Blessed!

This week we had our Grand Opening/Benefit this past weekend. It was a success. We were blessed to have had over 200 people fill this place. The people of San Felipe came together and raised a lot of the money that we need to open and so many people were able to see the progress that we have made in the past few months. Now this event turned out to be nice but it was so much work. We spent weeks preparing for this night. By the time Dec.2 (the day of the event) came around I was tired and just not very sure of my capabilities to pull off my part of this event. Just when I thought that I was not going to make it, I was surprise by two of my really close friends, Becky and Alayna. having them here with me during that night kept me sane and also reminded me of how God knows what we need even before we do. I had no idea that I needed a couple of friends to walk through that night with but I did. I also had a few friends from my church here and San Felipe help serve at the dinner and it just blessed me. It reminded me how God has placed so many people in my life that I can count on. I am so grateful that I have so many people I can count on for prayer, help, or advice. People who I can call and talk to when I am feeling lonely or homesick. And people who count on to be there for me without me having to ask. When I saw my two friends standing there I was reminded that God sees even my smallest needs and cares enough about me to see that there are met. I am very blessed!

How Great Is Our God!

I love worship. I love the way that we can magnify the name of the Lord and remember His goodness and grace and we are encouraged through that. Right before I left for San Felipe I was so uneasy about the unknown. It was a Sunday morning and we were singing How Great Is Our God during worship at Urban Church and I remember the Holy Spirit surrounding me and God whispering to me "Oh Erin, you have yet to see How Great I Am." Since then I have been here in San Felipe. I have seen God answer prayers, and just do miraculous things in my life and in Sonshine. We now have everything that we need to open.

The very nice people from Social Services

 We have started the social service process. Which was such a difficult process to start because every appointment we made with them they didn't show up for. Then we just kind of said we will wait and pray and finish some other things and as soon as we let it go, the Social Service office called us and wanted to meet with us. I was panicked and trying to get everything together and my immigration papers are still in process and I was still awaiting my background check. The the Holy Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that He called this meeting and that the small things that I worry about are not going to mess up what God has put together. As hard as we tried to do things on our own. God has showed us time and time again that He is in control and He will be glorified in everything here at Sonshine.

This is after 5 hours of interviews. It went really well.  :)

Now there are more really cool stories of God's goodness and I think I am surrounded by moments of seeing the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. During church here in San Felipe we were singing How Great Is Our God ( en espanol) and again the Holy Spirit spoke to me that as much as I have seen. I still have more to see of His goodness. I'm so excited to see His greatness and majesty.

This Is Not About Me

Pastor's Wives Fellowship and Dessert. Great Night!

This last week we had a missions group come from Colorado for about 5 days. We started out our time together by climbing this hill that has a cross at the top and the hill also overlooks San Felipe’s poorest areas. These areas are where most of the children that come to Sonshine will be from. Last week I was asked to do the devotion for that morning and come up with a scripture and something small. Now because I knew this would start their trip and set the mode, I just prayed for God to give me something to say because I had no idea. I needed the Lord to give me a scripture or vision. On Thursday afternoon, I was getting a little worried because I had not heard from the Lord about what I was going to say to the group Saturday morning (early morning like 6:00 am). Then the Lord spoke to me while I was getting ready for bible study that evening. God said tell them that it wasn’t about them or us. I bit confused and I just started thinking they know that they aren’t coming for themselves. Then the Holy Spirit just began to remind me that this is not about me, or them, or any staff. I began just dialouging with the Lord and my response to what He was saying was “of course Lord it’s about the children and making a home for your children and teaching them about you.” Then I heard the Holy Spirit say that is bigger than that and bigger than what any of us will ever see.  It is not just about the children who will be at Sonshine but about the generations that follow them and will know the name of the Lord. Some of the children that will be at Sonshine will go on to evangelize and spread the gospel to other nations and thousands upon thousands will come to know the Lord through them and their testimonies. So I realized it is so not about me, but about glorifying the name of the name of the Lord and making His name, His love, and His grace famous. If the things that I do here don’t flow out of that motivation then what is the point?

Playground put together and ready for children!

Quick Update:We have our building signed off. Finally, that was huge and now God is moving the process along quickly with the Mexican Social Services. So please be keeping the process in your prayers this next week. I think the children will be here very soon!

The fences and clothes line going up

There were 10 people that came in this group. As you can imagine this week the Sonshine Staff had a great deal of help from a fantastic team of believers from Colorado. They worked so hard. When the week was over they had put together our playground and moved fences, put in a large clothes line, and painted and stained so much. I was so blessed by them and their heart to serve. They encouraged me and I really just enjoyed spending time talking with them and hearing how the Lord has moved in their lives and transformed them.  Also the ladies from the team put together a dessert event for the Pastor’s Wives. It was really great to hear their testimonies and what they do to minister to the community. I will say that we have some amazing women in this town who love the Lord and are committed to doing His will.

A gift from the Colorado team.
Sonshine Hacienda
T-shirt they had made

Things Are Coming Together

These are the signs outside each room 

Things are coming together in San Felipe. The last couple of weeks have been really good. We have been working and getting a lot done here at Sonshine. We now have smoke alarms, emergency lights, and signs for all of the doors and exits. We also have a playset that will be put together this next week by a team coming from Colorado. I am so happy we are going to have a playground soon.  This is the first team since I have been here on staff and I am so excited about them coming. Also this week I was able to get my background check and immigration papers taken care of. Big shout out to those who support me. I could not have paid for the immigration fees without your support. Thank You.

They were hand painted :)

I am so happy I am a part of the start of Sonshine. The more I am a part of the process,  the up and the downs the frustrations and the moments of happiness and success,  the more that God teaches me to have an eternal perspective. He is little by little revealing to me the answer to my main question which is: What is the full vision for my own life? I don’t have it all figured out but this is just the begginning of this journey.  I am constantly learning daily how to take everything to Him. I’m not perfect at it but I am learning to let Him into every part of my life. I am becoming more and more dependent on God and it’s awesome.

I have made some new friends that I struggle to have a conversation with because they only speak Spanish, but somehow I still am able to understand their stories and  hear how God has transformed their lives and I am able to communicate my story with them and what God is doing in me since I have been here. These conversations are usually in fragmented sentences. They usually talk to me in English the best way they can and I talk to them in Spanish the best way I can but we are learning from each other and stretching each other. For those of you who have been praying for my Spanish abilities and friendships,Thank You because God is definitely answering those prayers.  I still have a long way to go with Spanish but God is definitely helping me.   I have also met some really nice friends.  I was just talking to one of my closest friends on the phone about how I have taken some of my most valued friendships I have for granted when I had them right in front of me, not knowing how I was until they were far away from me and I missed them, but I don’t want to do that again. I want to enjoy every moment of this experience and every person that God places in my path.

 

Dios te Bendiga Hermanos en Cristo!

Someone donated a ping pong table. Going to be some fun times!

After I painted (and made a huge mess with the paint ;) )
I hope to make some fun designs on it soon. 

 In the kid's bathroom
Before I painted 

The Body of Christ is Awesome!

Life here in San Felipe is good. God's grace is here and I just have a better perspective on life here. I am learning so much about myself and the body of Christ. Now like any body of course the body of Christ has it's flaws. Man is not perfect but I don't believe we can walk out what God has called us to do without having each other's back in prayer and encouragement.  I am so grateful for the body of Christ as I go through this experience. The body of Christ has been such a huge part of me getting here and me being able to stay here. Without my parents, pastors, family, church family, and friends I could not be here at Sonshine Hacienda. I have appreciated the prayers, financial support, and words of encouragement so much. God just has placed people in my life that I am blessed by so often. I know that every where that I am and everything that I do well the body of Christ is with me and behind me. 


If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s  body, and each of you is a part of it. I Corinthians 12:26-27


I have really seen how the body of Christ stretches to different places and culture.  I now am a part of a church in San Felipe that I really love.  This church has taken me in and made me feel at home with them. When I first moved to San Felipe I missed my church so much and this church took me in and made me feel welcomed. I don't speak the same language as most of them but I think that we recognize the Holy Spirit in each other and that seems to be enough for us to be brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been very blessed to know them and to be a part of their church family. I feel very blessed to be a part of the body of Christ. It is very encouraging to know that I am not any of this alone and that I have so many people to call on and talk to when things get hard or confusing. I am so very blessed. 


And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  Philippians 1

Church in San Felipe

When In Doubt, Call on Jesus

Our Multipurpose Room

New Bunk Beds are put together

Sonshine Bus! Cool huh?!

Last week I was very worried about my finances. I was missing some support and I would say I was doubtful, scared, and I panicked. The whole week I had to keep reminding myself that God is a provider and if I truly believe that He called me here (which I do) then why do I think that He would leave me. I had to keep telling God that I trust Him and also just asking Him to provide for me supernaturally and just meet my needs. By the end of the week I had 2 more financial supporters and a major financial need met. It was one of those times that I just felt so loved by God and heard by Him. This past month the passage in the gospels, of Peter walking on water, has consistently come up. This last week I felt like I was Peter sinking in the sea, even though I recently witnessed Jesus do miraculous things, because I was looking at the wind and the waves. I can walk on water if I'm focused on Jesus but I remember that in times where I am sinking if I call on the name of Jesus He will rescue me. He is always there to pick me up even when I fail to trust Him.  I have experienced God and His greatness but I still have so much more to see and to learn about Him. One thing I think God wants to instill in me is that I must rely on Him not man. God is my source and my provider.  I am realizing that I get to experience God in a whole new way and see the body of Christ in a new way as well through my adventures at Sonshine. I am very grateful to everyone who gives. You all encourage my faith more that you know. Thank you for your obedience. I can't wait to see how God blesses you.

I Am Loving The Process!

Bean Bag Chairs For the kids to sit on!

When I first got to San Felipe I was sure I was in the right place and knew that God had called me here. Although before I got here I thought we would have children within the month. When I got to San Felipe I found out it could be a couple of months. I questioned the timing of things and whether I made all of the right decisions. About two weeks into this journey I got so homesick and lonely. I just wanted my family and friends.

Through prayer and encouragement from family and friends I am much better. Now that I am living out at Sonshine and working on a daily basis on what Sonshine Hacienda is going to look like, I am loving it. I love being able to be a part of what God is going to doing here. Right now we are finishing the painting and furnishings in all of the room and organizing the daily schedules, policy, and procedures that Sonshine Hacienda will have in place. I have daily devotionals in the morning and afternoon planning meetings. I think that this is the first time that I like being a part of meetings, because this is the first time I am at a meeting that is about something I am truely passionate about. I love that Sonshine is becoming a part of me even before kids get here. It's so funny how God knows what we need even before we know what we need. While I was questioning the timing of everything, God knew that I needed to be here at this time for these decisions so that not only would I be a part of taking care of the children, but God wanted me to be a part of building Sonshine Hacienda. He loves to take us through the process of things so that our hearts can align with His heart and really seek what His will is. Going through the process builds character and I know that my character in definitely being refined and I am being molded. The more I am part of the process and part of praying and seeking God for guidance in the process the more passionate I get about the children of San Felipe and the more confident I am that I am going to see God's kingdom come at Sonshine.

We Got Our Mattresses and the rest of the beds are on their way

All of Our Wardrobes Have Arrived :)

Part of the Great Room: Preschool Section

God Has Me Right Where He Wants Me :)

When God called me to San Felipe. One of my biggest fears was that I wasn't ready. Then I remember that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. So I spent some time trying to get ready. I felt like God stripped some things off of me during the preparation Now that I am here I know that He just starting to equip me. There is a training process going on.  He has already taught me and shown me so much in 10 days that I have been here. He is teaching me about patience (a consistent lesson I am learning). He is teaching me about how to be dependent on Him. 

I had a very comfortable life before now. One where I was in control. I would love to say that I gave God control but I didn't completely. I am now so dependent on Him to show up. It's not a comfortable easy thing for me yet. I wish I could say that I have this great faith and I have no worries, but I still do at times. However I can am so thankful that I can cling to God's word that says the righteous will not be forsaken and it also says that when I call on Him He will answer. I can also hold on to what God has done so far in my life. I don't want to forget about the times when He has so provided for my needs and more. This reminds me of the children of Israel and how they doubted God after He brought them out of Egypt. The children of Israel's biggest problem was that they forgot. They ended up wandering around the desert for years because they were afraid to step out. They forgot about how God had chosen them, loved them, and had delivered them supernaturally. They choose not to remember how powerful He is.  God has me in a place where I can strengthen my faith muscle. I have to make the decision to believe His word and His record of never failing me. He will show Himself. I realize that if He had fully equipped me before I got to San Felipe, then I wouldn't have to call to Him daily to help me. I wouldn't have to look to Him for guidance. God has put me in a position where I am dependent upon Him right now for everything. I must trust Him with my finances, my relationships, my Spanish skills, and the work that I am going to do with these children. He has me right where He wants me so that I can see miracles and His name will be glorified. GLORIA A DIOS :)

Sonshine from the Front

Opening the door to my apartment

Beautiful San Felipe! Still by the water :)

Good-Bye San Diego :( Hello San Felipe :)

My last Sunday at Urban Church, Pastor Ben talked about prayer, and one thing he said during the sermon really hit home for me. He said that some of us settle for a camping trip when God wants to give us a cruise. This is so true. When he said that I felt like the Holy Spirit said that San Felipe is one of my cruises. The past two week has been a roller coaster ride for me. I moved out of my apartment in San Diego, left almost everything that I owned (which was not much), and moved to another country. Even though I have been preparing for this for about 8 months now, it seems like everything ended up compacting into these two weeks and I have to say it is overwhelming. I loved the people in San Diego and my church and San Diego. Everyone there has loved and supported me throughout this whole journey. I have been so amazed at how much God loves me and how He has shown His love for me through the body of Christ. I have been so thankful for those people who throughout the past 8 months, who have encouraged me and supported me. A community like that is hard to part from, but I knew that I had to because its what God has called me to do for this season. Throughout the 8 months, I was offered a couple of opportunities to stay in San Diego and work, and as I look back now, those were camping trips being offered. You see camping trips don't cost as much, are fun, but once you get there it is still a lot of work to have the bare necessities (food, shower, etc). Now on a cruise takes a lot more work to get there because it cost more money, but the experience is far greater because it is all inclusive. Everything is at your finger tips.  I am starting of experience of a cruise. San Felipe is an amazing place. Everytime I go to Sonshine Hacienda I feel like I am home. I know God has called me. I know I belong here. Right now we are still preparing for children but I am so happy that I get to be a part of this process. I get to welcome the first set of children into this home. God has shown me as hard as the process was spiritually and emotionally getting here, I am now on the cruise. I can tell you I have never felt so at peace and joyful.  I don't believe that means hard times won't come and life won't happen, but if I am in the will of God, His sufficient grace will carry me through. 

The God Who Called Me

I have been nervous about leaving San Diego and embarking on a new journey. Part of my nervousness is that I am doing what I believe I was called to do and getting that glimpse of my promise land, and I am scared that I am not ready.  I would say I have not only been nervous but scared. Which I know is normal, however I want to go into this season really trusting God. I struggle in the area of faith and believing God for what I believe to be impossible or outside of my human capability. It's sometimes hard for me to wrap my brain around his supernatural abilities so I tend to not ask for the things that are a stretch of faith or I ask and doubt. I know these are things that everyone can relate to but in this next season I need stronger faith and I need to really stand on the promises and character of God. As exciting as this next season is going to be, I know it will not be a walk in the park. 

The past couple of weeks God has just been speaking to me in the most gentle and loving way. He is constantly reminding me of His love for me, a love that took His son to the cross. He also has been reminding me of His character. He is good. He is a refuge and strong tower. He promises are real and true. He is not a man that He should lie. His thoughts toward me are as numerous as the sand.  Psalm 91 talks about how God is a protector and a savior to those who take refuge in Him. This scripture immediately reminds me of stories in the bible of how God saves and how God protects His people.  He parted the Red Sea to save the people of Israel from the Egyptians, the same God that caused mannah to fall from heaven to feed the Israelites, and He is the same God that made the sun stand still for Joshua to fight. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means my God is the same today as He was when He did all those miracles.  He is a God that moves and fights supernaturally on my behalf. As long as I have Him on my side I don't have to be nervous or scared because He will intercede on my behalf. He is a passionate God and He is passionate about His people. So when He provides for us or saves us He does is passionately and with style. 

If I remember these things about my God daily then I will not be fearful of the things to come. If I understand that this is the God that has called me, then why should I be nervous? If I believe that God is the same today as He was in the bible days then why should I stand in fear. Today I am choosing to stand in excitement. I am eager to see God's salvation, protection, and provision during this next season. I am going to have the privilege to see God' s supernatural power in my life. It's going to be awesome :)

I'm Getting Ready!

I have approximately 7 weeks left and I have so much to do. I am still learning as much erSpanish as possible and just trying to stay prayful and seeking God at every turn. I am still a little scared but God has been speaking to me. That still small voice continues to remind me that He is in control and He is a faithful God. I spent this last weekend God has just been speaking to me about His grace being sufficient. I believe He is going to show me things in this year that I never could have imagined. The scripture that immediately comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 2:9- That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do through Sonshine Hacienda and through me in this next year. 


Sonshine Hacienda is a children's home in San Felipe, Mexico. The home can house up to 48 children. The staff is passionate about God and children and I am so honored to be able to work along side them. Right now Sonshine Hacienda has almost everything it needs to start taking children. They are preparing for the process of licensing, and once that step is completed children will start coming in. (YAY!)  If you go to this link (Sonshine Pictures) you will be able to see some pictures on Sonshine's facebook page. The home is beautiful.  I know that children who are broken and lost are going to meet Jesus at Sonshine Hacienda and  have their lives transformed. Most of the time I cannot believe that God chose me to be a part of this. I don't feel ready but God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. I know that this summer God is stripping away things that I don't need and filling me with things that I do need. I feel like the adventure starts here. So here I go... 


Thank You so much for all of your support. The prayers, words of encouragement, and your willingness to give to the Kingdom of God has built my faith through this journey. I really appreciate you being the Church. I love that I am able to see the body of Christ at work.  I pray that God will give back to you pressed down shaken together and running over for your obedience. To make giving a little easier, I have attached a link to Urban Church where you can give online. If you click this link, GivingDonation, and then click on the designation MEXICO MISSIONS, then your tax deductible donation will get to me. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank You again.


In Christ Love, 
Erin