Finding our Fit

God spoke and we listened. But to be honest it was so tempting to follow our human desires and try to go where we felt it would be more suitable for our comfort. Did you catch that? Yes we are human and have to fight the flesh daily! But God has such a sense of humor because He called us to serve where there is lots of heat (with no AC) and sand (we dislike sand). We were reminded like Jeremiah that we are to be His mouthpiece. We too had some protest like Jeremiah but as you continue to read in the book of Jeremiah you see where God assured him that HE would be with him and take care of him. See God is an intimate God who is personally involved with ALL of those who serve Him - not just the prophets and preachers. And because God knitted us together in our mothers womb He alone knows and can change our internal thermometer. God is "with us" more than just geographically, He is with us personally, working out His purpose for us. And we can't find any verses on how it is to be easy, comfortable or what WE WANT!!! But because He is all knowing, and His plan is perfect - we are going to..........

Rancho Sordo Mudo in Guadalupe Valley, Mexico

Some of the kids dressed for school.

Fun on the soccer field

Who needs snow? Sand Angels are fun too!

Some Ranch fun! I will not be joining that kind of fun.  I have heard plenty of missionaries say, don't ever say never :-)

God is ready to do a new work there on the Ranch, a new work to accomplish His plans & purposes that were laid out before we were even born and how exciting to think that He wanted us to be a part of them! Wow!!! Reality check!!!

God never says anything He doesn't mean and He intends to see His word accomplished no matter the discomforts we might endure. Followers of Christ have been called to nothing less than a willingness to die for the gospel. Speaking the truth to troubled people will always test our ability to endure suffering. Jeremiah 6:16 hit me like a ton of bricks - "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'  
If we don't go exactly where God planned long before time and walk in it, we will not have rest for our souls. And if you have ever done any type of mission work - even short term, you know above all else you need rest for your soul to accomplish His plans and work. I think we would all do well to remember that last sentence. "No that's not the road we want!" Did you notice that is has an explanation point - so it was said with force. Is there something God is calling you to do or to go and you keep answering Him like that? Maybe you need to stop and ask for the old, godly way and walk in it because there you will find rest for your soul. 
It is a rest, peace, a joy that will NEVER be filled by doing what YOU WANT. I will not tell you that walking in it is easy, always fun and not heartbreaking at times, but I will tell promise you that onver any selfish fleshly things that we think are important or how we need to make decisions - there is is an inner sustaining peace, joy and rest that transcends all the suffering, pain, discomfort & tears and comforts your soul. Our own roads lead to dead ends, heartbreak, suffering and tears with no rest for our souls - so ask God to show you the old, godly way and walk in it, you won't regret it - I promise. 

Our last newsletter outlined some of our duties at the Ranch as well as what the Ranch is all about and what all we do. If you are signed up, at the top right of this blog is a place to sign up so you can stay informed as to where we are in the process and what is going on. I will post more details and cover more stuff with each post in the blog. 


Prayer Needs:

Our biggest prayer request now is about our support raising. We have to start having our support come in now and on a consistent bases for at least 3 months before we can leave. We need prayer for us to find those supporters that God has spoken too about joining us, we need opportunities to share our journey with groups, churches etc... We need our house to sell and for things to fall in to place so that we can leave by summer time. We ask you to pray about if the Lord is asking you to join us financially or if you have any connections to groups that we could share with. 

We will be at language school for the first 8-10 months and then off to the Ranch and yes we will have to not only learn Spanish, but SML (Spanish Sign Language). So we have our work cut out for us :-)

Prayers as we finish up our class that we are in now, it has proven to be a really challenging class. We are learning so much, but it is hard. 

Pray for the staff and kids at the Ranch. We are ready to join them and help lessen the load. 

Pray for our friends, family, church and us as the time draws near for us to leave. It will not be an easy thing and we know that. Pray that God will be working in all of our hearts and preparing us all. 

Johnny & Amber are staff members at the Ranch - here is a short review they did

 to see a little more of the Ranch. 

Thanks for praying, supporting and keeping up with us. We love you all!!

Donations can be made Here our account number is 111728 - Mike & Sherri Sexton