the match out. Every time Amalia’s shaking hand would throw a lit match into the stream, the match would just go out.

After living in terror and abuse for about two years, Adela left home to live with a man she eventually married. It was a very difficult decision to make, because she knew her brother was killing her mother, but something had happened that forced her to leave. Her brother had tried to rape her. She was only 14 years old, but she had met a man who was 21 and was kind to her. After dating for 1 month, she went to live with him. She felt so guilty about leaving her mother, who she loved dearly, because she knew she would continue to suffer. She also worried about her niece, Amalia, whom she loved like her own sister. But there was no way she could stay and let her brother take advantage of her.

Adela’s Mother Dies

Adela had her first child a year later when she was 15 years old. Her name was Gaby. A son followed a year later. Adela had tried several times to seek help from the police about the abuse taking place, but for some reason when they found out it was her brother, they would do nothing. Eventually, from repeated blows to the head, her mother became sick. Adela took her to doctors trying to get help. Her brother continued to beat her. Then, finally the mother died in the hospital from head injuries.

Adela’s brother was furious at Adela and unbelievably tried to blame her for the death. He also blamed the doctors. In a rage he ran everyone away from the funeral and left only Adela, Amalia and Adela’s husband. He wanted to open the casket and see if the doctors had harvested his mothers organs. He threatened to kill Adela if the organs were not there. Finally Adela’s husband stood up to him and stopped him.

Adela’s remorse for the mother she loved so dearly was mixed with guilt and the sadness of knowing she had been beaten to death by her only son. She also suffered the shame of her brothers insanity at the public funeral. On top of all that, her heart ached for Amalia who was left with her brother to suffer. Adela had been able to escape, but Amalia was too young and Adela’s brother had raped her. Now that Amalia had reached puberty, she was bearing his children.

Trying to Help Amalia

Again, the authorities were no help. Adela’s brother beat Amalia continuously. He would not let her bath, get dressed, or leave the house for long periods of time. She had four children one after another. She suffered for many years. She always wore shirts that covered her from her neck to her wrists. Her arms were covered with bloody marks.

Adela would try to visit Amalia. She would try to help in this way. One time when Adela’s daughter Gaby was 7 or so, Adela went to visit Amalia and took Gaby with her. While Adela was talking to Amalia her brother French-kissed Gaby. Gaby was horrified and disgusted. She politely yet firmly asked Adela if they could leave. Adela didn’t visit often and wanted to stay, but after Gaby continued to insist they left. Then to Adela’s horror, Gaby told her what had happened.

Adela’s Husband Goes to Jail

Adela’s 3rd child was Claudia and her 4th, Eduardo followed soon after. Eduardo was born premature and spent time in an incubator. This was costly and left the family struggling financially. When Eduardo was about 1, Adela’s husband was sent to jail for 12 years.

Adela’s husband still went to parties with his friends even though he was married. One time when he was drunk he fought with another man and ended up stabbing him. The man eventually died from the wounds. Even though her husband was repentant when he sobered up, he still had to go to jail.

Adela was suddenly left with 4 children and no income. She had to go to work in order to buy food. She also had to leave Eduardo with her husbands brother, who raised him for her the next 4 years. It was heart-breaking to leave Eduardo, but she made it clear that she wanted him back, and the couple agreed.

It was during this time that Adela’s brother died. Someone apparently had killed him in a drug dispute. Adela feels bad today, but they did not have a funeral. She had no money to pay for anything. They let the authorities dispose of the body. Amalia was finally free, but unprepared to face the real world with 4 small children.

Adela visited her husband faithfully every week even though the trip was a hardship. She also made a second trip during the week with the children when she could. The day for children to visit was not the same day the wives could visit.

Evidently in Mexico, they let the wives visit and also embrace their husbands, because Adela became pregnant with their 5th child during one of these visits to the jail.

Adela’s husband started to work in jail and began to send Adela money for the birth and Adela also reclaimed Eduardo. It was very hard for the couple to give Eduardo up. He was 5 years old and called them “mom and dad.” Adela’s husband got out of jail early for good behavior. Adela endured 6 years caring for her children alone.

Adela’s Husband Leaves

Adela’s husband was 40 years old when he got out of jail. He stayed with her for 4 months, but their relationship was not the same. One day when he came home from work he told her that he appreciated how she had been faithful to him while he was in jail, but that he was no longer happy and was going to leave and not come back.

Adela was in shock and didn’t really believe him. But he left that same day and didn’t come back. She waited two weeks, but when the food ran out, she had to go back to work to buy food. She went looking for him and found him living with another woman. She asked him to help support his children but he said he couldn’t support two families.

He did give her some money and promised more when he could. But he never cared for or supported his children.

Adela Moves to Imuris

Struggling with parenting the 3 small children that still remained with her (the 2 oldest had left home), Adela moved to an orphanage in Imuris where she had been offered work. Amalia had moved there 3 years earlier with her children.

It was at the orphanage in Imuris that we first met Adela and her children, Claudia, Eduardo and Isabel. We also met Amalia and her children. We had been sent there by our church to help spiritually.

Joy was drawn to Adela’s humble, sweet spirit and the two soon became friends. Joy wanted to study the Bible with Adela, but Adela didn’t know how to read. Joy encouraged Adela to learn to read and the two began to read the Bible together. Eventually Adela came to have faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour.

Adela Comes to Timothy House

We were separated from Adela for a time as we moved to Magdalena to start another orphanage for our church. We kept in contact with her and still visited her and her children. Later Adela and her children left the orphanage and moved back to La Doce. Then we moved back to Imuris and the Lord led us to start a new orphanage, Timothy House.

Knowing Adela’s heart, she was our first choice for a houseparent. But we didn’t know if she would be willing to come back to Imuris. We went to visit her and were about to ask her if she was willing to help us when she surprised us. Before we could ask her, she said that she was looking for an orphanage to serve in. So we shared with her about the opportunity to help us with Timothy House. Her smile told us all we needed to know. It was neat to see how God had worked in our hearts to bring us together to help children in need.

Thanking the Lord

So, although the history is very sad, we thank the Lord for Adela and her testimony. May it be a glory to God.

Please pray for Adela and her important work with orphans at Timothy House.

Also, Adela requests prayers for Amalia, who recently was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctors said it was inoperable, but Adela and many sincerely prayed for a miracle. It appears that Amalia’s cancer has “dried up.” I don’t know what that means for sure, but it appears that she has been miraculously healed, or at the very least been given more time. Adela asks for your prayers that Amalia will be able to trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour. It seems like it is difficult for her to do having suffered in life so much.

Gaby, Adela, Eduardo, Isabel, Claudia and Gaby’s two daughters

Love is action not just emotion. So when the boys found out that Adela was not feeling well, they insisted that we go find eucalyptus leaves to make her some tea. Here are Alexis and Mike with the leaves they brought for Adela.

I don’t know if the tea helped or not, but the love expressed by the children sure did. Thank the Lord. Peace and joy abound, when there’s love at home.

We recently climbed “cruz mountain” in Magdalena.

Pictures tell a story and those we have uploaded to the following web album help show a little of what has been happening this summer at Timothy House.

Here is a list of some of the activities so far:
* Summer school - English, Math and Reading
* Vacation Bible School
* Cooking in the kitchen
* Working at the property
* Swimming in the canal
* Hiking

Summer 2008 Photo Web Album

Models her faith in Christ.

It takes faith to volunteer to tutor 10 energy-filled boys under the best of circumstances. It takes a special individual to do this while bridging language and cultural barriers.

The TH boys are enjoying working with Sadie to learn more math and English. Probably the best part of her being here is observing her Godly example. We appreciate the help and thank the Lord for Sadie.

For more photos of summer activities, see:

Summer Photo Album

Andres and Jorge (with their brother in the middle)

The mother of Jorge (10) and Andres (12) married recently and has decided to try to raise her two boys who to this point in her life she had not been able to care for. When Jorge and Andres came they had been kicked out of school and could not be controlled by the grandparents with whom they were living.

Thanks to God, both boys passed in school this year, and will be able to enter 4th and 6th grade next year. We pray that they will not soon forget the discipline and morals they learned at Casa Timoteo. And most importantly that the seeds of the Gospel will one day take root in their young lives.

Both are dear to our hearts and will be missed.

Imuris, Sonora is experiencing a water crisis. Water does not reach some areas of town for days at a time. Timothy House is without water most of every day. The children are getting used to carrying water to wash dishes, flush the toilet and take a shower. This type of inconvenience is normal in many parts of Mexico, but the situation is getting worse and nobody seems to know why. We’ve heard that the town’s main well may be drying up.

Our town is the only municipality in all of Mexico where a member of the “Green” or Environmental Party won election. Someone said that because of this, Imuris will not receive much state or federal aid. It appears that this is what is happening, because other towns around Imuris receive 5 times more aid, even though they are the same size.

We praise the Lord for another small miracle! Graduating from elementary school may not seem like a big accomplishment, but to three boys who a year ago were failing or not able to attend, it is a big deal. For all Mexican children, graduation is a big deal. The graduation program lasted 4 hours and included performances of cultural dances, poems, speeches and a dinner that started at 10 in the evening!

Victor, Edgar, and Alexis with their teacher

One teacher taught a class of 53 students. We are proud of our 3 graduates whose smiles and even tears showed the joy they felt having completed this phase of their education. One of our boys finished the year with an “A” average, one with a “B” average and one with a “C” average.

Entire class

Please pray for James, the IRS agent assigned to review our tax exempt application, that God will give him patience with us. He spent an hour on the phone explaining to me the mistakes we’ve made in trying to qualify for tax exempt status. I told him that we are obviously new to this process and very naive. He didn’t give us much hope that we would be approved. We are going to try to correct every issue he has presented as soon as possible, but it still appears that it will take a miracle for the application to go through.

He said that there is a backlog of 80,000 applications and that they are understaffed. In addition they are expected to enforce new regulations for 9-11 which effect us as an international charity. Anyway, to make a long story short, this whole process needs a lot of prayer.

2 Timothy 1:7 says “God has not given us a spirit of fear.” The Timothy House boys show they are not afraid to take on a very hot pepper. The other day, out of the blue, they challenged each other to eat a chile jalapeño! I grabbed my camera and caught the results on video:

I apologize for laughing like a little kid on this video, but the reactions of the boys were unexpected and struck us as very funny!