SHEPHERD'S HEART MINISTRIES

Sabbatical

Sabbatical

Sabbatical: from the Hebrew word Shabbat or Sabbath. It refers to a rest or break from work. It traditionally last a year and should be observed every seven years. Because of the extreme weight and emotional toll which accompanies missions, many mission organizations require their missionaries to take a sabbath rest every 2-3 years. It’s been 9 months since we came to the States and we feel like we are just now on the cusp of understanding sabbatical. That slowing down from m

More than just carpentry

More than just carpentry

I had been practicing English with a client at a job-site, telling stories of Mexico and different job techniques between the U.S. way and the Mexican way. As I worked on the kitchen, the man began to ask me questions about where I learned my carpentry skills and why I was going to return to Mexico. I shared about the Have Hammers program in Chapala where my love for wood-working began and how it helped me become the wood shop supervisor at Hope House. The man asked, “Wha

Jesus People

Jesus People

Waiting for our table outside under an umbrella in the rain - and enjoying a hot cup of coffee. Leaning over with a smile he asked me, “Are you Jesus people?” My wife and I were seated in a bustling, crowded restaurant enjoying a late breakfast. We had dutifully read the online reviews and decided that this would be a great place to celebrate our 23 years of marriage. In spite of the cold temperatures and rain we bundled up and headed out. The line was already out the door wh

Tis the season...to be grateful

Tis the season...to be grateful

November is normally a month were people ponder the good things in their life and express gratitude for these blessings. As we reflect and contemplate these blessings, we want to thank you for your support and prayers. Your faithfulness has been a blessing to Hope House and Shepherd’s Heart this year. Your partnership helps provide not only shelter, food and clothing, but a loving home for many boys. Chuy has the opportunity to pursue his love of music Carlos and Jorge have

A Missionary's Home

A Missionary's Home

The last 6 months our family has experienced a constant wave of emotions. Cleaning out 16 years of life in Mexico, we packed anything that would fit into our van, sold items that could not make the trip, and threw out tons of miscellaneous junk that somehow crept into the nooks and crannies of our Mexican “home”. Midway into our one year sabbatical, we are continuing to clean out emotional clutter that had also crept in during the long season of missionary service. As we debr

Suffering: Live in Hope While Doing Good

Suffering: Live in Hope While Doing Good

Suffering is a pesky and pervasive pest that doesn’t seem to hold any special regard for the Christian. It finds a way to enter our well-ordered houses. It slithers over the walls of our gardens. Whether by our own doing or because of the sinful state of the world, it will visit us. The Christian may find common ground with the Buddhist who says that life is suffering. After all, our Christ is a tortured and crucified Messiah who told us to pick up our cross daily and follow

A Quick Hope House Update

A Quick Hope House Update

Hope House Administer goes horseback riding with Leo We are so blessed by everyone who continues to support Shepherd's Heart and Hope House. As you know, Hope House suffered some major damages as a result of a hail storm. We have seen the people around us work together to go above and beyond on restoring Hope House again. Even some projects that have been on the list for months have been repaired! What a blessing! Hope House boys and staff enjoy some funny times with the

"I'll pray for you and your family"

"I'll pray for you and your family"

Hugo arrived in the back of a police truck in 2008 and immediately won our hearts. "Somebody stole my socks" Hugo whined to me. And flashing his (in)famous smile added, "But I found another pair that is better than mine!" There have been few boys who forged a permanent place in my heart over the years and Hugo is one of them. Hugo arrived at Hope House in the back of a police truck. Usually this sends up all kinds of red flags as Hope House is not equipped to receive boys wit

Destination: Honduras

Destination: Honduras

A glimpse of the village of San Juan on the coast in Honduras. You may have heard that we are headed to Honduras next June. We are returning to the little village of San Juan which sits on the Caribbean Ocean. It is the kind of place that stretches you beyond your comfort zone, but in a good way. The people are some of the most joyful, hardworking people I have ever met. When I think of them I always remember their larger than life smiles. They challenge me to choose happines

Post-it-notes to myself

Post-it-notes to myself

I've been reflecting on our family's sixteen years of service as missionaries in Mexico. The emotional rollercoasters, the physical strain and the stretched cultural barriers have been a little overwhelming to say the least. Overwhelming and at the same time...life-changing. I wanted to write something about missions this month in an effort to begin digesting those sixteen life-changing years. Taken all at once, those years are difficult to articulate. In our social media dri

Five months in...

Five months in...

Karlee and Ever being "festive" in the international food store in Cincinnati. Growing up, Ever never thought he’d need a U.S. visa or even a reason to visit the United States. His dad has been a citizen for over 20 years, but Ever never saw a need to make the trip north of the boarder. When Ever and I began dating, and things got serious, he knew he had to try to make it here to meet my family and eventually ask for my hand in marriage. That was unsuccessful. Twice, he wa

Short term missions: relief or development?

Short term missions: relief or development?

A major road in the Garifuna village of San Juan. Shepherd's Heart has begun organizing a mission trip to Honduras June 1-8, 2019. We will be working with the Garifuna people who live in the small villages of San Juan and Nuevo San Juan. As we serve alongside local pastors and believers in Christ our mission will be two-fold: Encourage and disciple the local church and help to complete work projects in the church and feeding programs with which we partner. "That trip sounds

Honduras June 2019

Honduras June 2019

Genesis made fast friends with KeKe and orphaned boy who lives in San Juan and eats 2 meals a day at the God Will Provide Feeding Program. As we make plans for the June 2019 mission trip to Honduras, my thoughts return to the first team I lead there. Fifteen of us traveled to the Garifuna village of San Juan and worked alongside the local Christians in their community. We brought the message that God cares for them. Our goals were simple: bless the church, train the leadershi

Another opportunity

Another opportunity

Eyes darting back and forth, suspicious and scared. This is how the majority of boys arrive at Hope House. Hope House is so much more than a simple building - it's a refuge - a place of restoration. Arriving wounded and hurting, it's a safe place where boys can learn to trust again. Simply put, Hope House is about providing the boys it serves with opportunities to learn, grow and become independent young men. (You can read more about what motivates Hope House here.) I use the

Summer is here

Summer is here

It’s the end of the school year for the boys at Hope House, summer vacation is scarce, but they have finished the year off on a high note. Julie, from The Way Ministries does a devotional with the boys. We had three boys graduate from elementary school who are anxious for the routine of middle school. Chuy celebrated his 15th birthday while, Gerardo celebrated his sweet 16th. We had four boys take their placement tests for high school, praying all their extra tutoring has pai

Mission to Honduras

7 Things You Should Know About Ixtlahuacan

Rest Like It's Your Job

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Cute Smiles

Cute Smiles

Sabbatical

Sabbatical

Jesus is Better

Jesus is Better

Prisoner of hope

Prisoner of hope

The Joys of Parenthood; Pt. 2

The Joys of Parenthood; Pt. 2

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