Growing pains!  We have all felt them as young people.  We complained, we moaned and groaned but sooner or later we grew up to be much stronger and wiser. 

 

At Casa de Niños we have heard those same moans and groans from dozens of young people.  Our answer to them is the same as our parents told us, "it will pass and bring about a much stronger and wiser person" and it usually does.

 

Currently we have 21 very vibrant and sometimes grumpy kids!  We counsel, we pray, we teach, we guide but most importantly we listen.  Come with us for a few minutes and listen to some of the growing pains that Casa de Niños is experiencing.

 

The Education needs of our 6 University students continue to increase or grow!  Through these growing education needs we know it will bring about stronger and wiser men and women of tomorrow.  Thanks to those who gave above and beyond the call of duty to the education fund during March.  Without your support we could not have made it through the month with the March tuition payments.

 

Another place of growth at Casa de Niños is the Ontañon Church of Christ.  March 2010 average attendance was 52, February 2010 average attendance was 44 and January was 38.  The good news is that the new people that are attending are staying.

 

Since January we have implemented several new programs at the church and are seeing the results in a positive manner.  You could say we are experiencing growing pains as the building only holds 64 people.  A good thing to experience.  José continues to do an excellent job of preaching and leading the Worship services.  We hired a part time preacher to help with a bi weekly visitation program and a Friday evening Bible study.  Women´s ministry, youth ministry, Sunday School outreach and much more are now being guided by a committee of Christian men who want to see the Ontañon church grow spiritually and in number.  This group will counsel, pray, teach, guide and most importantly listen to the needs of the congregation. 

 

The church has set the year 2012 for their building expansion project.  By building a second story they can double their seating capacity and still leave the current chapel area for youth activities.  The exciting thing about the year 2012 is that the church will celebrate their 20th anniversary.

 

Ontañon is a missions minded church.  They support a missionary in the jungles of Oaxaca, Mexico and an Adobe church in the dessert.  March 2010 they supported the Bible College (Colegio Cristiano del Centro) here in San Luis Potosi as their mission of the month.  They raised $2,171.00 pesos (above their tithes and regular offerings) and helped fill the College pantry with the necessary food items to feed the college students.  Ontañon held a soccer match against the college on March 26 with over 70 attending the event and again raised money for the college as the ladies of the church organized the snack shack!  Then on March 28 they held a special church service for the college to collect their offerings and provide a special college lunch for the students.  We had a graduate (2006) of the Bible college share in the morning service and 4 students sang special music.  Ontañon has a Timothy attending the college, Samuel and our very own José attended the college.   

 

Growing pains!  As we look to the future we have some special needs that need to be met and other projects that will help us to grow and expand the ministry more effectively.  We may have to stretch and experience some growing pains but in the end they will help us to be stronger and wiser.

 

1.  Higher Education Fund - Give and pray for our 6 CDN University students!  Many of you will be able to listen to 4 of these students as we will be bringing Casa de Niños to you during July.  April 15 they have their VISA appointment.  Please pray that all goes well and the trip will become a reality for next summer. 

 

2.  Project 2011 - To replace the Van and Car.  Give and Pray!  

 

3.  Paint the House - A much needed paint job for the exterior of the home.  Give and Pray!

 

4.  Security of CDN - A security fence to surround the property and alarm system for the office and entrance to CDN.  There have been several break-ins in the neighborhood in the past few months and only time will pass before we become victim to these crimes.

 

5.  Ontañon Church of Christ - The Ontañon church set aside 1% of their offerings in 2006 for the 2012 building project, During 2007 they set aside 2% for the building project, 2008 it was 4% and during 2009 they set aside 8% of their offerings.  For the next three years they will continue to double the amount they will put towards the second story growth project, until they are giving 64% of their weekly offering towards the building project.  Recently the children's church also gave towards the building project as they have out grown their small classroom.  Give and Pray as the Lord provides. 

 

Will you help us educate the CDN kids?  Give a little above and beyond for the van and car fund or how about helping to paint the house. With just a little extra we can do so much more.  Providing a better secure place for the children is a top priority for all of us and when it comes to their spiritual education, well that is where the Ontañon church comes into play. 

 

Remember growing pains produce a much stronger and wiser person.  It may hurt a little at the time but the end results will be eternal. 

 

We are also feeling the growing economic stress on all our CDN families who support Casa de Niños.  Let´s not loose sight of how far we have come or how much more we have to achieve.  Casa de Niños is a bright light that cannot be hid in the inner city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.      Matthew 5:14-16

 

God bless you all as we live by faith and not by sight. 

In Christian love,

David and Sheri DeBolt