Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Greetings children of God!
It has been five years since I took the leap of Faith to move to Mexico. It was a decision that would not be possible without me coming to the end of myself and allowing God to take over. First of all I was a middle aged American woman who spoke no Spanish. I had no money raised and no plan B.
Let me back up a little bit. In 2009 I rededicated my life to the Lord. I had received the Lord when I was 10 years old and had been baptized. But my parents were not Christians and when I got into high school everything started going crazy with alcohol and some drugs. So there it began my battle with drugs and alcohol at age 14. For 10 years I was drinking and doing drugs. At age 24 I went into my first rehab and had managed to stay clean and sober for 10 years on my own, but without God we know that it is only a temporary situation. I started smoking marijuana which for me opened the door to the demon of alcohol. I ended up leaving my family which was my first husband and two children. I was also diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and placed on antidepressants and mood stabilizers. At age 37 I went to my 2nd rehab center. Shortly after I got out of rehab I married my 2nd husband. I was thinking that we would be able to stay clean and sober together but that was not the case. He was a recovering addict and I was newly sober. I began using meth intravenously, to say that was the worst decision of my life. I almost immediately went out of my mind. I became suicidal and was cutting myself and wanted to die. I now realize it was a spirit of death but at the time I was paranoid, delusional and suicidal. So that continued for close to two years with me in and out of mental hospitals and off and on the drugs. Finally in 2009 I was invited to a church service and I went and asked Jesus into my heart and was re baptized for my new life. I battled with the meth for one year after I received the Lord back into my heart. I was in Bakersfield Ca. living in Oildale at the time all of this happened. I relocated to Bishop Ca. my Mom was living there and that is where I was able to heal and rejuvenate. I divorced husband #2 and began a journey of discovery of who I was and who Jesus is. I was content to be alone with the Lord. I told Him whatever you want of me I will do. I was so grateful for how He saved me and healed me. He completely restored me not to my former self but better then my former self. I was off all medication my mind was clear I was off all drugs and alcohol. Thank you Jesus!!
In 2013, my Mom died at her home and I found her on the floor in her bathroom. We were devastated! The Lord had restored the relationship with my children, they were both back in my life.
There was a man who used to come into the care center where I worked in Bishop named Dick Martinez and he always went to Mexico to hand out blankets and I thought that would be a good idea for a little getaway to serve the Lord. I contacted Ron Graves who I had met before, everyone in Bishop knows Ron! I scheduled to go on a prayer and healing trip in June of 2013. I ended up going with Ron six times in a one year period. The Lord had placed in my heart the desire to move there. To serve Him, however that looked. I tried to have a plan B, maybe take a leave a absence from my job and sublet my trailer find someone to watch my dogs instead of giving them away. But none of these possibilities went through.
I went and told Ron what I wanted to do. He laughed, I said I want to sell all my stuff, quit my job and move to Mexico and volunteer at one of the orphanages we worked with. I said Ron I am serious! So it began the process of downsizing.
On my first mission trip I had met Frank, the Lord placed him in my path. He was helping the ministry as one of our translators. Let me say after divorce #2 I placed the purity ring on and said to the Lord if there is to be a another husband you pick him. My picker is broken, my only requirement was he needed to be a mighty man of God! Because what I wanted was to serve the Lord in a radical way. The Lord had saved me from so much, that I was going to give Him my all. Frank and I had started texting and our friendship was growing.
In June of 2014 I took the leap! I went down with the group and a car load of my stuff and the group left and I stayed. Ha Ha!! Jumping off into the deep end, but the Lord was my safety vest. The girls quickly learned English and I walked around with a clip board and a Spanish/English dictionary pointing to words to communicate with everyone.
My church started sending monthly support, individual people started sending monthly support. My relationship with Frank was growing and by June of 2015 we were married. I sent a text to my Pastor and said To Mexico with Love which is the name of the ministry has turned into To Mexico in Love with Frank. All the girls from the orphanage where in the wedding along with my daughter. The Lord had done it, He sent me a mighty man of God.
Frank and I left the orphanage soon after the wedding and began our full time work in Cerro Azul where Brother Ron had been coming for the last 30 years. We are the representatives for To Mexico with Love in Mexico. Thank you Jesus for restoration.
I wanted to share this testimony to give hope to anyone who feels like they are too old, too young, don't know the language, not strong enough, don't have any money, haven't walked with the Lord long enough. So many obstacles that the devil will put in your way. But the fact is God is bigger then any obstacle, if we are in His will He will answer every prayer, He will meet every need!! If we look at the natural we will say there is no way this woman with this past can possibly be effective. But the Lord will take the most broken vessels and lift them up for His glory. I am filled with love and compassion for the people in Mexico. The Lord sent me there to make a difference and to help those in need of a Savior. To re-present Him, to shine so others can say what is different about her. She is filled with the glory of the Lord. Amen!!
Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way!! Thank you team Mexico we have an amazing group of people we work with here in Mexico. Thank you to all the groups who come and visit us and bless the people of Mexico. We stand strong on the solid rock which is our Jesus!
