Greetings to you, who faithfully pray and give to the children of la Casa de mi Padre. What a start to 2024! We have been busy bees, to say the least. All our dreams and plans (combined with your generosity) are taking shape to the glory of God and love to the children of Mexico. So, if one picture can paint a thousand words, here are 20,000 words. Seriously, though, I will be brief with my words and let these pictures do the talking… The solar panel project is 95% complete. This will cut our electricity bills and provide power to the whole property. Above is a partial demo of the new apartment for our new staff and their families. It starts with the roof, trusses, and preparations of the first-floor concrete. Second-floor structural preparation and installation were done while pouring the concrete on the first floor, and then more construction materials were delivered. The second floor is being installed, and vertical beams are being welded into place. The removed roof is now being reused and reinstalled. The summers are brutal in Mexico. With your help, mini split A/C units are being installed in the large dorm building and new apartment. (Lucas and Carlos, our older boys, are helping with the work) We have sized our solar panel system to provide enough power to run these appliances. As of March 15th, we are installing the framework, windows, and siding, plus beginning the rough-in for the plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning! Well, there it is: your 20,000 words in 20 pictures! We now have three significant projects simultaneously: the new solar array, the new apartment, and the new A/C installation. The work is progressing well, and we anticipate completion within the next few months. Our last trip, on the first of March, was met with the joy of spending time with the children, and these guys are why we do this.
Co-labor's in Christ, Terry Slack Sus Manos Extendidas “Religion, that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans, and widows, in their affliction, and to keep oneself, unstained from the world.” -James 1:27 ESV Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope this letter finds you doing well. Joy to the world, for our Savior has come! This is reason enough to be grateful, hopeful, and full of faith for our future in Christ. I thank God for all of you because you are the vessels through which God’s grace is given to the children and staff at Casa de mi Padre. We could not extend His love in physical or spiritual ways without you. Your prayers and monthly financial support are so vital to the mission God has placed on our hearts for His children. By the time you receive this, the holidays will be completely upon us and maybe a little behind. And so, I want to breathe a prayer for all of us: In all the business and distraction of the holidays, Lord, help us remember that You are where our hearts belong. Life is your symphony, and we are Your epiphany, so give us clarity so that we may respond. Life is so complex, but God demands we keep it simple. So again, let us not forget, especially in this season, that it is to Him that our hearts belong. So, praise the Lord! We have life in our bodies, hope in our scars, and if we could count our blessings, they’d rival the stars, with Christ being the brightest by far! Our team and I recently returned from the children’s home, and what a pleasure it was to see all the children once again. There were a total of 11 members of our team on this Christmas trip. Freedom Church once again stepped up and provided Christmas gifts, and the team that was sent to give the gifts, serve the children, and love the community in which they live. Thank you again for being the “sent ones” for the cause of Christ! So yes, we came bearing gifts that were both practical and fun. The children celebrated their Christmas on Tuesday evening. It was such a good time, and they were so excited and grateful. A great big shout out to my wife Margie and her team here at home and on the trip that ran all the logistics of getting these specific gifts into the hands of the children they were intended for. And of course, the reward for us is to see all the smiling children. Also, I want to say a thank you to Phoenix Clincy and his group of friends who provided 30+ fitted sheets and pillows for the kids. On Wednesday morning, we had a partial work day and were able to get a little painting done. In the afternoon, we gathered food together and boxed it up to be given to the community of Plan de Ayala. Also, the children chose one gift they had received to give to those in greater need than them. Then all the children, staff, and our team went and served. It truly was a beautiful sight to behold! The next day we had a church service, and we had a few of the people come from the “Dump.” And praise God, they decided to follow Jesus in that service! On a final note, we have had so many good things happen over the last several months that I want to update you guys on them: We hired a couple to be support staff for Luis and Lucy. This has been a MAJOR ANSWER TO PRAYER! Meet Joel, Isabel, Flor, and Samuel. We also tore down the old stairs and built a new staircase. Additionally:
Finally, we have received several new children in recent months as well. We are now up to 29 kids. Two or three will be there for only a short time, but as long as they are with us at Casa di mi Padre, they will have a safe and loving home.
We currently serve 110+ meals a day. This is the single greatest daily need that we have, and it is a constant 24/7, 365 days a year need. One of the first things Jesus noticed when a great crowd had gathered around Him was, “These people look hungry…” (My paraphrase). They were hungry, and Jesus fed them. All I’m asking is for you to give your loaves and fish and let the “Miracle Maker” do the rest. By faith this home was built, and by faith it is sustained, and by faith it is a light penetrating the darkness and breaking down the gates of hell. One last thought for you, our supporter... The above truth is for you and your family as well, and when that old liar comes mouthing off and tells you something different, you just start singing your adoption song and remember that you and I are His children living at home in the welfare of our Father‘s unlimited resources and his limitless generosity. Co-laborers’ in Christ, Terry Slack “Religion, that is pure and undefiled before God the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27 ESV Fresh from our most recent visit, we are thrilled to share the joyous moments we experienced with the children. On this trip, our team consisted of friends David Doran, our pilot; Isebel, our teacher; Carmen, our architect/planner; my wife Margie, our encourager and invaluable helper, and myself, Terry Slack. My father, Papa David Slack, was on a well deserved vacation in The States with his wife LaVerne, his presence was felt, and we had a successful trip. We cannot express enough gratitude for the overwhelming support and love you continuously pour into La Casa de Mi Padre, Hogar. You are the vessels through which God's grace is extended to the precious children and dedicated staff. Your prayers and monthly financial contributions play an indispensable role in nurturing the physical and spiritual well-being of these little ones. The warm greetings and hugs from the children upon our arrival were heartwarming. We witnessed tremendous improvements during our visit, from newly installed shower doors and repaired countertops to up-graded faucet fixtures; The place is truly transforming, thanks to your continuous support. One of the highlights of our trip was witnessing a graduation ceremony in soaring temperatures! Luz, Arely, and Jonathan graduated from kindergarten, while Christian graduated from elementary school. We also celebrated the advancement of Caleb and Juan to high school and the bright future awaiting Mirta and Vidiana as they plan to start nursing school in the fall. Carlos, our first graduate beyond high school, completed Air Conditioning trade school and intends to embark on an internship with my A/C company in Texas. Together, with your help, we are breaking the cycle of poverty, crime, and spiritual depravity. The future for these children at La Casa de Mi Padre is undeniably bright. As followers of Christ, we are united in the mission to rescue these little ones from the clutches of the enemy. Your involvement is key to this joyful and glorious endeavor. Our days were filled with games and educational videos, thanks to Isebel's dedication to teaching the children. Margie and I collaborated with Carmen on building measurements, electrical power, septic, and water capacities for our new property extension. The cleanup process has already begun, and by late August, we will have a blank canvas to envision the future of the orphanage. In our pursuit of expansion, we humbly request your special and specific prayers for potential new staff members. With the children's needs growing, finding the perfect fit for Luis, Lucy (our in-house administrators, aka: “Papa and Mama”), and the home's running is crucial. We believe that God will bring in the right people, and we ask for your support in this endeavor. As we consider increasing staff, we also appeal for additional monthly support to ensure that these children continue to receive love and care from quality caregivers. Your obedience and love for God and these precious children are evident in your unwavering support. On behalf of LaVerne, Papa David, Margie, and myself, We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your compassion towards the children of Mexico. With your partnership and God's guidance, we look forward to an even brighter future for La Casa de Mi Padre. Let us co-labor together in Christ, spreading love and hope to these young souls who deserve nothing less. In His Love, Terry Slack From the Desk of David Slack, DIRECTOR, SUS MANOS EXTENDIDAS While praying this morning I feel strongly that God laid you; our partners, especially those of you supporting the Children’s Home ministry, on my heart. The Lord reminded me that if we did not have PARTNERS LIKE YOU there would not a children’s home period. You are invaluable, crucial, critical, key, vital and irreplaceable. To each child in the children’s home you are their miracle. To Juan found in a sewer pipe, to Miriam & Angel whose mother and father were killed by the cartel; and to the others whose parent simply cannot take care of them. You clothe them, feed them, love them, you are their family! Some of you have gone to the children’s home and felt the genuine love from the kids. I believe you are planting seeds of the Gospel that will produce Godly men and women. If you could have seen the downcast looks on Miriam and Juan faces when they first came to the children’s home and what they look like now, you’d declare it to be a true transformation. Prayer alone did not do it, God laid it on someone’s heart, and they responded! You responded! You could have ignored that still small voice, but instead you responded and gave generously and abundantly. Each time I pray for you, our partner; I ask God to bless you with a 100-fold return; that you would have an abundance and be able to be a continual blessing to others. The kids need and depend on you, I need and depend on you, never let satin tell you that the monies you send are not important... ...because they are, every penny! While the children’s home is doing great, it is under a “shelter in place” ordered by the Mexican government; just as we are by our government. I don’t know how bad it may be or bad it might get; when I returned March 12th from the children’s home the Mexican government wasn’t reporting much about Covid-19 but then you never get the full details in any event. Because Mexico is our neighbor doesn’t mean they have resources needed to fight the Covid-19 outbreak. However short the resources in America are they will be much shorter in Mexico or non-existent. I am asking you to believe with LaVerne and I that the blood of Jesus is covering the children’s home and that the angels are surrounding and protecting it and that no device or disease can come against it in Jesus Name! Remember we are going THRU this, not camping out! Again, I just want to say to all of those who pray and support us, THANK YOU! If you would like us to pray with you about a need please contact us. We would be privileged to do so. I Love and appreciate all of you. Walk with God and you will reach your destination! LaVerne and I thank God for you and for your compassion for the people of Mexico. God bless, -David Slack "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows
in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:27 NIV We were blessed to have Pastor Dawn Slack, pastor of Grace Alive church in Liberty Hill, TX and her husband Jim Slack travel with us to the children’s home. Thank you Pastor Dawn and Jim for coming and blessing the kids! I Love and appreciate all of you. Walk with God and you will reach your destination! LaVerne and I thank God for you and for your compassion for the people of Mexico. Note our 15 passenger American van has now been turned into a 30 passenger Mexican van! Fall is near, the kids are in school and life at La Casa de mi Padre is good! There are now eleven children. Mirta, Brandon, Xeimania, Rubi, Jhosaffath, Tania, Geraldine, Jeremy, Eider, Juan Armando, & Angel. All of the kids are home schooled at La Casa de mi Padre except those 12 and older. These children go to the Secondary school in Plan de Aya. I hope you are praying for La Casa de mi Padre Children, while all is going well there are some needs that money can’t supply. We are in need of a man and women that can come and stay in the dorms with children during the night, we also need a handy man around to help do the maintenance and help in other areas of the children’s home as needed. Luis is busy with teaching and management of the home, Lucy is busy with taking care of the children, planning the meals and cooking. God is not “surprised” but I am reminded “that we have not because we ask not”. I’m praying and asking you to pray that these needs will be met, with the right person for the job. We do have a widow lady that comes and helps Lucy with the cooking which is a great blessing. While we’re not in the “construction mode” we do have some projects going on. We just started today building a carport to keep the vehicles out of the elements. The sun does a number on vehicles when they sit out in the sun. Outstanding projects is the perimeter fence and a playground. The playground is a necessity and will need to come real soon. As most of you know we did not plan on any children less than 6 years of age, however we have two 5 year olds and an 18 month old baby. The smaller one take a lot more time and attention, so be praying for the home. We took in one 5 year old and the 18 month old because they, Tania and Geraldine, are part of a family. Angel the other 5 year old is a true orphan, both his mother and dad were killed by the drug cartel. Again I personally want thank each person that has given a penny thru SME ministries. Be it for the children’s home, for Pastor Tavita, Dr. Reyna or monies that were un-designated which allowed us to share with other ministries. Only eternity will reveal the lives it has and will effect for Christ, our purpose, our drive and our passion! Not by just preaching but by “doing”. In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget. Prov 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. And in Prov 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” NIV This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants us to do as his obedient children. Eider, pronounced A-dare
Thank you for praying & supporting the Children’s Home, Dr. Reyna, Pastor Tavita, and all the people you have allowed us to help spiritually and physically. LaVerne and I thank God for you and your compassion for the people of Mexico. Well here we are in the middle of the summer at the childrens’ home and it’s HOT, but that’s what it is every summer. All is well. There are still no emergencies, no dire needs. God is, was and always will be our portion! We just had graduation, all the kids advanced and did well. Rubi graduated from primary to secondary school and in the Mexican tradition we had a graduation ceremony complete with the President elect of Nuevo Padilla and other city dignitaries, others included were school administrators and teachers. The big tent was set up to shade us while we had the graduation and the meal afterwards. Luis and Lucy did a great job in getting it all arranged. After the graduation we all had an opportunity to lay hands on the children of the childrens’ home and declare Gods blessing on them. Wish you could have been there! Our hearts go out to children, not one should have to go through life wondering if any one cares or what they are going to eat or where they’re going to stay. Not a lot is different at the childrens’ home. We did have a 16 year old boy come to the home that we tried to help, however too many “old habits” led him to run away. It’s so important to try and get them at a young age. We are hoping to receive several children in August but as you and I know, it is what we pray that we get the ones God wants us to have and when He wants us to have them. In one case Pastor Tavita is trying to get a mom to send her two daughters to the children’s home but the mom sends them to beg at the bus station, using them as a source of income, so sad. Hopefully the mom will allow us to care for them. Thanks to Carla Mansee and her group, our Children’s Home family had the opportunity to go to the Playa (beach) at LaPesca about 60 miles east on the Gulf. When I first went to LaPesca in March of 1977 it was a little sleepy fishing village; you either had to fly in and land on a dirt airstrip that was crooked like a dogs hind leg or come in on a four wheel drive on trail, now it is a thriving resort. Not Cancun but doing well. It is also where we held a medical campaign. I know all the “KIDS” young and old had a great time. Again I personally want to thank each person that has given a penny through SME ministries. Be it for the children’s home, for Pastor Tavita, Dr. Reyna or monies that were un-designated and we were able to share with other ministries like Casa de Dios Sus Manos Extendidas in Xico. Only eternity will reveal the lives it has and will effect for Christ. This is our purpose, our drive and our passion! Not by just preaching but by “doing”. In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget. Prov 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. And in Prov 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” NIV This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants us to do as his obedient children.
Thank you for praying & supporting the Children’s Home, Dr. Reyna, Pastor Tavita, and all the people you have allowed us to help spiritually and physically. LaVerne and I thank God for you and your compassion for the people of Mexico. Just a few notes and updates on the Children’s Home. It is doing well! All the children seem happy and thankful for all they received at Christmas. There are no emergencies, no dire needs. However we do need your continued prayers and financial support; but then that’s what makes us not have emergencies or dire needs. Showing off the Christmas gifts and Rubi receiving an award at Plabra de Vida, proud of all our kids! As we shared in an earlier newsletter. God had provided a van last year for the children’s home that left us with a 1992 F-150 truck (wore slap dab out) and a Caravan Luis had purchased a couple years ago. Well when I arrived at the children’s home in January, the Caravan was not there; Luis took me to the mechanic’s shop (a real shade tree kind of shop) where it sat out in the dirt, dust and rain with one head off and water in the cylinders. I had to just shut my mouth and walk away. Well I had been looking for crew cab truck that could be used as a multipurpose vehicle, so that when we needed a truck we’d have one. Something that we could take smaller groups of kids in and for local running around. In looking around I had found nothing that I figured we could afford and then pay $ 2000.00 - $ 2500.00 to import into Mexico. While talking with Bobby Crow a long time missionary and Pastor of Palbra de Vida church, he remembered that another long time missionary, Ercel Lewis, had a crew cab, 2008 Texas Edition Silverado. I went to look at it thinking that he’d want too much. Kelly Book showed retail at $10,000.00 – 11,000.00, that was toooooooooooooooooo much. However we made a deal for $8000.00 and it had been already imported and had Mexican plates. While it is not pristine it does look nice, the scratches and dents are not overwhelming and mechanically it seems in great shape with only 100,000 miles on it. Mechanically Pastor Ercel had taken good care of it. So the Children’s Home now has the vehicles it needs. Thank you God! We will be putting Children’s Home decals on the truck this week or as soon as possible. We will be needing tires for both vehicles and have to pay insurance on the new truck. That will be about $2000 for everything. Since our last update we completed the partitions in the school bathroom. A great big thanks to Heart of Forgiveness Ministry and Jolene McCord for providing the funds to complete the project. Our old microwave gave up the ghost. In Mexico I could only find 1 cu. Ft. ones which in reality were too small for the children’s home, I had looked at three places for a 2 cu. ft. microwave and found none. I mentioned this to my son, Jim Slack and when I got home he presented me with this 2 cu. ft. microwave. Thanks to Carla Mansee for taking it back in. Lucy was one happy camper. While the children’s home is our priority it is not our only calling! As most of you know the Medical Mission was what we did in Mexico for about 15 years prior to the children’s home. I just must share what God is doing in Xico. LaVerne, Carla, Raul, Pastor Tavita and I went to visit the church in Xico that we had helped to start during the Medical mission trips. It has had the same pastor for the last 7 years. Pastors Juan and Sonia have done a great job. I just wanted to encourage them and see what God was doing there. They have a solid hundred members and are very evangelistic minded. SME supporters purchased the land for this church and provided them with a tent and chairs that seated 150 to 200 and was up on this land until they got the building where they could use it. You again have helped them. SME left them with enough monies to install window doors and brick to complete this portion of the church. What you see is ½ of what the building size will be. Add Xico to you prayer list, they are impacting their area for Jesus! When they found out we were coming they put on a very nice meal for us. They are/were so gracious to us. It is and is going to be an even greater lighthouse for the Gospel. Pastor Lerado was wanting to repair the tent we had given them to start evangelizing in surrounding area. So I took it to Palbra de Vida to be repaired and was told that is was past repair and needed to be replaced. Pray about this, I think that they would put it to good use. A new tent would be between $2000 and $2500. Pastor Crow is looking to see what might be available.
As you might suspect from my infrequent newsletters, that writing a newsletter is my most “un-liked” part of being a missionary, however I realize that it is my responsibility to keep you updated. “you” are the most important part of the ministry. Without you, we could not do anything like we can do together. I remember as a mission director in my earlier years of how infrequently I heard from missionaries on the field and thought “they better write or I’ll/we’ll just quite giving to them” however wiser voice’s prevailed and that did not happen. Now I know how they felt. I personally thank each person that has given a penny through SME ministries. Whether it was for the children’s home, Pastor Tavita, Dr. Reyna, or monies that were un-designated, we were able to share with other ministries like Casa de Dios Sus Manos Extendidas in Xico. Only eternity will reveal the lives it has and will affect for Christ. Which is our purpose, our drive and our passion! Not by just preaching but by “doing”. In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget. Prov 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. And in Prov 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” NIV This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants us to do as his obedient children. Thank you for praying & supporting the Children’s Home, Dr. Reyna, Pastor Tavita, and all the people you have allowed us to help spiritually and physically. LaVerne and I thank God for you and your compassion for the people of Mexico. Since our last update we are now in more of a “normal” mode for the children’s home. The construction on the “buildings” have been completed with the exception of one small project; Partitions for the school bathrooms still need to be purchased and installed. For both bathrooms the cost will be about $800 - $1000. We might be able to get some plywood and have Formica put on it. Haven’t decided on that route yet. The price above is what I was quoted by a Mexican shop that does that sort of work. I am amazed at the cost of everything in Mexico, about the same as the U.S.; everything except labor.
At the present we are “home schooling” all of our kids except our newer girl Ximena (pronounced HE-MAN-U), she goes to the secondary school in the village. As of yet we do not have a qualified teacher for her grade. Currently we are teaching the Mexican curriculum adding spiritual teachings as we go. All children must be in uniform to go to school regardless of where they attend school. These are our kids in their school uniforms. A special thanks to Jolene McCord and Heart of Forgiveness Ministries for providing the monies to get the uniforms made and Richard & Linda White with Step of Faith ministries for the backpacks. Pictures show Juan Armando, Brandon & Mirta all dressed up in traditional Mexican attire for Mexican Indepdence Day September 15th, 2015. Ximena, she is 11 and our newest at the children’s home. She has been shuffled around and has a bad self-image, like I’m a throw away. Well she certainly is not and I believe; no I know that God has a great destiny for Ximena. He told me so in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (NIV) Pray that her heart will be softened by the Gospel and she will allow God to make the changes He wants in her so that she reaches her destiny! 11/20/15 Hot off the press!!!!!! Ximena told Lucy and Luis that she wanted to become a Christian, They lead her in the sinner’s prayer right then. And this last Sunday at Palabra de Vida she went forward again. God just loves these kids to pieces! Thank you so much for supporting them, all of them. Kevin, he was en-route from a children’s home in Reynosa where the baker was abusing him. He was being transferred to a home in Tampico. He is 14; we had him only for a few weeks. I believe God sent him to us so that some seeds could be planted in his life. Allen, he was another inter-children’s home transfer and came from Reynosa going to Veracruz. Lucy is leading him in the sinner prayer in this picture. I believe it was a divine appointment. Outside we still have the playground to build and construction of a fence around the property, I expect to begin those in the early spring or sooner as God supplies. I want to repeat the last paragraph of my last two updates and personally thank each person that has given a penny to the children’s home. Only eternity will reveal the lives it will effect for Christ. This is our purpose, our drive and our passion! Not by just preaching but by “doing”. In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget. Prov 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor”. And in Prov 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (NIV) This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants to do for us as his obedient children. Thanksgiving and Christmas is the world’s seasons to celebrate and be grateful, but your days and mine to celebrate should be “everyday”! Thanksgiving Day is set aside as a day to give thanks. Those who founded our great country gave thanks to God for the provisions they had. CHRISTMAS is VERY SPECIAL, as Christians, it represents the day God offered us salvation through His son Jesus Christ. Let’s show the world what the seasons are truly about, let’s live each day with an “attitude of gratitude”! Thank you for praying for the children’s home, LaVerne and me thank God for you and your compassion for the children and wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas Season and may 2016 be your best year ever. Since our last update progress has been made. We finished the bodega (storeroom/playground bathrooms/shop area), installing the last commodes in the upstairs school restroom in preparation for the new school year, (on a side note; we now have a total of fourteen (14) commodes and two urinals in the home). We have built and installed the front double door screens, built and installed an awning for what is now the front of the house, installed two French doors on Luis & Lucy’s living area, built a 12’x12’ fire pit, and rebuilt and taken in a commercial 60 inch EXmark mower. I have made known in my last update that we needed, or you can say I believed we needed a NEW 60” zero turn mower to maintain the 3.5 acres around the children’s home. With all the trouble you may have in taking in materials and equipment I did not want to take in anything less than what I believed was a mower in excellent condition, a new one fits that description. But a new one runs from 8K to 13K. Here is how God works and I do believe it was God. A person that has expressed interest in the home and is a friend of mine had an older (1995) Exmark 60” zero turn mower. A year earlier he had put a new engine on it and replaced all the deck spindles bearing and blades including the mowing deck pulleys. When he put it back together it would not keep the main drive belt on so in frustration he just parked it in his barn and purchased a new one. He had at that point spent a couple thousand dollars on it. At this point it did not run, but he asked me if I wanted it. The electrical system, fuel system, hydraulic system were all not working or were in need of some kind of repair. The front tires were flat and in fact the only things I saw that might make it worth looking into was the work he had done prior to putting it in the barn and the rear tires, they had been replaced fairly recently and were in good shape. So I felt that I should at least try to see what it would take to put it in excellent shape. I made it my summer project and “poof” no telling how many hours and $2000 dollars later we have a very excellent 60” zero turn mower. A big thanks to Exmark for their technical support in helping me to identify the model so I could get the right parts. The serial number or model number were long gone but thanks Trinity Valley Tractor for selling me the parts at a discounted price. I was amazed that all the parts except for a muffler shroud were available for this old of a machine. Not what I wanted for a summer project but I was pleased with the outcome. Now pray with me the equipment that has been taken in will be taken care of. For two & half years I have been preaching “Someone sacrificed time and money for the children’s home to have this equipment, it belongs to God and is only in your care and custody, treat it as such. We needed a tractor with a bush hog mower on this zero turn mower to keep the place in looking presentable. God gave us what we needed. There is one need I want to mention. About ten year ago Luis & Lucy were given a used F-150 super cab pickup. It’s now 23 years old and simply “wore out” even by Mexican standards. We need to replace it with something 5-8 years old but in excellent condition. A crew cab would be beneficial, nothing fancy, just a good dependable truck. A regular single cab truck would work but the crew cab could serve dual purpose. If you will indulge me I want to repeat the last paragraph of my last update and personally thank each person that has given a penny to this children’s home project. Only eternity will reveal the lives it will effect for Christ. This is our purpose, our drive and our passion! Not by just preaching, but by “doing”. In the following scriptures God shares some truth’s that we should never forget. Proverbs 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. And in Proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (NIV) This is not why we give, we give because we realize all that Christ has done for us! It’s just something God said he wants to do for us as his obedient children. Thank you for taking the time to read this, praying for the children’s home and LaVerne and I. We thank God for you and your compassion for the children. |
David SlackWe are excited about all that God has planned for you, the children we care for and this ministry. We pray for you as our partners and believe that as you give you will have a continual harvest, and that all your needs will be generously and abundantly met. 3rd John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. |