As many of you know we are having a transportation problem. As our
family has grown we have become experts in packing children into our
trusty but worn out van. We have been praying for two new 15 passenger
vans for a while now and we are still standing in faith that they are
on the way!

However, the Lord has surprised us once again. A fellow missionary
called to say that a church in his area was selling an old school bus
at a very reasonable price. We felt the peace of the Lord to buy it
and although it is a little big for getting around town, it will be
great for trips to the ranch and transporting our church and orphanage
family.

You should have heard the noise when Bill drove it up to the house for
the first time! Between shouting and giggling and an overall sound of
excitement, the kids and staff couldn’t contain their joy. Thank you

New ranch property and it’s abundant water supply

What an exciting year this has started out to be, we have seen so many of our dreams fulfilled in just the last few months. The bunk ouse is ready for teams, the rabbit production facility is finished. It’s well on it’s way to becoming a source of income for the work. The block factory is finished and will be a huge blessing in cutting construction costs for the rest of the village . We finally have electricity installed and it is ready to be connected. I just want to jump for joy, and hug all our faithful partners for their part in making all of this happen, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Well that’s not all. Many of you know that have that Tammy and I have been praying over the last few years about the purchase of the adjacent property. The issue is water. This property has an abundance of water which is vital for any ranch. We have waited and trusted in the Lord’s timing and direction. Just a few weeks ago the owner called us and asked if we were interested in purchasing 86 acres of this beautiful property. I was so excited I was beside myself as I walked on the property that day. I saw not just one stream but two, both of them lined with the most beautiful large trees and lush vegetation. The potential for this part of the ranch is incredible. We would be able to raise more cattle which has become a great source of income for the work. We would also be able to put in the Tilapia fish ponds without the need of an added well. There would also be a place to swim and a place to develop a church camp for youth and adult activities. The possibilities are endless.

Please prayerfully consider partnering with us on the acquisition of this new piece of property.

Baby Abigail just minutes after her arrival

Well we did it again, we just couldn’t resist, the temptation was right in front of us and well let’s just say our addiction kicked in, you guessed it we accepted another child. Abigail is only 6 months old, she was rescued from a drug addicted mother who was living on the streets near the railroad tracks, with a group of alcoholics. Tonight at about 8pm the officials showed up at our door with a special delivery…and we all melted. So we now have 3 baby girls.  As you all no children aren’t a money making proposition. So we will need all the prayers we can get as well as partners. Love to all. Isn’t  it glorious to be a part of changing the life of a child?

Over the years we have had the privilege  of hosting numerous short term missions teams and what a blessing they have been. They have help us accelerate the work in Chiapas in ways we could have never done on our own. Partnering with churches from the US and Canada has also brought a wonderful dynamic to the life of our local fellowship, creating friendships that continue till today.  

We know there are folks that would like to be part of a short term team yet they aren’t sure how to go about doing it. One way is to have your Pastor or Youth Pastor contact us for more info. Another way is sign up for one of the teams we are assembling for future projects. The way it works is we publish various dates for specific work and ministry then we open it up for all those interested. Once we have a team large enough for the task then we finalize all the details, (travel dates, costs, accommodations etc). It might be a construction project on the children’s ranch, a paint project at the orphanage, a farm project, etc. The wonderful thing about this kind of team is your coming together from different parts of the world, meeting folks you would have never known and watching what God does with those relationships.

We are currently setting up a team to sheet rock the inside of the bunk house. Essentially it will be putting up a drop ceiling using sheet rock. We are in need of a project manager to head up the team as well as experienced sheet rockers and tapers. If you are interested in being a part of a one week work team, we would love to have you. The team  will be staying onsite at the children’s ranch. Our hopes are to host the team sometime in January or early Feb.

If you are interested please email us at info@lostandfound-mexico.com or hidinhim@gmail.com

The first building was a chicken coop.  What humble beginnings for such a large vision. The second building didn’t give much of a clue to the great things to come, either.  It was an outhouse. I told Bill, I was just getting to old to use “bush toilets”.

This last weekend as I walked around and through the new ranch house that is well on it’s way to completion, I stopped and looked at the view from one of the windows. To one side I could see the beautiful barns in the distance and on the other I saw our flock of sheep with eight new baby lambs frolicking in and around the trees of the orchard. I remember the short term missions team who planted all six hundred fruit trees in only a weeks time. So many people have given of their time, labor and finances to help the work of the Lord to move forward here in Chiapas. We are grateful and we know the Lord will reward all those who labor and sacrifice in His name.

Thank you Lord for all those who give, those who pray, those who plant and build and especially those who build outhouses for sissy missionaries like me.

Rebecca has two, perfect little feet. I can tickle either one and it will elicit giggles and grins and that little smile that says, “Do it again.”

So why would anyone even think about amputating such a perfect little foot? Well, that has been foremost in our minds over this last year as we contemplate Rebecca’s future.  She has something called Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency or PFFD. All of those big words to say that she was born without a femur and her right leg is about half the length of her left. All our research to date is pointing us toward the conclusion that for Rebecca to walk she will need to be fitted with a prosthesis. This will mean the amputation of her little foot.

On November 25^th, I will be flying to Mexico City to take Rebecca to Shriners Children’s Hospital. Please keep us in your prayers as some very difficult decisions have to be made over the next few months concerning Rebecca’s future. Thanks~ Tammy

The Lord's Flock Church in Arriaga, Chiapas Mexico

My Husband Bill calls himself, the accidental pastor. For years I have heard him adamantly say that he is NOT a pastor. Life with the Lord is full of surprises.

Eleven years ago we started a Bible school here in Arriaga. We have had some amazing fruit come out of that blessed time. Many unbelievers and the curious that came to check out the “gringos” encountered the love of Christ and were born again. This propelled us into a position to begin our Sunday services. Before we knew it, Bill was pastoring a church. Bill still stuck to his guns and declared to us all, “I am not a pastor”.  While we heard these words it was a little funny to watch as Bill prayed for people, taught them, visited in their homes, comforted them through illness, broken relationships, and financial problems.  Meanwhile the church grew right out of its first location and is quickly growing out of our current building as well.  For someone who isn’t a pastor, he seems to be doing a pretty good job at it.

School of Tomorrow in Arriaga, Chiapas

You have to get completely out of the boat to walk on water! This was the phrase that came to me as we looked at the upcoming school year. Little by little we had been taking a few children out of public school and teaching them at home.  I have to admit, that the prospect of teaching the older children at home was a little overwhelming, but as we began to see the effects of the peer pressure at school, we were convinced the best thing we could do was jump into homeschooling with both feet. Our major problem is that homeschooling isn’t recognized in Mexico and we didn’t want to put the work or the children in any kind of jeopardy. So, after several years of seeking the Lord and taking some small steps of faith, the Lord has led us to the solution. There is a government approved program that is a little like our GED program in the USA. We enrolled our children in this internet school and so they will have to take tests through this program while simultaneously studying a Christian based, bilingual curriculum from the states. So, we are off and running. Or should I say, treading on water.