Happy Birthday to Evey - she is 4 years old!

March 17th was Evey's birthday! So we baked a cake and celebrated with her ALL day! Here under the palapa we shared cake with the people and all the kids had some! What a wonderful time we all had. They made it extra special by singing lots of "birthday" songs to her and everyone came and gave her a great big hug! We got Evey a Mexican dress, from here in town, and she loves it! There is a picture below of her in the dress.







This is a man we were able to help get a PET - Personal Energy Transportation - like a wheel chair, but it can handle the terrain in Mexico better. We were blessed to bless this man!


Things are going well. Yet, there are prayer requests we would like to share with you about our endeavors.
First let me share with you some things that may stir you up to good works! (Heb. 10:24)
This week we met a pastor, Nicolas, from a town not an hour from our town, Flores Magon. Israel is meeting new pastors often and finding out there are TONS of villages all over the mountainous area here just a few hours away from where we live. These places speak several different dialects and it is very likely that some have never heard the Truth of Jesus Christ. This summer we are gearing up to get back into these villages, whatever it takes! We want to get a set of movie equipment and show the Jesus film and other movies like The Passion of the Christ. We also hope to get these movies in the languages of the people we go to.

Prayer requests:

1. Financial support -
We are more than willing to go and be the feet to take the gospel to the unreached of Veracruz Mexico, but we must have the bridge to fill this gap of finances. If you desire to participate with us and be the hand that gives a Bible to someone who has never owned one, please pray about what amount you are able to give.

2. The materials we need - the movie projector and screen, the movies ( in the different languages)
3. We also want to take things to the people like reading glasses and Bibles :)

Thanks for your prayer support!! With love, The Bailey 4

our puppet stage is up!

One day at a time...

Its been two weeks since my last update via the blog...I hope you, whoever reads this, is encouraged to keep the faith in the work God has set out for you, specifically. I also know that you too, have trials of your own that you are facing and giants that you are currently defeating in Jesus name! May we lift our eyes to the hills, from where does our help come from? The Lord, almighty to save, is with us to be our comfort, our refuge and also to fight our battles that we may be victorious in Him, that He receives all the glory! Amen!
You may think I wrote that for you alone, but no, I say it for me too! The bible tells us to encourage ourselves in the faith, to stir it up inside us! right?! and boy have I needed it this week!

We may think a 'battle' must be of certain size for it to be called that, and you may think my battle is a small concern and should not have been made bigger. But when mold starts to grow throughout your house, on your walls, on the shoes in the closet, all over the bathroom, this is no small fight! This is a battle we will most likely face as long as we are here but it will not be one to kick me while I'm down! Hah! It has been trying our patience and our stamina, but with Clorox we have it under control. Not to mention the fruits of the Spirit, amen! I've been leaning on Christ and His strength because my strength, due to allergies to the mold and life in general, has dwindled! My eye infection was most likely caused by the mold and Evey may have a slight allergy to it too. Its been a lot of work getting the mold cleared out and will take constant air movement with fans and open windows to keep it clean, not to mention the often scrub down in certain areas.

On a better note, God is moving in our hearts and with strategy we are moving out into the unknown places where people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and the redeeming love of God. A few days ago we traveled slowly, down a long and bumpy road for about an hour, until we came to a village finally, its called the 2nd of October, only 5 miles away! hah! and it doesnt have a church! We dont know anything about it but hopefully we will be able to go back soon, inquire, and make some friends...
In the meantime, life is happening here at the Children's Home. Day in and day out, we live as you do with laundry, meals to prepare, a house to clean, children to care for and the such. We are meeting new pastors in the area and continue to scope things our with purpose, seeking the Lord's will everyday.

The kids have been eager to sing and listen to us sing! So we taught them a song we know in Spanish and English and they are doing great with it! Some of you would know it...
"Hablemos de Christo/Let's talk about Jesus" is the name. Anyway, we will continue to teach English and try hard to make it fun and new for them every time we teach so they dont get too bored with it. So pray for our creativity to come alive as we teach them.

Thanks, love and God bless you all...

(if you read this, please leave a comment in the box below and let us know how things are going in your life too! Thanks!)
-okay there may not be a comment box click "comments" it should take you to a box! ;)

Surely goodness and mercy...

...is following us! Moriah is very well! Thank You Jesus! She has finished out her meds and has been her normal -eat everything edible- self! She is an explorer, loves the beach, love the children and the food!! Evey does also, even the spicy stuff! They are enjoying their time here, as long as we arent far they are so comfortable in their surroundings. I thank God they are not afraid but Evey already has such a wise spirit about her to keep a good watch over her little sister.

After a really exhausting and somewhat rough week with Moriah's illness and mine( Les- I came down with some sort of eye or sinus infection, but I'm much better now) we see the light growing at the end of a tunnel it seems! haha!
So yesterday we went to celebrate Irene's birthday about an hour away with all the kids, at her family's home...
Irene is here at the stove cooking and that is her Mom in the blue shirt.







God is so good to His children that when we seek Him we can find Him. When we call to Him, He answers.



Here we are in the kitchen in the children's home and I'm cooking with Irene. We are making black beans with chorizo!

Irene, Aby, Leslie and Vanessa

This is Mauricio, he is the director here, he and Irene(his wife) are the "Dad and Mom" to the children. They are wonderful people who really have a heart to teach these children about the Lord and His ways. They have a Bible devotional every morning with the kids before they go to school.

We havent had a chance to use the puppet stage just yet. Although, Israel did find a CD player that was on sale for a really good price.



Rosa, Moriah, and Angeles

Evey and Suri


We are encouraged in the Lord that He has us here for a reason and a purpose, to impact the lives around us for His Kingdom and be used for His glory to lead people to Jesus.

Continue to pray with us for appointments by God, dreams, ideas and provision for the work here.

We love you all and miss you already!
Please leave a comment in the box below the blog! Thanks a ton everyone! Your friendship and encouragement means a lot! Blessings to you all!

The work has begun! Ephesians 2:10

This picture was taken on the way to a city an hour north of us called Poza Rica. (We shop there sometimes!)


Well, this is late! I know! and I'm sorry! It has been a long week. Good, but long. Where shall we begin?
God is good! thats a great start! He has been faithful at His word that says.......

Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge, [Even] the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In [their] hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:9-12

You will understand why i put this verse later on in the blog!

This week we have not wasted much time! The children, who (I must say!) are wonderful, are also thrilled that we are teaching them more English. We have an English class once a day during the week and today they took their first test. It was rather easy and fun but they are learning already! Things like "where is the restroom?" "Hello, my name is ____." and some Bible verses in English too.
and talk about learning!! HAH! I am learning so much Spanish, in addition to the poquito i already knew, It blows my mind! Really! it does! Its given me a headache already! Haha, just have to learn to pace myself! Cant take in the whole enchilada in one week!

Here are some of our kids!



(Left to right)
Charlie, Chuy, Zuriel (middle) and Miguel











Our classroom!

(this is like our own fairy tale! someone pinch me, is this a dream?)












This is the dwelling place of the kiddos.

Did I mention we're helping out a children's home? Well, I know you knew that but the next guy might not have known, sorry!









Israel went fishing with a huge cast net and we played...







and Israel caught a fish, a Pompano! and it made a fantastic dinner! He fried it up and cooked it, it was so good! tasted like chicken!



Up there is an awesome view that overlooks the beach.



Well now, back to the ministry part! Israel built the puppet stage! Thats really exciting to me but the weather is pretty crumby to do puppet ministry yet. Although, I do hope to start working with the kids with some puppetry skills pretty soon! Yey!

Israel also had the opportunity to preach last week and he does again this week at the same church. One of the couples who live and work here are pastors of this little church.
This building has no roof, windows or doors. but it works!


This has been a great experience so far and for the first week of getting settled in and all that jazz it was pretty low key...until this morning.
Moriah became sick very quickly after breakfast... she had diarrhea on and off all week but something wasnt right with her today! After her yucky diaper, she started to poo some more...i know this is gross but bear with me! - but it wasnt poo anymore! it was bright red blood and mucus! Yikes and scary! She then became pretty lethargic and threw up her breakfast. Immediately we start to speak the Word over her and pray. She continued with the bloody diaper for about 30 minutes on and off every 2-8 minutes....and we prayed. and it all stopped and she became her normal self within an hour! Thank you Jesus! Within that hour, we went to the children's directors/caretakers and they took us to the kids' doctor down the road a few miles. He is a Christian and available to us 24/7 it sounds like! What a huge blessing!
And so he knew exactly what it was! Moriah has had an attack from an ugly amoeba, which is a parasite. Not good! but shes fine! He gave her some meds and all but we really believe that God has healed her of this!
Reality Check -
Yeah, this is a beautiful place but its still a third world country and we must wake up every day willing to lay down our lives for the work God has called us to do. Its a scary thing when all of sudden your normal baby flipflops from smiles to suffering. But its not the first time! When Evey was 18 months old we were back in an indian village in the state of Hidalgo, Mx. She over night, became very ill with a rash all over her and it grew worse with swelling. She was fine of course after getting her to a nearby doctor and God providing the very thing she needed. Zytec drops for babies. She had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

Life is so NOT in our control. Today we felt so helpless but knew that our God was with us. After the trip to the Doctor and everything...we were sitting in the car and Jason Upton was singing in the CD player. His songs Not Alone and In Your Presence ministered greatly to me....In your presence all fear is gone, in Your presence is where I belong, it says. I sat and cried as we drove, only to know we were not alone... Although, it can easily feel that way sometimes.

We are so very grateful for His work in us and through us down here. We are honored to be used by Him and for Him. To God be the glory!

Thank you guys for all your prayers and please continue to pray for Moriah's complete healing.

More pics to come!


much love, peace and grace, The Bailey 4

Write the vision, make it plain...Habakkuk 2:2

Hey everyone! We're back in Lubbock!!! I hope everyone is staying warm this cold winter season! Actually, I was surprised it wasn't that cold up here. Although, tonight its supposed to be back in the 20s. :( Oh well, I'm grateful for the week of nice weather we've had! ;)

We have two weeks left to be here and....
I feel compelled to let you know of some things we desire to take to Mexico and why.
Since we will have a portion of the spiritual oversight of the children we really would like to take some materials that will help us in the greatest way!
We plan to build our puppet stage down at the home and will need some kids music in Spanish and some bible lessons on CD in Spanish to help us teach the children bible verses and bible songs.
Here is s a list of things we have in mind:

• Spanish children's movies (NOT English movies with Spanish sub-titles) on DVD preferably
  
• Spanish children's music and puppet skits on CDs
• Small to medium size hand puppets
• The funds for the puppet stage
• A mid-size CD player
• Crafting items like yarn, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, construction paper, crayons, markers, kid scissors and washable paint.
  

After getting down to the children's home we will a better idea of what we will do on a daily basis and therefore, what we will need.
In May we will come back up here and get refreshed and send out another newsletter, only to return to the children's home thereafter.

If you desire to help with these things listed or with our finances in general please email me.
thebaileys4@gmail.com



Thanks for your help! If you cant help out in a financial way please pray for us! We covet your prayers!

May His grace go with you today!

Step by Step

Well, God has been good to us in this season! We came down here to south Texas for the holiday and my brother's wedding! His new wife, Jessie, is a real blessing to our family! This is an engagement picture of them...We've hardly had time to stop since I was the wedding planner! and of course Christmas was before that and aside of it being a wonderful time with the family, it was crazy as well! In the midst of it all, we've been blessed and encouraged to catch up with our friends here and see God moving in their lives.

-NEXT! - Getting ready for Veracruz, Mexico AND Meeting the Boren family! Billy and his wife, the owners of the children's home, live north of Houston. We'll be meeting them tomorrow night and hope for a great time getting to know them.

Next week sometime we'll head back to Lubbock and prepare for the BIG trip! It will take two full days to get to Veracruz, and of course one day is taken just to get out of Texas!

While in Lubbock we hope to see as many friends and family as we can! Drop us a note and let us know if you'd like to get together!

Prayer Requests:

1. Protection while traveling

2. Financial provision for the trip to Veracruz and ministry needs

3. Continued good health for us

4. God's favor in unexpected situations at the border and throughout Mexico

Thank you so much, dear friend, for your prayers, love and support! May God bless you beyond your expectation and in everything give Him thanks for He alone is worthy of our praise!

We'll keep this blogspot updated as much as possible, until we are able to send out another paper newsletter. Please drop a comment below to let us know this blogger is working out for you to read easily. We appreciate any encouragement along the way as well!