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Testimonies Emmanuel Ministries Our family decided at the last minute to journey to Juarez and work during spring break last year. The Emmanuel Ministries accommodated us very well, fed us terrific food, gave us meaningful work to do and a taste for life in Mexico. We didn't interact with the children much, since most were off with their families the week we visited, but we felt safe and we enjoyed our time with Emmanuel Ministries. Robert and Michelle Ule
We started
coming to the Home in the summer of 1997 and for us, it's become more
than just a place to bring people for summer trips - Juarez has become
our 'home away from home'! We are privileged to come to Hogar de Ninos
and to Juarez to help in any small way we can. We love
the people, the children, and the city. As we've come each year to the
Home, not only has God grown our love for the Lopez family, the workers
at the Home, the children, but also for the city of Juarez. It's amazing that you can visit a city some say is quite dangerous, yet at the Home, feel like you're miles away from any sort of danger. Yes, we are wise in what we do, where we go, all those things, yet for us, we've never had an incident while we've been in Juarez. We just try to do the best we can in obeying the admonition in the Word to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." We wouldn't choose any other place to take people on a mission trip - it's a place you go and are changed forever." Mike
and Celia O'Rand
My name is Shanda Knight. I serve as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Ascension Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. I have been blessed to be able to travel to Mexico three times and work with our brothers and sisters at Emmanuel Orphanage. I had been on one mission trip to Mexico prior to our visit to Emmanuel, and it was not the best experience - we had problems at the border, we found ourselves often waiting for work to do - sometimes I wondered what we were there for. However, our visits to Emmanuel I would characterize as organized, life-changing, and the most worth-wile thing you could do in ministry! Let me explain… Crossing the border is a scary issue for some people - I was no exception… but Emmanuel sends representatives to pick you up at the airport and guide you (or drive you) to their location. Their ease in dealing with Mexican authorities at the border makes the trip infinitely easy. You stay in your vehicle - and they speak in their native language and get you on through. How do you know what to do for your projects? Jonatan and Betel talked with me about our group and our strengths and what the Lord was calling us to. We had a very diverse group - some very "into" manual labor, some who really wanted to minister to the people in the community. They were able help us know what events and work projects would be appropriate for our number of people, or gifts and our finances. We were amazed at all we were able to do! Jonatan lined up all our supplies - and his team helped us with the projects as needed. We simply paid for the materials and showed up willing and ready to help. There are projects for all ages, and all personalities, and all gifts - so don't be afraid to speak up with your giftedness! In one week we put on 2 roofs, helped with a floor in office space, presented 2 evangelistic programs, and spent time ministering to the children and the staff of the Children's Home. Group time: If you are planning to come with your group - there is no doubt you will want time as a group to "unpack" all you are learning. I would encourage you to plan adequate time for this. We often did our group time in the evening. Jonatan has come to some of these times and shared in more detail where the Lord is leading the children's home. Other times, we have had the time to ourselves to worship in our language and discuss what God is doing in our hearts. Facilities: Parents, adults - everyone wants to know what it is like to stay at Emmanuel. They have a wonderful visitor section - it is connected with the children's home, but separate - in fact, they ask that the children not be in the visitor area. There are girl/boy dorm rooms with bunk beds. There is electricity and a "cooler" of sorts in both dorms and the large room that works like an air conditioner. There is running water, and you can flush your toilet paper. However - you do not drink the water - you purchase it from a truck that comes by regularly. The Emmanuel staff will make sure you have what you need for water - and you just reimburse them for the expense. The large room has adequate facilities for feeding and group time for a group of 30 or so. It is a nice area… kinda' a "hotel" in the midst of the mission work - and a great area to retreat to. Safety: We've all heard horrible stories on the news about kidnappings, and people held hostage and all kinds of things while in foreign countries. I would say that the Emmanuel campus is about as safe as you can get. The neighbors are well aware of Emmanuel's ministry and they have a good standing in the neighborhood. We do take precautions when we are there however. We never leave campus after dark. There is always a boy or adult with our girls when they go to the store down the street, and kids travel in 3's. The staff of Emmanuel can give you other guidelines, but we have followed these, and never had any problems. Relationships: I no longer visit Emmanuel to help "the poor people of Mexico." They are now my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love the Lopez family, and all the staff at Emmanuel. There are always warm hugs on arrival, and tears when I leave. They have become friends and partners in ministry - I pray for them continually - they are doing a wonderful work in Mexico. Is it really necessary to go to Emmanuel? Is God calling you? If yes - then it is necessary for you to go. Emmanuel houses 100 kids year-around. The kids require so much attention and effort. The Children's home does most of the schooling, their staff works hard, long hours. When groups attend, the children get extra love and attention, the staff gets some much-needed support and encouragement as they continue their ministry, and groups make it possible for the children's home to improve and minister to others in ways they simply wouldn't be able to without extra "hands" on deck for a while. The Heart
of Mission Work We have come back changed people. You can't go on Mission Mexico and not come back changed in one way or another. In sharing what God has shown or taught them, and "God moment" highlights, team members mentioned: gratitude, true servanthood, love for others (unlike themselves), an appreciation for children of God around the globe, worshiping God in another language, and many other things. Personally, my heart changed. I used to think mission work was "light work" for those who didn't want a "real" job. I know - it is calloused - but it seemed that way - they ask for money, they go on exotic trips for Jesus, they meet people, hang out…. Now I pray for our missionaries on a regular basis. I'm extremely grateful for all I have in America, and I live a more simple life so I can give more to others in need. The people at Emmanuel are my brothers and sisters in Christ - I pray for them, and look forward to heaven when we will all be together. The bond I have with those who attended trips with me is indescribable. We are close. We endured challenges together, we prayed for one another - we grew - and saw each other grow. I know that in the strength of God I can do all things even if I don't speak the same language. Love surpasses language barriers - and isn't that what we are called to do - love? In closing, let me say that Mission Mexico is something I consider a privilege to be a part of. If you have any questions, I would love to visit with you, please give me a call at 319-233-1358. I pray God leads you and changes you as well. ~Shanda Knight
Reflections on Juarez'- Stevensons My family and I first came to the Emmanuel Children's Home for Christmas 2003. When we arrived in the city, it was rougher looking than I had expected that it would be. I remember driving to Wendy Anderson's house and seeing that, only 400 yards away across the fence, was a very different world than suburban Minnesota. We had taken precautions like leaving behind jewelry or other items that might be a liability when we were out in public. When we finally made it to the Children's Home, we all stayed close to one another and kept an eye out for the things going on around us. We became surprised that there seemed to be a special favor on the property of the Home. It wasn't long before our comfort level increased as we saw that there appears to be a healthy respect for the work of the Home from the community around it. It is not to say that things haven't been stolen or that other problems can exist, but our children have been going now for three years and are aged 11, 7 and 6. We have had 4 trips down and now feel like we're coming home each time we visit. Take basic precautions in Juarez and
follow the advice of those in the Home. Come there prepared to bless
and be blessed, because God's presence is obviously in charge. ~Mark Stevenson |
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