News from Rancho Maranatha March 21, 2009‏

"Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).   We exist to glorify God and to do His will. But how do we know what He wants us to do? Salomon gives us threes steps to discovering God's will for our lives.   First, "Trust in the Lord with all your hearts." We will not always understand what God is doing--or why. We have to put our full trust in Him even when we don't understand the circumstances.   Second, "Lean not on your own understanding." The will of God is not discovered in planning sessions but in prayer, therefore the importance of this practice.   Third, "In all your ways acknowledge Him." We shouldn't make any decisions till we have first inquired of the Lord. Although we would prefer to hear God's will first--so we could decide whether or not we like it--that's not how God leads.   Not much that we can see has happened since our girls were taken by DIF three weeks ago yesterday. It is hard to believe that it has been that long already. Our state is electing a new governor, and also our counties are changing mayors, so all efforts, finances, etc., are being poured into that. I just learned this morning that the director in charge of DIF Sonora just quit her position to seek a political one. We were writing to her and had been trying to reach her also by phone without success, now we know why.   I was thinking this morning how our pastor (aka my husband) is always telling us we only have to endure till the end, that's all the Lord asks of us, we are not dead yet, therefore we need to continue in our fight. Only the one that finishes the race will have a reward. May we run this race with endurance, may we never grow weary and give up...   On Wednesday, just but coincidence, (yeah, right), my husband stopped by DIF on his way back from work in Mezquital, Tesia. It turns out the lady in charge of the shelter where the girls are staying had brought Josie, Carolina, Lupita & Vanesa to get a few items there in DIF. Before the lady could do anything, the girls were already hugging Dan and crying together with him. It was so neat for him to be able to see them and let them know we were praying day and night (as well as so many others around the world), and doing all things in our power to get them back. Chelsea & Ashley were with Dan and they also got to hug the girls and cry with them. That was a gift from God to us.   And, 'no, Warren, we were not able to see Josie on her 15th birthday on Thursday.' We made phone calls, we begged, we cried, we implored, but to no avail. I got to meet the lady in charge of the shelter, Dan had met her already but not me. Her name is Esperanza. We bought a yummy cake for Josie and took it to the shelter together with a couple of gifts Rochelle & Brian had sent from TN. Esperanza was very nice and talked to us for a while. She told us how she had been talking to Josie the night before, how Josie had asked to please be given permission to spend her birthday with her family at the ranch. Esperanza told her she wished she could do that for her, but it was not in her power to do so. She told us how Josie told her all about her 'mommy' & 'daddy' (Rochelle & Brian), and how she cried with her. Esperanza also told us she had sang Jesus Adrián Romero (Christian Mexican singer) songs with them the night before. I thanked her for doing that with our girls and she assured us she would give them our love. So that too was like a gift from the Lord to us.    We are seeing a lawyer in Navojoa, he has been talking to Hermosillo and has been trying to at least get us a permission to see the girls, but so far he has had no luck either. We continue to trust in the Lord, knowing He has a plan for all this...   We said goodbye to Paul & Ruth on Friday. That was sad, but at the same time we were so thankful for the time they got to spend here. Paul & Pam Cooper arrived Thursday afternoon, after being on the road for 19 days! It is so good to have them here to join us in the ministry. We are looking forward to what the Lord will do in the future. I was talking to them last night about all the things that are happening. We miss the girls tremendously, I was telling them, but it is not at all like we find ourselves without tons of work to do because they're not here, we continue as busy as ever.    'Las Minitas'   Talking about being busy, my little sister & I were commenting on how the Lord works, He has not allowed us to be feeling sorry for ourselves or be dwelling on what is happening, we have been extremely busy every single day. I realize the Lord has planned things to be this way, we cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked by circumstances surrounding us, as our enemy would like us to be. How awesome it is to know that with the Lord NOTHING is coincidence.    Daniel's perspective: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:14-26). Enough said, the rest are just groanings that only the Spirit can interpret! God bless you all and thank you for your prayers.    PRAYER REQUESTS FOR RANCHO MARANATHA, ALAMOS, MX. Please continue to pray for a way for Jaziel (picture above) to be taken to TN, if it may be the Lord's will, to have his much needed surgery. He often has to be taken to the hospital due to elevated haemoglobin concentration (erythrocytosis). He just went about three days ago. This thickening of the blood causes circulatory difficulties that could result in strokes and more heart problems. Pray for his parents too, specially for salvation for his dad Héctor. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR THE GIRLS, please continue to do so. We want them to shine for the Lord and be an example to everyone they come in contact with. For growth in this time of testing. Please pray for the One Day Women's Retreat' coming up April 10th. For the the awesome name of the Lord to be lifted up, for soft hearts, for the anointing of the Holy Spirit for all involved in this event. Pray for me (Ana) as I have been invited to share with the women in a church in Navojoa next Wednesday evening. For the Lord to use me to bring hope and healing to those ladies there. Continue to pray for my brother Miguel Angel in the mountains of Chihuahua. The Lord continues to use him and to give him a burden for lost souls there. We are so thankful for the work the Lord has done in him. Pray for a group traveling to the ranch at this time from Life Christian Fellowship in Orange County. May the Lord give them travel mercies and a fruitful time here. We are thankful for all the people the Lord sends our way. Pray for Chelsea as she is here. We love having her. Pray the Lord speaks to her as where He would want her in the future. (China is a LOT further from Missouri than Mexico Beth!:) DJ Pray for wisdom and guidance for the work going on here in the ranch. For the vehicle situation as we continue to struggle with broken cars. For the Lord to provide a reliable mechanic. Pray for the communities with work with, specially the new ones. Pray for good soil where the Seed can germinate. "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16) Thank you so much for your prayers and your loving support to this ministry.   Daniel & Ana