Miracles of Healing

This is Sarah, our “miracle dog”. Her full name is Sarafina Strutton. Lily named her after a Barbie Princess. Though she definitely has some German Shepherd in her, Sarah is far from a registered AKC bred dog. On the contrary, she looks like a Mexican street dog. She is very skinny and has huge ears. Despite her awkward appearance, we’ve all fallen in love with her.

Soon after we brought Sarah home we discovered she had a severe case of scabies. During weeks of treatment (shots, dips, pills) she lost almost all her hair. She scratched and chewed her skin until she was a bloody mess. Though she looked like a dog out of a horror movie, the kids never seemed to notice. They snuggled with her and played with her like nothing was wrong. Slowly she began to improve and her hair started to grow back.

Just as we were feeling out of the woods with the scabies, Sarah started to get very sick. We took her to the vet and he gave her several shots to control the diarrhea and vomiting. When we brought her home she seemed to improve for a day before her health took a huge dive. As she lay on our couch practically dead, Juan and I shared the same thoughts, “What is the Lord doing in this situation?”

We decided to lay hands on Sarah and pray for a miracle. We started praying ages up, Lily first. When we got to Joe Max, he poured his heart out to the Lord. He remembered that we prayed for this dog for over two years before God brought her. He told God that he didn’t understand why He would let her die after all that waiting. He prayed for a miracle of healing. Then he ended with telling the Lord that whether He chooses to heal Sarah or let her die, we will still glorify Him. It is difficult to believe that a prayer this deep would come out of a 8-year-old boy, but this is how God wired Joe. His prayers have always humbled us.

After we prayed, we took Sarah to the vet. He ended up running an IV and hospitalizing her for several days. We went by everyday to check on her progress. Some days she seemed to be improving, and others she’d be worse. At some point we could tell she was suffering and we came very close to putting her down. In the midst of this struggle Sarah’s sister who lived at GCH died. The more I lost hope, the more the kids seemed sure she would be healed.

We brought Sarah home three days ago. She is skin and bones, but she seems to be gaining strength everyday. We are pretty sure she had Parvo or some other dog disease contracted from her mother. We are certain that God healed her.

I smile at God when think of how this lesson will follow my kids into their future. I picture them laying hands on the sick and the lame and calling on the power of God for a miracle of healing. What would cause them to be so bold in their request? They will remember how God heard their prayers for their puppy in Mexico.

Father's Day for the fatherless

On Friday the kids' school celebrated Father's Day with a whole morning filled with activities. Each grade had their turn to play games and spend time with the dads. At this school, we have 18 kids. Tio Jerry (GCH volunteer), Tio Nacho (GCH volunteer), Alicia's dad, George and I got to be dad to our 18 GCH kids (Palaus and Struttons included).  We were determined to make sure that every kid under our care saw a familiar face of someone who loved them. We played games and had fun. One of the activities was to tell the child using gestures (no words) how much we loved them. Since Alicia's dad was there he filled in as dad for my kids and I had the pleasure of being dad to Yahaira and Yesenia, sisters who live at GCH. As I was motioning to them how my love for them stretched all the way around the world (without words) they both smiled and gave me one of those hugs that took every ounce of strength they could muster.

Yahaira and I playing "baby"

It was here that the Lord gave me His eyes for these children. I was reminded of His love for them that spanned not around the world but to eternity and back. I was reminded of God's heart for these little ones as described in Matthew 18 and Isaiah 1. How we are to "defend the fatherless" and lead them to the cross. As tears welled up in my eyes (hidden by my sunglasses) I just smiled back. I returned the hugs, knowing that I was blessed way more then they were.

The next day, I had the honor of filling in for George at the Father's Day celebration at Jennifer's school. Jennifer is the oldest child at GCH (just turned 14) and is Yahaira's and Yesenia's big sister. The school staff had planned a sort of father/child rally race with bicycles and different stations that required you to do different things. Since we forgot to bring a bike, I decorated Jennifer with the bike decorations and we ran the race on foot. Afterwards there was a fair with lots of great food and games for the kids and parents. I got to spend some time getting to know Jennifer a little better. She wants to be a psychologist when she grows up. I told her she can do anythig she sets her mind to and that we were there to help her in anyway we could. Again I was humbled to be used by the Lord to represent Him, her Heavenly Father. If you have the chance to do the same, don't miss it. Happy Father's Day.

Joe Max, Not Of This World

Monday the first graders led the asemblea.  In the video below Joe Max is the one shouting out the orders.  Our kids have had to get used to this much patriotism (and us too). In their previous classes in public school in San Diego the flag salute was optional. Some teachers didn't include it in the routine of the school day. The only time our kids have heard their own national anthem is at baseball games. I'm pretty sure they don't know it.

Our kids will never really be "at home" anywhere in this world. Missionary kids are known for never really "fitting in" in life.  As much as they speak the language and assimilate to the culture, our kids will always be foreigners in Mexico.  At the same time, after living in Mexico they will never completely fit back in to the cultural norms, customs, and ways of thinking of America.  It brings new meaning to the term "not of this world".