My original calling was to be a missionary in Mexico City. I had just finished bible school and the Lord laid on my heart to go to Mexico City. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there.
Once there I started teaching biblical studies. Within two years those studies grew into a church of over one hundred people. After seven years the Lord enabled me to open a home for desperate people. The calling was to help people suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution and other needs of the spirit. These people needed a home that supplied not only physical needs but spiritual healing as well. Soon after that, I was called to open a home in Matamoros.
I moved to Matamoros in 1995. I served the Lord there for 3 years. We soon started looking for land instead of having to pay rent at our current location. An evangelist came by and told me about a friend of his that had recently accepted the Lord that had a big heart and some land in Sandoval.
In July of 1998 Adventures in Missions helped to get us started by building 3 wooden buildings on this property. Two of these buildings exist today; one is the classroom the other is the kitchen and dining area. The third one has been replaced by the block building that is the visitor’s dormitory.
We moved to Sandoval with 4 women and 10 children. By this time I had already been ministering to the local prison in Matamoros, but had to stop because of the move from the city. One day I received a woman whose husband was in prison serving a ten year sentence. Celeste had a son named Pepe’ and she asked me if she could visit her husband in the prison. I said yes, but that I would need to go with her. From there on I began prison ministry on a weekly basis.
Prison Ministry
As the prison ministry continued, the women’s shelter became well known to many parents. In the Mexican prison system, if the parents are imprisoned, their children often do not have a place to go if relatives will not take them. So they have to live with their parents in prison. Soon I had many parents asking me to take in their children.
First Kids
The first children here were Conrad and then Berenice, Daniel, and Anita. The ministry continued to grow as more women and children arrived.
Three Years on Our Own
As the ministry continued to grow, so did our economic needs. We had no running water; we had to bathe with buckets, heat water outside, and use outhouses. They were very difficult conditions for the number of people living in the shelter. Although this was difficult, God never left us; we always had food, clothing and shelter. Through my salvation experience, I have always been confident that the Lord would provide for us.
I began to feel that we were not a good testimony to His glory because of the way the shelter looked and the conditions we were living in. I told the Lord I kind of felt embarrassed. From the very beginning the Lord had told me that this would be the work of the body of Christ. He explained to me how he had called Moses to build the tabernacle in the desert. Moses did not build the tabernacle, he was given the vision. It was Bezaleel and Aholiab, along with the offerings of the children of Israel who built the tabernacle. I knew that I did not have the knowledge or capacity to do this myself. It was not naturally possible. But God is awesome!
I ended my prayers by telling the Lord that I knew that this would happen in His timing, and in His will. One thing I have learned, through knocks on the head, is to wait upon the Lord.
Calling of a Board
Shortly after that, the Lord laid it upon my heart that it was time to pray for people to help me get things in order. I needed to pray for my Bezaleels and Aholiabs, and sure enough, here they came. When it’s of God, He brings it to the door. The Lord chose and provided a board. Thank you, Jesus!
Two Years Time
Boy, did I have a hard time adapting after being a one-man show! But God is merciful. He knew I didn’t know better. Although the changes were difficult, I knew they were for the glory of God and the welfare of the children. That eased my heart and the Lord gave me peace. My main fear had been that anybody that would come to help would try to take over and throw me out. Several times I cried before the board because of this fear. But praise God, because I saw the light. Since God has a way of touching the heart and making you see the truth behind the purpose.
Where We Are Today
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great! Now the shelter is a testimony of His glory and mercy. We have running water for our showers and sinks in the kitchen, both hot and cold. We have flushing toilets. We have cement floors. We have a two-story building. The old buildings have been insulated. We have new ceiling fans with lights. We have three dorms with air-conditioning. We have a chain link fence all around the property. We have picnic tables and a grill. All of the children go to a private Christian school. Day in and day out His blessings are new every morning and His mercy endureth forever.
Where We Are Going
Besides heaven…the vision of Pan de Vida has always been to reach the lost. The vision the Lord has given since the beginning is of various shelters, each one with a different profile, all leading to the Sandoval shelter, the hub or home base. Now, don’t lose your toupee’ over this, it’s all in God’s timing, not ours. Our next project on hand is putting in a new dining/meeting room, a new security fence, and a second dormitory to be able to receive more children because we only have room for 48.
How Can You Be A Part
Remember Moses and the tabernacle in the desert? And I know you didn’t forget Bezaleel and Aholiab. After the Lord told Moses to build the tabernacle, he sent Bezaleel and Aholiab to do it. Exodus 25:1, 2 states “and the Lord spake unto Moses saying ‘Speak unto the children of Israel’” (That’s what I’m doing.) “that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart he shall take my offering.” Remember that it was the offerings of the children of Israel which made it possible to build the tabernacle. And that is also what it takes to do God’s will here at Pan de Vida. It is a work of the body of Christ. Through your love and caring, this is what God needs of you.